{"url": "http://blog.malaysia-asia.my/2022/02/pulau-ketam-photowalk.html", "text": "\n\n\n\nHomeMalaysia\n\nPulau Ketam Photowalk\n\n\n\n\nbyMalaysia Asia\n-February 28, 2022\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nIn February 2020, I followed a casual photography group to do a\u00a0Pulau Ketam Photowalk, as it has been almost 30 years since I last visited this fishing village in Selangor.Surprisingly, very little has changed since my visit in the 90s, but there were significant noticeable ones, including the new jetty and other smaller buildings.Pulau Ketam PhotowalkBefore you continue, let me share what Pulau Ketam is about - It is an old Chinese fishing village that has been around for many years.The fishing village is also built on stilts due to the in and outgoing tides and is surrounded by a massive mangrove system off Port Klang.The beautiful Pulau Ketam fishing village.In the good old days, before air travel, locals came here to get away from the city or take a short break. Seafood was the primary produce here and still is.The locals mainly deal with the supply of fresh or processed seafood to the mainland, and in the last 20 years, the island has seen some growth in local tourism.So, when the opportunity came up for this\u00a0Pulau Ketam Photowalk, I immediately signed up to attend this half-day trip, which started at 8.30 AM and ended at 1.00 PM.I also wanted to test my FujiFilm X-S10 for bird photography, as mangroves are always marvellous for shorebirds, waterbirds, and raptors.Therefore, I had my Fuji and Samsung Galaxy S10+ for this trip, using the latter for landscape and general photos.The South Port Pulau Ketam Jetty in Port Klang.This huge golden crab is spotted just before you board the ferry to\u00a0Pulau Ketam.Once you are ready to board the ferry, you will walk along this new jetty.The group was decent, with 12 people meeting at the Pulau Ketam Jetty in Port Klang and then taking a speed boat (RM12 one way per person), a 40-minute journey.Once we reached Pulau Ketam, we had a quick briefing about the dos and don'ts here and went on our way.The island is relatively small, with two main streets occupied by shops and restaurants on both sides, while several hotels and homestays are available.The rest of the island is mainly dominated by the local fishermen's homes and a couple of temples; therefore, it takes work to get lost here.Sitting at the back of the ferry shows you this scenery.The locals are quite friendly, as long as you do not intrude into their lifestyle, just like anywhere else. But they smile at visitors, provided you don't show arrogance or attitude when there.Pulau Ketam is well known to be electric-friendly for those who prefer not to walk, as there are no cars or motorbikes here, just electric bicycles.Therefore, you can easily rent an electric bike for RM10 and hour, RM20 for three hours or RM50 for the whole day. I chose to walk as I wanted to see the details of the island.Photos of Pulau KetamBelow are random photos taken with my Galaxy S10+ using mostly ultra-wide-angle to capture the full beauty of the Pulau Ketam fishing village.Each photo is resized for web publishing and minimally edited here; therefore, they are not high-resolution. This is just for the viewers to understand what can be photographed here.Arriving at the Pulau Ketam jetty.As you walk along the jetty, the scenery when the tide is out.Once you enter the island, this is the first thing that greets you.And for those who prefer to take things easy, electric bikes are available for rental.Life in Pulau Ketam is simple and easy.The local Balai Polis or a police station.One of the few Chinese temples at Pulau Ketam.An arch that was done for the Selangor Silver Jubilee in 1985.Locals call this 'Kedai Runcit' or provision shop.A 'Tuck Shop' sells souvenirs, sweets and junk food.The only photo studio which doubles as another business.The post office is shared with another old-style shop.Electric bikes are the primary mode of transport on the island. There are no cars here.This is the largest building in Pulau Ketam.A lively main street awaits visitors on the weekend.Low-angle shots at Pulau Ketam town.One of the local houses at\u00a0Pulau Ketam.The famous\u00a0Pulau Ketam bridge connects the other part of the island.A private water gazebo.Beautiful river landscape photos.Shops sell a variety of items.Jalan Besar Pekan Road is the main shopping street of\u00a0Pulau Ketam.A Chinese temple from across the river.Several hotels and homestays are available at\u00a0Pulau Ketam.At least they have a little amusement centre for kids here.Electric bike rentals are available at the entrance to\u00a0Pulau Ketam.I managed to also do some smartphone bird photography.Several street art murals are seen around\u00a0Pulau Ketam.The beautiful landscape of\u00a0Pulau Ketam.On route back from the island, I passed Northport.Where is Pulau Ketam?This could be a question for those who have never been here or non-Malaysians who work here. Pulau Ketam is an island located just outside of Port Klang in Selangor.From the main jetty, it takes about 40 minutes to get to the island via ferry from the Port Klang jetty and from Kuala Lumpur, it will take about one hour to drive here.Alternatively, you can take the KTM Kommuter from KL Sentral, which ends at Port Klang and just walk one minute to the jetty.Google Maps shows where Pulau Ketam is located.My Gear For the Pulau Ketam PhotowalkUsually, I focus on my smartphone photography, using a Samsung Galaxy S10+ for my overall photos, including landscape photos in the ultra-wide-mode and standard lifestyle and street photography settings.But this time, I also brought my FujiFilm X-S10 mirrorless camera fitted with an XF 70-300mm lens and a 2.0 TC. My sole purpose was to capture bird photography and test the telephoto landscape shots.That's me during the Pulau Ketam Photowalk.ConclusionThe\u00a0Pulau Ketam Photowalk brought back some of my early day memories, namely the friendliness of the older people here.It is also a great place to explore for a day trip, provided you come here early and leave just after lunch, as it can get really hot and humid.You can also check out some of my other Photowalks in Malaysia, as I have been documenting them over the years. And if you're interested in attending my photowalks, look me up on my Facebook or Instagram.\n\n\nTags\nMalaysia\nMalaysia Photowalk\nPhotography\nPhotowalk\nPulau Ketam Photowalk\nSamsung\nSelangor\nSelangor Photowalk\nSmartphone Review\nSmartphone Reviews\n\n\n\n\n\nFacebook\nTwitter\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nShare:Pulau Ketam Photowalk\n\n\nFacebook\nTwitter\nWhatsApp\nPinterest\nLinkedIn\nReddit\nTumblr\nTelegram\nEmail\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nMalaysia Asia\nBlogging since 2007, but writing online since 1997. I belong to the 1st generation of worldwide bloggers, which is of course old-school. \n\nSince 2008, I created Malaysia Asia and this travel, flood, gadget and lifestyle blog has won numerous physical awards from tourism boards around Malaysia. (Not those online awards).\n\nAfter 12 years of blogging, I have semi-retired and now blog about things I like, do product reviews and enjoy life. My work has been featured in Lonely Planet, CNN Travel, Yahoo Travel, Wall Street Journal, and many other international publications. Find out more about me and thank you.\n\n\n\n\nYou might like\nView all\n\n\n\n\n\n\n"}
{"url": "http://blog.malaysia-asia.my/2019/12/things-to-see-do-and-eat-at-tanjung-rhu.html", "text": "\n\n\n\nHomeKedah\n\nThings to See, Do and Eat at Tanjung Rhu Langkawi\n\n\n\n\nbyMalaysia Asia\n-December 15, 2021\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nWith many people heading to the island of Langkawi in Kedah, Malaysia, I have come up with a general list of things to see, do and eat at the Tanjung Rhu area of the island.\nThis will give you information about the northern part of Langkawi Island, which is often overlooked by many travellers heading here. Also, the Langkawi Geopark is located around here too.\n\nThings to See, Do and Eat at Tanjung Rhu Langkawi\n\n\nThe Tanjung Rhu area is located in one of the secluded areas of Langkawi Island and is probably home to one of the most beautiful beaches on the island.\n\n\n\nTo get here, it only takes about 30 to 40 minutes to drive from Pantai Cenang or Kuah Town, and only one main road leads to Tanjung Rhu.Visitors exploring the Kilim Geoforest Park mangroves.\nWhat are the Things to See and Do at Tanjung Rhu?\n\n\nWhile Tanjung Rhu is located in the area of the Kilim Geoforest Park, which spans over 100 square kilometres from the northeast to the north of the island.\u00a0\n\n\n\nThere are several beautiful attractions to see around this area, and just to reinforce, this is a natural area with no manmade tourist attractions. (Well, except for the floating fish farms and restaurants)\n\n\n\nKilim Mangrove Tour - This is the best thing anyone can do here, and you should always engage a credible tour company specialising in this.\u00a0\n\n\nThis is because too many un-sanctioned tour operators or unethical operators just do it for the money. I strongly recommend booking a tour from reputable companies that practice responsible and ethical tourism experiences.The sandbank and Karst Island are outside of the\u00a0Tanjung Rhu Resort.\n\nThe Famous Tanjung Rhu Beach Karst Island\u00a0is easily spotted from the main Tanjung Rhu beach, directly facing the Tanjung Rhu Resort. The best time to experience this is during the full or new moon each month when the tides go all the way out. You can walk to the karst island from the beach along a sandbank.Explore the main Tanjung Rhu Beach - This commercial part of Tanjung Rhu attracts many beach lovers. The pristine white sand beach has mushroomed with businesses renting deck chairs and water-sport activities with local hawkers selling food and drinks.Tanjung Rhu is also known to be one of the bird-watching spots in Langkawi.\n\nBird Watchers Paradise - Tanjung Rhu is one of Langkawi's popular bird-watching locations. By just walking the resort road or the main road here, you can easily spot over 20 species of birds.\u00a0\n\n\n\nThe best time is in the mornings or late afternoons, but I recommend you engage a professional bird guide for this.\n\n\n\nAmong the guides, you can always contact Tanjung Rhu Resort as they have nature and bird guides available, or as an alternative, you can look for\u00a0Wendy Nature Guide, one\u00a0of the recommended bird guides.Langkawi's most famous fish and chips at Scarborough, Tanjung Rhu.What are the Things to Eat at Tanjung Rhu?For those wanting some great food, there are many resorts and local restaurants along the main Tanjung Rhu Road and all the way to the jetty area.Eat at Scarborough Fish and Chips Restaurant\u00a0- Probably the most famous fish and chips restaurant in Langkawi and the north of Malaysia. Scarborough Fish & Chips Restaurant Langkawi has been around for more than 10 years and made a massive name for itself. Definitely, a recommended place if you love Western food or just fish and chips.Eat at Tanjung Rhu Resort - The main resort at the end of Tanjung Rhu offers several open restaurants for the public to walk in and dine in. The Sands Restaurant offers ala-carte Asian and Continental cuisine, while the Sands Pool Bar offers interesting snacks like pizzas, burgers, and fries.The new Rumah Ikan Fish House at the Four Seasons Resort.Eat at Four Seasons Langkawi - A fantastic restaurant called Ikan-Ikan resembles a traditional Malay home setting and serves award-winning traditional Malay cuisine. However, this is targeted towards the well-heeled market.Eat at the Local Shops at the End of Jalan Tanjung Rhu. Just\u00a0before the main Tanjung Rhu mangrove jetty at the end of the road, several local restaurants sell seafood and other local Malay dishes, which are also recommended to try.Dawan Thai Kitchen along the Tanjung Rhu road.Local Malay Food around Tanjung Rhu - There are several local Malay warungs found at the main roundabout here, and one of them to try is D'Bendang Nasi Campoq, by the main Ulu Melaka Road. This warung serves some fantastic local Malay mixed rice and is open for lunch only.Dawan Thai Kitchen at Tanjung Rhu - This new Thai restaurant is the talk of Tanjung Rhu, with many locals coming here to eat. However, it is not your Bangkok Thai good, but more of the Southern Thailand style of cuisine.One of the floating fish farms and restaurants at Tanjung\u00a0 Rhu.What NOT to do at Tanjung RhuEating Expensive Seafood - In 2021, there was controversy about an expensive seafood meal in Langkawi at one of the floating fish farms near\u00a0Tanjung Rhu. The meal was apparently had by seven locals who paid RM1,852 for a meal, including an RM1,196 Siakap fish.This says you should be cautious when eating at certain tourist places in Langkawi and always double check the seafood price before confirming your order.Renting a Car or Motorbike - Always ensure that the person or company you rent from has proper insurance coverage for any car or bike you rent. There have been cases where cheap car and bike rentals are offered without insurance coverage, and if you do get into an accident, the problems start.\nWhere is Tanjung Rhu Located in Langkawi Island?\n\n\n\nA map showing how long it takes from the airport to Tanjung Rhu. Photo Google Maps\n\n\nIt is located in the island's northern part and away from commercial areas like Pantai Cenang and Kuah Town.\n\n\n\nMost visitors to Langkawi will depart from the Langkawi Airport, and the journey to Tanjung Rhu will take around 25 minutes to drive one way.\u00a0\n\n\n\nThere is only one main road leading to Tanjung Rhu, the main 112 road known as Jalan Ulu Melaka. By the way, Jalan is the Malay name for Road.\u00a0\n\n\n\nWhen you reach the small roundabout at Air Hangat, just continue straight to Road 111, Jalan Tanjung Rhu. Keep on this road until the end and you have reached the main jetty area. The Tanjung Rhu Resort is located on the left, on a private road.The resort at night.What is at Tanjung Rhu?\nYou can find only one main resort in the core area: the\u00a0Tanjung Rhu Resort. This is a 5-star semi-luxurious resort that caters to singles, couples and family travellers who want a peaceful getaway in Langkawi.At the end of the main road is the famous Tanjung Rhu Mangrove Jetty, where visitors can book tours to Kilim Geoforest Park. Around the jetty area are also local Malay restaurants and souvenir shops.Before you enter the core Tanjung Rhu area, you will also pass the commercial beach of Tanjung Rhu, where several homestays and restaurants are found.And before you enter the mangrove area of Tanjung Rhu, you will pass the Four Seasons Resort on the left of the main road.A beautiful sunset at the\u00a0Tanjung Rhu Resort.How to Get to Tanjung Rhu?\nFrom Kuah Town, you can just take a taxi or rent a car and drive up to the northern part of Langkawi. Tanjung Rhu is located in the middle of north Langkawi.All roads will connect to the main Ulu Melaka road connecting to Road 111, the Tanjung Rhu main road. Use Waze or Google Maps, and you will be easily led there.\nConclusionThis article was created for anyone who plans to visit the Tanjung Rhu area of Langkawi Island. It is in the island's northern part and is connected by one main road, easily accessed by all areas.While first-timers may have questions about this place, the things to see, do and eat at Tanjung Rhu highlight most questions, except for places to stay.\n\n\nTags\nKedah\nLangkawi\nLangkawi Island\nMalaysia\nPlaces to Visit in Langkawi\nPulau Langkawi\nThings to do in Langkawi\n\n\n\n\n\nFacebook\nTwitter\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nShare:Things to See, Do and Eat at Tanjung Rhu Langkawi\n\n\nFacebook\nTwitter\nWhatsApp\nPinterest\nLinkedIn\nReddit\nTumblr\nTelegram\nEmail\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nMalaysia Asia\nBlogging since 2007, but writing online since 1997. I belong to the 1st generation of worldwide bloggers, which is of course old-school. \n\nSince 2008, I created Malaysia Asia and this travel, flood, gadget and lifestyle blog has won numerous physical awards from tourism boards around Malaysia. (Not those online awards).\n\nAfter 12 years of blogging, I have semi-retired and now blog about things I like, do product reviews and enjoy life. My work has been featured in Lonely Planet, CNN Travel, Yahoo Travel, Wall Street Journal, and many other international publications. Find out more about me and thank you.\n\n\n\n\nYou might like\nView all\n\n\n\n\n\n\n"}
{"url": "http://blog.malaysia-asia.my/2021/12/black-sand-beach-at-langkawi-with.html", "text": "\n\n\n\nHomeGalaxy Z Flip\n\nBlack Sand Beach at Langkawi with Galaxy Z Flip3 \n\n\n\n\nbyMalaysia Asia\n-December 07, 2021\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nSince Malaysia opened up to domestic tourism after the 3rd Movement Control Order (MCO3), I finally visited the famous Black Sand Beach in Langkawi with my Galaxy Z Flip3 phone.Since the Covid19 pandemic hit us all, many people have been yearning to travel somewhere, but international borders have been closed for almost two years.In Malaysia, we finally opened up for local tourism in mid-October, and this was my chance to take a much-needed trip away from the city to the island of Langkawi with my new flip phone.Black Sand Beach at Langkawi with Galaxy Z Flip3An overall view of the Black Sand Beach with the sea swings.While in Langkawi, I always put up at the Tanjung Rhu Resort due to the seclusion away from the commercial crowds, especially around the Pantai Cenang area.And when I arrive, my car rental guy will stand by a vehicle; therefore, it is convenient for me to drive around Langkawi when I am here.This trip I made in late October was more of a casual trip for birdwatching in Langkawi and sightseeing around the island.One of the places I have not been in over ten years is Langkawi's famous Black Sand Beach, located near Ayer Hangat village.Below are random photos of the Black Sand Beach taken with a Galaxy Z Flip3 5G smartphone and minimally edited for this article.You will see this sign from the car park before entering the beach area.This beautiful archway was taken with my ultra-wide mode on the Galaxy Z Flip3.You will come to the Rainbow Staircase to the beach right after the arch.The beach has two staircase entrances at the end of the Rainbow Stairs - left and right.Several notice boards at the concrete gazebo contain information about the beach.There is also some information about the local folklore of Black Sand Beach.A close-up photo of the black sand using normal mode on the Galaxy Z Flip3.This is an ultra-wide photo of the black sand on the beach here.A water outlet creates a small stream into the sea, showing the layering of the sand.The layering of the beach sand shows the brown and black mixtures containing fine tourmaline.The sea swings are located on the beach.Pantai Pasir Hitam LangkawiThis place is also known in Malay as Pantai Pasir Hitam. The island council recently completed the site, catering to local and international visitors.There is a proper car park outside, and the entrance will allow visitors to go through a small shopping arcade selling local items, including food, snacks and craft.The visit here is free, and there is no charge whatsoever. However, please note that the place may be crowded on weekends and public holidays.Google Maps showing where the\u00a0Black Sand Beach is located at Ayer Hangat.Where is the Black Sand Beach in Langkawi?This beach is located along Jalan Teluk Yu (Road 113) in the Ayer Hangat area of Langkawi and near the main roundabout heading to Tanjung Rhu.It is about 500 to 700 metres away from the main roundabout, and there is a parking lot, a Medan Niaga Black Sand Beach with souvenir shops, a small local cafe, and toilet facilities.Black Sand Beach LangkawiJalan Teluk Yu,Ayet Hangat 07000Langkawi IslandConclusionThis article is part of my Langkawi Photowalk series, where I explore the island to capture photos using a smartphone. You can also see my other photos on my Malaysia smartphone reviews page.I have been actively exploring Malaysia during the Covid19 pandemic due to the international border closures and visited several locations to do smartphone photography.The Black Sand Beach at Langkawi Island is truly one of the unique natural attractions and has been for many decades.Visitors who appreciate natural attractions will surely visit here, and if you have never seen a black-sand beach, this would be a great place to start.\n\n\nTags\nGalaxy Z Flip\nGalaxy Z Flip3 5G Review\nKedah\nLangkawi Island\nMalaysia\nPulau Langkawi\nSamsung Galaxy\nSamsung Galaxy Z Flip\nSamsung Malaysia\nSmartphone Photography\nSmartphone Review\nSmartphone Reviews\n\n\n\n\n\nFacebook\nTwitter\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nShare:Black Sand Beach at Langkawi with Galaxy Z Flip3 \n\n\nFacebook\nTwitter\nWhatsApp\nPinterest\nLinkedIn\nReddit\nTumblr\nTelegram\nEmail\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nMalaysia Asia\nBlogging since 2007, but writing online since 1997. I belong to the 1st generation of worldwide bloggers, which is of course old-school. \n\nSince 2008, I created Malaysia Asia and this travel, flood, gadget and lifestyle blog has won numerous physical awards from tourism boards around Malaysia. (Not those online awards).\n\nAfter 12 years of blogging, I have semi-retired and now blog about things I like, do product reviews and enjoy life. My work has been featured in Lonely Planet, CNN Travel, Yahoo Travel, Wall Street Journal, and many other international publications. Find out more about me and thank you.\n\n\n\n\nYou might like\nView all\n\n\n\n\n\n\n"}
{"url": "http://blog.malaysia-asia.my/2022/05/marudi-photowalk-in-sarawak.html", "text": "\n\n\n\nHomeMalaysia\n\nMarudi Photowalk in Sarawak\n\n\n\n\nbyMalaysia Asia\n-May 12, 2022\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nThis is a recap of my\u00a0Marudi Photowalk in Sarawak, which I did in 2018 as I stopped here to get to the Mulu National Park via a wooden longboat.While Marudi is one of the lesser-visited destinations in Sarawak, it is probably one of the most natural townships homes to the Orang Ulu.Marudi Photowalk in SarawakMarudi is a very small town located by the Baram River in the interior of Sarawak and borders the Kingdom of Brunei.The best way to get here is via road from the city of Miri, which is a 90-minute drive using the local roads and crossing several riverways.People used to take the car ferry system before the bridges were constructed.Once here, this township can be a total juxtaposition of what you have seen in general towns and cities across Sarawak because it is still underdeveloped.This place is a gold mine for the avid photographer as there is so much natural lifestyle that can be photographed. But one needs to know the best time to explore Marudi town.I was only passing by, but I had some free time to explore the main town area and needed to return here for more photography.Marudi PhotosBelow are random photos that were taken during my short time at Marudi when I walked around the main town area;A shopkeeper still maintaining his classic Drug Store.The famous Baram Regatta statue in Marudi Town.Boats at the Marudi jetty travel up and down the Baram River.Old wooden shophouses in Marudi.Take a time travel experience at this hair salon.Baram Chinese Society Building.Inside one of the classic coffee shops in Marudi.A classic Singer Sewing Machine signboard.One of the old shop houses on the main street.A local lady selling vegetables in Marudi town.ConclusionSpending just two hours walking around Marudi was not enough, but the natural lifestyle here impressed me.Locals are extremely friendly, and street photography here would be the best thing to capture. However, I may even plan another Marudi Photowalk in Sarawak in the near future.And if you are interested, you can also view some of the other Malaysia Photowalks I have done over the last few years.\n\n\nTags\nMalaysia\nMalaysia Photowalk\nMarudi\nMarudi Photowalk\nPhotography\nSarawak\nSarawak Photowalk\n\n\n\n\n\nFacebook\nTwitter\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nShare:Marudi Photowalk in Sarawak\n\n\nFacebook\nTwitter\nWhatsApp\nPinterest\nLinkedIn\nReddit\nTumblr\nTelegram\nEmail\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nMalaysia Asia\nBlogging since 2007, but writing online since 1997. I belong to the 1st generation of worldwide bloggers, which is of course old-school. \n\nSince 2008, I created Malaysia Asia and this travel, flood, gadget and lifestyle blog has won numerous physical awards from tourism boards around Malaysia. (Not those online awards).\n\nAfter 12 years of blogging, I have semi-retired and now blog about things I like, do product reviews and enjoy life. My work has been featured in Lonely Planet, CNN Travel, Yahoo Travel, Wall Street Journal, and many other international publications. Find out more about me and thank you.\n\n\n\n\nYou might like\nView all\n\n\n\n\n\n\n"}
{"url": "http://blog.malaysia-asia.my/2021/10/sekinchan-photography-trip.html", "text": "\n\n\n\nHomeGalaxy Z Flip3 5G Review\n\nSekinchan Photography Trip\n\n\n\n\nbyMalaysia Asia\n-October 31, 2021\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nOne of the things that almost all photographers in the Klang Valley will do is make that Sekinchan photography trip which is a simple day trip here.Sekinchan is well known for its beautiful paddy fields and tends to attract a lot of landscape photographers to this part of Selangor.And the best part about this location is that you can do it half a day or one full day for those wanting to fully explore Sekinchan.Sekinchan Photography TripA photo of the paddy field was taken using the wide-angle mode on the Z Flip3.As I have been involved in photography since the 90s, I have only visited Sekinchan back in the late 90s once, and that was it.My recent trip here was the second time visiting Sekinchan. I decided to explore with a local photography group from Meet Up called Kuala Lumpur Photography Club\u00a0this time around.I've also been a member of Meet Up since September 2011 but hardly ever did explore much with the many groups here.Anyway, the time came when the Covid19 pandemic finally toned down in October of 2021 and when state borders started to open up in Malaysia. Many took the opportunity to travel back to their hometowns.I decided to explore with a Sekinchan photography trip organised by Mr Ching from the Kuala Lumpur Photography Group on 16th October 2021.We met up at a Shell petrol station in Sekinchan town, where we proceeded to a local coffee shop for breakfast with everyone in the group. There were around 18 of us that day, non of whom I know.After our local Sekinchan breakfast, we headed to the famous paddy fields, and this time of the year, the harvest was a beautiful bright green.Photos of SekinchanBelow are random photos taken during my Sekinchan photography trip, and I used both my Galaxy Z Flip3 5G smartphone and DSLR to capture the bird and telephoto pictures.But in this article, I will be focusing on smartphone photos only, and they are not edited, only cropped and added my watermark on them.Random flowers at the paddy field.A common Earhead Rice Bug is seen on the rice paddy.The beautiful green paddy fields from September to November.A yellow damselfly photographed with the Z Flip3 5G.Getting creative with framing.The famous Wishing Tree Temple at Sekinchan.Wide-angle looking up the Sekinchan Wishing Tree.Pantai Redang Beach is one of the attractions at Sekinchan.Beach photography at Pantai Redang.While driving around Sekinchan, there are many photography opportunities.ConclusionI have to say, the trip to Sekinchan for photography was quite exciting because it has been a while since I went on an excursion like this.Overall, I would highly recommend this place for anyone wanting to just have a quick and easy photography outing without having to spend a night.To me, the thrill of getting out of the city was good enough to excite my trapped soul after months of lockdowns. And this Sekinchan photography trip was probably timed perfectly.You can also read my review of the Galaxy Z Flip3 5G, which I did in September, as it is made for general laymen like you and me.\n\n\nTags\nGalaxy Z Flip3 5G Review\nMalaysia\nSamsung\nSamsung Malaysia\nSekinchan\nSelangor\nSmartphone Photography\nSmartphone Review\nSmartphone Reviews\nTourism Selangor\nTravel Photography\n\n\n\n\n\nFacebook\nTwitter\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nShare:Sekinchan Photography Trip\n\n\nFacebook\nTwitter\nWhatsApp\nPinterest\nLinkedIn\nReddit\nTumblr\nTelegram\nEmail\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nMalaysia Asia\nBlogging since 2007, but writing online since 1997. I belong to the 1st generation of worldwide bloggers, which is of course old-school. \n\nSince 2008, I created Malaysia Asia and this travel, flood, gadget and lifestyle blog has won numerous physical awards from tourism boards around Malaysia. (Not those online awards).\n\nAfter 12 years of blogging, I have semi-retired and now blog about things I like, do product reviews and enjoy life. My work has been featured in Lonely Planet, CNN Travel, Yahoo Travel, Wall Street Journal, and many other international publications. Find out more about me and thank you.\n\n\n\n\nYou might like\nView all\n\n\n\n\n\n\n"}
{"url": "http://blog.malaysia-asia.my/2019/10/my-nature-resort-sepilok-review.html", "text": "\n\n\n\nHomeHotel Reviews\n\nMy Nature Resort Sepilok Review\n\n\n\n\nbyMalaysia Asia\n-October 22, 2019\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nFor anyone planning to visit Sandakan in Sabah to explore the wildlife and nature, I have done a review for My Nature Resort Sepilok, one of the most beautiful accommodations found here.\u00a0\n\n\n\nThis high-end nature resort sits at the end of the Rainforest Discovery Center or RDC and is probably the best resort in the entire Sepilok-Kabali Forest Reserve.\n\nReview of\u00a0My Nature Resort Sepilok\u00a0\n\n\n\nThe swimming pool at the resort\n\n\nWhile most Asians will probably make day trips to Sepilok for the many nature-related attractions here, foreign travellers will opt to spend a few days in Sepilok.\u00a0\n\n\n\nThis is because most travellers would prefer to take their time and explore each of the attractions here without having to rush.\u00a0\n\n\n\nAnd when you plan for this, you will be looking for accommodation that suits your style or travel, regardless if it is simple or elaborate.\u00a0\n\n\n\nOver the last ten years of visiting Sandakan, I have had the luxury of staying at various resorts or lodges found here and in 2018, I was fortunate enough to stay at My Nature Resort.\u00a0\n\n\n\nMy trips to Sandakan are wildlife and nature-related; hence I visit yearly for the Borneo Bird Festival, which is held at the Rainforest Discovery Center (RDC). The resort also sits on a private hilly land area of 25 acres covered with lush primary rainforest.\u00a0\n\n\n\nThere are no additional special facilities like spa, gym or gift shops available except for one master restaurant that provides all-day dining.\u00a0\n\n\n\n\nThe king-size bedroom unit at the resort\n\n\nWhat kind of rooms is available here?\u00a0\n\n\n\nOnly 12 semi-detached chalet units are available at My Nature Resort, making this one of the premium eco-resorts in Sandakan.\u00a0\n\n\n\nIn total, 24 rooms are eco-friendly and created to reduce carbon footprint using biodegradable products and solar panels.\u00a0\n\n\n\nAll units are made from wood and fitted with modern amenities like air-conditioning, flat-screen television with Astro satellite service and an attached bathroom with hot water showers.\u00a0\n\n\n\n\nThe king-sized bed at the chalet\n\n\nThe rooms consist of;\n\n\n\n9 double king-size bedrooms\n9 twin-sharing rooms\n6 family rooms\n\n\n\nThe non-family rooms also come with a rainforest-viewing balcony, which means you have an unobstructed view of the Bornean rainforest.\u00a0\n\n\n\nThe balconies are also spacious, meaning you can quickly move around to observe nature and, of course, the many birds that come about in the mornings or late afternoons.\u00a0\n\n\n\nPhotos of\u00a0My Nature Resort Sepilok\n\n\n\nBelow are random photos taken in and around the resort when I stayed here in December 2018 while attending the Borneo Bird Festival.\n\n\n\nThe weather was reasonably great with sudden showers, as the rainy season is from November till February.\u00a0\n\n\n\n\nThe entrance area into the private property where the resort is located.\n\n\n\nThe main reception and welcome area of the resort.\n\n\n\nMy Nature Resort has a beautiful pool surrounded by chalet units.\n\n\n\nThe main walkway and driveway to the chalets.\n\n\n\nI call this breakfast with a rainforest view.\n\n\n\nWine selection that guests can choose.\n\n\n\nMy breakfast with a view.\n\n\n\nThe chalet with a rainforest view.\n\n\n\n\n\nThe overview of the chalet room.\n\n\n\nThe spacious chalet bathroom.\n\n\n\nThe tastefully done room comes with modern amenities.\n\n\n\nThe sofa area in the chalet is quite large and significant as a daybed.\n\n\nWhere is My Nature Resort Sepilok?\u00a0\n\n\n\nThe location of this resort is at the end of Jalan Fabia Road, the main road leading to the Rainforest Discovery Center\u00a0or RDC.\u00a0\n\n\n\nThe resort sits on private property, and no other accommodation is found here, making this an exclusive location for those seeking a quiet nature escape.\n\n\n\n\nMap showing where My Nature Resort is located in Sepilok\n\n\nHow to Book a Stay at My Nature Resort?\u00a0\n\n\n\nThis resort is exclusive to package bookings, which means there is no walk-in available. You must book through the tour company that manages this resort.\u00a0\n\n\n\nThe company is SI Tours, where SI stands for Special Interest, and they are based in Sandakan City, Sabah.\u00a0\n\n\n\nSI Tours offers various experiences that cater to nature, wildlife and even birding packages suitable for anyone who wants premium services.\u00a0\n\n\n\nMy Thoughts about Staying at My Nature Resort\n\n\nI love nature, trekking, wildlife watching and bird watching; wherever I go, the accommodation is essential.\u00a0\n\n\n\nWhy, you may ask? And the answer is simple - After a day of exploring the rainforest, trekking and doing many other activities, I just want to return to a comfortable place.\u00a0\n\n\n\nYes, many accommodations may be on the budget side, but when you travel for many days, you want an exceptionally comfortable and spacious place.\u00a0\n\n\n\nI do not like crowded resorts or those with many rooms as, at times, I just want peace and comfort, especially when I am up for breakfast or back for dinner.\u00a0\n\n\n\nWell, that is just my humble opinion, and My Nature Resort is one of these places that can cater to my requirements.\u00a0\n\n\n\nIf you are planning to visit Sepilok for the Borneo Bird Festival\u00a0or any other activities, this is one of the options for your stay.\u00a0\n\n\n\n\nI captured this Racket-tail Drongo from my chalet balcony.\n\n\nConclusion\n\n\n\nThough this may be known as one of the higher-end resorts in Sepilok, the satisfaction of quality, comfort, and peace does pay off.\n\n\n\nSo, suppose you are a single couple or small group travelling to Sabah for beautiful nature and wildlife experience. In that case, you can consider booking a package with SI Tours that offers its own accommodations.\n\n\n\nOverall, it is not every day that one will travel to Sabah for a nature experience; most people will do this once and for numerous days.\n\n\n\nFinally, I hope this review of My Nature Resort in Sepilok comes in handy for your decision-making. And if you have comments or questions, do ask below.\n\n\nTags\nHotel Reviews\nMalaysia\nMalaysia Hotel Review\nMalaysia Resort Reviews\nNature Retreats Malaysia\nResort Reviews\nSabah\nSandakan\nSepilok\n\n\n\n\n\nFacebook\nTwitter\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nShare:My Nature Resort Sepilok Review\n\n\nFacebook\nTwitter\nWhatsApp\nPinterest\nLinkedIn\nReddit\nTumblr\nTelegram\nEmail\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nMalaysia Asia\nBlogging since 2007, but writing online since 1997. I belong to the 1st generation of worldwide bloggers, which is of course old-school. \n\nSince 2008, I created Malaysia Asia and this travel, flood, gadget and lifestyle blog has won numerous physical awards from tourism boards around Malaysia. (Not those online awards).\n\nAfter 12 years of blogging, I have semi-retired and now blog about things I like, do product reviews and enjoy life. My work has been featured in Lonely Planet, CNN Travel, Yahoo Travel, Wall Street Journal, and many other international publications. Find out more about me and thank you.\n\n\n\n\nYou might like\nView all\n\n\n\n\n\n\n"}
{"url": "http://blog.malaysia-asia.my/2021/11/wildlife-night-photography-with-galaxy.html", "text": "\n\n\n\nHomeGalaxy Z Flip\n\nWildlife Night Photography with the Galaxy Z Flip3 5G\n\n\n\n\nbyMalaysia Asia\n-November 22, 2021\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nWhile everyone is busy focusing on general lifestyle and Instagram shots using their smartphones, I decided to take a different route in reviewing some of the latest phones from Samsung.Having been an Android and Samsung Galaxy user from day 1, I have been using these amazing phones for most of my travel photography around Malaysia and the world.Shockingly in 2020, the Covid19 pandemic hit worldwide, including Malaysia, and travel was crippled due to country lockdowns, which pretty much affected many people, including me.During this time, I took the opportunity to explore my local areas for some smartphone photography, and the results were astonishing.Wildlife\u00a0Night Photography with the Galaxy Z Flip3 5GSteven, my night walk guide at the\u00a0Shah Alam Community Forest.Apart from my regular day-to-day use of these smartphones, I often take many photos, ranging from landscapes to insects and food pics.This was when I discovered my love for macro photography with insects and flowers; hence I tested out my Galaxy Z Flip3 5g to indulge in\u00a0dragonfly photography in October 2021.It was only a matter of time when I decided to take things to the next level and participated in a special night walk at the Saha Alam community forest.This is where I put the Z Flip3 to the ultimate test, and as you will see below, all the photos displayed were taken during my night walk.My incredible experience was done with Steven Wong, a passionate naturalist based in the Klang Valley, and it was indeed an eye-opener for me.The night trail here is pretty much similar to many other places, just that there's not much climbing.Along the trail, you will see signs like this, so just follow the direction.Night Photos with the Galaxy Z Flip3 5GBelow are random night photos of the frogs, snakes, lizards and invertebrates during my night walk here.Also, note that I have only edited the photos to resize them, a little contrast and sharpness while adding my watermarks.As a phone photographer, I always try to show the original photos as much as possible and with minimal edits. I don't like to use things like 'lightroom' to entirely change the images.Below is a list of what I saw during my night walk at the Saha Alam Community Forest, and once again, thank you to Steven Wong for guiding me.FrogsBlack-eyed Litter Frog (Leptobrachium nigrops)\u00a0Dark-sided Narrowmouthed Frog (Microhyla heymonsi)Common Grass Frog (Feyervarja limnocharis)Common Malayan Toad (Duttaphrynus melanostictus)\u00a0White-lipped Frog (Chalcorana labialis)\u00a0Four-lined Tree Frog (Polypedates leucomystax)\u00a0SnakesWagler's Pit Viper (Tropidolaemus wagleri)Painted Bronzeback (Dendrelaphis pictus)LizardsChangeable Lizard (Calotes versicolor)Striped Bent-toed Gecko (Cyrtodactylus quadrivirgatus)Invertebrates (Spiders & Others)Tropical Swallowtail Moth (Lyssa zampa)White-barred Huntsman (Heteropoda venatoria)Lichen Huntsman (Pandercetes sp.)Abandoned Web Orb Weaving Spider (Parawixia dehaani)The main sign before entering the Shah Alam Community Forest.ConclusionI have to say that the A.I. or artificial intelligence chip that the Z Flip3 uses is quite spot-on and accurate in terms of colours and detecting the condition of the area and subject.However, all the photos taken were assisted with an external light source to spot insects and reptiles. If I did not use the lights, it would be pitch dark, and I would not photograph anything.I hope you enjoyed viewing my wildlife night photography using the Galaxy Z Flip3 smartphone and my honest review. I will continue to try different photography types using this smartphone in the coming weeks.\n\n\nTags\nGalaxy Z Flip\nGalaxy Z Flip3 5G Review\nMalaysia\nPhotography\nSamsung Galaxy\nSamsung Galaxy Z Flip\nSamsung Malaysia\nSmartphone Photography\nSmartphone Review\nSmartphone Reviews\n\n\n\n\n\nFacebook\nTwitter\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nShare:Wildlife Night Photography with the Galaxy Z Flip3 5G\n\n\nFacebook\nTwitter\nWhatsApp\nPinterest\nLinkedIn\nReddit\nTumblr\nTelegram\nEmail\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nMalaysia Asia\nBlogging since 2007, but writing online since 1997. I belong to the 1st generation of worldwide bloggers, which is of course old-school. \n\nSince 2008, I created Malaysia Asia and this travel, flood, gadget and lifestyle blog has won numerous physical awards from tourism boards around Malaysia. (Not those online awards).\n\nAfter 12 years of blogging, I have semi-retired and now blog about things I like, do product reviews and enjoy life. My work has been featured in Lonely Planet, CNN Travel, Yahoo Travel, Wall Street Journal, and many other international publications. Find out more about me and thank you.\n\n\n\n\nYou might like\nView all\n\n\n\n\n\n\n"}
{"url": "http://blog.malaysia-asia.my/2020/02/saloma-link-bridge-all-you-need-to-know.html", "text": "\n\n\n\nHomeFree Things to do in Kuala Lumpur\n\nSaloma Link Bridge, All You Need To Know\n\n\n\n\nbyMalaysia Asia\n-February 18, 2020\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nAnd Kuala Lumpur gets another beautiful tourist attraction, which is the new Saloma Link Bridge, which is a futuristically designed bridge that connects Kampung Baharu to KLCC.\n\n\n\nOpened on the 5th of February 2020, this beautiful bridge has become the talk of the town, namely for social media and not forgetting the Instagram influencers. So, if you think you are one, then you need to head here.\u00a0\n\n\n\nBut before heading here, I've come up with this article on everything you need to know about the Saloma Link Bridge or Pintasan Saloma as it is called in Malay.\u00a0\n\nAll You Need To Know About The Saloma Link Bridge\n\n\n\nThe stunning light displays at the Saloma Link Bridge in KL\n\n\nThe most important question is where is this bridge? And the answer is just below. Before you head here, you need to know where, when, what and why this bridge was created.\n\n\n\nThe Saloma Link is a single span steel structure bridge that is illuminated with 4,100 diamond facade panels that come with state-of-the-art LED lighting.\u00a0\n\n\n\nThe purpose of this bridge was to connect Kampung Baharu City Center (KBCC) to the Kuala Lumpur City Center (KLCC) as it now only takes seven to eight minutes to get from one end to the other.\n\n\n\nThe concept of this bridge is also similar to the Bridge of Peace in Tbilisi, Georgia where the LED lights illuminate to change patterns from time to time.\n\n\n\nSaloma Link is the most exquisite pedestrian bridge ever built in Kuala Lumpur and is slated to be one of the top three tourist attractions in KL city.\u00a0\u00a0\n\n\n\nWhy is the Bridge named Saloma?\u00a0\n\n\n\n\nThe majestic night view of the KL skyline from the bridge\n\n\nThis is probably one of the questions not many people ask but most local Malaysian will know this answer without thinking hard.\u00a0\n\n\n\nFor those who do not know, Salmah Ismail or Saloma\u00a0was a very famous Singaporean-Malaysian singer, film actress, trendsetter and a fashion icon who became well known in the late 1950s to the 1960s.\n\n\n\nSaloma was also the wife to the iconic Malaysian artiste P. Ramlee, who is, of course, the most famous artist in the country from the same era.\n\nWhat is the Design of Saloma Link Bridge?\u00a0\n\n\n\nThe interior of the bridge seen from the inside\n\n\nWhile it all looks super futuristic, the design is cleverly created to reflect the Malay culture. The overall design represents the Sirih Junjung or Betelnut Leaf arrangement.\u00a0\n\n\n\nThe Sirih Junjung is traditionally offered in Malay weddings and ceremonies as a symbol of unity in the Malay culture that dates back a long way.\u00a0\n\nHow Long is the Saloma Link Bridge?\u00a0\n\n\n\nAn overall view of the Saloma Link Bridge\n\n\nWhile it does look like a standard bridge, the total length of the Saloma Link 370 meters (1,213.9 feet).\n\n\n\nThe main structure which is the Sirih Junjung that represents the covered walkway is a total of 69 meters (223.6 feet) that spans across the Klang River and the Ampang-Kuala Lumpur Elevated Highway or AKLEH highway.\n\n\n\nThe start of the bridge from Kampung Bahari is from Lorong Raja Muda Musa 3, which is around 100 meters from the underground Kampung Baru LRT station.\u00a0\n\n\n\nThe other side of the bridge is connected with Lorong Saloma which is just beside the Menara Public Bank building along Jalan Ampang.\n\nHow Much Did It Cost To Build the Saloma Link Bridge?\n\n\n\nConstruction of the Saloma Link Bridge. Photo from Veritas Design Group Facebook\n\n\nWhile many may think it costs too much, the actual cost to build the Saloma Link is RM31 million (USD$7.47 million) and this includes the consultancy costs.\n\n\n\nThe initial cost was put at RM20 Million (USD$4.81 Million) back in the planning stages, but over the year, the cost escalated to the current figure mentioned above.\u00a0\n\nWhere is the Saloma Link Bridge in KL?\n\n\n\nThe location map for the bridge\n\n\nThe bridge is located at the back of the British Council or Menara Public Bank building along Jalan Ampang.\n\n\n\nThis means that if you are at KLCC, you can just take a 5 to 10-minute walk to the Saloma Link Bridge from the Petronas Twin Towers.\n\n\n\nAnother landmark is the Jalan Ampang Muslim Cemetary or the Australian Embassy where the bridge is located behind.\u00a0\n\nHow to Go to Saloma Link Bridge?\u00a0\n\n\n\nMain entrance from KLCC or Petronas Twin Towers\n\nThere are two ways to get to the Saloma Link Bridge and depends on which part of KL you are located. However, I will share both ways for everyone below.\n\n1. From KLCC and Petronas Twin Towers\n\n\nMost visitors will be coming from this direction and you simply need to walk along Lorong Saloma which is beside the Public Bank Building.\n\n\n\n\nWhen you walk from KLCC, this is the entrance to the Saloma Link Bridge\n\n\nWhen you arrive at the main Jalan Ampang junction, look for Lorong Saloma, which is on the left of the Public Bank building. Walk along that road for 100 meters and you will come to the entrance.\u00a0\n\n\n\nThere are some local restaurants and a car wash on the left as you walk along Lorong Saloma. At the end of the road, there is an open public parking lot that charges RM1.50 for 30 minutes.\n\n\n\n\nPublic parking lot behind the Menara Public Bank building\n\n2. From Kampung Baharu\n\n\nMost locals will take this way as they will be driving or taking the LRT train. For foreigners, this way is tricky because it is at one end of Kampung Baharu and not a commercial area.\u00a0\n\n\n\nParking along the Kampung Baharu area at night is relatively safe and there are no parking fees being collected as of writing this. Therefore, many are seen parking along the road to the bridge.\n\n\n\nYou can take the LRT and get off at the Kampung Baharu LRT stop, then walk to the start of the bridge at Lorong Raja Muda Musa 3.\u00a0\n\n\n\nFrom the Kampung Baharu entrance, there is an elevator and also a three-story staircase which means that the elderly and disabled can use the elevator.\n\nIf you take the stairs, there are a total of 82 steps to the top and for security, there is a security table by the elevator on the ground level.\u00a0\n\nWhen is the Best Time to Visit Saloma Link Bridge?\u00a0\n\n\n\nBeautiful KL city skyline with the Saloma Link Bridge\n\n\nThis is the ultimate question many will ask and honestly, the best time is when the bridge is lit after sunset. This is when you can see the lighting designs and colours come into play.\u00a0\n\n\n\nIn the day - It looks nice minus the lighting, therefore if you are really short of time, you can come and visit the bridge in the day and capture some nice photos with the skyline.\n\n\n\nIn the night - This is the best time to visit due to the fact that the lighting creates a picture-perfect moment. Not only that, the weather at night is much cooler compared to the day.\u00a0\n\n\n\nWeekends - You can expect hoards of people if you come here on a weekend, and this could be quite tricky, especially for photography. Plus with a lot of people, the photo might not turn out great.\u00a0\n\n\n\nWeekdays - I strongly recommend visiting the Saloma Link Bridge on a weekday and at around 7.00 PM till around 10.00 PM as there are less people here. Less people means more opportunities for different angles.\u00a0\n\nWhere is the Best Direction to Take Photos of the Saloma Link Bridge?\u00a0\n\n\n\nA photo that was taken from inside the bridge showing the Petronas Twin Towers\n\n\nA question that not many will ask, but I'm listing it down just in case you need to know which part is the best for photography.\u00a0\n\n\n\nThe Kampung Baharu Direction - This is hands down the best view of the bridge as you can see the Petronas Twin Towers in the background along with the Public Bank Building.\n\n\n\nIf you are coming from the KLCC way, you need to walk all the way across the bridge to the other end to get this photo angle.\u00a0\n\n\n\nThere is also a staircase that leads down to Kampung Baharu and after the first flight of stairs, there is a corner where you can capture a nice photo of the bridge with the skyscrapers in the background.\u00a0\n\n\n\nThe KLCC Direction - This is the main way where you enter the bridge from the Jalan Ampang entrance at the side of the Menara Public Bank building.\u00a0\n\n\n\nWhen you reach the start of the bridge, you walk straight in and turn left where you will see the entire bridge illuminated. This is one of the good places for a photo opportunity.\u00a0\n\nWhat to Bring to the Saloma Link Bridge?\n\n\n\nInterior of the Saloma Link Bridge, perfect for that Instagram shot\n\n\nIf you are one of those up-and-coming influencers or those in the limelight, you should be well prepared to bring the necessary items to make your photos stand out.\u00a0\n\n\n\nThe below, of course, applies to those coming here for evening or night photography. Please note that if you want some beautiful photographs, you need a high-end smartphone or a proper camera.\u00a0\n\n\n\nFor locals\n\n\n\nBring some colourful clothes that stand out in the multiple colours the bridge displays.\nBring a portable fan as it can get stuffy when there are too many people around.\nDon't use your old smartphones, the photo will not turn out nicely.\n\n\n\n\n\nFor Influencers\n\n\n\nBring your best dress that is striking to stand out in the sea of colours.\nBring accessories like a hat or scarf to stand out from the many people there.\u00a0\nBring your extra lighting to capture your features.\nDon't expect the place to be empty for your Insta-worthy shot as it is something new.\u00a0\n\n\n\nWhat Time Does the Saloma Bridge Open and Close?\u00a0\n\n\nApparently, the bridge is open 24-hours and the lighting takes place from 7.00 PM till 10.00 PM at night. However, since Saloma Link opened, there have been many visitors coming.\u00a0\n\n\n\nWhen I visited on Monday at 10.00 PM, the lights were still on till around 11.00 PM, hence I suspect they put off the LED lights at around midnight.\n\n\n\nRight now, there is no official timing on this, but I would easily recommend that you visit around 6.30 PM till around midnight.\u00a0\n\n\n\nWhat Light Designs Are Used?\u00a0\n\n\n\nThere are about four main designs that play in intervals of ten minutes from my calculation. The most catchy one is, of course, the Malaysian flag design.\n\n\n\nThree other designs will replace one another in these intervals therefore when you are there, you need to pay attention to the changes in the lighting.\n\n\n\nThe intelligent lighting system of the 4,100 LED lights creates a 3D like movement in the lights, and this is also great for those taking videos.\u00a0\u00a0\n\n\n\nSafety Precautions at the Saloma Link\n\n\n\n\nOne of the beautiful angles for photography at the bridge\n\n\nWithout fail, any place that attracts a crowd will also attract petty thieves. This simply means that you should always be aware of your surroundings at all times. Never take things for granted.\u00a0\n\n\n\nAlso, do not leave your bags lying around because you are busy taking photos. And watch out for pickpockets, especially on weekends when the crowd is huge here.\u00a0\n\n\n\nWhenever someone bumps into you accidentally, please quickly check your belongings as this is an old trick.\n\n\n\nThese perpetrators will be going for your wallet or purse as most will have their smartphones in their hands to take photos.\n\n\n\nThere are security officers located on both ends of the bridge for safety reasons, prevention of vandalism, petty traders and also touts.\u00a0\n\nWho Built the Saloma Link Bridge?\u00a0\n\n\n\nThe beauty of the bridge seen at night\n\n\nA good question and many may think it is the Kuala Lumpur City Council that built this, but sorry to say it is not.\u00a0\n\n\n\nThe\u00a0Kampong Baru Development Corporation (PKB) are the ones who build the Saloma Link Bridge. The project kicked off in October 2017 and took around 18 months to complete.\n\n\n\nThe Saloma Link Bridge just one part of the Kampung Baharu facelift which is planned until 2037 and will total around RM43 Billion (USD$10.36 Billion) for the entire project.\n\n\n\nThe design aesthetics of the Saloma Link are also done by Veritas Design Group\u00a0which is also extensively involved in the master plan for the Kampung Baru redevelopment.\n\n\n\nPhotos of the Saloma Link Bridge\n\n\n\nBelow are a series of random photos taken while I visited this magnificent and beautiful bridge. The photos show one of the many designs that change colours.\n\n\n\n\nA yellow-green colour tone\n\n\n\nThe purplish tone from the LED lights\n\n\n\nA nice reddish-purple hue\n\n\n\nBlue and purple colours\n\n\n\nGreen tones slowly take over the blue colours\n\n\n\nA nice orangy-yellow and red mix\n\nConclusion\n\n\nThis article was written by me based on an actual visit in mid-February 2020 and spending over an hour here. I used my Samsung Galaxy S10 smartphone for all the photos taken here.\u00a0\n\n\n\nTo be very honest, if you are a local or visitor to Kuala Lumpur, please do not miss this opportunity to visit the Saloma Link Bridge as it is probably one of KL's best-looking tourist attraction.\n\n\nTags\nFree Things to do in Kuala Lumpur\nKL\nKuala Lumpur\nMalaysia\nMalaysia New Tourism Attractions\nNew Tourist Attraction in Kuala Lumpur\n\n\n\n\n\nFacebook\nTwitter\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nShare:Saloma Link Bridge, All You Need To Know\n\n\nFacebook\nTwitter\nWhatsApp\nPinterest\nLinkedIn\nReddit\nTumblr\nTelegram\nEmail\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nMalaysia Asia\nBlogging since 2007, but writing online since 1997. I belong to the 1st generation of worldwide bloggers, which is of course old-school. \n\nSince 2008, I created Malaysia Asia and this travel, flood, gadget and lifestyle blog has won numerous physical awards from tourism boards around Malaysia. (Not those online awards).\n\nAfter 12 years of blogging, I have semi-retired and now blog about things I like, do product reviews and enjoy life. My work has been featured in Lonely Planet, CNN Travel, Yahoo Travel, Wall Street Journal, and many other international publications. Find out more about me and thank you.\n\n\n\n\nYou might like\nView all\n\n\n\n\n\n\n"}
{"url": "http://blog.malaysia-asia.my/2022/01/airasia-new-domestic-routes-launched.html", "text": "\n\n\n\nHomeAirAsia\n\nAirAsia New Domestic Routes Launched for 2022\n\n\n\n\nbyMalaysia Asia\n-January 12, 2022\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nToday, AirAsia Malaysia announced four new domestic routes connecting cities between East and West Malaysia and will be launched in January 2022.\u00a0To kickstart these new routes, guests can secure great value flights plus hotel deals through the \u2018SNAP\u2019 icon on the Super App from just RM239 until 16 January 2022 and travel from 25 January to 30 June 2022.Those who prefer to book their hotels separately may check the \u2018Hotels\u2019 icon in the app and get an extra 10% off with the promo code AAHOTEL10.AirAsia New Domestic Routes Launched for 2022Johor Bahru to Bintulu Flights.Kota Kinabalu to Terengganu Flights.Kuching to Langkawi Flights.Penang to Sibu Flights.AirAsia has spent downtime in travel over the past 20 months to further improve and revamp its flight procedures and processes.In the highest interest of the safety and well-being of all its guests and employees, only fully-vaccinated employees will operate flights and be on duty at airport terminals. Likewise, only fully-vaccinated guests are accepted onboard.As part of its robust Covid-19 mitigation plan, AirAsia has made it mandatory for guests to check in via the airasia Super App and launched a unique FACES facial recognition boarding system that will make the entire journey fully digital and contactless.The new domestic routes are launched by AirAsia Malaysia.Riad Asmat, CEO of AirAsia Malaysia said:\u201cAs the festive season is upon us, AirAsia is excited and fully ready to offer our guests more routes between more major cities in Malaysia. These new routes further strengthen our tourism footprint in Malaysia, providing more options for international visitors to travel between the states.\u201cWe look forward to continuing our work to explore even more new routes across Malaysian airports from other parts of our Asean network. From an operational standpoint, we have extensively prepared to ensure all of our guests can travel safely, seamlessly and with peace of mind.\u00a0AirAsia guests are always assured of the stringent health and safety protocols enforced on all of our flights with our highly trained and fully vaccinated crew continuing to deliver the world\u2019s best service during the pandemic.\u201dConclusionAll AirAsia\u2019s aircraft are properly maintained according to procedures set by the manufacturer. AirAsia has set up an in-house maintenance, repair and operations (MRO) unit called Asia Digital Engineering that provides services to AirAsia and other airlines.Likewise, all its pilots and cabin crew are regularly trained for mandatory refresher courses and ongoing retraining to always be on top of their job.Please visit the official AirAsia website or app for more information and details about the new domestic routes for 2022.\n\n\nTags\nAirAsia\nAirAsia Malaysia\nAirAsia New Domestic Routes\nAirAsia New Routes\nAirAsia New s\nAirlines\nAviation\nMalaysia\n\n\n\n\n\nFacebook\nTwitter\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nShare:AirAsia New Domestic Routes Launched for 2022\n\n\nFacebook\nTwitter\nWhatsApp\nPinterest\nLinkedIn\nReddit\nTumblr\nTelegram\nEmail\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nMalaysia Asia\nBlogging since 2007, but writing online since 1997. I belong to the 1st generation of worldwide bloggers, which is of course old-school. \n\nSince 2008, I created Malaysia Asia and this travel, flood, gadget and lifestyle blog has won numerous physical awards from tourism boards around Malaysia. (Not those online awards).\n\nAfter 12 years of blogging, I have semi-retired and now blog about things I like, do product reviews and enjoy life. My work has been featured in Lonely Planet, CNN Travel, Yahoo Travel, Wall Street Journal, and many other international publications. Find out more about me and thank you.\n\n\n\n\nYou might like\nView all\n\n\n\n\n\n\n"}
{"url": "http://blog.malaysia-asia.my/2019/09/sipadan-air-all-you-need-to-know.html", "text": "\n\n\n\nHomeAirlines\n\nSipadan Air - All You Need To Know\n\n\n\n\nbyMalaysia Asia\n-September 17, 2019\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nThe all-new\u00a0Sipadan Air from Sabah will start operations from Semporna to Kota Kinabalu, which is slated to begin in September 2019.\u00a0\n\n\n\nSipadan Air is also privately owned by Equus Air Sdn. Bhd that is based in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah. They are new players in the Sabah aviation industry, which aims to develop aviation tourism in Sabah.\u00a0\n\nSipadan Air Kota Kinabalu to Semporna Flights\n\n\nThese special charter flights from KK to Semporna will operate on two Twin Otter DHC-6 aircraft, which comfortably seat 12 to 15 passengers, though the aircraft can carry up to 19 passengers.\u00a0\n\n\n\nThe reason for this is the weight factor for the Twin Otter aircraft, where luggage and passengers are weighed to balance the plane.\u00a0\n\n\n\nSince the news of the new airline in Sabah was announced in September, the company has indicated that the two inaugural flights have been fully booked with 30 Chinese tourists.\u00a0\n\n\n\nSipadan Air has also mentioned that the charter flights have been fully booked until the end of this year.\u00a0\n\n\n\nThis news of the new Sabah airline was also covered by the Daily Express,\u00a0which is Sabah's popular English news portal.\u00a0\n\n\n\n\nThe main landing page for Sipadan Air, which is under Equus Air\n\n\nWhy the Name Sipadan Air?\u00a0\n\n\n\nThis can be confusing for visitors, where the first thought is that the airline will fly directly to Sipadan Island. But actually, it is just a name given to the charter airline.\u00a0\n\n\n\nThere could have been any other name, but the company decided on Sipadan Air to reflect the world-renown name of Sipadan Island.\u00a0\n\n\n\nAnother reason could be that many China tourists and other tourists have Sipadan Island on their wishlist or bucket list as one of the places to visit in the world.\u00a0\n\n\n\nThe main website is\u00a0Equus Air,\u00a0and it is currently not operational when writing this article, but it should be ready in the next few days or weeks.\u00a0\n\n\n\n\nSipadan Island is seen from my dive boat during one of my many trips there.\u00a0\n\n\nWill Sipadan Air fly directly to Sipadan Island?\n\n\n\nWe all wish for that, but sorry, no. Sipadan Air will only operate flights from Kota Kinabalu to Semporna town, the gateway to Sipadan and Mabul island.\u00a0\n\n\n\nMany people who have not been here may think that Sipadan is a large island with resorts and even an airport, but truth be told, it is a small island with only a military outpost.\u00a0\n\n\n\nThe name sounds catchy but needs to reflect the airline flying into the island like other islands around Malaysia. For example, Tioman and Pangkor Island have a small airport and runway.\u00a0\n\n\n\nBut Mabul, Sipadan and other islands around the Tun Sakaran Marin Park are very small, with no airport space.\u00a0\n\n\n\n\nSipadan Air is owned by Equus Air\n\nWho is Sipadan Air?\u00a0\n\n\nSipadan Air is a privately owned airline by Equus Air Sdn. Bhd is a local Sabahan company based in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia.\u00a0\n\n\n\nThe\u00a0Chairman of Sipadan Air is Datuk Omar Ali Tun Sakaran, the son of\u00a0Tun Sakaran Mohd Hashim bin Dandai, who served as the eighth Chief Minister and Governor of Sabah.\n\n\n\nEquus Air's chief operating officer is also Capt. Adam Abdullah. The airline also owns two 19-seat de Havilland Canada Series 300 Twin Otters which will be used for the inaugural phase.\u00a0\n\n\n\nThe airline also has a tagline like this - \"From Islands to Highlands\"- targeted towards tourist destinations around Sabah Borneo.\u00a0\n\n\n\n\nThe\u00a0S-38 Sikorsky Seaplane is a famous amphibious aircraft.\n\nI gather that Equus Air is also planning to introduce Sea Planes to Sabah. This may be soon. The company has also sent one of its pilots to the Maldives to do some pilot training, and in the Maldives, seaplanes are the primary mode of transport from island to island.\u00a0\n\n\n\nAnother exciting news is that the company will be interested in introducing amphibious aircraft in Sabah.\u00a0\n\n\n\nEquus Air is currently preparing an amphibian flight module for the Department of Civil Aviation for approval to operate.\u00a0\n\n\n\n\nSemporna Airport, a STOL airport located just 12 minutes from the main town area\n\nWhere does Sipadan Air fly to?\u00a0\n\n\nFor phase one, Sipadan Air will operate from Kota Kinabalu to Semporna and vice-versa. There are plans to expand to other tourist destinations around Sabah.\u00a0\n\n\n\nFor future routes, the airline plans to operate Kota Kinabalu to Ranau flights, where driving will take around two and a half hours, but the flight will take only 20 minutes.\u00a0\n\n\n\nThere is also the Kota Kinabalu to Kudat flights, and driving up north will take you around three to three and a half hours one way. A flight will take you only 30 minutes.\u00a0\n\n\n\nSipadan Air Phase 2\u00a0\n\n\n\nPhase two of the airline will see the introduction of Seaplanes or Amphibious Aircraft, which will most likely be the Sikorsky 38 or 39 models.\u00a0\n\n\n\nThese seaplanes are dual-purpose and can land in water and on land, making this perfect for many island resorts located around Sabah.\u00a0\n\n\n\nThe second phase for Sipadan Air is targeting flights and also special charters for;\n\n\n\n\n\nKota Kinabalu to resort\nTawau to resort\nSemporna to resort\nIsland hopping flight\nScenic flight\nSunset dinner flight\nSunset round island tour\n\n\nSeaplanes will also be used for special occasions like birthdays, anniversaries, marriages, proposals, graduation or even career promotions.\u00a0\n\n\n\nThis introduction will, of course, bring in new tourism opportunities in Sabah and help to increase tourism arrivals into Sabah and the hard to get to places.\u00a0\n\n\n\n\nThe Twin Otter DHC-6 aircraft that Sipadan Air will use\n\nHow to Book Sipadan Air Flights?\u00a0\n\n\nCurrently, the airline is only doing charter flights, and they have arrangements with selected travel agents in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah.\u00a0\n\n\n\nIn the future, the airline may open up to mainstream tourists for direct booking, but there has yet to be any news about this.\u00a0\n\n\n\n\nThe route by road from Tawau to Semporna\n\nWhat other ways to get to Sipadan Island?\u00a0\n\n\nThe only way to get to Sipadan Island\u00a0or Semporna is via flights into Tawau City from Kuala Lumpur, Kota Kinabalu, and other major cities.\u00a0\n\n\n\nAirlines like Malaysia Airlines and AirAsia have daily direct flights to Tawau, and from there, you need to take a taxi to Semporna, which will take one hour and forty-five minutes.\u00a0\n\n\n\nMost visitors will use this way to get to Sipadan Island or any other island around the Tun Sakaran Marine Park.\u00a0\n\n\n\n\nThe distance from Semporna Airport to the main public jetty in Semporna town\n\n\nWhere is Semporna Airport located?\u00a0\n\n\n\nThe Semporna Airport is a STOL Airport or short take-off and landing airport, which can only cater to small turbo-prob aircraft like the Twin Otter and even the ATR planes.\u00a0\n\n\n\nThe airport is along Jalan Lapangan Terbang in the Mile 2 area or Batu 2 of the Semporna main road called SA51. Another landmark is the Sabah Electricity main office in Semporna.\u00a0\n\n\n\nThe airport was last used by the Rural Air Service by Malaysia Airlines with flights connecting to Sandakan and other towns around Sabah. The last commercial flights were in 2012.\u00a0\n\n\n\nIn recent years, the airport runway was used by Borneo Paramotor for leisure activities, including classes to fly a paramotor.\u00a0\n\n\n\n\nWhat the Semporna Airport looks like in this photo taken on May 2019\n\nCause for Concerns\n\n\n\nDid you know that tourism numbers in Semporna and the surrounding islands have been estimated to be between 60,000 to 80,000 visitors a month?\u00a0\n\n\n\nWhile this is excellent news for Sabah Tourism, many feel that the overtourism in this part of Sabah needs to be controlled.\u00a0\n\n\n\nHowever, this is a double-edged sword that needs to be looked into carefully by the tourism board and also the tourism industry.\n\n\n\nConclusion\n\n\n\nThe announcement of Sipadan Air flying from Kota Kinabalu to Semporna will cut travel time by a lot for tourists wanting to visit the world-famous Sipadan Island and Mabul Island.\u00a0\n\n\n\nIf you are planning to head to this part of Sabah Borneo, you may also want to know what to do on Mabul Island\u00a0when you are here.\u00a0\n\n\n\nAs stated earlier in this article, the flights are only available for charter flights through some of the tour agents in Sabah. Sipadan Air will expand into a commercial budget airline in Sabah.\n\n\nTags\nAirlines\nAviation\nAviation News\nBorneo\nMabul Island\nMalaysia\nMalaysia Aviation News\nSabah\nSabah Aviation News\nSemporna\nSipadan Air\nSipadan Island\n\n\n\n\n\nFacebook\nTwitter\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nShare:Sipadan Air - All You Need To Know\n\n\nFacebook\nTwitter\nWhatsApp\nPinterest\nLinkedIn\nReddit\nTumblr\nTelegram\nEmail\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nMalaysia Asia\nBlogging since 2007, but writing online since 1997. I belong to the 1st generation of worldwide bloggers, which is of course old-school. \n\nSince 2008, I created Malaysia Asia and this travel, flood, gadget and lifestyle blog has won numerous physical awards from tourism boards around Malaysia. (Not those online awards).\n\nAfter 12 years of blogging, I have semi-retired and now blog about things I like, do product reviews and enjoy life. My work has been featured in Lonely Planet, CNN Travel, Yahoo Travel, Wall Street Journal, and many other international publications. Find out more about me and thank you.\n\n\n\n\nYou might like\nView all\n\n\n\n\n\n\n"}
{"url": "http://blog.malaysia-asia.my/2019/07/samsung-galaxy-note-10-speculations-in.html", "text": "\n\n\n\nHomeGadget Review\n\nSamsung Galaxy Note 10 Speculations in Malaysia\n\n\n\n\nbyMalaysia Asia\n-July 25, 2019\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nWith the smartphone industry moving super-fast, there have been many interesting rumours about the upcoming Samsung Galaxy Note 10 smartphone launched on 8th August 2019.\u00a0\n\n\n\nWhy is everyone so excited about this, you may ask, and over the last five years, smartphones have been getting a lot of attention from the mainstream and the consumer market.Samsung Galaxy Note 10 Speculations\n\n\nI guess it is about time that I put in my two cents about the upcoming Samsung Note 10 speculations since I am already using the Galaxy S10 Plus. I also have become curious about what the Galaxy Note 10 offer.\n\n\n\nA Samsung Galaxy Note 1 and iPhone 3G, which were both used by me\n\n\nFrom Apple to Samsung - A Short Story\n\n\n\nBefore you read on, I just want to highlight that I have been a smartphone user since the Apple iPhone 1 back in the year 2007. The iPhone launched in the USA on June 29th of 2007, and I had my unit specially flown in on the 2nd of July 2007.\u00a0\n\n\n\nHaving said this, I can state that I have been a smartphone user ever since day one, making it a whopping 12 years for me.\u00a0\n\n\n\nBack then, when I first started using it, many people laughed at me, stating how big and inconvenient the smartphone was. Well, look at what happened and look at what you are using right now?\u00a0\n\n\n\nSo, I kept using Apple until iPhone 3G before making that massive switch over to Samsung Note 1 in October of 2011, and I never looked back.\n\n\n\nPhotos of the Samsung Galaxy Note 10\n\n\n\n\nSamsung Galaxy Note 10 Speculations for Malaysians\u00a0\n\n\n\n\nAlright, enough with the history lesson, and let us get on with the Samsung Galaxy Note 10 speculations that have been driving consumers all over the world crazy, including here in Malaysia.\u00a0\n\n\n\nWhile speculations will remain, there have been many tech writers coming out with all kinds of information and leaks, and we all know that these are only rumours that carry a 70-30 truth ratio.\n\nOne factor is the size of the Galaxy Note 10 smartphones, where it is now said that the standard Note 10 will be similarly sized as the previous Note 9 at 6.3\". But the Note 10+ will be much larger with a 6.8\" inch screen.\n\nI am guessing that with not much of a price difference, many will opt for the Galaxy Note 10 Plus due to the many cool features being offered.\u00a0\n\n\n\nThe S-Pen of the all-new Samsung Galaxy Note 10\n\n\n\nSamsung Note 10 S-Pen Stylus\u00a0- This is the most important part of the Galaxy Note smartphone where many improvements have been made, too; I am inquisitive about this. Apparently, they have\u00a0enabled gesture control for the first time in the Note series history.\u00a0\n\n\n\nThe S-Pen allows the operation of the smartphone with gestures without touching the screen surface, which is pretty mind-blowing if you ask me. The new feature is also termed as \"Air Actions\" gestures. Seriously, I cannot wait to try this function.\u00a0\n\n\n\nNote 10 Cameras\u00a0- We can expect a triple-lens system for the new Galaxy Note series that comprises a 12MP Dual Pixel, 16MP ultra-wide, 12MP telephoto, and Time-of-Flight or ToF sensors for the Note 10+.\u00a0\n\n\n\nA 10MP Dual Pixel camera will sit inside the handset's centrally aligned punch-hole cutout, and the Smart ISO or AI-ISO\u00a0is something that I am seriously looking forward to.\u00a0\n\n\n\nThe Galaxy Note 10 cameras also support three different physical aperture sizes, which are f/1.5 to f/1.8 to f/2.4, to allow the best possible exposure of the photos taken with the device. As a photographer, I am pretty stoked about the aperture sizes.\u00a0\n\n\n\nThere is a wide-angle sensor with 16 megapixels resolution with f/2.2 aperture for landscape photography, while another camera sensor in combination with a Teleoptik provides for a double optical zoom. (Now I'm drooling about this)\n\nAs for the low light conditions, it is also rumoured that the Galaxy Note 10 will supersede the S10 series due to the all-new AI-ISO or Smart ISO features which the company trademarked. This is exciting news as it takes smartphone photography to another level.\nThis translates to that the Smart ISO or AI-ISO on the Galaxy Note 10 will be perfect for its low-light or night photography. And this is what I really want to test.\u00a0\n\n\n\nFor video recording, an optical image stabilizer helps to allow shake-free recordings, which come in HDR10 + and 4K videos with 60 FPS. This also features scene recognition and various special photo modes.\u00a0\n\nWow, I think I can write a dedicated article just on the camera and video for the Samsung Galaxy Note 10.\n\nOther Core Specifications of the Samsung Galaxy Note 10 and 10 Plus;\n\n\n\nNote 10 Screen Size - Expect a 6.3in FHD+ screen.\u00a0\nNote 10+ Screen Size - We are expecting an amazing 6.8\" inch (17.27 cm)\u00a0\nNote 10 Resolution - Dynamic OLED display, Quad HD + (3040 x 1440 pixels), 498ppi, 16 million colours, HDR 10+, Gorilla Glass 6 and a blue filter.\nNote 10+ Processor - We expect either a Snapdragon 855+ or 7nm Exynos 9825 SoC, with a maximum clock speed of 2.7GHz and comes teamed with 8GB or 12GB RAM, a 4,300mAh battery and a 256GB UFS 3.0 expandable storage.\u00a0\nNote 10 Battery - 3,500mAh battery with 25W charging support.\u00a0\nNote 10+ Battery - 4,300mAh battery with 45W fast charging / 20W wireless charging.\nNote 10 Smartphone Colors - While Samsung always plays it safe with the colours, we can expect the Note 10 to come in Black, Silver, and White. But there could be other colours.\u00a0\nMicro SD Card Slot - This is only available for the Note 10+.\nNote 10 Size and Weight -\u00a0162.3 x 77.1 x 7.9 mm, 198 g.\nNote 10 Operating System -\u00a0Android Pie with Samsung One UI.\nNote 10 Headphone Jack - Removed/Not available\n\n\n\n\n\nThe camera system of the\u00a0Samsung Galaxy Note 10\n\n\n\n\nHow Many Models of Samsung Note 10 Will be Launched?\u00a0\n\n\n\n\nWord out there states that there will be three models being launched: the Note 10, Note 10 Lite, and Note 10 Plus, and those are currently just rumours.\u00a0\n\n\n\nIn Malaysia, we should expect just two models, Note 10 and the Note 10 Plus, but then again, maybe Samsung could suddenly confirm all three models?\u00a0\u00a0\n\n\n\n\nWhen is the Samsung Note 10 Launched in Malaysia?\u00a0\n\n\n\n\nOfficially from the Samsung Malaysia website, it is stated that Note 10 will be on the 8th of August, 2019, here in Malaysia.\n\nThe worldwide launch for the Galaxy Note 10 will be held on the 7th of August in Brooklyn, New York, USA, which many people are looking forward to.\n\n\n\nSamsung Malaysia website announcing the launch of the Galaxy Note 10\n\n\n\n\nWhen will the Samsung Note 10 go on sale in Malaysia?\u00a0\n\n\n\n\nThe most important question in this article is when the Note 10 will be on sale for the general consumers, and there is also no official date on this.\u00a0\n\n\n\nHowever, it is stated that the Note 10 will go on sale in South Korea on 23 August, which is 15 days after the official worldwide launch on 7 August.\n\nThis means that we in Malaysia could see a similar sale date unless they decide on having another launch date for Malaysia and some other countries.\u00a0\n\n\n\n\nWhat is the Price of the Samsung Galaxy Note 10 in Malaysia?\u00a0\n\n\n\n\nThere is no official price announced, but judging from the history of the Galaxy Note series smartphones.\n\nIn Malaysia, we expect the Galaxy Note 10 to be around RM4,000 and the Galaxy Note 10 Plus to be priced around RM5,000 to RM5,500.\u00a0\n\n\n\nThere are also rumoured prices being shared on the internet, and below are the European prices;\n\n\n\nSamsung Note 10 - \u20ac999 or MRY4,580\nSamsung Note 10 Plus - \u20ac1,149 or MRY5,268\n\n\n\n\n\nWhere Can I Get More Information for the Samsung Note 10 in Malaysia?\u00a0\n\n\n\nBut the best place to get accurate information about the new smartphone will be from the official Samsung Malaysia website. This applies to those who want to know more about the local launch here in Malaysia.\n\nAfter the official launching, you can also visit the official Samsung retails outlets around Malaysia, as they will most likely have the units on display.\n\nThis is not confirmed, but it could be a few days after the launch, and again, you can get more information from the official website or Facebook Page for Samsung Malaysia.\u00a0\n\n\n\n\nSamsung Malaysia's teaser for the launch of the Galaxy Note 10\n\n\nConclusion\n\n\n\nWith all of the speculations mentioned above, we expect the Galaxy Note 10 to offer a much larger battery, more powerful RAM, a larger screen display, a cool S-pen stylus, and an amazing camera system.\u00a0\n\n\n\nFor me, travelling with a good smartphone nowadays is one of the top criteria I look at, and since changing to the Samsung Galaxy S10+, I have found the smartphone incredibly amazing.\u00a0\n\n\n\nPhotos are one of the top things that most people will use on their smartphones, and even for me, when I take photos with my Galaxy S10 Plus, they turn out incredibly beautiful.\u00a0\n\n\n\nRegardless of whether it is for food, general or landscape, the photos are much more superior than my earlier smartphones.\n\n\n\nTo be honest, I am patiently awaiting the launch of the Samsung Galaxy Note 10 in Malaysia and possibly even getting to test it.\u00a0\n\n\n\nWith so much technological advancement in smartphones over the years, I am sure that this will be the smartphone that many will consider upgrading to.\u00a0\n\n\n\nApart from the upcoming launch of the Note 10 smartphone, I am also eagerly awaiting the news of the Samsung folding phone, which is also slated for a September launch worldwide.\n\n\nTags\nGadget Review\nMalaysia\nSamsung Note 10\nSmartphone Review\nSmartphone Reviews\nTravel Gadgets\nTravel Smartphone\n\n\n\n\n\nFacebook\nTwitter\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nShare:Samsung Galaxy Note 10 Speculations in Malaysia\n\n\nFacebook\nTwitter\nWhatsApp\nPinterest\nLinkedIn\nReddit\nTumblr\nTelegram\nEmail\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nMalaysia Asia\nBlogging since 2007, but writing online since 1997. I belong to the 1st generation of worldwide bloggers, which is of course old-school. \n\nSince 2008, I created Malaysia Asia and this travel, flood, gadget and lifestyle blog has won numerous physical awards from tourism boards around Malaysia. (Not those online awards).\n\nAfter 12 years of blogging, I have semi-retired and now blog about things I like, do product reviews and enjoy life. My work has been featured in Lonely Planet, CNN Travel, Yahoo Travel, Wall Street Journal, and many other international publications. Find out more about me and thank you.\n\n\n\n\nYou might like\nView all\n\n\n\n\n\n\n"}
{"url": "http://blog.malaysia-asia.my/2022/08/teamlab-lalaport-exhibition-review.html", "text": "\n\n\n\nHomeBukit Bintang City Centre\n\nteamLab Lalaport Exhibition Review\n\n\n\n\nbyMalaysia Asia\n-August 01, 2022\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nThis August in Kuala Lumpur, the world-famous teamLab Resonating Microcosms exhibition will be held at Lalaport BBCC for four months.The teamLab Lalaport exhibition review was done three days before the event opened up to the public as once it goes live, thousands of people will be heading here as the entrance is free.teamLab Lalaport Exhibition ReviewThe fantastic lighting extravaganza is titled TeamLab's Resonating Microcosms - Liquified Light Color, Sunrise And Sunset installation and is best visited after sunset. However, do expect large crowds of people to come here.Because of the mesmerising light effects, the event will attract all walks of light as it is easily Instagrammable, TikTokable or shared on various social media platforms.The free event at Lalaport BBCC titled Resonating MicrocosmsThere will be two (2) main exhibitions on display here, which are;1. Resonating Microcosms - Liquified Light Color, Sunrise2. Sunset and Resonating TreesThe main attraction is\u00a0Resonating Microcosms which\u00a0will feature unique ovoids (egg-shaped sculptures) and an art space that changes through the presence of people and the natural environment.The second one is Sunset and Resonating Trees, where each tree shines brightly, and the light of each tree is autonomous, slowly blinking.Resonating Trees is a second light display at Lalaport BBCC.With both happening simultaneously, Lalaport's rooftop garden will be transformed into a magical landscape of ovoid sculptures that glow dreamily in multi-colours against the night sky.Resonating Microcosms is an interactive digital installation that experiments with the concept of colour, and each of the ovoids can change into a total of 57 colours of liquified light.When is teamLab Resonating Microcosms?This unique light show will take place from Aug 4 to Nov 30, 2022, and is a free event. This means anyone can visit this exhibition any number of times they want.Where is teamLab Resonating Microcosms Exhibition in Kuala Lumpur?The light and art event is held on the fourth floor of Lalaport BBCC Kuala Lumpur, the latest shopping mall to open in the city.It is also held on the fourth floor of Lalaport Shopping Mall,\u00a0an open-aired outdoor area connected to the massive food court and several other unique retail shops.The impressive light display will be at Lalaport BBCC. Photo from teamLab.More Information about teamLab Exhibition\u00a0\u00a0Date: Aug 4 to Nov 30, 2022Venue: 4th Floor, Lalaport BBCC, Kuala LumpurTime: 10.00 AM to 10.00 PMAdmission: FreeWebsite: teamLabThis will be the second time teamLab is having an exhibition in Malaysia. In 2014, they presented the MoonLab Sketch Aquarium children's interactive digital game at Aquaria KLCC.Map to LalaportConclusionFor those curious, just make your way there anytime after sunset to experience this incredible light show. I suggest you visit on a weekday versus a weekend to avoid the large crowds.This is one of the free events you can visit for tourists coming into Malaysia after a two-year international border lockdown.This\u00a0teamLab Lalaport exhibition review was done on Aug 1 after a special media preview of the event, before it opens on the 4th of August.\n\n\nTags\nBukit Bintang City Centre\nKuala Lumpur\nLalaport BBCC\nMalaysia\nteamLab Lalaport\nTeamLab Resonating Microcosms\n\n\n\n\n\nFacebook\nTwitter\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nShare:teamLab Lalaport Exhibition Review\n\n\nFacebook\nTwitter\nWhatsApp\nPinterest\nLinkedIn\nReddit\nTumblr\nTelegram\nEmail\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nMalaysia Asia\nBlogging since 2007, but writing online since 1997. I belong to the 1st generation of worldwide bloggers, which is of course old-school. \n\nSince 2008, I created Malaysia Asia and this travel, flood, gadget and lifestyle blog has won numerous physical awards from tourism boards around Malaysia. (Not those online awards).\n\nAfter 12 years of blogging, I have semi-retired and now blog about things I like, do product reviews and enjoy life. My work has been featured in Lonely Planet, CNN Travel, Yahoo Travel, Wall Street Journal, and many other international publications. Find out more about me and thank you.\n\n\n\n\nYou might like\nView all\n\n\n\n\n\n\n"}
{"url": "http://blog.malaysia-asia.my/2022/12/airasia-super-unlimited-launched-in.html", "text": "\n\n\n\nHomeAirAsia Malaysia\n\nAirAsia Super+ Unlimited Launched in Malaysia\n\n\n\n\nbyMalaysia Asia\n-December 06, 2022\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nThe world's first flight subscription product with lifestyle perks - SUPER+ by the airasia Super App- is now available worldwide, with an enhanced version enabling subscribers to fly further and enjoy more perks across the whole airasia ecosystem.\u00a0Over 100,000 SUPER+ subscribers have redeemed over 500,000 flight seats across Asean, with the highest redemption being 100 flight seats within the 12-month period.AirAsia Super+ Unlimited Launched in MalaysiaTo cater to travellers' different needs and preferences, the new SUPER+ will now offer two options for subscribers with varying preferences of destination.Subscribers can choose from the SUPER+ Lite, which covers all Asean countries.Two packages are being offered for\u00a0Super+ Unlimited.At the same time, the SUPER+ Premium provides access to all countries operated by the AirAsia airline group, including destinations in Japan, South Korea, Australia, New Zealand, India, Maldives, Hong Kong, Taiwan and Saudi Arabia.Both options include an unlimited 10% off for an airasia ride and an unlimited 5% discount on all hotels on the airasia Super App.\u00a0Go unlimited now as only 200,000 SUPER+ new subscriptions are available and can be purchased from today until 2359hrs (GMT+8) on 11 December 2022.Just click on the SUPER+ icon on the airasia Super App to purchase or visit the official Super+ Unlimited page.\u00a0The new SUPER+\u00a0 subscription plan is priced from:RM888 in MalaysiaTHB6,999 in ThailandPHP11,000 in the PhilippinesIDR4 mil in IndonesiaAUD309 in AustraliaKRW268,888 in South KoreaSGD269 in SingaporeUSD199 for all other countries\u00a0For more information on how to subscribe to SUPER+, click here. All prices above are inclusive of taxes.SUPER+ subscribers can redeem their flights for one year* from the subscription date (5 December 2022 - 5 December 2023) and travel from 1 January 2023.Tony Fernandes of Capital A at the launch of Super+ Unlimited in Kuala Lumpur.Commenting on the new SUPER+, Tony Fernandes, CEO of Capital A, said,\u201cThis is what we have been preparing for - the return of travel, and we are excited about reopening markets like Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, Hong Kong and more to come in the near future.The SUPER+ subscription captures the beauty of our airasia Super App platform ecosystem, which brings together all of our airlines and travel products and services like hotels, along with our e-commerce offerings such as airasia ride, which is also included as a SUPER+ benefit.This is another product that highlights our DNA to create value for our customers, and we will continue to champion this across all new products and services we will introduce in the future.\u201d\u00a0Capital A CEO Tony Fernandes launching Super+ in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.Amanda Woo, CEO of airasia Super App, said,\u201cFor the first time, we are opening up the new SUPER+ for everyone across the globe to buy, even those in the US, Europe and all other regions.For travellers from the West, this SUPER+ product is the best flight and lifestyle subscription for them to fully maximise and obtain the best value to rediscover the beauty of Asia.\u00a0Since the initial launch in March this year, we have more than 100,000 subscribers across Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia and the Philippines, with over half a million flights already redeemed.We are excited to be the only super app platform in the market to bring a product such as SUPER+ to the world and for more to enjoy the airasia way of life with this subscription.\u201d\u00a0Tony Fernandes jokes with Nathanon Tanmalaporn during the launching event in KL.Real-Life Testimonies from Super+ UsersNathanon Tanmalaporn from Thailand - When asked how he has been utilising his SUPER+ subscription, Nathanon Tanmalaporn from Thailand said, \"I've booked 109 flights internationally and domestically with SUPER+ already. It makes it easy for me to fly everywhere. Next stop: Australia & New Zealand!\"Joseph Chai from Malaysia - Adding to the excitement of getting the SUPER+ subscription for her family, Joseph Chai from Malaysia said, \"I've gone to Manila with SUPER+ and flown over 100 times domestically. I highly recommend this to frequent leisure and business travellers.\"The launch event for\u00a0Super+ Plus Malaysia.Photo session with Tony Fernandes with the Super+ users.Other InformationAll flights redeemed via SUPER+ are subject to government taxes, fees, add-ons, and other applicable charges.All flight bookings must be made at least 14 days before departure and are subject to the embargo period and other terms and conditions. Free seat availability depends on supply and demand on a particular route.Conclusion for\u00a0AirAsia Super+ Unlimited Launched in MalaysiaPlease note that terms and conditions apply for the Super+ Unlimited Lite and Premium, and customers are required to read the Frequently Asked Questions to find out more.This is one of the best things to materialise from the aviation sector since the Covid19 pandemic happened, and AirAsia was smart to bounce back in this way. Well done!\n\n\nTags\nAirAsia Malaysia\nAirAsia News\nAirAsia Promotions\nAirAsia Super+ Unlimited\nAirline News\nAirline Promotions\nAirlines\nAisAsia\nAviation\nAviation News\nMalaysia\nSuper+ Unlimited\n\n\n\n\n\nFacebook\nTwitter\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nShare:AirAsia Super+ Unlimited Launched in Malaysia\n\n\nFacebook\nTwitter\nWhatsApp\nPinterest\nLinkedIn\nReddit\nTumblr\nTelegram\nEmail\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nMalaysia Asia\nBlogging since 2007, but writing online since 1997. I belong to the 1st generation of worldwide bloggers, which is of course old-school. \n\nSince 2008, I created Malaysia Asia and this travel, flood, gadget and lifestyle blog has won numerous physical awards from tourism boards around Malaysia. (Not those online awards).\n\nAfter 12 years of blogging, I have semi-retired and now blog about things I like, do product reviews and enjoy life. My work has been featured in Lonely Planet, CNN Travel, Yahoo Travel, Wall Street Journal, and many other international publications. Find out more about me and thank you.\n\n\n\n\nYou might like\nView all\n\n\n\n\n\n\n"}
{"url": "http://blog.malaysia-asia.my/2019/05/borneo-jazz-festival-2019-all-you-need.html", "text": "\n\n\n\nHomeBorneo Jazz 2019\n\nBorneo Jazz Festival - All You Need To Know\n\n\n\n\nbyMalaysia Asia\n-May 15, 2019\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nThis year marks the 14th year that the Borneo Jazz Festival is being held in Miri, Sarawak, and it is also the second time that the event is taking place at Coco Cabana by the Esplanade.\n\n\n\nThe Borneo Jazz Festival is one of Malaysia's pioneer jazz festivals that has seen hundreds of jazz musicians from all over the world perform here in Miri.\n\n\n\nBorneo Jazz 2019 also takes place from 19th to 21st July, which will see numerous local and international artists take the stage for the 14th year.\n\n\n\nBorneo Jazz Festival 2019 - All You Need To Know\n\n\n\n\nZainal Abidin performing at Borneo Jazz 2018\n\nOnce known as the Miri International Jazz Festival, the festival brand had evolved to capture the name Borneo Jazz Festival. It provided a more international name and feel to it.\u00a0\n\n\n\nThis festival has been and still is the brainchild of the Sarawak Tourism Board; in 2018, it was outsourced to a local Malaysian jazz club called No Black Tie, and this is the second year that they are doing it here at Coco Cabana in Miri.\u00a0\n\n\n\n2019 also saw the Sarawak Tourism Board launch the \"Three Festivals One Destination\" campaign, where three notable music festivals will be held back-to-back from 5th to 21st July and from south to north Sarawak.\n\n\n\nThe scene at last year's Borneo Jazz Festival\n\nThe music festivals involved are the Rainforest Fringe Festival, The Rainforest World Music Festival in Kuching, and the Borneo Jazz Festival here in Miri.\u00a0\n\n\n\nThe plan was to coincide all three festivals around the same time, where visitors to Sarawak could possibly attend all festivals during their visit here.\n\nPreviously, the music festivals were held months apart, where Borneo Jazz was in May, and the Rainforest World Music Festival was in July or August.\n\nWhat is the Objective of the Borneo Jazz Festival?\n\nWith any music festival or event, there is always an objective behind it, and you may be wondering what the purpose of this jazz festival is.\n\nIt is an ongoing mission to continue promoting music tourism for Sarawak and collaborating with the local communities.\n\nThis is to showcase Borneo through its vibrant people, exotic cuisine and a wide array of indigenous arts and crafts.\n\nFor any first-timer to Sarawak, you will be pleased to know that this land is not your typical commercial tourism destination but something you would least expect.\n\n\n\nOne of the performers during the last Borneo Jazz Festival in Miri\n\nWho is the Organiser or Owner of the Borneo Jazz Festival?\u00a0\n\nThe Sarawak Tourism Board has always been the creator and owner of the jazz festival to this very day. It has been part of their portfolio in promoting Sarawak, using music festivals as an avenue for people to visit.\n\nSince 2018, the Sarawak Tourism Board has leased out this project to a well-known jazz club in Kuala Lumpur called No Black Tie. They have successfully run their jazz shows in the capital for many years.\n\nTherefore, since 2018, No Black Tie has been the organiser for the Borneo Jazz Festival, which is still being held in the resort city of Miri.\u00a0\n\n\n\n\nSome of the local and international performers at the Borneo Jazz Festival 2019.\n\nWho Is Performing at the Borneo Jazz Festival 2019?\u00a0\n\n\n\nAs usual, there will be a creative mix of jazz performers and artists for the Borneo Jazz Festival in Miri, and for this year, the performer list is;\n\n\n\n\n\nAlberto Marsico Trio from Italy\nChande Rule from the USA\nClinton Chua from Sarawak, Malaysia\nFox Capture Plan from Japan\nIreson from Mexico\nJasmine Chen from China\nJulian Chan Orchestra from Malaysia\nKirk Lightsey Trio from USA/Malaysia\nNJWA from Malaysia\nPete Kallang from Sarawak, Malaysia\nRobo Jupiter from the USA\nArabyrd from Sarawak, Malaysia\nAsyraf Hardy from Sarawak, Malaysia\nBenzooloo from Sabah, Malaysia\nZed Peace from Brunei\n\n\n\n\n\nCoco Cabana, the official venue for Borneo Jazz Festival 2019\n\nWhere is the Borneo Jazz Festival Held?\u00a0\n\n\n\nThe event is held at Coco Cabana at Marina Bay in Miri City, Sarawak. This is an event space by the famous Miri Seahorse Lighthouse and is home to many other events.\u00a0\n\n\n\nThe venue was chosen last year as a new venue for Borneo Jazz, and this time it is by the seaside with no obstructions.\n\nThe structure where the jazz festival is held is a traditional wooden structure that can house up to 500 people. The majority of the design was hand-carved wood, which the specialist was brought in to do.\n\n\n\nA glimpse inside Coco Cabana\n\nCoco Cabana is also minutes from the heart of Miri City, making it easy to access for anyone who is visiting for the jazz festival. There are numerous hotels, restaurants, cafes and other shops located in the vicinity of the area.\u00a0\n\n\n\nPreviously from 2006 to 2017, the Borneo Jazz Festival was always held at the ParkCity Everly Hotel, which is about 10 minutes drive from Miri City.\n\nIn 2018, the official venue was moved to the new place, Coco Cabana, at Marina Bay Miri.\n\n\n\nTicket prices for Borneo Jazz 2019\n\nWhere To Buy Tickets To Borneo Jazz Festival?\u00a0\n\n\n\nYou can buy tickets from the official Borneo Jazz website\u00a0or at the event's door. However, you will be entitled to an early booking discount when you buy early.\u00a0\n\n\n\nTicket prices vary from one-day tickets to the entire three-day ticket passes. This means that if you are a jazz lover, it is recommended you take the three-day ticket pass, which is much cheaper.\n\n\n\nAirAsia is one airline with multiple daily flights into Miri City.\n\nHow To Go To Borneo Jazz Festival 2019?\u00a0\n\n\n\nThere are a few ways, depending on where you are coming from. You may be coming in via road for locals or expatriates in the area, and those out of Borneo will have to fly in.\u00a0\n\n\n\nFlying into Miri - If you come to Sarawak, you will have to fly directly into Miri City. There are numerous direct flights from Kuala Lumpur to Miri, so you will connect via Kuala Lumpur if you are from another country. Airlines include AirAsia and Malaysia Airlines.\u00a0\n\n\n\nDriving to Miri - If you live in Brunei or Sabah, your best option would be to drive to Miri, as it will take no longer than two hours one way. Those from Bandar Seri Begawan or Kota Kinabalu can do so, and best to leave much earlier to avoid the immigration lines.\n\n\n\nThe location of Coco Cabana in Miri\n\nWhere is Coco Cabana?\u00a0\n\nCoco Cabana is located at Miri Marina Bay and at the end of Jalan Bandaraya. It is an event venue and function space which caters to many other events in Miri.\n\nThe overall structure is a massive wooden architecture building, the main venue for the Borneo Jazz Festival. Surrounding the area, there are a night bazaar, restaurants and even a bistro.\n\nThe famous Miri Seahorse Lighthouse is located here, a highly popular location to catch beautiful Miri sunsets.\n\n\n\nOne of the split villa units at Eastwood Valley Golf and Country Club in Miri\n\nWhere To Stay In Miri?\u00a0\n\n\n\nThere are many hotels, resorts, and even budget accommodations found all over Miri, and this provides many options for visitors coming to attend the Borneo Jazz Festival.\n\nIt all depends on how you plan to travel, and as a couple, group or family. Most hotels are located in the central city area, making it easy to get to the venue.\n\nBut again, if you are travelling with elderly people, I would recommend you take a taxi or Grab to the venue from the city, as it will cost around RM3 to RM5 one way.\n\nFor places to stay in Miri, I am recommending the following accommodations;\n\nPullman Hotel Miri Waterfront - This is one of the more excellent international hotels in Miri and is suitable for both business and leisure.\n\nMiri Marriott Resort and Spa - This is a five-star resort considered quite close to the venue and suitable for those who want some luxury.\n\nThe Roosevelt Studio - A practical and nice budget hotel, which is the closest accommodation to the Borneo Jazz Festival at Coco Cabana.\n\nMeritz Hotel - Located in a shopping mall and convenient for just about anyone. Single, couples of family travellers.\n\n\n\nJinhold Service Apartments - This is suited for those who prefer something like Airbnb, an apartment-style stay.\n\nAmigo Hotel - This one is a budget style hotel in a shop lot area, which is very close to Coco Cabana. This will be a great place with convenience if you are not fussy.\n\n\n\nEastwood Valley Golf and Country Club - If you love jazz and golf, this is the place to stay. It is Miri's best golf resort too.\n\n\nMiri City Homestay - This one is super budget-friendly, simple, and suitable for budget travellers. It is located quite near to the venue as well.\n\n\n\nA sit down jazz session during the festival.\n\nBorneo Jazz Festival 2019\nDate: 19th to 21st July 2019\nVenue: Coco Cabana, Marina Bay, Miri, Sarawak\nWebsite: Borneo Jazz Festival\n\n\n*For complete detailed information, I recommend visiting the official website of the Borneo Jazz Festival above, as they have the artist breakdown and much other valuable information.\n\n\n\nAn actual sunset was taken at Coco Cabana in Miri.\n\nConclusion\n\n\nIf you have heard about the Borneo Jazz Festival and want to experience this, you should start planning ahead for your flights, accommodation and tickets.\n\n\n\nUnlike other music festivals, this festival showcases a unique side of jazz and is not your typical concert-style event.\n\n\n\nI hope that you make it to the Borneo Jazz Festival 2019 and that this article has come in handy for you. If you have questions, please ask in the comment form below and see you there.\n\n\nTags\nBorneo Jazz 2019\nBorneo Jazz Festival\nBorneo Jazz Festival 2019\nJazz Festivals in Malaysia\nMalaysia\nMalaysia Music Festivals\nMiri\nSarawak\nSarawak Music Festivals\n\n\n\n\n\nFacebook\nTwitter\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nShare:Borneo Jazz Festival - All You Need To Know\n\n\nFacebook\nTwitter\nWhatsApp\nPinterest\nLinkedIn\nReddit\nTumblr\nTelegram\nEmail\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nMalaysia Asia\nBlogging since 2007, but writing online since 1997. I belong to the 1st generation of worldwide bloggers, which is of course old-school. \n\nSince 2008, I created Malaysia Asia and this travel, flood, gadget and lifestyle blog has won numerous physical awards from tourism boards around Malaysia. (Not those online awards).\n\nAfter 12 years of blogging, I have semi-retired and now blog about things I like, do product reviews and enjoy life. My work has been featured in Lonely Planet, CNN Travel, Yahoo Travel, Wall Street Journal, and many other international publications. Find out more about me and thank you.\n\n\n\n\nYou might like\nView all\n\n\n\n\n\n\n"}
{"url": "http://blog.malaysia-asia.my/2019/10/what-about-kuching-2019.html", "text": "\n\n\n\nHomeKuching\n\nWhat About Kuching 2019 \n\n\n\n\nbyMalaysia Asia\n-October 09, 2019\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nWhat About Kuching or #WAK2019 is a month-long festival that is purely dedicated to the lifestyle, arts and culture scene of Kuching in Sarawak.\u00a0\n\n\n\nWhile Kuching is the capital of Sarawak, this laid-back city has been known to charm visitors due to the old-world splendour where modernization has not overtaken this part of Malaysia.\u00a0\n\n\n\nHowever, the Kuching people or Kuchingites, have dedicated a unique festival spanning 30 days that are held throughout various locations in the city area.\u00a0\n\nWhat About Kuching\n\n\n\nWAK 2019 is the festival to experience in October\n\n\nConceptualized back in 2017, the organizers have created possibly one of Kuching's most unique festivals that has the potential to be one of the top festivals to attend in Malaysia.\u00a0\n\n\n\nEven the Sarawak Tourism Minister mentioned in a recent interview with the media that What About Kuching has the\u00a0potential to grow into a top regional event similar to the Edinburgh Fringe Festival.\u00a0\n\nWhat is Happening at What About Kuching 2019?\n\n\nWAK 2019 has lined up a total of 56 collaborating groups with 99 different events and more than 315 daily events taking place over 30 days from Sept 28 to Oct 27.\n\n\n\nDepending on the day and time you are in Kuching, there will be something going on at selected venues in the city area.\u00a0\n\n\n\nThere are workshops, shows, exhibitions and many other interesting events taking place. The main events are also best experienced on weekends on Friday, Saturday and Sunday.\u00a0\n\n\n\nTherefore if you are visiting on a particular weekend, do check out the event list for WAK2019.\u00a0\n\n\n\nYou can also see the full list of events and activities at the What About Kuching 2019 Calander.\u00a0\n\n\n\n\nOne of the interesting workshops at WAK2019 is the Tuak Brewing Workshop\n\nWho Should Visit What About Kuching?\n\n\nGenerally anyone and everyone. This includes locals and also visitors to Malaysia, especially anyone who is visiting Kuching from September 20 to October 27, 2019.\u00a0\n\n\n\nWhen you are here, look for the brochures on WAK2019 which are available around Kuching city. Kuching International Airport is also one of the places where you can pick them up when you arrive.\n\nAlternternatively, you can also search Google for 'What About Kuching' and get the calendar of events from the main website.\u00a0\n\nWhen and Where is What About Kuching (WAK)?\u00a0\n\nDate: Sept 28 to Oct 27\u00a0(30 Days)\nWhere: All over Kuching city\nWebsite: What About Kuching\n\n\n\nRamsay Ong is one of the renown artists from Kuching, Sarawak\n\nHow to Travel to Kuching?\u00a0\n\n\nThere are various flights from Kuala Lumpur, Singapore, Kota Kinabalu and other cities around Malaysia and Southeast Asia that fly directly into Kuching, Sarawak.\u00a0\n\n\n\nOnce here, visitors can easily walk around the city area or if you are ambitious enough, rent a car to move around. Ride-hailing or e-hailing services are available in Kuching as well.\u00a0\n\n\n\nAt one of the DJ sessions in Kuching\n\nConclusion\n\n\nPersonally, I feel that Kuching is still one of the best cities to visit in Malaysia, and over the last 10 years, I have been visiting here for many events and activities.\u00a0\n\n\n\nIn the last decade alone, I have seen how moderately Kuching has grown, and they are in no rush to keep up with other fast-growing cities in Malaysia.\n\nThis is something that I find very fascinating, that a city taking its time to mature without affecting the people, the culture and the overall charm of the place.\u00a0\n\n\n\nTherefore, if you have been planning or have plans to visit Kuching in October, do make it a point to catch some of the events or activities taking place for What About Kuching 2019.\n\n\nTags\nKuching\nMalaysia\nSarawak\nWhat About Kuching\n\n\n\n\n\nFacebook\nTwitter\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nShare:What About Kuching 2019 \n\n\nFacebook\nTwitter\nWhatsApp\nPinterest\nLinkedIn\nReddit\nTumblr\nTelegram\nEmail\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nMalaysia Asia\nBlogging since 2007, but writing online since 1997. I belong to the 1st generation of worldwide bloggers, which is of course old-school. \n\nSince 2008, I created Malaysia Asia and this travel, flood, gadget and lifestyle blog has won numerous physical awards from tourism boards around Malaysia. (Not those online awards).\n\nAfter 12 years of blogging, I have semi-retired and now blog about things I like, do product reviews and enjoy life. My work has been featured in Lonely Planet, CNN Travel, Yahoo Travel, Wall Street Journal, and many other international publications. Find out more about me and thank you.\n\n\n\n\nYou might like\nView all\n\n\n\n\n\n\n"}
{"url": "http://blog.malaysia-asia.my/2019/06/why-sandakan-is-best-wildlife.html", "text": "\n\n\n\nHomeBest Places To See Wildlife in Malaysia\n\nWhy Sandakan is the Best Wildlife Destination in Malaysia? \n\n\n\n\nbyMalaysia Asia\n-January 12, 2021\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nHaving visited Sandakan City numerous times in the last 12 years for my work, I have decided on writing this article about why Sandakan is the best wildlife destination in Malaysia.\n\n\n\nYou see, over the last decade, most visitors or tourists would love to visit Sabah, but a majority of them usually end up in Kota Kinabalu, or on the east coast side of Semporna, to access the islands of Mabul or Sipadan.\n\n\n\nDue to the common visitor or traveller's timing, they would just opt for these two destinations, and only a handful would venture on a longer sightseeing experience in Sabah. I believe it is high time that this tourist mindset is changed, and I hope to contribute to this.\n\nSandakan - The Best Wildlife Destination in Malaysia\n\n\nSabah is not only about stunning mountains, beautiful beaches, exotic islands, and incredible seafood, as most people tend to think so.But when you look deeper into this part of North Borneo, you will find out that there is much more appealing to many different travellers.\n\n\n\nWhile most travellers are accustomed to doing the five days to one week tours, they simply want to see the best of Sabah, resulting in visitors just spending time in Kota Kinabalu and some of the islands.\n\n\n\nThis article is more suited for those who love nature and wildlife. Therefore it will focus solely on that, and if you want something else, read this article on things to do in Sandakan\u00a0for the general traveller.\n\n\n\nWhere is Sandakan?\n\nA map showing where Sandakan is located in SabahBefore I continue, you should know that Sandakan or Little Hong Kong is located on the east coast of Sabah Borneo and is a six-hour drive or a 40-minute flight from Kota Kinabalu City.\n\nKnown as Sabah's Nature city, many come here for all kinds of nature and adventure experiences due to the vast choices for places to visit.\n\nSandakan is also known as Little Hong Kong, a history dating back decades and is currently one of the cities that is up and coming among the niche tourism genres.\n\nMany come here to also experience some of the best food in Sandakan,\u00a0where some of the dishes cannot be found anywhere else in Sabah or Malaysia.\n\nSandakan is also connected by flights from Kuala Lumpur and Kota Kinabalu or KK, while those seeking a driving adventure can also drive from KK.\n\n\n\nWhere are the Places to See Wildlife in Sandakan?\n\n\nThere are many different places where some are located near the city area, while most of them require travelling to the destination. This means that you need to book a tour to do so.\n\n\n\nWhile some backpackers may try to do this independently, you can, but it requires a lot of time, namely, public transport and walking.\n\n\n\nLet me start with the closest wildlife attractions to Sandakan, and from there, it gets a little further. Note that if you stay in Sandakan City, you will not walk to any of the attractions.\n\nThe main entrance to Sepilok Orangutan Centre\nSepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Center\n\n\n\nThis is probably the most famous wildlife sanctuary that that world recognition and is home to the Bornean Orangutans. Even Star Trek Discovery star Michelle Yeoh has visited Sepilok\u00a0among the many famous people who have done so repeatedly.\n\n\n\nMany people have claimed that the rehabilitation program conducted here is one of the best globally and is also the best way to see Orangutans in their natural habitat.\n\nSepilok is not a zoo and has special timed sessions to see the Orangutans being fed, once at 10.00 AM and the other at 3.00 PM.\n\n\n\nThe place is family-friendly, and numerous tour companies offer trips here from Sandakan City. A special volunteer program is also available, but by request and not walk in. If you have ever wanted to see Orangutans naturally, the Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Center\u00a0is highly recommended.\n\n\n\nSepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Center\n\nSabah Wildlife Department,\u00a0\n\nW.D.T. 200, Sandakan, Jalan Sepilok,\u00a0\n\nSepilok, 90000 Sandakan, Sabah\n\nTel: +6\u00a0089 531 180\n\nEntrance: Adults - RM30, Children below 18 - RM15\n\nCamera Fee (Personal) - RM10 per unitThe Bornean Sun Bear at Sepilok\nBornean Sun Bear Conservation Center\n\n\n\nJust next to the\u00a0Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Center is another world-class wildlife conservation centre called the Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Center or BSBCC, which specializes in the conservation and rehabilitation of rescued sun bears.\n\n\n\nThese are the smallest bears globally and have been seriously threatened by hunting, poaching and forest degradation, which has now reached an alarming level.\n\nOpened in 2014 by passionate Malaysian biologist Dr Wong Siew Te, he has single-handedly struggled to do this passion project into what it is today. In total, there are about 40 sun bears there.\n\n\n\nVisitors to Sepilok now have two places to explore with the Orangutan and Sun Bear centres side by side, and this has made both these places one of the most popular in Sandakan.\n\n\n\nBornean Sun Bear Conservation Center\n\nPPM 219, Elopura, 90000 Sandakan, Sabah\n\nTel: +6\u00a0089 534 491\n\nHours: 9.00 AM to 3.30 PM\n\nEntrance: Adults - RM31.80, Children below 18 - RM15.90\n\nCamera Fee (Personal) - RM1000 for lens 500mm and above\n\nOne of the observation towers at the RDC in Sepilok\nRainforest Discovery Center (RDC)\n\n\n\nLocated just nearby the Sepilok Orangutan and Bornean Sun Bear Center are the Rainforest Discovery Center\u00a0or RDC. This is one of the best places to see birds and smaller wildlife, where a massive one-kilometre steel canopy walk runs through the rainforest here.\n\nThe RDC is also best suited for day trips from Sandakan and is also children or family-friendly. This means that you can bring your kids here to learn about nature and wildlife as it is highly educational, with information found through the reserve here.\n\n\n\nRainforest Discovery Center\nAddress:\u00a0Sepilok, 90715 Sandakan, Sabah\nTel:\u00a0089-533 780\nHours: 8.00 AM to 5.00 PM\nAdmission: Adults RM15, Kids RM7\nWebsite:\u00a0http://www.forest.sabah.gov.my/rdc/\n\nMonkeys crossing a manmade bridge at Labuk Bay\nLabuk Bay Proboscis Monkey Sanctuary\n\nKnown as the best place to see Proboscis Monkeys up, close and personal, Labuk Bay is a sure bet to see these unique primates that are endemic only to the island of Borneo.\n\nThe surrounding location is a palm oil plantation, and the landowner created Labuk Bay as a conservation for the Proboscis Monkeys\u00a0who were found to be living in the vicinity.\n\nSince opening this sanctuary in 1994, tens of thousands of visitors and nature lovers have been coming here to see the monkeys. The location is at the\u00a0Semawang mangrove forest, which is about 48km from Sandakan city.\n\nThere are special feeding times, which are done four times a day at two main viewing platforms. Platform A feeding time is 9.30 AM and 2.30 PM, while Platform B feeding time is 11.30 AM and 4.30 PM.\n\nLabuk Bay Proboscis Monkey Sanctuary\nAddress: Off Jalan Labuk, 90000 Sandakan, Sabah\nHours: 8.00 AM to 6.00 PM\nTel: +6 089 672 133\nTickets: Adults RM60, Kids RM30 (Non-Malaysians)\nCamera Fee: RM10 per camera\n\nGomantong Caves, photo by Sabah TourismGomantong Caves\n\nGomantong Caves are not your regular cave visit but more of an educational experience about caves, bats, and birds' nest harvesting. This cave is located a little further out of Sandakan and is usually a half-day trip or a stopover for those heading to the Kinabatangan River.\n\nThese caves' beauty is home to one of the most popular bird's nest harvesting in Sabah. If you come on certain months, you can see the harvesters at work and using centuries-old technology.\n\nThere are two main caves here, the Black Cave and the White Cave, where both can be explored. Other than that, the cave formations, cave wildlife and the outsides of the cave is an interesting experience: spot orangutans, birds, red leaf monkeys and other wildlife outside the cave.\n\nGomantong Caves\nAddress: Off Jalan Sukau, Gomantong Hills, Kinabatangan, Sabah\nHours: 8.00 AM to 6.00 PM\nContact: Sabah Wildlife\n\nWildlife watching at the Kinabatangan River\n\nKinabatangan River\u00a0\n\n\n\nThe ultimate place for wildlife watching in Sandakan and possibly in all of Malaysia. If you are a serious wildlife lover or photographer, the Kinabatangan is the place to visit. This mighty river is also the second-longest river in Malaysia, with a total length of 560 km.\n\nThere are numerous lodges and resorts located all along the Kinabatangan, and many tour companies in Sandakan sell all kinds of packages here.\n\nThe journey is via road to the river jetty and then by boat to your respective lodge or resort. All tours are conducted with boats, and there are some walking treks available.\n\n\n\nA map showing the jetties along the Kinabatangan River\n\nIf you are staying deep inside, then your start point will be at the Lepit Jetty or the Sukau Public Jetty, and if you are going to Abai, you may just take a boat from Sandakan Abai.\n\nThere are many options to choose from for lodging, ranging from homestays, lodges, guest houses, and resorts. Most packages sold here are overnight to multiple days, but I would recommend spending at least three nights at Kinabatangan to fully experience this place.\n\nKinabatangan River\nLepit Jetty or Sukau Public Jetty, Off Jalan Sukau,\nKinabatangan 90200 Sabah.\nContact: Various travel agents in Sandakan or Kota Kinabalu.\n\nA green turtle lays eggs by the beach.Turtle Island\u00a0\n\n\n\nOne of the more unique wildlife experiences combined with a lot of conservation is Turtle Island or Pulau Selingan, off Sandakan City. This special experience allows visitors to spend a night at Turtle Island, observing sea turtles come up to the beach and lay eggs.\n\n\n\nVisitors are also invited to help collect the turtle eggs and then re-bury them in the special turtle hatchery on the island.\n\nAnd if your luck is good, you may even have the opportunity to release some of the newly hatched turtles from there. Overall this is an amazing experience for just about anyone, namely those travelling with kids.\n\n\n\nTurtle Island (Pulau Selingan)\n\nOff Sandakan City, Sabah\n\nTours: Various travel companies in Sandakan CityOne of the nature lodges in Sepilok, SandakanWhere To Stay In Sandakan?\n\n\n\nThere are numerous choices for nature lovers to stay in Sandakan, and in most cases, the accommodations would be out of Sandakan City and nearer to the nature places. However, you have various options, depending on the type of nature or wildlife package you choose.\n\nSome of the popular places include Sepilok Nature Lodge\u00a0near the RDC, the Orangutan centre, and the sun bear conservation. All of the places are within walking distance too.\n\nAnd if you choose the city, try the S'kan Styles Hotel\u00a0in town, one of the recommended places to stay.\n\nIf you are going to Kinabatangan, you will most likely book a package that includes your stay there, so there are also many options.\n\n\n\nFlights take less than three hours from Kuala Lumpur to Sandakan. Image from Google\n\nHow To Go To Sandakan?\n\n\nTo get to Sandakan, there are direct flights from Kuala Lumpur or from Kota Kinabalu in Sabah. Most visitors would fly in and spend several days here.\n\nIf you are in Kota Kinabalu or any other city around Sabah, you can also rent a car and self-drive to Sandakan. From KK city, various tour companies organize tours to Sandakan as well.\n\nFor the budget travellers, buses are going to Sandakan from Kota Kinabalu and other larger cities all over Sabah.\n\nPulau Selingan or Turtle Island\nConclusion\n\n\n\nHaving been to Sandakan many times, I can easily say that this place is truly a nature lover paradise waiting to be discovered and explored.\n\nIf you are planning to visit, you can also take a look at some of the things you can do in Sandakan\u00a0when you are here, as it all relates back to nature and adventure.\n\nFor those who love fast city life, shopping malls and an abundance of entertainment, Sandakan is not the place for you. Sandakan is more laid back and a tiny city that takes its time to mature.\n\nAfter visiting this incredible place, you will know why Sandakan is the best wildlife destination in Malaysia, and you may even come back for more.\n\n\n\nTags\nBest Places To See Wildlife in Malaysia\nMalaysia\nMalaysia Wildlife\nSabah\nSandakan\n\n\n\n\n\nFacebook\nTwitter\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nShare:Why Sandakan is the Best Wildlife Destination in Malaysia? \n\n\nFacebook\nTwitter\nWhatsApp\nPinterest\nLinkedIn\nReddit\nTumblr\nTelegram\nEmail\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nMalaysia Asia\nBlogging since 2007, but writing online since 1997. I belong to the 1st generation of worldwide bloggers, which is of course old-school. \n\nSince 2008, I created Malaysia Asia and this travel, flood, gadget and lifestyle blog has won numerous physical awards from tourism boards around Malaysia. (Not those online awards).\n\nAfter 12 years of blogging, I have semi-retired and now blog about things I like, do product reviews and enjoy life. My work has been featured in Lonely Planet, CNN Travel, Yahoo Travel, Wall Street Journal, and many other international publications. Find out more about me and thank you.\n\n\n\n\nYou might like\nView all\n\n\n\n\n\n\n"}
{"url": "http://blog.malaysia-asia.my/2019/03/10-sarawak-noodles-you-have-to-try.html", "text": "\n\n\n\nHomeEating in Malaysia\n\n13 Sarawak Noodles You Have To Try\n\n\n\n\nbyMalaysia Asia\n-December 22, 2020\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nWhen you visit the Land of the Hornbills in Borneo, food is undoubtedly one of the things to explore, and here are\u00a013 Sarawak noodles you have to try when you are there.\u00a0\n\n\n\nMost visitors will start in Kuching, the capital of Sarawak, and the adventurous will travel north towards Sibu and then to Miri.\u00a0\n\n\n\nThere will be many opportunities for you to sample some of the best local Sarawak food along the journey. Among them, some of the more unique Sarawak noodles are highly recommended.\n\n\n\nIf you notice, I am not naming restaurants or hawkers for most of them. When you are in the cities or towns, you can look out for them at various coffee shops, hawker centres, cafes, restaurants or even at some hotels.\u00a0Below is the list of unique, exciting and different noodles to explore while in Sarawak.\n\n\n\n13 Sarawak Noodles You Have To Try\n\nThis Kolo Mee is unique, with everything added inside.1. Kolo Mee\u00a0\n\n\n\nThis is undoubtedly one of the most famous Sarawak noodles literally found anywhere in and around Sarawak, from villages to towns to big cities.Kolo Mee is an egg noodle served dry, in soup or even fried, and sold more commonly by the Chinese community.\u00a0\n\n\n\nHowever, due to this noodle's popularity, you can even find Halal versions of Kolo Mee sold at some Malay hawker stalls or restaurants.\n\n\n\nKolo Mee is predominantly served with roast pork slices known as Char Siew, but the meat is replaced with chicken or beef pieces for a Halal or pork-free version.\u00a0\n\n\n\nThe price varies from RM3.00 to RM6.00 a bowl, depending on where you eat them in Kuching. In the main cities, prices are obviously a little higher than in the smaller towns or villages.Some of these hawkers have also taken the liberty to offer Kolo Mee Special, where they include many other ingredients like innards, prawns, etc.\n\nSarawak Laksa, one of the world-famous noodles2. Sarawak Laksa\n\n\n\nAfter gaining worldwide attention from the late Anthony Bourdain, who visited Kuching and sampled this local favourite, more people know about the famed Sarawak Laksa dish.\u00a0\n\n\n\nWhile many will debate where to find the best Sarawak Laksa, I leave it up to the consumer's judgment, not based on one person's judgment.\u00a0\n\n\n\nTo be very honest, Sarawak Laksa's taste varies from stall to stall. After years of visiting Sarawak and speaking to many locals, each has its own favourite laksa stall or restaurant.And do not be easily fooled to think that you can get a good bowl of Sarawak Laksa in Kuala Lumpur, as it is not the same thing. It is like comparing the Sabah Laksa with the Sarawak one.Sarawak Dry Laksa or Laksa Kering3. Laksa Kering (Dry Laksa)This one is rather special and different as it is a dry version of the famed Sarawak Laksa. Yes, a completely dried version like the typically dried noodles we order.While it has been done several times before, it never really took off as Laksa is Laksa and most people agree that it should always be soup-based.So, one fine day while I was staying in the Padungan area of Kuching, I ventured around here and ended up in a local coffee shop and noticed a stall promoting the Laksa Kering or Dry Laksa.Without hesitation, I ordered a bowl to find it attractive compared to the original. The mixture base is the Laksa sauce cooked until a dried paste.The noodles are then served with the dry paste at the bottom, and all you need to do is mix them together, and you have your Laksa Kering.If you are in Kuching, head over to Restoran Taipan Corner in Padungan and look for the Laksa stall in the coffee shop's front.The 'Oh-so-unique' Mee Belacan from Kuching4. Mee Belacan\n\nThis has become one of the most unique noodles that I have tried in Sarawak and possibly in all of Malaysia. A noodle that is complimented with a special belacan sauce, which is out of this world.\n\nFirstly, belacan is a fermented shrimp paste and is an acquired taste for Malaysians. With that, not many people can accept this dish, including me.\n\nThe noodle is boiled and then complimented with a clear soupy belacan flavoured soup with fresh cuttlefish pieces and vegetables.\n\nOn top of that, belacan paste is added to the dish to boost the flavour, which totally blew my mind. I have only tasted the Mee Belacan twice and never again.\n\nBut I swear that some local Sarawakians love this special dish, which can be found in the Padungan area of Kuching. Trust me, this Mee Belacan is totally an acquired taste and not to be messed with.Mee Dawai, a local favourite in Sarawak5. Mee Tomato (Mee Dawai)\nAs the locals call it, another of Kuching's local favourites is the Tomato Noodles or mee tomato. Some even nicknamed this dish mee dawai or wire noodles due to its outcome after being served.\n\nThe Mee Tomato is a simple dish with its origins in the popular Cantonese noodle dish of Kung Fu Chow. Only the sauce is replaced with a strong tomato-based thick gravy.\n\nThe noodles are first deep-fried, and then the tomato gravy is cooked with chicken or pork pieces and then poured over the deep-fried noodles before serving.\n\nYou can find Mee Tomato at most hawker centres or some restaurants around Kuching and other cities or towns in Sarawak.\n\nIs it nice? Being Malaysian, this dish is easily accepted due to the similarities of the Cantonese noodles and the sweet and sour dishes, so I recommend trying this in Sarawak.\n\nThe trick to getting a good plate of Mee Tomato lies in the gravy or sauce, as it should be a balanced thickness, not too watery or too thick.\nThe lobster noodles in Foochow style6. Sibu Lobster Noodles or Big Prawn Head Noodles\n\nThis noodle got me all excited, as seeing a river lobster or Udang Galah in a bowl of noodles is beyond our usual expectations.\n\nOnly in the city of Sibu in Sarawak will you chance upon this at a local coffee shop, and it is known to be a typical dish here.\n\nSibu is home to many Foochow people, and trust me, the Foochow people really know how to cook noodles. During a trip there, I was introduced to many different types of Foochow dishes, and this Udang Galah noodle was something I was totally fascinated with.\n\nOne of the local restaurants had this on the menu, and the price was based on the size of the river lobsters; on average, a bowl of this can cost anywhere from RM20 to RM40.\n\nWhile that may be quite pricey for some, trust me if you are a visitor here, you have to splurge on this local favourite as the way it is cooked, and the sheer freshness of the river lobster brings this dish to another level.\n\nYou can find the Sibu Lobster Noodles around the main city area, specifically at local Chinese coffee shops or restaurants. It is best to go with the locals too.One of the well-known Kampua Noodles in Sibu7. Kampua Noodles\n\nOne of the more popular Foochow noodles is the Kampua noodles, found all over Sibu city in central Sarawak. However, in places like Kuching or Miri, you can still find them, but very few places sell this.\n\nIf you are looking for a famous Kampua noodle, you most likely have to visit Sibu to try this. While I am still on my journey to try more of these Foochow noodles, I will probably get more information by 2021.Also, a few so-called famous Kampua Noodles are found in Sibu, so the challenge is for me to look for them.\nKway Chap in Kuching8. Kway Chap or Kueh Chap\n\nThis is probably every meat lover's favourite, but finding the best Kueh Chap in Kuching is considered not easy. I have tried a few, and most of them are just average, but then again, what is normal?For a good bowl of Kueh Chap, one needs to contact a local foodie who knows where the good ones are located. Over the years, I have met many locals who have given me a different place.To date, the only acceptable and pleasant Kuey Chap is still at the Temple Food Court on Carpenter Street in Kuching. The price is not that cheap, but it is quite good on average.Mee Cangkuk Manis is usually mee hoon noodles9. Mee Cangkuk Manis\nThis is one of the more challenging dishes to find due to a lot of work to prepare this dish, and Cangkuk Manis noodles are worth hunting for when you are in Sarawak.Often called Sayur Manis, this vegetable noodle is usually fried with mee hoon or fine rice vermicelli and can be found at specific night markets or even coffee shops.\u00a0However, the taste varies from place to place; some simply fry it for the sake of selling, and others passionately do this as a local favourite.And the worst part is I cannot even list down one place where you can get a decent plate of Mee Cangkuk Manis in Kuching. Maybe someone can help me out here.\nA Halal version of the Kolo Mee Goreng in Kuching10. Kolo Mee Goreng\n\nWith Kolo Mee being a popular dish, it is only fair that there is a fried version of this, and there are many places that offer this option around Sarawak. Well, it's not super popular, but you can still get them at food courts.\n\nOver the years of exploring Sarawak, I noticed that the Kolo Mee Goreng is commonly found among Malay food vendors. One of them is at Damai Central, just in front of the Sarawak Cultural Village.\n\nThe method is clearly straightforward, where they use the Kolo noodles to fry it, similar to a fried noodle style or Mee Goreng.Condiments are similar to fried Maggi or Indomee, but the noodles make it slightly different, and if you're lucky, you can ask to add some Dabai into it.\nOne of the interesting Foochow fried noodles in Kuching11. Foochow NoodlesAll over Sarawak, you will easily find Foochow people, and when you find them, there will always be unique Foochow food available.\u00a0Among the popular Foochow food, the Foochow Noodles seem to get much attention from locals and tourists.Some of the Foochow Noodles are so interesting that they often taste out-of-this-world, especially with the type of cooking wine used.Overall, there are so many Foochow Noodles that it is hard to narrow them down; hence it is best to visit a Foochow restaurant or coffee shop and try them individually.One of the recommended places is Mee Kwong Cafe in Kuching, and they serve a mean menu of Foochow dishes here.Marudi Kuay Tiaw or Kuey Teow12. Marudi Kuay Tiaw (Kuey Teow)This is one dish that I totally went crazy for, not only because it is so hard to find but also because it is so normal but different.Marudi Kuay Tiaw is not easy to find because it is not something familiar that you can locate in Miri, Sarawak. Only the locals seem to know where to get this unique dish.Of course, if you visit the town of Marudi in Sarawak, you will have the opportunity to experience the Marudi Kuay Tiaw first-hand, and that apparently is the best.So, what makes this dish special? It is the thickness of the flat rice noodles, and it is double what we are used to. Imagine this dish with much thicker flat\u00a0kuay teow noodles.My mission is to visit Marudi to try this, and the one in the photo above is actually taken from a house stall in Miri City.The 75-year-old handmade noodles in Miri13. Lo Shu Fen Miri (Loh Shi Fun)Famous in Miri and known only to locals, this noodle is called Lo Shu Fen or Loh Shi Fun and is hand made rice noodle with a 75-year history.The family that runs this shop is now in the third generation and does not seem to stop soon. The quality of the noodles is supreme because it is still handmade.The family has moved from their humble beginnings of a stall and a shop lot in the Pujut area of Miri, Sarawak.A typical menu is seen at a local Foochow stall in Kuching.\u00a0ConclusionFor the record, I have also done a specialised Kuching food review using a Galaxy Note 10 Plus in 2019, and it features some of the more unique foods around Kuching.The above is a collection of real-time experiences by me after exploring Sarawak in the recent years of my travels.I have gone upriver into the interiors and explored many smaller towns and villages, yet there is still more to explore.During my exploration, I always make it a point to try out the local food from each area; hence I came out with this article on 13 Sarawak noodles you have to try.\n\n\nTags\nEating in Malaysia\nEating in Sarawak\nFood\nMalaysia\nMalaysia Food\nSarawak\nSarawak Food\nSarawak More To Discover\n\n\n\n\n\nFacebook\nTwitter\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nShare:13 Sarawak Noodles You Have To Try\n\n\nFacebook\nTwitter\nWhatsApp\nPinterest\nLinkedIn\nReddit\nTumblr\nTelegram\nEmail\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nMalaysia Asia\nBlogging since 2007, but writing online since 1997. I belong to the 1st generation of worldwide bloggers, which is of course old-school. \n\nSince 2008, I created Malaysia Asia and this travel, flood, gadget and lifestyle blog has won numerous physical awards from tourism boards around Malaysia. (Not those online awards).\n\nAfter 12 years of blogging, I have semi-retired and now blog about things I like, do product reviews and enjoy life. My work has been featured in Lonely Planet, CNN Travel, Yahoo Travel, Wall Street Journal, and many other international publications. Find out more about me and thank you.\n\n\n\n\nYou might like\nView all\n\n\n\n\n\n\n"}
{"url": "http://blog.malaysia-asia.my/2022/08/galaxy-z-flip4-and-z-fold4-price-in.html", "text": "\n\n\n\nHomeGalaxy Z Flip\n\nGalaxy Z Flip4 and Z Fold4 Price in Malaysia\n\n\n\n\nbyMalaysia Asia\n-August 11, 2022\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nSince Samsung launched the latest Z series foldable smartphones worldwide on August 10 2022, many have been curious about the\u00a0Galaxy Z Flip4 and Z Fold4 price in Malaysia.You should also know that these are the fourth-generation foldable phones from Samsung and are highly sought after by many. The launching of new Galaxy Z Flip4 and Fold4 foldable phones was unveiled during the August 10 Galaxy Unpacked event.Galaxy Z Flip4 and Z Fold4 Price in MalaysiaIt is a no-brainer that the fourth-generation foldable smartphones are costly, as many improvements have been made over the last few years.Smartphones are no longer under the RM1,000 category unless you are a super beginner and just need a phone for messages and calls only.Mid-range and high-range smartphones cost anywhere from RM2,000 to RM10,000, depending on the brand and the specifications.Samsung is one of the leading smartphone brands worldwide and has invested quite a bit into its technology, resulting in some pretty amazing smartphones over the years.You should also know that I have been a day-one Samsung user since the early days of the Samsung Galaxy Note 1, and I am currently using the Galaxy S22.So, without any other writing drama, below is the\u00a0Galaxy Z Flip4 and Z Fold4 Price in Malaysia;Galaxy Z Flip4, Fold4 and Galaxy Buds2 Prices in Malaysia.Please visit the official Samsung Malaysia website for more information, videos, and special promotions. You can also buy the Galaxy Z Flip4 and Fold4 smartphones from there.As I have been actively using Samsung smartphones for years now, you can also read some of my Samsung smartphone reviews\u00a0which I have done.I also have other smartphone reviews\u00a0on my lifestyle blog, David Explores, which features more general reviews and news about smartphones in Malaysia.Galaxy Z Fold4 and Flip4.Galaxy Z Fold4 and its additional accessories.ConclusionNow that you have seen the list of prices, it is only when you want to upgrade to the new foldable phones by Samsung.On the other hand, many will wait for Malaysian telco companies to start their contract promotion for new phones. Again, these are the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip4 and Z Fold4 price in Malaysia.\n\n\nTags\nGalaxy Z Flip\nGalaxy Z Fold\nSamsung Malaysia\nSmartphone Review\nSmartphone Reviews\n\n\n\n\n\nFacebook\nTwitter\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nShare:Galaxy Z Flip4 and Z Fold4 Price in Malaysia\n\n\nFacebook\nTwitter\nWhatsApp\nPinterest\nLinkedIn\nReddit\nTumblr\nTelegram\nEmail\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nMalaysia Asia\nBlogging since 2007, but writing online since 1997. I belong to the 1st generation of worldwide bloggers, which is of course old-school. \n\nSince 2008, I created Malaysia Asia and this travel, flood, gadget and lifestyle blog has won numerous physical awards from tourism boards around Malaysia. (Not those online awards).\n\nAfter 12 years of blogging, I have semi-retired and now blog about things I like, do product reviews and enjoy life. My work has been featured in Lonely Planet, CNN Travel, Yahoo Travel, Wall Street Journal, and many other international publications. Find out more about me and thank you.\n\n\n\n\nYou might like\nView all\n\n\n\n\n\n\n"}
{"url": "http://blog.malaysia-asia.my/2023/01/smartphone-photography-of-buildings-in.html", "text": "\n\n\n\nHomeGalaxy S22\n\nSmartphone Photography of Buildings in Kuala Lumpur\n\n\n\n\nbyMalaysia Asia\n-January 15, 2023\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nI take a lot of smartphone photos daily, mostly just for self-satisfaction, and sometimes I enjoy doing smartphone photography of buildings in Kuala Lumpur.Why? Because Kuala Lumpur offers some fascinating and beautiful building architecture that feeds my hobby using the Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra smartphone.Smartphone Photography of Buildings in Kuala LumpurKL, as the city is fondly known, is home to several world-class skyscrapers and is relatively easy to move around with the mass transit services.The city of Kuala Lumpur often undergoes lots of construction.When I go for my smartphone photography in KL city, I usually take the LRT or MRT train from Petaling Jaya, where I live, as it is much more convenient.My first stop is always at the older part of KL at Petaling Street or Chinatown, where I will walk around for my smartphone street photography while looking for interesting building angles.From there, I will take the LRT train towards KLCC and explore that part of Kuala Lumpur, as you can also find many skyscrapers around the area.Below are random photos taken with my Galaxy S22 Ultra smartphone on several occasions of visiting Kuala Lumpur city. Please click on the pictures to see them in full size as smartphone mode re-sizes them a little odd.One of my favourite technicolour murals near Central Market in KL.The Petronas Twin Towers is one of the most photographed buildings in KL.Dayabumi is one of the early skyscrapers of KL city.In some areas of the city, you can get shots like this when you look up.A distant view of the Kuala Lumpur City skyline.A lot of interesting buildings can be found all over KL city.Some buildings are simple, while others look futuristic.Some buildings provide interesting angles for architecture.The Petronas Twin Towers are hidden among other skyscrapers.TRX Exchange was now one of the latest skyscrapers to open in 2022.Looking up at the TRX Exchange.Beautiful architecture around the TRX Exchange.TRX Exchange 106 building in KL.One of the odd-looking building designs in KL city.Outside the Exchange 106 skyscraper.ConclusionIf you enjoyed this, please check out my other smartphone photography articles and photos I have taken over the years.I travel quite often, and I often use my Galaxy Smartphone to take photos, so keep a lookout for travel photos in 2023 with the Galaxy S23 Ultra, launched in February.Thanks for viewing my smartphone photography of buildings in Kuala Lumpur article. I would one day love to organise a special photowalk for this.\n\n\nTags\nGalaxy S22\nGalaxy S22 Ultra\nGalaxy S22 Ultra Review\nKuala Lumpur\nMalaysia\nPhotography\nSamsung\nSamsung Galaxy S22 Ultra\nSmartphone Photography\nSmartphone Review\nSmartphone Reviews\n\n\n\n\n\nFacebook\nTwitter\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nShare:Smartphone Photography of Buildings in Kuala Lumpur\n\n\nFacebook\nTwitter\nWhatsApp\nPinterest\nLinkedIn\nReddit\nTumblr\nTelegram\nEmail\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nMalaysia Asia\nBlogging since 2007, but writing online since 1997. I belong to the 1st generation of worldwide bloggers, which is of course old-school. \n\nSince 2008, I created Malaysia Asia and this travel, flood, gadget and lifestyle blog has won numerous physical awards from tourism boards around Malaysia. (Not those online awards).\n\nAfter 12 years of blogging, I have semi-retired and now blog about things I like, do product reviews and enjoy life. My work has been featured in Lonely Planet, CNN Travel, Yahoo Travel, Wall Street Journal, and many other international publications. Find out more about me and thank you.\n\n\n\n\nYou might like\nView all\n\n\n\n\n\n\n"}
{"url": "http://blog.malaysia-asia.my/2019/06/narita-airport-vs-klia2-review-part-2.html", "text": "\n\n\n\nHomeAirlines\n\nNarita Airport vs KLIA2 Review - Part 2\n\n\n\n\nbyMalaysia Asia\n-June 06, 2019\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nThis is a continuation of my Narita Airport vs KLIA2 review, where the first part\u00a0was published in May 2019. And I have also done a comparison article review of KLIA2 vs Bangkok Don Mueang.\u00a0\n\n\n\nMy mission in doing these airport reviews is to help raise awareness about the state of our airport services, which many travellers take for granted. And by doing so, I hope to provide constructive feedback to the relevant parties - without bias and prejudice.\n\n\n\nNarita Airport Review\n\n\n\n\nNarita Airport Terminal 2 is simple and functional.\n\n\nNarita Airport is the main international airport for Japan, and if you are flying in from around the world into Japan, this is where you will arrive in Tokyo.\u00a0\u00a0\n\n\n\nOnce known as New Tokyo International Airport, it was renamed Narita International Airport to avoid confusion with Haneda International Airport, also known as the Tokyo airport.\u00a0\n\n\n\nIf you did not already know, Tokyo Haneda was voted No 2 and was just behind Changi International, which won the world's best airport from Skytrax 2019. View the World's Top 100 Airports of 2019.\u00a0\n\n\n\nWhile both airports are not the same in terms of aircraft handling, i.e. Narita is a full-service carrier airport while KLIA2 is an LCCT, you may be surprised to know that Narita does, in fact, open up slots for long-haul budget airlines at its Terminal 3.\u00a0\n\n\n\nAs was reported in Part 1 of my article, Narita T3 was ranked World's No 2 Best LCCT, which many still need to learn about.\u00a0\u00a0\n\n\n\n\nThe walkway to Terminal 2 and 3 of Narita Airport\n\n\nNarita Airport Operating Hours\n\n\n\nNarita Airport operates from 6.00 AM till 11.00 PM, with a special allowance of one hour for landing after 11.00 PM for delays and bad weather.\u00a0\n\n\n\nI am sure you are surprised as I am because it is an international airport; I had assumed it would operate 24 hours for flights landing from all over the world.\u00a0\n\n\n\nThe main reason for banning flights from 11.00 PM to 6.00 AM is the noise concerns of aircraft flying in and out around the town of Narita.\u00a0\n\n\n\nConsiderations have been made numerous times, as the country's international airport should run 24 hours daily.\u00a0\n\n\n\n\nThe wide check-in counter area of Terminal 2\n\n\nNarita Airport Passenger Flow Convenience\u00a0\n\n\n\nBuilt just like any other airport, the passenger flow is perfect and easy to navigate, even if it is your first time there. The main entrance to the check-in counters is very near when you arrive via train, bus or taxi.\u00a0\n\n\n\nFor train arrivals to T2 of Narita, you will need to make your way up to level three, where the main departure hall is located, and there are clear and precise signs directing you all the way up.\u00a0\n\n\n\n\nSignages are one of the most important things at airports.\n\n\nHonestly, I could not ask for more accessible directions as there was no need to look lost and confused. This is something that the Japanese are very particular about - directions, and they are seen at eye level anywhere you are in the terminal.\u00a0\n\n\n\nOnce you have checked in at the counter in Narita, your next move would be to do some last-minute shopping.\u00a0\n\n\n\nAfter eating and shopping, simply head back down, and you will arrive at the main international departure entrance. It's simple math, where you check in, explore, indulge and go for your flight.\u00a0\n\n\n\n\nChecking in at the Narita Airport\n\nChecking in At Narita Airport\n\n\n\nWhenever I check in at airports out of Kuala Lumpur, I always find the counter staff very helpful and always with a smile, and most importantly, professional in what they do.\u00a0\n\n\n\nWell, on the many times I have flown AirAsia, the counter staff is some of the best around when it comes to checking in. I have heard of complaints, but so far, so good.\n\n\n\nOver in Narita, nothing was compromised, as their professional customer service ethics paid in full, and I could not fault them in any way.\u00a0\n\n\n\n\nShopping at Muji to Go at Narita Airport\n\nThe counter staff maintained a pleasant face throughout my checking-in, even doing the traditional Japanese bowing after handing me my boarding pass.\u00a0\n\n\n\nThis will always impress me - the immaculate Japanese hospitality that has been around forever.\u00a0\n\n\n\nI often wonder why this kind of hospitality cannot be emulated by other countries in my own country's airports.\u00a0\n\n\n\n\nNarita Airport Mall at Terminal 2\n\n\nShopping at the Airport Mall in Narita\n\n\n\nWhen you stand in the middle of terminal two, at the main information counter, you can see everything in one glance, which is very convenient for foreign travellers.\u00a0\n\n\n\nAnd for me, I saw that the shopping and dining were located on the upper level (Level 4) of the airport.\u00a0\n\n\n\nThis made it super easy for me to go up, explore, shop, and have a meal before heading back down to the departure gates.\u00a0\n\n\n\n\nThe simple and straightforward shopping area at terminal two\n\n\nThe selection of shops here, I found it interesting due to a simplified layout and also a special section where it was dedicated to purely Japanese arts and crafts, which appeals to most tourists before leaving Japan.\n\n\n\nThe concept of having smaller stores or kiosks meant that they only needed minimal manpower to manage and operate.\u00a0\n\n\n\nUnlike KLIA2, there are many larger stores where two or more staff are employed. And when things are quiet, staff being staff, tend to talk to each other out of boredom, creating a very laid back and unprofessional image.\u00a0\n\n\n\n\nHow can one go wrong at any Japanese 7-11 store?\n\n\nFor dining or quick meals at Narita Airport, having fast food, a convenience store, and a proper restaurant in one area makes total sense. You can go straight to the restaurant for a solid sit-down meal if you have time.\u00a0\n\n\n\nAnd if you are on the go, you can either get some fast food or visit the convenience store to grab some bites and drinks. I never looked deeper at the food and beverage layout, but seeing how the Japanese simplified it, made total sense.\u00a0\n\n\n\nHowever, at KLIA2, it is convenient, with too many choices. And the problem is that because there are too many, they are spaced out everywhere. This means there are about ten restaurants and cafes at the main departures terminal.\u00a0\n\n\n\n\nAn example of a practical pharmacy is at Narita Airport.\n\n\nAnd over at KL Gateway Mall, another 20 restaurants, cafes, and fast food spread all over the mall. This makes it difficult and quite a waste of time to walk around.\u00a0\n\n\n\nIf you look at these logistics, it only contributes a little to the food and beverage retailers inside the airport boarding areas.Why? Because passengers have spent time walking around the mall, leaving only enough time to rush to the boarding gate.\u00a0\n\n\nAlso, because some of the gates are located so far away, passengers will not have time to browse around the duty-free areas, leaving these shops with less business.Honestly, how often have you experienced rushing to your gate only to bypass all the stores along the way?\u00a0\n\n\n\n\nThe shops along the boarding gate area of Narita.\n\n\nBoarding Gate Areas at Narita Airport\n\n\nAnother thing I love about international airports is the journey to the boarding gates area; this is where you can spend all your remaining foreign currencies.\u00a0\n\n\n\nThis means that most airports I have visited have a wide boarding area walkway.\n\n\n\nThe journey to the boarding gates is a breeze; you just need to follow the large, conveniently placed signs. Every corner you take, you will surely see signages that point you in the right direction.\u00a0\n\n\n\n\nThe duty-free shops along the way to your boarding gate\n\n\nAt the start, you will enter the duty-free zone, where stores line both sides of the walkways, which I found to be narrower and lovely for two-way traffic flow.\u00a0\n\n\n\nTravelators or moving walkways are conveniently placed all the way to the end of the gates and are not too long.\u00a0\n\n\n\nThe stores are found all the way to the gates, making the walk not tiring as the human eye would be glancing to see if there is something of interest along the walk.\u00a0\n\n\n\nAlong my journey to the boarding gate, I found all kinds of shops, from souvenirs to apparel and cafes to coffee shops, which are all high quality.\u00a0\n\n\n\n\nOne of the attractive duty-free shops on route to the boarding area\n\n\nThey usually don't cost an arm and a leg; hence, this was for the passenger's convenience to quickly shop and move along.\u00a0\n\n\n\nSadly at KLIA2 in Malaysia, they tried to adapt this concept, but the overall boarding gate area was too narrow.\u00a0\n\n\n\nWhen you get further, there are no more shops, as they are all concentrated at the beginning of the gate areas, with low-quality stores, making the airport look bad.\u00a0\n\n\n\nAgain, over at KLIA2, if you have already walked around the KL Gateway Mall, you would have limited time to explore the duty-free area.\u00a0\n\n\n\nThe only thing on your mind is to reach the boarding gate area, so you will not miss your flight. This is a common occurrence among many travellers at KLIA2.\u00a0\n\n\n\n\nJust take a look at the KLIA2 walkways. It feels very empty and cold.\n\n\nFinal thoughts on Part 2 of my Narita Airport vs KLIA2 Review\u00a0\n\n\n\nAs mentioned earlier in this article, what I write here is my own views based on my experience flying in and out of KLIA2. They are without bias and prejudice and hopefully will be noticed by the respective authorities.\n\nIf you are interested in airports and aviation, I have also done many other airport articles and reviews\u00a0from Malaysia and Asia.\u00a0\u00a0\n\n\n\nIn this series's next and final part, I will discuss Narita T3, rated the World's 2nd Best LCCT by Skytrax. If you have any comments or feedback, I would love to hear them below.\n\n\nTags\nAirlines\nAirport News\nAirport Reviews\nAirports\nAviation\nJapan\nKLIA\nKLIA2\nKLIA2 News\nMalaysia\nMalaysia Airport\nMalaysia Airport News\nMalaysia Airports\nTokyo\n\n\n\n\n\nFacebook\nTwitter\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nShare:Narita Airport vs KLIA2 Review - Part 2\n\n\nFacebook\nTwitter\nWhatsApp\nPinterest\nLinkedIn\nReddit\nTumblr\nTelegram\nEmail\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nMalaysia Asia\nBlogging since 2007, but writing online since 1997. I belong to the 1st generation of worldwide bloggers, which is of course old-school. \n\nSince 2008, I created Malaysia Asia and this travel, flood, gadget and lifestyle blog has won numerous physical awards from tourism boards around Malaysia. (Not those online awards).\n\nAfter 12 years of blogging, I have semi-retired and now blog about things I like, do product reviews and enjoy life. My work has been featured in Lonely Planet, CNN Travel, Yahoo Travel, Wall Street Journal, and many other international publications. Find out more about me and thank you.\n\n\n\n\nYou might like\nView all\n\n\n\n\n\n\n"}
{"url": "http://blog.malaysia-asia.my/2022/05/borneo-jazz-festival-2022-virtual.html", "text": "\n\n\n\nHomeBorneo Jazz\n\nBorneo Jazz Festival 2022 Virtual Tickets Open For Sale\n\n\n\n\nbyMalaysia Asia\n-May 31, 2022\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nSales for virtual tickets to the Borneo Jazz festival 2022 are now open at the festival\u2019s official website jazzborneo.com!Themed \u201cJazz in The Jungle\u201d, the 17th edition Borneo Jazz Festival will be held from 24 to 26 June 2022 in a hybrid format with the physical concert at Coco Cabana, Miri, to reach out to the greater jazz-loving community worldwide.Borneo Jazz Festival 2022 Virtual Tickets Open For SaleBorneo Jazz will be joined by an international community of jazz artists, rappers and DJs from France, Switzerland, Germany, Italy, Hungary, USA, Japan, Indonesia, Korea, and China, not to mention the best names in Malaysian jazz.Music lovers can look forward to performances from DJ Estephe, Alemay Fernandez, Richard Jackson, Masia One, Afro Asia, Asiabeat, Steve Thornton, Matti Klein Soul Trio, Bunga and many more!For those who want to buy Borneo Jazz Virtual Tickets, they are priced at RM25 per viewing block \u2013 approximately an hour segmented into your favourite performers.For more information on the virtual slots, fans can check out BJ\u2019s official website for updates on performances.Some of the performers for the jazz festival in Miri.Actual Event Ticket PricesThose attending the physical concerts can purchase BJ tickets starting now from the official Borneo Jazz site.For the public category;1 Day Pass is priced at RM128 per ticket2 Day Pass is RM228 per ticket3 Day Pass is RM338 per ticketAs for students and senior citizens;1 Day Pass is priced at RM88 per ticket2 Day Pass is RM128 per ticket3 Day Pass is RM188 per ticketThe venue for the Borneo Jazz Festival 2022.ConclusionThis is a must-attend music event if you are a fan of jazz music, as it is currently the premier jazz festival in Malaysia. You can also read more information on the Borneo Jazz Festival 2022.\n\n\nTags\nBorneo Jazz\nBorneo Jazz 2022\nMalaysia\nMalaysia Jazz Festivals\nMiri\nMusic Festivals\nSarawak\nSarawak Music Festivals\nSarawak Tourism\n\n\n\n\n\nFacebook\nTwitter\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nShare:Borneo Jazz Festival 2022 Virtual Tickets Open For Sale\n\n\nFacebook\nTwitter\nWhatsApp\nPinterest\nLinkedIn\nReddit\nTumblr\nTelegram\nEmail\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nMalaysia Asia\nBlogging since 2007, but writing online since 1997. I belong to the 1st generation of worldwide bloggers, which is of course old-school. \n\nSince 2008, I created Malaysia Asia and this travel, flood, gadget and lifestyle blog has won numerous physical awards from tourism boards around Malaysia. (Not those online awards).\n\nAfter 12 years of blogging, I have semi-retired and now blog about things I like, do product reviews and enjoy life. My work has been featured in Lonely Planet, CNN Travel, Yahoo Travel, Wall Street Journal, and many other international publications. Find out more about me and thank you.\n\n\n\n\nYou might like\nView all\n\n\n\n\n\n\n"}
{"url": "http://blog.malaysia-asia.my/2022/08/sabah-targets-health-medical-tourists.html", "text": "\n\n\n\nHomeHealth Tourism in Sabah\n\nSabah Targets Health Medical Tourists from Indonesia\n\n\n\n\nbyMalaysia Asia\n-August 12, 2022\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nIn an exciting move, the Sabah government is ready to cooperate to open flight routes to Indonesia through Batik Air to develop the state as a health tourism destination.State Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister Datuk Jafry Ariffin said the flight routes to Indonesia include Pontianak, Balikpapan in Kalimantan.Sabah Targets Health Medical Tourists from IndonesiaHe hoped that the flight routes would be realised shortly because they were also one of the essential factors in attracting visitors from neighbouring countries to Sabah.He also mentioned that it was the right time for Sabah to target health tourism by promoting the latest facilities offered by (Sabah) hospitals, especially to the Indonesian market.Datuk Jafry met with the Chief Executive Officer of Batik Air, Captain Mushafiz Mustafa Bakri, general manager Muhammad Ariff Abdul Aziz and some Batik Air Kuala Lumpur staff.Jafry also said that the value chain and the health tourism industry will open up opportunities for tourists to explore tourist locations with the 'natural healing' concept in Sabah.He added that Sabah should take full advantage of the current health tourism trend since every medical tourist has the potential to spend more than ordinary tourists.ConclusionCurrently, several hospitals are found all over the city, and here is a list of top hospitals for medical tourism in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah.This is probably why Sabah targets health and medical tourists from Indonesia. Facilities are there and must provide proper infrastructure for medical tourism in Sabah.\n\n\nTags\nHealth Tourism in Sabah\nMalaysia\nMalaysia Health Tourism\nMedical Tourism\nMedical Tourism in Sabah\nSabah\nSabah Health Tourism\nSabah Medical Tourism\n\n\n\n\n\nFacebook\nTwitter\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nShare:Sabah Targets Health Medical Tourists from Indonesia\n\n\nFacebook\nTwitter\nWhatsApp\nPinterest\nLinkedIn\nReddit\nTumblr\nTelegram\nEmail\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nMalaysia Asia\nBlogging since 2007, but writing online since 1997. I belong to the 1st generation of worldwide bloggers, which is of course old-school. \n\nSince 2008, I created Malaysia Asia and this travel, flood, gadget and lifestyle blog has won numerous physical awards from tourism boards around Malaysia. (Not those online awards).\n\nAfter 12 years of blogging, I have semi-retired and now blog about things I like, do product reviews and enjoy life. My work has been featured in Lonely Planet, CNN Travel, Yahoo Travel, Wall Street Journal, and many other international publications. Find out more about me and thank you.\n\n\n\n\nYou might like\nView all\n\n\n\n\n\n\n"}
{"url": "http://blog.malaysia-asia.my/2021/10/dji-om-5-review-and-setup-guide-for.html", "text": "\n\n\n\nHomeDJI\n\nDJI OM 5 Review and Setup Guide for Beginners\n\n\n\n\nbyMalaysia Asia\n-October 14, 2021\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nSo, I finally got my hands on one of those new smartphone gimbals and here is my inaugural review and setup guide for the DJI OM 5 in Malaysia.\u00a0But first of all, it is my first time using one of these gimbals, and I'm not as tech-savvy as many out there where I initially ran into major issues after unboxing the DJI OM 5.But after several days of trying this and that, I finally found the fix and got it all set up, ready to roll.DJI OM 5 Review and Setup Guide for BeginnersAfter unboxing the DJI OM 5, this is what's in the box.This particular review is done for those who are not as tech-savvy as the younger generation, and I have literally made it very straightforward.After unboxing the DJI OM 5, I assumed it was a plug and play tool; therefore, I unlocked the arm, put my phone on it and put it on. But nothing happened.You also need to download a DJI application to operate this gimbal, which of course, I didn't know. So, let's go through the setup process below;Stage One - Downloading and Setting Up the DJI OM 5After unboxing the DJI OM 5, the first thing you want to do is charge the gimbal, and it should take you a few hours for this.When the gimbal is charged, unfold the unit's arm as shown in the 'Quick Start Guide.Next, take the magnetic phone clip out and fix your smartphone onto the clip, which can extend to fit your phone. Make sure you put it in the centre of your phone.After attaching your smartphone, just affix the magnetic part to the gimbal section. The magnet is pretty strong so just let it naturally clip together.Put on the DJI OM 5 by pressing the \"M\" button on your left of the handle.\u00a0Next, put on your phone Bluetooth, and it should pair with the gimbal, which is OM5-20036U (or maybe another OM5 number).Take out the instructions manual or 'Quick Start Guide' from the DJI box and open it to the first page. You will see a QR Code in section 1 of the page.Use your smartphone and click on that QR Code to download the application from DJI onto your phone. The app is called the DJI Mimo App.It is an apk file, and your phone will prompt you with a warning, but just go ahead and download it. It should be a file with a bunch of numbers like 1333782172439DJIMimo_1.6.4.apk.There are both IOS and Andriod options when you click download, so choose whichever operating system (OS) you are using.The download is about 350MB in size, so it should take a minute or so. After downloading the DJI Mimo App, install it on your smartphone.The next screen will be the 'Terms of Use'; just go ahead and click 'Agree' and continue to 'Allow' device to access your phone, record and so on.Stage Two - Calibrating The DJI OM 5 with your SmartphoneThe next step is configuring your phone to calibrate with the OM 5, and the start screen should appear on your phone screen. Just click start.The seven-step tutorial guide will ask you to press selected buttons and move the joystick to calibrate.When you are done, just click 'Complete', or you can just repeat the tutorial again if you are unsure or missed out on something.The last screen is a custom setting that you can just ignore and click done.And you are done. You can now experience using the DJI OM 5 freely, and if you still run into any issues, you can always contact DJI Support via Facebook Messenger.Or you can also check YouTube for any specific troubleshooting.The OM 5 is unboxed.There you go, a quick and easy setup and review for beginners using the DJI OM5. Again, this was done because I am considered a beginner using this gimbal.I have been photographing for over 30 years, and in the last 10 years, I have also been using smartphones for my photography.During the last 10 years, I have also managed to do some smartphone videography which I found pretty interesting. And with today's technology, I am pretty impressed with what the smartphone can achieve.And this time around, I have put interest in trying out new ways of creating videos, where one of them is by using the DJI OM 5 as a multipurpose unit for my videography.After doing a proper review using the DJI OM 5 in Malaysia, I should have another review article coming out here.\n\n\nTags\nDJI\nDJI OM 5 Review\nDJI Review Malaysia\nGadget Review\nGimbal Review\nSmartphone Review\nSmartphone Reviews\n\n\n\n\n\nFacebook\nTwitter\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nShare:DJI OM 5 Review and Setup Guide for Beginners\n\n\nFacebook\nTwitter\nWhatsApp\nPinterest\nLinkedIn\nReddit\nTumblr\nTelegram\nEmail\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nMalaysia Asia\nBlogging since 2007, but writing online since 1997. I belong to the 1st generation of worldwide bloggers, which is of course old-school. \n\nSince 2008, I created Malaysia Asia and this travel, flood, gadget and lifestyle blog has won numerous physical awards from tourism boards around Malaysia. (Not those online awards).\n\nAfter 12 years of blogging, I have semi-retired and now blog about things I like, do product reviews and enjoy life. My work has been featured in Lonely Planet, CNN Travel, Yahoo Travel, Wall Street Journal, and many other international publications. Find out more about me and thank you.\n\n\n\n\nYou might like\nView all\n\n\n\n\n\n\n"}
{"url": "http://blog.malaysia-asia.my/2023/02/kuala-lumpur-street-art-with-galaxy.html", "text": "\n\n\n\nHomeMalaysia Street Art\n\nKuala Lumpur Street Art with Galaxy Smartphones\n\n\n\n\nbyMalaysia Asia\n-February 01, 2023\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nHere is a special article for Kuala Lumpur street art with Galaxy Smartphones that I have used in the last two years.I am currently using the Galaxy S22 Ultra, the best unit for my smartphone photography due to its incredible camera capabilities that lets me enjoy photography to its maximum.Kuala Lumpur Street Art with Galaxy SmartphonesOver the years, I have travelled around Malaysia a lot for my personal and tourism work, and I always encounter interesting street art or murals painted on shop lots and buildings.I used to take photos with my DSLR camera many years back, and eventually, in 2019, I moved to a mirrorless camera, leaving the bulky DSLR world.Since technology with smartphones has improved, I started to focus on using my Galaxy smartphone for general photography, namely when I walk around for street photography.Therefore, here is a series of street art and murals from around Kuala Lumpur, which I have been taking photos of over the last few years with my Galaxy smartphone.Also, note that some of the street art may no longer be there as the building owners sometimes paint over it. Click on the images to see the full photos.I found this very interesting, and it is one of my favourites. Very minimalist.Cloak is one of the well-known street art and graffiti painters in Malaysia.Sometimes, the messages make up the art.This is one of my favourite street art or graffiti pieces in KL, and it's no longer there.Massive graffiti piece, which I believe was commissioned by Standard Chartered and DBKL.Even Habib Jewels has a mural done at the side of their building.This is found at the original Pasar Karat in KL and is one of my favourites.I believe this was commissioned by a sponsor.Fine street art like this is unique but can be seen in KL.An interesting play of colours for this graffiti piece.I love this piece, which was done during the Covid-19 pandemic in KL.One of my favourite paintings is at a shop lot in Petaling Street, KL.These are the old-school graffiti works seen around KL.Interesting street art murals in KL City.This is hard to miss as it is located by the River of Life in KL.Pik Wah Cafe did a Bornean street art piece showing an orangutan.Building street art on the side of Rex KL.Some of KL's graffiti is interesting.This was taken at one of the car parks before it opened, using my S22 Ultra on a wide angle.Detailed graffiti work captured with a Galaxy S22 Plus.Some of the graffiti was painted in the open car parks of Jalan Sultan.I saw this several times in KL, but I think it is no longer there.Beautiful colours from one of the paintings on a school wall in KL.Old Kuala Lumpur Street Art at Pik Wah CafeBelow is a series of street art murals painted at the side of the Nanyang Art Supply shop at Jalan Petaling in KL city. The cafe next to it is Pik Wah Cafe, which serves coffee and food.Street art shows the life of KL city in the 50s and 60s.Kuala Lumpur in the good old days.Life in Kuala Lumpur in the 50s and 60s.Beautiful details of old Kuala Lumpur.The old KL street art is painted at the side of the Nanyang Art supplies store.This is my all-time favourite street art in KL.I have also done a series of street art photos in Melaka, showcasing some of the fantastic murals on buildings around Malaysia's historical city.For those into landscape and building photography, I also used a Galaxy S22 Ultra to capture smartphone photography of buildings around Kuala Lumpur.And for those travelling around Malaysia, I did an article about places to see street art in Malaysia, which was written in 2015 and updated.ConclusionYou can also take a look at some of my Malaysia smartphone reviews that I have done over the years, including some interesting units like folding and flip phones.And for anyone else who is into this, you can also check out my Smartphone Photography Malaysia Facebook Group, where I and others post pictures.I hope you enjoyed this Street Art Malaysia photography series with Galaxy Smartphones. I will have another series out soon, so please subscribe to my articles if you want more.\n\n\nTags\nMalaysia Street Art\nPhotography\nPlaces to see Street Art in Malaysia\nSamsung\nSamsung Malaysia\nSmartphone Photography\nSmartphone Review\nSmartphone Reviews\nStreet Art in Malaysia\n\n\n\n\n\nFacebook\nTwitter\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nShare:Kuala Lumpur Street Art with Galaxy Smartphones\n\n\nFacebook\nTwitter\nWhatsApp\nPinterest\nLinkedIn\nReddit\nTumblr\nTelegram\nEmail\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nMalaysia Asia\nBlogging since 2007, but writing online since 1997. I belong to the 1st generation of worldwide bloggers, which is of course old-school. \n\nSince 2008, I created Malaysia Asia and this travel, flood, gadget and lifestyle blog has won numerous physical awards from tourism boards around Malaysia. (Not those online awards).\n\nAfter 12 years of blogging, I have semi-retired and now blog about things I like, do product reviews and enjoy life. My work has been featured in Lonely Planet, CNN Travel, Yahoo Travel, Wall Street Journal, and many other international publications. Find out more about me and thank you.\n\n\n\n\nYou might like\nView all\n\n\n\n\n\n\n"}
{"url": "http://blog.malaysia-asia.my/2023/05/pekan-nabalu-tourism-information-centre.html", "text": "\n\n\n\nHomeCommunity Based Tourism\n\nPekan Nabalu Tourism Information Centre\n\n\n\n\nbyMalaysia Asia\n-May 30, 2023\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nAs part of the Community Based Tourism in Sabah, plans to set up the Pekan Nabalu Tourism Information Centre are on the way.This is excellent news for the local communities around Nabalu and the greater Kinabalu area, as the tourist information centre will highly benefit local tourism here.Pekan Nabalu Tourism Information CentrePekan Nabalu is a popular stopping point for travellers to Kinabalu Park and an ideal starting point for visitors to explore the area's eco, cultural and agricultural tourism attractions and activities.Assistant Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister Datuk Joniston Bangkuai said the tourism centre initiative aligns with plans to organise a Pineapple and Fruit Festival at Pekan Nabalu.With that, the vision of promoting rural tourism in the Kiulu, Kadamaian and Kinabalu areas will complement each other. Joniston also said;\"Having the Pekan Nabalu Tourism Information Centre would help promote and enhance the overall tourism experience for visitors. The Ministry has also recognised the significance of Pekan Nabalu as a strategic location and believes that the centre will play a pivotal role in enhancing the tourism infrastructure and offerings in the area.Moreover, CoBT has been gaining momentum with the active involvement of local villagers. The tourism centre can further strengthen this engagement, providing valuable information and services to tourists planning to explore the area\u2019s natural wonders, adventure opportunities, and culture.The tourism centre will facilitate access to nature-based farms, plantations and agro-tourism sites, offering visitors a unique opportunity to learn about local farming practices, participate in fruit picking, and sample fresh produce,\u201d.A beautiful view of Mount Kinabalu from Kndasang.ConclusionFor those visiting Kinabalu in the future, you can soon stop at the Pekan Nabalu Tourism Information Centre once it's opened.There is no set date on when this TIC will open, but it will likely take around one to two years.\n\n\nTags\nCommunity Based Tourism\nCommunity Based Tourism Destinations\nMalaysia\nMalaysia Community Based Tourism\nSabah\nSabah Community Based Tourism\nSabah Tourism Board\n\n\n\n\n\nFacebook\nTwitter\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nShare:Pekan Nabalu Tourism Information Centre\n\n\nFacebook\nTwitter\nWhatsApp\nPinterest\nLinkedIn\nReddit\nTumblr\nTelegram\nEmail\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nMalaysia Asia\nBlogging since 2007, but writing online since 1997. I belong to the 1st generation of worldwide bloggers, which is of course old-school. \n\nSince 2008, I created Malaysia Asia and this travel, flood, gadget and lifestyle blog has won numerous physical awards from tourism boards around Malaysia. (Not those online awards).\n\nAfter 12 years of blogging, I have semi-retired and now blog about things I like, do product reviews and enjoy life. My work has been featured in Lonely Planet, CNN Travel, Yahoo Travel, Wall Street Journal, and many other international publications. Find out more about me and thank you.\n\n\n\n\nYou might like\nView all\n\n\n\n\n\n\n"}
{"url": "http://blog.malaysia-asia.my/2023/02/sabah-borneo-international-music.html", "text": "\n\n\n\nHomeEvents\n\nSabah Borneo International Music Festival\n\n\n\n\nbyMalaysia Asia\n-February 14, 2023\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nIn early February 2023, a group from China showed interest in working with Sabah to hold an international music festival in the state.During a courtesy call, the Hong Kong International Musician Association to Tourism, Culture, and Environment Sabah Assistant Minister Datuk Joniston Bangkuai conveyed this.Sabah Borneo International Music FestivalIts chief executive officer Jye Lee proposed that a Sabah Borneo International Music Festival that features competitions, forums, and masterclasses, among others, be staged in the Land Below the Wind.The group had visited the Sabah International Convention Centre to assess the venue's suitability for events and had found it to have promising possibilities.The Hong Kong International Musician Association is a professional organisation that promotes music artists worldwide. The association has a global reach and has been involved in more than 600 music events across the globe.Jye Lee said;\u201cWe aim to offer an international stage for all the musicians, and we believe the Sabah Borneo International Music Festival could potentially attract about 10,000 participants, including family members,\u201d.The Sabah Tourism Board chairman said Sabah was looking into hosting more international events to attract more tourists and draw economic investment, which would benefit the state and locals.Datuk Joniston Bangkuai said;\u201cThis is an excellent idea because we want to host a homegrown event. I can see the possibility of working together, and given the association\u2019s global connections and performances, Sabah can take advantage of this network.It's high time Sabah had its very own music festival, and I'm confident we can entice musicians to visit, discover, and draw inspiration from our state's rich culture and landscape,\u201d.Conclusion to\u00a0Sabah Borneo International Music FestivalFinally, Bangkuai added that the Sabah Tourism Board was keen to understand what the association offered and suggested that the group prepare a proposal paper.On to when this will take place, there is no official announcement and once news is out, I will share it here.\n\n\nTags\nEvents\nMalaysia\nMalaysia Music Festivals\nMusic Festivals\nMusic Festivals in Malaysia\nSabah\nSabah Borneo International Music Festival\nSabah Music Festivals\nSabah Tourism\n\n\n\n\n\nFacebook\nTwitter\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nShare:Sabah Borneo International Music Festival\n\n\nFacebook\nTwitter\nWhatsApp\nPinterest\nLinkedIn\nReddit\nTumblr\nTelegram\nEmail\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nMalaysia Asia\nBlogging since 2007, but writing online since 1997. I belong to the 1st generation of worldwide bloggers, which is of course old-school. \n\nSince 2008, I created Malaysia Asia and this travel, flood, gadget and lifestyle blog has won numerous physical awards from tourism boards around Malaysia. (Not those online awards).\n\nAfter 12 years of blogging, I have semi-retired and now blog about things I like, do product reviews and enjoy life. My work has been featured in Lonely Planet, CNN Travel, Yahoo Travel, Wall Street Journal, and many other international publications. Find out more about me and thank you.\n\n\n\n\nYou might like\nView all\n\n\n\n\n\n\n"}
{"url": "http://blog.malaysia-asia.my/2019/04/a-complete-guide-to-royal-floria.html", "text": "\n\n\n\nHomeMalaysia\n\nA Complete Guide to Royal Floria Putrajaya\n\n\n\n\nbyMalaysia Asia\n-April 24, 2019\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nFor the flower and garden lover, I have come up with a complete guide to Royal Floria Putrajaya, and what is this event all about here in Malaysia.\u00a0\n\n\n\nMost Malaysians are generally not interested in flowers and gardens, mainly due to the hot, humid and unpredictable weather in Malaysia.\n\nBut you will be surprised that there are in fact many who love plants and gardens in Malaysia, and the Royal Floria in Putrajaya is the biggest and best event to visit for this.\n\nThis amazing Malaysian horticulture event also reflects the standards of the nation's landscaping industry, which has gotten better over the years since it was first inaugurated.\n\nComplete Guide to Royal Floria Putrajaya\n\nRoyal Floria has also managed to put the country on par with other countries that are known for their flower and garden expos and events.\n\n\n\nEntrance to Royal Floria in Putrajaya, Malaysia\n\n\n\nThis complete guide is done for the visitors to fully understand what Royal Floria is all about. Most may know this as Putrajaya Floria, which is a garden and flower expo held for a week in Putrajaya.\u00a0\n\n\n\nThe event sees over 1,000,000 visitors and has a wide range of activities, exhibitions, bazaars, demonstrations and many other fringe events that take place here in Putrajaya.\n\nThe Putrajaya garden, flower and horticulture expo originally started in 2007 as a biannual event, and from the year 2010, it became an annual event due to the overwhelming response from the public and participants.\n\n\n\n10th anniversary of Royal Floria in 2018\n\n10th Anniversary of Royal Floria Putrajaya\n\n2018 marked the 10th anniversary of Royal Floria and featured a special showcase of the last 9 years of Floria as the main display. This was a stand-alone special garden for visitors to walk through.\n\nVisitors are taken through a special garden time walk with displays of the theme flowers starting from 2007 right till 2016 and with some basic information of each year.\n\n\n\nRoyal Floria 2018 showcased 10 years of Floria, this is Floria 2009 with the Orchid theme\n\nOverall landscaping was done using all the flowers from the previous years, which created a vibrant outlook for the flower festival.\n\nHis Majesty the Sultan of Selangor officiated the event on the first day along with VIPs and other dignitaries.\n\nBelow is the official poster for Royal Floria 2019 which was issued out on the 21st of July 2019. The 11th installation of the flower and garden show takes place from the 31st of August to the 8th of September 2019.\n\nIt will also be held at the Taman Botani Putrajaya of Precinct 1, Putrajaya. The event will also open from 10.00 AM to 10.00 PM.\n\n\n\nRoyal Floria 2019, with a theme called Mother of all Gardens, Orchids & Bonsai\n\n\n\nPrevious Floria Putrajaya and Royal Floria Shows with Themes\n\nBelow is a list of the event from the start till 2018, and showing what were the flower themes of each year. Articles are linked to my review for some of the years the event was held.\u00a0\n\n\n\nRoyal Floria Putrajaya 2019 - Mother of All Gardens, Orchids, and Bonsai\nRoyal Putrajaya Floria 2018 - 10 Wonders of Floria, every theme flower from last 9 years\nRoyal Putrajaya Floria 2017 - There was no event this year\nRoyal Putrajaya Floria 2016\u00a0- Chrysanthemum Theme\nRoyal Putrajaya Floria 2015\u00a0- Lily Theme\nFloria Putrajaya 2014 - Begonia Theme\nFloria Putrajaya 2013\u00a0- Orchid Theme (Orkid)\nPutrajaya Floria 2012 - Flower Paper Theme (Bunga Kertas)\nPutrajaya Floria 2011\u00a0- Rose Theme\u00a0\nFloria Putrajaya 2010\u00a0- Heliconia Theme\nFloria Putrajaya 2009 - Orchid Theme (Orkid)\nFloria Putrajaya 2008 - There was no event for this year\nFloria Putrajaya Flower and Garden Exhibition 2007 - Hibiscus Theme\n\n\n\n\n\nBegonia was the theme flower for Floria 2014\n\n\nWhat is Royal Floria?\u00a0\n\n\n\nOriginally called Floria Putrajaya Flower and Garden Exhibition, then Floria Putrajaya, this unique event was renamed as Royal Floria in 2015\u00a0by Her Majesty, the Queen of Malaysia.\u00a0\n\n\n\nThe Royal endorsement was graced by the HM Queen of Malaysia\u00a0on the 29th of May 2015, and at the Royal Garden of Negeri Sembilan.\u00a0\n\n\n\nA large Floria sign is seen at the event\n\nHowever, reports state that in\u00a02014, the \u2018Royal\u2019 status was awarded by His Majesty Agong (King) of Malaysia, and this needs to be clarified as there is no official documentation.\n\n\n\nRoyal Gardens also became part of the exhibition where each year, a different state in Malaysia would feature their own Royal Garden or Taman Di Raja\u00a0as one of the main exhibits.\n\n\n\nVisitors are allowed to visit these beautifully manicured Royal Gardens and also take photos. A good tip is to come as early as possible if you want nice photos with a clear blue sky.\n\nOtherwise, visit the Royal Garden during sunset hour for the magical moment when the lights are put on.\n\n\n\nPutrajaya's enchanted garden at Royal Floria 2018\n\nRoyal Floria is also the brainchild of the Putrajaya Corporation (Perbadanan Putrajaya or PPj), and they work in collaboration with the Federal Territories Ministry.\n\n\nThis event is also supported by the Ministry of Tourism and Culture of Malaysia, and also Tourism Malaysia, to brand this as a major tourism event in Malaysia.\n\n\n\nIn 2017, Royal Floria won the Malaysia Tourism Council (MTC) Gold Award for The Biggest Flower and Garden Festival in Malaysia.\n\nSince then, Royal Floria has also won numerous awards and accolades locally and also internationally.\u00a0\n\n\n\nFloria 2010 with the Heliconia themed garden on display\n\nFloria Putrajaya History\n\n\nSince the humble beginnings of the Putrajaya Flower and Garden Exhibition in 2007, it has been ten years since the inaugural event. In 2018, the theme was also called Celebrating 10 years of Floria.\u00a0\n\n\n\nThe first Putrajaya Flower Expo was also opened by then Prime Minister, Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi in front of the Palace of Justice at 9.00 am on Aug 25, 2007.\u00a0\n\n\n\nThere was no official theme except that it was in conjunction with Malaysia's 50th Anniversary of Independence, and the event was selected as one of the national level events for Malaysia.\n\nToday, this flower and garden event is marked in the tourism calendar of Malaysia, making it one of the must-visit events in Malaysia during the National Day week.\n\n\n\nBeautiful flower colours on display at Royal Floria Putrajaya\n\nHowever, being the first time the event was held, there were many hiccups which included dying flowers, wilting flowers and plants, bad layout designs and no proper signages.\u00a0\n\n\n\nOver the years, all of these issues were ironed out by the organizers, and till today, Royal Floria has become of Malaysia's most beautiful and successful outdoor events.\n\n\n\nA Merdeka themed garden in conjunction with the Malaysia National Day\n\nDid You Know?\u00a0\n\n\nDid you know that Royal Floria always takes place around the month of Merdeka or the Malaysia National Day? It also lasts for nine whole days at Anjung Floria.\n\nBecause of this, there is a lot of emphasis on the elements of the nation's independence that is used on the floral decorations. They are also done by professionals and also the college and university students.\n\nThis, in turn, results in some beautiful creations by the designers and landscapers for the largest floral and gardens exhibition in Malaysia.\n\nWhen is the Best Time to Visit Royal Floria in Putrajaya?\u00a0\n\nThis is a tricky question, but if you ask me, I would personally recommend you visit the flower exhibition in the first few days.\n\nIt is also best to visit just before the weekend, as the event can get really crowded on weekends and on National Day. Trust me, it does get really crowded.\n\nFor photographers, or those who want some peace and quiet, I would highly recommend going on an opening day, and in the morning or evening. Try to avoid going on midday as it can get really hot and humid.\n\nFor those who dislike the humid weather, I recommend going in the evenings, when the weather is much cooler. The event closes at around 11.00 PM, so you have a lot of time in the night there.\n\n\n\nOne of the floral displays located indoor\n\nExhibitions and Displays at Royal Floria\n\n\nEvery year, various international\u00a0designers and landscape architects from around the world are invited to participate and showcase their creative work and designs at Royal Floria.\u00a0\n\n\n\nOver the years, there have been many countries taking part, namely the Southeast Asian and Greater Asia countries that have been strong supporters of this royal event.\n\n\n\nDesigners floral work\n\nThere have even been countries from as far as the Middle East and Europe that have taken part in Royal Floria in Putrajaya.\n\nEvery year, we see new countries participating, and in 2018, Korea had also participated in the event. Hopefully, for Royal Floria 2019, we will see even more countries participating.\u00a0\n\n\nAmong some of the main displays and events that are held every year are below;\n\n\n\nRoyal Floria Entrance Statement\nRoyal Floria Wonder Garden\nRoyal Floria Royal Garden\nRoyal Floria Miniatur Garden\nRoyal Floria Fertigation Garden\nRoyal Floria International Dialogue\n\n\n\nThe main entrance into Royal Floria in Putrajaya\n\n\nRoyal Garden\n\n\n\nThis is one of the main highlights of the event where every year, a state from Malaysia will be selected to showcase their Royal Garden at the event.\n\nAn elaborately designed garden will be created by the participating state, complete with a mock-up of the royal palace for that state.\u00a0\n\n\n\nAnd like every year, the King or Queen of Malaysia will be invited to graciously officiate the event, followed by a special tour of the Royal Garden and the event grounds.\u00a0\n\n\n\nOften, the prime minister or deputy prime minister of Malaysia is also invited for the official launching of Royal Floria.\n\n\n\nThe word Floria at the entrance of the event\n\nWhat Goes On At Royal Floria?\n\nWhile flowers and plants are the main highlights at this Malaysian horticulture event, there are a few other things that go one during the nine-day event here.\n\nExhibits of themed gardens are held indoors and of course outdoors from participating teams, councils and companies from around Malaysia, and also some regional companies.\n\nThough creativity takes centre stage here, a fun-filled family or couple activity is easily achieved when you spend the day here.\n\nAnd apart from just the flowers and gardens, there are of course other things happening at Royal Floria, which are;\n\n\nFlower and Garden Displays\nColleges and Universities Gardens\nFloral Pavilion\u00a0\nOrchid Display\nBonsai Display\nOutdoor Plant Bazaar\nCraft Bazaar Indoor\nFloria Flavours Food Center\nHorticulture Talks\nWorkshops and Demonstrations\nVarious Contests\n\n\n\n\nOrchids being sold at the Plant Bazaar of Royal Floria\n\nPlant Bazaar at Royal Floria\n\n\n\n\nEvery year, there will be a plant and garden bazaar at Royal Floria where numerous vendors from around Malaysia will set up shop at a specialized area of the event.\u00a0\n\n\n\nThis plant and garden bazaar is highly popular among the locals as it is the one time that you can find many different vendors selling all sorts of plants, flowers, orchids, air plants, fertilizers and so on.\n\nOn average, there are about 20 vendors that provide an avenue to beginners or even plant collectors to get some of the plants and fertilizers for discounted prices.\n\n\n\nOrchid vendors at the plant bazaar\n\nMost popular are the orchid vendors, that showcase many different types of orchids for sale. This is a big hit among the locals and also orchid lovers.\n\nMany locals will head to the Plant Bazaar to buy all sorts of plants because the vendors come from all over Malaysia.\n\nAnd if you love plants, I would highly recommend you make your way to the Plant Bazaar at Royal Floria.\n\nVendors include many orchid sellers, who have some beautiful hybrid and rare orchids, air plant sellers, cacti and succulent sellers, and the commercial landscaping plants.\n\n\n\nInside the Royal Floria Craft Bazaar and Hipster Square\n\nCraft Bazaar and Hipster Square\n\nThis section is held inside an air-conditioned tent at the event and houses over 50 vendors. You will find a good mix of items being sold here, but of course, the priority goes to plant-related sellers.\n\nOverall there are all sorts of everything at the Royal Floria Craft Bazaar which range from clothes, food, jewellery, collectables, terrariums, and the list goes on.\n\nIn the middle of the event hall, they have a horticulture themed art experience for kids and also adults, which is open to everyone.\n\nThere are also workshops and demonstrations done here. The art session and vendor list change from year to year too.\n\n\n\nOne of the contestants for the Royal Floria awards\n\nRoyal Floria Contest and Awards\n\nEvery year, Royal Floria will have various contests held throughout the duration of the event here in Putrajaya. There are also special awards given out to participants as well.\n\nThe contest is divided into a few main areas, one for the invited participants, one for the media, and the other for the visiting public.\n\nBelow is a list of the contest that is usually held in conjunction with Royal Floria;\n\nContest and Awards for\u00a0Participants\n\n\nGarden Prime Awards - This is for participants that showcase gardens at the event, and stand a chance to win a cash prize of RM15,000.\u00a0\nDesigner Boutique Garden Award - Another award and prize totalling RM10,000 for this category.\u00a0\nGarden of Malaysia Award - This category has a cash prize of RM5,000 as well.\u00a0\nRoyal Floria Putrajaya Inter\u00adna\u00adtional Cup\nBonsai and Suiseki Competition Awards\nOrchid Competition Awards\n\n\n\n\nSome of the air plants that make interesting photography subjects\n\nContest for Media\n\n\nBest Media Article - RM5,000 for either print or electronic media\nBest Media Photograph - RM5,000 for either print or electronic media\n\n\nContest for Public\n\n\nPhotography Competition - Open to the public, but you need to register at the event for this\nWatercolor Competition - Open to kids, and registration at the event\nColouring Contest - For kids and set on a specific day, registration required\n\n\n\n\n\nOne of the floral competition pieces on display\n\nWhere is Royal Floria?\n\n\nThis prestigious event is held in Precinct 4 of Putrajaya, at a place called Anjung Floria. This is a specially dedicated event area for Royal Floria.\n\nPreviously, the first few events were held at Precinct 2 of Putrajaya, and after negotiations over the years, the organizers finally found a home here at Precinct 4.\n\nAnjung Floria is located near the main CBD area of Putrajaya, where all the government administrative buildings are located at.\n\nIt is also located just by the Seri Saujana Bridge, which is one of the most modern and beautiful bridges in Putrajaya.\n\n\n\nOne of the creative designs using flowers on display indoors\n\nRoyal Floria Ticket Prices\n\n\nTickets to Royal Floria are available at the door, or you can buy them online at the official website. Usually, there are discounted tickets a few months before the event.\u00a0\n\n\n\nBelow is the current price of tickets for Malaysia and foreigners, with special discounts for children, senior citizens, and disabled people.\n\nPlease note that there are weekday and weekend tickets for Royal Floria and the prices below are based on the 2018 event.\u00a0\n\nWeekday Tickets\n\nMalaysian Adult - RM12.00\nMalaysian Child (7 to 12 Years Old) - RM6.00\nMalaysian Senior Citizen/OKU - RM6.00\nNon-Malaysian Adult - RM24.00\nNon-Malaysian Child/Senior Citizen/OKU - RM12.00\n\nWeekend Tickets\n\nMalaysian Adult- RM15.00\nMalaysian Child (7 to 12 Years Old) - RM6.00\nMalaysian Senior Citizen/OKU - RM8.00\nNon-Malaysian Adult - RM30.00\nNon-Malaysian Child/Senior Citizen/OKU - RM16.00\n\n\n*OKU is also known as Disabled People.\u00a0\n\n\n\n\nDirections to Royal Floria from Kuala Lumpur\n\n\nHow To Go To Royal Floria Putrajaya?\n\nThere are many ways to drive into Putrajaya and it depends on where you live. Below are the main highways that you can access Putrajaya.\n\n\nElite Highway (AH2)\nMEX Highway (E20)\nLDP Highway (E11)\nSKVE Highway (E26)\nNorth-South PLUS Highway (E2)\n\n\nFor Locals Visiting Putrajaya\n\n\nHonestly, the best way to get to Putrajaya without any hassle is by driving here. It takes about 50 to 60 minutes' drive from Kuala Lumpur, and there are ample parking spaces around Royal Floria.\n\nIt is also recommended to use Waze or Google Maps and just key in Anjung Floria and follow the instructions, and it will lead you directly to the event. I usually do that when I visit the event.\u00a0\n\n\n\nHowever, if you do not own a car or motorbike, you can still take public transport like the train service, or even take a taxi or ride-hailing services like Grab, GoCar or MyCar.\u00a0\n\nFor Foreigners Visiting Putrajaya\n\n\nFor foreigners, there are a few ways to get here which is by either using public transport, trains, taxi or private car services like Grab, or other ride-hailing services.\n\nYou will need to download the application onto your Android or Apple smartphone, and please note that there is no Uber in Malaysia.\u00a0\n\n\n\nHow To Take A Train To Putrajaya?\n\n\n\nThe most affordable way to travel to Putrajaya is by taking the train and then using Grab to move around. However, you may consider the other options below.\n\n\nTrain\u00a0- KLIA Transit from KL Sentral and get off at Putrajaya station and then take the local Nadi Putra Bus.\u00a0\nTaxi\u00a0- From KL Sentral, it is around RM45-50 one way to Putrajaya. To get back from Putrajaya, I suggest you call a taxi service or use Uber or GrabCar. If you take a normal taxi, I also suggest you tell the taxi man that you may need a return journey or get his contact number.\u00a0\nBus\u00a0- Rapid KL bus from KL Sentral to Putrajaya, around RM5 one way. Bus services usually end around 10 to 11pm.\nShuttle Bus\u00a0- Some hotels in Kuala Lumpur offer a paid shuttle service to and from, but you need to check with your hotel. Shangri-la Hotel in KL is one of them.\u00a0\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nSwimming pool view from the Pulse Grande Hotel in Putrajaya\n\n\nWhere To Stay In Putrajaya?\n\n\n\nFor those planning to come from out of town or want to spend a few days here, I have also come up with a list of hotels in Putrajaya where you can stay.\n\nMost of these hotels are in the 3 to 5-star ratings, and offer a choice of budget choices, depending on which you prefer.\n\nIf you think you need to spend a night here and not rush things, you can check-in for the night and leave the following day.\n\nBelow is a list of hotels in Putrajaya which are in the main area;\n\n\n\nPulse Grande Hotel Putrajaya (Former Shangri-La Hotel)\u00a0- This is a 5-star hotel with an average price of RM230 per night. Book a room at Pulse Grande Hotel Putrajaya.\u00a0\nPullman Resort Lakeside Putrajaya - This is a 5-star resort and spa, located near the lake area. The average price is about RM300 per night. Book a room at Pullman Resort Putrajaya.\u00a0\nEverly Hotel Putrajaya - This is a 4-star hotel with an average price of around RM200 per night.Book a Room at the Everly Hotel Putrajaya.\u00a0\nDorsett Putrajaya (closest hotel to the venue) - This 4 Star hotel has an average price of around RM260 per night and tends to sell out fast.Book a room at the Dorsett Putrajaya.\u00a0\n\n\n\nMap to Royal Floria\n\n\nBelow is a map to Royal Floria Putrajaya, which is held at Anjung Floria in Precinct\u00a04, at the end of the main commercial district.\n\nYou can use the map to get directions here or simply key in Anjung Floria into Waze or Google Maps for directions and it will direct you to the event.\u00a0\n\n\n\n\n\n\nRoyal Floria Address\nAnjung Floria, Presint 4, 62000 Putrajaya, Malaysia\nTel:\u00a003-8893 1967\nOpening Hours: 9.00 AM to 11.00 PM\nWebsite:\u00a0http://floriaputrajaya.com.my/\n\nOrganizer, Manager, and Supporters of Royal Floria\n\n\nPutrajaya Corporation (PPj) - Organiser\nPutrajaya Leisure and Services (Pulse) Group - Manager\nPutrajaya Floria Sdn Bhd (PFSB) - Manager\nFederal Territories Ministry - Supported\u00a0\nTourism and Culture Ministry - Supported\u00a0\nTourism Malaysia - Supported\u00a0\n\n\n\n\nThe Terengganu Garden at Royal Floria 2018\n\nFinal Thoughts on Royal Floria Putrajaya\n\n\n\nEvery year, Royal Floria takes place at Anjung Floria in Putrajaya, and when there is no event, the place is open to the public as a general garden where you can walk around.\u00a0\n\n\n\nDue to the initiative of the organizer, the event is supported by several local tourism bodies and also the private sector. Only in 2017, there was no Royal Floria event due to financial matters from the government side.\n\nFor your added knowledge, the Penang Flora Festival\u00a0also took place in 2015 at the Penang Botanical Garden but never followed through. However, the Penang Orchid Show was a more popular event on the island.\n\nYou can also read my review on the previous Royal Floria 2018, which of course I attend yearly without fail, and there are also photos with information about the event.\u00a0\n\n\n\nAs I have always been an avid lover of plants, gardens and flowers, namely the more exotic and rare types of jungle ferns and orchids, I do get to see some of them at this event. And it kind of makes my day, especially when I end up buying more than I budgeted.\n\nI hope you found this complete guide to Royal Floria Putrajaya helpful, and if you have any comments, I would love to hear them in the comment form below.\n\n\nTags\nMalaysia\nMalaysia Events\nMalaysia Flower Expo\nPutrajaya\nPutrajaya Floria\nRoyal Floria\nRoyal Floria Putrajaya\n\n\n\n\n\nFacebook\nTwitter\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nShare:A Complete Guide to Royal Floria Putrajaya\n\n\nFacebook\nTwitter\nWhatsApp\nPinterest\nLinkedIn\nReddit\nTumblr\nTelegram\nEmail\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nMalaysia Asia\nBlogging since 2007, but writing online since 1997. I belong to the 1st generation of worldwide bloggers, which is of course old-school. \n\nSince 2008, I created Malaysia Asia and this travel, flood, gadget and lifestyle blog has won numerous physical awards from tourism boards around Malaysia. (Not those online awards).\n\nAfter 12 years of blogging, I have semi-retired and now blog about things I like, do product reviews and enjoy life. My work has been featured in Lonely Planet, CNN Travel, Yahoo Travel, Wall Street Journal, and many other international publications. Find out more about me and thank you.\n\n\n\n\nYou might like\nView all\n\n\n\n\n\n\n"}
{"url": "http://blog.malaysia-asia.my/2023/04/best-places-for-scuba-diving-in-malaysia.html", "text": "\n\n\n\nHomeDiving in Malaysia\n\nBest Places for Scuba Diving in Malaysia\n\n\n\n\nbyMalaysia Asia\n-April 19, 2023\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nIf you are a visiting diver to this part of Southeast Asia, here is a list of the best places for scuba diving in Malaysia based on each of the states.Malaysia has long been known as one of the scuba diving destinations in Southeast Asia. However, it still needs to be marketed better worldwide by attending more international dive shows worldwide.Best Places for Scuba Diving in MalaysiaThe trickiest question that most divers will ask would be what kind of scuba diving they prefer, where to dive and what facilities are available.\u00a0At the end of the day, it all depends on what you want to see or experience during your diving.Some divers only want to see large fish, while others want to see macro life like nudibranchs, pygmy seahorses and other macro life.\u00a0Most leisure divers enjoy diving into a beautiful dive site rich with corals and fish.The most popular places for diving in Malaysia are also very subjective, but I will list them based on individual states and popularity. Therefore, this list was created to better understand where and what is available for scuba divers planning to explore Malaysia.A map of Sabah showing the popular dive sites.1. Scuba Diving in SabahSabah is currently the number one spot for scuba diving in Malaysia. Why? Because legendary diver Jacques Cousteau made Sipadan Island world famous in the 80s. Sipadan is also known as one of the top five dive sites in the world, ranked by many dive magazines, CNN and even Lonely Planet.Sabah's dive sites are divided into two sides - East Sabah, where you will find Sipadan Island, Mabul Island, Lankayan Island, Mataking Island, Kapalai Island and many other smaller islands.\u00a0The dive sites here are some of the best in the world, where you can choose leisure diving or muck diving.At Mabul Island, some dive sites are minutes from the resort, so you can imagine how easy it is here.\u00a0One thing that first-time divers to Malaysia should try is staying at the Seaventures Dive Resort.This unique experience lets divers stay on the world's only diving oil rig resort. The oil rig is parked just minutes off\u00a0Mabul Island\u00a0too.A Sargassum Frogfish was spotted while diving on Mabul Island, Sabah.Diving Around Kota Kinabalu - West Coast Sabah is where Kota Kinabalu, the capital, is located. Around here, you can do quick dives at destinations near the city.Popular dive spots include Sapi Island, Manukan Island, Mengalum Island,\u00a0Mantanani Island, and Tiga Island, the more commercial diving sites.Some divers have made their way up north to dive in Kudat. However, I would not recommend this as diving here for beginners can be cautious due to the rip curls and strong currents.The world's only oil rig dive resort, Seaventures, is located at Mabul Island, Sabah.Diving in Labuan - Labuan Island is famous for wreck diving, and the wrecks are quite far out. Advanced open-water divers and above can dive around Labuan.\u00a0You must take a ferry from the Kuala Penyu area to Labuan Island or fly there.For the extreme divers, there is Layang Layang Island, which is touted to be one of the best dive sites in Malaysia, where you can spot schools of hammerhead sharks during the season from March to May.Sabah is connected via frequent flights from Kuala Lumpur and many other large cities in Malaysia. No, you cannot take a bus or train to Sabah as it is located on the island of Borneo.A school of large Puffer Fish was spotted during a dive at the Perhentian Islands.2. Scuba\u00a0Diving in TerengganuLocated on the east coast of Peninsular Malaysia, you will find some of the most beautiful resort islands. Terengganu is a 5 to 6-hour drive from Kuala Lumpur or a one-hour flight to Kuala Terengganu.The popular islands here are the Perhentian Islands, which come in Perhentian Kecil (Small) and Perhentian Besar (Big).These are one of the most popular scuba dive destinations in Peninsular Malaysia, but they only operate from March to October. The rest of the months are the monsoon season, from November to February.A beautiful nudibranch was photographed by me during a dive on Perhentian Island.Nearby is Redang Island or Pulau Redang, one of Malaysia's best beginner diver spots. The island has a marine park, and diving here is easy and casual.Redang is also well known as a romantic island but can get crowded during the peak season with snorkelers.Another island off Terengganu is Lang Tengah Island or Pulau Lang Tengah, which is less busy but offers decent dive sites. This island is more of a laid-back type of place for divers.Tenggol Island is a smaller island further south that offers some intense diving, depending on the diver. They have simple dive sites and some really challenging ones.\u00a0There is one dive resort called Tenggol Island Beach Resort which is one of the recommended centres.Dive sites at the islands of Terengganu.For luxury scuba divers, there is the Tanjong Jara Resort (TJR) on the mainland in the Dungun area, and they operate dive trips to Tenggol on request.Other smaller islands, like Gemia Island and Kapas Island, offer independent resorts and diving. You need to book directly with the resorts here.A Banded Sawblade Shrimp, or\u00a0Tozeuma Shrimp, photographed while diving on Perhentian Island.\u00a03. Scuba\u00a0Diving in JohorJohor is the state bordering Singapore, and on the east coast of Johor, you will find Tioman Island, one of the very popular dive sites for locals and Singaporeans. Locals generally\u00a0drive around four to five hours from Kuala Lumpur to spend a weekend scuba diving at Tioman Island, home to over 20 dive operators ranging from budget to high-end.Other islands around here include Rawa Island (Pulau Rawa), which is a private island with its own resort, Pemanggil Island (Pulau Pemanggil) and Aur Island (Pulau Aur) which are more local and not so commercial.Dive sites for Tioman Island.Other less commercialized dive spots in Johor are Aur Island and Dayan Island. Both islands are mostly visited by divers from Singapore and are not commercialized as Tioman Island.Islands closer to the mainland are Sibu Island and Tinggi Island, which has three resorts that offer scuba diving. Mostly muck diving; the best times to dive at these two islands is from March to June.Tioman and other islands here also observe the monsoon season; therefore, from mid-October to mid-February, it is off-season. Some resorts still operate during the monsoon and may offer diving.Sarawak also offers fantastic scuba diving (Photo from Sarawak Tourism Board).4. Scuba Diving in SarawakSarawak is one of Malaysia's lesser-known scuba diving destinations, but two notable spots have been popular in recent years. One in Kuching and one in the resort city of Miri, just bordering the Kingdom of Brunei.However, you should know that diving in Sarawak is less commercial than in other parts of Malaysia; therefore, it can be a little tricky.\u00a0There are dive operators in Sarawak, but just a handful of them. In most cases, you need to contact the dive centres to check when the weather is good before diving here.Diving in Kuching\u00a0- Most serious divers come here to explore the many historical dive wrecks in the waters of Kuching.\u00a0There is also a submarine wreck, but the local dive operators do not recommend this place.I once did a dive at Satang Island, 40 minutes boat ride from Santubong; however, due to the weather, the visibility could have been better and came up sooner than expected.\u00a0I was getting 2 to 3 meters of visibility, which was terrible. This was during the dive season here and in July 2017. Anyway, I plan to go back and try again.Dive sites of Kuching, Sarawak,Most of the wrecks are World War 2 Japanese wrecks, which are hundreds of meters long. So you must be an advanced open water (AOW) diver to see them.Diving in Miri\u00a0- This is more commercial, and two dive operators are in Miri. Coco Dive is one of the pioneer centres that organize trips to the many dive sites around Miri.My last dive here was in May 2017, with healthy corals, reef fish, macro life and occasional large fish. I saw a lone Bumphead Parrotfish on one of my dives. Read about my recent\u00a0Miri dive experience.To get to Sarawak, you must fly from Kuala Lumpur or another larger city. There are many flights a day to both Miri and Kuching.5. Scuba\u00a0Diving at Langkawi IslandYes, you can dive on Langkawi Island. However, it is less popular than on the east coast or in Sabah. So, if everything else fails and you can only visit Langkawi, you can book a scuba diving package here.A few dive operators in Langkawi offer dive trips to the Pulau Payar Marine Park, which is probably the best place to dive in Langkawi. For serious divers, you can talk to the dive centre about other places to dive around Langkawi Island.Diving in Pulau Payar Marine Park - To be honest, I am yet to dive here, but from reviews and articles, it is said that visibility can go up to 20 meters from April to August. But always best to double-check with the dive operators there.Several divers I spoke to informed me that Langkawi offers decent diving, and seeing photos of Pulau Payar's dive sites, it looks pretty decent, so not all is lost.To get to Langkawi, you can fly from Kuala Lumpur, which takes only an hourTravellingel overland, you can take a bus, train, or rent a car.\u00a0From the mainland, you can take the ferry across. But it is much faster to fly in and rent a car to move around.The beautiful Pulau Perak or Tukun Perak Island. Photo from www.xnuripilot.blogspot.my.6. Scuba\u00a0Diving in PerakAmong these lesser-known dive spots in Malaysia, Pangkor Island, Sembilan Island, and Jarak Island are a few of them. Located off the coastal town of Lumut, Pangkor is well known as a resort island, nearest to Kuala Lumpur.Reports state that diving here is generally entry-level, and visibility is decent. Numerous resorts, guesthouses, and homestays are available on the island and the mainland.One or two dive operators also provide dive packages to these islands. One is located on Marina Island, which offers frequent dives to Sembilan Island. There are five main dive sites at Sembilan Island too.Tukun Perak diving photos. (Images were compiled by Pulau Perak Dive Expedition 2014 Video).Scuba Diving at Pulau Perak - Known also as Tukun Perak, this location is one of the very exotic dive sites of Peninsular Malaysia. The island, also known as Fairway Rock, is a sandstone rock that rises from the Straits of Malacca.However, Pulau Perak has situated around 150 km from the Island of Penang and takes about 8 hours by boat.\u00a0This island is or was used as a military base, as some structures are at the top of the island. In a dive video, Giant Manta Rays were seen swimming openly in the waters here.Visibility is up to 40 meters. Other rare small crustaceans that are rare can be found here too.\u00a0Tukun Perak sits off the island of Penang but is under the Perak state. Selective dive operators make only specialized dive trips to Perak Island here.Lumut is about a 3.5-hour drive from Kuala Lumpur. If you are going to Pangkor Island, you must take the ferry from Lumut. You cannot just go there and try to book a dive, as pre-arrangements must be made with a dive operator.A Pipefish photographed in Mabul by me during one of my dives.7. Scuba\u00a0Diving in Port DicksonYou can still dive into Port Dickson or PD if nothing else works. Let it be known that this is likely going to end up bad. Meaning visibility could be better here.\u00a0There are a couple of dive sites in PD, but the best is at the Blue Lagoon area or the 12th mile of PD.Diving in PD requires some serious addiction if you are on a budget. One operator provides 2-dive packages at the Blue Lagoon in Port Dickson. Prices are around RM160 per person, including boat fees and others.I once saw a video of scuba diving in PD, and let me share it with you; the visibility was 1-2 meters. But the macro life here is pretty decent, so there is still hope if you are a macro diver.Port Dickson is only 1.5 hour drive from Kuala Lumpur. Once known as the most popular beach destination in Malaysia, on weekends, PD can get really crowded with beachgoers.A nicely camouflaged Stonefish.8. Scuba\u00a0Diving in MelakaProbably unheard of, but there have been people who have done scuba diving in Melaka with very low visibility. There are currently two places to dive in Melaka: Pulau Undan and Pulau Besar Melaka.One local operator is known to do dive packages which cost RM300 per person, including 3 boat dives, lunch, fees, etc. Best to bring your own equipment, or they can be rented.One of the dive schools tends to bring its open water certification students to Pulau Undan for the open water examination. Contact\u00a0+6\u00a0019 4908677 for diving in Melaka or Port Dickson.The place to depart for diving in Melaka is from the village of Umbai, and it takes about two hours to drive here from Kuala Lumpur.ConclusionThe above is Malaysia's most popular scuba diving destinations and are most easily accessible, except for Pulau Perak and Layang Layang Island. You can also read my other article about scuba diving in Malaysia, as I talk about types of diving and additional information.And if you are visiting during the right time, you can also catch some of the\u00a0scuba diving expos in Malaysia, which happen in the early and mid part of the year. Usually, these diving expos take place in Kuala Lumpur.Finally, I hope this list of the best places for scuba diving in Malaysia gives you a better idea of your future plans. And if you have questions, please feel free to ask me. I will do my best to help.\n\n\nTags\nDiving in Malaysia\nMalaysia\nMalaysia Diving\nMalaysia Diving Information\nMalaysia Scuba Diving\nScuba Diving\nScuba Diving in Malaysia\nScuba diving Review\n\n\n\n\n\nFacebook\nTwitter\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nShare:Best Places for Scuba Diving in Malaysia\n\n\nFacebook\nTwitter\nWhatsApp\nPinterest\nLinkedIn\nReddit\nTumblr\nTelegram\nEmail\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nMalaysia Asia\nBlogging since 2007, but writing online since 1997. I belong to the 1st generation of worldwide bloggers, which is of course old-school. \n\nSince 2008, I created Malaysia Asia and this travel, flood, gadget and lifestyle blog has won numerous physical awards from tourism boards around Malaysia. (Not those online awards).\n\nAfter 12 years of blogging, I have semi-retired and now blog about things I like, do product reviews and enjoy life. My work has been featured in Lonely Planet, CNN Travel, Yahoo Travel, Wall Street Journal, and many other international publications. Find out more about me and thank you.\n\n\n\n\nYou might like\nView all\n\n\n\n\n\n\n"}
{"url": "http://blog.malaysia-asia.my/2022/04/hybrid-format-for-rainforest-world.html", "text": "\n\n\n\nHomeMalaysia\n\nHybrid Format for Rainforest World Music Festival 2022\n\n\n\n\nbyMalaysia Asia\n-April 29, 2022\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nAfter two years of absence from the on-site event experience, the Rainforest World Music Festival 2022 is returning in a unique hybrid format.The big question - What is a hybrid format? I will explain this in the easiest way possible in this article.Hybrid Format for Rainforest World Music Festival 2022Being the first world music festival to adapt to this mixed format, a lot is at stake for the event organisers.\u00a0The hybrid element combines online and offline musicians and artists featured throughout the festival.Performers at the\u00a0Rainforest World Music Festival.This means that those who are unable to attend, you will be able to purchase online tickets to view the RMWF2022 from the comfort of their homes or office.The 25h Anniversary of the Rainforest World Music Festival will have 60 bands and performers this year.Physical and Digital Stage at RWMF2022There will be one physical stage and one digital stage this year, which are side by side, and the format will be an interchangeable system.Physical RWMF Stage - 30 local and international performers will perform on the physical stage for three days. Out of that, 12 bands and artists will be global, while the balance will be local Sarawakian.Digital RWMF Stage - This is where the pre-recorded musicians will perform quickly, including special showcases of cultures and music. This will alternate with the primary physical stage.What the two RWMF stages will look like during the event.Online Viewing for RWMF 2022For those interested in experiencing the RWMF2022 online, there will be a special sale of viewing blocks sold by the hour.This will allow viewers to buy viewing blocks and choose who performers they would like to see performing from the comfort of their homes.Each viewing block is priced at RM25.00 per block, and viewers will be only entitled to two viewing blocks per day.Visitors attend a music workshop at the festival.Rainforest World Music Festival WorkshopsFor the RWMF workshops, there will be local and international combinations where nothing is structured and will take place in an ad hoc style.There will also be a special Sape Jam on Friday, the festival's first day. This is to be noticed as it showcases Sarawak's traditional Sape instrument.Some workshops may also be shared online under the hybrid format, so keep looking out for that.Rainforest World Music Festival Food BazaarOne of the unique experiences visitors can indulge in is the ethnic food bazaar, which highlights some of the fantastic ethnic cuisines from the Bidayuh, Iban, Kayan, and Malay groups.The regular location for this section is usually held by the Bidayuh House, but again, the site may change, but it will still be on the festival grounds.A visitor checks out some local Sarawakian handicrafts at the craft bazaar.Rainforest World Music Festival Craft Bazaar\u00a0This year, the usual RWMF Craft Bazaar will occur in the cultural village's common area under the Melanau Tall House.There will also be a unique collaboration with Shopee for this RWMF2022, where several items will be available offline and online.RWMF Early Bird Ticket SalesThe\u00a0Rainforest World Music Festival currently has early bird ticket sales online, where you can buy them from the RWMF website.The early bird tickets will end on 14th May; therefore, if you are confirmed to go, this would be the first thing you should get besides the accommodation and air tickets.When is RWMF 2022?Date: 17-19 JuneVenue: Sarawak Cultural Village, SantubongMore information at RWMF WebsiteConclusionThere we go, explaining what the hybrid format means and what visitors or those staying home can expect.As for me, I will be attending the festival in person, significantly when Malaysia has relaxed a lot of the SOPs for Covid19.\n\n\nTags\nMalaysia\nMalaysia Music Festivals\nMusic Festivals\nRainforest World Music Festival\nRWMF\nRWMF 2022\nSarawak\nSarawak Music Festivals\nSarawak Tourism News\n\n\n\n\n\nFacebook\nTwitter\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nShare:Hybrid Format for Rainforest World Music Festival 2022\n\n\nFacebook\nTwitter\nWhatsApp\nPinterest\nLinkedIn\nReddit\nTumblr\nTelegram\nEmail\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nMalaysia Asia\nBlogging since 2007, but writing online since 1997. I belong to the 1st generation of worldwide bloggers, which is of course old-school. \n\nSince 2008, I created Malaysia Asia and this travel, flood, gadget and lifestyle blog has won numerous physical awards from tourism boards around Malaysia. (Not those online awards).\n\nAfter 12 years of blogging, I have semi-retired and now blog about things I like, do product reviews and enjoy life. My work has been featured in Lonely Planet, CNN Travel, Yahoo Travel, Wall Street Journal, and many other international publications. Find out more about me and thank you.\n\n\n\n\nYou might like\nView all\n\n\n\n\n\n\n"}
{"url": "http://blog.malaysia-asia.my/2020/03/new-tourism-attractions-in-kuala-lumpur.html", "text": "\n\n\n\nHomeKuala Lumpur\n\nNew Tourism Attractions In Kuala Lumpur\n\n\n\n\nbyMalaysia Asia\n-December 03, 2020\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nSince my last article on 12 free things to do in Kuala Lumpur, which was in 2011, there have been many other new tourist attractions that have come up over the past few years.\n\nTherefore, here is a list of new tourism attractions in Kuala Lumpur for anyone planning to explore this part of Malaysia.\n\nYou should also know that most of these attractions can be easily visited by walking or taking the trains around KL city and most likely in 2021, things will be better in terms of tourism in Malaysia.\n\n\nNew Tourism Attractions in Kuala Lumpur\nI am sure you have covered most popular touristic spots here for those of you who have been to Kuala Lumpur or KL as it is locally called.\n\n\n\nBut as time passes, more new tourist attractions have come up around KL, and the next time you drop by Kuala Lumpur, you can always visit some of these new places.While some may say these are not new, they are in the last few years, and there are still people who have not experienced them. Below is a list of the new tourist attractions around Kuala Lumpur;The Saloma Link Bridge against the Kuala Lumpur skyline.1. Saloma Link Bridge\n\nThis incredible bridge is only a 10-minute walk from the main KLCC area and is now the most popular tourist attraction in Kuala Lumpur as of February 2020.\n\nIt is also best visited in the evenings just after sunset as the entire Saloma Link bridge is lit up with a dazzling display using LED lights.\n\nOne of the highlights is that the background from one end of the bridge shows the Petronas Twin Towers among some other skyscrapers, making a picture-perfect moment.\nSaloma Link Bridge\nWhere: 10-minute walk from Petronas Twin Towers\nAddress: Jalan Saloma, off Jalan Ampang\nTime To Spend: At least one to two hours\nWalk: Accessible from the main KLCC area.\nDrive: Ride-hailing service or taxi from anywhere in KL\nTrain Station: Kampung Bharu LRT StationThe River of Life at night.2. River of LifeA 7-year project by the Malaysia government was initiated to transform the Klang River into a world-class river of life since 2012.Now, the River of Life's main core area in KL is located near the Confluence of Rivers or near Masjid Jamek, where it is an amazing sight to see.In the day, it is just another area of Kuala Lumpur, but there are some interesting murals done on the sides of the buildings here plus you can also get information about the River of Life.\u00a0At night, just after sunset, this place comes alive with a spectacular free river show. Visitors will gather by the main Lebuh Pasar Besar Bridge to watch the River of Life show.The River of Life seen from the Lebuh Pasar Besar Bridge in the day.The night River of Life show may not be functional due to the CMCO in Kuala Lumpur. But on any normal day, a special 30-minute show which is now world-class rated.The best time to catch this is when the sun goes down, and you can experience a spectacular light and mist show where the mist covers the rivers and best location to see this is from the Lebuh Pasar Bridge.River of LifeWhere: Behind Central Market, Confluence of Rivers or Masjid Jamek KLAddress: Jalan Lebuh Pasar BesarTime To Spend: At least one to two hours, day or nightWalk: Accessible from Old Kuala LumpurDrive: Ride-hailing service or taxi from anywhere in KLTrain Station: Masjid Jamek Station\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\nThe amazing rainbow staircase at Batu Caves, Selangor3. Rainbow Staircase Batu Caves\n\nSince a major revamp and paint job done in August of 2018, one of Kuala Lumpur's top tourist attractions has been reborn, and this time around, they made world headlines too.\n\nBatu Caves is no stranger when it comes to popular tourist spots in Malaysia, and has been for the last thirty years or more.\n\nThe 272-steps that lead up to the main cave temple underwent a beautiful rainbow paint job and is now probably one of the most photographed places in Kuala Lumpur.The amazing rainbow stairs at Batu Caves.Just take a look at some of the photos here, and you will know why hoards of tourists and even locals are making their way here again.\n\nNot only the staircase was painted, but the entire Batu Caves was also given a beautiful and colourful facelift, which includes the surrounding and even up at the cave temple.\nRainbow Staircase Batu Caves\nWhere: 20 to 30 minutes drive from KL City\nAddress: Batu Caves, Gombak, 68100 Batu Caves, Selangor\nTime To Spend: At least one to four hours\nWalk: Not advisable to walk from KL.\nDrive: Best to take a ride-hailing service from KL\nTrain Station: Batu Caves Station KC05 (From KL Sentral)Prankster Lane or Kwai Chai Hong in KL4. Kwai Chai Hong Petaling Street\n\nThis unique alley opened in early 2019 and is a part of Petaling street once a dead-end with really nothing much there.\n\nFortunately, they brought life into this alley for a local independent group by turning it into a beautiful tourist attraction that showcases street art mixed in with the local culture.\n\nIf you are in Petaling Street or Chinatown KL area, it is only a short walk from the main market street and takes you about five minutes to walk to Kwai Chai Hong\u00a0or Prankster Lane.Kwai Chai Hong is one of the latest tourist attractions in KL.The access is from the back lane of Lorong Panggung, where you can access from the south end of Jalan Petaling. However, you should know that they open only from 9.00 AM till around midnight.Around the area here, you can also find some other interesting shop lots selling food and so on and it is recommended to spend an extra hour or more to explore this entire area.\nKwai Chai Hong Petaling Street\nWhere: Five minutes walk from the main Petaling Street\nAddress: Lorong Panggung, Kuala Lumpur\nTime To Spend: Around 30 to 60 minutes\nWalk: Anywhere from the older parts of KL.\nDrive: Ride-hailing services or taxis from other parts of KL\nTrain Station: Pasar Seni MRT (SBK16) and Pasar Seni LRT Station (KJ14)The Exchange 106 skyscraper almost completed. Photo from APNews.5. Exchange 106 TRX Building\n\nThe latest skyscraper nicknamed TRX in the Tun Razak Exchange area is a 106-story building that is definitely one of the buildings to visit and take photographs in Kuala Lumpur.\n\nA whopping total of 30 buildings will be built in this 70-acre massive site, including retail shopping, F&B, hotels, and commercial spaces.\n\nCurrently, the Exchange 106 Building is already opened, and people have been taking some beautiful photos, especially during sunset.\n\nCity lovers will find Exchange 106 an architectural marvel. They will possibly find the best photography angle regardless of whether it is a selfie, wefie or just a beautiful skyscraper shot.\nExchange 106 TRX\nWhere: Tun Razak Exchange, Jalan Tun Razak\nAddress: Persiaran TRX,\u00a055188, Tun Razak, Kuala Lumpur\nTime To Spend: 30 minutes to one hour\nWalk 15-minute walk from Bukit Bintang area.\nDrive: Ride-hailing service or taxi from around KL\nTrain Station: MRT Tun Razak Exchange Station SBK20Soon to be Malaysia's tallest building is the Merdeka 118. Photo by TurnerConstruction.6. Merdeka 118 or PNB 118 Building\n\nWhen this massive mega building is completed in 2021, it will be the talk of Kuala Lumpur,\u00a0 Malaysia, and probably the world too.\n\nAnd why? Because the PNB 118 is a 118-story, 644-meter (2,113 feet) mega skyscraper that will also be the tallest building in Malaysia, Southeast Asia, and the fourth-tallest building in the world.\n\nNow, who wouldn't want to visit this megastructure and take photos of this place? Already, people are taking and sharing photos of this architectural marvel of Kuala Lumpur.Merdeka 118 is seen from Petaling Street in Kuala Lumpur.The building is nearing its completion and is scheduled to open somewhere in 2021 with the Park Hyatt Hotel and Resorts being of the main tenants.\n\nOf course, there will be entertainment at the top of the skyscraper, and there will also be a restaurant on the 113th floor.\n\nA multi-level observation deck will be located from the 114th to 117th floors, becoming one of the world's highest observation decks. So, are you excited about this now?\u00a0\n\nMerdeka 118\nWhere: Near Merdeka Stadium around Petaling Street\nAddress: Cangkat Stadium, Kuala Lumpur City Centre\nTime To Spend: 30 minutes to one hour\nWalk 10-minute walk from Jalan Petaling.\nDrive: Ride-hailing service or taxi from around KL\nTrain Station: Merdeka MRT Station (SBK 17)\n\n\n\nConclusion\n\n\n\n\nMy original list of 12 Free Things to do in Kuala Lumpur\u00a0was made in 2011, and this is a brand new updated list done in November 2016 which is probably just the right timing for the year 2021.\n\n\nPerhaps there are some other new attractions in Kuala Lumpur which have recently been introduced in the last couple of months, and if you know of them, please do share it here in the comment form.\n\n\nTags\nKuala Lumpur\nMalaysia\nNew Tourist Attraction in Kuala Lumpur\nThings to do in Kuala Lumpur\nThings to do in Malaysia\nTourism Malaysia\nVisit Malaysia\n\n\n\n\n\nFacebook\nTwitter\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nShare:New Tourism Attractions In Kuala Lumpur\n\n\nFacebook\nTwitter\nWhatsApp\nPinterest\nLinkedIn\nReddit\nTumblr\nTelegram\nEmail\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nMalaysia Asia\nBlogging since 2007, but writing online since 1997. I belong to the 1st generation of worldwide bloggers, which is of course old-school. \n\nSince 2008, I created Malaysia Asia and this travel, flood, gadget and lifestyle blog has won numerous physical awards from tourism boards around Malaysia. (Not those online awards).\n\nAfter 12 years of blogging, I have semi-retired and now blog about things I like, do product reviews and enjoy life. My work has been featured in Lonely Planet, CNN Travel, Yahoo Travel, Wall Street Journal, and many other international publications. Find out more about me and thank you.\n\n\n\n\nYou might like\nView all\n\n\n\n\n\n\n"}
{"url": "http://blog.malaysia-asia.my/2023/05/nautical-tourism-in-sabah.html", "text": "\n\n\n\nHomeMalaysia\n\nNautical Tourism in Sabah\n\n\n\n\nbyMalaysia Asia\n-May 31, 2023\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nAfter many years, nautical tourism in Sabah has gotten some attention after State Assistant Tourism, Culture, and Environment Minister Datuk Joniston Bangkuai brought this topic up in the media.Sabah is blessed with abundant waterways, which should be tapped for the recreational activities of nautical tourism.Nautical Tourism in SabahAfter a courtesy call from Sail Malaysia at the Sabah Tourism Board (STB) office in Kota Kinabalu, Joniston was positive that any event held in the state would have the potential to bring visitors to Sabah.Sabah's picturesque coastline has fantastic potential for nautical tourists to prolong their stay in the state, which can generate an economic spillover for Kota Kinabalu.Datuk Joniston Bangkua with Sail Malaysia.Joniston has also suggested that Sail Malaysia make Sabah a benchmark to organise their future sailing events and make the state a destination of choice for sailors worldwide. He said;\"We should develop Sabah into a vibrant boating culture because we have received many locals and foreigners participating in recreational boating activities.\u00a0Sabah's picturesque coastline, pristine beaches, crystal-clear waters, and stunning landscapes, combined with good marines for boat docking, provide a visually appealing sailing experience,The state's niche appeal to host sailing and boating exposition can draw boating enthusiasts and create revenue for local shops, restaurants, hotels, and other service industries.The success in hosting the events can enhance Sabah's reputation as a nautical tourism destination and also generate temporary and permanent employment opportunities for the local community,\"The East Yacht Rally Passage passes through Sabah in 2023.Joniston believed the events could also spur investment in local infrastructure like marinas, piers, and boating facilities.Sail Malaysia managing director Sazli Kamal Basha mentioned that Sabah offers stunning bays on par with other well-known sailing destinations for mooring boats or yachts.According to statistics provided by Sail Malaysia, the passage to the East Yacht Rally saw 386 participants between 2008 and 2022, including 24 repeat participants.The list of rally stops in Sabah includes Kota Kinabalu, Kudat, Karakit, Pulau Silingan, Sandakan, Kinabatangan, Pulau Tambisan, Lahad Datu, Silam, Bohey Dulang, and Tawau.The East Yacht Rally participants were from Australia, Norway, New Zealand, the Netherlands, the United States, France, Sweden, South Africa, the United Kingdom, and Switzerland.According to statistics, the average tourist stays for a week, but those participating in the Sail Malaysia programme typically stay for two years.The route for the 2023\u00a0East Yacht Rally.ConclusionNautical Tourism has been around in Malaysia for a long time now, and in most cases, it is primarily on Langkawi Island, where the infrastructure is yacht-friendly.Sabah also has impressive facilities but has never embarked on this unique genre of tourism. Since January 2023, after Sail Malaysia's visit and presentation,\u00a0Nautical Tourism in Sabah is now something that could be added to the niche tourism genre.\n\n\nTags\nMalaysia\nMalaysia Nautical Tourism\nNautical Tourism\nNautical Tourism in Sabah\nSabah\nSabah Nautical Tourism\nSabah Tourism\n\n\n\n\n\nFacebook\nTwitter\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nShare:Nautical Tourism in Sabah\n\n\nFacebook\nTwitter\nWhatsApp\nPinterest\nLinkedIn\nReddit\nTumblr\nTelegram\nEmail\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nMalaysia Asia\nBlogging since 2007, but writing online since 1997. I belong to the 1st generation of worldwide bloggers, which is of course old-school. \n\nSince 2008, I created Malaysia Asia and this travel, flood, gadget and lifestyle blog has won numerous physical awards from tourism boards around Malaysia. (Not those online awards).\n\nAfter 12 years of blogging, I have semi-retired and now blog about things I like, do product reviews and enjoy life. My work has been featured in Lonely Planet, CNN Travel, Yahoo Travel, Wall Street Journal, and many other international publications. Find out more about me and thank you.\n\n\n\n\nYou might like\nView all\n\n\n\n\n\n\n"}
{"url": "http://blog.malaysia-asia.my/2019/10/travel-bloggers-list-in-malaysia.html", "text": "\n\n\n\nHomeMalaysia\n\nTravel Bloggers List in Malaysia  \n\n\n\n\nbyMalaysia Asia\n-December 08, 2020\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nI hate to say it, but there is still a massive lack of travel bloggers in Malaysia, and just 10 years ago, I did a similar article but only to find that the change has been at a prolonged rate.\n\nFor 2020, I have developed a list of Malaysian Travel Bloggers to look out for. This list has no mechanics, only because they travel and blog.\nMalaysia Travel Bloggers Complete List\n\n\n\n\nFirstly, let me inform everyone that many industry people wrongly conceptualise the word 'Travel Blogger' in Malaysia.\n\nThis is because almost everyone started with a food and general blog and eventually branched into travel.\n\nYou will have people stating that travel and food go together as a pair, and yes, I totally agree, but it all depends on how the person manages it.\n\nThe travel bloggers list below features Malaysians and non-Malaysians who write about Malaysia or are based in Malaysia.\n\nSome blogs may be inactive or no longer writing, but on the last checking, they still updated their blogs in 2018.\n\nMany travel bloggers are casual bloggers, meaning they have a day job and blog as a hobby.\n\n\n\nSome people think. Influencers are ruining travel. Source Travel Off Path.\u00a0\n\nCurrently, most people are referring to the term 'Travel Influencer', which is considered social media travellers.\n\nThese are not included here as most travel influencers will only have an Instagram account, which does not count under the category travel blog.\n\nPR Agencies, Advertising Agencies, and Internet\u00a0Marketeers\u00a0- If you are here to get information or contacts, let me tell you that I made this list simply based on bloggers with no complete statistics.\nPR agencies should also do their homework on the many bloggers listed here.\n\nPulling names randomly from this list will only result in a successful or lousy campaign, as you would need to know who can reach your audience or even meet your KPI. Again, not everyone on this list has the desired reach and numbers.\n\nYou will notice that many Malaysian bloggers cleverly brand themselves as Travel and Food, Food and Travel or Travel, Lifestyle and Food blog, hoping to cover as many genres as possible.\n\nSimply said, a travel blogger's description merely is to blog about their travel experiences when they travel. Anyway, below is the list in alphabetical order.\n\n\n\nTravel Bloggers in action.\n\n\n\nTravel Bloggers List in Malaysia\n\nA\n\nAs I Travel - http://mykembara.blogspot.com\nA Moment Like This - http://yvonnesam.com\nAdameben - http://adameben.blogspot.com\nAfter Crazying - http://mush4crazy.blogspot.com\nAlice Tan - http://www.alice-tan.com\nAlwaysmissmandy - www.alwaysmissmandy.blogspot.com\nAlways Travelicious! - http://alwaystravelicious.com\nAmazing Journey Asia - http://pummkin.net/amazingjourney\nAsean Turtle - http://aseanturtle.blogspot.com\nAs Suanie Sees It - www.suanie.net/\nAzuan Zahdi - www.azuanzahdi.com/\n\nB\n\nBackpacker Busuk - http://backpackerbusuk.blogspot.com\nBackpacking In Style - http://erikatoh.blogspot.com\nBeauty in Darkness - http://biqque.blogspot.com\nBicycle Adventures - http://bicycle-adventures.com\nBrought Up 2 Share - http://broughtup2share.com\nBubble Goes Travel - http://bubblesgoestravel.com\nBudak Letrik - http://budakletrik.blogspot.com/\n\nC\n\nCarinn Tan - http://extraordinarinn.blogspot.com\nCC Food Travel - http://ccfoodtravel.com/\nChawanna - http://blueewoke09.blogspot.fr\nChea Yee - The Kaleidoscope Adventurer - http://cheayee.blogspot.com\nCheryl Chan - http://cherylchanphotography.com\nCindy's Planet - www.cindysplanet.com/\nConstance Ann - http://constance-ant.com\nCutebun - http://cutebun.blogspot.com\n\nD\n\nDan on the road - http://danontheroad.wordpress.com/\nDanywhere & The Wanderlust Theories - http://danywhere.com\nDevi da Lil Devil - http://devidalildevil.blogspot.com\nDiscovering Ivanium - www.discoveringivanium.blogspot.com\n\nE\n\nEatlicious\u98df\u5728\u597d\u73a9 - http://jazzlah.blogspot.com\nEmila Yusuf - http://emilayusof.com\nEat Till Tummy Full - http://tummyfull.blogspot.com\nE.L.F Explore Leisure Food - http://syahirbasharuddin.blogspot.com/\n\nF\n\nFarikica's World - http://farikicasworld.blogspot.com\nFarisya Anastasyia - www.duniafarisya.com\nFeeqsays - www.feeqsays.com\nFaizal Fredley - http://faizalfredley.com\nFive-foot Traveler - http://www.fivefeetflat.net/\nFood Addictions of Cookie Monster - http://www.thanislim.com\n\nG\n\nGlamourous Traveller - http://glamouroustraveller.com \nGlobetrotter - http://lilyrianitravelholic.blogspot.com\n\nH\n\nHakim Ishraf - http://itshakimishraf.blogspot.com\nHannah Pearson - www.hannahinmalaysia.co.uk\nHappy Days Ahead - http://happydaysinc.blogspot.com\nHappy Happy: Food, Cycling & Travel - http://tailim.blogspot.com/\nHMR Hip Mom Report - http://hipmomreport.com/\n\nI\n\nIt's all about my life - mystoriesmories.blogspot.com/\n\nJ\n\nJanggeltrekker's Life - http://janggeltrekking2.blogspot.com/\nJardness.com - http://ignorantbrat.blogspot.com\nJarimanis Travel - http://jarimanistravel.blogspot.com/\nJeff's Travels - http://jefftravel88.blogspot.com\nJessying - www.jessying.com\njkdrooling - Malaysia Food & Travel Blog jkdrooling.blogspot.com/\nJohor Kaki - http://johorkaki.blogspot.sg /The journey of Life - http://theponderofme.blogspot.comThe journey of the Little Biscuit - http://journeyofthetlittlebiscuit.blogspot.com\nJQ Lee - www.jqtalks.com\nJuanderful World - http://juanderfulworld.blogspot.com\nJust.Yoga - http://www.yogaretnam.com/category/travel\n\nK\n\nKaki Berangan : Jom Travel! - kakiberangan.blogspot.com/\nKaki Jalan - http://masmz.blogspot.com\nKaki Jalans -\u00a0https://www.kakijalans.com/\nKaki Travel - kakitravelkhairuddin.blogspot.com/\nKampungBoyCityGal - http://kampungboycitygal.com\nKembara GD - http://kembaragd.blogspot.com\nKisah Tatie - www.kisahtatie.com/\nKYspeaks \u00a0Food, Travel, and everything in between - http://kyspeaks.com/\n\nL\n\nLamyerda - http://lamyerda.com\nLenjan Destinasi - http://lenjandestinasi.blogspot.com/\nLer Travel Diary - http://lertraveldiary.blogspot.com\nLife Is A Story - http://encree.blogspot.com\nLittle Clouds of Thought - http://littlecloudsofthought.blogspot.com/\nLuvs Life Too Much To Lose Out! - http://Ellisluvslife.blogspot.com\n\nM\n\nMakiko Saba - http://makiko-saba.blogspot.com\nMalaysia Asia - http://blog.malaysia-asia.my\nMalaysia Backpackers - http://www.malaysiabackpackers.com/\nMalaysia Food & Travel Blog - www.vkeong.com/\nMalaysian Foodie - http://www.malaysianfoodie.com/\nMiss Sunshine - http://www.sunshinekelly.com\nMotormouth From Ipoh - www.j2kfm.com/\nMr Jocko -\u00a0www.mrjocko.com/\nMy Armchair Travelogue - http://myarmchair-travelogue.blogspot.com\nMylovelybluesky \u84dd\u5929\u767d\u4e91\u6570\u683c\u5b50 - http://mylovelybluesky.com\nMy Travellicious! - http://www.mytravellicious.com\nMy World - Azuan Zahdi / http://www.azuanzahdi.com\nMyMap|The Map Is Not The Territory - http://zamzuriabdmalik.com\nMy Kembara - www.my-kembara.com\nMy Trips - http://j-travel.blogspot.com/\n\nN\n\nNicole Kiss - http://nicolekiss.blogspot.com/\nNota Kembara - http://www.notakembara.com\n\nO\n\nOut of The Box, Out & About - http://farizlow.blogspot.com\nOur Home Called Kuantan - www.duncaninkuantan.blogspot.com\n\nP\n\nPinoy Voyager - http://www.pinoyvoyager.com\nPlaces and Food - www.placesandfood.com\nPureGlutton - gastronomy, culinary, travel and all the finer - pureglutton.com/\n\nQ\n\nQuaChee's Blog - www.quachee.blogspot.com\n\nR\n\nRamble and Wander - www.rambleandwander.com\nRugged Mom - www.ruggedmom.com\n\nS\nSand In My Curls - https://sandinmycurls.com\nSans - http://akasiaoccasionally.blogspot.com\nSi Traveler Comel! - www.thebigsmallboy.com\nSweet Day Memories - http://may9582.blogspot.com\nSyahir Basharuddin - http://syahirbasharuddin.blogspot.com\n\nT\n\nTatie - http://kisahtatie.blogspot.com\nThat So Farah - http://www.thatsofarah.com\nThe Best Things In Life... - http://kairulizwan.com\nThe Fakawi Traveller - www.thefakawitraveller.com\nThe Five Foot Traveller - www.fivefeetflat.net\nThe (Mis)Adventures of Miss Elly - www.elly-yusof.comThe Lone Escape -\u00a0https://www.theloneescape.com/\nThe Nomad Gourmand - www.rebeccasaw.com\nThe Province of Chroma - www.zaraab.wordpress.com\nThe Tiny Wanderer - www.tinywanderer.com\nThrift Travelers - http://thrifttravelers.blogspot.com/\nThristhan, Travel & Food - www.Thristhan.com\nTravel, just.yoga - www.yogaretnam.com\nTravel by Husein Rider - http://huseinrider.blogspot.com\nTravel Chameleon - http://travelchameleon.net\nTravel Freak - http://pinparadise.blogspot.com/\nTravel & Living Journal of DT - http://dianateo-dt.blogspot.com\nTravel My Way - http://timetravelafif.blogspot.com/\nTravel With Me - http://muchang.blogspot.com\nTraveller's Anatomy - http://travelleranatomy.blogspot.com\nTravelog - http://travelog.my\nTravelsukasuki - http://travelsukasuki.blogspot.com\nTrawberry Gal Adventures of Life - www.pamelaybc.com\nThrough My Eyes - http://adamlai.com\n\nW\n\nWander2Nowhere - http://wander2nowhere.com\nWe Said Go Travel - http://www.wesaidgotravel.com\nWonderful Malaysia - www.wonderfulmalaysia.com\nWorld of Travels, Enviro, Photography - http://hcvv.blogspot.com\n\nY\n\nYuhJiun - http://www.yuhjiun09.com \n\n\n\n\n---------------------------------------------------------------------------------\n\nStatistic Breakdown for the Malaysian Travel Bloggers\n\n\nMost of the above are mainly Malaysia Lifestyle Bloggers covering several genres, including everything. (Yet many claims they are travel bloggers)\nA number of them are mainly food, lifestyle and travel blogs.\u00a0\nA small portion is travel photobloggers, even though they claim they are travel but more photos than text in their articles.\u00a0\nOnly a tiny handful of the above is pure travel bloggers who only write about travel.\u00a0\nWhile some travel bloggers above are active, many casual travel bloggers only blog once or twice a month.\u00a0\nMost of them are working full-time jobs, while a small percentage are students or self-employed.\u00a0\nSome of the above blogs are in Malay, and some blogs are in dual language, English and Malay, Chinese, and English.\u00a0\nYou should be surprised that there are no Indian travel bloggers who write in Tamil. \u00a0\nMost travel bloggers are aged below 35 years of age, while a small handful is aged 35 to 50 years old.\u00a0\nA number of them are photographers who include their work in their travel or lifestyle blogs.\n\n\nThe stats above are based on visiting the sites, meeting most of them, and monitoring their trends over the last five years.\nThe results are not calculated, but judging from the style and delivery, the conclusion is closely assumed.\n\n\n\nThat's me going scuba diving at Lankayan Island in Sabah, Borneo.\n\nConclusion\n\n\nYou can also view my earlier list of travel bloggers in Malaysia,\u00a0which was done in 2011, and some of them are still active today.\n\nAnd if you are a Malaysian travel blogger not listed here, please leave your name and travel blog URL in the comment form, and I will update the list when possible.\n\nIf you are a foreigner living here, you can also submit your name to Malaysia's complete Travel Bloggers List.\n\nHowever, please note that I will update this list whenever possible, and it is a process that takes time. So you can post in the comment form below.\n\n\n\nTags\nMalaysia\nMalaysia Travel Bloggers\nTravel Bloggers\nTravel Bloggers Malaysia\nTravel Blogs\nTravel Blogs Malaysia\n\n\n\n\n\nFacebook\nTwitter\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nShare:Travel Bloggers List in Malaysia  \n\n\nFacebook\nTwitter\nWhatsApp\nPinterest\nLinkedIn\nReddit\nTumblr\nTelegram\nEmail\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nMalaysia Asia\nBlogging since 2007, but writing online since 1997. I belong to the 1st generation of worldwide bloggers, which is of course old-school. \n\nSince 2008, I created Malaysia Asia and this travel, flood, gadget and lifestyle blog has won numerous physical awards from tourism boards around Malaysia. (Not those online awards).\n\nAfter 12 years of blogging, I have semi-retired and now blog about things I like, do product reviews and enjoy life. My work has been featured in Lonely Planet, CNN Travel, Yahoo Travel, Wall Street Journal, and many other international publications. Find out more about me and thank you.\n\n\n\n\nYou might like\nView all\n\n\n\n\n\n\n"}
{"url": "http://blog.malaysia-asia.my/2023/03/dream-forest-langkawi.html", "text": "\n\n\n\nHomeDream Forest Langkawi\n\nDream Forest Langkawi\n\n\n\n\nbyMalaysia Asia\n-March 13, 2023\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nDream Forest Langkawi is a new tourism attraction opening on 1 May at the foot of Gunung Raya mountain.This new tourism attraction in Langkawi Island is set to be placed on a world-class level, which is part of an integrated project comprising a Dream Forest Immersive Park and Dream Forest Book Village.Dream Forest LangkawiThe Dream Forest Langkawi is also built at around 20 million ringgit (US$4.5 million). The project is also conceptualised and developed by Enfiniti Group and led by Malaysian Tiara Jacquelina.Tiara Jacquelina (centre) during a press conference.The tourism attraction will feature a multi-sensory, immersive evening walk through a 1.2km trail in Langkawi's lush rainforest, where local stories and legends of the island come alive through the soundscape, illuminations and projection mapping on the trees and the ground. Some spaces are also interactive.During the day, visitors can enjoy nature walks, and at night, the forest transforms into a 6.39-hectare-wide natural theatrical space.When the sun goes down, the forest comes alive.... and the tales of Tasik Dayang Bunting, Merong Mahawangsa and the Giants of Langkawi turn into interactive adventures for visitors of all ages.Tiara Jacquelina during the press conference event.Tiara Jacquelina mentioned the following at a press conference;\"The project was four years in the making. It started in 2019 as a very different project, designed to be experienced as separate stories told through various mediums of technology in individual pavilions.This was part of a plan to revitalise and reinvigorate the beautiful, former Kampung Buku of Langkawi. We even had plans for a spectacular nightly performance in an outdoor theatre.By 2020, it was very clear that the tourism industry and attractions like the one we created needed to adapt to a new normal with Industrial Revolution 4.0. The world was changing; the way people travelled and consumed entertainment was changing.\u201dBefore you visit the Dream Forest, you must know the following;The venue is dark and has many rough pathways. Wear comfortable shoes such as sneakers.To avoid mosquito bites, wear long sleeves and long pants to avoid skin exposure, and use insect repellent.The park is enormous. Give yourself enough time to explore.Dream Forest Book Village - Phase 2The second phase will be known as Dream Forest Book Village, which will house an events space, F&B and retail outlets, and picnic spots.There will also be regularly curated cultural-based pocket performances of music, dance and poetry readings around the gardens or at the 120-seat amphitheatre.The map to the attraction.Dream Forest LangkawiOpening: 1 May 2023Hours: 5.00/7.00 PM to 12.00 AMClosed: Every WednesdayLocation:\u00a0Taman Rekrasi Lubuk Semilang, 07000 Kuah, KedahFor more information, please visit the official Dream Forest Langkawi websiteTickets for Dream Forest LangkawiMalaysians \u2013 RM68 adults, RM48 kids, RM28 senior citizensNon Residentials \u2013 RM98 adults, RM68 kids, RM38 senior citizensLangkawi residents \u2013 RM38 adults, RM28 kids, RM 28 senior citizens*Please note that the prices are based on a press release announcement in February 2023.ConclusionThe project's first phase is called Dream Forest Immersive Park and is set to open in May at the foot of Gunung Raya mountain.For those wanting to know more, you can also read Tiara Jaqueline's interview about Dream Forest Langkawi with Business Today, done in February 2023.\n\n\nTags\nDream Forest Langkawi\nLangkawi\nLangkawi Attractions\nMalaysia\nPlaces to Visit in Langkawi\nThings to do in Langkawi\nTourism Malaysia\n\n\n\n\n\nFacebook\nTwitter\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nShare:Dream Forest Langkawi\n\n\nFacebook\nTwitter\nWhatsApp\nPinterest\nLinkedIn\nReddit\nTumblr\nTelegram\nEmail\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nMalaysia Asia\nBlogging since 2007, but writing online since 1997. I belong to the 1st generation of worldwide bloggers, which is of course old-school. \n\nSince 2008, I created Malaysia Asia and this travel, flood, gadget and lifestyle blog has won numerous physical awards from tourism boards around Malaysia. (Not those online awards).\n\nAfter 12 years of blogging, I have semi-retired and now blog about things I like, do product reviews and enjoy life. My work has been featured in Lonely Planet, CNN Travel, Yahoo Travel, Wall Street Journal, and many other international publications. Find out more about me and thank you.\n\n\n\n\nYou might like\nView all\n\n\n\n\n\n\n"}
{"url": "http://blog.malaysia-asia.my/2022/06/kuching-night-photography-with-huawei.html", "text": "\n\n\n\nHomeHuawei\n\nKuching Night Photography with Huawei P50\n\n\n\n\nbyMalaysia Asia\n-June 22, 2022\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nI have practically enjoyed smartphone photography since I focused on it in the last 10 years, and this time, in June 2022, I tried some Kuching night photography with the Huawei P50.I only really understood a little about smartphone artificial intelligence (AI) as it is a well-kept secret for the manufacturer, and you only read and hear what they tell you. So, here is my review of the Huawei P50 with some night photography in Kuching, Sarawak.Kuching Night Photography with Huawei P50Overall, I am a brand new Huawei user, as I have never tried it before, plus a number of my friends have been using it for several years now and have been raving about it.Therefore, I took the initiative to try something different and brought the Huawei P50 to Sarawak in June as I attended the 25th Anniversary of the Rainforest World Music Festival 2022 here.I will also share photos taken with the P50 during the music festival, which was held for three days at the Sarawak Cultural Village in Santubong.But, before that, I arrived a few days earlier in Kuching to test out the P50 around some of Kuching's impressive landmarks in the city area.One of the well-known landmarks is the Darul Hana Bridge and the Sarawak State Legislative Assembly (Dewan Undangan Negeri) or DUN building across the Sarawak River. Both are lit up nightly, making them perfect candidates for night photography.Another highlight here is the dancing fountain which goes on several times nightly, if I am correct, around 2-3 times a night. This show is quite interesting to catch and photograph.Huawei P50 uses Leica lenses, 50 MP f/1.8, 13 MP Ultra-wide f/2.2 and 12 MP Telephoto f/3.4.Night Photography with Huawei P50First of all, what is Dual-Matrix? When the camera hardware takes advantage of the impressive image processing engine, the integration of the camera hardware with the HUAWEI XD Optics results in brighter high-resolution images, shots with more light taken in, and cleaner with more details.Next, most photos are taken in a 4:3 or fullscreen aspect ratio on the P50, as you can choose which mode you prefer. If you wanted a slightly wider angle, put it in a 4:3 aspect ratio.All the photos here are not edited at all. They are just resized for web use and auto-compressed by the blog for easy loading. Overall, you should see the photos as-is and not manipulated or heavily edited.I am not a huge fan of Lightroom and other photo-enhancing software because a famous photographer once told me that the less you edit a photo, the more a true photographer you are.It's all in the composition, settings and timing, which results in photographs that do not require editing. It shows the photographer's confidence, whether it is a DSLR, Mirrorless or even a smartphone camera.You can judge my night photography in Kuching taken with the Huawei P50. Again, this is not the Huawei P50 Pro but the flagship Huawei P50.Darul Hana Bridge at the curved section. Photographed in 4:3 and night mode handheld 4 secs.DUN and Darul Hana Bridge were photographed in full screen and night mode on the P50.One of the old trees at the Waterfront. Photographed in 4:3 with night mode.DUN Building across the Sarawak River in Kuching. Night Mode, 4:3 crop.Kuching Floating Mosque by the Sarawak River. Photographed from Darul Hana Bridge.A view of the Kuching Waterfront from the Darul Hana Bridge in Kuching. 4:3 crop, night mode.General InformationSmartphone: Huawei P50Location: Darul Hana Bridge, Kuching, SarawakDate: 16th June 2022For more info, visit Huawei MalaysiaFor your added information, this is the first significant phone series to be launched by Huawei's own EMUI 12, the company's branded mobile operating system.This cleverly pairs Huawei's typically well-specced cameras and hardware, including Qualcomm's flagship Snapdragon 888 processor in some models.ConclusionOverall, if you continuously take photos, the P50 tends to get hot in the top portion of the smartphone. But sometimes, the moment requires you to snap away, which is normal for me.The Huawei P50's size is sleek and a little smaller than my previous smartphone; hence storing it in my pocket was easy and was not too bulky.I am still testing the unit and will do another article in the coming weeks. Meanwhile, I hope you enjoyed the pictures from my\u00a0Kuching night photography with Huawei P50.\n\n\nTags\nHuawei\nHuawei Malaysia\nHuawei P50\nHuawei P50 Review\nKuching\nKuching Photography\nMalaysia\nNight Photography\nPhotography\nSarawak\nSarawak Photography\nSmartphone Review\nSmartphone Reviews\n\n\n\n\n\nFacebook\nTwitter\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nShare:Kuching Night Photography with Huawei P50\n\n\nFacebook\nTwitter\nWhatsApp\nPinterest\nLinkedIn\nReddit\nTumblr\nTelegram\nEmail\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nMalaysia Asia\nBlogging since 2007, but writing online since 1997. I belong to the 1st generation of worldwide bloggers, which is of course old-school. \n\nSince 2008, I created Malaysia Asia and this travel, flood, gadget and lifestyle blog has won numerous physical awards from tourism boards around Malaysia. (Not those online awards).\n\nAfter 12 years of blogging, I have semi-retired and now blog about things I like, do product reviews and enjoy life. My work has been featured in Lonely Planet, CNN Travel, Yahoo Travel, Wall Street Journal, and many other international publications. Find out more about me and thank you.\n\n\n\n\nYou might like\nView all\n\n\n\n\n\n\n"}
{"url": "http://blog.malaysia-asia.my/2023/02/jom-cuti-cuti-malaysia-2023.html", "text": "\n\n\n\nHomeCuti Cuti Malaysia\n\nJom Cuti Cuti Malaysia 2023 Roadshow\n\n\n\n\nbyMalaysia Asia\n-February 14, 2023\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nAfter almost three years of the Covid-19 pandemic, Tourism Malaysia has brought back the Jom Cuti Cuti Malaysia 2023 campaign, which starts this 24, 25 & 26 February.This popular domestic tourism campaign falls under the main Cuti Cuti Malaysia, which has been well-received over the last decade by everyone and brought to you by the Domestic and Events Division of Tourism Malaysia.Jom Cuti Cuti Malaysia 2023This time, the Jom has been added to the main roadshow (Jerayawara) that will move around Malaysia to different cities, promoting unique local tourism products.Visitors to the roadshow will be treated to various programs, product information, exhibitions and even a contest and daily lucky draws where you can win vouchers and gifts from participating vendors.'The highlight of this roadshow is for consumers to get to know the many different tourism products and destinations from all over Malaysia.And Tourism Malaysia Domestic & Events Division has carefully selected the roadshow vendors for each destination. Check the list below for where the JCCM2023 roadshows will be held at.Program for Jom Cuti Cuti Malaysia 2023 at The Curve Shopping Centre24 February (Friday) - Day 110.00 am : Pameran dan jualan Jom Cuti-Cuti Malaysia bermula11.00 am : Pengenalan produk-produk pelancongan12.00 pm : Persembahan kebudayaan dan cabutan bertuah/ kuiz pelancongan1.30 pm : Laluan Azan Zohor2.30 pm : Pengenalan produk-produk pelancongan4.45 pm : Laluan Azan Asar5.00 pm : Pengenalan produk-produk pelancongan5.20 pm : Persembahan kebudayaan dan cabutan bertuah6.00 pm : Demonstrasi Teh Tarik7.30 pm : Laluan Azan Maghrib8.30 pm : Persembahan kebudayaan dan cabutan bertuah/kuiz pelancongan8.40 pm : Laluan Azan Isya\u20199.00 pm : Pengenalan produk-produk pelancongan10.00 pm : Pameran ditutupThe official launch program for the Saturday event at The Curve in Mutiara Damansara.25 February (Saturday) - Day 210.00 am : Pameran dan jualan Jom Cuti-Cuti Malaysia bermula dan Pengenalan produk-produk pelancongan10.30 am : Ketibaan hadirin dan media11.25 am : Ketibaan YBhg. Dato\u2019 Hj Zainuddin Abdul Wahab, Ketua Pengarah, Tourism Malaysia11.30 am : Ketibaan YB Tuan Khairul Firdaus Akbar Khan, Timbalan Menteri Pelancongan, Seni & Budaya11.35 am : Persembahan \u2018Overture\u201911.40 am : Ucapan oleh YB Tuan Khairul Firdaus Akbar Khan, Timbalan Menteri Pelancongan, Seni & Budaya11.55 am : Perasmian Jerayawara \u2018Jom Cuti-Cuti Malaysia (JCCM) 2023\u2019 dan \u2018Pakej Khas Penginapan Staycation #isninkhamisjak bagi Sabah & Labuan\u201912.00 pm : Penyampaian Cenderamata12.10 pm : Sesi Bergambar12.15 pm : Sesi Lawatan Tapak12.45 pm : Persembahan Kebudayaan1.10 pm : Sidang Media1.20 pm : Jamuan Ringan1.30 pm : Laluan Azan Zohor2.30 pm : Demonstrasi Masakan oleh Dato\u2019 Chef Ismail3.30 pm : Pengenalan produk-produk pelancongan dan cabutan bertuah4.45 pm : Laluan Azan Asar5.00 pm : Pengenalan produk-produk pelancongan5.20 pm : Persembahan kebudayaan dan cabutan bertuah6.00 pm : Demonstrasi Teh Tarik7.30 pm : Laluan Azan Maghrib8.30 pm : Persembahan kebudayaan dan cabutan bertuah/kuiz pelancongan8.40 pm : Laluan Azan Isya\u20199.00 pm : Pengenalan produk-produk pelancongan10.00 pm : Pameran ditutup26 February (Sunday) - Day 310.00 am : Pameran dan jualan Jom Cuti-Cuti Malaysia bermula11.00 am : Pengenalan produk-produk pelancongan12.00 pm : Persembahan kebudayaan dan cabutan bertuah/kuiz pelancongan12.30 pm : Cabutan bertuah/kuiz pelancongan1.30 pm : Laluan Azan Zohor2.30 pm : Demonstrasi Masakan oleh Dato\u2019 Chef Ismail3.30 pm : Pengenalan produk-produk pelancongan4.45 pm : Laluan Azan Asar5.00 pm : Pengenalan produk-produk pelancongan5.20 pm : Persembahan kebudayaan dan cabutan bertuah/kuiz pelancongan6.00 pm : Demonstrasi Teh Tarik7.30 pm : Laluan Azan Maghrib8.30 pm : Persembahan kebudayaan dan cabutan bertuah/kuiz pelancongan8.40 pm : Laluan Azan Isya\u20199.00 pm : Pengenalan produk-produk pelancongan10.00 pm : Pameran ditutupVisitors at the Tourism Malaysia domestic booth during one of the recent travel fairs.Jom Cuti Cuti Malaysia Roadshow 2023There will be several locations around Malaysia where this event will be held. To kick off, the first location is at the famous Curve Shopping Mall in Mutiara Damansara, Petaling Jaya.Anyone out of the Klang Valley can see where the nearest JCCM2023 Roadshow will be in the following months.Below are the locations for the Jom Cuti Cuti Malaysia Campaign;24-26 Feb 2023 - The Curve, Mutiara Damansara, Selangor26-28 Mei 2023 - AEON Mall Nilai, Negeri Sembilan9-11 Jun 2023 - 1 Utama Shopping Centre, Petaling Jaya, Selangor14-16 July 2023 - AEON Mall Kinta City, Perak25-27 Ogos 2023 - AEON Mall Shah Alam, Selangor29 Sept-1 Oct 2023 - Sunway Carnival Penang27-29 Aug 2023 - Sunway Pyramid, Selangor10-12 Nov 2023 - AEON Mall Bandaraya MelakaA random photo of a travel agent explaining tour packages to a customer.ConclusionPlease visit this Jom Cuti Cuti Malaysia Jerayawara 2023 at Curve Shopping Center for anyone considering travelling locally around Malaysia. And visit the official Tourism Malaysia website for additional info.One of the packages to note is the IsninKhamisJak Staycation Promotion for Sabah and Labuan, as several deals are for weekday travellers.By being there physically, you will better understand what is available in the different states or destinations around Malaysia, as a lot has changed since the pandemic.Several new tourism products opened three years ago, while a lot of the domestic packages are even more worthwhile, with more being offered.\n\n\nTags\nCuti Cuti Malaysia\nEvents\nJom Cuti Cuti Malaysia\nMalaysia\nTourism Malaysia\nTourism Malaysia Domestic\nTourism Malaysia News\n\n\n\n\n\nFacebook\nTwitter\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nShare:Jom Cuti Cuti Malaysia 2023 Roadshow\n\n\nFacebook\nTwitter\nWhatsApp\nPinterest\nLinkedIn\nReddit\nTumblr\nTelegram\nEmail\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nMalaysia Asia\nBlogging since 2007, but writing online since 1997. I belong to the 1st generation of worldwide bloggers, which is of course old-school. \n\nSince 2008, I created Malaysia Asia and this travel, flood, gadget and lifestyle blog has won numerous physical awards from tourism boards around Malaysia. (Not those online awards).\n\nAfter 12 years of blogging, I have semi-retired and now blog about things I like, do product reviews and enjoy life. My work has been featured in Lonely Planet, CNN Travel, Yahoo Travel, Wall Street Journal, and many other international publications. Find out more about me and thank you.\n\n\n\n\nYou might like\nView all\n\n\n\n\n\n\n"}
{"url": "http://blog.malaysia-asia.my/2023/01/rainforest-world-music-festival-2023.html", "text": "\n\n\n\nHomeMalaysia\n\nRainforest World Music Festival 2023\n\n\n\n\nbyMalaysia Asia\n-January 16, 2023\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nAre you ready for\u00a0Rainforest World Music Festival 2023? Because this year is going to be bigger and better than the last.RWMF2023, called in short, will take place at the same venue at the Sarawak Cultural Village, one hour from Kuching and from 23-25 June.Rainforest World Music Festival 2023And, if you did not know, this is also the 26th year that the RWMF is taking place, and as always, visitors will be treated to a spectacular show like no other concert or festival.The unique and fascinating Miring Ceremony was performed to officiate the RWMF.The Rainforest World Music Festival is truly one of the most unique music festivals in the world and is held here in Sarawak, Malaysia Borneo.While the dates have been announced since 2022, this article reminds everyone that you should start making travel and accommodation arrangements now.June is just around the corner, and at the snap of your finger, it will be time to start preparing for RWMF2023.The great Alena Murang played at the last RWMF2022.Why Start Preparing for RWMF 2023?Every year, I encounter friends and acquaintances that always say they want to visit the festival but never book in advance, and usually, they will be reminded by me, and it is too late then.This time, I'm coming out with the article early in the year to remind you to start making travel arrangements for the\u00a0Rainforest World Music Festival 2023.As the dates for the event are locked, you can start looking at flights to Kuching, and you should know by now that if you book in advance, you tend to get lower prices.And not only that, there is a new Malaysian airline in the market called MyAirline that flies from KL to Kuching, and they should have some great promotional prices now.And, of course, AirAsia, Malaysia Airlines, Batik Air and Firefly Airline fly to Kuching from Kuala Lumpur and several other cities.Some international airlines also fly into Kuching, one of which is Scoot from Singapore. The Sarawak government is also working on bringing in more international flights.For RWMF 2023, you can expect a crowd like the last year.What to do at the Rainforest World Music Festival?While the entire RWMF revolves around ethnic-fusion music and a diverse cultural experience, some may wonder what else can be done here.Not to worry, I have created an article on things to do at the Rainforest World Music Festival, so you can better understand how to plan your trip there.Rainforest World Music Festival 2023Date: 23 - 25 June 2023Venue: Sarawak Cultural Village, SantubongTickets: RWMF Main WebsiteYou can also see some of my photos of the Rainforest World Music Festival 2022, which I took using a Huawei P50 smartphone.The unique crown at the recent RWMF 2022.How to go to RWMF2023?This is for first-timers attending or planning to attend RWMF2023 in Sarawak; please note that the venue is about an hour's drive from the capital city of Kuching.I have come up with this article on how to go to the Rainforest World Music Festival. It covers overland transportation from Kuching to Santubong and even flights into Kuching, Sarawak.A beautifully designed promo for RWMF.Conclusion to\u00a0Rainforest World Music Festival 2023That's all for now; in the coming months, I will update this article with more information on the\u00a0Rainforest World Music Festival 2023 as it is gradually shared.And again, for those who want to visit this one-of-a-kind festival, start making early inquiries or bookings for your flights and hotels.\u00a0You should know that the closer you get to the festival, the higher the chances of rooms being sold out or flights getting expensive.\n\n\nTags\nMalaysia\nMalaysia Music Festivals\nMusic Festivals\nRainforest World Music Festival\nRainforest World Music Festival 2023\nRWMF 2023\nSarawak\nSarawak Music Festivals\nSarawak Tourism News\n\n\n\n\n\nFacebook\nTwitter\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nShare:Rainforest World Music Festival 2023\n\n\nFacebook\nTwitter\nWhatsApp\nPinterest\nLinkedIn\nReddit\nTumblr\nTelegram\nEmail\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nMalaysia Asia\nBlogging since 2007, but writing online since 1997. I belong to the 1st generation of worldwide bloggers, which is of course old-school. \n\nSince 2008, I created Malaysia Asia and this travel, flood, gadget and lifestyle blog has won numerous physical awards from tourism boards around Malaysia. (Not those online awards).\n\nAfter 12 years of blogging, I have semi-retired and now blog about things I like, do product reviews and enjoy life. My work has been featured in Lonely Planet, CNN Travel, Yahoo Travel, Wall Street Journal, and many other international publications. Find out more about me and thank you.\n\n\n\n\nYou might like\nView all\n\n\n\n\n\n\n"}
{"url": "http://blog.malaysia-asia.my/2020/11/nasi-daging-bakar-in-langkawi.html", "text": "\n\n\n\nHome\n\nNasi Daging Bakar in Langkawi\n\n\n\n\nbyMalaysia Asia\n-November 28, 2020\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nSince I started visiting Langkawi in 2019 and more frequently, I have also started to explore the local Malay food scene, which can be found all around the island.After trying numerous local Malay cooking styles, here is a review for the famous Nasi Daging Bakar in Langkawi, which is found at Padang Matsirat near the airport.Before I continue, Nasi Daging Bakar's direct translation is Burnt Beef Rice, but it is not burnt and more of a Grilled Beef Rice. Honestly, if you are not a beef eater, then just bypass this article.Nasi Daging Bakar in LangkawiThe Median Niaga\u00a0Padang Mat Sirat, photo from Google Earth.For me, this dish was something that I never expected to try as it was not on my food radar, but after coming to Langkawi for three times in 2019, I did manage to make some local friends here.One of them actually recommended that I try the Nasi Daging Bakar, which is well known among the locals.Finding this place was also a challenge as the directions I got were very local and straightforward with simple landmarks.Thanks to Waze and our rented car, we manage to locate the main area before narrowing it down to the Medan Niaga.What the Medan Niaga looks like on the inside.And we sort of arrived here at about 11.00 AM, trying to avoid the lunch crowd too. Cause you know how busy some of these places can be when it is peak lunch hour.After parking the car (for free), we casually strolled in to look for the stall that served the Nasi Daging Bakar and just, so you know, there is no huge banner with lights indicating this.The stall sells a lot of other dishes as well.Stall by stall we inspected until we encountered the hero of the day, which is co-shared with several other local Malay dishes like Nasi Kukus, Nasi Ayam and Bihun Sup.Without hesitation, I placed Nasi Daging Bakar's order with the gentleman operating the flat pan grill station.The grilled beef pieces prepared by the chefClose-up of the Daging Bakar being grilled.I just casually ordered a plate without any special requests, just the way others would order. Then my better half went for the next stall to order some Malay Nasi Campur (Mix Rice) as she does not take beef.My Nasi Daging Bakar was served within five minutes, and it sure looked fascinating considering how the presented it like a chicken rice platter.A small saucer with a kind of sambal accompanied the main dish and just, so you know, Malay sambal chilli, and I do not get along well, so I had to ask my better half to test it for me.She took a small spoon and said that it was not as spicy as it looked; hence, only I gathered the courage to try some with the Daging Bakar.\u00a0The impressive presentation of the\u00a0Nasi Daging BakarHow Did It Taste?My honest opinion is that it actually tasted good, considering that it has been forever since I had beef with rice. Since I turned 40 years old, I kind of stopped my red meats if you should know.The portion was quite generous, considering there was more beef than rice per spoonful. The soup was not a beef-based soup but the standard Nasi Ayam (Chicken Rice) soup.I actually liked how they balance the beef fat pieces with the lean meats in one portioning, therefore if you love beef fat, please let them know when you order.The beef fat and lean meat served together in one portion.There was no out-of-this-world taste but a more grilled beef with a slight burnt cooked taste, which is perfect for most people.If you love your meats cooked a special way, you should also inform them how you want them, for example, medium-rare or well done. To me, I just ate what was served.The rice was the typical yellow butter rice used for the Malay chicken rice or Nasi Ayam, so two of the components are actually borrowed from the Nasi Ayam.So, it came to my conclusion that you really need to love beef to eat this dish as it is a heavenly mixture of the beef fat and tender meat grilled and served with rice.The location of Nasi Daging Bakar at Padang Matsirat near the airport.Where is Nasi Daging Bakar in Langkawi?There are apparently a few nasi dating bakar found around Langkawi, and the one I visited is located at Padang Matsirat near the Langkawi Airport.From Langkawi Airport, it is only a four-minute drive there, or you can always take a ride-hailing service to and from.When you get inside Padang Matsirat, you need to keep driving along Jalan Lapangn Terbang (114) until you see the Medan Niaga Padang Mat Sirat on your left.It is an old-school type food court round and with stalls around it and tables in the centre. Once you locate this food court, just turn in before or after an there is parking available.When I'm in Langkawi, I will stay at the Tanjung Rhu Resort as my main work revolves around this part of the island.Because of the resort's privacy and peacefulness, I just rent a car to move around the island and avoid highly popular areas like Pantai Cenang or Kuah.Wide-angle shot of the Nasi Daging Bakar at Padang Matsirat.ConclusionIf you are up for more local food around the island, check out my review on the most\u00a0famous Nasi Campur Kak Yan Restoran\u00a0in Langkawi.Well, I used to be a huge beef eater in my younger days, and when I was provided with this opportunity to have grilled beef with rice, it was like good old memories coming back to me.Honestly, you have nothing to lose if you are in Langkawi as this is one local Malay dish that would surely make you remember your trip here.Next time you visit here, take some time to go and try the\u00a0Nasi Daging Bakar in Langkawi near the airport. One thing I did was I went to the airport two hours earlier, so I could try this.\n\n\n\n\n\nFacebook\nTwitter\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nShare:Nasi Daging Bakar in Langkawi\n\n\nFacebook\nTwitter\nWhatsApp\nPinterest\nLinkedIn\nReddit\nTumblr\nTelegram\nEmail\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nMalaysia Asia\nBlogging since 2007, but writing online since 1997. I belong to the 1st generation of worldwide bloggers, which is of course old-school. \n\nSince 2008, I created Malaysia Asia and this travel, flood, gadget and lifestyle blog has won numerous physical awards from tourism boards around Malaysia. (Not those online awards).\n\nAfter 12 years of blogging, I have semi-retired and now blog about things I like, do product reviews and enjoy life. My work has been featured in Lonely Planet, CNN Travel, Yahoo Travel, Wall Street Journal, and many other international publications. Find out more about me and thank you.\n\n\n\n\nYou might like\nView all\n\n\n\n\n\n\n"}
{"url": "http://blog.malaysia-asia.my/2021/12/melaka-photo-walk-with-galaxy-z-flip3.html", "text": "\n\n\n\nHomeGalaxy Z Flip\n\nMelaka Photo Walk with Galaxy Z Flip3\n\n\n\n\nbyMalaysia Asia\n-December 26, 2021\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nIn October of 2021, I did a quick\u00a0Melaka Photo Walk with my Galaxy Z Flip3, only around the main Jonker area.Usually, I would try my best to avoid this part of Melaka due to the large crowds; since it was in mid-October and the government had just opened up interstate travel, few people were around.Melaka Photo Walk with Galaxy Z Flip3One of the beautiful shophouses around Jonker Walk in Melaka.So, armed with my Galaxy Z Flip3, I took an afternoon walk around the central part of Jonker Street to photograph some of the colourful buildings and scenes around here.This is part of my Malaysia Photo Walk Project, where I will do various smartphone photowalks around Malaysia to introduce causal street photography using today's smartphones.Below are random photos taken with my Galaxy Z Flip3 around Jonker Walk;Orangutan House at Jonker Street.Quirky toys are being sold along Jonker Walk in Melaka.Colourful murals are painted on the side of shophouses.Peranakan Place Cafe in Melaka.One of the old shops selling traditional clogs.An exciting temple facade.Melaka Photo Walk DetailsThis special smartphone photo walk in Melaka will be introduced in 2022 and conducted by me - David Hogan Jr. It will be a morning session starting around 8.00 AM and finishing around 12.00 Noon.There is no fee, but you must travel the day before and spend a night in Melaka. Or you can leave K.L at 5.30AM to reach Melaka city by 7.30AM and be back in K.L after lunch.Anyone interested in joining the Melaka Photo Walk and getting more info can contact me here or through my Malaysia Asia Facebook profile.I will organise this photo walk for those genuinely interested in exploring their smartphone photography, but you can still bring your mirrorless and DSLR cameras if you like.Update Jan 2023: I stopped the Melaka Photowalk in 2023 due to my hectic work schedules in Borneo and Southeast Asia, plus my birdwatching activities are also growing.ConclusionMelaka is also a UNESCO City and home to some unique structures like the Christ Church,\u00a0built in 1753 and painted copperish red.For art lovers, there are numerous works of street art and murals, galleries and even graffiti, while Melaka is also known to be one of the places to see Street Art in Malaysia.The photos above were taken with my Galaxy Z Flip3 and minimally edited for cropping, contrast, and saturation. I do not depend on software like Lightroom to enhance or change the colours and overall feel.Samsung's artificial intelligence (A.I.) is advanced, as it can detect the scene to compensate for the overall look and field of the image.Anyway, the objective of my Melaka photo walk with Galaxy Z Flip3 was to test out the capabilities of the flip phone camera. To my surprise, it turned out exceptionally well.\n\n\nTags\nGalaxy Z Flip\nGalaxy Z Flip3 5G Review\nJonker Street Photo Walk\nMalaysia\nMalaysia Photowalk\nMelaka\nMelaka Photo Walk\nPhotography\nPhotowalk\nSamsung Malaysia\nSmartphone Photowalk\n\n\n\n\n\nFacebook\nTwitter\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nShare:Melaka Photo Walk with Galaxy Z Flip3\n\n\nFacebook\nTwitter\nWhatsApp\nPinterest\nLinkedIn\nReddit\nTumblr\nTelegram\nEmail\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nMalaysia Asia\nBlogging since 2007, but writing online since 1997. I belong to the 1st generation of worldwide bloggers, which is of course old-school. \n\nSince 2008, I created Malaysia Asia and this travel, flood, gadget and lifestyle blog has won numerous physical awards from tourism boards around Malaysia. (Not those online awards).\n\nAfter 12 years of blogging, I have semi-retired and now blog about things I like, do product reviews and enjoy life. My work has been featured in Lonely Planet, CNN Travel, Yahoo Travel, Wall Street Journal, and many other international publications. Find out more about me and thank you.\n\n\n\n\nYou might like\nView all\n\n\n\n\n\n\n"}
{"url": "http://blog.malaysia-asia.my/2022/03/sunway-serene-photography-contest.html", "text": "\n\n\n\nHomeMalaysia\n\nSunway Serene Photography Contest\n\n\n\n\nbyMalaysia Asia\n-March 30, 2022\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nFor all photography enthusiasts, Sunway Group in Malaysia is organising a Sunway Serene photography contest that will last for two months.This photography contest is titled 'My Serene Moments' and focuses on the natural element and is based on the actual location of Sunway Serene in Petaling Jaya.Sunway Serene Photography ContestI will get straight to the point and highlight the photography contest, how to participate, and the prizes.The contest allows participants to capture their best shots depicting community moments where you and nature come together at Sunway Serene.Sunway Serene is a fresh new living experience in the heart of Petaling Jaya; enjoy high-rise living and be comforted by refreshing views of a serene lakefront and breathtaking golf course views.The cash prizes.Prizes for the Sunway Serene Photography Contest1st Prize: RM2500 x12nd Prize: RM1500 x13rd Prize: RM1000 x1Merit prizes worth RM250 x10Consolation prizes worth RM125 x 20Sunway Serene Photography Contest PeriodThe photography contest will last two months, starting on 25 March 2022 and ending on 25 May 2022.Sunway Serene Photography Contest Submission Closing DateAll photos must be submitted by 25 May 2022 (Wednesday)Participation rules.How to Join the Sunway Serene Photography ContestThose interested in participating should visit the official Sunway Serene Photography Contest website. There, you can find all the details, the terms and conditions, etc.ConclusionSunway Serene Sdn Bhd organised the Sunway Serene Photography Contest and co-organised by Persatuan Fotografi Selangor dan Kuala Lumpur (PFSKL').Again, this contest is open to all individuals who reside in Malaysia, and please visit the official website to learn more about this photography contest in Malaysia.\n\n\nTags\nMalaysia\nMalaysia Photo Contest\nMalaysia Photography Contest\nPhoto Contest\nPhotography\nPhotography Contest\nSelangor\n\n\n\n\n\nFacebook\nTwitter\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nShare:Sunway Serene Photography Contest\n\n\nFacebook\nTwitter\nWhatsApp\nPinterest\nLinkedIn\nReddit\nTumblr\nTelegram\nEmail\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nMalaysia Asia\nBlogging since 2007, but writing online since 1997. I belong to the 1st generation of worldwide bloggers, which is of course old-school. \n\nSince 2008, I created Malaysia Asia and this travel, flood, gadget and lifestyle blog has won numerous physical awards from tourism boards around Malaysia. (Not those online awards).\n\nAfter 12 years of blogging, I have semi-retired and now blog about things I like, do product reviews and enjoy life. My work has been featured in Lonely Planet, CNN Travel, Yahoo Travel, Wall Street Journal, and many other international publications. Find out more about me and thank you.\n\n\n\n\nYou might like\nView all\n\n\n\n\n\n\n"}
{"url": "http://blog.malaysia-asia.my/2021/03/genting-skyworlds-theme-park-all-you.html", "text": "\n\n\n\nHomeGenting\n\nGenting SkyWorlds Theme Park - All You Need To Know\n\n\n\n\nbyMalaysia Asia\n-March 05, 2021\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nAfter a long eight-year wait, the all-new Genting SkyWorlds Theme Park is set to finally open its doors to the public somewhere in Q2 or Q3 in 2021.Theme park fans should be pretty excited as it has been a roller coaster ride for Resorts World since the news broke many years ago that the first 20th Century Fox World Theme Park was to open here in Malaysia.The deal with 20th Century Fox fell apart several years ago, and Resorts World proceeded to finish the renovations to the new theme park and call it Genting SkyWorlds.Genting SkyWorlds Theme ParkNot all is lost as much of the 20th Century Fox attractions and rides will still be featured at Genting SkyWorlds Theme Park as this was agreed upon by the two parties.Resorts World Genting or RWG has also maintained that even with the current Covid19 pandemic that has crippled tourism, they intend to proceed with the grand opening this year.What the new Genting theme park looks like currently.Overall, RWG had invested over US$800 million (RM3.2 billion) into the theme park since the beginning, when it was initially known as the 20th Century Fox World theme park.According to RWG\u2019s head of theme parks, Gregory Pearn said the park will also include rides that will be the first of its kind in the world and that details on these attractions will be unveiled closer to the official opening date.One of the things to look out for is express queuing as\u00a0Genting SkyWorlds has partnered with Alibaba to utilise virtual queue technology so guests can pre-book their spot on rides and attractions.For now, the opening of the new Genting theme park will\u00a0focus mainly on the local market for at least six months to one year before targeting foreign visitors.Once the Movement Control Order, the MCO, CMCO or RMCO, is lifted and interstate travel is allowed, promotions will heavily focus on local markets.And once the Malaysian government reopens the borders for tourism, the theme park is expected\u00a0to have visitors from neighbouring countries such as Singapore, Vietnam, Hong Kong and China.Genting SkyWorlds will also incorporate 20th Century Fox\u2019s brands and intellectual properties through a strategic collaboration between Genting Malaysia and 20th Century Fox.If you did not know what happened, you could read this article on why Genting and 20th Century Fox World cancelled their agreement.Genting SkyWorlds Attractions and AreasA quick overview of the new Genting SkyWorlds theme park.As you will know, there is an outdoor and indoor area for the massive theme park, and in total, the total area will boast a whopping 26 acres of space.There will also be 26 rides and attractions, ranging from thrilling roller coasters to exciting water rides.Rides and Attractions at Genting SkyWorlds Theme ParkGenting SkyWorlds will offer nine movie and adventure-inspired worlds, which are;Eagle MountainCentral ParkLiberty LaneRobots Rivet TownAndromeda BaseIce AgeStudio PlazaEpicRioBecause of the previous collaboration with 20th Century Fox World, Genting SkyWorlds will feature rides and attractions around films and franchises from 20th Century Studios. These incredible rides include Ice Age, Night at the Museum, and Planet of the Apes.\u00a0How Big is Genting SkyWorlds Theme Park?In total, the entire theme park\u00a0will span over 10.5 hectares (26 Acres) that feature 26 rides and attractions, making this one of the largest ever theme parks in Southeast Asia.Genting SkyWorlds will also be an outdoor park with attractions and rides all located around the resort vicinity and will be hard to miss if you are taking the cable car here.When is Genting SkyWorlds Theme Park Opening?From recent press releases, the new Genting theme park is set to open by the second quarter of 2021. Well, that is the target set bt there has not been an exact date set.Due to the Covid19 pandemic, I would be too sure if they actually open by June, but I expect some delays in the official opening as it could stretch to Q3 or even Q4.The photo shows what it looked like on my last visit in late 2018.How Much Are the Tickets to Genting SkyWorlds Theme Park?At the moment, there have not been any official announcements about ticket prices for the new theme park.\u00a0It was stated in a recent media release that Genting SkyWorlds will reveal more about its star attractions and other details, such as ticket prices, in the coming months of 2021.Where is Genting SkyWorlds?The new Genting Theme Park is located at Genting Highlands in the state of Pahang, Malaysia. It is also about an hours drive from the capital city of Kuala Lumpur.Genting SkyWorlds is located at approximately 1865 metres (6118 feet) above sea level and is the highest theme park and resort in Southeast Asia.How to go to Genting SkyWorlds?\u00a0There are several ways that visitors can use to get to Resorts World Genting and the most popular being self-driving or riding up the highlands.Various bus services from all over the country head to Genting, and you can check with the famous bus terminals in your city.From Kuala Lumpur, there are also taxi services or ride-hailing options for this. I would instead recommend you take a bus to the Awana Skyway cable car station.And one last option is by renting a car and self-driving up to the main resort or to the cable car station, where you can then take the Awana Skyway cable car for a scenic journey.The official Genting SkyWorlds theme park logo.ConclusionFor anyone eagerly waiting for the new Genting theme park to open, your wait is almost over as they will be opening somewhere in 2021.I have been a long-time fan of theme parks ever since experiencing Genting Highlands in the 1980s and Six Flags and Disneyland in California in the 1990s.In my years of exploring the planet, I have visited all the Disneylands in the world except for the new Shanghai Disneyland. This alone tells you how huge a fan I am.Finally, I hope that this article on all you need to know about the Genting SkyWorlds theme park gives you a better understanding of what to expect.\n\n\nTags\nGenting\nGenting Highlands\nGenting New Theme Park\nMalaysia\nMalaysia Theme Parks\nNew Theme Parks\nPahang\n\n\n\n\n\nFacebook\nTwitter\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nShare:Genting SkyWorlds Theme Park - All You Need To Know\n\n\nFacebook\nTwitter\nWhatsApp\nPinterest\nLinkedIn\nReddit\nTumblr\nTelegram\nEmail\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nMalaysia Asia\nBlogging since 2007, but writing online since 1997. I belong to the 1st generation of worldwide bloggers, which is of course old-school. \n\nSince 2008, I created Malaysia Asia and this travel, flood, gadget and lifestyle blog has won numerous physical awards from tourism boards around Malaysia. (Not those online awards).\n\nAfter 12 years of blogging, I have semi-retired and now blog about things I like, do product reviews and enjoy life. My work has been featured in Lonely Planet, CNN Travel, Yahoo Travel, Wall Street Journal, and many other international publications. Find out more about me and thank you.\n\n\n\n\nYou might like\nView all\n\n\n\n\n\n\n"}
{"url": "http://blog.malaysia-asia.my/2023/04/rainforest-world-music-festival-2022.html", "text": "\n\n\n\nHomeKuching\n\nRainforest World Music Festival 2022 Review\n\n\n\n\nbyMalaysia Asia\n-April 12, 2023\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nAfter attending several Rainforest World Music Festivals, this world-class event was cancelled for 2020 and 2021 due to the Covid-19 pandemic. It was brought back in 2022 for its 25th anniversary.And attending the RWMF2022 was such a joy as it brought the people out, and festivalgoers went all out to have the time of their lives since the lockdowns.Rainforest World Music Festival 2022 ReviewArriving in Kuching several days earlier, I took the opportunity to explore this laid-back city, seeking to indulge in some of my old favourite food joints.The magnificent Darul Hana Bridge in Kuching should be visited if you stay in the city.And, of course, also to discover new ones introduced by local friends here. And that was quite an eye-opener for me as it's been two and a half years since I last visited here.The first thing on my mind was the famous Sarawak Kolo Mee, found all over the city. And not forgetting, Kuching is also home to some fantastic Foochow food like the Kompia.A nice bowl of Kolo Mee in Kuching. (Not Halal)Traditional Foochow Kompia, also Not Halal.After trying out various local noodles and ethnic foods, the next stop was checking in at the Damai Beach Resort, just opposite the Sarawak Cultural Village, also known as Kampung Budaya Sarawak.The journey takes about 70-80 minutes one way through a picturesque drive through the many peat swamps and local villages (kampungs) towards Damai Beach in Santubong.As I checked in just after lunch on the first day of the Rainforest World Music Festival 2022 (RWMF2022), I quickly went to the festival grounds to see if any distinguished changes had occurred.With luck, nothing has changed since the last RWMF 2019, as the Sarawak Cultural Village (SCV) still looks as beautiful as ever, remaining the main venue for this world-class event.The main stage area is still at the exact location; the only difference is that the Tree Stage or the second smaller stage was not there.It was a hybrid event, the first time this was done in the history of 25 years, where people worldwide can buy online viewing blocks to catch the festival from the comfort of their homes.This was mainly created because many needed help to travel or were reluctant. This allowed the organisers to contact them via an online viewing experience.The Damai Beach Resort hill view units.Arriving on the 1st day at RWMF 2022, the locals pleasantly greeted me.A group of Sarawakian Sape performers before going on stage.The hybrid format also saw an in-between interval pre-recording of various musicians worldwide performing a song. About two to three different musicians were being shown back to back.For some strange reason, this did not work well with the crowd as many found it to be a downer, namely after a live performance show. Hopefully, the organisers will do away with this concept for RWMF 2023.There were musicians from 20 countries performing live with several Malaysians, namely from Sarawak, Sabah and Peninsular Malaysia, played throughout the three-day festival.The massive crowd during\u00a0RWMF 2022.Mathew Ngau entertains the crowd from an off-stage area.Alena Murang performs one of her best shows at RWMF.The crowd's favourite was no other than Sarawakian local band At Adau.Jerry Kamit impresses at the\u00a0RWMF 2022.Massive crowds were seen on all three days during the festival.As always, there would be a crowd favourite, and this time around, it was no other than the local Sarawakian band At Adau, who played an incredible show.Alena Murang, the Sape Queen, was equally impressive as she graced the festival with her fantastic performance.On a personal note, she would have been better if she had performed at the indoor theatre due to her beautiful vocals and soothing music.The man himself - Randy Raine-Reusch, performing on stage at RWMF 2022.The highlight was something I did not expect, and it was one performance where Randy Raine-Reusch, the guy that created the Rainforest World Music Festival, performed on stage.\u00a0This was totally out of this world, as the creator of the RWMF was right there on stage! Wow, this was a rush for me and many others as it brought back memories of the early days.The crowd was a surprise as it was almost a full house on the festival's second day, with over 5000 people showing up. Around 12,000 people attended the three days of the festival, which was very impressive.This surprised the organisers as the number of people showing up was lower than expected. But in all, it was a fantastic turnout, despite borders opening up and Malaysia going towards the endemic stage for Covid19.RWMF 2023Date: 23, 24 & 25 JuneTime: 9.00 AM to midnightVenue: Sarawak Cultural Village, SantubongTickets: RWMF WebsiteJust to add on, the RWMF 2020 was postponed due to the Covid-19 pandemic that crippled travel worldwide, shutting events and even locking down people.One of the Orang Ulu dancers performs a traditional dance.A visitor taking a quick social media video of Jerry Kamik performing.Outside the festival, beautiful Sarawakian sunsets are almost guaranteed at Damai Beach.ConclusionIf you want to find out what happened the year before, it was an online experience called Rainforest World Music Festival 2021 - Virtual Event.I hope my\u00a0Rainforest World Music Festival 2022 review has been enlightening and that you will plan to attend this year's festival, which takes place in June.The\u00a0Rainforest World Music Festival 2023 promises to be bigger and better than last year, and we look forward to any exciting surprises this year. See you there!\n\n\nTags\nKuching\nMalaysia\nMusic Festivals\nRainforest World Music Festival\nRainforest World Music Festival 2023\nRWMF\nRWMF 2022\nSarawak\nSarawak Tourism\nSarawak Tourism News\n\n\n\n\n\nFacebook\nTwitter\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nShare:Rainforest World Music Festival 2022 Review\n\n\nFacebook\nTwitter\nWhatsApp\nPinterest\nLinkedIn\nReddit\nTumblr\nTelegram\nEmail\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nMalaysia Asia\nBlogging since 2007, but writing online since 1997. I belong to the 1st generation of worldwide bloggers, which is of course old-school. \n\nSince 2008, I created Malaysia Asia and this travel, flood, gadget and lifestyle blog has won numerous physical awards from tourism boards around Malaysia. (Not those online awards).\n\nAfter 12 years of blogging, I have semi-retired and now blog about things I like, do product reviews and enjoy life. My work has been featured in Lonely Planet, CNN Travel, Yahoo Travel, Wall Street Journal, and many other international publications. Find out more about me and thank you.\n\n\n\n\nYou might like\nView all\n\n\n\n\n\n\n"}
{"url": "http://blog.malaysia-asia.my/2021/04/samsung-galaxy-a32-5g-review-at-kl-bird.html", "text": "\n\n\n\nHomeGalaxy A32 5G\n\nSamsung Galaxy A32 5G Review at KL Bird Park\n\n\n\n\nbyMalaysia Asia\n-April 16, 2021\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\u00a0I have always done reviews of the Samsung S series phones, and this time around, I am doing a special mid-range\u00a0Samsung Galaxy A32 5G review at KL Bird Park for those who want to know more about this new 5G phone.You should also know that Samsung releases high-specification smartphones early before releasing the mid-range and other models before the second half of the year.Please also note that all the photos you see in this article were taken with the Samsung Galaxy A32 5G smartphone. And I choose to visit the KL Bird Park due to the vibrant colours of the birds for my photography.Samsung Galaxy A32 5G Review at KL Bird ParkThe main entrance area of the KL Bird Park.If you wonder why I am reviewing this particular model, there is a huge market for mid-range phones, and it is often overlooked by personal reviewers.\u00a0I also came out with an article titled 5 reasons to buy a Galaxy A32 5G for those contemplating this, as it provides you with some excellent reasons.Anyway, after using this smartphone for a few weeks, I can say that it is time I came out with my own honest and personal review of the Galaxy A32 5G at the KL Bird Park.Photos Taken with the Galaxy A32 5G Smartphone at KL Bird ParkBelow are a series of photos that I took when I visited the KL Bird Park, and they are not edited with enhancements, only to resize the photos and put in my watermark.Again, the resolution here is quite low just to show you how they turned out.The first section as you enter the KL Bird Park.Parrots in live colour.\u00a0Water feature at the bird park.A beautiful Black Hornbill was photographed in the Hornbill enclosure.A beautiful Victorian Crowned Pigeon that roams freely here.A wooden bridge with storks at the water birds section of the park.A colourful juvenile parrot.A stunning red parrot poses for a photo.A close-up photo of a Silver ChickenA couple of owls taking a nap in the morning.The main activity list at the bird park for 2021.The main photo area of the KL Bird Park is where visitors can take pictures with birds.A32 UsageThe A32 5G is very user friendly, just like most phones are nowadays. The functions are more or less similar to many other models, especially on the main screen.There is one thing that currently bothers me: the touchscreen delay when I am using the smartphone. I assume it could be something to do with the operating system, and maybe I need to reinstall that.Battery life is great considering that they have a 5000 mAh battery capacity which is a tad more than previous models. Overall, with general usage, the battery lasted me a full day without dying on me.But this varies among users, especially those who use a lot of social media or YouTube as it would last you half a day.For some active users who have multiple active chat groups, playing games or watching movies for several hours continuously, then the A32 5G battery will not be enough for you.The 4GB Ram onboard the A32 5G is quite important nowadays because most applications require a lot of Ram for smooth usage.Therefore if you are still using the 1GB or 2GB phones, you would experience a lot of lag when using the phone.A32 SizeAs it is quite a standard size compared to most smartphones, the\u00a016.4 x 7.6 x 0.9 cm is fairly common these days and will sit comfortably in a normal person hand.If you are small-sized with small palms, then the A32 5G will be a little too big for you. Also, for kids under 10, it could be a little too small.The weight is also quite acceptable at 205 grams, making it less heavy than much older models.The Galaxy A32 and A32 5G specifications.A32 5G CameraAgain, all these mega-pixels or MP as they are called can be quite confusing nowadays, so the only thing you need to know is that all new models have some of the best camera systems in them nowadays.For those who know a little, the A32 5G comes with a\u00a048MP + 8MP + 5MP + 2MP camera lens system as the main back camera and a 13MP front camera selfies.But just so you know, the A32 4G unit comes with a much higher MP for both front and back cameras with 64MP as the main for the back and 20MP for the front.A32 GamingYou should know that the Galaxy A32 5G comes with a\u00a0MediaTek MT6853 Dimensity 720 5G processor for those who love to play online games on their smartphone.This processor supports a fast gaming experience with a dedicated GPU (graphic processor unit) so, gamers can also enjoy this 5G smartphone.OverallThe phone is very user-friendly, light, up-to-date and budget-friendly for just about anyone who wants to explore an updated phone for 2021.But you will really need a good casing because it can and will crack or break if you drop it. Hence, they always recommend you get smartphone insurance under the Samsung Care+ campaign.This is definitely a smartphone to consider for casual users, especially when it is 5G ready in Malaysia. Unless you have a larger budget, you can consider the Galaxy S series or even the Galaxy Fold 2.What I did not like was quite minimal, mainly the zoom mode from normal to ultra-wide. It does not allow me to smoothly select different focal lengths when I zoom out.Meaning, from normal mode to ultra-wide, it is just one move. There are no in-between areas; you can stop zooming to adjust for photos. Quite frustrating for photography if you ask me.The other is the heating issue at the lens area when you continuously take photos. From a photographer's perspective, this is quite frustrating when the lens gets all heated up.The A32 5G is not meant for a photographer and just for casual phone users. So, for me, this is something I would not recommend if you are into smartphone photography.If you are, there is a local smartphone photography group in Malaysia that you can join. I am also a moderator there and often share smartphone photos there too.Inside the Hornbill Restaurant.The exit area of the Hornbill Restaurant at the KL Bird Park.Where is the KL Bird Park?\u00a0It is located in the Perdana Botanical Gardens or KL Lake Gardens' core area known as Taman Burung Kuala Lumpur in Malay. This is probably one of KL's most popular tourist attractions too.It is only a 10-minute walk from Petaling Street or Chinatown, while from the Bukit Bintang area, you can catch the Hop-on Hop-off bus here.KL Bird Park920, Jalan Cenderawasih,Perdana Botanical Gardens,50480 Kuala Lumpur,Federal Territory of Kuala LumpurHours: 9.00 AM to 6.00 PMTel:\u00a0+60322721010Website:\u00a0https://www.klbirdpark.com/The 2021 ticket prices for KL Bird Park.About MeI am David Hogan Jr, a 13-year experienced travel blogger and social media enthusiast since the early days, and I have been reviewing smartphones in Malaysia for the last 10 years.My focus is mainly on local food, travel, nature and bird watching; hence I pay more attention to these genres.I am not an influencer like how the younger generation is active on Instagram and TikTok, but more of an SEO writer for search engines as the ROI is much more important in that area.Knowledge and accurate information are still very much looked for, especially from a reputable source; hence I continue to provide quality articles and write-ups through my platform.The location of KL Bird Park at the Lake Gardens in Kuala Lumpur.ConclusionYou cannot expect the high-end model features for the price you pay, but Samsung managed to include at least some of the S series's functions into this model.For your added information, I also wrote about a first impression of the Galaxy A32 5G in early April when the phone was launched in Malaysia. This included a mini unboxing of the unit when I received it.Other than that, it is a great basic and entry-level phone that comes 5G-ready, and for the price you pay, it is actually quite worth it.I hope you liked my honest\u00a0Samsung Galaxy A32 5G review at KL Bird Park and its feedback. If you have comments or questions, I would love to hear them.\n\n\nTags\nGalaxy A32 5G\nKL\nKL Bird Park\nMalaysia\nSamsung Galaxy\nSamsung Galaxy A32 5G\nSamsung Galaxy Reviews\nSamsung Malaysia\nSmartphone Review\nSmartphone Reviews\n\n\n\n\n\nFacebook\nTwitter\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nShare:Samsung Galaxy A32 5G Review at KL Bird Park\n\n\nFacebook\nTwitter\nWhatsApp\nPinterest\nLinkedIn\nReddit\nTumblr\nTelegram\nEmail\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nMalaysia Asia\nBlogging since 2007, but writing online since 1997. I belong to the 1st generation of worldwide bloggers, which is of course old-school. \n\nSince 2008, I created Malaysia Asia and this travel, flood, gadget and lifestyle blog has won numerous physical awards from tourism boards around Malaysia. (Not those online awards).\n\nAfter 12 years of blogging, I have semi-retired and now blog about things I like, do product reviews and enjoy life. My work has been featured in Lonely Planet, CNN Travel, Yahoo Travel, Wall Street Journal, and many other international publications. Find out more about me and thank you.\n\n\n\n\nYou might like\nView all\n\n\n\n\n\n\n"}
{"url": "http://blog.malaysia-asia.my/2021/01/galaxy-s21-ultra-5g-camera-review.html", "text": "\n\n\n\nHomeGalaxy S21 Ultra 5G\n\nGalaxy S21 Ultra 5G Camera Review\n\n\n\n\nbyMalaysia Asia\n-January 28, 2021\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nIt is now 2021, and of course, there is a new Samsung model to welcome in the new year, and I finally got my hands on this unite just yesterday.The Galaxy S21 smartphone will be shipped out for pre-orders this 29th January (Friday), and many customers are patiently awaiting their units.Well, while waiting, you can now read my quick camera review of the\u00a0Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G unit, which I just received on the 27th of January 2020.Remember, this is my own personal review and not one of those technical reviews that are often hard to understand in layman terms.Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G Camera Review MalaysiaWith so many advancements done to the 2021 Samsung Galaxy smartphone, it is no wonder many people are talking about the Galaxy S21 series, which comes in three different variants.For other information, please see the end of this review article as I will share what you may be wanting to know about the Galaxy S21.The Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G smartphone that I received.Back to the camera review. So far, it has been less than 24 hours since I got my hands on the smartphone, and I had to charge it last night to use it today.However, when I got the photo, it had around 25% battery life, which of course, I took the opportunity to test the phone when I went out yesterday evening to take away my dinner because of the MCO.So, I visited The Starling Mall in Damansara Utama and went to Jaya Grocers to get some essentials and, while there, I managed to take some photos using the Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G.Anyway, because of so many new additions made to the phone, I need to take my time to fully explore and understand the functions and then share them here in individual articles.The phone's most common usage will be no other than the camera, as everyone uses it for photos, social media, etc.S21 Ultra 5G Photos Taken at Jaya Grocer, The Starling MallI have to admit that the AI technology in the Samsung Galaxy S21 series is quite amazing and possibly the most superior among the other well-known brands.It is mentioned that the AI is five times more powerful than all the past devices, which is why I need to test the individual functions slowly.One of the features is the \"Best Shot\", where the camera\u2019s A.I. recommends your shot's framing and composition, and it takes less than a few seconds to appear on the screen.Ok, so below are random photos taken with the Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G smartphone.An Ultra-wide shot was taken inside the Jaya Grocer Supermarket.An ultra-wide shot that is cropped to fit.S21 Ultra normal mode photo.S21 Ultra 3x Zoom mode.A cropped wide-angle shot shows the various colours, which are AI-enhanced a little.A normal shot where the AI takes over to soften the colours.Where to Buy the Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G?\u00a0You can pre-order the S21 Ultra 5G directly from Samsung Malaysia or even sign up with the various Malaysian telco companies.Pre-ordering through Samsung Malaysia comes with additional bonuses and gifts, and some of them are quite interesting.How Much is the Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G?\u00a0Because there are three models, Samsung has made it affordable for all walks of life, starting from RM3699 to RM5899 for the S21 Ultra 5G.These are the general retail prices, but if you go through any local telco companies in Malaysia, each has a different offer with instalments.This may look boring, but it is actually a night mode photo taken with very low light.The above photo was taken with probably only 40% of light, and it turned out pretty amazing; therefore, I will be doing a special review just on the night more in my next article.The night mode AI is one of the game-changers in the Galaxy S21 series, which I heard so much about, and now I get to test this function. On my Galaxy S10 Plus, I have a night mode, but it is nowhere near this one.ConclusionFrom the first-hand testing, I find the camera system pretty amazing, especially the AI. The colours are either realistic or over-realistic in some shots, namely the low-light ones.There is still so much to test on this smartphone; I cannot do it all in one article; therefore, I will be doing them in stages as I test the modes in a more commercial method, just like how end-users will be using the phones.So, in the meantime, I hope you found this article helpful, and if you have any comments or feedback, please do share them in the comment form below.If you want to know about my smartphone camera reviews, I have done the Galaxy S20 Ultra camera review, the Galaxy Z Flip review, and\u00a0the Galaxy Fold review in Malaysia, among many other smartphones.Till my next\u00a0Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G review, be safe out there and let us hope that the Covid-19 pandemic gets better here in Malaysia and around the world.\n\n\nTags\nGalaxy S21 Ultra 5G\nSamsung\nSamsung Galaxy\nSamsung Galaxy S21\nSamsung Malaysia\nSmartphone\nSmartphone Review\nSmartphone Reviews\n\n\n\n\n\nFacebook\nTwitter\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nShare:Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G Camera Review\n\n\nFacebook\nTwitter\nWhatsApp\nPinterest\nLinkedIn\nReddit\nTumblr\nTelegram\nEmail\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nMalaysia Asia\nBlogging since 2007, but writing online since 1997. I belong to the 1st generation of worldwide bloggers, which is of course old-school. \n\nSince 2008, I created Malaysia Asia and this travel, flood, gadget and lifestyle blog has won numerous physical awards from tourism boards around Malaysia. (Not those online awards).\n\nAfter 12 years of blogging, I have semi-retired and now blog about things I like, do product reviews and enjoy life. My work has been featured in Lonely Planet, CNN Travel, Yahoo Travel, Wall Street Journal, and many other international publications. Find out more about me and thank you.\n\n\n\n\nYou might like\nView all\n\n\n\n\n\n\n"}
{"url": "http://blog.malaysia-asia.my/2023/02/imperial-riverbank-hotel-kuching-review.html", "text": "\n\n\n\nHomeKuching\n\nImperial Riverbank Hotel Kuching Review\n\n\n\n\nbyMalaysia Asia\n-February 05, 2023\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nHere is an\u00a0Imperial Riverbank Hotel Kuching review, where I have stayed several times on visiting cat city in Sarawak.This is one of my favourite hotels because of several factors, and I will list them below to share why I like to stay here.Imperial Riverbank Hotel Kuching ReviewThe hotel is straightforward, but the logistics of it make it easy for visitors to move around Kuching. Especially if you are the type that loves to walk around the city area.So, the\u00a0Imperial Riverbank Hotel in Kuching is strategically located in the middle of the city, providing easy access to both the older part of Kuching and the Padungan area of the town.Below are a series of photos taken in my standard room, which is sufficient for my stay. Please note I don't go overboard to oversell the hotel with tons of pictures and saying all good things only. I'm more realistic and straight to the point.Here's a wide-angle shot showing the entire room from where the TV is.I love sharing wide-angle shots to give the reader a whole experience of the room.The common area is where amenities and luggage area are.The bathroom is cleverly planned for guests and relatively modern.Basic amenities from the hotel room.The view from my room shows part of the Kuching Waterfront and the Riverside Shopping Mall.VerdictOverall, the simplicity of this hotel makes it an easy place to stay with no high expectations. It's very budget friendly with rates as low as RM100+ per night during non-peak.If you are not a fussy traveller, the\u00a0Imperial Riverbank Hotel is one of the recommended places to stay. It also caters to single, couples and family travellers and business travellers.Facilities are fundamental, but whenever I'm in Kuching, I skip the hotel breakfast and head over to Padungan to try the local Sarawakian hawker food, where you can find Halal and non-Halal options.Things to try are, of course, the Sarawak Laksa and Kolo Mee, which are undoubtedly a must for anyone visiting Kuching. But if you love fast food, there's a Mcdonald's just opposite the hotel.Just to AddAll the photos above are taken with my Samsung Galaxy S10 Plus, as I prefer to use the smartphone for my overall images. It's not like I'm going to enlarge the photos for print as for web use; is it sufficient.I am currently using the Galaxy S22 Ultra for my everyday photography since 2022. I still carry around my mirrorless FujiFilm, mainly for my bird photography in Sarawak.Location of\u00a0Imperial Riverbank Hotel in KuchingConclusionI hope you enjoyed my\u00a0Imperial Riverbank Hotel Kuching review and if you always wanted to know what this hotel looked like inside.Sometimes I will travel a few days earlier to attend the famous\u00a0Rainforest World Music Festival. I\u00a0usually stay here to explore Kuching city before moving to Santubong for the event.Overall, there are several hotels located around this area, and it all depends on what the guests want. Kuching is a fun city to explore n foot, so I like to stay here whenever I visit.\n\n\nTags\nKuching\nKuching Hotel Reviews\nKuching Hotels\nMalaysia\nMalaysia Hotel Review\nMalaysia Hotel Reviews\nSarawak\nSarawak Hotels\n\n\n\n\n\nFacebook\nTwitter\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nShare:Imperial Riverbank Hotel Kuching Review\n\n\nFacebook\nTwitter\nWhatsApp\nPinterest\nLinkedIn\nReddit\nTumblr\nTelegram\nEmail\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nMalaysia Asia\nBlogging since 2007, but writing online since 1997. I belong to the 1st generation of worldwide bloggers, which is of course old-school. \n\nSince 2008, I created Malaysia Asia and this travel, flood, gadget and lifestyle blog has won numerous physical awards from tourism boards around Malaysia. (Not those online awards).\n\nAfter 12 years of blogging, I have semi-retired and now blog about things I like, do product reviews and enjoy life. My work has been featured in Lonely Planet, CNN Travel, Yahoo Travel, Wall Street Journal, and many other international publications. Find out more about me and thank you.\n\n\n\n\nYou might like\nView all\n\n\n\n\n\n\n"}
{"url": "http://blog.malaysia-asia.my/2020/02/gili-lawa-darat-island-trekking.html", "text": "\n\n\n\nHomeHow To Get To Komodo Island\n\nGili Lawa Darat Island Trekking Adventure\n\n\n\n\nbyMalaysia Asia\n-December 08, 2020\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nThis is an article that I was supposed to post a while ago. Well, here is my personal experience of my Gili Lawa Darat Island trekking adventure in East Nusa Tenggara, Indonesia.\n\n\n\nFirst of all, where is Gili Lawa Darat Island? It is not near Gili Trawangan but is one of the smaller islands belonging to Komodo Island in Flores, East Nusa Tenggara.\n\n\n\nAlso, this island is called Pulau Gili Lawa Darat in local Indonesia. It is not as famous as Padar Island, one of the tourist magnets of Komodo National Park.\n\nTrekking Adventure at Gili Lawa Darat Island\n\n\nMost travellers would have heard of Komodo Island or the Komodo National Park, which is famed for the majestic Komodo Dragon; this is, in fact, one of the small islands that make up Komodo Island.\n\n\n\nThis island has a few other names: Gili Lawa Dara or Lawa Dara Island, but the most commonly searched name is still Gili Lawa Darat Island.\n\n\n\n\nTrekkers heading up to the viewpoint after sunrise.\n\n\n\nMost boat trips or tours from Labuan Bajo will take you to Rinca, Padar and Komodo Island, and some offer trips to Gili Lawa Island.\n\n\n\nThe fun part about this adventure is that the trekking up to the island starts around 3.30 AM. If you go after 4.00 AM, you will miss the sunrise.\u00a0\n\n\n\nLarger boats will dock just at the bay at Gili Lawa, and you need to hop on to a smaller boat to get to the start of your trek.\n\n\n\nBefore I continue, I want to inform you that there are actually two trails up to the viewpoint at Gili Lawa, and during my trip, I took the main trail, which is the fastest way up.\n\n\n\nThis photo was taken on the trek up to the peak at around 4.00 AM.\n\n\n\nFrom the hill's foot, we make our way up the rough trail of rocks and gravel. There are no stairs like Padar Island, and the trek up is medium to hard level.\u00a0\n\n\n\nAt 3.30 AM, you need to bring a torch or just use your smartphone torch, which is good enough. The trek up can be a little tricky, so one needs to be generally fit for hiking up the trail.\n\n\n\nThere are no handrails or steps; hence you need to be extra careful with your footing when trekking up. It tends to get steeper as you get higher, so be warned.\n\n\n\nTo trek up, Gili Lawa Island takes about 20 minutes for fit people, simply those who trek regularly and are very fit.\u00a0\n\n\n\nI belong to the casual trekkers, and it took me 30 to 40 minutes with multiple breaks in between. It does get exhausting at some point towards the peak.\n\n\n\nOnce at the peak, it will be pitch dark, and this is when you take your break by finding a spot to watch the sunrise. Me, I had totally run out of breath and needed to sit for a good 10 minutes.\u00a0\n\nPhotography at Gili Lawa Darat Island\n\n\n\nThe moment light breaks through at around 5.00 AM.\u00a0\nAfter catching my breath and finishing my water, I set up my tripod and DSLR for the sunrise. Of course, there were other photographers in my group, and we started exchanging camera setting info.\nBy 5.00 AM, the light had started to break in the east of the island, which was the moment everyone was waiting for.\n\n\n\nThe colours clash with the blue sky and someone standing at the other peak as the sun rises.\nI shot on both DSLR and my smartphone, for the record, an Oppo R9s. I now use a Samsung Galaxy S10 Plus.\nAs you can see from the photos, the DSLR is still superior in getting these low-light photos, and I shot away testing out different ISO and other settings.\n\n\n\nSun rising at the back of the horizon.\n\n\nOnce the sun had come up and everyone was satisfied with their photos, the focus shifted towards the opposite side, where you see the top of Komodo Island across the strait.\n\n\n\nThis is another photo opportunity for landscape photographers, especially with a wide-angle lens. Unfortunately, I did not have one, but my smartphone did.\n\n\n\nAt the peak, a small mound is a posing point for the general public, where people take turns standing and posing.\n\n\n\nTaking the back trail to go down Gili Lawa Island.\n\nTrekking Down Gili Lawa Island\n\n\nAfter spending about four hours up here, it was time to leave, and our group took the reverse way back down. This was a much safer and easier way down too.\u00a0\n\n\n\nThe alternate trails lead to the middle part of the island before looping one big round to the start point. Overall, the trek down took us another 30 to 40 minutes.\n\n\n\nThis back trail is much easier with less incline, and there are a few notable stops for more landscape photography or selfies.\u00a0\n\n\n\nAfter everyone was happy, we returned to our liveaboard boat, where our next destination was more scuba diving at Komodo Island.\u00a0\n\n\n\nTrekking up to the viewpoint can be difficult for beginners.\n\nImportant Tip for Trekking up Gili Lawa Island\n\nComing Here Early\n\n\nBecause of this place's popularity, I strongly recommend you start your trek around 3.30AM because you will miss the sunrise if you come late.\n\n\n\nIf you start early, you will probably see a few people trekking up who are live-on-board or live-aboard visitors who park their boats nearby overnight.\u00a0\n\n\n\nAt about 5.00 to 5.00 AM, many day-trippers from Labuan Bajo will come a little later, and they will crowd the peak area. Sometimes 20 to 30 people or even more.\u00a0\n\n\n\nHence if you want privacy, or a nice photo minus people, my tip is to make the live-on-board trips here.\n\n\n\nFor the record, there are two types of live-on-board boats. One is the scuba diving type, and the other is the general wooden or fibreglass boats that cater to hiking trips and island visits.\n\nTwo Trekking Paths Up and Down\n\n\nThe main trek up is the fastest way up, which takes around 30 minutes for those who are fit, but another back route is not as strenuous as the main trek.\u00a0\n\n\n\nTalk to your boatman or guide about the trekking options if you have difficulties in steep treks. This applies to anyone who seldom hikes, especially uphill.\u00a0\n\n\n\nSo if you know yourself, please do not try to be a hero and go for the main trek, as you will exhaust yourself for sure.\n\nWhat to Bring to Gili Lawa Island?\n\n\n\nManaged to photograph a group of people at the peak during sunrise.\n\n\nAs any trekker would be fully prepared, this part is based on my experience going up, so I will share what needs to be brought up.\u00a0\n\n\n\nAfter all, it is just a beautiful viewpoint with nothing up there. There are no toilets or anything, just an open-top viewpoint.\n\nThings to Bring to Gili Lawa;\n\n\nProper Trekking Shoes (a must because rocks can be slippery)\nDrinking Water (definitely a must, and bring a large bottle)\nSnacks (energy bars or bananas for those who need the energy)\nPoncho or Raincoat (you never know when it could rain)\nWindbreaker (for those who do not like cold)\nBackpack (To store all your items)\nTripod (photographers, this is paramount)\n\n\n\n\nThe liveaboard boat that I used to move around Komodo Island.\n\nWhat is the Best Way to Visit Gili Lawa Island?\nI think staying on a liveaboard or live-on-board (LOB) is probably the best way to visit Gili Lawa Island. Most LOB's that move around the Komodo National Park will have this as an optional trip.\nWhile you can arrange Labuan Bajo trips, you need to know that these trips start after midnight. The best option is to talk to the tour operators in Labuan Bajo if you are interested.\n\nWhere is Gili Lawa Island?\u00a0\n\n\n\nThe location of Gili Lawa Darat Island at Komodo National Park.\n\nGili Lawa Island is located in the Northeast of Komodo Island and is one of the smaller islands that make up the entire island.\n\nKomodo Island is located in the Komodo National Park, just outside Labuan Bajo in the West part of Flores, East Nusa Tenggara.\n\nHow to go to Gili Lawa Island?\n\n\nYou must fly into Labuan Bajo in Flores, East Nusa Tenggara, and take direct flights from Jakarta and Bali.\n\n\n\nIn most cases, anyone flying from Southeast Asia or worldwide will have to connect on a separate flight to Labuan Bajo.\n\n\n\nFrom Labuan Bajo, you can take a liveaboard or live-on-board package or a day trip to Gili Lawa Darat Island.\u00a0\n\n\n\nIf you only plan to have a 3D/2N trip to Komodo, this would be difficult as I would recommend spending at least 5D/4N in Komodo and Labuan Bajo.\n\n\n\nI have also written a comprehensive article about getting to Komodo Island\u00a0for any kind of traveller.\n\n\n\nOne of the nicer live-on-board boats at Komodo Island\u00a0\u00a0\n\n\nTypes of Liveabroad Packages to Gili Lawa\n\n\nThere are several different types of Live On Board or Liveaboard packages available from Labuan Bajo, and one needs to be careful in choosing one.\n\n\n\nYou may look at the cheaper packages for those on a serious budget, but you should note what you are getting and below is a rough breakdown of what is available.\n\nBudget Live On Board / Liveaboard Boats\n\nThese packages usually are small wooden or fibreglass boats that provide communal sleeping areas on the ships.\nIf you are a solo or couple traveller and book a budget package, they will usually slot you with other travellers to fill up one boat.\nThese budget boats are not fully equipped for safety and other facilities.\u00a0\nFrom what I was told, the experience is not good, and this kind of budget package usually targets local Indonesian travellers.\u00a0\nThese budget boats run on smaller noisy engines and take much longer to reach Komodo National Park destinations.\u00a0\nThey take slow casual cruises in the day and park overnight at islands where you trek up early morning.\n\n\nGeneral Liveaboard / Live On Board Boats\n\n\nThese are the much nicer LOB boats which can be wooden or fibreglass.\nThese cost much more but are very tourist-friendly with proper facilities.\u00a0\nIndividual rooms are available with washrooms, a dining, and a common area.\nThe crew is well-trained and prepared with safety equipment.\nMost of the time, scuba divers will opt for this category.\nThis category is highly recommended if you travel in a group or with family.\n\nLuxury Liveaboard / Live On Board Boats\n\n\nFor those wanting a luxurious experience, these are catered to high-end travellers.\u00a0\nBoats include catamarans and other types of luxurious boats.\nProper rooms with air conditioning and complete facilities, sometimes like hotels.\nHot water bathrooms, a proper chef with gourmet food, wine, and alcohol.\nHighly-trained guides and staff on board.\u00a0\n\n\n\nAt the end of the day, you get what you pay for; therefore, it is entirely up to you which type of experience you want.\n\nWhat else is there to do around Komodo Island?\u00a0\nWell, if you plan a 5-day trip here, many things must be done. First of all, you will be staying in the main town, and I have written an article on what to do in Labuan Bajo.\nVisiting Komodo National Park is the main reason you came here, to see the Komodo Dragons in their natural habitat.\nTrekking up one of the most famous peaks for the incredible view is Padar Island. I have also done an article and video of Padar Island\u00a0for anyone curious.\nTrust me, if you are coming all the way here, I would highly recommend spending a minimum of five days to a week here. This way, you can fully enjoy this part of East Nusa Tenggara.\n\nConclusion\n\n\n\nVisitors taking photos at the peak of the island\n\n\nIf you have always wanted to visit the Komodo Islands or the Komodo National Park and Labuan Bajo, I will go before it becomes the next Bali.\n\n\n\nThese islands are probably one of the up-and-coming destinations for nature, outdoor and even wildlife or bird watching.\n\n\n\nNothing beats going somewhere not as commercial as Bali and yet, getting to experience some of the best adventure treks to be rewarded with incredible views.\n\n\n\nAnyone planning to visit Komodo should also consider visiting Gili Lawa Darat Island for adventure trekking.\n\n\nTags\nHow To Get To Komodo Island\nIndonesia\nIndonesia Trekking\nKomodo Island\nKomodo National Park\nTrekking\nWonderful Indonesia\n\n\n\n\n\nFacebook\nTwitter\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nShare:Gili Lawa Darat Island Trekking Adventure\n\n\nFacebook\nTwitter\nWhatsApp\nPinterest\nLinkedIn\nReddit\nTumblr\nTelegram\nEmail\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nMalaysia Asia\nBlogging since 2007, but writing online since 1997. I belong to the 1st generation of worldwide bloggers, which is of course old-school. \n\nSince 2008, I created Malaysia Asia and this travel, flood, gadget and lifestyle blog has won numerous physical awards from tourism boards around Malaysia. (Not those online awards).\n\nAfter 12 years of blogging, I have semi-retired and now blog about things I like, do product reviews and enjoy life. My work has been featured in Lonely Planet, CNN Travel, Yahoo Travel, Wall Street Journal, and many other international publications. Find out more about me and thank you.\n\n\n\n\nYou might like\nView all\n\n\n\n\n\n\n"}
{"url": "http://blog.malaysia-asia.my/2023/03/thai-seafood-restaurant-in-bangkok.html", "text": "\n\n\n\nHomeBangkok\n\nThai Seafood Restaurant in Bangkok Experience\n\n\n\n\nbyMalaysia Asia\n-March 06, 2023\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nOver the years of visiting Thailand, I've always tried many different restaurants, and this time in 2023, I bring you my\u00a0Thai seafood restaurant in Bangkok experience at Savoey.Many of you may have been to Bangkok several times and heated at several places, and just like you, I have tried so many, only to be left hanging until I was recommended to this place.Thai Seafood Restaurant in Bangkok ExperienceThe entrance to Savoey Seafood Restaurant in Terminal 21 Shopping Mall.Usually, when I'm in Bangkok, I avoid restaurants because of the stigma of paying a high price to dine in. Therefore, I've always done the safe thing and eaten at more local places.But after more than 30 years of travelling to Bangkok, I was recommended to experience some authentic Thai seafood at a proper place called Savoey Restaurant.Again, the first thing on my mind was the price, as the outlet I visited was at level five of the Terminal 21 Shopping Mall in Bangkok central.So, shopping malls and restaurants equal high prices. But my friend had assured me that I would be in for a surprise, and yes, he was absolutely right.When I walked in, the Savoey seafood restaurant at Terminal 21 looked inviting, well-balanced, and tastefully renovated without trying too hard.The staff, as always, were welcoming, and everyone I passed greeted me with the standard Thai 'Wai'. I have to admit that I felt welcomed when walking to my table.Seafood at Savoey Restaurant Terminal 21The menu's first page shows their signature dishes, making ordering easy.The menu was already on the table and was a conventional restaurant menu with photos of the food and amazingly affordable prices. For a moment, I thought my eyes were playing tricks on me.I proceeded to order what was recommended by the waiter, who spoke decent English. And yes, the menu was also in English, which was a plus point.Asking more about the place, I was informed that the Savoey brand has been a Bangkok household name for over 40 years. Wow, that really is a long time.The first thing that caught my eye on the menu was the Seafood Tom Yum Goong, followed by the fresh mud crabs, deep-fried seabass, crab meat curry, vegetables and drinks.Looking around, I noticed more non-locals dining here, but there were still several local Thai people with foreign colleagues eating in too. So, it was not a pure tourist place - fantastic!The food took only a short time; within 15 minutes, dishes started appearing on my table, with the staff explaining each dish to me.Savoey's River Prawn Tom Yum Goong is a great starter.The massive Thai river prawns are used for their Pad Thai dish.Quick-fried Water Morning Glory with cut chilli, known to me as Kangkung.The won tons are made from deep-fried jumbo crab meat.The deep-fried seabass is served with mango salsa.My favourite - Stir-fried mud crab in yellow curry sauce.Stir-fried jumbo crab meat with chilli, Thai style.Honestly, the taste was so much better than I expected, all because the restaurant took passion in cooking the dishes, giving the consumer a truly authentic Thai seafood experience.Overall, the freshness of the food was terrific. More importantly, the authentic cooking style was amazing, giving me a whole new taste minus the overpowering spices like many other places.You should also know that there is no best Thai seafood out there, and everyone has their own taste preferences, but here at Savoey, I was treated to freshness at an affordable price combined with passion in the kitchen.Our ordered dishes gave us a complete Thai food experience in Bangkok.Well, I'm not going to explain each dish to say how it tasted or how good it was, as I would rather you be the judge when you visit any of the Savoey restaurants in Bangkok.My Thai Seafood restaurant experience in Bangkok opened my perception of getting ripped off because I'm a tourist. There's always something new to learn every day.So, if you are headed to Bangkok, I recommend trying any of the Savoey restaurants around the city, and you, too, would be in disbelief about the quality and prices of the food here.The Mango Sticky Rice Frappe is on the right.Drinks at Savoey Restaurant Terminal 21This has to be mentioned, all because I was dumbfounded when I tried that one unique and special Thai Mango Stick Rice Frappe.Oh my god, it was totally out of this world, and if you are a huge fan of Mango Sticky Rice, this is definitely something to consider.My detailed review doesn't do any justice; therefore, when you are in Bangkok, just head to any of the Savoey Restaurants and order this. No regrets!\u00a0Savoey RestaurantLevel 5, Terminal 21 Shopping Mall Asok,Soi Sukhumvit 19, Bangkok, ThailandHours: 10.00 AM to 10.00 PM DailyPhone: +66 64 017 0237Facebook: Savoey RestaurantLocation Map of Savoey Restaurant at Terminal 21 Shopping Mall.Savoey Seafood Restaurant is located on the fifth floor of Terminal 21 Shopping Mall in Bangkok.ConclusionI hardly do food reviews, but when I do, I make sure the experience is worthwhile for my readers, and this one is definitely a must-share. I also don't just post some text, put in photos and caption them all to get an article out.I prefer to always share personal experiences as any proper travel or food writer will do, hence a story-based article with as much information as possible. And to add, this restaurant is non-Halal.I never expected my\u00a0Thai seafood restaurant in Bangkok experience to be budget-friendly and exceptionally unique. On my next visit, I will surely return to try the many other dishes they offer.\n\n\nTags\nBangkok\nBangkok Seafood\nPlaces to Eat in Bangkok\nSavoey Restaurant\nThailand\nThailand Food\nTourism Thailand\n\n\n\n\n\nFacebook\nTwitter\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nShare:Thai Seafood Restaurant in Bangkok Experience\n\n\nFacebook\nTwitter\nWhatsApp\nPinterest\nLinkedIn\nReddit\nTumblr\nTelegram\nEmail\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nMalaysia Asia\nBlogging since 2007, but writing online since 1997. I belong to the 1st generation of worldwide bloggers, which is of course old-school. \n\nSince 2008, I created Malaysia Asia and this travel, flood, gadget and lifestyle blog has won numerous physical awards from tourism boards around Malaysia. (Not those online awards).\n\nAfter 12 years of blogging, I have semi-retired and now blog about things I like, do product reviews and enjoy life. My work has been featured in Lonely Planet, CNN Travel, Yahoo Travel, Wall Street Journal, and many other international publications. Find out more about me and thank you.\n\n\n\n\nYou might like\nView all\n\n\n\n\n\n\n"}
{"url": "http://blog.malaysia-asia.my/2020/07/best-staycation-in-sabah-from-bustling.html", "text": "\n\n\n\nHomeMalaysia\n\nBest Staycation In Sabah \u2013 From Bustling City Centre to an Island Retreat\n\n\n\n\nbyMalaysia Asia\n-July 15, 2020\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nNeed a break? Every once in a\nwhile we all need a break from our busy lives and what better than to go for a\nshort getaway!\nA weekend staycation would be a\ngreat way to explore the country, and one place that is exceptionally unique\nwith undeniably awesome Instagrammable photos is Sabah.\nMy Sabah holiday, Cuti-Cuti Ke\nSabah by Sutera Harbour Resort started immediately as the plane entered the Kota\nKinabalu skyline, peering through my window, the expanse of the 5-star Resort\nbeckoned for my arrival.View of the swimming pool at Sutera Harbour Resort.In a tropical setting just 5-minutes away from the vibrant business centre of Kota Kinabalu, Sutera Harbour\nResort is designed to meet astute guests' needs and is recognised as\none of the best resorts in the region.\nOnce I arrived, I was impressed\nby the safety and security measures set by the Resort. My Deluxe Garden View\nroom of The Magellan Sutera Resort was spacious, comfy and fitted with many\nmodern amenities.The deluxe king garden view room.I got to stay at this luxurious\nResort for 3 days, 2 nights, and the package offered free daily breakfast. This particular package is suitable for couples and families alike as it includes\nmany activities for both adults and children to enjoy.\nA highlight of the gateway was the\nawesome snorkelling experience to Sapi Island. I also managed to polish my\nputting skill with a free session at the Driving Range. It also offered 20% off\nFood & Beverage at Al Fresco.27-hole\nChampionship Golf Course at the Sutera Harbour Resort.As for the little guests,\nactivities such as Fish Feeding, Giant Bubble, Pottery Painting and many more\nare available throughout the day.\nWhile in the Resort, take\nadvantage of delicious dim-sum offering at Silk Garden, exquisite Italian cuisine at Ferdinand\u2019s and stunning view of the sunset as you dine at Horizons\nRestaurant.Horizons Restaurant at the resort with beautiful night ambience.Sunset view of the islands.\n\n\n\nSutera@Mantanani Island Resort & Spa at the\n  beautiful Mantanani Island.\n\n\n\nAfter that exciting vacation in\nthe city, complete your holiday with a romantic and tranquil island gateway\nwith WOW Mantanani at Sutera@Mantanani Island Resort & Spa.\nThis Resort is located on the\ngorgeous Mantanani Island, located in the quiet town of Kota Belud, 75km northeast\nof Kota Kinabalu.\nMy journey to Borneo\u2019s idyllic\nisland holiday started early in the morning as I drove to Rampayan Jetty.\nLeaving the bustling city, I was in awe with beautiful morning sceneries\nwith the sun shining brightly, promising a voyage to remember. You can either\ndrive on your own or ask the Hotel to arrange transportation for you.The stunning view of Mount Kinabalu from the resort jetty.Along the journey, especially\nalong the Tuaran stretch, the majestic Mount Kinabalu made her appearance,\ngreeting you affectionately as warm as Sabah\u2019s hospitality.\n1 hour into the journey, there\nwas a short layover for everyone to have a light breakfast and to shop for many\nfresh-from-the-orchard local fruits such as sweet corn, rambutan or whatever\nfruits that are in season.\nUpon arriving at Rampayan Jetty,\na short safety briefing was conducted, guaranteeing everyone to enjoy the\nexcursion with peace of mind.Incredible white sand beaches and crystal clear waters at Mantanani Island.Now, you may want to share your\nexperience right away on your FB or Instagram while on the boat. Don\u2019t worry; most providers' network coverage is excellent even when you are in the middle\nof the ocean.\nArriving on the island, as I set my\nfoot on the whitest of sand, I immediately felt the calm and romantic feel of\nthe island.My adventure began immediately\nwith snorkelling to a few favourite spots where guests can dive into the blue\nturquoise waters, filled with rich marine life. You may even catch everyone\u2019s\nfavourite fish, Nemo swimming happily between the corals.ATVs are a popular activity on the island.\nScrumptious lunch awaited as we got\nback from snorkelling before checking in into our luxurious chalets and deluxe\nrooms. Each room is fitted with amenities and attached bathrooms for everyone\u2019s\nconvenience.\nMaximise your island gateway by\ntaking advantage of the many island activities they have to offer. Explore the\nisland on an adrenaline-inducing ATV ride or take a walk along the beach or\nswim in the invigorating waters or have fun jumping on the big bouncing castle.The incredible crystal clear waters of Mantanani Island.\nYou may also take a kayak out for a spin\naround the island! With the crystal-clear water, you\u2019ll be able to see plenty\nof marine life below the surface. The calm waters make for ideal kayaking\nconditions, and no experience is required!\nThey also have many beach sports\nactivities such as beach soccer and beach volleyball. In the evening, we went to\nthe most romantic spot on the island, where you can see the bright orange, red\nand yellow pastels of the sensational evening light streaks across the horizon\nbefore dipping behind the ocean; allowing the moon to glow for that romantic\nending to your day.Lazing on the beach is one of the things to do at Mantanani Island.Those coming to the island\nfor a special occasion such as an anniversary or a proposal are more than\nhappy to help you an even memorable gateway for you. Just get in touch with their\npersonnel, and they will do the rest.\nDinner was a sizzling hot\nsteamboat consisting of Sabah fresh seafood, local vegetables, meat, chicken\nand many more.\nAnd after dinner, on a rare a magical night, you may witness one of the world\u2019s most spellbinding natural\nphenomena \u2013 the bioluminescence or Blue Plankton. These amazing visual effects\nthat border on the supernatural will definitely be one of the most surreal and\nmagical moments ever.The night is still young? Walk\nalong the beach at night, look up the skies and witness the magical Milky Way\nsplattered across the sky canvas.\nThe sound of the waves from the\nocean and the view of the majestic Mount Kinabalu greeted me in the morning as I\nwent for my breakfast. Make sure to take a lot of pictures before you leave the\nisland.ConclusionAnd as you bid adieu,\nSutera@Mantanani awaits your next visit.\nWant to experience these amazing\nholidays? Visit the Sutera Harbours Cuti-Cuti Ke Sabah deals and also the Sutera at Mantanani for their promotions.\n\n\nTags\nMalaysia\nMalaysia Resorts\nSabah\nSabah Resorts\n\n\n\n\n\nFacebook\nTwitter\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nShare:Best Staycation In Sabah \u2013 From Bustling City Centre to an Island Retreat\n\n\nFacebook\nTwitter\nWhatsApp\nPinterest\nLinkedIn\nReddit\nTumblr\nTelegram\nEmail\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nMalaysia Asia\nBlogging since 2007, but writing online since 1997. I belong to the 1st generation of worldwide bloggers, which is of course old-school. \n\nSince 2008, I created Malaysia Asia and this travel, flood, gadget and lifestyle blog has won numerous physical awards from tourism boards around Malaysia. (Not those online awards).\n\nAfter 12 years of blogging, I have semi-retired and now blog about things I like, do product reviews and enjoy life. My work has been featured in Lonely Planet, CNN Travel, Yahoo Travel, Wall Street Journal, and many other international publications. Find out more about me and thank you.\n\n\n\n\nYou might like\nView all\n\n\n\n\n\n\n"}
{"url": "http://blog.malaysia-asia.my/2023/01/langkawi-to-koh-lanta-ferry-service.html", "text": "\n\n\n\nHomeKoh Lanta\n\nLangkawi to Koh Lanta Ferry Service\n\n\n\n\nbyMalaysia Asia\n-January 26, 2023\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nThere is soon a new ferry service linking Kedah's resort island, Langkawi, and southern Thai's Krabi province, which will help to boost both countries' tourism.Currently, there is only a Langkawi to Koh Lipe ferry service that has been in operation for many years, and the departure point is from Telaga Harbour and now from Kuah Jetty.Langkawi to Koh Lanta Ferry ServiceLangkawi Development Authority (LADA) chief executive officer Nasaruddin Abdul Muttalib said the Langkawi-Koh Lanta ferry service is the latest initiative to boost tourism in both island destinations.This initiation was discussed during a working visit of Thailand's Tourism and Sports Minister, Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn, who led a delegation of 28 officials on 6 January.The Koh Lanta Marine Park is one of the places to visit.During the visit, the Tourism Thailand delegates visited several tourist attractions in Langkawi, namely the MAHA Tower, SkyCab, Mahsuri Tomb and Lang Square.\"They mooted the idea of initiating a Langkawi-Koh Lanta ferry service,\" Nasaruddin told reporters after an engagement session with Langkawi tourism players at his office in Kuah. Koh Lanta is a famous tourist island for domestic and international travellers in the Krabi province.Nasaruddin also said the ferry operator, Langkawi Ferry Line Ventures Sdn Bhd, has agreed to operate the new route. But there has yet to be a confirmation on when this service will launch.He added that strategic collaboration between Langkawi and Koh Lanta will be further enhanced through official discussions involving the Thai Ministry of Tourism and Sports, Tourism Malaysia and Lada.Malaysia and Thailand Immigration ProceduresMalaysia Immigration - The counter is inside Telaga Harbour Marina or Kuah Jetty, where you will receive your Malaysian exit and entry stamp before boarding the ferry.Thailand Immigration - When entering Thailand, there is a brief stop on Koh Lipe Island for Thailand Immigration purposes. After receiving your Thailand entry stamp, you continue the journey to Koh Lanta.*The above immigration procedures may change depending on the outcome of the agreement from both countries; therefore, it will be best to check when buying your ferry ticket to Koh Lanta or Langkawi.One of the ferries from Langkawi Ferry Line Ventures Sdn Bhd.In terms of tourism numbers, Langkawi has also received a total of 2.5 million visitors throughout the year 2022 and expects a rise to 3.2 million in 2023.\u00a0LADA targets 78 per cent of domestic tourists, and the rest are international tourists.Conclusion to\u00a0Langkawi to Koh Lanta Ferry ServiceI have been visiting Koh Lipe since 2007 and have seen the massive changes done because of tourism. Koh Lanta is still a lesser-developed destination and will suit those who prefer something quiet.Until this very day, getting to Koh Lipe is still done via boats as there is no airport or roads connecting this beautiful island in the southwest of Thailand.For those planning to visit this part of Southern Thailand, soon you will be able to take the\u00a0Langkawi to Koh Lanta ferry service.\n\n\nTags\nKoh Lanta\nLangkawi\nLangkawi Ferry\nLangkawi Island\nMalaysia\nThailand\nTourism Thailand\n\n\n\n\n\nFacebook\nTwitter\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nShare:Langkawi to Koh Lanta Ferry Service\n\n\nFacebook\nTwitter\nWhatsApp\nPinterest\nLinkedIn\nReddit\nTumblr\nTelegram\nEmail\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nMalaysia Asia\nBlogging since 2007, but writing online since 1997. I belong to the 1st generation of worldwide bloggers, which is of course old-school. \n\nSince 2008, I created Malaysia Asia and this travel, flood, gadget and lifestyle blog has won numerous physical awards from tourism boards around Malaysia. (Not those online awards).\n\nAfter 12 years of blogging, I have semi-retired and now blog about things I like, do product reviews and enjoy life. My work has been featured in Lonely Planet, CNN Travel, Yahoo Travel, Wall Street Journal, and many other international publications. Find out more about me and thank you.\n\n\n\n\nYou might like\nView all\n\n\n\n\n\n\n"}
{"url": "http://blog.malaysia-asia.my/2019/12/sibuti-wildlife-sanctuary.html", "text": "\n\n\n\nHomeMalaysia\n\nSibuti Wildlife Sanctuary\n\n\n\n\nbyMalaysia Asia\n-December 01, 2019\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nThere is a new wildlife rehabilitation centre\u00a0in Miri called the Sibuti Wildlife Sanctuary which is to be opened in the Sibuti area here in Northern Sarawak.\u00a0\n\n\n\nThe Sibuti Wildlife Sanctuary will house protected and endangered species of animals rescued in the northern and central parts of Sarawak.\u00a0\n\nSibuti Wildlife Sanctuary\n\n\n\nOne of the male orangutans seen at a wildlife centre in Sarawak\n\n\nJust so you know, the wildlife sanctuary has been around for years and only now it is in the planning to be renovated and to be a full-scale wildlife sanctuary that will open to visitors.\u00a0\n\n\n\nSibuti Wildlife Sanctuary is also under the management of Sarawak Forestry Corporation Northern Region, Miri Office.\u00a0\n\n\n\nThe\u00a0Sibuti Wildlife Sanctuary was approved under the 11th Malaysia Plan and has been allocated with total funding of RM2 Million.\u00a0\n\n\n\nOne of the core reasons for having this centre built in the northern part of Sarawak is the fact that any rescued animals from this part need to be sent to Matang, which is over 1,000 km away.\u00a0\n\n\n\nWhen this centre is built, it will take care of the north to the central region of Sarawak, meaning that any wild animals rescued will be sent to the\u00a0Sibuti Wildlife Sanctuary.\n\n\n\nAnother reason cited is that the Matang Wildlife Centre does not have enough space for rescued animals as the place has been around since 1996 and is currently crowded.\u00a0\n\nWildlife\u00a0Sanctuaries and\u00a0Rehabilitation Centers in Sarawak\n\n\n\nThe iconic welcome sign at the Matang Wildlife Centre\n\n\nCurrently, there are a few of these wildlife sanctuaries found throughout Sarawak, and most of them are catered to nature lovers, bird watchers or research purposes.\n\nBelow is the list of wildlife sanctuaries in Sarawak;\n\n\nSibuti Wildlife Sanctuary\u00a0- This soon-to-open sanctuary will be the third place in Sarawak, which will look after the rescued wildlife from the central and northern regions of Sarawak.\nSemenggoh Wildlife Centre - Catering to Orangutan rehabilitation and began operations in 1972. The place now serves as an orangutan conservation centre for environmental learning, research and also as a tourist attraction in Sarawak.\nMatang Wildlife Center - This wildlife centre has been in operation since 1996 and serves as a rehabilitation and rescue centre for wildlife in Sarawak. Orangutans are cared for here and then transferred to Semenggoh.\nSamunsan Wildlife Sanctuary in Lundu - This is the oldest wildlife sanctuary in Malaysia and it is located on the western tip of Sarawak. This sanctuary was gazetted in 1979 and covers an area of about 69 square kilometres. The Samunsan Wildlife Sanctuary objective was to protect the habitat of proboscis monkeys living in that area.\nLanajak-Entimau Wildlife Sanctuary in Sri Aman - This massive place covers an area of 168,758 hectares and 95% of the area is still covered in virgin rainforest. This sanctuary is home to the orangutan and the Bornean Gibbons, and it is adjacent to the Batang Ai National Park.\nPulau Tukong Ara-Banun Wildlife Sanctuary in Santubong - Covering an area of 1.4 hectares is the Pulau Tukong Ara-Banun Wildlife Sanctuary located 5 kilometres offshore of Santubong Bay, in Damai. The sanctuary was gazetted in 1985, and in 1989 was incorporated into the Talang-Satang National Park.\n\n\n\nEcotourism Plans for Wildlife Centers in Sarawak\n\n\nAt the moment, Semenggoh and Matang are open for visitors, and the forestry department has again insisted to remind the public that these places are not a zoo.\n\n\n\nWith the addition of the Sibuti Wildlife Sanctuary, this brings the number of sanctuaries and centres to three. And of course, there are plans for a fourth, but nothing has been discussed about that yet.\n\n\n\nDirections from Miri to Sibuti Wildlife Sanctuary in Bekenu\n\n\nHow to go to the Sibuti Wildlife Sanctuary?\u00a0\n\nFor now, only researchers can visit this place, but soon, there are plans for the sanctuary to welcome visitors. Until then, this article is just for your added knowledge.\n\nBut in any case, those who are heading here for research purposes, it takes around 45 minutes to drive from the Miri Airport. To be safe, I would put it as an hour's drive.\n\nIf you are coming in from out of Miri, there are numerous flights from Kuala Lumpur, Singapore and other larger cities around Malaysia. Flights from KL to Miri take around two hours and 20 minutes one way.\n\nSibuti Wildlife Sanctuary Contact\n\nFor any further information about this wildlife sanctuary, you can contact Sarawak Forestry\u00a0as they are the right people to help you with your questions.\n\nYou may also get in touch with the Sarawak Forest Department\u00a0for additional information.\n\n\n\nRhinoceros Hornbill conservation in Sarawak. Photo Wikipedia\n\n\nConclusion\nWith the great news of another wildlife centre and rehabilitation centre opening in Sarawak, this will hopefully provide more conservation efforts for the locals here.\nAs the centre is still yet to be opened to the public, the\u00a0Sibuti Wildlife Sanctuary has plans for visitors and once we get news about this, we will share it here.\nMeanwhile, if you are travelling to Sarawak, do make it a point to visit the other wildlife sanctuaries and also some of the best national parks in Sarawak.\n\n\nTags\nMalaysia\nMalaysia Wildlife Tourism\nMiri\nPlaces to Visit in Sarawak\nSarawak\nSarawak Tourism\nSibuti Wildlife Sanctuary\nThings to do in Sarawak\nWildlife Sanctuaries\n\n\n\n\n\nFacebook\nTwitter\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nShare:Sibuti Wildlife Sanctuary\n\n\nFacebook\nTwitter\nWhatsApp\nPinterest\nLinkedIn\nReddit\nTumblr\nTelegram\nEmail\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nMalaysia Asia\nBlogging since 2007, but writing online since 1997. I belong to the 1st generation of worldwide bloggers, which is of course old-school. \n\nSince 2008, I created Malaysia Asia and this travel, flood, gadget and lifestyle blog has won numerous physical awards from tourism boards around Malaysia. (Not those online awards).\n\nAfter 12 years of blogging, I have semi-retired and now blog about things I like, do product reviews and enjoy life. My work has been featured in Lonely Planet, CNN Travel, Yahoo Travel, Wall Street Journal, and many other international publications. Find out more about me and thank you.\n\n\n\n\nYou might like\nView all\n\n\n\n\n\n\n"}
{"url": "http://blog.malaysia-asia.my/2019/11/galaxy-note-10-plus-food-mode-review.html", "text": "\n\n\n\nHomeFood Photography\n\nGalaxy Note 10 Plus Food Mode Review\n\n\n\n\nbyMalaysia Asia\n-November 18, 2019\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nAfter testing the Samsung Galaxy Note 10 Plus during a trip to Sarawak in October, I managed to also do some Kuching food photography with the unique food mode on the smartphone.\u00a0\n\n\n\nFor the foodies visiting Kuching, you should also know that besides the popular Sarawakian food like Laksa, Kolo Mee, and Ayam Pansoh, there is also many other interesting local food available.\n\nAnd for this special article, I will be featuring some of the more obscure local delicacies found around Kuching with all the photos taken with the food mode on the Galaxy Note 10 Plus.\u00a0\n\nGalaxy Note 10 Plus Food Mode Review\n\n\n\nThe food mode is available when you launch the camera application.\n\n\nForst of all, you should know that the Samsung Galaxy Note 10 Plus comes with some incredible AI or artificial intelligence for the camera, which results in superior smartphone photography.\u00a0\n\n\n\nThis is, of course, thanks to the advanced Snapdragon 855 processor chip by Qualcomm that comes built-in with the smartphone.\u00a0\n\n\n\nThe AI for the camera is so intelligent that it compensates for the food's lighting and colouring and results in a more realistic photo.\u00a0\n\n\n\nAs for the three cameras found at the back of the phone, I wouldn't worry too much about that as it is built for different photography modes.\u00a0\n\n\n\nIf you want to read more about the technical details, you can check out my Galaxy Note 10 Plus camera review\u00a0article.\u00a0\n\n\n\nHow to get to the Food Mode on Note 10?\u00a0\n\n\n\nWhen you launch the camera app, just swipe the modes to the right until you reach the food mode, which simply says 'food'.\u00a0\n\n\n\nOnce you are in that mode, you will see a radial blur box that you can pinch to enlarge or make smaller. This de-focuses the area around the food subject, giving it a nice bokeh.\u00a0\n\n\n\nThe AI for the food mode in the camera also automatically adjusts everything so that the photo turns out as realistic as possible. This simply means that you need not enhance the photo to post it.\u00a0\n\n\n\nAlright, let us get on with the food mode review of the Note 10 Plus, and for the record, all the food here is non-Halal with pork used in the ingredients.\u00a0\n\n1. Heng Hua Pa Mee\n\n\n\nHenghua Pa Mee was photographed with the food mode on the Note 10 Plus.\n\n\nThis is one of the rather rare and unique Chinese dishes that I have tried, and it was the first time in my life trying this Heng Hua Pa Mee. The English name would probably be Henghua Noodles.\u00a0\u00a0\n\n\n\nApparently, making this noodle is tiresome; hence, not many people are eager to go through making this.\n\nHowever, there are probably a few people who still passionately do this in Kuching commercially.\u00a0\n\n\n\nHenghua is a group of Putian Chinese people that cook this dish for home consumption, especially during ceremonies or celebrations. However, in recent years, some have taken this to the commercial level.\u00a0\n\n\n\n\nUsing the food mode on the Galaxy Note 10 Plus for this closeup photo\n\n\nThe photo above was taken at night and at one of the popular food courts called Peach Garden Food Center, just out of Kuching city. It cost only RM6.00 for the tediously prepared bowl.\u00a0\n\n\nIt was fascinating that they infused the kacang (peanuts) with prawns and egg, considering that the overall taste was rather nice.\u00a0\n\n\n\nWhen you visit Peach Garden food court, you just need to look for the stall that sells the Henghua Pa Mee.\n\n\nWhere:\u00a0Peach Garden Food Center\n\n1460, Lorong Song 4B, Tabuan Heights, 93350 Kuching, Sarawak\n\n\n\n2. Foochow Fried Noodles (Fen Gan)\n\n\n\n\nA closeup of the Foochow Fried Noodles taken with the food mode and showing the bokeh around it\u00a0\n\n\nI have to say that whenever you mix wine in any kind of food, it tends to turn out a little different from your usual street food fixture.\u00a0\n\n\n\nThis dish is simply called Foochow fried mee or noodles and was tried at Meekwong Cafe, a specialized Foochow coffee shop in Kuching. In Chinese, it is known as Fen Gan.\n\n\n\nThe colour of the noodles comes from the Chinese red wine that is commonly used in most Foochow dishes. Most of the noodles are specially made by the Foochow people and are available at selected markets or suppliers.\n\n\n\nA wide-shot of the Fen Gan Foochow fried noodles photographed with the Note 10 Plus\n\n\n\nThe trick in eating numerous Foochow delicacies is to go in a group of friends and then order the many different types of Foochow dishes and share them.\u00a0\n\n\n\nWhile this dish is more common among the local Foochow and Kuching people, visitors would not know how to order this unless you bring a local with you.\u00a0\n\n\n\nIn my case, good friend Heidi from Kuching had introduced me to the fascinating world of Foochow food in Kuching, and there have been no regrets in trying them all.\u00a0\n\n\n\nWhere:\u00a0Meekwong Cafe\n\nLot 249, Jalan Song Thian Cheok, 93100 Kuching, Sarawak\n\n3. Foochow Braised Fried Noodles\n\n\n\nThe fascinating Cha Zhu Mien or Fried Braised Noodles in Foochow style\u00a0\n\nAgain at Meekwong Cafe, I managed to also try the Cha Zhu Mien or Foochow fried braised noodles. Though I expected it to be fried, it came in a lot of gravy, almost like a soup dish.\n\nIt sounds confusing, but from what I asked, the name is fried braised noodles, and it is also cooked with Chinese red wine that gives this dish a distinctive flavour.\n\nThe bottom line is that if you are open to tasting unique and different kinds of Chinese food, this place is highly recommended.\n\n\n\nThe Foochow fried braised noodles that come in soupy style\n\nAs mentioned earlier above, it is also best to come in a group and order multiple Foochow dishes and share them. Not to worry, as the restaurant does provide small serving dishes for those who want to try several dishes.\n\n\nWhere: Meekwong Cafe\n\nLot 249, Jalan Song Thian Cheok, 93100 Kuching, Sarawak\n\n\n4. Kampua Bee Hoon Foochow Style\n\n\n\nA more unique dish called Kampua Bee Hoon and done in Foochow style\n\nOver the last 15 years, I have tried many Sarawak Kolo Noodles and Kampua Noodles from Kuching to Miri, but this one was a first for me.\n\nKampua noodles are purely Foochow and can be found around Sarawak, namely in Sibu in Central Sarawak. But at Meekwong Cafe in Kuching, they serve this Kampua Bee Hoon dish which is very interesting.\n\n\n\nA closeup of the Kampua Bee Hoon taken with the food mode on the Galaxy Note 10 Plus\n\nAgain, Chinese red cooking wine is generously used in preparing this dish which comes in gravy style with decent portions of Chasau (Char Siew or Roasted Pork).\n\nTo be very honest, it tastes completely different from the regular Kampua noodles that everyone is used to, and I believe it is the wine. The noodles are soft and easy to consume, while the overall taste has a strong Chinese wine flavour.\n\n\n\nWhere: Meekwong Cafe\n\nLot 249, Jalan Song Thian Cheok, 93100 Kuching, Sarawak\n\n5. Ding Bian Hu (Pot Side Paste)\n\n\n\nDing Bian Hu is probably the rarest and interesting dish I tried in Kuching.\n\nOne of the most interesting dishes I tried on this trip is Ding Bian Hu, otherwise translated as Pot Side Paste or Wok Side Paste.\n\nHonestly, it is a very long story on how this dish is prepared, and if I were to explain it here, you would find this article starting to get boring.\n\nAnyway, to cut a long story short, rice flour is poured around the wok and scraped to mix with the broth to come out with this strange dish.\n\n\n\nA close up on the food mode of the Note 10 Plus\n\nSo, why is this Foochow dish special? Because no one wants to make it due to the incredibly long process.\n\nIn Kuching, you can find this particular dish sold at Peach Garden Food Center and take note that the person selling this may or may not be open. So it is all luck when you visit this food centre.\u00a0\n\n\n\n\nWhere:\u00a0Peach Garden Food Center\n\n1460, Lorong Song 4B, Tabuan Heights, 93350 Kuching, Sarawak\n\n6. Foochow Fried Mee Soup\n\n\n\nAnother popular Foochow dish called Fried Mee Soup\n\nAny of the Foochow dishes continue to impress me, and this time, it is a fried noodle in soup simply called Fried Mee Soup. I'm sure there is some deep Foochow name for this, but I didn't ask.\n\nSo, this dish came with a lot of gravy, looking like a soupy dish and judging from the colour, you guessed it - Chinese cooking red wine dominates again.\n\nThe noodles are fried first before the soup base is added, creating an unfamiliar and unique taste for noodles. Pork pieces and some vegetables are also added to the dish.\n\n\n\nThe food mode on the Note 10 Plus gives a nice focus on the centre of the dish.\n\nI think if I were to order this dish and eat it alone, I would have missed out on the many other similar dishes at Meekwong Cafe. Thank god we were in a small group and ordered multiple dishes to share.\n\nIf you are not comfortable with the heavy taste of Chinese cooking red wine, I recommend you skip this dish and try some other Foochow dish at the cafe.\n\n\nWhere: Meekwong Cafe\n\nLot 249, Jalan Song Thian Cheok, 93100 Kuching, Sarawak\n\n7. Carpenter Street Pork Satay\n\n\n\nThe famous Carpenter Street Pork Satay was photographed on the food mode.\n\nFinally, we move on from the Foochow food to some of the other popular local dishes in Kuching. This time it is the very well known pork satay found at Carpenter Street in the city area.\n\nFor anyone who visits Kuching, this place is also known as the Temple Food Court or Lau Ya Keng Food Court, directly opposite one of the temples on the main street here.\n\nThe place is now a tourist magnet with many Malaysians, Singaporeans and even Chinese visitors coming here to eat some of Sarawak's most popular foods sold here.\n\nYou can find the popular Sarawak Laksa, Kolo Mee, Fishball and Pork Noodles, and of course - the Pork Satay.\n\nTo be very honest, you need to try this when you are here to pass judgment, as everyone has different expectations for certain foods. For me, this is pretty high on my nice food list.\n\nOh, and if you plan to come here, please do so at about 10.30 or 11.00 in the morning as it does get overcrowded from 11.00 am onwards.\n\nWhere: Lau Ya Keng Food Court aka Temple Food Court in Kuching\n23, Carpenter Street, 93000 Kuching, Sarawak\n\n8. Kolo Mee Special\n\n\n\nThis is everything thrown into the Kolo Mee and photographed with the food mode.\n\n\nThere is no doubt that anyone who visits Kuching will eventually try the famous Kolo Mee in either non-Halal or the Malay Halal version with chicken replacing the pork.\u00a0\n\n\n\nAt\u00a0Lau Ya Keng Food Court along Carpenter Street, the Kolo Mee here is also well-known due to the extra special ingredients that can be added.\u00a0\n\nWell, you can just order the standard bowl, but you must inform them when you order; otherwise, you will get the special as photographed above.\n\n\n\nMy view on this stall is not worth it as it is mass prepared; hence, they have lost the passion for making a good bowl of noodles.\u00a0\n\n\n\nBut most visitors to Kuching will definitely try this here, so please note that this is far from the original taste of Kolo Mee.\n\n\nWhere: Lau Ya Keng Food Court aka Temple Food Court in Kuching\n\n\n23, Carpenter Street, 93000 Kuching, Sarawak\n\n\n\nAn ultra-wide photo of Kuching prominent landmark taken with the Note 10 Plus\n\nConclusion\n\nWell, there you have it, a much-awaited food review from me, which I hardly do, but since I was testing the Samsung Galaxy Note 10 Plus smartphone, I took the opportunity to explore the food mode.\n\nKuching is accessible via flights from Kuala Lumpur and many other major cities around Malaysia and from Singapore and some other Southeast Asian countries.\n\nIt is also recommended that you spend at least three to four days in Kuching to fully explore the city and its surroundings. I have also written about what you can do in Kuching\u00a0when you are here.\n\nIf you have any questions about the Note 10 Plus food mode or the featured food here, leave me a message in the comment form below.\n\nAnd finally, I hope you liked this review of the Food Mode on the Galaxy Note 10 Plus smartphone.\n\n\nTags\nFood Photography\nFood Review\nKuching\nMalaysia\nSamsung Malaysia\nSamsung Note 10\nSarawak\nSmartphone Review\nSmartphone Reviews\n\n\n\n\n\nFacebook\nTwitter\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nShare:Galaxy Note 10 Plus Food Mode Review\n\n\nFacebook\nTwitter\nWhatsApp\nPinterest\nLinkedIn\nReddit\nTumblr\nTelegram\nEmail\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nMalaysia Asia\nBlogging since 2007, but writing online since 1997. I belong to the 1st generation of worldwide bloggers, which is of course old-school. \n\nSince 2008, I created Malaysia Asia and this travel, flood, gadget and lifestyle blog has won numerous physical awards from tourism boards around Malaysia. (Not those online awards).\n\nAfter 12 years of blogging, I have semi-retired and now blog about things I like, do product reviews and enjoy life. My work has been featured in Lonely Planet, CNN Travel, Yahoo Travel, Wall Street Journal, and many other international publications. Find out more about me and thank you.\n\n\n\n\nYou might like\nView all\n\n\n\n\n\n\n"}
{"url": "http://blog.malaysia-asia.my/2019/05/narita-airport-vs-klia2-review-part-1.html", "text": "\n\n\n\nHomeAirAsia News\n\nNarita Airport vs KLIA2 Review - Part 1\n\n\n\n\nbyMalaysia Asia\n-May 10, 2019\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nFollowing my previous airport review between KLIA2 and Don Mueang Bangkok, many have asked for my thoughts on other regional airports.\u00a0\n\n\n\nHere is my first part of the Narita Airport vs KLIA2 review, a three-part series, and also a congratulatory to KLIA2 for winning some awards.\u00a0\n\n\n\nMy mission in doing these airport reviews is to help raise awareness about the state of airport services, which many travellers take for granted. By doing so, I provide constructive feedback to the relevant parties - without bias and prejudice.\n\nNarita Airport vs KLIA2 Review\n\n\n\nThe systematic planning at Narita Airport.\n\nIn March 2019, I enjoyed visiting Narita International Airport in Tokyo and acquainted myself with its Terminal 3, dedicated to low-cost carriers.\n\n\n\nThe timing was so good that it was around this time that Skytrax announced its world's best airports awards, including for low-cost carrier terminals - LCCTs.\u00a0\n\n\nI found that both Narita T3 and KLIA2 were rated the Top 3 best LCCTs in the world, which is quite an achievement if you ask me.\u00a0\n\n\n\nTwo other very popular Japanese airports took the top spots, and the Top 3 Best LCCT for 2019 are;\n\n\n\nNo. 1 - Osaka Kansai T2\n\nNo. 2 - Narita Airport T3\n\nNo. 3 - KLIA2\u00a0\n\n\n\nHere is the list of the\u00a0World's Best Low-Cost Airline Terminals in 2019.\n\n\n\nWith KLIA2 coming Top 3 among the world's best LCCT indeed came as an immense saving grace for Malaysia.\u00a0\n\n\n\nWhy do I say this? Well, KLIA, as our main international airport, could only afford the 54th spot among the world's best airports. Obviously, something needs to be done to reach that position.\u00a0\n\n\n\nFor the record, Narita International was at No 9, and our closest neighbour Singapore Changi was again at No 1. I do not blame the latter, as they go all out to woo passengers into Singapore.\u00a0\n\n\n\nWorld's Best Airport By Passenger Numbers\n\n\n\n\nA view of KLIA Airport in Malaysia.\n\nHowever, if we go by passenger numbers, KLIA is pretty good after all, where we ranked No 4 for the 50-60 million passengers category.\u00a0\u00a0\n\n\n\nThat sounds like many passengers going through KLIA in the last year alone, and they are trying to up that number to move one more tier up to the 60-70 million passengers category.\n\nAnd over on the AirHelp Airport Ranking 2019\u00a0site, KLIA comes in at a whopping number 120 with a score of 6.75 out of 10.\n\nAirHelp focuses on passenger experiences, where the site ranks on-time performance, service quality and facilities as the main criteria.\n\nOn another airport ranking site called World Airport Codes, KLIA again comes in at Number 24 out of the Top 30 Airports in the World.\u00a0\n\n\n\n\nKLIA Ranks No.54 in the Top 100 Airports in the World for 2019.\n\n\n\n\nTop 10 Airports in Asia\n\n\n\nThis is one category that all airports want to be ranked in, which is the Top 10 Airports in the region, and KLIA never made a list. What happened here?\n\nNotice how Japan has four airports listed in the list of Top 10 Airports in Asia?\u00a0\n\n\n\nSingapore Changi\nTokyo Haneda\nSeoul Incheon\nHong Kong\nCentrair Nagoya\nTokyo Narita\nKansai\nTaiwan Taoyuan\nShanghai Hongqiao\nSeoul Gimpo\n\n\n\nThe 2019 Skytrax Awards.\n\nBack to KLIA2, for some strange reason, Malaysia Airports, which operates the airport, had on several occasions (and in media interviews) earlier claimed that KLIA2 was not an LCCT.\n\n\n\nBut when the news was out that they had won 3rd place in Skytrax's awards, they congratulated themselves and even took to social media.\u00a0\n\n\n\nThe conflicting statements aside, as Malaysians, we are very proud of the KLIA2 achievements.\n\n\n\nNarita's Terminal 2 exterior. Photo Wikipedia.\u00a0\n\nCarried Away....\n\n\nI wrote a little too much about the Skytrax Awards, and because of the timing, I wanted to share how the Japanese have made it their mission to rank their airports to be in the Top 10 of any airport ranking.\u00a0\n\n\n\nThe Japanese airports are run independently and not by a monopoly; hence, they will improve their facilities, especially with Tokyo 2020 around the corner.\u00a0\n\n\n\nConclusion\n\n\n\nI would love to continue, but the article is getting a little long, so I will focus on Narita Airport in part two.\u00a0\n\n\n\nStay tuned for Part 2 and Part 3 of the Narita Airport vs KLIA2 review, which I will publish weekly.\u00a0\n\n\nTags\nAirAsia News\nAirport News\nAirport Reviews\nAviation News\nKLIA\nKLIA2\nLCCT\nMalaysia\nMalaysia Airports\nMalaysia Aviation News\n\n\n\n\n\nFacebook\nTwitter\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nShare:Narita Airport vs KLIA2 Review - Part 1\n\n\nFacebook\nTwitter\nWhatsApp\nPinterest\nLinkedIn\nReddit\nTumblr\nTelegram\nEmail\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nMalaysia Asia\nBlogging since 2007, but writing online since 1997. I belong to the 1st generation of worldwide bloggers, which is of course old-school. \n\nSince 2008, I created Malaysia Asia and this travel, flood, gadget and lifestyle blog has won numerous physical awards from tourism boards around Malaysia. (Not those online awards).\n\nAfter 12 years of blogging, I have semi-retired and now blog about things I like, do product reviews and enjoy life. My work has been featured in Lonely Planet, CNN Travel, Yahoo Travel, Wall Street Journal, and many other international publications. Find out more about me and thank you.\n\n\n\n\nYou might like\nView all\n\n\n\n\n\n\n"}
{"url": "http://blog.malaysia-asia.my/2020/05/when-can-tourists-visit-malaysia-after.html", "text": "\n\n\n\nHomeCoronavirus Malaysia\n\nWhen Can Tourists Visit Malaysia After Covid-19?\n\n\n\n\nbyMalaysia Asia\n-May 07, 2020\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nIf you are planning to travel to Malaysia soon, you should note that because of the worldwide Coronavirus pandemic, Malaysia has closed its borders since the 18th of March 2020.For those planning to travel here, you would want to know when tourists visit Malaysia after the Covid-19 so you can start making your plans.When Can Tourists and Travelers Visit Malaysia After Covid-19?Update 25th March 2021 - Malaysia's international borders are still closed for a year now, and at the rate, things are moving, it may be mid or year-end of 2021 that the borders may open to tourism.Update Nov 2020 - Seems like the Conditional Movement Control Order or CMCO has been extended to 9th December 2020, and all borders around Malaysia remain closed to visitors. Interstate travel has also been blocked for all states except Terengganu, Kelantan and Perlis.Update 7th June 2020 - The Prime Minister of Malaysia has issued an RMCO or Recovery Movement Control Order for Malaysia dating from 10th June to 31st August 2020.\u00a0Interstate Travel: This is NOW allowed within Malaysia only. This means that after the 10th, Malaysians, or anyone in Malaysia can travel to other states.International Travel: Is NOT allowed, and this applies to outgoing and incoming, which means no tourist are allowed to enter Malaysia till August 31.To read the full announcement, visit the RMCO Announcement article by NST Malaysia.Update 6th May 2020: The Senior Minister (Security Cluster) Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob had clarified that the Malaysian government is still maintaining its policy of\u00a0not allowing foreigners to enter the country.Currently, the only permission given is to Malaysians arriving back into the country, and those entering will have to undergo the mandatory 14-day quarantine process.\u00a0This means that any foreign nationals or non-Malaysians who arrive will be denied entry into Malaysia and will have to hop on the next flight back or to any other country that is open to accepting foreigners.For some reason, the news was going around claiming that AirAsia Indonesia planned to restart flights from Surabaya to Kuala Lumpur and Johor Bahru from the 18th of May, but this was debunked by AirAsia when they were contacted.This means that you do not simply believe what you read online on social media platforms, as there is a lot of fake news out there. People will say and do anything nowadays, and it is always best to double-check with the actual source.Tourists washing their hands in Kuala Lumpur.Travel To Malaysia After Covid-19 - What To KnowSince the 4th of May 2020, Malaysia is undergoing a Conditional Movement Control Order or CMCO, which is slated to last until the 12th of May, and if it extends or is lifted, this will only be known after the 10th or 11th of May.Updated: 10th of May - The prime minister announced that the CMCO will be extended till the 9th of June 2020. This means that the Malaysian international borders will remain closed until 9th June. No tourists or visitors will be allowed into Malaysia.Under the CMCO, there is a countrywide ban on interstate travel, which includes international borders. This means that even local Malaysians are not allowed to travel from state to state unless they have a special pass from the authorities for work and so on.Under the new normal lifestyle, face masks, temperature checks, and sanitization will be compulsory when travelling. Social distancing in Malaysia will also be highly observed in all public areas with the mandatory 1-meter spacing.Airlines in Malaysia have recently opened up domestic routes only and with limited flights, and it is available for those who are required to travel for work or special cases. Travel permits and documents are required by the airlines and also the immigration department.Trains to KLIA and KLIA2There has been an update on 4th May 2020 where the KLIA Ekspres and KLIA Transit train services have started operating again but will introduce a limited-service schedule for a month.Trains will run every 20 minutes during peak hours on weekdays, and every 30 minutes during off-peak hours, weekends, and national public holidays.There will be no train services before 6.00 am and after the last train departs at 11.00 pm.Any passenger whose body temperature is 37.5\u2070C or higher will be denied entry while passengers have to keep a safe distance of at least 1m apart at all times, including on the platform and onboard the train.The Petronas Twin Towers at the back of the Saloma Link Bridge in KL.Are Tourism Attractions and Destinations Open in Malaysia?The government has imposed a full halt to the entire tourism industry since the beginning of this pandemic. This has been followed through until the EMCO period, which is supposed to end on the 12th of May 2020.There are actually some tourists who has been in Malaysia before the nationwide lockdown took place, and they are still here awaiting news as to when they can leave the country. But they are also categorized under the MCO and CMCO, meaning they have to be indoors.Below is a list of what is closed in Malaysia for tourism;All general tourism attractionsAll tour operators and servicesAll tourism transportation servicesAll theme parks and man-made attractionsAll ecotourism, outdoors, nature and wildlife-related tourismAll beach, watersports activitiesAll bazaars and night marketsAll events, conferences, and festivals have been postponed or cancelled.Basically, as long as anything is related to travel and tourism, it is closed to locals and foreigners.For your future planning on visiting Malaysia, you can also visit the official Tourism Malaysia website\u00a0in English and other languages.Who is Allowed to Enter Malaysia during the Covid-19?There are only a select group of individuals that are allowed to enter Malaysia during the Coronavirus or Covid-19 pandemic, and they include;DiplomatsPermanent residentsExpatriate pass holders working in essential services sectorsAnyone else is not allowed to enter Malaysia, especially for leisure, medical, business, or studies.\u00a0For detailed information about visiting Malaysia and other requirements, you can visit the official Malaysia Immigration website as it is available in English and 23 other languages.Kuala Lumpur International Airport or KLIASo, When can Travelers Visit Malaysia?\u00a0Right now, there is no clear indication or a date set by the government; therefore, you are advised to wait for the official news on when they will allow visitors back to the country.In reality, we can assume by August or September, but then again, we have to wait for the official announcement by the relevant authorities on this matter. These means do not simply go and book your flight tickets as you may end up having to cancel or retime your flights, which will, of course, be a hassle.Update 10th May 2020 - The Malaysian prime minister announced today on national TV that the CMCO has been extended until the 9th of June 2020. State and international borders will remain closed till that date.Update 25th March 2021 - International borders are still closed for a year now, and at the rate, things are moving, it may be mid or year-end of 2021 that the borders may open to tourism.The domestic departure gate at KLIA2ConclusionThis is the worst tourism disaster that has hit Malaysia and the entire world, and because of the Coronavirus or Covid-19 pandemic, no one has come up with a cure or vaccine to date.And due to that, many countries around the world has closed their doors to tourism, while some fully depend on tourism and are already planning to open up as soon as August.Right now, there is no indication or speculation on when can tourists start visiting Malaysia after the Covid-19 pandemic, but from what I gather, it could be after July or August.There would also be many restrictions for foreigners entering Malaysia, namely from countries that have been affected badly. Right now, I cannot even imagine what the tourism ministry is going through in terms of post-Covid-19 travel.When there is more solid information available, I will surely edit my posting to include what has been stated for visiting Malaysia.\n\n\nTags\nCoronavirus Malaysia\nMalaysia\nMalaysia Post-Covid 19\nTourism Malaysia\nTourism Malaysia News\nTourism News\nVisit Malaysia 2021\nVisiting Malaysia\nVisiting Malaysia After Covid-19\n\n\n\n\n\nFacebook\nTwitter\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nShare:When Can Tourists Visit Malaysia After Covid-19?\n\n\nFacebook\nTwitter\nWhatsApp\nPinterest\nLinkedIn\nReddit\nTumblr\nTelegram\nEmail\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nMalaysia Asia\nBlogging since 2007, but writing online since 1997. I belong to the 1st generation of worldwide bloggers, which is of course old-school. \n\nSince 2008, I created Malaysia Asia and this travel, flood, gadget and lifestyle blog has won numerous physical awards from tourism boards around Malaysia. (Not those online awards).\n\nAfter 12 years of blogging, I have semi-retired and now blog about things I like, do product reviews and enjoy life. My work has been featured in Lonely Planet, CNN Travel, Yahoo Travel, Wall Street Journal, and many other international publications. Find out more about me and thank you.\n\n\n\n\nYou might like\nView all\n\n\n\n\n\n\n"}
{"url": "http://blog.malaysia-asia.my/2020/06/rockbund-fishing-chalet-in-lumut-perak.html", "text": "\n\n\n\nHomeFishing Resorts\n\nRockbund Fishing Chalet in Lumut, Perak\n\n\n\n\nbyMalaysia Asia\n-June 19, 2020\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nDid you know that there is a beautiful and modern fishing resort located in Malaysia? The place is called\u00a0Rockbund Fishing Chalet in Lumut, Perak and was formerly known as Coral Fishing Resort.This fishing resort has been around since 2007 and the location is at the southwest of Marina Island Lumut, which is a 1,301-hectare manmade island that is connected by a 400-meter bridge to the mainland.Rockbund Fishing Chalet in Lumut, PerakThe unique individual fishing jetties at RockbundHonestly, this is the kind of place where anglers or those who want to experience some sea fishing should visit. I would call this the new concept of fishing chalets, where it has a very lifestyle and modern look and feel.Judging from the photos here, you can easily see how the new management has improved this place to cater to all walks of life.As a former fisherman myself, I have to say that by looking at these photos, it makes me want to pick up my fishing rod and head here for old times sake.Well, if you are an avid angler, you may have heard about this place, and if not, it is time you start making plans to visit this place for a weekend getaway.I feel that this is also a great vacation concept for families to bond, and also teaching the kids about fishing.After all, the fish you will catch here is not your regular pond fish like Talapia or carp. You will be going for the quality sea fish like groupers, barramundi and even mackerel.Sunset dinner at Rockbund.Who is Rockbund Fishing Chalet?This fishing chalet has been around since 2015 and recently was taken over by new management who renamed this place to Rockbund Fishing Chalet.The company has been around since 2008 and founded by Mr Timothy Ding. Originally, this resort opened as Coral Fishing Resort in 2007 and was highly popular among the anglers.In a turn of events, the resort was taken over and given a beautiful facelift with a splash of pastel colour on the chalets. Improvements were made to the interior of the rooms and the landscaping.The former Coral Fishing Resort and what it looked like.The original fishing platforms at Coral Fishing Resort. Photo: Eny Abdullah.What is there to do at Rockbund Fishing Chalet?Well, it is no brainer that fishing is the number one activity at this resort but from a travellers perspective, I think coming here to relax could be a reason too.For example, the resort also caters to weddings and they have a beautiful setup available for this. However, it could be an anglers dream wedding location?The resort offers bicycle rental services where you can rent bicycles and cycle around Marina Island. For food, there is a cafe available which serves breakfast and ala-carte local food.If you explore around Marina Island, there are of course other things that you can do around here so let your wanderlust lead the way around the island for you.Optional tours to Pangkor Island or even island hopping activities can be arranged with the resort and if you are up for a sunset cruise, that too can be arranged.For company trips, the resort is open to team building packages which include land and sea activities. This can be a full packaged event for small to medium companies as the resort has a multi-purpose hall.What types of chalets are available here?This is how close the chalets are located to the sea.There are three types of chalets available and depending on your style of travel, and also your budget. In total, there are 21 chalets at Rockbund Fishing Resort. The chalet types are;Standard Chalet\u00a0Superior ChaletSuite Superior ChaletThe resort also practices the no television concept so do not expect one in your chalet. You are able to rent a TV if you like but the objective of coming here is to fish and take a vacation to relax.Each of the general chalets comes with two rooms and one common bathroom and is standard without any minibar or other general hotel facilities. There is air condition so you need not worry.As simple as it can be, the layout is planned for rest and not a luxurious holiday. There is no fridge, water kettle, telephone, cutleries, glasses, hand towels and the Wi-Fi is pretty weak.You only get towels and the standard soap dispenser in the bathroom, so if you are used to your own style of resort living, it is recommended you bring your own amenities.The standard queen bedroom at the chalets.How much do the chalets cost here?\u00a0Well, it all depends on the season and also where you book from. You can book directly fro the resort operator or even go to OTAs like Agoda and Booking.An average price for the standard chalet is around RM290 per unit. At times you may even get a good deal for a 2D/1N package at around RM330, which also includes a local and simple breakfast.Is there any Fishing Equipment Rental available here?\u00a0Sadly there is none, therefore you need to bring your own fishing equipment and bait when you visit this chalet.\u00a0For bait, you can stop at the local market in Lumut or any other town on your journey here. Since it is sea fishing, squid, prawns or fish is good enough as bait. This means you must bring a small icebox to store them.There is a fishing tackle shop called A2A Fishing Sports shop (+6 016 536 9500) in Setiawan if you are using this way to get here. They also sell live prawn bait and you can use Waze to locate them on your way here.In Lumut, there is a fishing tackle shop called Kedai Pancing Cheng Hao Enterprise located along Jalan Lumut Indah, so this is your last choice.I would recommend bringing spares for everything like weights, hooks and leader line. This is because you never know when you may hit a snag and snap your line.Rockbund Fishing Resort is located at Marina Island off Lumut, Perak.Where is Rockbund Fishing Chalet?The fishing chalet is located at Marina Island and in the south-west corner. The island is connected to the mainland via a bridge to Lumut town in Perak, Malaysia.This means that you can drive all the way to the fishing chalet without having to take a ferry or anything else.Map showing the driving distance from Kuala Lumpur to Rockbund Fishing Chalets.How to go to Rockbund Fishing Chalet?The easiest way is to self-drive here as it only takes about three and a half hours to drive one way. Most anglers or families will drive themselves here for a weekend getaway from the city.Alternatively, you can also take an express bus all the way to Lumut town, and then take a local taxi or rideshare service to get here.The easiest way is to use Waze and key in Rockbund Fishing chalet and let the app guide you to this place.The map of Marina Island in Lumut showing where the resort is located.Rockbund Fishing Chalet at Marina IslandKM1, Jalan Utama Marina Island,Teluk Muroh, 32200, Lumut, PerakLatitude: 4.210492 Longitude: 100.603715Tel: +6016 558 0388Photo Credits: All photos from Rockbund Fishing Chalet Facebook and map photos from Google.Rockbund is a perfect getaway for anglers and their families.ConclusionIf you have been thinking about that fishing holiday and need to include your family, then this is the place to visit. Alternatively, you could gather your group of anglers and head here too.This place is a standard resort-style concept where they have beautiful fishing platforms which are safe for everyone, including kids.My verdict is that this place is very suitable for those who enjoy fishing, and not someone who wants to come here for a normal resort getaway.\n\n\nTags\nFishing Resorts\nHotel Reviews\nHotels\nMalaysia\nPerak\nResort Reviews\nResorts\n\n\n\n\n\nFacebook\nTwitter\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nShare:Rockbund Fishing Chalet in Lumut, Perak\n\n\nFacebook\nTwitter\nWhatsApp\nPinterest\nLinkedIn\nReddit\nTumblr\nTelegram\nEmail\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nMalaysia Asia\nBlogging since 2007, but writing online since 1997. I belong to the 1st generation of worldwide bloggers, which is of course old-school. \n\nSince 2008, I created Malaysia Asia and this travel, flood, gadget and lifestyle blog has won numerous physical awards from tourism boards around Malaysia. (Not those online awards).\n\nAfter 12 years of blogging, I have semi-retired and now blog about things I like, do product reviews and enjoy life. My work has been featured in Lonely Planet, CNN Travel, Yahoo Travel, Wall Street Journal, and many other international publications. Find out more about me and thank you.\n\n\n\n\nYou might like\nView all\n\n\n\n\n\n\n"}
{"url": "http://blog.malaysia-asia.my/2021/03/tourism-bubbles-in-malaysia.html", "text": "\n\n\n\nHomeCovid 19 Tourism News\n\nTourism Bubbles in Malaysia?\n\n\n\n\nbyMalaysia Asia\n-March 18, 2021\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nHave you been following the Tourism Malaysia news recently? Or perhaps since the start of the Covid 19 pandemic? Maybe even how the tourism industry expects to work on tourism bubbles in Malaysia?Over the last year, from 2020 to 2021, all we have been hearing is whining and crying from various tourism industries ranging from the ministry of tourism right to the homestay operators.\u00a0Even associations like MATTA, MAH, MBA, and others have also tried to show that they also have a voice in helping the industry. The list goes on, and I will not get into that area as today's topic revolves around Malaysia's amazing tourism bubble.Don't get me wrong, and it is not that I am taking the opportunity to hit out at people, but someone has to say something, and I guess it is time I voiced out what I think. Again, these are only my personal opinions and not intended to hurt anyone in particular.Tourism Bubbles in Malaysia?I find it amazing how people can pluck stuff out of thin air and just say things that makes the industry cringe. Yes, if you are in this industry, you will know who's cringing and who's waiting with open arms for just about anything to fall into their hands.Personally, this pandemic has sort of culled out the weak and make everyone wake up, but has anyone actually woken up? Or are they just whining as usual? You know who I'm talking about here.Are tourism bubbles going to work for Malaysia?And about the tourism monetary aid to certain quarters? Don't let me get started on that because you already know how much money is wasted in providing one-off help. Might as well spend the money on something more realistic.You may be asking who I am to be passing judgment or commenting about this, and let me say that I have been writing and promoting tourism in Malaysia since 2008. I have had my fair share of talks and discussions with multiple tourism industry people, including the wonderful people in Tourism Malaysia.I have also been speaking at seminars and talks about digital tourism since the heydays from 2010 to 2014. Back then, nobody understood what social media was until Instagram and Influencers came around in 2016.But after the Covid 19 pandemic hit Malaysia and the world, we started to see all sorts of everything being shared and discussed. Travel or tourism bubbles were one of them, which you and I know will not materialize to benefit the industry.The word \"Travel Bubble\" sounds so fascinating that it was used worldwide, and one of the first to plan it was New Zealand and Australia back in 2020. Until today, they are still discussing the travel bubble as every week, Covid 19 just changes things.So, the only possible way a travel bubble will work is domestically in Malaysia, and this too depends on each state and how the Covid 19 cases turn out.Melaka would be a great candidate for any tourism bubble.Travel Bubble in Malaysia ExampleFor example, the government can plan for a Selangor and Melaka travel bubble, but if Covid 19 cases in Selangor keep rising, Melaka will not accept Selangorians with open arms. They will close the borders immediately.And the same thing works the other way around too. Plus, what if the virus mutates with more asymptomatic cases going undetected with a sudden major cluster or outbreak happens? How doe this travel bubble work? Immediately, things will lockdown, so all the effort put into the bubble is for nothing.My point here is that all that planning to create travel bubbles in Malaysia or with other countries is just a waste of time. I believe the resources planned for this would be better off kept for a later day when the government vaccinates at least 80% of the population.Maybe the resources or planning could be spent on marketing for 2022 or 2023? Why does the government want to rush to save some crying travel agent or hotel when they can just focus on the larger picture.Tourism Bubbles in Malaysia NewsBelow are various articles discussing and highlighting the possibilities or steps to achieve the 'so-called' tourism bubbles that will save the industry.If you read through them, you can see how much time and resources has been wasted in meetings, planning, discussing and so on.I believe the Malaysian government or Tourism Malaysia could have just done a future plan for 2022 or 2023 by waiting for the population to be at least 70% vaccinated.Just take a look at some of the news articles below, and these are just from one week of tourism news in Malaysia. Again, remember the keywords used here - \"Can\", \"May\", and others to make it sound good.Wednesday, 10 Mar 2021Targeted travel bubble can help revive tourism sector in stages\u00a0MELAKA, March 10 \u2014 Interstate travel for tourism between states placed under the recovery movement control order (RMCO) under the targeted travel bubble programme is expected to restore the tourism sector in stages.\u00a0The Malaysian Association of Tour and Travel Agents (MATTA) Melaka chapter chairman Goh Hock Gin said he believed the move could prevent the spread of the Covid-19 outbreak among tourists.\u00a0Goh said it was a good start and could control tourists\u2019 movement and help in tracing them if there was an outbreak of the Covid-19 infection among the tourists.\u00a0\u201cIt is a much-anticipated decision by tourism industry players in Melaka.\u00a0 Even though the move is seen as only benefitting travel agents but at least there are efforts made to help revive the tourism sector in stages,\u201d he said when contacted by Bernama here today.\u00a0He said industry players and tourists should adhere to the requirements set to prevent the emergence of a new cluster, the tourism cluster, which could lead to the implementation of the third movement control order (MCO).\u00a0Goh said those from the states under the RMCO who wish to visit Melaka could use the services of 80 travel agents under MATTA registered with the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture (MOTAC).\u00a0Meanwhile, Melaka Tourism Association president Madelina W.L Kuah said the requirements imposed on these tourists were quite burdensome and costly as they would have to use the services of travel agents, adding that movement was also quite restricted compared to if they were allowed to use their own vehicles.\u00a0Yesterday, Senior Minister (Security Cluster) Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob said interstate travel for tourism between states placed under the RMCO would be allowed starting today subject to strict standard operating procedures (SOP) including having to go through travel agencies registered under Motac.\u00a0Seven states namely Melaka, Pahang, Terengganu, Sabah, Putrajaya, Labuan and Perlis are placed under the RMCO from March 2 until March 15, while Langkawi was today declared as an RMCO zone, even though Kedah is still placed under the CMCO.\u00a0\u2014 Bernama\u00a0March 10, 2021Take advantage of bubble to boost domestic tourism, says ministerBernama\u00a0KUALA LUMPUR (March 10): The Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture (MOTAC) wants Malaysians and local tourism companies to take advantage of the Targeted Tourism Bubble opportunity to boost domestic tourism.\u00a0Minister Datuk Seri Nancy Shukri said the \"bubble\", which allows travel for tourism between states that come under the recovery movement control order (RMCO) from today, would indirectly open up space and opportunities for businesses in the sector to return to full operations.\u00a0\"Certainly, this can be the beginning of a new chapter as a catalyst for the industry to rise again, further helping the survival of workers involved in the tourism sector chain,\" she said in a statement today.\u00a0Nancy said MOTAC is also grateful to the government for allowing direct activities for the creative industry in RMCO and conditional MCO (CMCO) zones.\u00a0The activities include official government programmes, television, music, arts, dance, theatre, musical, comedy, cultural and heritage performances involving attendance of 50% of the audience with strict adherence to Covid-19 prevention standard operating procedures (SOPs).\u00a0Nancy also reminded the public not to be complacent and adhere to the SOPs set when participating in tourism and cultural activities.\u00a0\"Let us work together and continue to pray that the local tourism and culture industry does not have to go through difficult times with the closure of activities because the negative impact on the economic chain of those involved and the country is very deep,\" she said.\u00a0Senior Minister (Security Cluster) Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob in a press conference yesterday announced the bubble and allowing music, arts and cultural activities subject to strict SOPs. As for the bubble, one of the conditions is that tourists must utilise a tour agency registered under MOTAC. Use of private vehicles is not allowed.\u00a010 MAR 2021Targeted travel bubble provides a breather for tourism industry: MAH\u00a0KUALA LUMPUR: The targeted travel bubble programme, which commenced today, is the first step to revive the country\u2019s tourism industry and breathe new life into the hotel sector.\u00a0Malaysian Association of Hotels (MAH) vice-president Lim Choong Sean said although there were strict standard operating procedures (SOPs) that needed to be complied with, the permission for interstate tourism activities for states placed under the Recovery Movement Control Order (RMCO) was viewed as a small but very positive step for the hospitality industry.\u00a0\u201cThe impact of the Covid-19 pandemic is huge on the hotel sector. We found that for every two weeks of Movement Control Order (MCO) implementation, the hotel industry suffered a revenue loss of more than RM300 million.\u00a0\u201cHence, this programme is very positive step indeed,\u201d he said when appearing as a guest on the \u2018Malaysia Petang Ini\u2019 programme produced by Bernama TV here today.\u00a0He explained that people should not be afraid to stay in hotels under MAH as they have been audited and only given certificates of recognition after complying with the maximum SOPs to curb the spread of the Covid-19 pandemic. He also urged Malaysians in the RMCO areas to support the government\u2019s initiative to boost the country\u2019s tourism industry.\u00a0Yesterday, Senior Minister (Security Cluster) Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob announced permission for interstate tourism activities between states placed under RMCO, under the targeted travel bubble programme.\u00a0Thus far, seven states, namely, Melaka, Pahang, Terengganu, Sabah, Putrajaya, Labuan and Perlis are placed under the RMCO from March 2 to 15. Langkawi Island has also been declared as a RMCO zone. \u2014\u00a0Bernama\u00a0\u00a0Wednesday, March 10th, 2021More Asian travel bubbles after Indonesiaby RAHIMI YUNUS\u00a0MALAYSIA is in the process of establishing travel bubbles with several other Asian countries, including Singapore, Brunei, China, Japan, Korea and Taiwan, while the discussions with Indonesia for the same purpose are ongoing.\u00a0Tourism Malaysia DG Zulkifly Md Said said the government plans to attract essential and leisure travellers into the country via the travel bubbles to revitalise the tourism and culture industry as the country recovers from the Covid-19 pandemic.\u00a0\u201cApart from Indonesia, we are hoping for a travel bubble with Singapore, which is connected to Malaysia via all modes of transport, including road, air and sea.\u00a0\u201cBrunei is also another country that we look at. Besides that, we have China, Japan, Korea and Taiwan in the pipeline subject to an ongoing discussion with the countries\u2019 authorities,\u201d Zulkifly said after the opening of ITB (Internationale Tourismus-Borse) Berlin NOW 2021 (Malaysia Chapter) in Kuala Lumpur yesterday, officiated by Tourism, Arts and Culture Minister Datuk Seri Nancy Shukri.\u00a0Zulkifly said Malaysia is still in talks with Indonesia on the Reciprocal Green Lane/Travel Corridor arrangement covering the types of travel to be allowed and the particular destinations to be chosen for the programme.\u00a0He, however, said it is beyond Tourism Malaysia\u2019s jurisdictions to be able to tell when will the negotiations be concluded. \u201cCertain timeframes would allow us to plan, but it is beyond our authority. The urgency is not only with us, but with the countries we are talking to. Any changes can happen as time goes by that may jeopardise all these ongoing talks like what happened between Singapore and Hong Kong previously,\u201d Zulkifly added.\u00a0As for the Covid-19 vaccine passport, he said a valid document that is recognised by governments is needed and it must not be easily forged to ensure the safety of travel and its holders.\u00a0Nancy said in her speech earlier that the government would issue Covid-19 vaccine passports for those who have been vaccinated, similar to the International Air Transport Association\u2019s (IATA) initiative to launch the IATA Travel Pass, a global and standardised digital passport that will allow people to travel once again and serve as a solution to the aviation sector.\u00a0Malaysia recently launched National Tourism Policy 2020-2030, aimed at ensuring the continuity of the country\u2019s tourism industry and bringing back Malaysia as the preferred tourism destination at the global level among the \u201cTop of the Mind Ecotourism Destinations of the World\u201d.\u00a0Nancy said among the strategies include the creation of Special Tourism Investment Zones, intensifying digitalisation of the tourism sector, enriching tourists\u2019 experience and satisfaction, and strengthening the country\u2019s commitment to sustainable tourism.\u00a0She said the tourism industry is now focusing on maximising existing resources through ecotourism, rural and experiential tourism, enhancing niche products and expanding more personalised travel packages.\u00a0Malaysia\u2019s international tourist arrivals plummeted to 4.33 miliion in 2020 compared to 26.1 million international tourist arrivals in 2019, giving a negative growth of 83.4% year-on-year. Tourist receipts plunged by 85.3% to RM12.67 billion in 2020 from RM86.1 billion a year ago, with the average per capita expenditure recording a total of RM2,928.40, a decline of 11.3% from RM3,300.40 in 2019.\u00a0The global tourism sector experienced a 74% decline in international arrivals in 2020, while Asia Pacific suffered an 84% decrease, according to the World Tourism Organisation.\u00a0Malaysia participates in the ITB Berlin NOW 2021 for the 48th time this year with 30 Malaysian organisations consisting of 10 tour operators, 10 hotels and resorts, seven state tourism boards and three tourism associations. ITB Berlin, the world\u2019s largest tourism trade fair, is going fully virtual this year from yesterday until March 12.\u00a0Malaysia is taking full advantage of the virtual experience by having a \u201cvirtual cafe\u201d called Malaysia Truly Asia Caf\u00e9 Corner that will highlight Malaysia\u2019s niche products, such as specialised scuba diving for the disabled, birdwatching and medical tourism.Travel bubbles may not see the light of day.ConclusionAt the end of the day, many tourism industry players will just have coffee shop talks, complaints, whines and discussions, and that will be it. I listen to some of them and feel their frustrations.The big players are suffering equally hard as the small players, but the tourism grants and aides seem to target small and medium players.That RM3,000 one-off grant to tourism agencies will not cover one large companies salesperson pay; therefore, which tour agency size will benefit from this? The small one-man show or three-person tour company, maybe?So you see, sometimes when the government plans these kinds of grants and help, I really wonder who is suggesting these ideas and where they pluck these numbers from. I leave the ball in your court to figure this out.\n\n\nTags\nCovid 19 Tourism News\nMalaysia\nMalaysia Post-Covid 19\nMalaysia Travel Bubble\nTourism Malaysia\nTourism Malaysia News\nTravel Bubble\n\n\n\n\n\nFacebook\nTwitter\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nShare:Tourism Bubbles in Malaysia?\n\n\nFacebook\nTwitter\nWhatsApp\nPinterest\nLinkedIn\nReddit\nTumblr\nTelegram\nEmail\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nMalaysia Asia\nBlogging since 2007, but writing online since 1997. I belong to the 1st generation of worldwide bloggers, which is of course old-school. \n\nSince 2008, I created Malaysia Asia and this travel, flood, gadget and lifestyle blog has won numerous physical awards from tourism boards around Malaysia. (Not those online awards).\n\nAfter 12 years of blogging, I have semi-retired and now blog about things I like, do product reviews and enjoy life. My work has been featured in Lonely Planet, CNN Travel, Yahoo Travel, Wall Street Journal, and many other international publications. Find out more about me and thank you.\n\n\n\n\nYou might like\nView all\n\n\n\n\n\n\n"}
{"url": "http://blog.malaysia-asia.my/2019/11/sarawak-tourism-partners-malaysia.html", "text": "\n\n\n\nHomeBorneo\n\nSarawak Tourism Partners Malaysia Airlines at WTM \n\n\n\n\nbyMalaysia Asia\n-November 05, 2019\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nExcellent news for Sarawak Tourism as a partnership between Malaysia Airlines embarks on a journey to boost Sarawak tourism, not only in the United Kingdom but also around Europe.\n\n\n\nThe Sarawak Tourism Board has renewed and expanded its partnership deal with Malaysia Airlines during the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) at the World Travel Market in London on November 4, 2019.\n\n\n\nMalaysia Airlines and Sarawak Tourism Board Partnership\n\n\n\nUnder the agreement, Sarawak Tourism Board together with Malaysia Airlines will jointly invest in promoting Sarawak as a naturally preferred destination for the overseas market.\n\n\n\nThis also includes funding arrangements for campaigns and promotional activities to boost both domestic and international arrivals into Sarawak.\u00a0\n\n\n\nThe partnership involves marketing campaigns with leading travel agents such as;\n\n\n\nAmogha Tours and Travel Sdn Bhd\nOne Wayang Tour Sdn Bhd\nGreatown Travel Sdn Bhd\nCPH Travel Agencies\nEcogreen Holidays\nGrand Margherita Hotel\nRiverside Majestic Hotel\nSara Hospitality Sdn Bhd\n\n\n\n\nBa'Kelalan, one of the most beautiful villages in the highlands of Sarawak\u00a0\n\n\nThis is to increase Sarawak visibility and generate sales, as well as organized visits for travel agents and the media to experience all that Sarawak has to offer.\u00a0\n\n\n\nThe destinations will also be promoted on the Malaysia Airlines website and feature several digital campaigns led by the national carrier.\n\n\n\nThe MOU was signed by the Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director of Malaysian Airline System Bhd, Captain Izham Ismail for Malaysia Airlines Berhad and Sarawak Tourism Board, Chief Executive Officer, Sharzede Datu Haji Salleh Askor.\n\n\n\n\u201cSarawak Tourism sees this as a strategic partnership with Malaysia Airlines to promote Sarawak and leveraging the Visit Sarawak Campaign,\u201d Sharzede said.\u00a0\n\n\n\nShe is confident that this partnership will give tourists and visitors from the United Kingdom a chance to experience new and diverse products to enhance their Sarawak experiences.\n\n\n\n\nKuching City in Sarawak\n\n\nConclusion\n\n\n\nThe World Travel Market (WTM) is a three-day trade fair held in London bringing together travel professionals, key industry buyers, journalists, digital influencers, students and tourism ministers to discuss business, innovation, and trends in the travel industry.\u00a0\n\n\n\nLast year\u2019s WTM 2018 event sparked over a million meetings, resulting in around \u00a33 billion in contracts.\n\n\n\nTo take advantage of Malaysia Airlines\u2019 great prices, guests can book their tickets at Malaysia Airlines\u2019 participating travel agents or visit the Malaysia Airlines website.\n\n\nTags\nBorneo\nMalaysia\nMalaysia Airlines\nMalaysia Airlines News\nSarawak\nSarawak Tourism\nSarawak Tourism News\n\n\n\n\n\nFacebook\nTwitter\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nShare:Sarawak Tourism Partners Malaysia Airlines at WTM \n\n\nFacebook\nTwitter\nWhatsApp\nPinterest\nLinkedIn\nReddit\nTumblr\nTelegram\nEmail\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nMalaysia Asia\nBlogging since 2007, but writing online since 1997. I belong to the 1st generation of worldwide bloggers, which is of course old-school. \n\nSince 2008, I created Malaysia Asia and this travel, flood, gadget and lifestyle blog has won numerous physical awards from tourism boards around Malaysia. (Not those online awards).\n\nAfter 12 years of blogging, I have semi-retired and now blog about things I like, do product reviews and enjoy life. My work has been featured in Lonely Planet, CNN Travel, Yahoo Travel, Wall Street Journal, and many other international publications. Find out more about me and thank you.\n\n\n\n\nYou might like\nView all\n\n\n\n\n\n\n"}
{"url": "http://blog.malaysia-asia.my/2019/04/soekarno-hatta-terminal-2f-is-now-lcct.html", "text": "\n\n\n\nHomeAirlines\n\nSoekarno-Hatta Terminal 2F is now an LCCT\n\n\n\n\nbyMalaysia Asia\n-April 29, 2019\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nIn a significant recognition of the economic contributions and future potentials of low-cost carriers (LCCs) in the vast archipelago, the Indonesian Government has designated Terminal 2F of Jakarta's Soekarno-Hatta International Airport (SHIA) as a dedicated LCC Terminal for international flights.\n\n\n\nThis is a very proud moment for Indonesians that they finally have a dedicated LCCT to be a regional LCC powerhouse.\u00a0\n\n\n\nSoekarno-Hatta Terminal 2F LCCT\n\n\n\nEffective 1st May 2019, most budget airlines in the region will start to operate from Terminal 2F at the Soekarno-Hatta International Airport.\u00a0\n\n\n\nPassengers must also take note of the following airlines that will be operating from SHIA T2F as below:\n\n\n\n\n\nAirAsia international flights (previously T2D) - from 1 May 2019 [Note that AirAsia Indonesia domestic flights that were once at Terminal 2F will now move to Terminal 2D and 2E]\nCebu Pacific (previously T2D) - from 1 May 2019\nLion Air Group (Lion Air, Thai Lion, Malindo) international flights (previously T2D) - from 1 May 2019\nJetstar Asia (formerly T3) - from 15 May 2019\nCitilink and Tiger Scoot - are\u00a0also scheduled to move to T2F soon, making it a fully international LCCT for Indonesia.\n\n\nBelow is a video of the new LCCT at Soekarno-Hatta International Airport\n\n\n\n\n\n\nAs this strategy involves a realignment of domestic-international flight operations, all domestic flights by Sriwijaya Air and AirAsia that were previously operating at Terminal 2F will move to Terminal 2D/E from 1st May 2019.\n\n\n\nThere is also a dedicated terminal for Umrah pilgrims, which is also underway. SHIA is undergoing an exciting transformation with all of these additions and changes. Even the new Terminal 4 is currently being built.\u00a0\n\n\n\nFor those who may not be familiar with Soekarno-Hatta International, the airport is divided into three main terminals, which are;\n\n\n\n\nTerminal 1 (1A, 1B, 1C)\nTerminal 2 (2D, 2E, 2F)\nTerminal 3 (which is now designated for full-service international flights like those by Garuda, Malaysia Airlines, Singapore Airlines, Cathay Pacific, and others)\n\n\n\n\n\nSoekarno-Hatta International Airport Jakarta\n\n\n\nThe airport's Terminal 1 (opened in 1985) and Terminal 2 (opened in 1991) were designed by Paul Andreu, a French architect who also designed Paris\u2013Charles de Gaulle Airport in France.\n\n\n\nOne of the characteristics of the airport is incorporating local architecture into the design and the presence of tropical gardens between the waiting lounges.\u00a0\n\n\n\nWith the unique characteristics of design and architecture, the airport won the 1995 Aga Khan Award for Architecture. Terminal 3 started operations in 2017, and another Terminal 4 is currently in the pipeline.\n\n\n\n\nThe overall layout map for the Soekarno-Hatta International Airport in Jakarta, Indonesia. (Photo Wikipedia)\n\n\nWhy Did They Make the LCCT at T2?\n\n\n\nAccording to the airport operator PT Angkasa Pura II, the declaration of T2F as an LCCT was made in response to the Tourism Ministry's aim to increase tourist arrivals under the Wonderful Indonesia campaign.\u00a0\n\n\n\nIn 2018, 30% or 4.65 million out of 15.5 million passengers on international routes at Soekarno-Hatta International were in the LCC segment, which is expected to grow further in 2019.\u00a0\n\n\n\nThe first quarter of 2019 saw a growth of 2% in LCC international route passengers at SHIA, while aircraft movements increased by 5%.\n\n\n\nCurrently, 60% of SHIA passengers are millennials, forming the biggest group of LCC passengers in Indonesia.\u00a0\n\n\n\nTo cater to and service them better, PT Angkasa Pura II has assured that T2F will be equipped with digital services like self-check-in kiosks, self-baggage drop and other value-added services.\n\n\n\nThe T2F LCCT was said to be realigned to facilitate a fast departure process, short turnaround time and a happy journey experience for passengers.\n\n\n\nThe most crucial point is how Indonesia emphasises the LCC sector by providing a dedicated LCCT that will allow it to grow even further.\u00a0\n\n\n\nAdopting digital services will increase efficiency, cut costs, and enhance the passenger experience travelling in and out of Indonesia's Soekarno-Hatta LCCT in Jakarta.\u00a0\n\n\n\nFor Indonesian readers, you can also read the media statement by PT Angkasa Pura II, which was issued on the 26th of April 2019.\n\n\n\n\nWhere is Terminal 2F at the Soekarno-Hatta Airport? (Photo: www.ifly.com)\n\n\nConclusion\n\n\n\nWell, I have to go and check out the new LCCT at SHIA T2F and see if it is up to the mark. And how is it compared to our KLIA2? This is undoubtedly on my airport review list!\n\n\n\nI have travelled around Indonesia for work and leisure in the last few years and to several remote places, where I have reviewed the Raja Ampat airport and the Marinda Waisai airport\u00a0in West Papua, Indonesia.\n\n\n\nAnd if you haven't, please check out my review of KLIA2 vs Bangkok Don Mueang airport\u00a0here and my Tokyo Narita Airport review. I would love to hear your comments below too.\n\n\n\n\nTags\nAirlines\nAirport News\nAirport Reviews\nAirports\nAviation\nAviation News\nIndonesia\nJakarta\n\n\n\n\n\nFacebook\nTwitter\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nShare:Soekarno-Hatta Terminal 2F is now an LCCT\n\n\nFacebook\nTwitter\nWhatsApp\nPinterest\nLinkedIn\nReddit\nTumblr\nTelegram\nEmail\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nMalaysia Asia\nBlogging since 2007, but writing online since 1997. I belong to the 1st generation of worldwide bloggers, which is of course old-school. \n\nSince 2008, I created Malaysia Asia and this travel, flood, gadget and lifestyle blog has won numerous physical awards from tourism boards around Malaysia. (Not those online awards).\n\nAfter 12 years of blogging, I have semi-retired and now blog about things I like, do product reviews and enjoy life. My work has been featured in Lonely Planet, CNN Travel, Yahoo Travel, Wall Street Journal, and many other international publications. Find out more about me and thank you.\n\n\n\n\nYou might like\nView all\n\n\n\n\n\n\n"}
{"url": "http://blog.malaysia-asia.my/2023/02/batik-air-jogjakarta-kuala-lumpur.html", "text": "\n\n\n\nHomeAirlines\n\nBatik Air Jogjakarta - Kuala Lumpur Flights Without Transit\n\n\n\n\nbyMalaysia Asia\n-February 10, 2023\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nBatik Air (flight code ID) member of Lion Air Group, has added international routes, starting January 31, 2023, flying directly (without transit) from Jogjakarta via Yogyakarta International Airport in Kulonprogo (YIA) to Kuala Lumpur International Airport, Malaysia (KUL).Batik Air Jogjakarta - Kuala Lumpur Flights Without TransitBatik Air's international scheduled flights, Jogjakarta - Kuala Lumpur, will be able to provide benefits for every guest (businessmen and tourists) with a wider choice of flight networks.For travellers and business people, the opportunity to continue flights (connecting flights) through KLIA is connected to the Lion network.Air Group, namely Batik Air (flight code OD), Batik Air Indonesia (flight code ID) and Thai Lion Air (flight code SL) to;Malaysia, consisting of Kuala Lumpur (KUL), Langkawi (LGK), Penang (PEN), Kota Kinabalu (BKI), Melaka (MKZ), Kuching (KCH), Labuan (LBU), Johor Bahru (JHB), Sandakan (SDK)Singapore (SIN)Phom Penh, Cambodia (PNH)Yangon, Myanmar (RGN)Hanoi (HAN), Ho Chi Minh City (SGN) and Da Nang (DAD), VietnamBangkok Don Mueang (DMK) and Phuket (HKT), ThailandPlease visit Batik Air Indonesia or Batik Air Malaysia for more information about these flights.You can also visit one of my articles highlighting where to go in Jogjakarta for first-timers visiting this beautiful city in Indonesia.Batik Air at the Jogjakarta Airport.Conclusion to Batik Air Jogjakarta - Kuala Lumpur Flights Without TransitThis is perfect timing as the world recovers from the Covid-19 pandemic. In Malaysia, Batik Air was previously known as Malindo Air.The non-stop route between KL and Jogjakarta will also increase tourism both ways, as Jogjakarta is well-known for its iconic Borobudur, Prambanan and Malioboro Shopping Street.\n\n\nTags\nAirlines\nAviation\nAviation News\nBatik Air\nBatik Air Malaysia\nIndonesia\nJogjakarta\nWhat to do in Jogjakarta\nWonderful Indonesia\n\n\n\n\n\nFacebook\nTwitter\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nShare:Batik Air Jogjakarta - Kuala Lumpur Flights Without Transit\n\n\nFacebook\nTwitter\nWhatsApp\nPinterest\nLinkedIn\nReddit\nTumblr\nTelegram\nEmail\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nMalaysia Asia\nBlogging since 2007, but writing online since 1997. I belong to the 1st generation of worldwide bloggers, which is of course old-school. \n\nSince 2008, I created Malaysia Asia and this travel, flood, gadget and lifestyle blog has won numerous physical awards from tourism boards around Malaysia. (Not those online awards).\n\nAfter 12 years of blogging, I have semi-retired and now blog about things I like, do product reviews and enjoy life. My work has been featured in Lonely Planet, CNN Travel, Yahoo Travel, Wall Street Journal, and many other international publications. Find out more about me and thank you.\n\n\n\n\nYou might like\nView all\n\n\n\n\n\n\n"}
{"url": "http://blog.malaysia-asia.my/2021/11/kepong-forest-skywalk-frim.html", "text": "\n\n\n\nHomeBotanical Gardens in Malaysia\n\nKepong Forest Skywalk FRIM\n\n\n\n\nbyMalaysia Asia\n-November 30, 2021\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nOne of the latest nature attractions in Kuala Lumpur is the\u00a0Kepong Forest Skywalk FRIM, located at the Kepong Botanical Gardens at Taman Eshan.This incredible canopy skywalk is also locally called Jejantas Rimba, translated from the English name of Forest Skywalk.Kepong Forest Skywalk FRIMView of the Forest Skywalk from one side.Located at the Kepong Botanical Gardens or KBG at Taman Eshan, the Forest Skywalk is FRIM's second canopy walkway opened during the Covid19 pandemic and on 31st August of 2020.The structure's highest point is 141 metres (462.5 feet) above sea level, providing some incredible views of the Kuala Lumpur skyline and the surrounding forest of FRIM.I assumed that I could do some bird watching when I came here, but I was too captivated by the overall structure and the beautiful views.What Should Know Before Visiting the Kepong Forest Skywalk?The\u00a0Kepong Botanical Gardens, which you need to walk about one kilometre to Forest Skywalk.If this is your first time here, you should read this before going there, as there is some information not shared by many of the articles out there.So, the Forest Skywalk location is outside of Kuala Lumpur, at the Kepong Botanical Gardens, which is connected and managed by FRIM. So, do NOT go to FRIM as that is not the location.There are two types of tickets to purchase for this place; One is for the general skywalk experience, which is RM15 for MyKad holders and RM40 for the rest.The main entrance to the Kepong\u00a0Forest Skywalk.An additional ticket price of RM5.00 (or RM10 for others) is to access the 50-metre tower for a bird's eye view of the area. I would recommend taking the package of both.If you fear heights, I recommend you give this place a miss because it will be terrifying when you climb up the scaffolding.Once you find the KBG, there is a guardhouse before you enter the gardens. At the guardhouse and ticket post, you need to show your Forest Skywalk ticket to enter.Parking - There is a car park inside, so if you drive, you need to pay the parking fee, which is RM5.00 per car.Equipment - If you have a DSLR camera, you also need to pay a camera fee of RM5.00 per DSLR. And if you are bringing additional equipment like lighting and so on, there are other fees.Walking - Once you park your car or enter the guardhouse, you need to walk to the Forest Skywalk, about one kilometre inside the KBG.The slight uphill walk to the Forest Skywalk.There is no buggy or tram service to the entrance of the Forest Skywalk, so everyone needs to walk there. This means come prepared with comfortable walking shoes.This also means that those with walking issues or handicapped should reconsider visiting this place. Unless there are special arrangements, which I am unsure they currently have.So, if you come early in the morning, the weather is usually excellent, and it tends to get really hot and humid after 10.30 AM, so please time your visits or come prepared.Once you reach the main Forest Skywalk entrance, a 20-metre walk up a small hill to the ticket counter and main entrance.It is here where you buy your tickets or show your online ticket purchase. The staff there will inform you of your slot to enter the skywalk.The\u00a0Forest Skywalk central entrance tower to ascend.As you enter the main entrance to the skywalk, you will need to walk up to another small hill for about 100 metres before you reach the foot of the skywalk. There are no handicap facilities here.If it rains, there are three areas for shelter, one at the car park area, one at the main ticketing office, and one gazebo at the foot of the Forest Skywalk.A few people are allowed to utilize the skywalk, so you need to wait for the staff at the entrance to enable you to go up.Once you start to ascend the scaffolding to go up the tower, you need to be careful when climbing the stairs.When you reach the top, it is an easy walk around the entire structure, and they limit each section to five people at one time.There you go, a personal experience by me when I visited this place and took some notes to be shared here.Photos of the Kepong Forest SkywalkOnly 5 persons are allowed on each section of the walkways.The starting section of the Forest Skywalk at Kepong Botanical Gardens.What the Forest Skywalk looks like.Various views of the Forest Skywalk.The walkway towards the 50-metre lookout tower.Looking down at one section of the Forest Skywalk from the 50-metre tower.Kuala Lumpur skyline view from the top of the 50-metre tower.A view of the 50-metre tower on the left.One must be careful when climbing the towers, as you can see from the photo here.Overall, the structure is solid and does not move when you walk.The second tallest tower is accessible to anyone.A smaller lookout tower is just before the end of the walk.The overall layout structure of the\u00a0Forest Skywalk at FRIM Kepong.What is the Forest Skywalk made from?The entire skywalk structure was built using aluminium, enforced with steel tubes and supported by guy wires.The Forest Skywalk comprises 11 towers and 8 bridges, varying in height from 18 metres to 50 metres with a total length of 250 metres.It is managed by FRIM and supported by the Ministry of Tourism Malaysia (MoTac), and is one of two canopy walkways in the Klang Valley.An amazing ultra-wide-angle view from the Galaxy Z Flip3 5G Smartphone.When is the Best Time to visit the Kepong Forest Skywalk?If you do not have the luxury of time, you can just visit this place anytime you like, but I would strongly recommend coming here on a weekday morning before 11.00 AM.June to September - This is the general fruiting season around here, and chances of spotting multiple bird species are high. Overall, the wildlife scene will be thriving with insects, birds, squirrels and monkeys.During the fruiting period, bring binoculars or telephoto lens for photographers, and you may be able to capture some amazing nature and wildlife shots from up the Forest Skywalk.A map showing where the Forest Skywalk is located and where KLCC is.How to Go to Kepong Forest Skywalk?There are several ways to get here, and then I will share them based on locals and visitors.Locals - Self-driving is the best way, and you simply need to key in Kepong Forest Skywalk into Waze or Google Maps and follow directions.Locals - Public transport is also available, but you need to take the KTM Rawang-Seremban train and get off at the Kepong Sentral Station. From there, you need to take a taxi or ride-hailing service to KBG.Visitors - From Kuala Lumpur, it takes about 30 minutes to drive to Kepong, but I will just recommend you take a ride-hailing service here as it is much more convenient.Directions to Kepong Forest Skywalk FRIMFor more information, visit the official FRIM website, and if you wish to purchase any tickets, you can do so from the FRIM Forest Skywalk ticket booking page.ConclusionOverall, this place is probably one of the best locations in Kuala Lumpur to experience a canopy skywalk experience and have a nice view of the cityscape.Due to the crowds and SOPs during the re-opening after the Covid19 lockdowns, you still need to purchase your tickets online, and please book for the earliest slots before lunch and on a weekday.I visited the\u00a0Kepong Forest Skywalk at FRIM shortly after it re-opened on 15th October 2021, and on a Wednesday morning, around 10.00 AM.All photos in this article were taken with my Galaxy Z Flip3 5G smartphone as I travel light these days, compared to lugging my old DSLR camera around.\n\n\nTags\nBotanical Gardens in Malaysia\nCanopy Walks of Malaysia\nFRIM\nKepong Forest Skywalk FRIM\nKuala Lumpur\nMalaysia\nMalaysia Canopy Walks\n\n\n\n\n\nFacebook\nTwitter\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nShare:Kepong Forest Skywalk FRIM\n\n\nFacebook\nTwitter\nWhatsApp\nPinterest\nLinkedIn\nReddit\nTumblr\nTelegram\nEmail\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nMalaysia Asia\nBlogging since 2007, but writing online since 1997. I belong to the 1st generation of worldwide bloggers, which is of course old-school. \n\nSince 2008, I created Malaysia Asia and this travel, flood, gadget and lifestyle blog has won numerous physical awards from tourism boards around Malaysia. (Not those online awards).\n\nAfter 12 years of blogging, I have semi-retired and now blog about things I like, do product reviews and enjoy life. My work has been featured in Lonely Planet, CNN Travel, Yahoo Travel, Wall Street Journal, and many other international publications. Find out more about me and thank you.\n\n\n\n\nYou might like\nView all\n\n\n\n\n\n\n"}
{"url": "http://blog.malaysia-asia.my/2020/07/galaxy-s20-ultra-5g-camera-review.html", "text": "\n\n\n\nHomeSamsung\n\nGalaxy S20 Ultra 5G Camera Review Malaysia\n\n\n\n\nbyMalaysia Asia\n-July 04, 2020\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nI have been testing out Samsung phones for a while now, and in the last couple of years, I have been quite impressed by how the technology has improved.In this special article, I will be featuring the Samsung Galaxy S20 Ultra 5G camera review with photos taken around the historical city of Melaka, Malaysia.\u00a0While this may not be your average technical Samsung review, I assure you this is a straightforward article with a layman explanation.Galaxy S20 Ultra 5G Camera ReviewThe first thing everyone was excited about the\u00a0Galaxy S20 Ultra 5G was, in fact, the 100 times space zoom on the camera. Well, let me just say that this camera zoom technology is still in the infancy stage.Okay, before you continue, let me say that this test was done in June 2020, which was also the RMCO, the recovery period of the Movement Control Order that has affected the entire world, including here in Malaysia.So, with the travel ban on almost every country, including Malaysia, there is just not going to be any cross-border travel until this pandemic is fully recovered. It could be in 2021 or even in 2022.Why I went to Melaka to test the phone?\u00a0I had to make a special trip to Melaka just for this as I wanted to get the colours of the buildings against the blue skies.You should already know that in Kuala Lumpur, the weather tends to be a little cranky with cloudy days and rain. Hence the best places for nice blue skies are out of the main city areas.The camera section of the Galaxy S20 Ultra.Camera System - Well, I have to admit that the technology has improved so much that we are now experiencing pro-grade cameras on the latest Samsung Galaxy smartphones.Galaxy S20 Ultra Storage - The problem with today's lifestyle is that people seem to need more and more storage on their devices. And for the S20 Ultra comes with a whopping built-in 128 GB storage.And if that is not enough for you, fear not, as you can easily upgrade the phone's storage to 1 TB with a micro-sim card!Cameras on the S20 Ultra - Back in the day, one camera was good enough for all of us, but with technology advancing so fast, the S20 Ultra comes with not one, not two, not three, not four but a whopping five cameras!Yes, that is a load of cameras packed into a smartphone and let me just say that each of these cameras provides different functions when in use.Low Light Shooting - This has been one of the main issues in smartphone photography, and in the last couple of years, Samsung has increased the sensor size to better the low-light or night photography.One of the must-try functions for night photography is the \"Bright Night\" mode, which can transform your low light into bright photos.The camera system includes a 12 megapixel (MP) ultra-wide camera, a 48 MP telephoto camera, a depth vision camera and a 108 MP wide-angle camera. The front camera is also 40 MP for your selfies.This is perfect for general to specific photography as it covers almost everything you need in one smartphone.8K Video Shooting - Unfortunately, I had little time to test this function, but I did shoot some videos, and the quality was incredibly superior.\u00a0Melaka photos taken with the Galaxy S20 Ultra 5GBelow are random photos taken in the day and also at night around the historical city of Melaka. I did not use any additional gear like tripods or stabilizers too.The photos were also resized, and my watermark was added to them. Below are the random photos taken with the Galaxy S20 Ultra.One of the beautifully preserved heritage buildings along Jonker Walk.Christ Church at Red Square is one of the oldest churches in Malaysia.The Red Clock Tower at Stadhuys in Melaka.Beautiful building murals are spotted along the Melaka River.A replica of the Flor de la Mar ship, which is the Maritime Museum.Localised street art depicting life along Jonker Street.The famous Orang Utan House at Lorong Hang Jebat and Jalan Tukang Besi.Stadhuys photographed in ultra-wide angle.The Stadhuys main building is in red.A couple of trishaws parked outside Christ Church Melaka.Jonker Walk arch and entrance from the north side.Setbacks from the Galaxy S20 Ultra 5G CameraWith any phone, there are bound to be setbacks or things that do not please the consumers. And for the S20 Ultra, there we indeed a couple of them which I did not like.The camera lens system heats up - When you start taking multiple photos for a longer period, the lens of the S20 Ultra starts to heat up, and it can get a little worrying.The camera lens vibrates a little when you take photos - For some reason, I don't know if it was intentional for this to happen, but it reminded me of a micro two-thirds camera. Perhaps it needs a little getting used to.My Other Galaxy Smartphone ReviewsI have also done some other reviews based on the Samsung Galaxy series, including the amazing Galaxy S10 Plus review, which is the smartphone I am currently using.Apart from that, I managed to do a camera review for the Samsung Galaxy Note 10 Plus when I was travelling in Sarawak Borneo.With the launch of the folding phones, I also did a review for the Galaxy Fold and one for the amazing Samsung Galaxy Flip in Malaysia.In the last couple of years, the smartphone brands have been racing amongst each other to develop innovative and unique models; hence there has been a surge of phones in the market.Even in Malaysia, grand launches have been conducted while influencers have taken to social media in promoting these smartphones.The Galaxy Z Flip phone was reviewed by me.ConclusionI personally find the Galaxy S20 Ultra is quite impressive, namely the camera system. The colours are much more vivid compared to my Galaxy S10 Plus.I have travelled to Melaka for many decades and have also been photographing this historical city since the 90s. Among the best places to explore is no other than Jonker Street and its surroundings.For the price you will pay, it is a smartphone that you will keep at least a few years before you upgrade it. I hope you found my review of the Galaxy S20 Ultra 5G camera interesting and if you have questions, please feel free to ask.\n\n\nTags\nSamsung\nSamsung Galaxy\nSamsung Galaxy Reviews\nSamsung Galaxy S20 Malaysia\nSamsung Malaysia\nSmartphone\nSmartphone Review\nSmartphone Reviews\nTravel Photo\nTravel Photography\n\n\n\n\n\nFacebook\nTwitter\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nShare:Galaxy S20 Ultra 5G Camera Review Malaysia\n\n\nFacebook\nTwitter\nWhatsApp\nPinterest\nLinkedIn\nReddit\nTumblr\nTelegram\nEmail\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nMalaysia Asia\nBlogging since 2007, but writing online since 1997. I belong to the 1st generation of worldwide bloggers, which is of course old-school. \n\nSince 2008, I created Malaysia Asia and this travel, flood, gadget and lifestyle blog has won numerous physical awards from tourism boards around Malaysia. (Not those online awards).\n\nAfter 12 years of blogging, I have semi-retired and now blog about things I like, do product reviews and enjoy life. My work has been featured in Lonely Planet, CNN Travel, Yahoo Travel, Wall Street Journal, and many other international publications. Find out more about me and thank you.\n\n\n\n\nYou might like\nView all\n\n\n\n\n\n\n"}
{"url": "http://blog.malaysia-asia.my/2022/07/rainforest-world-music-festival-2022-in.html", "text": "\n\n\n\nHomeHuawei Malaysia\n\nRainforest World Music Festival 2022 in Pictures with Huawei P50\n\n\n\n\nbyMalaysia Asia\n-July 07, 2022\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nIn June 2022, I attended Malaysia's most famous music festival and showcased the Rainforest World Music Festival 2022 in pictures with a Huawei P50 smartphone.Since 2013, I have been actively documenting and photographing most of my travels and events using smartphones and, over the years, have seen so many technological changes.This time, I am trying out the Huawei P50 as my camera since the technology has advanced; it is improving for general photography.Rainforest World Music Festival 2022 in Pictures with Huawei P50The Rainforest World Music Festival, or RWMF in short, is now in its 25th year and is Malaysia's iconic world-class music event. It is also held at the award-winning Sarawak Cultural Village, or SCV, out of Kuching.The RWMF attracts music lovers worldwide and is recognised as one of the most unique music festivals worldwide.The main merchandise booth at the RWMF grounds.Musicians from around the globe are invited to participate and showcase their local ethnic music in natural or mixed formats, where they blend modern and ethnic music for their performances.Often, traditional and native attire accompanies the musicians that take the main open-aired stage at the cultural village, and the festival runs for three days here in Santubong, Sarawak.As I have been attending the RWMF for over 10 years, photographing and writing about it, I saw an opportunity to test out the Huawei P50 for some casual photography day and night here.Take note that I never over-edit my photos, and the RWMF pictures you see are just resized and very lightly edited for web view.Below are some of the Huawei P50 photos taken by me during the recent Rainforest World Music Festival 2022;A wooden sign for the Sarawak Cultural Village.Various ethnic people of Sarawak in full costume, posing by the main stage of RWMF.Some of the beautiful RWMF merchandise was being sold at the event.Various ethnic tribes from Sarawak posing with the Sape music instrument.Visitors enjoy some free time at the cultural village.An Intermediate Egret was spotted around the quiet area of the cultural village.Huawei P50 Ultra-wide Night Mode PhotosBelow are some photos taken using the Ultra-wide and Night mode functions of the Huawei P50 smartphone.The main stage of the RWMF.Alena Murang performs on stage.One of the bands performed on the main stage.The massive crowd during the festival.Another angle of the enormous crowd.Festival-goers were photographed from the photography pit of the RWMF.Visitors light up their lighters and smartphones during one of the performances.Low-angle shot of a traditional Bidayuh Bridge at the Sarawak Cultural Village.One of the unique ethnic vendors at the RWMF Craft Bazaar.Stunning wood sculptures are seen at the\u00a0Sarawak Cultural Village.The main lake at the\u00a0Sarawak Cultural Village.Visitors try crossing the traditional Bidayuh Bamboo Bridge.The massive food bazaar at the RWMF.More about the Huawei P50You can visit the official Huawei Malaysia website for\u00a0more information about the Huawei P50\u00a0and purchase it there.I have also done several reviews for the Huawei P50, including moon\u00a0and night photography in Kuching.Me posing by the RWMF 2022 signage outside the cultural village. Taken with Huawei P50.ConclusionThis event was the 25th Anniversary of the RWMF, and after two years of Covid 19 lockdowns, many locals were eager to attend the festival, hence the excellent turnout.I hope you enjoyed reading this and seeing the photos taken during the festival. I also hope you will attend the next Rainforest World Music Festival 2023, from 16-18 June 2023.This concludes my article on the Rainforest World Music Festival 2022 in pictures with a Huawei P50 smartphone. Do follow me on my social media channels under the name MalaysiaAsia.\n\n\nTags\nHuawei Malaysia\nHuawei P50\nHuawei P50 Review\nHuawei Smartphones\nMusic Festivals\nPhotography\nRainforest World Music Festival\nRWMF\nSarawak\nSarawak Photography\nSmartphone Review\nSmartphone Reviews\n\n\n\n\n\nFacebook\nTwitter\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nShare:Rainforest World Music Festival 2022 in Pictures with Huawei P50\n\n\nFacebook\nTwitter\nWhatsApp\nPinterest\nLinkedIn\nReddit\nTumblr\nTelegram\nEmail\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nMalaysia Asia\nBlogging since 2007, but writing online since 1997. I belong to the 1st generation of worldwide bloggers, which is of course old-school. \n\nSince 2008, I created Malaysia Asia and this travel, flood, gadget and lifestyle blog has won numerous physical awards from tourism boards around Malaysia. (Not those online awards).\n\nAfter 12 years of blogging, I have semi-retired and now blog about things I like, do product reviews and enjoy life. My work has been featured in Lonely Planet, CNN Travel, Yahoo Travel, Wall Street Journal, and many other international publications. Find out more about me and thank you.\n\n\n\n\nYou might like\nView all\n\n\n\n\n\n\n"}
{"url": "http://blog.malaysia-asia.my/2022/01/lalaport-bbcc-kuala-lumpur-review.html", "text": "\n\n\n\nHomeBest Shopping Malls to Visit in Kuala Lumpur\n\nLalaport BBCC Kuala Lumpur Review\n\n\n\n\nbyMalaysia Asia\n-January 20, 2022\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nAfter a long way, I finally managed to visit the latest Japanese-themed lifestyle mall in KL and here is my\u00a0Lalaport BBCC Kuala Lumpur review.On 17 January, Lalaport BBCC had a special media preview of their lifestyle mall before the opening, set for 20 January.Review of Lalaport BBCC Kuala LumpurIt has been two whole years since I attended any events in Malaysia, and the pre-opening media preview of Lalaport BBCC was a great start to 2022.If you still need to learn, Lalaport is under the Mitsui Fudosan Co. Ltd group and manages Mitsui Outlet at Sepang. This project is their first lifestyle mall in Southeast Asia.What is Lalaport?LaLaport BBCC is a Japanese lifestyle-themed shopping mall focusing on today's trends. The place has a total floor area of 133,000 sq m, a retail space of 82,600 sq m and about 2,400 parking bays.The lifestyle mall plans for about 400 stores to be opened in stages, while 80 outlets are opening this 20 January 2022.Gourmet Street will be one of the busy areas of the mall.This means that more stores will open over the coming months, and the management will see around 80% occupancy by mid of this year.Lalaport KL is also located in the core of the RM8.7 billion Bukit Bintang City Centre (BBCC), a 7.9-hectare mixed-use urban development project under construction on the former Pudu jail site.The shopping mall is designed based on \"modern simplicity\" and \"Japanese flavour\" design concepts with its Japanese heritage.Several event spaces, such as the Gourmet Street and Central Rooftop Garden, offer about 1,700 sq m.Zepp Kuala Lumpur, one of Japan's leading concert halls, will open in the \"entertainment hub\" area adjacent to LaLaport BBCC.The mall plans to have regular music events and campaigns in this facility in collaboration with Zepp, which operates 10 other facilities in Japan and Taiwan.Who are the Tenants at Lalaport BBCC?Coo&Ruki is a Japanese pet shop that will be the talk of the town.Among its tenants include Japanese brands that are making their first appearance in Malaysia, including;Shin'LaboMatcha EightStar Child - Japanese concept childcare nurseryNITORI - A Japanese concept furniture shopCoo&RIKU - A Japanese pet shop with the famous Pucci Marry cat cafeMatcha Eight is a Japanese speciality ice cream shop that will be the craze here.Other tenants opening now include;Body GloveFocus PointLife n FitnessGuardianThe Face ShopJONETZ by Don Don DonkiJaya GrocerMR DIYGourmet Street at Lalaport.What are the F&B areas in Lalaport BBCC?The shopping mall has three food areas, including the 1,400-seating capacity Garden Dining Food Court and Gourmet Street and Depachika Marche.Each is hosted in different sections of the lifestyle mall and caters to different walks of life, families or just plain shoppers.Where is Lalaport BBCC?\u00a0This new Japanese-themed lifestyle mall is located along Jalan Pudu and Hang Tuah, where the former Pudu Prison or Pudu Jail was located. From Bukit Bintang or Berjaya Times Square, it is just a short walk to get here.Address: 2, Bukit Bintang City Centre, Jalan Hang Tuah, Pudu, 55100 Kuala Lumpur, Federal Territory of Kuala LumpurHours: 10.00 AM to 10.00 PMPhone: 03-2731 3555For more information, please visit the official Lalaport BBCC Website.The former Pudu Jail or Pudu Prison is now just the entrance facade.Who Owns Lalaport BBCC?Mitsui Fudosan's first LaLaport mall in Southeast Asia, under its Malaysian subsidiary MFBBCC Retail Mall Sdn Bhd \u2014 a company among UDA Holdings Bhd, Eco World Development Group Bhd and the Employee Provident Fund or EPF.The RM1.6 billion retail mall was developed by Mitsui Fudosan's 50 per cent-owned Malaysian subsidiary MFBBCC Retail Mall Sdn Bhd. The consortium partners own the remaining 50 per cent.LaLaport BBCC is the second LaLaport shopping mall overseas after Mitsui Shopping Park LaLaport Shanghai Jinqiao, China.Video of Lalaport BBCCThe video below was taken during the media preview and shows the shopping mall, locations and areas. It was also edited by me on the same day and published.\nPhotos of Lalaport BBCCBelow are random photos that were taken around Lalaport BBCC during my media preview on 17 January 2022, a few days before opening to the public.Inside one of the court areas of the mall.WOW Plaza connects to Gourment Street.Nicely done interior design at Lalaport BBCC.The beautiful interior of the shopping mall.Central Rooftop Garden, outside Garden Dining t the 4th floor.Some of the beautiful Instagram angles inside Lalaport.NITORI Furniture Outlet.Nitori showroom at Lalaport BBCC.Nojima electrical store.Puchi Marry Cat Cafe at Coo&Riku.A beautiful sign inside the building.Wow Plaza connects the mall to the residence at Gourmet Street.ConclusionAt the end of the day, people want something new and different; hence, the Lalaport BBCC opening is perfect, especially after a two-year lockdown and much uncertainty about Covid19.Now that things have improved since Covid19 lockdowns, more people are comfortable going to shopping malls. Therefore, this mall should see visitors coming to check out the place.For the record, I initially did an article about Lalaport Kuala Lumpur in July 2017, but the project was delayed due to the pandemic.I hope you enjoyed my\u00a0Lalaport BBCC Kuala Lumpur review, and if you have anything to ask or add, please do so in the comment section below. And yes, more shops will be opening here over the next few months.\n\n\nTags\nBest Shopping Malls to Visit in Kuala Lumpur\nBukit Bintang City Centre\nKL Shopping Malls\nKuala Lumpur\nLALaport Kuala Lumpur\nMalaysia\nShopping Malls\nShopping Malls in Bukit Bintang\n\n\n\n\n\nFacebook\nTwitter\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nShare:Lalaport BBCC Kuala Lumpur Review\n\n\nFacebook\nTwitter\nWhatsApp\nPinterest\nLinkedIn\nReddit\nTumblr\nTelegram\nEmail\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nMalaysia Asia\nBlogging since 2007, but writing online since 1997. I belong to the 1st generation of worldwide bloggers, which is of course old-school. \n\nSince 2008, I created Malaysia Asia and this travel, flood, gadget and lifestyle blog has won numerous physical awards from tourism boards around Malaysia. (Not those online awards).\n\nAfter 12 years of blogging, I have semi-retired and now blog about things I like, do product reviews and enjoy life. My work has been featured in Lonely Planet, CNN Travel, Yahoo Travel, Wall Street Journal, and many other international publications. Find out more about me and thank you.\n\n\n\n\nYou might like\nView all\n\n\n\n\n\n\n"}
{"url": "http://blog.malaysia-asia.my/2019/01/top-instagram-spots-in-sarawak.html", "text": "\n\n\n\nHomeInstagram\n\nTop Instagram Spots in Sarawak\n\n\n\n\nbyMalaysia Asia\n-May 04, 2021\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nI have come up with the top Instagram spots in Sarawak for the social media influencer or traveller, perfect for those wanting to capture the best iconic places here.\n\n\n\nWith Instagram and social media leading in digital tourism for the last few years, many have travelled worldwide based on top Instagram-worthy places.\n\n\n\nSince I have travelled extensively around Sarawak, I have come up with this article that will share some of the places in Sarawak which are Instagram-worthy.\n\n\n\nWhat Are the Top Instagram Spots in Sarawak?\n\n\n\nAs Sarawak is the largest state in Malaysia and is located on the island of Borneo, one must travel from south to north to visit some of the Instagrammable places in Sarawak.\n\n\n\nIn reality, you may need at least five or six days to see most of these places, but if you only go to one destination, this list will highlight the popular Instagram places.I have also included the Google Map locations at each place, so you can click on them, leading you to the spot.Some more remote places will not have Google Map locations, but you can roughly find them on Google or ask around when you are there.\n\n\n\n\n\n\n \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nView this post on Instagram\n\n\n\n \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n \n\nKuching's famous cat statue in the city. The are a few of these cat statues found all over Kuching, but this one at the center of the city is the most famous & photographed one. And if you did not already know, Kuching translates as Cat from the Malay language. So next time you visit Kuching in Sarawak Borneo, do look out for these unique cat statues. . . . . . #sarawak #borneo #travel #malaysia #kuching #cat . . .\n\nA post shared by  David Hogan Jr (@malaysiaasia) on Aug 21, 2018 at 12:02am PDT\n\n\n\n\nKuching Instagram Spots\n\n\n\nKuching is the capital of Sarawak and is nicknamed Cat City as the name Kuching translates as a cat in Malay. This means you will find many cat statues around Kuching, making perfect Instagram locations.\n\n\n\nThe best Instagram spots in Kuching require walking to get to them, and if you start in the mornings, you can cover most of the locations just after lunch. This is probably one of the most accessible Instagram trails in Sarawak.\n\n\n\nKuching Cat Statue #1 - The easiest to find in the city of Kuching is this statue, located at the intersection of the Jalan Tunku Abdul Rahman, where all the leading hotels are found. This is the most photographed and Instagrammed cat statue in Kuching. Famous Kuching Cat Statue Google Map.\n\n\n\nKuching Cat Statue #2 - This standalone giant cat statue at the end of Jalan Padungan in Kuching provides a great Instagram shot. Best to visit early in the mornings when no one is around too. Jalan Padungan Cat Statue Google Map.\n\n\n\nDarul Hana Bridge - Opened in 2018, the most iconic landmark in Kuching, found in the Kuching Waterfront area. The curved bridge connects the Waterfront to the Sarawak Parliament Building, crossing the Sarawak River. This bridge can be Instagrammed from afar or on the bridge itself.\u00a0Darul Hana Bridge Google Map.\n\n\n\n\n\n \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nView this post on Instagram\n\n\n\n \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n \n\nIt's always great to be back in Kuching, #Sarawak. I don't know why, but everytime I visit here, the realism of the people, culture, food and everything just makes me feel happy and at ease. Photo was taken this evening along the busy Kuching Waterfront, showing the beautiful Sarawak State Legislative Assembly Building against the Sarawak River. One thing about Kuching, and overall Sarawak that appeals to me is that they do not have to try too hard to promote this place as a tourism destination. Sarawak is doing just awesome, and not dependant on mass tourism unlike many other states or countries. They are perfect the way they are now, and is growing slowly, the way it should. Perhaps some others should follow suit on this natural & organic formula, that keeps the real tourist coming, for the real tourism products. Anyway, I'm also here to attend the 21st Rainforest World Music Festival 2018, which takes place this weekend, and at the Sarawak Cultural Village in Santubong. If you're here, I will hopefully see you at #RWMF. . . . #borneo #travel #malaysia #rwmf2018 #kuching #rff2018 @rwmf.official . . .\n\nA post shared by  David Hogan Jr (@malaysiaasia) on Jul 11, 2018 at 5:10am PDT\n\n\n\n\n\nSarawak State Legislative Assembly Building (DUN Building)\u00a0- This beautiful building is the most prominent structure in Kuching City. Sitting across the Sarawak River, you can get a good Instagram shot from across.\u00a0Sarawak State Legislative Assembly Building Google Map.\n\n\n\nHong San Si Temple - Located at the end of Carpenter Street, this temple boasts beautiful colours and intricate carvings, perfect for that Instagram shot. A great time to capture your Insta photo is in the mornings and with clear blue skies. Hon San Si Temple Google Map.\n\n\n\nKuching City Mosque - This pink mosque is the place to take your shot for those wanting a unique yet traditional mosque in their Instagram photos. The contrast of pink and gold will complement anyone dressed in striking colours. Best to come in the morning on a nice hot day, with blue skies. Kuching City Mosque Google Map.\n\nFort Margherita\u00a0- This old English fort from the White Raja era of the 1800s has also become a particular Instagram spot. The building is white, allowing the subject to stand out in various colours for the shot. Fort Margherita Google Map.\n\n\n\n\n\n \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nView this post on Instagram\n\n\n\n \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nA post shared by Ane de Jongh (@anedj89) on Oct 1, 2018 at 11:59pm PDT\n\n\n\n\n\nStreet Art at Jalan Power - This location is in the old part of Kuching, along Jalan Power, where numerous street art is found. One of the famous is the Orang Utan mural, which will look fantastic in your Instagram photo. Jalan Power Google Map.\n\n\n\nIndia Street Pedestrian Mall - This old street has a local bazaar and a modern open-air concept canopy rooftop. Finding the right angle can be fun, but my best location for this Instagram shot is from Jalan Barrack looking in. India Street Mall Google Map.\n\n\n\nSinggahsana Lodge - This standalone building was given a beautiful mural on two sides of the facade, attracting many Instagrammers to photograph this place. However, getting a full shot can be tricky; hence, you must walk around the building to find the best Instagram spot. Singgahsana Lodge Google Map.\n\n\n\nWhite Barouk - This unique ethnic building sits by the Sarawak River near the first cat statue along Jalan Tunku Abdul Rahman. The Baruk is a traditional Bidayuh ceremonial house created here in Kuching for tourism purposes. White Barouk Google Map.\n\n\n\nBorneo Cultures Museum or New Sarawak Museum - Recently completed, the all-new Sarawak Museum is one of the new Instagram-worthy places in Kuching. The museum's stunning architecture is unique; hence, it will be a great place to take your Instagram photos from the Merdeka Field or Padang Merdeka. New Sarawak Museum Google Map.\n\n\n\n\n\n \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nView this post on Instagram\n\n\n\n \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n \n\nThe unique Orang Ulu Tall House at the Sarawak Cultural Village this evening. Rainforest World Music Festival is this weekend here. #RWMF2014 #vmy2014\n\nA post shared by  David Hogan Jr (@malaysiaasia) on Jun 21, 2014 at 11:32am PDT\n\n\n\n\n\nSantubong Instagram Spots\n\n\n\nSantubong is where you can find the Sarawak Cultural Village, a living museum showcasing the many ethnic tribes of Sarawak, all in one place. Around Santubong, you can also find several beach resorts and, of course, Mount Santubong.\n\n\n\nSarawak Cultural Village\u00a0- This living museum will provide many different Instagram-worthy shots as the place is vast and fascinating. To get here, it is a two-hour drive from Kuching City.\n\n\n\nYou must spend at least half a day here to explore the different traditional homes, complete with staff dressed in their respective attire.\n\n\n\nNotable locations at the Sarawak Cultural Village for your Instagram shot include the Melanau Tall House, Orang Ulu House and the Iban Longhouse. Each of them can be photographed from the inside or outside.\u00a0Sarawak Cultural Village Google Map.\n\n\n\nDamai Central Hornbill Statue - Across the Sarawak Cultural Village, Damai Central, where you can find a local food centre and some souvenir shops.\u00a0\n\n\n\nThere is a giant modern contemporary hornbill bird statue facing the sea, which is also Instagram-worthy. Mornings and sunset are the best times for photography here. Damai Central Google Map.\n\n\n\n\n\n \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nView this post on Instagram\n\n\n\n \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n \n\nThe Bako Sea Stack, one of the iconic structures of Sarawak Borneo, looking like a cobra out of the water and ready to strike. Visitors heading to the Bako National Park (2 hours from Kuching), should make sure that your boat guide brings you here. The Sea Stack is actually located a bit further from the park entrance and is best viewed via boat, especially in the mornings. . . . . . #sarawak #bako #borneo #seastack #malaysia #landscape . . .\n\nA post shared by  David Hogan Jr (@malaysiaasia) on Sep 23, 2017 at 9:47pm PDT\n\n\n\n\n\nBako National Park Instagram Spots\n\n\n\nLocated two hours from Kuching is the Bako National Park, possibly one of Sarawak's most beautiful parks. There are a couple of Insta-worthy locations, and they are;\n\n\n\nCobra Sea Stack at Bako National Park - This beautiful structure in the waters of Bako National Park is also one of the Instagram-worthy photos. However, the trick here is to get your shot while on the boat, as there is no way for you to stand and pose here.\n\n\n\nBako National Park Bay - This requires you to trek up one of the trails at the park, and when you reach a vantage point, you can capture a beautiful shot of the bay, complete with the curved beach and rainforest. A tip is to go early in the morning to get this shot.\u00a0Bako National Park Google Map.\n\n\n\n\n\n \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nView this post on Instagram\n\n\n\n \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nA post shared by Josten (@jostenyap) on Nov 24, 2018 at 8:00pm PST\n\n\n\n\n\nMiri Instagram Spots\n\n\n\nMiri is a Resort City located in the northern part of Sarawak, which borders the country of Brunei. Relatively laid back, Miri is also a gateway to some national parks and the Mulu National Park. For anyone staying in Miri, some notable places are worthy of Instagramming.\n\n\n\nTusan Horse Cliff Rock - Update: The Horse Rock at Tusan collapsed at the end of February 2020, which is sad news. This very local place has got some Instagram attention in the last few years. Many photographers come here to capture the sunrise photos, and now, more locals are heading here to get that Instagram photo of Horse Rock. Tusan is a 40-minute drive from Miri. Tusan Horse Cliff Rock Google Map.\n\n\n\nNiah Caves - One of the largest caves in Sarawak and only about two hours from Miri City. The traders' cave here is recommended for your Instagram photo as it is massive and full of character. You can either self-drive or engage in a tour guide service to get here. Niah Caves Google Map.\n\n\n\n\n\n \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nView this post on Instagram\n\n\n\n \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n \n\nThe sheer beauty of the Bario Highlands in Sarawak, Borneo. For this shot, I was cycling with friends around this highland village which is 1000 meters above sea level. We had stopped to take a photograph of the amazing scenery and this is how it turned out. Imagine if the paddy field was green before the harvest? The photo would have come out even better. Sometimes, it's moments like these which make travel worthwhile. Thank you @psychopao for being my back model in this shot. . . . . . #bario #sarawak #borneo #landscape #photography #malaysiatrulyasia #tourismmalaysia . . .\n\nA post shared by  David Hogan Jr (@malaysiaasia) on Jun 2, 2017 at 2:04am PDT\n\n\n\n\n\nBario\u00a0Instagram Spots\n\n\n\nBario is located in the highlands of northeast Sarawak and is one of the best rural tourism locations, which is unspoiled and as original as it can be. This is one of the #SarawakMoreToDiscover locations that I would easily recommend.\n\n\n\nFor anyone wanting to see a more unique side of Sarawak, Bario is the place to visit. It is purely community-driven, with no modern infrastructure and is 1000 meters above sea level. There are a few places to get some Instagram photos if you are here.\n\n\n\n\n\n \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nView this post on Instagram\n\n\n\n \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n \n\nLast week, I travelled to one of the least visited places in Sarawak Borneo called Bario. The photo shows a natural scene just before sunset, taken from a hill named Bukit Korea, located just behind the main village area. This beautiful ethnic highlands is located 1000 meters above sea level and is also disconnected from the modern world in terms of internet data. How awesome is that? . . . #bario #sarawak #travel #borneo #malaysia #trekking #landscape #malaysiatrulyasia . . .\n\nA post shared by  David Hogan Jr (@malaysiaasia) on Mar 21, 2017 at 12:01am PDT\n\n\n\n\n\nPrayer Hill Wooden Church - One of the smaller hills in Bario that many trekkers and hikers visit is Prayer Hill, and a 30-minute trek will lead you to a beautiful wooden church at the halfway point. This can work in your favour for a unique Instagram photo.\n\n\n\nPrayer Hill Cross - From the wooden church, a slightly tricky trail leads up to the hill's peak, where the reward is a stunning massive cross perched at the top. You can also get an incredible view of the entire village of Bario, making this another Instagram-worthy spot for Sarawak.Prayer Mountain Google Map.\n\n\n\n\n\n \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nView this post on Instagram\n\n\n\n \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n \n\nReflections in Borneo - Clouds reflected on a pond in the village of Pa'Lungan in the Kelabit Highlands of Sarawak. To get here, I had to trek for over 5 hours from Bario village which was one of my most interesting treks to date. Pa Lungan does not have any internet or mobile service which is really rare in today's world. . . . . #sarawak #borneo #palungan #trekking #malaysiatrulyasia #landscape #travel #hiking . . .\n\nA post shared by  David Hogan Jr (@malaysiaasia) on Dec 23, 2016 at 12:24am PST\n\n\n\n\n\nPa Lungan Village\u00a0is one of the most challenging places to access from Bario, as one can trek five or six hours just to get here. A relatively small village, the picturesque scenery is surreal on a nice day, with reflections of the clouds on the fishing ponds providing a very natural Instagram photo.\n\n\n\nBukit Korea Hill\u00a0is one of the much easier treks, where Bukit Korea is located just behind the town centre. A 10-minute trek will lead you to a beautiful viewpoint and a field of 'Lalang'.\n\n\n\nBario Rice Paddy Fields - During the harvest period from December to February, the paddy fields here turn from green to golden, providing a beautiful highland landscape worth that Instagram photo.Bario Google Map.\n\n\n\n\n\n \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nView this post on Instagram\n\n\n\n \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nA post shared by K\u00e9w\u7403 (@kewtheballoon) on Jan 1, 2019 at 12:00am PST\n\n\n\n\n\nMulu National Park\u00a0Instagram Spots\n\n\n\nKnown as one of Malaysia's most beautiful national parks, Mulu has several Instagram-worthy places. And the best part is you need to travel to each of them. However, if you are there, check out;\n\n\n\nMulu Pinnacles - Requiring a three-day and two-night journey, the result will be worth your trek here. However, it is best to do it during the dry season for a great shot.\n\n\n\nDeer Cave - The largest of the caves in the national park, many come here to see this gigantic cave's sheer size and often take photos here.\n\n\n\nThe best spot to take your Instagram photo is from inside the cave facing out. You need a tripod and some lighting for this.\n\n\n\nClearwater Cave - This cave is another popular location, but the best part of taking your Instagram photo would be deep down inside the cave, where you can find an underground river and a bridge. This location requires a tripod or steady hands and makes an amazing Instagram shot.Gunung Mulu National Park Google Map.That's me posing with a Komodo Dragon.Conclusion\n\n\n\nI hope you enjoyed this list of top Instagram places in Sarawak, and if you think other areas need to be featured, please let me know in the comment form below.\n\n\n\nThe Visit Sarawak Campaign was launched in 2019, and the official hashtag to use is #VisitSarawak #SarawakMoreToDiscover #SiaSitokSarawak when posting on social media. It will go on through until 2022 or 2023.\n\n\nWhen you post your best Instagram photo of Sarawak, please use the above hashtag, and hopefully, more people will know about the best Instagram spots in Sarawak.\n\n\nTags\nInstagram\nInstagram Malaysia\nInstagram Spots in Malaysia\nMalaysia\nMore Sarawak\nPlaces to Visit in Sarawak\nSarawak\nSarawak More To Discover\nSarawak Tourism\nVisit Sarawak\n\n\n\n\n\nFacebook\nTwitter\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nShare:Top Instagram Spots in Sarawak\n\n\nFacebook\nTwitter\nWhatsApp\nPinterest\nLinkedIn\nReddit\nTumblr\nTelegram\nEmail\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nMalaysia Asia\nBlogging since 2007, but writing online since 1997. I belong to the 1st generation of worldwide bloggers, which is of course old-school. \n\nSince 2008, I created Malaysia Asia and this travel, flood, gadget and lifestyle blog has won numerous physical awards from tourism boards around Malaysia. (Not those online awards).\n\nAfter 12 years of blogging, I have semi-retired and now blog about things I like, do product reviews and enjoy life. My work has been featured in Lonely Planet, CNN Travel, Yahoo Travel, Wall Street Journal, and many other international publications. Find out more about me and thank you.\n\n\n\n\nYou might like\nView all\n\n\n\n\n\n\n"}
{"url": "http://blog.malaysia-asia.my/2020/04/tourist-arrivals-to-malaysia-from-1970.html", "text": "\n\n\n\nHomeMalaysia\n\nTourist Arrivals to Malaysia from 1970 to 2020\n\n\n\n\nbyMalaysia Asia\n-February 27, 2021\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nFor anyone who wants to know the tourism arrival to Malaysia, I managed to compile data ranging from 1957 until 2020, the year of the Covid19 pandemic.These tourism numbers in Malaysia may not be important to the general reader, but those in the tourism industry or anyone studying tourism will find this rather interesting.So, for what its worth, here is the highly prized data of visitors to Malaysia since 1957 and, and they are all taken from reputable and academic sources over the years.\nTourist Arrivals to Malaysia from 1957 to 2020\nBelow are the tourism arrivals to Malaysia and the full numbers are actually from 1972 till 2020. From 1957 since the independence to 1971, the numbers are missing, and I am unable to get those years.\n\n1957 - 13,000(Missing Years)\n1965 - 25,000\n(Missing Years)\n1972 - 725,883\n1973 - 869,559\n1974 - 1,165,270\n1975 - 1,461,603\n1976 - 1,451,441\n1977 - 1,546,866\n1978 - 1,880,646\n1979 - 2,039,154\n1980 - 2.20 million\n1981 - 2.53 million\n1982 - 2.77 million\n1983 - 2.92 million\n1984 - 2.94 million\n1985 - 3.10 million\n1986 - 3.21 million\n1987 - 3.35 million\n1988 - 3.62 million\n1989 - 4.84 million\n1990 - 7.44 million\n1991 - 5.84 million\n1992 - 6.01 million\n1993 - 6.50 million\n1994 - 7.19 million\n1995 - 7.46 million\n1996 - 7.13 million\n1997 - 6.21 million\n1998 - 5.55 million\n1999 - 7.93 million\n2000 - 10.22 million\n2001 - 12.88 million\n2002 - 13.31 million\n2003 - 10.57 million\n2004 - 15.70 million\n2005 - 16.43 million\n2006 - 17.55 million\n2007 - 20.97 million\n2008 - 22.05 million\n2009 - 23.65 million\n2010 - 24.58 million\n2011 - 24.71 million\n2012 - 25.03 million\n2013 - 25.72 million\n2014 - 27.44 million\n2015 - 25.72 million\n2016 - 26.76 million\n2017 - 25.95 million\n2018 - 25.83 million\n2019 - 26.10 million\n2020 - 4.23 million for Q1 (Target of 30 Million Unachievable)Previous Tourist Arrivals to MalaysiaIn the past, I have also done similar articles indicating the tourism arrivals into Malaysia due to the nature of my work with Tourism Malaysia.The last article was a Tourism Malaysia arrival statistics for 2019, highlighting the countries and average length of stay in Malaysia.Before that, I did a simple article on the tourist arrivals to Malaysia from 2005 to 2016 with detailed numbers in 2015 and other vital information.\n\nTourists walking along Jalan Alor in KL at the end of 2019.ConclusionWhile these tourism arrivals to Malaysia statistics may be handy for some, they are not your everyday news for just about everyone.Those who are doing further studies on tourism in Malaysia will find these numbers interesting and would be able to help them in their studies.For the common person like you and me, we just acknowledge how Malaysia's tourism has grown since the 1970s.\n\n\n\nTags\nMalaysia\nMalaysia Tourism Arrivals\nMalaysia Tourism News\nTourism Malaysia\nTourism Malaysia Arrival Statistics\nTourism Malaysia News\n\n\n\n\n\nFacebook\nTwitter\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nShare:Tourist Arrivals to Malaysia from 1970 to 2020\n\n\nFacebook\nTwitter\nWhatsApp\nPinterest\nLinkedIn\nReddit\nTumblr\nTelegram\nEmail\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nMalaysia Asia\nBlogging since 2007, but writing online since 1997. I belong to the 1st generation of worldwide bloggers, which is of course old-school. \n\nSince 2008, I created Malaysia Asia and this travel, flood, gadget and lifestyle blog has won numerous physical awards from tourism boards around Malaysia. (Not those online awards).\n\nAfter 12 years of blogging, I have semi-retired and now blog about things I like, do product reviews and enjoy life. My work has been featured in Lonely Planet, CNN Travel, Yahoo Travel, Wall Street Journal, and many other international publications. Find out more about me and thank you.\n\n\n\n\nYou might like\nView all\n\n\n\n\n\n\n"}
{"url": "http://blog.malaysia-asia.my/2020/08/kak-yan-nasi-campur-restaurant-in.html", "text": "\n\n\n\nHomeFamous Langkawi Food\n\nKak Yan Nasi Campur Restaurant in Langkawi\n\n\n\n\nbyMalaysia Asia\n-August 22, 2020\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nFood has always been one of my weaknesses on all my travels, and this time around, I will be highlighting the super-famous\u00a0Kak Yan Nasi Campur Restaurant in Langkawi.\u00a0Overall, when I visit a place, I make it a point to explore the very local food scene, and these places are usually is local-famous. Most of the time, recommended by locals whom I work with.So, what is Nasi Campur? It is translated from Malay as mixed rice, where one takes a plate of white rice and adds in various dishes to create your own tailored-meal.Kak Yan Nasi Campur Restaurant in LangkawiOver the years, I have heard a lot about this famous Malay mix rice place in Langkawi, and every time I wanted to try it, it was either too late or not convenient.Kak Yan Malay mix rice is probably the most famous 'Nasi Campur' in all of Langkawi, and if you ask anyone on the island, they would easily agree.Kak Yan Nasi Campur seen from the main Ulu Melaka road.So, I keep asking myself what is it that lures people to his unique Island Malay cuisine? You and I know that there are actually many other Malay stalls and restaurants found from Kuah to Pantai Cenang.I had to dig a little deeper to answer this question, and I asked around. Apparently, Kak Yan used to operate in a different location and in a much smaller shop.Kak Yan's amazing cooking skills showed the locals how traditional and simple 'Kampung-style' dishes could go mainstream, and this was all done with passion.She has been around for over 10 years now and currently is located along the main road of Ulu Melaka and is nowhere near Kuah or Pantai Cenang.At one end of the spread, you will find the fried and grilled fish.What is the Best Dish at Kak Yan Nasi Campur Restaurant?To me, every dish looks good there. It's just what each individual person likes. There's like over 30 dishes at any one spread so, from my knowledge, each of them has their own strengths.If you are a fish person, you would most likely be going for the 'Ikan Masak Gulai' or for the 'Kari Ikan', or just the many types of grilled fishes with various sambal sauces.And if you love meats, they have all kinds of everything, ranging from masak chilli paid, masak kurma, masak kicap, masak gulai, masak tempoyak, masak lemak, masak nenas, and the list goes on.So, to list everything here would be a sin; therefore, it is highly recommended that you take this experience as your own. I have provided the information, and the next step is all up to you.A view of the Malay dishes offered to customers.Asking around, the locals do not seem to have any special or best dish at Kak Yan Restaurant, as they claim everything is perfect here.They do have one special dish called 'Kerabu Beronok', which is very popular among the local Langkawi people, and this is worth trying.How Does the Ordering System Work Here?Ok, this is not your normal sit-and-dine restaurant where waiters come and take your order. Kak Yan is a self-serviced buffet-style local kampung restaurant.The first thing to do is to take your plate and rice.This means when you walk in, you head straight to where the empty rice places are stacked. Take a plate, fill it with white rice and then you start to walk around the main buffet table taking what you want.When you do this, there will be people before and after you; hence you should not spend too long at one spot pondering if you want that dish or not. Just move on and go around.The general rule of mixed-rice is that you do not take over four side dishes with your rice. Most people take two or three dishes with rice.For outsiders like me, I make an exception and take around six to seven dishes, but all in tiny portions to sample them.After loading up on your dishes, you proceed to the cashier counter to pay.When you are done, take your plate to the main counter where it says \"Bayar Di Sini\" or pay here. This is also where you order your drinks before paying for everything.After that, you can go look for a place to sit, and then go to the drinks section to pick up your drink or drinks and you are done.What else does Kak Yan Sell?\u00a0I almost forgot, but Kak Yan Restaurant is a local tourist industry, and because of this, there has a corner that sells cakes and bites.However, if your mission is to taste authentic Langkawi Malay food, then you can just avoid this area. It is more for those with a sweet tooth or just needs to buy something to munch after your meal.The sweet-tooth corner at Kak Yan RestaurantWhere is Kak Yan Nasi Campur Restaurant?\u00a0Kak Yan Restaurant's location is along the Jalan Ulu Melaka Road, which is in between Kuah and Pantai Cenang.It will take about 35 minutes one-way drive to get here from Kuah town, and from Pantai Cenang, it will take you around 20 minutes drive one-way.There is parking available outside the restaurant area and also at the side of the place. You may also park along the road shoulder for those coming in the opposite direction, but do it carefully.There is no parking charge, so it is free, regardless if you drive a car or ride a bike here.Six types of Sambal chilli being offered to customers.When is the Best Time to Eat at Kak Yan Restaurant?This is crucial as the place can get really crowded during peak hours. So, I have been here several times and the best time to eat here is still just before lunch at around 11.00 AM.If you come during the prime hour for some reason, you will have to bear with what is available in terms of food.For places to sit, not to worry as they have an extension area on the restaurant's right, which offers more seating.Probably, the beauty about coming here early is to catch all the 40 plus Malay dishes being displayed right in front of your eyes. And trust me, this is something a foodie will remember for life.Also, if you think you are a real travel foodie, think again. This is pure Northern Malay cuisine having a mixture of a little Siamese, east coast, and the Central-northern Malay styles.So, if you think you know much about Malay food, think again. Even I do not dare state, I know my Malay food well enough. Truth be told, there is no Malay food expert blogger or influence out there. Everyone claims they are one, or most are just wannabes.Kak Yan Nasi Campur RestaurantOpen Daily: 8.00 AM to 4.00 PMContact number:\u00a0011-2718 7928Closes Every alternate MondayPayment: Cash onlyPrice: Anywhere from RM5.00 to RM20.00 per plateGoogle maps showing the distance from Pantai Cenang to Kak Yan Restaurant.How to Go to Kak Yan Nasi Campur Restaurant in Langkawi?\u00a0The only way to get here is by self-drive, self-ride or by taking a taxi from wherever you are. The location is easily found on Google Maps or Waze, therefore use that to get here.If you use a hotel chauffeur's services, you can also talk to them as most locals in Langkawi know where this famous restaurant is located.ConclusionOverall, I have to say that the food here was quite up to my expectation, and it was considered better than many other places I tried. I would give this place a 7 out of 10.While I have been visiting Langkawi for some tourism work since the end of 2019, I have been exploring many local places for Malay food, and I will share them from time to time.I will usually stay at the Tanjung Rhu Resort, which is located in a beautiful and secluded part of Northern Langkawi.And when I arrive, I always rent a simple car to move around Langkawi as it is probably the best and most convenient way to explore the island.This is how I end up visiting many of these local gems, which I feel the need to be highlighted to everyone reading this.Read my other review about the famous Nasi Daging Bakar at Padang Matsirat near the Langkawi Airport.The main signboard that can be seen by the road.After over 35 years of travelling around Malaysia, I have now realised that I only go to do the things I want, hence enjoying my trips.And since 2019, my objectives have highlighted some of the lesser-known or local-famous places to be shared online.And Kak Yan Nasi Campur Restaurant in Langkawi is just the start of my little passion project to highlight these places.\n\n\nTags\nFamous Langkawi Food\nFood\nLangkawi\nLangkawi Attractions\nLangkawi Food\nLangkawi Island\nMalaysia\nMalaysia Food\nPlaces to Visit in Langkawi\nThings to do in Langkawi\n\n\n\n\n\nFacebook\nTwitter\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nShare:Kak Yan Nasi Campur Restaurant in Langkawi\n\n\nFacebook\nTwitter\nWhatsApp\nPinterest\nLinkedIn\nReddit\nTumblr\nTelegram\nEmail\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nMalaysia Asia\nBlogging since 2007, but writing online since 1997. I belong to the 1st generation of worldwide bloggers, which is of course old-school. \n\nSince 2008, I created Malaysia Asia and this travel, flood, gadget and lifestyle blog has won numerous physical awards from tourism boards around Malaysia. (Not those online awards).\n\nAfter 12 years of blogging, I have semi-retired and now blog about things I like, do product reviews and enjoy life. My work has been featured in Lonely Planet, CNN Travel, Yahoo Travel, Wall Street Journal, and many other international publications. Find out more about me and thank you.\n\n\n\n\nYou might like\nView all\n\n\n\n\n\n\n"}
{"url": "http://blog.malaysia-asia.my/2020/02/samsung-galaxy-fold-review-malaysia.html", "text": "\n\n\n\nHomeSamsung\n\nSamsung Galaxy Fold Review Malaysia\n\n\n\n\nbyMalaysia Asia\n-February 28, 2020\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nSince launching Samsung's most creative smartphone in October 2019, I have only had dreams to own such an exquisite piece of technology.\n\n\n\nThings changed, and suddenly I had the opportunity to test out the Samsung Galaxy Fold in Malaysia for ten whole days, and here is my honest review.\n\nReview of Samsung Galaxy Fold Malaysia\n\n\nFirst of all, this is the most expensive smartphone ever created by Samsung, and in Malaysia, it cost RM8,388 for the Galaxy Fold.\n\nAnd of course, you don't need to break your bank to buy it; you simply take a telco package for this beautiful smartphone.\n\n\n\nWhat the Galaxy Fold looks like when it is folded.\n\n\n\nNow, the Galaxy Fold is a technological marvel where the smartphone screen folds in half, becoming a singular, much slimmer unit that is also usable.\n\n\n\nDue to this incredible feat, much debate and opinions have surfaced from early till mid-2019 about this phone, and finally, the dream came true when it was released.\n\n\n\nNow, I will not bore you with all the geek-talk, specification explanations, technology talk because that is what most tech-bloggers can write about.\n\n\n\nHowever, you and I are the common laymen where we only understand the basics, so I will do my best to explain as simple as possible.\n\nThe Size of the Galaxy Fold Smartphone\n\n\n\nWhen unfolded, the smartphone looks like this.\n\n\nThis is quite subjective as most say it is perfect for the average human size. There are two specifications - Unfolded and Folded.\n\n\n\nFolded - 6.33\" x 2.48\" inch (160.9 x 62.9 mm)\nUnfolded - 6.33\" x 4.64\" inch (160.9 x 117.9 mm)\n\n\n\n\nBasically, when it is folded, it seems much smaller than a standard smartphone, making consumers question the unfolded size.\n\n\n\nHowever, when you unfold it, it fits perfectly in your palm, just like a mini-tablet; hence this is the reason why it looks smaller when folded.\n\n\n\nAnother plus point is reading the news on the Galaxy Fold, which is nice and large.\n\n\nHow to Use the Galaxy Fold?\u00a0\n\n\nThough this may be a silly question, trust me, I have been asked about how to use the folding smartphone, and the answer is - same as your normal phone.\n\n\n\nNormally when you do not use the phone, it will be folded, and when it is folded, you can still use the phone by the front touch screen panel. Just that everything is smaller than your regular smartphone.\n\nWhat are the Benefits of Using a Galaxy Fold?\n\n\n\nUsing the Galaxy Fold for Instagram when it is folded.\n\n\nWhen I heard about this folding phone, I had no idea what to expect until I personally tested it out. And trust me, there are huge benefits to using the Galaxy Fold, which are;\n\n\n\n\n1. Work & Business\nThis is probably an amazing solution for those who are constantly on the phone for their work and social life by having a larger screen. This means you can also run multiple tabs on the unfolded screen, which is awesome.\n\n\n\n\n2. Social Media Influencers or Addicts\n\nIf you live in the social media world of Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and other platforms, the Galaxy Fold will be your best friend in terms of multiple windows and also a larger perspective in terms of image viewing and editing.\n\n\n\n\n3. Those with Farsightedness\n\nYou know how troublesome it can be to lift your glasses every time you want to check your messages or read something for those who have reached this level in eyesight. Well, with the Galaxy Fold, you need not because the screen is larger, and everything is much clearer. Trust me, I am in that farsightedness category, and it was a joy to read my messages and so on.\n\n\n\nThe same photo is viewed when the smartphone is unfolded.\n\n\n\n\n4. Travel\n\nIf you are the type that depends on Google Maps or Waze when you travel, the Galaxy Fold will be a convenient companion.\n\n\n\n\n5. Photography\n\nThis is probably one of the areas that I use a lot, and the Galaxy Fold comes with the same camera specifications as the S10 Plus or Note 10 Plus. The photos turn out beautiful and\u00a0\n\n\n\n\n6. Gaming\nI'm not a hard-core gamer, but I occasionally play some simple games on my smartphone when time permits. One of my most played games since 2019 is no other than Pokemon Go; hence I did install it on the Galaxy Fold, and let me just say it was pretty surreal. The unfolded mode gave me an extensive perspective of the game, allowing me to see more on the screen.\n\nWhat to be Cautious About the Galaxy Fold?\u00a0\n\n\n\nUsing Whatsapp when the phone is unfolded is simply awesome.\n\n\nWell, since the price is a whopping RM8,388, anyone using this folding phone will be extremely cautious. Below, I will highlight a few pointers about the Galaxy Fold care.\n\n\n\nDropping It - This is like any other smartphone, and when you drop it, you will get a heart attack. So, my advice is to not drop the folding phone and get the protective phone case.\n\n\n\nContact with Water - Another huge no-no for the folding phone. Some other smartphones may be tolerant of a little water, but not for the Galaxy Fold. So, avoid contact with water like spilling drinks, rain or even by the pool or seaside.\n\n\n\nTheft - This is obviously one of the hottest items for theft, meaning snatch thieves or even misplacing your phone. With such a price tag on the phone, there will be those keeping an eye out, so please be extra cautious when you use the phone.\u00a0\n\nMisconceptions of the Galaxy Fold\n\nWhen the news broke in early 2019, there have been many misconceptions from various outlets about the folding phone.\n\nAt the end of the day, Samsung recalled back the first initial test model and worked on fixing all the little hiccups to produce the second edition of the folding phone released in September 2019.\n\nThe folding screen has also been questioned, but to be very honest, any phone with a folding screen will look similar; hence after using it, I realized that it takes time to get used to.\n\nWhere to Buy the Samsung Galaxy Fold in Malaysia?\n\n\n\nPersonally, I enjoyed using the Galaxy Fold for Instagram.\n\n\nSince the inaugural launch of the folding phone, there have been various reports that the phone has sold up to 500,000 units to date. However, the official announcement has not been issued yet by Samsung.\u00a0\n\n\n\nFor now, those looking for where to buy the Samsung Galaxy Fold in Malaysia\u00a0can do so from the official Samsung website.\u00a0\n\n\n\nAnyone who buys the Galaxy Fold smartphone will please know that it comes with a general warranty and a special screen warranty.\n\n\n\nYou also get a pair of Samsung Galaxy Buds and a special phone casing along with your purchase.\n\n\nSo, who am I reviewing the Galaxy Fold?\u00a0\n\n\nWhile I may not be known as a big-time or famous tech reviewer in Malaysia, I have been doing several travel reviews of smartphones and laptops in my early days from 2009 to 2014.\u00a0\n\n\n\nI started as a digital online writer in 1998, back in the days when not many Malaysias knew much about this medium.\n\n\n\nEventually, I moved to the travel blogging and micro-influencer industry in 2008 and have been doing so since.\u00a0\u00a0\n\n\n\nI am also one of the first people in Malaysia and out of the USA to get in the 1st ever iPhone 1 the following day after it was launched in the USA. This was on June 30, 2007, when I started to use smartphones.\n\n\n\nI moved to the iPhone 3Gs after that, then to Samsung Galaxy Note 1 when it was launched, then Galaxy Note 2, then to Oppo and finally back to Samsung in 2019.\n\n\n\nYou can read my review for the Samsung Galaxy S10 Plus,\u00a0where I focused it around the phone's camera, which is what many people look forward to when buying a new phone.\u00a0\n\n\n\nI also did another special food review of the Galaxy Note 10 Plus\u00a0using the food mode setting of the smartphone.\n\n\n\nSlim and just nice for an average adult's hand.\n\n\nConclusion\n\n\nAfter using the Galaxy Fold for 10 whole days in December 2019, I admit that it took a bit of getting used to before getting comfortable with it.\n\n\n\nTo me, a smartphone and tablet in one is probably the future, but then again, it draws the line between the casual users and the power users.\u00a0\n\n\n\nWhile this is still the first official commercial folding phone globally, there is already news of the Samsung Galaxy Fold 2 that may be launched somewhere in 2020.\n\nThere is also the Galaxy S20 series being launched in Malaysia at the end of February 2020, while the much talked about Galaxy Flip smartphone is also to be launched in the same year.\u00a0\n\n\n\nWell, I trust you found this review of the Samsung Galaxy Fold in Malaysia interesting and totally different from the general technical reviews out there.\u00a0\n\n\n\nIf you have questions or comments, I would love to hear them in the comment form below.\n\n\nTags\nSamsung\nSamsung Fold\nSamsung Galaxy\nSamsung Galaxy Fold\nSmartphone Review\nSmartphone Reviews\nTravel Smartphone\n\n\n\n\n\nFacebook\nTwitter\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nShare:Samsung Galaxy Fold Review Malaysia\n\n\nFacebook\nTwitter\nWhatsApp\nPinterest\nLinkedIn\nReddit\nTumblr\nTelegram\nEmail\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nMalaysia Asia\nBlogging since 2007, but writing online since 1997. I belong to the 1st generation of worldwide bloggers, which is of course old-school. \n\nSince 2008, I created Malaysia Asia and this travel, flood, gadget and lifestyle blog has won numerous physical awards from tourism boards around Malaysia. (Not those online awards).\n\nAfter 12 years of blogging, I have semi-retired and now blog about things I like, do product reviews and enjoy life. My work has been featured in Lonely Planet, CNN Travel, Yahoo Travel, Wall Street Journal, and many other international publications. Find out more about me and thank you.\n\n\n\n\nYou might like\nView all\n\n\n\n\n\n\n"}
{"url": "http://blog.malaysia-asia.my/2021/04/5-reasons-to-buy-galaxy-a32-5g.html", "text": "\n\n\n\nHomeGalaxy A32 5G\n\n5 Reasons to Buy the Galaxy A32 5G Smartphone\n\n\n\n\nbyMalaysia Asia\n-April 13, 2021\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\u00a0Have you ever wondered why you should change your smartphone or needed some reasons to do so? Well, I have come up with this article on\u00a05 Reasons to buy the Galaxy A32 5G smartphone if you wanted to change to a new 5G smartphone.This is great for anyone who has trouble thinking of what smartphone to get or upgrade to because of the switch to the new 5G network in Malaysia these few years.5 Reasons to Buy the Galaxy A32 5G SmartphoneOver the years, there has been a barrage of smartphones to hit the market, and it has become a ritual for users to release new smartphone models every year.To the extent that some brands release multiple models a year, it can often be confusing on what model to get.The\u00a0Galaxy A32 5G in Awesome Blue and Violet colours.Below is a list of reasons why you should buy the Galaxy A32 5G phone;Reason No.1Those who just want to use smartphones as a general phone without the bells and whistles that brands highlight in high-end models.Meaning to make and receive calls, send messages through analogue and digital methods like SMS or Whatsapp, send and read emails and browse websites.These phones are also great for playing simple games like Candy Crush or other non-demanding graphic and power-hungry games that drain your battery.Reason No.2As a second smartphone, for personal use or even for business use. Many do not want their main number used for everything; hence they opt for a second number or phone.This could be for signups on various websites, second accounts, shopping accounts and so on because the person does not want to be spammed once providing your phone number.Awesome Blue colour for one of the selections.Reason No.3Those prefer not to spend too much on smartphones because they keep coming out with multiple new models every year.This also applies to those who are not too excited about fancy numbers and technological jargon in high-end phones. And also the fact that they worry if their phone drops and breaks.Reason No. 4Those who want a 5G ready smartphone with a budget and do not need the high-end specifications.\u00a0The news is that the 5G network will eventually be rolled out somewhere in 2021 in Malaysia, and users should be ready because 4G will feel like a snail.Reason No. 5First phone for children or kids. Yes, it is no doubt that a smartphone is everything for kids these days, and if they do not have one, it is the end of the world for them.Therefore, the Galaxy A32 5G would be an excellent smartphone to start off, especially with many functions similar to the high-end models.Bonus ReasonThe box comes with a type-C charger and cable! Unlike the new high-end models who do not include it. The photo below shows what is in the box after unboxing the Galaxy A32 5G.What is inside the\u00a0Galaxy A32 5G box?Where to Buy the Galaxy A32 5G?You can just visit the official Samsung Malaysia website to make your purchase for this mid-range 5G phone.You can also contact your telco company to see if they have any offers for this model. Alternatively, you can visit third-party re-sellers like smartphone shops or even online platforms like Shopee or Lazada.\u00a0ConclusionI have done several smartphone reviews in Malaysia over the years. Most of the time, I focus on the photography section of the smartphone, just like I did a camera review for the Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G.You can also read my first impression of Malaysia's Galaxy A32 5G smartphone, which I wrote about in early April 2021.I hope the\u00a05 Reasons to buy the Galaxy A32 5G Smartphone mentioned above makes sense for anyone who has been thinking about what smartphone to get.At the end of the day, we all have choices, especially when it comes to smartphones, and this time around, the focus is on the mid-range levels, which are often overlooked.\n\n\nTags\nGalaxy A32 5G\nSamsung Galaxy\nSamsung Galaxy A32 5G\nSamsung Galaxy Reviews\nSamsung Malaysia\nSmartphone Review\nSmartphone Reviews\nTravel Smartphone\n\n\n\n\n\nFacebook\nTwitter\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nShare:5 Reasons to Buy the Galaxy A32 5G Smartphone\n\n\nFacebook\nTwitter\nWhatsApp\nPinterest\nLinkedIn\nReddit\nTumblr\nTelegram\nEmail\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nMalaysia Asia\nBlogging since 2007, but writing online since 1997. I belong to the 1st generation of worldwide bloggers, which is of course old-school. \n\nSince 2008, I created Malaysia Asia and this travel, flood, gadget and lifestyle blog has won numerous physical awards from tourism boards around Malaysia. (Not those online awards).\n\nAfter 12 years of blogging, I have semi-retired and now blog about things I like, do product reviews and enjoy life. My work has been featured in Lonely Planet, CNN Travel, Yahoo Travel, Wall Street Journal, and many other international publications. Find out more about me and thank you.\n\n\n\n\nYou might like\nView all\n\n\n\n\n\n\n"}
{"url": "http://blog.malaysia-asia.my/2016/03/lankayan-island-in-sabah.html", "text": "\n\n\n\nHomeIslands to visit in Malaysia\n\nLankayan Island in Sabah\n\n\n\n\nbyMalaysia Asia\n-August 04, 2022\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nLankayan Island in Sabah is one of the most beautiful islands I have visited in my travels to Borneo over the last 10 years.While there is only one resort here, Pulau Lankayan Island is excellent for honeymooners or those wanting a secluded island getaway.\nLankayan Island in SabahMy review of this island is quite basic; therefore, I will not bore you with all the text and so on and will get straight to the point by showing you photos of this incredible island.As my experience here was over five years ago, I was informed that over-water bungalows or chalets are now available. And there is also a new structure that was built along the way to the main restaurant building.There is only one resort on the island, the Lankayan Island Dive Resort and all the chalets are sea-facing on this 2.5-hectare island.Walking around the island only takes you less than 20 minutes to complete one circle. And from any point of the island, you cannot see the mainland or any other island in the distance.Lankayan is well-known as a scuba diving island as they have some of the best dive sites in Sabah. Many divers come here to experience some incredible underwater adventures.The island is well-equipped for divers as the resort is known as the Lankayan Island Dive Resort. They have dive masters, a proper dive set up and cater to open water and advanced scuba divers.Photos of Lankayan IslandThe main jetty walkway to the resort.Some of the sea-facing chalets.A turtle hatchery is on the island as well.Many people claim this as the Maldives of Malaysia.One of the decks that stretch out into the sea.Sea-facing chalets at\u00a0Lankayan Island.The room is perfect for couples.How to go to Lankayan Island?In general, there is only one way: via a speed boat. And in general, it takes approximately 90 minutes to get here from Sandakan on the east coast of Sabah.For further inquiries or bookings, please visit the official\u00a0Lankayan Island Dive Resort website, which has all the needed information.Sabahan company Pulau Sipadan Resort and Tours own the property, and they are the only resort on Lankayan Island in Sabah.ConclusionI have to conclude that Lankayan Island is lovely and perfect for just about anyone. This could be your honeymoon destination if you are a newly married couple.And for couples seeking a romantic getaway to Sabah's islands, Pulau Lankayan is definitely one place to consider.It has been years since I last came here, and I should make another trip, this time for birdwatching at Lankayan Island.\n\n\nTags\nIslands to visit in Malaysia\nLankayan Island\nLankayan Island Resort\nMalaysia\nPulau Lankayan\nSabah\nSabah Islands\nSabah Tourism\n\n\n\n\n\nFacebook\nTwitter\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nShare:Lankayan Island in Sabah\n\n\nFacebook\nTwitter\nWhatsApp\nPinterest\nLinkedIn\nReddit\nTumblr\nTelegram\nEmail\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nMalaysia Asia\nBlogging since 2007, but writing online since 1997. I belong to the 1st generation of worldwide bloggers, which is of course old-school. \n\nSince 2008, I created Malaysia Asia and this travel, flood, gadget and lifestyle blog has won numerous physical awards from tourism boards around Malaysia. (Not those online awards).\n\nAfter 12 years of blogging, I have semi-retired and now blog about things I like, do product reviews and enjoy life. My work has been featured in Lonely Planet, CNN Travel, Yahoo Travel, Wall Street Journal, and many other international publications. Find out more about me and thank you.\n\n\n\n\nYou might like\nView all\n\n\n\n\n\n\n"}
{"url": "http://blog.malaysia-asia.my/2020/07/five-star-resort-in-langkawi-with-rmco.html", "text": "\n\n\n\nHomeHotel Reviews\n\nFive Star Resort in Langkawi with RMCO Promotions\n\n\n\n\nbyMalaysia Asia\n-July 09, 2020\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nMalaysia has been hit really bad in the tourism sector and since the RMCO in Malaysia was issued on the 9th of June 2020, Malaysians can now start travelling domestically as part of the Cuti Cuti Malaysia campaign to help boost our local tourism economy.Since the 18th of March, most Malaysians have been locked up in their homes under the Movement Control Order or MCO and this came as a huge shock to many. The MCO was then followed by the CMCO which was a conditional order, and this too did not allow most people to travel due to the interstate travel bans.\u00a0At the end of three months, the built-up desire to travel anywhere became an urge with many people just waiting for the Malaysian government to lift the travel restrictions.And the good news came in early June when the CMCO was changed to the RMCO or recovery order which lifted the interstate travel ban on the 9th of June, 2020.Now, Malaysians are travelling around the country while many are also seeking an island retreat to release some of the frustrations of being locked down in their homes for almost 100 days.The breathtaking view of the Tanjung Rhu Resort beach.Five Star Resort in Langkawi with RMCO PromotionsOne of the desired destinations to explore for a beach vacation is no other than Langkawi Island, which is located in the North of Malaysia and only a 40-minute flight from Kuala Lumpur.But choosing the right resort is also crucial for many as many categories are ranging from ultra-luxury to family-friendly places and this time around, I will be focusing on the best of both worlds for just one highly-recommended resort.This simply means that the resort meets the demands of those seeking a little luxury and yet being able to afford it with your loved ones or family.The Tanjung Rhu Resort is one of these places where the famous and warm Malaysian hospitality will greet visitors the minute you step in.Sea view from one of the rooms at the resort.Located at probably the most beautiful beach in all of Langkawi Island, the property sits on its own piece of land that stretches over 200 acres and away from other properties. This simply means that you will experience privacy at its best.With the Coronavirus or Covid19 affecting everyone in the hotel and travel industry, Tanjung Rhu Resort is also one of them, but with creative thinking, the management has come up with their own RMCO promotions for Malaysians and those who have permanent residencies here.Before I get to what is being offered in terms of promotions, let me just share with you why I like staying at the Tanjung Rhu Resort.And for your added information, I have been a regular visitor to Langkawi in the last decade where I have stayed at numerous properties all over the island. But at the end of the day, one of them has become my favourite resort.The beautiful landscape views from the Tanjung\u00a0 Rhu ResortWhy I Like Tanjung Rhu Resort?The golden question is why I like staying here and the truth be told, it is the seclusion and professionalism of this property that reminds me of what an island getaway is all about.\u00a0Some of you may know that Tanjung Rhu Resort has been around for over 20 years, and till this very day, it still manages to impress most visitors with its unique location, beautiful landscapes, warm hospitality and overall simplicity without trying too hard.Some 5-star resorts are seen to try too hard to impress guests and often, that takes away the natural warmth of the resort. Some are too easy-going where they end up being just like a 3-star hotel and some are just located in the wrong place.There are a lot of factors involved when selecting a place for your vacation, and to me, the idea of having my own private space without overcrowding is very important.\u00a0For me, the view also plays an important role while the facilities are secondary. For more reasons why I like this place, you can also read my Tanjung Rhu Resort review I did in 2019.The main entrance to the resort which is covered in beautiful landscaping.Among all, the landscape and natural environment is utmost important without unnatural disturbances and over here, you have a whopping 1000 plus acres of land to explore. This includes acres of mangroves, beach forest and of course, kilometres of white-sandy beaches.\u00a0I would not be relaxed at a place where kids are screaming and running around or people are talking at the top of their voices without care of others around them. I know for a fact that many of you will have encountered these kinds of situations which tend to dampen your holiday spirits.Therefore, if you have been travelling to many islands and resorts, you would most likely fall into my kind of travel category - relaxed, no stress, some privacy, great views and warm hospitality.The special offer from the resort.Tanjung Rhu Resort RMCO PromotionsLet us move on to the promotions being offered by the Tanjung Rhu Resort as you will be quite impressed with what they are offering.Currently, two main promotions are being offered to Malaysians and they are as follows;1. Tanjung Rhu Special OfferThis special offer is suitable for couples or even a family of three of four and will last until the end of November. It also includes transfers from the airport or jetty both ways for anyone staying two nights and above.The offer is also valid for any day throughout the week and you need to book this directly from the resort website. This special offer includes;Book and stay from now to 30 NovemberInclusive BreakfastFruit platter in room upon arrivalWelcome drink vouchers20% on F&B and Mandara Spa (Subject to CMCO Conditions)Additional Adult at RM 80 and Child at RM 40 with breakfast, per nightAs Tanjung has six categories of rooms available, the promotion is based on each of the room types. Rates per room for two people per night are as follows;Damai at RM 280Cahaya at RM 300Bayu Suria at RM 330Bayu Senja at RM 350Family Suite at RM 450 (Family Suite for 4 persons)Anjung Suite at RM 750WeCan GetAway travel package for Tanjung Rhu Resort.2. \u2018WeCan GetAway\u2019 3D/2N Package\u00a0 \u00a0The second package is tailored towards those who want a weekend getaway from the city and cleverly, the management named it WeCan GetAway, which of course has some wordplay to say that we can finally travel.\u00a0However, this package is only available for weekend bookings which are applicable on Friday, Saturday and Sunday only and for Malaysians or Malaysian Residents.The package also offers a special RM 100 voucher for the Langkawi Adventure and\u00a0 Xtreme Park with a choice of 'Up Side Down' or '7D Cinema' experience and includes;Book and Stay from Now to 30 November 2020Inclusive BreakfastInclusive of Complimentary return Airport / Jetty transferFruit platter in room upon arrivalWelcome Drink Vouchers20% on F&B and Mandara Spa (Subject to CMCO Conditions)Additional Adult at RM 80 and Child at RM 40 with breakfast, per nightThe WeCan GetAway offer is available for all the six categories of rooms at the resort and prices are per room for two people, with two nights stay;Damai at RM 500Cahaya at RM 540Bayu Suria at RM 600Bayu Senja at RM 640Family Suite at RM 840 (Family Suite for 4 persons)Anjung Suite at RM 1,440Again, you must remember that the price is for two persons and inclusive of breakfast and many others according to each individual package. Add-ons like extra persons are also highlighted.How to Book This Package?To book any of the above packages, you can just visit the official Tanjung Rhu Resort website and book directly from them. Remember, these resort room offers are valid until 30th November 2020.The stunning view inside the resort facing the seaside.ConclusionWell, if you are making plans to travel for a beach or island vacation within Peninsular Malaysia, Langkawi is one of the easiest to access via road, sea or flights.Numerous airlines fly to Langkawi from all over Malaysia with some of them offering massive discounts on air tickets, some even as low as RM88.00 one way.Personally, I would be planning my second trip to Langkawi this year to do some bird watching and landscape photography, hence you know where I will be staying at.Finally, if you are looking for a five-star resort in Langkawi with RMCO promotions, this is one of the best deals being offered for now.\n\n\nTags\nHotel Reviews\nLangkawi\nLangkawi Hotels\nLangkawi Island\nLangkawi Resort\nMalaysia\nPulau Langkawi\nReesort Reviews\n\n\n\n\n\nFacebook\nTwitter\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nShare:Five Star Resort in Langkawi with RMCO Promotions\n\n\nFacebook\nTwitter\nWhatsApp\nPinterest\nLinkedIn\nReddit\nTumblr\nTelegram\nEmail\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nMalaysia Asia\nBlogging since 2007, but writing online since 1997. I belong to the 1st generation of worldwide bloggers, which is of course old-school. \n\nSince 2008, I created Malaysia Asia and this travel, flood, gadget and lifestyle blog has won numerous physical awards from tourism boards around Malaysia. (Not those online awards).\n\nAfter 12 years of blogging, I have semi-retired and now blog about things I like, do product reviews and enjoy life. My work has been featured in Lonely Planet, CNN Travel, Yahoo Travel, Wall Street Journal, and many other international publications. Find out more about me and thank you.\n\n\n\n\nYou might like\nView all\n\n\n\n\n\n\n"}
{"url": "http://blog.malaysia-asia.my/2019/04/new-tourist-attraction-in-kuala-lumpur.html", "text": "\n\n\n\nHomeFree Things to do in Kuala Lumpur\n\nNew Tourist Attraction in Kuala Lumpur - Kwai Chai Hong\n\n\n\n\nbyMalaysia Asia\n-April 14, 2019\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nThere is a new tourist attraction in Kuala Lumpur called Kwai Chai Hong, and it is found around Petaling Street or Chinatown in KL. For those of you who love heritage and street art, this is one of the highly recommended places to visit.\u00a0\n\n\n\nFirst of all, what is Kwai Chai Hong? Well, it is a little complicated to make a direct translation, but in English, it would simply be called Prankster Lane.\n\nThis would be the most simplified and suitable name for this beautiful heritage place, but I have a detailed explanation further in this article for those interested.\n\nKwai Chai Hong at Petaling Street\n\n\n\nKwai Chai Hong is also known as Prankster Lane, which is at Petaling Street in KL\n\n\n\nThe history of this lane goes way back to over 50 years ago, but some say that it stretches even further back. Anyway, Prankster Lane in Kuala Lumpur got its nickname by the locals who lived there back in the day.\u00a0\n\n\n\nThe entire project is simply called Kwai Chai Hong, which comprises of 10 units of category 3 heritage buildings that are parallel to Jalan Petaling or Petaling Street.\u00a0\n\n\n\nThe heritage units are found facing Jalan Petaling, and some of them are facing the inner road called Lorong Panggung, which is also the main entrance to this heritage lane in Kuala Lumpur.\u00a0\n\n\n\nThe main attraction here is the actual Kwai Chai Hong, where a traditional Chinese arch welcomes visitors through a wooden Chinese bridge, and into a back alley.\u00a0\n\n\n\nOnce you enter the main archway into the lane, you will come to a junction which splits left and right, and both of them are dead ends.\u00a0\n\n\n\nOn the longer stretch where the murals are located, you can exit through Bubble Bee Cafe, which has a special back entrance to Kwai Chai Hong.\n\n\n\nZeen Chang in white and grey, gives a detailed tour at the arch entrance of Kwai Chai Hong\n\nWhat Is Kwai Chai Hong?\u00a0\n\nIn the Cantonese dialect, Kwai Chai means Little Ghost and Hong means Lane. But to use that as the main name in English, wouldn't work too well. Hence they gave it a more suitable name of Prankster Lane.\n\nSo what is Kwai Chai? A direct meaning would be a little demon, or as the Malays call them 'Toyol'. These are the mischievous little ghost, which are similar to the famous cartoon ghost called Casper.\n\nThere are two theories to how this place was named, but again, there is no written proof on this, hence all two are valid speculations of the past.\n\nFirst Theory - Back in the day, Theater Lane was known to be a notorious place where all the vices took place. We are talking about drinking, gambling, prostitution, opium dens and gang-related activities that took place here.\n\nBecause of the vice that took place here, there was a local gang called the Dragon Tiger Gang, who used Theater Lane as their hideout. The gang leader was said to call his members 'Little Ghost' or Kwai Chai.\n\nSecond Theory - After the gang scene there, the place cleaned up a little, and local kids who lived there would run around in mischief, playing games and often pranks on the people there.\n\nBecause of these mischievous kids, many locals who lived there called them 'Kwai Chai', due to their naughty and erratic behaviour.\n\nSo this is how the interesting place got its name Kwai Chai Hong in Cantonese, and has been a very niche historical side of Kuala Lumpur that not many people know about.\n\n\n\nThe beautiful street art murals at Kwai Chai Hong\n\nStreet Art at Petaling Street - Kwai Chai Hong\n\n\n\nIf you are a street art lover, then Kwai Chai Hong is one of the places to visit in Petaling street or Chinatown KL. In this lane, there are six beautiful murals, all drawn by local Malaysian artist.\u00a0\n\n\n\nThey are spaced apart, and each of them has an interactive QR code where if you scan it, it will tell you a story of the mural. However, it is in Chinese, hence you may want someone to translate it for you.\n\nDuring\u00a0 my visit here on the 13th April 2019, it was a media preview where the owners were there to explain the entire restoration and refurbishment project.\n\nThey also invited a few of the artist who contributed to the street art murals located there. I have to say that the finished art pieces were very impressive.\n\nIf you are lucky, there will be one of the staff who will provide a free guided tour, but this may only happen on weekends. Best to check with the cafe first about the free guided tours.\n\nKwai Chai Hong Murals\n\nBelow are photos of the various murals found at the location, and again, they are free to visit, so if you are in Kuala Lumpur, head here to see some of KL's nostalgic Chinese heritage being showcased through this project.\n\n\n\nCouple on Bridge - One of the first murals you will see when walking in through the arch.\n\n\n\nThe artist who drew Er Hu Uncle\n\n\n\nArtist who drew 'Kids Playing Marbles'\n\n\n\nA controversial mural called 'The Prostitute'. However, I can easily call this Cabaret Dancer or Singer.\u00a0\n\n\n\nZeen Chang, one of the owners of the project explains the multiple murals on the higher level.\n\nWho Owns and Manages Kwai Chai Hong?\u00a0\n\nThis passion project is managed by Bai Chuan Management Sdn. Bhd., a local Malaysia company with five partners, and was officially launched on the 11th of April 2019.\n\nThe main objective of this project is to bring back memories of the good old days, and hopefully to lure the younger generation, or in other words, the millennials by introducing arts, culture and heritage in one place.\n\nAnother wish is that Kwai Chai Hong will hopefully be the next best Instagram place in Kuala Lumpur.\n\nThe entire project took around eight months to complete, and cost around RM1.5 million. The beautiful murals you see there also cost around RM120,000.\n\n\n\nInside the Bubble Bee Cafe, with the back entrance to Prankster Lane\n\nBubble Bee Cafe at Petaling Street\n\n\n\n\nBubble Bee Cafe is also a new concept local fusion and lifestyle cafe, which serves coffee, snacks and food.\n\nThey offer light and heavy meals, and personally, I tried their signature grilled chicken panini sandwich, which was pretty awesome.\u00a0\n\n\n\nThis cafe is located towards the south end of the main Petaling Street market, where you just walk down the road, and you can spot Bubble Bee Cafe.\n\nIt is an intermediate unit, with a huge mural of a little girl peeking from the top floor of the building. If you look towards the roof when you are walking, you will easily spot this.\n\n\n\nLocation of Kwai Chai Hong\n\nHow to go to Kwai Chai Hong?\n\nBasically, the Kwai Chai Hong Project is located at the south end of Jalan Petaling or Petaling Street. There are two end of the walking market, and from the south end, you continue to walk another 100 meters.\n\nOnce you see Bubble Bee Cafe, you can enter though there, or just walk to the end of the row and make two right turns into the back lane. This back lane is known as Lorong Panggung.\n\nAnyone who is visiting KL Chinatown can easily walk here as it takes two to three minutes walk from the south entrance of Petaling Street.\n\nIf you are driving or taking a ride hailing service, just use Bubble Bee Cafe as your final destination. From there, just walk through or around the row of shops.\n\n\n\nThe area where Kwai Chai Hong is located, by google maps.\u00a0\n\nKwai Chai Hong Petaling Street\n\nLorong Panggung,\u00a0\n\nOff Jalan Petaling, Kuala Lumpur\n\nHours: 9.00 AM till 6.00 PM daily\n\n\n\nYou can also access Kwai Chai Hong through Bubble Bee Cafe, which has a back exit to the lane. Just pop in, have some coffee or snacks, then head out the back entrance into the lane.\n\n\n\nArtist were seen doing sketches of the lane\n\nPhotography at Kwai Chai Hong\n\nFor this review and article, I used a Samsung Galaxy S10+ smartphone for all my photos here, and with very little edits.\n\nOverall, I have to say that the smartphone camera technology has improved so fast that I challenged myself by only using a smartphone versus a DSLR camera.\n\nWhile the photos here are resized for web use, I must conclude that the actual high resolution photos are very real and natural.\n\nThe great thing about the Samsung Galaxy S10+ is the multi zoom function which makes taking photos so easy. My favourite is still the wide angle zoom, which is a 123 degree view, capturing a super wide angle.\n\n\n\nView of Kwai Chai Hong from the upper level of the street\n\nConclusion\n\n\n\nIf you are visiting Kuala Lumpur and want to explore something new here, I would highly recommend you take a walk to Kway Chai Hong and see the beautiful restoration and street art here.\u00a0\n\n\n\nPlease do go in the morning or afternoon, as they close this lane after 6.00 PM. This is currently the timing set by the owners, but it could change in the future.\u00a0\n\n\n\nOverall, this is one of the latest tourist attractions in Kuala Lumpur, which is free and suitable for anyone who loves to see something different.\u00a0\n\n\nTags\nFree Things to do in Kuala Lumpur\nKuala Lumpur\nMalaysia\nThings to do in Kuala Lumpur\n\n\n\n\n\nFacebook\nTwitter\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nShare:New Tourist Attraction in Kuala Lumpur - Kwai Chai Hong\n\n\nFacebook\nTwitter\nWhatsApp\nPinterest\nLinkedIn\nReddit\nTumblr\nTelegram\nEmail\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nMalaysia Asia\nBlogging since 2007, but writing online since 1997. I belong to the 1st generation of worldwide bloggers, which is of course old-school. \n\nSince 2008, I created Malaysia Asia and this travel, flood, gadget and lifestyle blog has won numerous physical awards from tourism boards around Malaysia. (Not those online awards).\n\nAfter 12 years of blogging, I have semi-retired and now blog about things I like, do product reviews and enjoy life. My work has been featured in Lonely Planet, CNN Travel, Yahoo Travel, Wall Street Journal, and many other international publications. Find out more about me and thank you.\n\n\n\n\nYou might like\nView all\n\n\n\n\n\n\n"}
{"url": "http://blog.malaysia-asia.my/2023/02/airasia-launches-5-million-free-seats.html", "text": "\n\n\n\nHomeAirAsia\n\nAirAsia Launches 5 million Free Seats to Boost ASEAN Tourism\n\n\n\n\nbyMalaysia Asia\n-February 10, 2023\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nAs AirAsia pledges its commitment to boost the tourism industry across Asean, the airline and the Minister of Tourism, Arts & Culture, YB Dato' Sri Tiong King Sing, today launched AirAsia 5 million Free Seats Promotion for 2023.Leveraging its strength as the biggest airline with the broadest network and the lowest fares, the campaign will also support the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture (MOTAC) in its mission to strengthen Malaysia as a multi-faceted and multi-destination attraction.AirAsia Launches 5 million Free SeatsHaving pioneered low-cost travel in Asia, AirAsia has carried close to 800 million guests in the past two decades. Pre-pandemic in 2019 alone, the airline carried over 25 million guests to Malaysia, more than 40 million guests to the Asean region, and 17 million guests to North Asia.Guests can fly to Penang, Langkawi, Kuching, Sibu, Kota Kinabalu and more from RM23* and to international destinations, including Bali, Krabi, Jakarta, Macao, Shenzhen, Guangzhou, Phu Quoc, Ho Chi Minh City, Singapore and more from RM60*.For those seeking to adventure out further, AirAsia X offers flights to Gold Coast, Busan, Taipei, Tokyo and more with all-in low fares from RM329* one way on Economy.Flights are available for booking starting today until 19 February 2023, with the travel period between 1 March 2023 and 10 December 2023.As the largest low-cost carrier and the fourth largest carrier (including full-service carriers) in Asia, AirAsia continues to expand its network and grow its market leadership.Completing the final piece of the puzzle, AirAsia Malaysia (AK) will restart its service to four destinations in China: Macao, Shenzhen, Guangzhou and Kunming.The airline is also set to welcome the first flight from Guangzhou on Saturday with a substantial load factor of 96%.YB Dato' Sri Tiong King Sing, Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture Malaysia, said:\u201cThe tourism sector is a major economic driver for Malaysia, accounting for almost 15% of our gross domestic product (GDP), and air connectivity is the backbone of our tourism sector.As we target to receive 15.6 million tourist arrivals with RM47.6 billion in tourism receipts for 2023, we would like to commend AirAsia for outlining its plan to revitalise the tourism industry and play an integral part in achieving this outcome.AirAsia has done a fantastic job connecting the dots within Malaysia to Asean and beyond and has been instrumental in facilitating national and international connectivity all these years, besides being a major player in supporting the country\u2019s tourism industry.We hope to continue working with all stakeholders, especially the airline sector, to boost tourism and provide connectivity, employment and ongoing spillover effects along the supply chain.\u201d\u00a0Tony Fernandes, CEO of Capital A, said:\u201cAs they say, size matters! When it comes to airlines, bigger is always better so we can leverage economies of scale and pass on to our guests in the form of lower fares and deliver more value and choice. AirAsia has been a major contributor to Malaysia and Asean\u2019s GDP. AirAsia alone contributes to more than 2% of Malaysia\u2019s GDP. You may think that 2% is a small number, but for a big country like Malaysia, with a GDP worth more than RM1.5 trillion, 2% is a sizable contribution.\u00a0\u201cNot only that, we generate significant multipliers beyond the aviation and tourism industry, and as a result, AirAsia contributes to more than 300,000 jobs in Malaysia. And the same trend is seen in all the Asean markets we have a presence in. Now that we\u2019re back almost in full swing, we will continue to play our parts in driving tourism, trade and investment in Malaysia and across Asean. We plan to fly over 69 million guests annually, providing a much-welcomed boost to the Malaysian tourism industry.\u201cOur commitment to excellence never stops. Our on-time performance (OTP) has been steadily improving, and it is now averaging around 80%. We are confident about our OTP, and at the same time, we want our guests to have peace of mind when they travel with us, which is why we are launching an industry-first Flight Delay Insurance underwritten by Tune Protect. All these, together with our recently launched AI-powered concierge, Ask Bo, widest network and lowest fares, will be our big year, and we will only get better from here!\u201dYB Dato' Sri Tiong King Sing and Tony Fernandes launch the campaign in KL.Flight Delay InsuranceThis offers a one-off payment of RM200 if the flight is delayed for a minimum of two (2) hours from the initially scheduled departure time or any new departure time.It is now available for FREE to all guests who book their flights from 10 to 19 February 2023 for the travel period between 1 March 2023 and 10 December 2023.The insurance will be available for purchase starting 20 February 2023 from RM10 (one way) or RM14 (return) on the airasia Super App and the website.AirAsia has also partnered with BigPay exclusively to provide automatic claims credited to the BigPay user's account within three (3) working days.Conclusion to\u00a0AirAsia Launches 5 Million Free SeatsFor a seamless and enhanced experience, download the airasia Super App from the Apple App Store, Google Play Store, or Huawei AppGallery.*The FREE SEATS exclude airport tax, MAVCOM fee, fuel surcharge and other applicable fees. Terms and Conditions apply.\u00a0**The claim applies to guests who received a delay notification from AirAsia within 24 hours before their scheduled departure time as stated in their itinerary or any new departure time.BigPay users will receive their claims in their BigPay account within three (3) working days based on their mobile phone number.Non-BigPay users must submit their claims to Tune Protect accordingly by visiting the Tune Protect website. For the full T&Cs, please refer to the AirAsia website.\n\n\nTags\nAirAsia\nAirAsia Free Seats\nAirAsia Malaysia\nAirAsia News\nAirAsia Promotions\nAirline News\nAviation\nAviation News\n\n\n\n\n\nFacebook\nTwitter\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nShare:AirAsia Launches 5 million Free Seats to Boost ASEAN Tourism\n\n\nFacebook\nTwitter\nWhatsApp\nPinterest\nLinkedIn\nReddit\nTumblr\nTelegram\nEmail\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nMalaysia Asia\nBlogging since 2007, but writing online since 1997. I belong to the 1st generation of worldwide bloggers, which is of course old-school. \n\nSince 2008, I created Malaysia Asia and this travel, flood, gadget and lifestyle blog has won numerous physical awards from tourism boards around Malaysia. (Not those online awards).\n\nAfter 12 years of blogging, I have semi-retired and now blog about things I like, do product reviews and enjoy life. My work has been featured in Lonely Planet, CNN Travel, Yahoo Travel, Wall Street Journal, and many other international publications. Find out more about me and thank you.\n\n\n\n\nYou might like\nView all\n\n\n\n\n\n\n"}
{"url": "http://blog.malaysia-asia.my/2021/01/cheng-ho-mosque-in-palembang.html", "text": "\n\n\n\nHomeIndonesia\n\nCheng Ho Mosque in Palembang\n\n\n\n\nbyMalaysia Asia\n-January 27, 2021\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\u00a0The Cheng Ho Mosque in Palembang is probably one of the most beautiful and unique Chinese-Muslim designed buildings I have come across in my travels.I visited Palembang several years back. This is probably one of the structures that impacted my memory simply due to the mix-culture architecture and the fact that it could be achieved in harmony.Cheng Ho Mosque in PalembangWhen I first arrived here, I assumed that I was actually visiting a Chinese Temple. Still, looking carefully at the architecture, I saw the Islamic influence in the building's dome and minarets.The Cheng Ho Mosque is also located in the Jakabaring Sport City area of Palembang. This stunning Chinese-Muslim Mosque is surely an eye-opener for anyone who loves interesting architecture.\u00a0So, how did the mosque get a Chinese name?\u00a0Since Palembang is home to several Chinese-Indonesians, it was also named after the famous Chinese explorer Admiral Cheng Ho (Zheng He) from the 15th Century.\u00a0This beautiful and unique mosque also has an official name called the\u00a0Al Islam Muhammad Cheng Hoo Sriwijaya Palembang Mosque. Still, everyone just calls it the Cheng Ho Mosque in short.What makes the mosque stand out is the bright, striking red colours while keeping the gold and green colours minimal.Even the minarets don a typical Chinese Pagoda style topped with common Muslim round roof and Indonesian architecture elements.The Cheng Ho Mosque was also completed after three years of construction and opened in 2006 at 150 Million Rupiah.Photos of Cheng Ho MosqueThe unique and beautiful Pagoda-Minaret of the mosqueThe outdoor section of the mosqueThe main mosque building structure with a learning centre insideAnother one of the names for the Chinese-Muslim mosqueThe very interesting Pagoda Minaret of the mosqueLocation of the\u00a0Cheng Ho Mosque in Jakabaring, PalembangWhere is the Cheng Ho Mosque in Palembang?\u00a0You need to head to the Jakabaring Sport City area, and the Cheng Ho Mosque is found nearby the main sports complex.It is roughly less than 500 meters from the sports complex and located in a residential area on the main Jalan Cheng Ho road.From Palembang's main city area, it will take about 20 minutes to drive here one way and depending on the traffic.ConclusionThe next time you visit Palembang in South Sumatra, take some time to visit this unique and beautiful mosque as it truly is one-of-a-kind here.And if you are a Muslim traveller, this would be rather unique to come here and perform your prayers at the Cheng Ho Mo0sque in Palembang.\n\n\nTags\nIndonesia\nPalembang\nPlaces to Visit in Indonesia\nPlaces to Visit in Palembang\nSumatra\nThings to do in Indonesia\nThings to do in Palembang\nWonderful Indonesia\n\n\n\n\n\nFacebook\nTwitter\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nShare:Cheng Ho Mosque in Palembang\n\n\nFacebook\nTwitter\nWhatsApp\nPinterest\nLinkedIn\nReddit\nTumblr\nTelegram\nEmail\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nMalaysia Asia\nBlogging since 2007, but writing online since 1997. I belong to the 1st generation of worldwide bloggers, which is of course old-school. \n\nSince 2008, I created Malaysia Asia and this travel, flood, gadget and lifestyle blog has won numerous physical awards from tourism boards around Malaysia. (Not those online awards).\n\nAfter 12 years of blogging, I have semi-retired and now blog about things I like, do product reviews and enjoy life. My work has been featured in Lonely Planet, CNN Travel, Yahoo Travel, Wall Street Journal, and many other international publications. Find out more about me and thank you.\n\n\n\n\nYou might like\nView all\n\n\n\n\n\n\n"}
{"url": "http://blog.malaysia-asia.my/2019/10/krabi-canoe-adventure-at-thanboke.html", "text": "\n\n\n\nHomeKrabi\n\n Krabi Canoe Adventure at Thanboke Koranee National Park\n\n\n\n\nbyMalaysia Asia\n-November 29, 2022\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nThis is an old post that I am just publishing about the Krabi Canoe Adventure at Thanboke Koranee National Park in Southern Thailand.\u00a0\n\n\n\nTo be honest, I wrote this article some time ago, but I never got around to publishing it. I will now also state that this was the first-ever proper canoeing trip I ever did.\nKrabi Canoe Adventure at Thanboke Koranee National Park\n\n\nBesides writing in detail about my canoeing experience, I think most of you would already know what canoeing is. Generally, I have to say Krabi is one of the places where you should try this.\u00a0\n\n\n\nAs part of ecotourism activities, many are available, but this canoeing experience tests your arm's strength. I mean it, especially if you are a first-timer like me.\u00a0\n\n\n\nFirst of all, safety is always the primary concern, and a crash course or briefing will be conducted for anyone doing this.\u00a0\n\nThe canoe guide briefed us before the tour started.\n\n\nPhotos of\u00a0Krabi Canoe Adventure at Thanboke KoraneeBelow are random photos which I took of my canoe adventure\u00a0at Thanboke Koranee National Park in Krabi.A scenic view of the canoe area.Entering a cave with the canoe.Beautiful mangrove views during the canoe tours.\n\nA couple was seen enjoying their adventure.Thanboke Koranee National Park in Krabi\n\nEntering the cave area with canoes.\n\n\nInside the Tham Lot Cave at Thanboke Koranee National Park.\n\nHungry tourists after the Thanboke Koranee National Park canoe experience in Krabi.\nOther Things to Do Around KrabiFor those visiting Krabi, you can also explore the main Krabi area and out of Krabi, as there are many ecotourism products and destinations to experience.In Krabi town, check out the main Krabi walking street as there are a lot of local Thai products, souvenirs and food being sold here. F&B is also plenty, and you can choose from cares to restaurants.In Krabi town, there is the famous Krabi Night Market which is recommended to visit because it is very local and not so commercial.And for outdoor lovers, visit the Tha Pom Nature Trail, which will take you to\u00a0another world because of the beautiful natural landscapes.For fun in the sun, visit the unique Emerald Pool in Krabi that attracts just about anyone who comes here. The waters are emerald in colour and simply amazing.ConclusionI hope you enjoyed reading my article on the\u00a0\u00a0Krabi Canoe Adventure at Thanboke Koranee National Park\u00a0in South Thailand.This simply says there is so much more you can do when you visit Krabi, not just go to the beach, shop or eat.Ecotourism in Krabi is highly popular; therefore, I hope you take the opportunity to get out of the main Krabi area and explore the many beautiful places here.\n\n\nTags\nKrabi\nKrabi National Parks\nThailand\nThailand National Parks\nThanboke Koranee National Park\nThings to do in Krabi\nTourism Thailand\nWhat to do in Krabi\n\n\n\n\n\nFacebook\nTwitter\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nShare: Krabi Canoe Adventure at Thanboke Koranee National Park\n\n\nFacebook\nTwitter\nWhatsApp\nPinterest\nLinkedIn\nReddit\nTumblr\nTelegram\nEmail\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nMalaysia Asia\nBlogging since 2007, but writing online since 1997. I belong to the 1st generation of worldwide bloggers, which is of course old-school. \n\nSince 2008, I created Malaysia Asia and this travel, flood, gadget and lifestyle blog has won numerous physical awards from tourism boards around Malaysia. (Not those online awards).\n\nAfter 12 years of blogging, I have semi-retired and now blog about things I like, do product reviews and enjoy life. My work has been featured in Lonely Planet, CNN Travel, Yahoo Travel, Wall Street Journal, and many other international publications. Find out more about me and thank you.\n\n\n\n\nYou might like\nView all\n\n\n\n\n\n\n"}
{"url": "http://blog.malaysia-asia.my/2022/03/raptor-watch-2022-returns-as-physical.html", "text": "\n\n\n\nHomeBird Watching\n\nRaptor Watch 2022 Returns as a Physical Event\n\n\n\n\nbyMalaysia Asia\n-March 05, 2022\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\u00a0Great news for nature and bird lovers as\u00a0Raptor Watch 2022 returns as a physical event at Tanjung Tuan Forest Reserve on 12 and 13 March.The last two Raptor Watch events were cancelled and held online as a virtual event with a totally different approach. This time around, things can get back to normal.Raptor Watch 2022As always, those who have been for this event will know what to expect, and the only difference is that Raptor Watch 2022 will observe the general SOPs for social distancing.This means that all visitors have to be fully vaccinated and wear face masks to attend this event. You will need to scan your MySejahtra at the event.The event will also see two sections - one physical event and one virtual event, for those unable to attend. Please see the posters below for the itinerary or program.Nature Walks at Raptor Watch 2022The organizers have scheduled four sessions where two sessions are for past volunteers and two sessions for everyone else. Due to the government SOPs set, pre-registration is required for every participant.12 March Past Nature Guides Session 1\u00a0Time: 9.00 AMRoute: Forest and Dutch WellRegistration: https://forms.gle/bUsx6v52ryQNGVtk812 March Past Nature Guides Session 2Time: 2.00 PMRoute: Monkey BayRegistration: https://forms.gle/vYeBGhVQY5uUd2ky6For the general public who wants to do a guided walk into the forest area which ends at beaches:12 March Open to Public Session 1Time: 10.00 AMRoute: Dutch WellRegistration: https://forms.gle/YaGqS7VE62SMHmMh613 March Open to Public Session 2Time: 9.00 AMRoute: Monkey BayRegistration: https://forms.gle/Vqbg7LoQDkbrrRoAARaptor Watch 2022 Beach Clean UpVisitors and nature lovers can participate in a beach clean-up activity organized in conjunction with Raptor Watch 2022. A pre-registration is required to reserve a place for this activity and the following;Participants must adhere to the general SOP set by the government and organizersOnly participants who are fully vaccinated and with low-risk status are allowed to participateA general screening will be conducted at the MNS Registration BoothChildren must be accompanied by fully vaccinated adultsRegistration: https://forms.gle/PsPUBzupSN81yJ3H7ConclusionThe photos and information is obtained from the official MNS website and shared here for the readers of Malaysia Asia. For more information about Raptor Watch 2022, please contact the Malaysia Nature Society.I have been actively promoting Raptor Watch over the years among many other birding events in Malaysia, like Fraser's Hill Bird Race and Borneo Bird Festival.You can also visit Bird Watching Malaysia\u00a0for more birding news in Malaysia, as that site is purely dedicated to birding.\n\n\nTags\nBird Watching\nBird Watching Events\nBirding Events in Malaysia\nBirdwatching\nMalaysia\nMalaysia Bird Watching\nRaptor Watch 2022\n\n\n\n\n\nFacebook\nTwitter\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nShare:Raptor Watch 2022 Returns as a Physical Event\n\n\nFacebook\nTwitter\nWhatsApp\nPinterest\nLinkedIn\nReddit\nTumblr\nTelegram\nEmail\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nMalaysia Asia\nBlogging since 2007, but writing online since 1997. I belong to the 1st generation of worldwide bloggers, which is of course old-school. \n\nSince 2008, I created Malaysia Asia and this travel, flood, gadget and lifestyle blog has won numerous physical awards from tourism boards around Malaysia. (Not those online awards).\n\nAfter 12 years of blogging, I have semi-retired and now blog about things I like, do product reviews and enjoy life. My work has been featured in Lonely Planet, CNN Travel, Yahoo Travel, Wall Street Journal, and many other international publications. Find out more about me and thank you.\n\n\n\n\nYou might like\nView all\n\n\n\n\n\n\n"}
{"url": "http://blog.malaysia-asia.my/2021/08/8-point-tourism-recovery-plan-for.html", "text": "\n\n\n\nHomeAirlines\n\n8-point Tourism Recovery Plan for Covid19 by PATA\n\n\n\n\nbyMalaysia Asia\n-August 26, 2021\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nTo support Asia-Pacific's tourism industry rebounding from the Covid-19 crisis, PATA has announced its 8-Point Industry Recovery Plan to address its members' immediate and strategic needs and the broader industry.\u00a0This will include workshop-style webinars and vaccine equity initiatives among PATA's efforts to support industry recovery.8-point Tourism Recovery Plan for Covid19 by PATA1. PATA Crisis Resource CenterLaunched in May 2020, the crisis resource centre is available to all travel sector members. It provides playbooks for industries ranging from aviation to hospitality, covering several topics, including communications resources and sector resource kits.2. Government members-only roundtableEarlier this month, PATA launched a roundtable series to share insights and exchange ideas across destinations on restarting travel. The first session of this series featured presentations by select destinations, including Hawaii, the Maldives, and Thailand. The second session on August 17 featured COVAX/UNICEF with a briefing on vaccine equity, deployment measures and community acceptance strategies.PATA will continue to support its destination members by sourcing subject matter experts and supporting a pan-regional and global dialogue to support the industry recovery in the coming weeks and months.3. Innovation Workshop Series and Innovation Hub for membersPATA has just launched an Innovation Series of workshop-style webinars designed to deliver practical information to members. Upcoming topics will range from digital marketing, Covid-19 safety best practices, leadership and resiliency skills, and destination development.PATA's website now also features the Travel Innovations Hub, comprising crowd-sourced travel innovation ideas from around the globe, designed to engage and inspire its members.4. Ongoing industry trends and forecasts for membersWith the ever-changing status of multiple elements influencing tourism recovery, PATA recognises the need for frequent and diverse expert-advised trends and forecast reporting. Through live webinars and research reports supported by its vast network of industry experts, PATA will continue to regularly deliver expert-sourced intelligence reporting to keep members informed.5. Vaccine equity initiative supporting COVAX/UNICEFVaccine equity, deployment, and acceptance across the region and beyond are foundational elements of tourism recovery. As such, PATA supports the COVAX/UNICEF initiative in advocacy, industry education, fundraising and, if required, logistics sourcing.6. PATA global community connectionLike the rest of the world, PATA has pivoted from offline/real-life interactions at physical events to online webinars. The association has started hosting hybrid events and will continue to deliver in-destination physical events wherever possible. It will also complement it by leveraging technology platforms and content to unite its members globally and in smaller forums to support their business development.7. Knowledge sharing and collaboration with global organisationsPATA regularly collaborates with World Bank, ADB, GIZ and other development organisations and consulting firms on industry-leading topics to support the recovery. The association periodically engages with the global tourism and travel task force meetings and leaders from WTTC, IATA, ACI, WEF, ICAO and others.8. PATA's destination resilience initiativeIn conjunction with GIZ, the programme initiated development in June, with the PATA project managing an expert team of 20 subject matter experts. This framework addresses the pillars for resilience, including environment, economy, community, visitors and health & safety. The pilot will be launched in four PATA member destinations.ConclusionThis is just the beginning of our journey to leverage our vast network's strengths to support each other in this challenging recovery. Pre-pandemic Asia-Pacific was viewed as the engine for growth in the global travel industry.PATA is working hard to help accelerate this industry recovery and continue to support the broader industry in capturing Asia-Pacific's opportunities with responsible travel and tourism.\n\n\nTags\nAirlines\nAviation\nCovid 19 Tourism News\nMalaysia Post-Covid 19\nTourism Recovery\n\n\n\n\n\nFacebook\nTwitter\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nShare:8-point Tourism Recovery Plan for Covid19 by PATA\n\n\nFacebook\nTwitter\nWhatsApp\nPinterest\nLinkedIn\nReddit\nTumblr\nTelegram\nEmail\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nMalaysia Asia\nBlogging since 2007, but writing online since 1997. I belong to the 1st generation of worldwide bloggers, which is of course old-school. \n\nSince 2008, I created Malaysia Asia and this travel, flood, gadget and lifestyle blog has won numerous physical awards from tourism boards around Malaysia. (Not those online awards).\n\nAfter 12 years of blogging, I have semi-retired and now blog about things I like, do product reviews and enjoy life. My work has been featured in Lonely Planet, CNN Travel, Yahoo Travel, Wall Street Journal, and many other international publications. Find out more about me and thank you.\n\n\n\n\nYou might like\nView all\n\n\n\n\n\n\n"}
{"url": "http://blog.malaysia-asia.my/2020/04/what-to-see-eat-and-do-in-yanaka-ginza.html", "text": "\n\n\n\nHomeFood\n\nWhat to See, Eat and Do in Yanaka Ginza? \n\n\n\n\nbyMalaysia Asia\n-April 03, 2020\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nFor anyone heading to Tokyo, I have come up with a list of what you can do in Yanaka Ginza, which is one of the most unique places to visit here.\n\n\n\nIf you have not heard about this place, then you should be reading this now because Tokyo is not all about Shibuya, Shinjuku, Roppongi, Akihabara, and Ginza only.\n\nWhat to See, Eat and Do in Yanaka Ginza?\n\n\nYanaka Ginza is a small shopping street located near Ueno Park and is probably one of the oldest and original shopping streets of Tokyo. Think Edo-period shops.\n\n\n\nThe objective of visiting this unique place is to see and compare how Tokyo was like before turning into a modern metropolis as it is now.\n\n\n\nBasically, for anyone who is only visiting Tokyo, you now have the opportunity to visit an old part of Japan which is usually seen in smaller cities and towns out of Tokyo.\n\n\n\nSo, when you visit this fascinating place, here is a list of what you can do at Yanaka Ginza.\n\n\n\nIf you look carefully at this photo, you can spot one of the Maneki Neko lucky cats.\n\n1. Spot the Seven Lucky Maneki Neko Cats\n\n\nKnown as the Maneki Neko or 'Lucky Cat' in Japan, this highly popular feline is often spotted in many places around Tokyo and is also one of Yanaka Ginza's attractions.\n\n\n\nWhen you walk the main shopping street, there are seven wooden Maneki Neko figurines placed throughout this 170 meters long street.\n\n\n\nRumor has it that finding all seven Maneki Neko makes the finder's wishes come true, so this is a fun thing to do when you are here.\n\n\n\n\nThis is actually one of the original beauty saloons that can be seen at Yanaka Ginza.\n\n2. See Traditional Japanese Businesses\n\n\nAlong Yanaka Ginza, there are a number of traditional Japanese businesses that have been here for generations and are still owned by the respective families.\n\n\n\nSome of these businesses include a Kimono store, a tailor, local grocery shop, fishmonger, Izakaya, craft workshop, porcelain shop, bamboo products shop, and traditional Japanese sweet shops.\n\n\n\nThe beauty of these businesses is that they still do things the old way, and you will hardly see any modern facilities or other businesses here. This includes fast-food chains, coffee chains or even 24-hour convenient shops like Lawson or 7-11.\n\n\n\nYuyake Dansan Staircase at Yanaka Ginza.\n\n3. Visit Yuyake Dandan Steps\n\n\nThis famous staircase is located on the eastern part of Yanaka Ginza, meaning if you are coming from the Nippori Station, this is the first thing you encounter before entering the main shopping street.\n\n\n\nYuyake Dandan is a flight of 36 steps that descend 4.4 meters (14 feet) and was named in 1990 in a competition after renovating the staircase here. It also translates as Sunset Steps from Japanese.\n\n\n\nMany locals love to come here in the evening during sunset to get a beautiful view of the shopping street, and over time, this place has become one of the Instagram spots of Yanaka Ginza.\n\n\n\nOne of the Katsu vendors with their selection.\n\n4. Try the Menchi Katsu at Niku no Suzuki\n\n\nThis is one of the most popular snacks to be sold at one of the hawkers along the street. Menchi Katsu is a ground meat cutlet that is deep-fried. The meat is usually beef or pork, so Muslims, take note.\n\n\n\nThe most famous street food at Yanaka Ginza is found at a shop called Niku no Suzuki, and they are well known for their specialty \u201cGenki Ippai! Genki Menchi-Katsu\u201d, sold at \u00a5230 per piece.\n\n\n\nOne thing to note is that this place has a line on weekends and is highly popular. There are of course other similar shops that sell the Menchi Katsu and you just need to walk a little further.\n\n\n\nOne of the many Japanese sweet shops along the street.\n\n5. Eat Traditional Japanese Sweets\n\n\nWhile exploring Yanaka Ginza, you are bound to come across shops selling traditional Japanese sweets and they are highly recommended to try.\n\n\n\nOne of the must-try snacks is the Yanaka Shipoya or Cat-tailed Doughnuts, which are very popular among all ages. Check out this quick guide on where to eat in Yanaka Ginza\u00a0by Aleli.\n\n\n\nAn elderly Japanese lady pours sake for a customer.\n\n6. Drink Sake and Japanese Beer\n\n\nAlong Yanaka Ginza, there are a couple of stalls set up outside of shops and are selling beer, sake and other drinks. Many locals and visitors are seen stopping to try some of the local Sake by the glass.\u00a0\n\n\n\nI totally forgot the shop's name, but it is hard to miss, Sake bottles displayed on racks of beer, and an old Japanese lady serving them by the glasses. You can even get draft Yebisu beer for \u00a5400 here.\n\n\n\nThey sell a very good variety of Japanese Sake which ranges from \u00a5200 to \u00a5450 per glass and offers a couple of chairs to set down, which is usually occupied.\n\n\n\n\nThe fortune-telling O-mikuji machine along the street.\n\n\n\n7. Get Your Fortune Read by an O-Mikuji Machine\n\n\n\n\nAlright, I just had to include this in because when I passed this shop, there was a fortune-telling machine placed right in front and bright red in color.\n\n\n\nO-mikuji are random fortune slips that are commonly found in Shinto shrines across Japan and\u00a0predict generally matters of health, fortune, and life among the many other things.\u00a0\n\n\n\nOver here in Yanaka Ginza, this O-mikuji machine is tourist-ready, where it provides four different languages - English, Chinese, Korean and of course Japanese, and one try is \u00a5200.\n\n\n\nZakuro Lampya, a Turkish lamp workshop at Yanaka Ginza.\n\n\n8. Try a Zakuro Lamp Workshop\n\nAlong Yanaka Ginza shopping street, there is a store called Zakuro, which is, in fact, a bazaar and a workshop for Turkish mosaic glass craft.\n\nLocals and visitors can take part in their lamp making workshop by creating various types of lamps that include a standing lamp, candle holder, Kuririn lamp, and many other types.\n\nThose interested are required to register ahead and the price ranges from \u00a53,000 to \u00a510,000 depending on what type of workshop you want to attend. Register for the workshop at Zakuro Lampya.\n\n\n\nWhat a Japanese graveyard looks like.\n\n9. Visit Yanaka Reien (Yanaka Bochi)\n\n\n\nYanaka Reien is known as the Yanaka Cemetery, which is one of the largest and most famous graveyards in the Tokyo city.\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nWhat makes this place popular is the fact that Cherry Blossom trees line up one part of the cemetery road and is extremely popular during the Sakura season in Tokyo.\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nThis place is also known as Cherry Blossom Avenue, but the cemetery has its own uniqueness where many famous people are buried, including the last Shogun, Tokugawa Yoshinobu, also known as Keiki.\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nA total of 7,000 graves are found spread over 100,000 square meters, and strangely, it has its own police station.\n\n\n\n\n\nYanaka Coffee shop, along Yomise Dori street.\n\n\n10. Try Yanaka Coffee\n\n\n\nThis is no doubt a must-try for any coffee lover. Yanaka Coffee may not be famous, but over here in the Yomise Dori shopping street, one shop stands out, which is this.\u00a0\n\n\n\nHonestly, I am a huge coffee fan, and when I saw the Yanaka Coffee sign, my heart jumped for joy. They not only sell fresh roast coffee, but they also sell various coffee beans from all over the world.\n\n\n\nBlended Coffee hot or ice is \u00a5260 while a Latte is \u00a5310 per cup. They have a few stools and a bench for you to sit down, but most people come here for the take-away. They open from 10.00 AM to 8.00 PM daily.\n\n\n\nThe archway to Yomise Dori near Yanaka. Photo by\u00a0https://yanesen-guide.com/\n\n\n11. Explore Yomise Dori Shopping Street\n\n\nIf you exit Yanaka Ginza from the west entrance, you will arrive at Yomise Dori shopping street. Or if you arrive via the Sendagi Station on Tokyo Metro, this is the street you will be walking on.\n\n\n\nYomise Dori is actually another old-style shopping avenue that is not as popular as Yanaka Ginza and caters more to local residents than tourists.\n\n\n\nOn the left of the Yanaka Ginza west entrance, there is a Yanesen Tourist Information Center which is about 40 meters to the left. Over here, you can get more information about Yanaka Ginza and also Yomise-Dori.\n\n\n\nOne of the unique things that you can inquire about is the various traditional classes on Japanese ink painting, kabuki dressing, Japanese instrument playing, calligraphy, and flower art.\n\nConclusion\n\n\nFor those interested to find out more, I have also written another article called all you need to know about Yanaka Ginza\u00a0that highlights the place overall.\n\n\n\nYanaka Ginza is truly one of the most unique places to visit in Tokyo and should not be missed by anyone traveling here. It is suited for all kinds of travelers, single, couple and even family travelers.\n\n\nTags\nFood\nJapan\nJapan Tourism\nPlaces to Visit in Tokyo\nThings to do in Tokyo\nTokyo\nVisit Japan\nWhat to do in Yanaka Ginza?\nWhere to go in Tokyo\nYanaka Ginza\n\n\n\n\n\nFacebook\nTwitter\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nShare:What to See, Eat and Do in Yanaka Ginza? \n\n\nFacebook\nTwitter\nWhatsApp\nPinterest\nLinkedIn\nReddit\nTumblr\nTelegram\nEmail\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nMalaysia Asia\nBlogging since 2007, but writing online since 1997. I belong to the 1st generation of worldwide bloggers, which is of course old-school. \n\nSince 2008, I created Malaysia Asia and this travel, flood, gadget and lifestyle blog has won numerous physical awards from tourism boards around Malaysia. (Not those online awards).\n\nAfter 12 years of blogging, I have semi-retired and now blog about things I like, do product reviews and enjoy life. My work has been featured in Lonely Planet, CNN Travel, Yahoo Travel, Wall Street Journal, and many other international publications. Find out more about me and thank you.\n\n\n\n\nYou might like\nView all\n\n\n\n\n\n\n"}
{"url": "http://blog.malaysia-asia.my/2022/11/borneo-jazz-festival-2022-video-reviews.html", "text": "\n\n\n\nHomeBorneo Jazz Festival\n\nBorneo Jazz Festival 2022 Video Reviews\n\n\n\n\nbyMalaysia Asia\n-November 28, 2022\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nThis special edition article showcases the Borneo Jazz Festival 2022 in a series of videos by Adrian Lunsong, a Level 9 Google Local Guide from Malaysia.Adrian is also a first-time visitor to Miri and the Borneo Jazz Festival; therefore, I am pleased to feature him in my article, as his videos are amazing.Borneo Jazz Festival 2022 Video ReviewsAdrian Lunsong is a passionate Local Guide who has been actively contributing to Google Maps for quite a long time. He runs his own YouTube channel, Go Loco Podcast, an unofficial Local Guides podcast.In June of 2022, I had the pleasure of meeting Adrian Lunsung on a special media trip to Kuching and Miri and speaking to him, I was shocked to find out that it was his first time in Miri.Throughout our Guiding Start program, we explored several tourist destinations and local food places where we were updating Google Maps with the latest photos and reviews to help visitors.Part of our exploration took us to several beautiful temples and even local markets. But the highlight, of course, was in the late afternoons and evenings for the Borneo Jazz Festival in Miri, Sarawak.Below, I will share a series of videos by Adrian Lunsong during our Guiding Stars program.Walkthrough of Borneo Jazz Festival Venue at Cococabana, Miri\nBorneo Jazz Festival 2022 Video Part 1Borneo Jazz Festival 2022 Video Part\u00a0 2\nThis year's event saw quite a bit of fusion jazz at the Borneo Jazz Festival, trying to break the conventional jazz theme. The objective was to get a different music market to visit the event.As some may already know, traditional jazz is beautiful, but during an event or festival, there needs to be a little more excitement for the audience, young and old.The venue was changed in 2018 to Cococabana at the Miri Seahorse and Esplanade from the previous location of the Parkcity Everly Hotel.Miri has been home to the festival for more than 10 years now, and it still is one of the calendar events for the resort city as it attracts jazz music lovers from the region.If you want to learn more about this event in Miri, you can read my article about the Borneo Jazz Festival, all you need to know.And the next Borneo Jazz Festival 2023 will be held from 7-9 July at Cococabana Miri, Sarawak.\u00a0\nConclusionYou can subscribe to Adrian Lunsong's Go Loco Podcast YouTube Channel and find him on Twitter and Instagram.If you are active on Google Guides, you can also connect with Adrian Lunsong and me, David Hogan Jr, as we actively contribute daily.I hope you enjoyed this series of\u00a0Borneo Jazz Festival 2022 video reviews by Adrian Lunsong and that you make it to the next festival in 2023.\n\n\nTags\nBorneo Jazz Festival\nBorneo Jazz Festival 2022 Review\nGoogle Guides\nGoogle Guides Malaysia\nJazz Festivals in Malaysia\nMalaysia\nMalaysia Jazz Festivals\nMusic Festivals\nSarawak\n\n\n\n\n\nFacebook\nTwitter\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nShare:Borneo Jazz Festival 2022 Video Reviews\n\n\nFacebook\nTwitter\nWhatsApp\nPinterest\nLinkedIn\nReddit\nTumblr\nTelegram\nEmail\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nMalaysia Asia\nBlogging since 2007, but writing online since 1997. I belong to the 1st generation of worldwide bloggers, which is of course old-school. \n\nSince 2008, I created Malaysia Asia and this travel, flood, gadget and lifestyle blog has won numerous physical awards from tourism boards around Malaysia. (Not those online awards).\n\nAfter 12 years of blogging, I have semi-retired and now blog about things I like, do product reviews and enjoy life. My work has been featured in Lonely Planet, CNN Travel, Yahoo Travel, Wall Street Journal, and many other international publications. Find out more about me and thank you.\n\n\n\n\nYou might like\nView all\n\n\n\n\n\n\n"}
{"url": "http://blog.malaysia-asia.my/2022/12/gombak-hulu-langat-geopark.html", "text": "\n\n\n\nHomeGeoparks in Malaysia\n\nGombak Hulu Langat Geopark\n\n\n\n\nbyMalaysia Asia\n-December 02, 2022\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nThe state of Selangor was recently recognised as the first recipient of the National Geopark for the Gombak Hulu Langat Geopark Project. This project involves 20 geosites in the districts of Gombak and Hulu Langat.The results of this recognition have been announced through a meeting of the National Geopark committee, chaired by Dato' Haji Rosli bin Isa, Secretary General of the Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources (KeTSA).Gombak Hulu Langat GeoparkThe Gombak-Hulu Langat (GHL) Geopark project covers 112,955 square kilometres with geological significance in addition to the longest quartz in Southeast Asia, mountainous landscapes and the formation of several inland basins at the selected geosites.Permatang Kurza in Selangor in one locations in the Geopark project.This National Geopark recognition is the seventh after Kinta Valley and Lenggong Geopark in Perak, Jerai Geopark in Kedah, Kinabalu Geopark in Sabah, Labuan Geopark in Labuan and Sarawak Delta Geopark in Sarawak.According to Mr Azrul Shah Mohamad, the Chief Executive Officer of Tourism Selangor, the official tourism promotion agency of the state of Selangor, Tourism Selangor remains active in promoting the Gombak-Hulu Langat Geopark Project through various efforts.Tasik Biru in Selangor.Among them is the collaboration that has been held at the World Travel Market, London, with the British Geology Survey and National Geographic Traveler UK, continuous promotion on social media, and public sharing in several series of the Jelajah Selangor Penyayang.The recognition of Geopark to the State of Selangor is an achievement for the country, especially the state government and local authorities, in preserving nature's sustainability and managing areas with geological value.This is in line with the goals of the National Development Plan and the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals under the United Nations (UN).Y. Bhg. Dato' Haji Rosli bin Isa, Secretary General of the Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources (KeTSA), in a statement, said,\u00a0\"the Ministry is confident that close cooperation can ensure the Geopark is well maintained and welcomes any form of cooperation in areas of geological importance for scientific research, education, economical generation of the surrounding community and sustainable development.\"Sungai Tekala in Selangor.Kanching Waterfalls in Selangor.Conclusion for\u00a0Gombak Hulu Langat GeoparkGeo-tourism in sites is one of the tourism segmentations focused in the state of Selangor for the year 2023, where tourists can visit a Geosite area to enjoy the national geological heritage, culture and livelihood of the local geo-community.This is in line with the Selangor state tourism campaign, Splendid Selangor, Take Me Anywhere, which focuses on the international market.\n\n\nTags\nGeoparks in Malaysia\nMalaysia\nMalaysia Geopark\nSelangor\nSelangor Geopark\nTourism Selangor\n\n\n\n\n\nFacebook\nTwitter\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nShare:Gombak Hulu Langat Geopark\n\n\nFacebook\nTwitter\nWhatsApp\nPinterest\nLinkedIn\nReddit\nTumblr\nTelegram\nEmail\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nMalaysia Asia\nBlogging since 2007, but writing online since 1997. I belong to the 1st generation of worldwide bloggers, which is of course old-school. \n\nSince 2008, I created Malaysia Asia and this travel, flood, gadget and lifestyle blog has won numerous physical awards from tourism boards around Malaysia. (Not those online awards).\n\nAfter 12 years of blogging, I have semi-retired and now blog about things I like, do product reviews and enjoy life. My work has been featured in Lonely Planet, CNN Travel, Yahoo Travel, Wall Street Journal, and many other international publications. Find out more about me and thank you.\n\n\n\n\nYou might like\nView all\n\n\n\n\n\n\n"}
{"url": "http://blog.malaysia-asia.my/2019/08/galaxy-note-10-and-10-plus-launch-in.html", "text": "\n\n\n\nHomeMalaysia\n\nGalaxy Note 10 and 10 Plus Launch in Malaysia\n\n\n\n\nbyMalaysia Asia\n-August 16, 2019\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nThe Samsung Galaxy Note 10 and 10 Plus Launch in Malaysia were done at the St.Regis Hotel in Kuala Lumpur on the 15th of August 2019. It was also launched one week after the global launch in New York on the 7th of August.\u00a0\n\n\n\nThe Malaysian Galaxy Note 10 and 10 Plus smartphone launch was also officiated by the Samsung Malaysia President Mr Yoonsoon Kim or YS Kim.\u00a0\n\nMalaysia\u00a0Galaxy Note 10 and 10 Plus Launch\n\n\n\nThe Malaysia Note 10 launch event was held at the St.Regis Hotel in KL.\n\n\nThe event was attended by invited trade partners, Samsung Members, Samsung influencers, special guests and media members, including the Malaysian lifestyle, tech, and travel bloggers and influencers.\u00a0\u00a0\n\n\n\nAt the beginning of the event, just after the opening video, Mr YS Kim made his welcome speech by introducing how far Samsung Electronic had gone over the years in terms of innovation.\u00a0\n\n\n\n\nMr YS Kim, the President of Samsung Malaysia, officiates the launch.\n\n\n\nHe talked about the endless possibilities that the Note 10 and 10+ had while going through various key elements that the latest smartphone offered to today's lifestyle and business consumers.\u00a0\n\n\n\nThe Samsung Malaysia president quoted, \"For the first time ever, Samsung is introducing not one, but two Note devices. These come with four revolutionary innovations in terms of design, creativity, productivity, and performance\".\u00a0\n\n\n\n\nMr YS Kim holds both the Note 10 and 10+ for the audience.\n\nMr YS Kim ended his keynote speech with the unveiling of both the Samsung Galaxy Note S10 and 10+, which were held in both his hands.\u00a0\n\n\n\nThis was followed by the main photo opportunity for the media where the Samsung Malaysia President posed with both phones.\u00a0\n\n\n\n\nMr YS Kim talks about the S-Pen, which is one of the main features of the Note 10 and 10 Plus.\n\n\nNext, the key people were invited on stage for another photo opportunity, including KM Liew, Head of IT and Mobile Business Malaysia, and Yoo Jin Hyun, Business Director of IT and Mobile Business Malaysia.\u00a0\n\n\n\nSamsung Partners was next to be called on the stage for another final photo opportunity for the Malaysia Galaxy Note 10 and 10+ launch event.\u00a0\n\nGalaxy Note 10 and 10+ Pre-Order Sold Out in Malaysia.\n\n\n\n\n\n\nThe MC's for the night joined Mr YS Kim on stage to make the stunning announcement that the pre-orders for the all-new Galaxy Note 10 and 10+ were completely sold out at lunchtime on the 15th of August.\u00a0\n\n\n\nTo everyone's surprise, the pre-orders just opened on the 8th of August in Malaysia; it was completely sold out in a week. However, there were no official numbers on how many units were available.\u00a0\n\n\nMr YS Kim thanked the Samsung fans of Malaysia for this remarkable feat and noted that if you have missed the pre-order, you can follow up with the participating partners when the news is official.\u00a0\n\nGalaxy Note 10 and 10+ Launch Event in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia\n\n\n\nThe MC's and guests discuss the Note 10 and 10+ features on stage.\n\n\nThe launch event continued with both MC's taking the lead in talking about the Note 10 and 10+ and their core features.\n\n\n\nNext, a couple of local Malaysians were invited onstage to share their personal experiences using the smartphone weeks before the launch.\u00a0\n\n\n\nA live demonstration was also conducted onstage for the AR Doodle, which is one of the highlights for active users on social media.\u00a0\n\n\n\nHowever, the key highlight for the Galaxy Note series has always been the S-Pen, where this time around, the S-Pen has broken boundaries with its technology.\u00a0\n\n\n\n\nThe testing area for Note 10 and 10+ for the media\n\n\n\nMembers of the media having a hands-on experience with the Note 10 and 10 Plus\n\n\nThe stage event ended with an invitation for media members to have a hands-on experience with the actual Galaxy Note 10 and 10+ models.\u00a0\n\n\n\nThis was held outside the main ballroom of St.Regis, where specially dedicated stations were set up with the smartphone units and specially trained staff to explain details.\u00a0\n\n\n\nSamsung Members, Partners, and specially invited guests were ushered up to level six of the hotel, the Crystal Bar at St.Regis. This was an open-aired pool area with a lounge and bar.\u00a0\n\n\n\n\nPart of the fireworks displays at St.Regis KL after the Note 10 Launch in Malaysia\n\n\nAt the Crystal Bar, guests were treated to drinks and\u00a0Hors d'oeuvres, while display sets of the Galaxy Note 10 and 10 Plus were also available to be tested.\u00a0\n\n\n\nThe finale for the Galaxy Note 10 and 10 Plus launch in Malaysia was concluded with a spectacular fireworks show.\u00a0\n\n\n\nGuests at the Crystal Bar had the best view, and fireworks came in pale yellow and blue, which was a nice touch considering that the Samsung colour is blue.\u00a0\n\n\n\nMalaysia Note 10 and 10 Plus Reviews\n\n\n\n\nThe actual Note 10 and 10 Plus smartphones at the launch event in Malaysia\n\n\nWell, I am quite sure that you may have read all the raving reviews for the new Note 10 and 10 Plus, and for me to put in all the specifications and features would be another overkill.\u00a0\n\n\n\nI also did a speculation article about Note 10 and 10 Plus in Malaysia\u00a0at the end of July, a few weeks before it was officially launched in the USA.\u00a0\n\n\n\nActually, I will not do any Note 10 reviews until I try it myself; as I often travel, I would love to see how the Note 10 works for my travels.\u00a0\n\n\n\nFor the Note 10 and 10 Plus specifications, I recommend you visit the Samsung Malaysia official website\u00a0to see them. Everything you need to know is there.\u00a0\n\n\n\n\nThe back of both smartphones\n\nHow Much Is The Note 10 and 10+ in Malaysia?\u00a0\n\n\n\nThe Galaxy Note 10 and Note 10+ models with 256GB memory are priced at RM3,699 and RM4,199, respectively, while the higher capacity Note 10+ with 512GB is RM4,799.\n\n\n\nBoth versions come in three interesting prismatic colours, where the Note 10 comes in Aura Pink, Aura Black, and Aura Glow, while the Note 10+ comes in Aura White, Aura Black, and Aura Glow.\n\n\n\n\nGalaxy Note 10 on the left and the 10 Plus on the right\n\nWhere Can You Get The New Note 10 and 10+?\u00a0\n\n\nFor now, the Galaxy Note 10 was officially launched in Malaysia on the 15th of August, 2019, and soon, participating partners like the popular telecommunications companies in Malaysia will start selling them.\n\n\n\nThey are not available at the Samsung retail outlets until it is officially announced. If you see some being sold at third-party vendors, they are all AP units, where if anything goes wrong, Samsung Malaysia will not accept them as a warranty unit.\n\n\n\nFor more accurate news and information about when the Note 10 and 10 Plus goes on sale, you should follow Samsung Malaysia on Facebook\u00a0or visit the official Samsung Malaysia website.\n\n\n\n\nThumbs up to Samsung Malaysia for putting such an amazing event for the Galaxy Note 10 launch\n\nFinal Thoughts on the Galaxy Note 10 and 10 Plus Launch in Malaysia\n\n\nJust so you know, all the photos taken in this article are from my Samsung Galaxy S10+ smartphone. Since changing to the S10 Plus, I have found no reason to carry my bulky camera around.\n\n\n\nTo be very honest, I find that the Note 10+ is absolutely amazing, especially with all the new features added. I currently use a Galaxy S10+, and it is quite similar to the Note 10+.\n\n\n\nIf you have been pondering about switching your older smartphone to a new one, I would easily recommend you consider changing to the Note 10 or 10+.\n\n\n\nThe\u00a0Galaxy Note 10 and 10 Plus Launch in Malaysia is just the beginning, and you can expect more innovation and amazing smartphones from Samsung coming your way.\n\n\nTags\nMalaysia\nSamsung Galaxy\nSamsung Malaysia\nSamsung Note 10\nSmartphone Review\nSmartphone Reviews\nTravel Smartphone\n\n\n\n\n\nFacebook\nTwitter\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nShare:Galaxy Note 10 and 10 Plus Launch in Malaysia\n\n\nFacebook\nTwitter\nWhatsApp\nPinterest\nLinkedIn\nReddit\nTumblr\nTelegram\nEmail\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nMalaysia Asia\nBlogging since 2007, but writing online since 1997. I belong to the 1st generation of worldwide bloggers, which is of course old-school. \n\nSince 2008, I created Malaysia Asia and this travel, flood, gadget and lifestyle blog has won numerous physical awards from tourism boards around Malaysia. (Not those online awards).\n\nAfter 12 years of blogging, I have semi-retired and now blog about things I like, do product reviews and enjoy life. My work has been featured in Lonely Planet, CNN Travel, Yahoo Travel, Wall Street Journal, and many other international publications. Find out more about me and thank you.\n\n\n\n\nYou might like\nView all\n\n\n\n\n\n\n"}
{"url": "http://blog.malaysia-asia.my/2023/03/galaxy-s23-ultra-street-photography-in.html", "text": "\n\n\n\nHomeBangkok\n\nGalaxy S23 Ultra Street Photography in Bangkok\n\n\n\n\nbyMalaysia Asia\n-March 18, 2023\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nHere is a special picture compilation of Galaxy S23 Ultra street photography in Bangkok, Thailand, taken from 15-18 February 2023.I was on transit to Khao Lak via Phuket and had a different kind of stopover in Bangkok; therefore, I used the Galaxy S23 Ultra to explore this vibrant city.Galaxy S23 Ultra Street Photography in BangkokIn the last 10 years, I have focused on smartphone photography in Malaysia and other countries when the opportunity arises.Most of my work is simple and straightforward, as I am different from the Gen Z content creators focusing on social platforms. My work is always translated through my articles, which are highly relevant nowadays.The Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra was recently launched worldwide through Galaxy Unpacked 2023 on 2 February.Bangkok Street Photography with the Galaxy S23 UltraThe super-famous Erawan Shrine in Bangkok Central. While moving around this area, I captured this semi-wide angle shot from the BTS elevated walkway. Sometimes, you can find great angles from various places and just need to look around for them. Also, you may need to time your shots due to the traffic moving around the area. Notice how there are no cars in front of the shrine.While exploring the Choe Phraya River, I could not hesitate to photograph these large Thai River Prawns, which stood out beautifully against the famous riverway. Again, I went into the 'Portrait Mode' and focused on the river prawns, resulting in a beautiful bokeh in the background.I had to try this unique Mango Sticky Rice Frappe, which was a first for me and using the Galaxy S23 Ultra to photograph this was so easy. I went into the 'Portrait Mode' to get focus on the frappe while the background went auto bokeh. Perfect for immediately sharing photos on social media with friends.A close-up photo of the Four-faced Buddha at the Erawan Shrine, and I love how the S23 Ultra picks up all the details, especially the mirrored mosaic glass decoration pieces. The focus point was the Buddha.The Grand Hyatt Erawan Hotel is an interesting subject for architecture, especially on the 'Ultra Wide' mode of the S23 Ultra. You can get an excellent perspective of the hotel's unique and pointed architecture when you go a little low to photograph this.\u00a0Moments like this require quick action, and while visiting the famous Erawan Shrine in Bangkok, I saw a local doing a prayer to the Four-faced Buddha and captured the moment quickly with the S23 Ultra. I also used the 'Portrait Mode' to get the bokeh effect while maintaining the focus on the person.While exploring Chinatown in Bangkok, I stumbled across a shop selling crystals and tested the S23 on this particular crystal cluster in a sphere shape. Notice how sharp the details are, and this was shot with the normal mode before it went into auto-macro when I got closer.Sometimes, I cannot help but take photos from interesting angles, like this one from the fifth floor of the Terminal 21 Shopping Mall in Bangkok. I was here to explore a Thai seafood restaurant in Bangkok that was highly recommended by many.Sunsets are one of my favourite subjects with smartphones, and this time, the S23 seems to have found a good balance between what your eye sees and what the system produces. This was shot in normal mode with a 3x zoom.This is one of my favourite shots using the S23 at night. Notice how well the camera compensates for the lighting in the gym versus the outdoor lighting. It's quite balanced, and the details are intact when you zoom in on the photo.The S23 picks up the details of buildings and processes them well with the sky colours. This works great, especially on a clear day. I had a great time photographing several beautiful buildings around Bangkok central.When I visited Khao Lak in Southern Thailand after Bangkok, I also took the opportunity to explore night photography with the Galaxy S23 Ultra.ConclusionThese photos are just randomly selected to show a diverse range of photography. Sometimes I will do a series based on location, but Bangkok is too big.And if you have considered upgrading your previous smartphone, I recommend doing it now, as the technology has greatly improved.I hope you enjoyed this article on my Galaxy S23 Ultra Street Photography in Bangkok, and if you want to see more, you can also check out my personal Facebook profile.\n\n\nTags\nBangkok\nGalaxy S23 Ultra\nSamsung\nSamsung Galaxy S23 Ultra\nSamsung Malaysia\nSmartphone Photography\nSmartphone Review\nSmartphone Reviews\nStreet Photography\nThailand\n\n\n\n\n\nFacebook\nTwitter\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nShare:Galaxy S23 Ultra Street Photography in Bangkok\n\n\nFacebook\nTwitter\nWhatsApp\nPinterest\nLinkedIn\nReddit\nTumblr\nTelegram\nEmail\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nMalaysia Asia\nBlogging since 2007, but writing online since 1997. I belong to the 1st generation of worldwide bloggers, which is of course old-school. \n\nSince 2008, I created Malaysia Asia and this travel, flood, gadget and lifestyle blog has won numerous physical awards from tourism boards around Malaysia. (Not those online awards).\n\nAfter 12 years of blogging, I have semi-retired and now blog about things I like, do product reviews and enjoy life. My work has been featured in Lonely Planet, CNN Travel, Yahoo Travel, Wall Street Journal, and many other international publications. Find out more about me and thank you.\n\n\n\n\nYou might like\nView all\n\n\n\n\n\n\n"}
{"url": "http://blog.malaysia-asia.my/2022/02/nightography-with-galaxy-s22-ultra.html", "text": "\n\n\n\nHomeGalaxy S22\n\nNightography with Galaxy S22 Ultra\n\n\n\n\nbyMalaysia Asia\n-February 15, 2022\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nOne thing that excited me in recent months was the term Nightography with Galaxy S22 Ultra, an enhanced mode to shoot in low-light conditions.This got me looking forward to trying out the Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra camera, which will explain the Nightography better, and I can then relate it in a review later.Nightography with Galaxy S22 UltraSo, you, me and probably the rest of the world need to be more knowledgeable about what Nightography is all about. It sounds like night photography, but that is already a thing for as long as I know.This made me think back to July of 2007, the first time I started using a smartphone for photography, and this was 15 years ago when megapixels were just 2MP.For me, it was pure joy, learning to accept and convert from analogue to digital back in the good old days, and when the smartphone launched, the resolution was a mere\u00a0320 x 480 pixels with 128 MB of RAM.But with today's technological advancements for smartphones, we are looking at some superior and premium quality cameras and AI systems that make mainstream camera brands worry.And the good news is that Galaxy S22 Ultra is built to make every photo look professional, no matter what kind of photographer or user you are.What is Nightography?A\u00a0Nightography photo was taken in Melaka in January 2022 with the Galaxy Z Flip3.This term was used in 2021 when they launched the Galaxy S21 Ultra to promise better low-light photographs. I do not know when it was officially launched, but I saw Nightography used since Galaxy S7 Edge in 2016.In a nutshell, Nightography is a term coined for a much more innovative night mode camera and Artificial Intelligence (AI). Technically, it is a more advanced night mode version already in older models.As explained during Galaxy Unpacked 2022, Nightography uses a large 2.4-micrometre sensor to capture more light instead of a conventional flash system.The lens on the S22 Ultra also comes with a new anti-reflective coating called a \"Super Clear Glass\" lens to help you take smoother and clearer nighttime shots without flares.Nightography lets users capture night-mode portraits and high-resolution night-mode shots, which are clearer and brighter than previous models.Another beautiful\u00a0Nightography picture in Melaka using the Galaxy Z Flip3.Night Solution AIThe Artificial Intelligence of the Galaxy S22 Ultra uses Night Solution, a program automatically enabled when the phone detects taking photos in a low-light environment.When you press the screen button, the system takes multiple shots and combines the best ones into the final image you'll find in your gallery app later. This has been used for years, just that it keeps improving.Night Solution is done through the phone's NPU chip and an AI image signal processing algorithm. The algorithm identifies the shape of the subject of your photo and uses that information to enhance the shape, colour and detail.Night Solution also works with the main camera, 3x telephoto lens and selfie camera. The only setback is that the AI needs to be fixed if you want to take ultrawide or 10x telephoto camera shots.This is a screengrab from the Samsung website showing the video nightography.Nightography VideoAnother area that is also high on my testing list is the video mode of the Galaxy S22 Ultra, especially capturing video at night or during low-light situations.Samsung came out with a solution to this and called it \"dual-track image stabilization\", which I need to explore hands-on to understand better.I read somewhere that the Video Digital Image Stabilization (VDIS) software accounts for camera movement have been upgraded.The VDIS also takes three-dimension motion readings to figure out how the camera's moving and account for it, adjusting things frame-by-frame to smooth out the video.Another thing I need to test is that the Video Auto Framing always ensures your camera keeps your subject in focus, whether one person or 10.As mentioned, I need to try this function as I have been using my previous Galaxy S and Z series to explore videography in recent years. You can see some of my videos on Asian Explorer.Another video screengrab of the Galaxy S22 Ultra from the Samsung website.What Was Downgraded in the Galaxy S22 Ultra?Only the 12-megapixel ultra-wide camera remains unchanged from the Galaxy S21, last year's phone.The downgrade includes the telephoto lens resolution of 10 megapixels, whereas the Galaxy S21 had a 64-megapixel telephoto lens.Watch the Galaxy S22 Introductions VideoGalaxy S22 Ultra Camera SpecificationsIf you look at the camera specifications for the S22 Ultra, you would be amazed that such a small thing can pack all of these into a tiny section of the phone.12MP Ultra-Wide Camera F2.2108 MP Wide Camera F1.810MP Telephoto Camera 3x Optical Zoom, F2.410MP Telephoto Camera 10x Optical Zoom, F4.940MP Front Camera F2.2The Galaxy S22 Ultra rumours\u00a0were mainly accurate, as so many were going around, but no one featured the nightography part.Samsung's\u00a0Nightography is a game-changer in smartphone photography.Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra 5G retails in Malaysia at RM5,499, Galaxy S22+ 5G at RM4,299, and Galaxy S22 5G at RM3,699. All devices come with 256GB of storage.For more information or pre-booking, please visit Samsung Malaysia.ConclusionWith so many changes and upgrades to the camera system of the S22, will the section housing the lens system heat up with continuous use of the camera?You can also check out my article about\u00a0Galaxy night photography using the Z Flip3 5G phone, which I did in 2021.This is said and known to be the most powerful device the South Korean phone maker has ever created.On the other hand, I cannot wait to try\u00a0Nightography with Galaxy S22 Ultra, as my curiosity is really killing me.\n\n\nTags\nGalaxy S22\nGalaxy S22 Ultra\nGalaxy S22 Ultra Review\nPhotography\nSamsung Galaxy S22 Ultra\nSamsung Malaysia\nSmartphone Photography\nSmartphone Review\nSmartphone Reviews\n\n\n\n\n\nFacebook\nTwitter\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nShare:Nightography with Galaxy S22 Ultra\n\n\nFacebook\nTwitter\nWhatsApp\nPinterest\nLinkedIn\nReddit\nTumblr\nTelegram\nEmail\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nMalaysia Asia\nBlogging since 2007, but writing online since 1997. I belong to the 1st generation of worldwide bloggers, which is of course old-school. \n\nSince 2008, I created Malaysia Asia and this travel, flood, gadget and lifestyle blog has won numerous physical awards from tourism boards around Malaysia. (Not those online awards).\n\nAfter 12 years of blogging, I have semi-retired and now blog about things I like, do product reviews and enjoy life. My work has been featured in Lonely Planet, CNN Travel, Yahoo Travel, Wall Street Journal, and many other international publications. Find out more about me and thank you.\n\n\n\n\nYou might like\nView all\n\n\n\n\n\n\n"}
{"url": "http://blog.malaysia-asia.my/2023/03/visit-malaysia-year-2025.html", "text": "\n\n\n\nHomeEvents\n\nVisit Malaysia Year 2025\n\n\n\n\nbyMalaysia Asia\n-March 23, 2023\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nThe announcement of\u00a0Visit Malaysia Year 2025 was made during the presentation of Budget 2023 by the Prime Minister of Malaysia, Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, on 23 February 2023.This comes at the right time as Malaysia, among many other countries, is beginning to recover from the Covid19 pandemic that shook the world tourism industry.Visit Malaysia Year 2025The last Visit Malaysia Year 2020 was cancelled because of the Covid-19 pandemic, and it will be the sixth time a VMY campaign is held in the country; the first one was held in 1990 and recorded 7.4 million arrivals.The Prime Minister said Malaysia was rich in national treasures and offers beautiful pristine beaches, apart from diverse flora and fauna.He added that such attractions would clearly give Malaysia an edge and the ability to generate more income through tourism activities.Before the Covid-19 pandemic, Malaysia recorded an average of 25 million international arrivals annually, with over 26 million recorded in 2019, and also recorded an all-time high of RM86.1bil in tourism receipts.The Prime Minister said 2025 would be \"Visit Malaysia Year\", with a target of 23.5 million international tourist arrivals and a projected income of RM76.8 billion.He added that the Malaysian government will allocate RM250 million to promote tourism. RM115 Million will be made available as matching grant funds to collaborate and work with the Tourism, Arts and Culture industries.These matching grants will help promote tourism promotion activities and organise major events such as international sporting and cultural events.The Prime Minister also mentioned that such grants will be used to forge collaborations with Malaysia Airport Holding Bhd (MAHB) and international airlines to encourage charter flights.No official logo or other information is available as it was only announced. It will take some time for the Tourism Ministry to start preparing everything.Once I get more information about\u00a0Visit Malaysia Year 2025 or VMY2025, I will share it in this article with updates. You can also check the official Tourism Malaysia website for more info.ConclusionWhile the announcement of the\u00a0Visit Malaysia Year 2025 is relatively new in 2023, much will change over the coming months and years.This means that budgets may increase while specialised targets are highlighted, and many improvements, like the KLIA aerotrain system, will be upgraded.\n\n\nTags\nEvents\nMalaysia\nMalaysia Truly Asia\nTourism Malaysia\nTourism Malaysia News\nVisit Malaysia Year 2025\nVMY2025\n\n\n\n\n\nFacebook\nTwitter\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nShare:Visit Malaysia Year 2025\n\n\nFacebook\nTwitter\nWhatsApp\nPinterest\nLinkedIn\nReddit\nTumblr\nTelegram\nEmail\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nMalaysia Asia\nBlogging since 2007, but writing online since 1997. I belong to the 1st generation of worldwide bloggers, which is of course old-school. \n\nSince 2008, I created Malaysia Asia and this travel, flood, gadget and lifestyle blog has won numerous physical awards from tourism boards around Malaysia. (Not those online awards).\n\nAfter 12 years of blogging, I have semi-retired and now blog about things I like, do product reviews and enjoy life. My work has been featured in Lonely Planet, CNN Travel, Yahoo Travel, Wall Street Journal, and many other international publications. Find out more about me and thank you.\n\n\n\n\nYou might like\nView all\n\n\n\n\n\n\n"}
{"url": "http://blog.malaysia-asia.my/2021/12/bookxcess-at-rexkl.html", "text": "\n\n\n\nHomeBest Instagrammable Places in Kuala Lumpur\n\nBookXcess at RexKL\n\n\n\n\nbyMalaysia Asia\n-December 31, 2021\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nOne of the most Instagram-worthy places in Kuala Lumpur is the\u00a0RexKL BookXcess store, which opened in late November of 2021.Malaysians and visitors coming to KL can have the same amazing Instagram, TikTok or Facebook photos of this unique bookshop, similar to the world-famous Starfield Library in Seoul, Korea.BookXcess at RexKLThis is now one of the most Instagrammable and TikTok places in Malaysia.Opened at the end of November 2021, BookXcess has taken the second floor of RexKL in Jalan Petaling to open its unique and creatively designed bookstore.Since the opening, thousands of Malaysians have made their way here to take photos of this Instagram-worthy place to be shared online.BookXcess at RexKL occupies the upper floor of the old Rex Cinema, which housed first-class seats and a projector room.Well, some of the younger generations will never see how it really was back in the days of old cinema. But I am glad that they managed to preserve this cinema building.Instagram Worthy Photos of BookXcess at RexKLRexKL is an old-school cinema in the Petaling Street area of old KL.As you enter RexKL, you will be greeted by a directory. The bookshop is on level 2.The main entrance into BookXcess is on level 2.The upper level of the bookshop is where you will find the famous Instagram spots.From different angles, you will be able to capture beautiful photos.The upper section used to be First Class of Rex Cinema, where the big screen was on the left of the hall, and the bottom floor was the economy or 2nd and 3rd class seating.Highly Instagrammable and popular among everyone who visits here.How can you not want to take a photo here and share it on Instagram, TikTok or Facebook?Where is BookXcess RexKL?RexKL is located on Jalan Sultan, just opposite the KFC and is a stand-alone building once the former Rex Cinema. Refer to the map above for exact directions here.The cinema has been converted into a lifestyle hub offering various boutique-concept shops on the mezzanine and first floor, a bookstore on the second floor and a series of modern-concept hawkers and cafes on the lower floor.RexKL Address80, Jalan Sultan,City Centre,50000 Kuala LumpurAll the photos featured here were taken with my Samsung Galaxy S10 Plus smartphone and edited minimally.ConclusionRexKL BookXcess is located along Jalan Petaling in the Chinatown area of Kuala Lumpur and is open six days a week. They are closed every Monday and business hours are 10.00 AM to 10.00 PM.It is also part of my Kuala Lumpur Photowalk series and one of the exciting places for locals and visitors to Malaysia.If you have seen those beautiful social media photos of a bookstore in Kuala Lumpur, this is the place where you can get your photos. Also, remember that they actually sell books there, and this is not just a place to take pictures.\n\n\nTags\nBest Instagrammable Places in Kuala Lumpur\nKL City\nKuala Lumpur\nMalaysia\nMalaysia Instagrammable Places\nPhotography\nRexKL BookXcess\nSamsung\n\n\n\n\n\nFacebook\nTwitter\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nShare:BookXcess at RexKL\n\n\nFacebook\nTwitter\nWhatsApp\nPinterest\nLinkedIn\nReddit\nTumblr\nTelegram\nEmail\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nMalaysia Asia\nBlogging since 2007, but writing online since 1997. I belong to the 1st generation of worldwide bloggers, which is of course old-school. \n\nSince 2008, I created Malaysia Asia and this travel, flood, gadget and lifestyle blog has won numerous physical awards from tourism boards around Malaysia. (Not those online awards).\n\nAfter 12 years of blogging, I have semi-retired and now blog about things I like, do product reviews and enjoy life. My work has been featured in Lonely Planet, CNN Travel, Yahoo Travel, Wall Street Journal, and many other international publications. Find out more about me and thank you.\n\n\n\n\nYou might like\nView all\n\n\n\n\n\n\n"}
{"url": "http://blog.malaysia-asia.my/2021/08/galaxy-unpacked-2021-pre-party-live-show.html", "text": "\n\n\n\nHomeGalaxy Unpacked\n\nGalaxy Unpacked 2021 Pre-Party Live Show\n\n\n\n\nbyMalaysia Asia\n-August 11, 2021\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nGreat news for those waiting for the main event as Samsung Malaysia has organised a special Galaxy Unpacked 2021 pre-party live show.\u00a0This virtual event will start at 9.00 on August 11 and will be hosted by Jin and Alexis, two of the regular Samsung event hosts.This virtual show is touted to be entertaining in many ways; therefore, it is recommended for those who just caught wind of this launch and pre-party show.Galaxy Unpacked 2021 Pre-Party Live ShowIf you're all excited about what Samsung will unveil this evening, you can also join the pre-party virtual event on the Samsung Malaysia YouTube channel to warm up.With the Covid19 pandemic worldwide, most events and launches have resorted to live streaming online, which is now a normal scenario, even for super-brands like Samsung.This time around, the Galaxy Unpacked 2021 pre-party live show will feature two of the main hosts: Jin and Alexis.\u00a0They will be joined by local Samsung Influencers like;Alif Satar (@alifsatar)Daiyan Trisha (@daiyantrisha)Josephine Yap (@jyjosephine)Marianne Tan (@mariannetpy)And The DOLLA girls:Sabronzo DOLLA (@sabronzo)Angel DOLLA (@bbyqngel)Tabby DOLLA (@tabbybabyyy)Syasya DOLLA (@syasya.rzl)What will all of them be talking about? Well, in general, they will be discussing their expectations of the next Galaxy with a bit of fun teasing sprinkled across.\u00a0Watch as they have amusing banter on-screen and hype us up for a series of games that they will \u2018Unfold\u2019 after and as they team up to battle against each other.Also, they may even discuss how the main Samsung Galaxy Unpacked YouTube trailer has reached more than one million views.Galaxy Unpacked August 2021 will take place on 11 August and at 10.00 PM.Galaxy Unpacked 2021 Main EventAfter The Pre-Party show, it will continue to the main event, the Galaxy Unpacked August 2021, where some of Samsung's much talked about smartphones and gadgets will be revealed.Date: 11th August 2021 (Wednesday)Time: 10:00pm (Malaysia Time)How and Where to View the Galaxy Unpacked August 2021 Event?\u00a0There are several places where anyone can go and watch this event live. They are;Samsung Malaysia Main WebsiteSamsung Malaysia YouTube ChannelSamsung Malaysia FacebookSamsung Malaysia NewsroomSpecial Viewer Bonus for Galaxy Unpacked August 2021You can also register at the Samsung Malaysia Unpacked Website to be entitled to redeem an additional RM300 Samsung e-voucher which you can use after you pre-order the next Galaxy.ConclusionWith the Covid 19 Movement Control Order of the National Recovery Plan (NRP) in Malaysia, Selangor and many other states are undergoing Phase 1 of the NRP.This means that most people will be home by 8.00 to 9.00 PM due to a majority of the businesses that have to close by 8.00 PM.Therefore, you can take the opportunity to get online and catch the Galaxy Unpacked 2021 pre-party live show streamed here in Malaysia.\n\n\nTags\nGalaxy Unpacked\nMalaysia\nSamsung\nSamsung Galaxy\nSamsung Galaxy Unpacked\nSamsung Malaysia\nSmartphone Reviews\n\n\n\n\n\nFacebook\nTwitter\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nShare:Galaxy Unpacked 2021 Pre-Party Live Show\n\n\nFacebook\nTwitter\nWhatsApp\nPinterest\nLinkedIn\nReddit\nTumblr\nTelegram\nEmail\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nMalaysia Asia\nBlogging since 2007, but writing online since 1997. I belong to the 1st generation of worldwide bloggers, which is of course old-school. \n\nSince 2008, I created Malaysia Asia and this travel, flood, gadget and lifestyle blog has won numerous physical awards from tourism boards around Malaysia. (Not those online awards).\n\nAfter 12 years of blogging, I have semi-retired and now blog about things I like, do product reviews and enjoy life. My work has been featured in Lonely Planet, CNN Travel, Yahoo Travel, Wall Street Journal, and many other international publications. Find out more about me and thank you.\n\n\n\n\nYou might like\nView all\n\n\n\n\n\n\n"}
{"url": "http://blog.malaysia-asia.my/2020/04/tourism-malaysia-arrival-statistics-2019.html", "text": "\n\n\n\nHomeMalaysia\n\nTourism Malaysia Arrival Statistics 2019\n\n\n\n\nbyMalaysia Asia\n-May 18, 2020\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nIn 2019, Malaysia managed to record a 2.4 percent growth in tourism receipts totaling RM86.14 billion. In 2018, the total receipts were RM84.1 billion.\n\n\n\nThis was thanks to the early build-up campaign to Visit Malaysia 2020 and various marketing strategies that have been done by Tourism Malaysia.\u00a0\n\nTourism Malaysia Arrival Statistics 2019\n\n\nThe tourism arrivals have been slowly increasing last year, and it was heading towards the set target arrivals for the Visit Malaysia Year 2020.\n\n\n\nOriginally, Tourism Malaysia\u00a0was confident that the country would welcome a total of 30 million tourist arrivals for 2020 with a whopping RM100 billion in tourist receipts.KLCC in Kuala Lumpur is one of the most visited places for tourists.\nVisit Malaysia Campaigns from 1990 to 2020\n\n\nBelow are all the Visit Malaysia Year and a one-off campaign that has taken place from 1990 until today. Also included are the tourism taglines and the tourism arrivals for that year.\n\n\nVisit Malaysia Year 1990 - \"To Know Malaysia is to Love Malaysia\" 7.4 million in tourist arrivals.\nVisit Malaysia Year 1994 - \"Fascinating Malaysia. Naturally More\" 10.22 million in tourist arrivals.\nVisit Malaysia Year 2007 - \"Malaysia Truly Asia\" 20.97 million in tourist arrivals.\nVisit Malaysia Year 2014 - \"Celebrating 1Malaysia Truly Asia\" 28.8 million in tourist arrivals.\nMalaysia Year of Festivals 2015 - \"Endless Celebrations\" 25.7 million tourist arrivals.\nVisit Malaysia Year 2020 \u2013 \u201cVisit Truly Asia Malaysia\u201d Targeting 30 million tourism arrivals.\n\nTourists arriving at one of the local airports in Malaysia.The Malaysia Tourism Promotion Board or Tourism Malaysia announced the statistics which are;\n\n\nPer capita expenditure rose by 1.3 percent to RM3,300 from RM3,257\nAverage Length of Stay (ALOS) climbed by 0.9 nights to 7.4 nights\nOverall Tourist Expenditure in Malaysia: Asean Region - RM43.72 billion\n\n\nTop Ten International Tourist Arrivals to Malaysia;\n\n\nSingapore - 10,163,882\nIndonesia -\u00a03,623,277\nChina -\u00a03,114,257\nThailand -\u00a01,884,306\nBrunei -\u00a01,216,123\nIndia -\u00a0735,309\nSouth Korea -\u00a0673,065\nJapan -\u00a0424,694\nThe Philippines -\u00a0421,908\nVietnam -\u00a0400,346\n\n\n\nAverage Length of Stay in Malaysia by Tourists;\n\n\nWest Asia -\u00a09.8 nights\nEurope -\u00a08.8 nights\nAmericas -\u00a08.2 nights\nEast Asia -\u00a06.5 nights\nSouth Asia -\u00a06.4 nights\nAsean - 4.9 nights\n\nTourists are seen along Pantai Chenang in Langkawi.Top Three Distribution of Tourist Receipts in Malaysia\n\n\nShopping at 33.6%\nAccommodation 24%\nFood and beverages 13.3%\n\nTourism Malaysia has also indicated that the shopping receipts grew from 33.4% in 2018 to 33.6% in 2019.\n\nTourism Arrival Growth Worldwide 2019\n\nSouth Asia at 22.2%\nEast Asia 5.9%\nAmericas 4.3%\nEurope 0.3%\n\nTourists at the Saloma Link Bridge, a new tourism product in Kuala Lumpur.The last article with the statistics was on tourism arrivals in Malaysia for 2016. That was also during the peak of the China tourists that were visiting Malaysia.\u00a0Conclusion\nThe above Tourism Malaysia Arrival Statistics for 2019 is taken from Tourism Malaysia and for this year, the Visit Malaysia 2020 Campaign was canceled\u00a0due to the Coronavirus or Covid-19 pandemic.\nHowever, there has been news that Tourism Malaysia will be announcing a brand new Malaysia Truly Asia Campaign\u00a0later in 2020.\n\n\nTags\nMalaysia\nMinistry of Tourism Malaysia\nTourism Malaysia\nTourism Malaysia Arrival Statistics\nTourism Malaysia News\n\n\n\n\n\nFacebook\nTwitter\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nShare:Tourism Malaysia Arrival Statistics 2019\n\n\nFacebook\nTwitter\nWhatsApp\nPinterest\nLinkedIn\nReddit\nTumblr\nTelegram\nEmail\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nMalaysia Asia\nBlogging since 2007, but writing online since 1997. I belong to the 1st generation of worldwide bloggers, which is of course old-school. \n\nSince 2008, I created Malaysia Asia and this travel, flood, gadget and lifestyle blog has won numerous physical awards from tourism boards around Malaysia. (Not those online awards).\n\nAfter 12 years of blogging, I have semi-retired and now blog about things I like, do product reviews and enjoy life. My work has been featured in Lonely Planet, CNN Travel, Yahoo Travel, Wall Street Journal, and many other international publications. Find out more about me and thank you.\n\n\n\n\nYou might like\nView all\n\n\n\n\n\n\n"}
{"url": "http://blog.malaysia-asia.my/2023/01/tat-strengthens-visit-thailand-year-2023.html", "text": "\n\n\n\nHomeTAT\n\nTAT strengthens Visit Thailand Year 2023\n\n\n\n\nbyMalaysia Asia\n-January 16, 2023\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nThe Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) is strengthening the ongoing \"Visit Thailand Year: Amazing New Chapters\" campaign towards a meaningful travel direction.Underlining the kingdom's soft power foundations and experience-based tourism, key strategies include elevating supply and sustainable standards and raising awareness among stakeholders about the importance of being hospitable hosts to all visitors.TAT strengthens Visit Thailand Year 2023The 'Visit Thailand Year 2022' campaign was at the forefront of the kingdom's efforts to drive the Thai economy forward in its first year.Thailand welcomed 11.8 million international tourists and recorded 189 million domestic trips \u2013 a milestone achievement that reflected the successful restoration of the country's tourism industry from the concerted efforts of all stakeholders.With this tourism revival continuing to pick up momentum amid volatile global challenges, Thailand aims for 2.38 trillion Baht in overall tourism revenue in 2023 \u2013 representing a return to 80% of the pre-pandemic level seen in 2019.Through the \"Visit Thailand Year 2023: Amazing New Chapters\" campaign, TAT emphasises the promotion and development of high-value and sustainable tourism in Thailand.This includes elevating the tourism supply (Shape Supply) to offer experience-based tourism and leveraging the kingdom's 5F soft-power foundations \u2013 Food, Film, Festival, Fight and Fashion \u2013 to offer meaningful travel experiences in Thailand.TAT Governor Yuthasak Supasorn on stage.\u201cAmazing Thailand\u201d brandingTAT will continue communicating and strengthening its global campaign's long-standing 'Amazing Thailand' branding.This will be accentuated by the \"Amazing New Chapters\" concept to promote Thai soft-power cultural values, inspire travellers from around the world to visit Thailand once again, and further reaffirm the kingdom's well-established status as one of the world's most popular holiday spots.Meanwhile, it is introducing the new \"Create Your Right Moment\" concept in its domestic campaign to inspire domestic travellers to travel more within the country.\"Amazing 5F and More\"TAT is introducing the new \"Amazing 5F and More\" concept, aimed at delivering meaningful travel experiences in various aspects such as wellness, luxury, and Thainess.At the same time, it is focusing on enhancing the quality of tourism products and services to drive the Thai tourism industry towards sustainable growth.Key activities include the Good Host New Chapter Season 2 project, the Amazing Thailand Safety and Health Administration (SHA) certification, and the 14th Thailand Tourism Awards.A series of events to highlight the kingdom's 5F soft-power foundations \u2013 Food, Film, Festival, Fight and Fashion \u2013 will occur throughout the year.Food \u2013 at least two events are planned: Amazing Thai Tastes during March-June and Bangkok International Food Festival in June.Festival \u2013 events include Chinese New Year in January, Songkran Thai New Year in April, and Loi Krathong in November.Film \u2013 the Amazing Film Festival Experience in August, while a Y series Meet & Greet event is planned.Fight \u2013 Amazing Muay Thai Festival in February.Fashion \u2013 Valentine Fashion TV Beach Award Festival in February.Policy and PlanningTo drive tourism towards sustainability, TAT is adopting the BCG Model to highlight Gastronomy Tourism.By collecting and analysing data under the 'From Policy Lab to Real Product' strategy, TAT has developed the Best Practice Model to showcase organic cuisine and transform it into an inclusive business and smart organic farmer, which leads to generating income for the local community.Technology and InnovationSeeing 'Digital as a Game Changer', TAT leverages technology and innovation to add value and transform Thai tourism into Smart Tourism.It is tapping into Digital Asset holders via the TAT NFTs projects, promoting Thai tourism products and services with virtual arts and Metaverse.It introduces the '3I' concept: Intelligence \u2013 using Big Data and building Digital Literacy for TAT employees; innovation \u2013 developing new innovation and Travel Tech; and Investment \u2013 investing in digital transformation, such as Start-up, Venture Capital, Cloud funding, etc.TAT is committed to developing its human resources to be ready to support and collaborate with the Thai tourism industry while strengthening and improving its work processes through innovation and technology.During the\u00a0Visit Thailand Year 2023 Press conference.International MarketTAT is adopting the 'Great Resumption Episode II' strategy for short-haul markets.This include:1)\u00a0 China is back \u2013 Tapping emerging segments and enhancing cooperation with the airlines to increase air access flights to cater to the increasing demands and promote new modes of travelling, such as an overland border.2) 7 Digits Target \u2013 Focusing on rapidly growing markets, such as China, Malaysia, India, and South Korea, and cooperating with partner agents and airlines.3) Colour Your Life by Amazing Thailand \u2013 Seamlessly integrating the Amazing Thailand brand in the tourist's slice of life through on-site and virtual marketing promotional events.4) Responsible Tourism \u2013 Supporting CSR and responsible tourism projects like Reborn the Nature to advocate tourism sustainability.5) 2 Tier, Second to None \u2013 Encouraging visitors to visit emerging destinations while sourcing new tourist segments from secondary cities in South Korea, China, India, Vietnam, and Malaysia.TAT is adopting the 'A-B-C-D Fast Forward' strategy for long-haul markets.A \u2013 Airline Focus to continue collaborating with leading airlines, such as Qatar Airways, Etihad, and Oman Air, to expand new routes and increase the frequency of direct flights.\u00a0B \u2013 Big Cities and Beyond to penetrate new markets in major and secondary cities, such as Bucharest in Romania and Sofia in Bulgaria.C \u2013 Collaboration is Key to working with new partners, including airlines; such as Delta Airlines, Air Canada, FlyDubai, and Aeroflot, and online travel agencies; such as Almosafer and SAGA Holidays.D \u2013 Destination for All to promote Thailand as an \"All-year-round Destination\" to meet the demand for visitors regardless of the season and with all segments, including family, medical and wellness in the Middle East or the LGBTQ+ in Europe and America.Domestic MarketTAT is focusing on 'Value over Volume' under the new 'Travel Thailand in Limited Edition' concept highlighting the 5F Soft Powers to cater to the various needs of domestic travellers.Various events are planned for 2023 to inspire domestic travel, including Travel 365 days in Amazing Thailand, Visit Thailand 2023, and Amazing Thailand Festival Experience 2023.TAT is also continuing to encourage domestic travellers to visit emerging destinations during weekdays to expand the expenditure and balance the capacity of the destinations.2023 Targets for Visit Thailand YearTAT (Tourism Authority of Thailand) expects to welcome 25 million international tourists and inspire 250 million domestic trips in 2023.The target for overall tourism revenue is 2.38 trillion Baht comprising 670-880 billion Baht from domestic tourism and 1.5 trillion Baht from international tourism. For more information, please visit the Tourism Thailand website.\n\n\nTags\nTAT\nThailand\nTourism Authority of Thailand\nTourism Thailand\nVisit Thailand Year 2023\n\n\n\n\n\nFacebook\nTwitter\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nShare:TAT strengthens Visit Thailand Year 2023\n\n\nFacebook\nTwitter\nWhatsApp\nPinterest\nLinkedIn\nReddit\nTumblr\nTelegram\nEmail\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nMalaysia Asia\nBlogging since 2007, but writing online since 1997. I belong to the 1st generation of worldwide bloggers, which is of course old-school. \n\nSince 2008, I created Malaysia Asia and this travel, flood, gadget and lifestyle blog has won numerous physical awards from tourism boards around Malaysia. (Not those online awards).\n\nAfter 12 years of blogging, I have semi-retired and now blog about things I like, do product reviews and enjoy life. My work has been featured in Lonely Planet, CNN Travel, Yahoo Travel, Wall Street Journal, and many other international publications. Find out more about me and thank you.\n\n\n\n\nYou might like\nView all\n\n\n\n\n\n\n"}
{"url": "http://blog.malaysia-asia.my/2019/11/best-food-to-eat-in-tawau.html", "text": "\n\n\n\nHomeFood\n\nBest Food to Eat in Tawau\n\n\n\n\nbyMalaysia Asia\n-November 04, 2019\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nEver wondered what is the best food to eat in Tawau, Sabah? Or what is the famous food here? This article will help you narrow down the places that you can find them.\n\n\n\nNot only that, all of the food listed here has been personally tried by me during my many trips to Tawau on the east coast of Sabah Borneo.\n\nThis Tawau food list also indicates if the food is Halal or no pork served, hence many of these places are Muslim-friendly too.\u00a0\n\nBest Food to Eat in Tawau\n\n\n\nSeafood is one of the must-try local food when you are in Tawau\n\n\nBefore I start, Tawau is one of the coastal cities that is located on the east coast of Sabah and is well known as the main gateway to popular islands like Sipadan and\u00a0Mabul Island.\u00a0\n\n\n\nThe destination is often overlooked as many visitors will fly in and head straight to their next destination which is usually the town of Semporna where they catch their boats to the islands.\n\nAs Tawau is quite laid-back and a little original compared to cities like Kota Kinabalu, you will see that it is very different, in terms of being a city.\u00a0\n\n\n\nBut having been this way, the culinary rewards are pretty exciting, where you get to explore local food which has never changed since the day they started selling it.\u00a0\n\n\n\nThis is what a true foodie will appreciate, rather than the commercial 'stall to shop concept', which has taken Malaysia by storm.\u00a0\n\n\n\nPersonally, for me, a famous or popular stall will always have the realness and the authentic charm, and when people try to be different and bring the concept to shopping malls, this is where it fails.\u00a0\n\n\n\nNasi Kuning Ikan on the left and Nasi Kuning Ayam on the right\n\n1. Nasi Kuning Tawau\n\n\nOne local dish that is most sought after in Tawau is no other than the extremely popular Nasi Kuning or translated as yellow rice.\n\nBut for foreigners visiting Tawau, please do not use the name 'yellow rice', as you will not expect any response from the locals. The dish is known as Nasi Kuning and that is it.\n\n\n\nRestoran Haji Tamrin in Tawau\n\n\n\nThe most famous place is no other than Nasi Kuning Haji Tamrin, which is located in the city area of Tawau.\n\nThere are in fact numerous places that sell this dish, and most of them are just jumping on the bandwagon due to the popularity of this dish.\u00a0\n\nNasi Kuning Tawau\n\nWhat to Order: Nasi Kuning\u00a0(Chicken and Fish)\n\nWhere Are They:\u00a04188, Jalan Sim Hua Seng, Tawau\nHalal: Yes\n\nPrice: $$\n\n\n\nSelection of Pisang Cheese and other banana snacks\n\n2. Pisang Cheese Tawau\n\n\nThere is no doubt that this is one of the very local favourites found here and has been for many years. Though this dish originates from Indonesia, the Pisang Cheese Tawau\u00a0has become a very popular dessert.\n\n\n\nThey don't only sell the cheese fried banana fritters but they have a full range menu catering to rice, noodles and many other dishes.\n\n\n\nThe Pisang Cheese menu at Indo Cafe in Tawau\n\n\n\nBe careful as there may be other shops attempting to ride on the popularity of this dish, but the brand Indo Cafe has two branches. One in the city and one out of Tawau.\u00a0\n\n\n\nPisang Cheese Tawau\u00a0\n\nWhat to Order: The Pisang Cheese hands down. But if you have a sweet tooth, try the Pisang Coklet.\u00a0\n\nWhere Are They:\u00a0542, Jalan\u00a0Bantu, Tawau\nHalal: Yes\n\nPrice: $\n\n\n\nSome of the seafood dishes that I ordered\u00a0\n\n3. Tawau Fresh Seafood\n\n\nThis is no doubt the main thing that anyone visiting Tawau should try and I personally vouch for it. After having eaten fresh seafood around Sabah, namely in Kota Kinabalu and Sandakan, Tawau is still the best and the cheapest.\n\n\n\nYou can find a row of seafood restaurants along Jalan Chen Fook in the Tawau City area, and the restaurant I visited was Kam Ling Fresh Seafood and Goof View Seafood restaurants along this busy road.\n\n\n\nKam Ling Seafood with an interesting choice of fresh seafood\u00a0\n\n\n\nI will also recommend that you head here at about 6.00 PM to order early as the seafood restaurants here can get really crowded from around 7.00 PM.\n\nOne more thing is that you need not worry about the size of your group to eat the local seafood. When I was here, it was two of us, who just ordered a few dishes, and the price was just under RM100.\u00a0\n\n\nTawau Fresh Seafood Restaurants\n\nWhat to Order: Anything seafood, the shells, fish, crab and so on.\u00a0\n\nWhere Are They: Along Jalan Chen Fook, Tawau\nHalal: No Pork Served\n\nPrice: $$ to $$$\n\n\n\nThe famous Tawau Mee Tauhu\n\n4. Mee Tauhu Tawau\n\nThis dish is also a very popular dish among the Muslim travellers heading here and also for just about anyone who loves noodles and tau foo.\n\nAlso, there are plenty of places that are selling the Mee Tauhu in Tawau, so finding the right one can be a little difficult.\n\nDuring my trip here, I must have seen at least six restaurants selling the local favourite noodles, and with much asking around, there are only two restaurants that are quite popular.\n\nOne of them is Kedai Kopi Tawau, which is found along Jalan Kubota in the main city area. But again, the locals here have their own favourite place for Mee Tauhu.\n\nKedai Kopi Tawau Mee Tauhu\nWhat to Order: Mee Tauhu\nWhere Are They: Jalan Kubota, 91000 Tawau, Sabah\nHalal: Yes\nPrice: $ to $$\n\n\n\nSup Payau on the left and Nasi Goreng Payau on the right\n\n5. Nasi Goreng and Sup Payau Tawau\n\nThis is probably one of my favourites whenever I am in Tawau and you can find this little restaurant just outside the Tawau airport.\n\nEver since being introduced to the Kari Payau (Deer Curry) back in 2007, I have always made it a point to visit this restaurant called Bibiq Corner, which is about five minutes' walk from the airport.\n\n\n\nThe interesting menu at Sup Payau Bibiq Corner\n\nThe restaurant is very local and simple, but it is the unique wild deer that is served that captivates the foodie. Most Malaysians will relate to this dish as it is cooked very local style.\n\nWhen my flight lands at Tawau, I will usually take a walk over and have my Nasi Goreng Payau, and then only head towards town. If you are taking Grab, then just walk over and call your Grab from here.\n\nBibiq Corner (Next to Tawau Airport)\nWhat to Order: Sup Payau and Nasi Goreng Payau\nWhere Are They: Jalan Airport, 91000 Tawau, Sabah\nHalal: Yes\nPrice: $ to $$\n\n\n\nA sunset scene at the Tawau Esplanade\n\n\nWhat else to do in Tawau?\n\n\nWhile you are here in Tawau, you may also have some free time to explore one of the least visited cities of Sabah.\u00a0\n\n\n\nYou may be here for work, a quick family trip, or even for a wedding and you might have some extra time to wander around.\u00a0\n\n\n\nAnd for those seeking on what else you can do here, I have written a comprehensive article about the many things to do in Tawau\u00a0for just about anyone.\u00a0\n\n\n\nMap of Tawau's main city area\n\nHow To Go To Tawau?\u00a0\n\n\n\nThere are direct flights from Kuala Lumpur, Kota Kinabalu and various other cities in Malaysia. Airlines that fly there include Malaysia Airlines and AirAsia where the latter has more flights.\n\nFor those travelling from Kota Kinabalu, the best option for travelling to Tawau is still via a flight. If you have time to spare, you can always travel overland via bus or rented car.\n\nWhile most Malaysians or Asians plan limited travel days, then your best way to get to Tawau is through a flight so you can make the most of your trip here.\n\n\n\nThis is called Nasi Lemak Bakar, not sure if it is still available in Tawau city\n\n\nConclusion\n\n\nAre you planning to visit Tawau anytime soon? If you are, I hope that this list of the best food to eat in Tawau has come in handy for you.\u00a0\n\n\n\nYou can also follow David Travels\u00a0Instagram account where I share my random photos of travel and food, while Malaysia Asia\u00a0is more focused on travel photography and destinations.\u00a0\n\n\n\nIf you have any comments or feedback, I would love to hear them in the comment form below. And if you think there are other dishes that I may have missed, do let me know.\n\n\nTags\nFood\nFood in Tawau\nFood Tourism in Malaysia\nMalaysia\nMalaysia Food\nSabah\nSabah Food\nTawau\nVisit Sabah\n\n\n\n\n\nFacebook\nTwitter\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nShare:Best Food to Eat in Tawau\n\n\nFacebook\nTwitter\nWhatsApp\nPinterest\nLinkedIn\nReddit\nTumblr\nTelegram\nEmail\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nMalaysia Asia\nBlogging since 2007, but writing online since 1997. I belong to the 1st generation of worldwide bloggers, which is of course old-school. \n\nSince 2008, I created Malaysia Asia and this travel, flood, gadget and lifestyle blog has won numerous physical awards from tourism boards around Malaysia. (Not those online awards).\n\nAfter 12 years of blogging, I have semi-retired and now blog about things I like, do product reviews and enjoy life. My work has been featured in Lonely Planet, CNN Travel, Yahoo Travel, Wall Street Journal, and many other international publications. Find out more about me and thank you.\n\n\n\n\nYou might like\nView all\n\n\n\n\n\n\n"}
{"url": "http://blog.malaysia-asia.my/2022/06/home-care-vs-nursing-homes-in-malaysia.html", "text": "\n\n\n\nHomeHomage\n\nHome Care vs Nursing Homes in Malaysia: Making the Best Decision\n\n\n\n\nbyMalaysia Asia\n-June 13, 2022\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nHome Care vs Nursing Homes in Malaysia: Making the Best DecisionChoosing between home care and nursing homes is never easy for family caregivers. Many questions and concerns go into making these big decisions; quality of care and cost are some of the main factors to consider.Most family caregivers would want their loved ones to receive care in the comfort of their own homes, while others may opt for 24/7 access to medical care and services that nursing home facilities offer.We\u2019ve put together some thoughts below to help you feel less overwhelmed and better informed in making the best decision for your loved one.What type of help do you need?Deciding the type of care your loved one needs is essential before choosing between home care and a nursing home. Start with the three questions below \u2014your answers will help ease decision-making.Do you need someone to help around the house and assist with daily activities such as medication reminders, meal preparation, personal grooming and companionship?Does your loved one require palliative care or specialised medical assistance?Do you need care for a couple of hours a day or 24/7 for your senior loved ones when you are away?The questions above form a starting point for drawing the scope of care your loved one needs. If you answered yes to any of these questions, read more about the advantages and drawbacks of home care and nursing homes.Care in the comfort of your homePopularly known as the more convenient option, home care is gaining traction fast in Malaysia. Homage offers the services of nurses, caregivers and medically trained professionals on a full-time or part-time basis at reasonable pricing.Ideal for family caregivers who need respite from time to time, home care provides the flexibility of care services that can start from as short as an hour at a time. The scope of care services can range from dispensing medication and meal preparation to palliative care and tube feeding.Your loved one would receive personalised, expert care from a care professional (also known as a \u2018Care Pro\u2019) in the comfort of your own home. These Care Pros are familiar with a range of mobility and medical conditions, including dementia and Alzheimer\u2019s disease stages.It would be wise to establish a care plan that is tailored to the likes, dislikes and personality of your loved one. This could even include looking at photo albums, listening to music or reading out loud.If possible, get to know the Care Pro that would be looking after your loved one. This is important to ensure that your loved one is comfortable with the person taking care of them.Day care centres \u2013 an alternative solutionIdeal for family caregivers who are employed full-time or simply as a means to take a break from caregiving duties, daycare centres are a great alternative. Day care centres in Malaysia, such as Rumah Alzheimer\u2019s Day Care Centre (PJACC), provide programmes that incorporate cognitive, physical, social and sensory stimulation for dementia patients.Their program aims to help your loved ones feel happy and fulfilled while diverting them from negative thoughts that trigger anxiety and despair.The current Dementia Therapeutic Daycare Centre in Ipoh also offers cognitive rehabilitation for persons with dementia and training for family caregivers.Photo Credit: Caring With You Dementia Centre, Kuala LumpurWhen to opt for a nursing homeIf you have reached the point where you cannot provide or facilitate the care that your loved one needs, it may be worth considering long-term professional care. Feeling a sense of guilt? It is natural to feel unsure, confused, or even guilty but remember\u2014you are acting in the best interests of your loved one to receive the care they need to live well.Commonly perceived as long-term care, nursing homes offer similar services as home care providers but with additional benefits. These benefits include 24/7 on-site support from registered nurses or medical practitioners, transportation for doctor\u2019s appointments, and group activities with other residents.Compared to home care, nursing homes can be costly and may lack the flexibility of a tailored care plan. Your loved one would be living away from home with other residents, following the same daily schedule. It can take time for your loved one (and yourself) to adjust and embrace the new environment and change their way of living.Considering the turmoil of emotions that come with having to opt for a nursing home, it is worth exploring all other options beforehand. Talk to other family caregivers who are going through the same struggle\u2014it may help to hear how they have dealt with this challenging situation.Tip: It is highly recommended to visit selected nursing homes before making a choice. Ask questions to determine the quality of their care services, frequency of activities and general perception from other residents.Maintaining the best quality of lifeAfter considering all the options, it comes down to ensuring the quality of life for your loved one. We hope the pointers above paint a clearer picture of deciding between home care and nursing homes.\u00a0Curious to hear what other caregivers think? Weigh in on the discussion in the Project We Forgot Dementia Community on Facebook.Choosing Homage for Your Loved Ones\u2019 CareNeed caregiving support but prefer your loved one to age at home? With Homage, Care Professionals can provide companionship, nursing care, night caregiving and home therapy to keep your loved ones healthy and active.Chat with a Care Advisor at 016-2992188 or email at malaysia@homage.co. Homage is currently available in:Kuala LumpurMost parts of SelangorIpoh, PerakKulim & Sungai Petani, KedahJohor Bahru and surrounding regionsKota KinabaluKuchingHomage is a personal healthcare solution that connects caregivers, nurses and therapists with seniors that need on-demand holistic home care in their own homes, allowing them to recover and age with grace, control and dignity. You can find Homage Malaysia on Facebook\u00a0and on Instagram.\n\n\nTags\nHomage\nHome Care Malaysia\nMalaysia Home Care\nMalaysia Nursing Homes\n\n\n\n\n\nFacebook\nTwitter\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nShare:Home Care vs Nursing Homes in Malaysia: Making the Best Decision\n\n\nFacebook\nTwitter\nWhatsApp\nPinterest\nLinkedIn\nReddit\nTumblr\nTelegram\nEmail\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nMalaysia Asia\nBlogging since 2007, but writing online since 1997. I belong to the 1st generation of worldwide bloggers, which is of course old-school. \n\nSince 2008, I created Malaysia Asia and this travel, flood, gadget and lifestyle blog has won numerous physical awards from tourism boards around Malaysia. (Not those online awards).\n\nAfter 12 years of blogging, I have semi-retired and now blog about things I like, do product reviews and enjoy life. My work has been featured in Lonely Planet, CNN Travel, Yahoo Travel, Wall Street Journal, and many other international publications. Find out more about me and thank you.\n\n\n\n\nYou might like\nView all\n\n\n\n\n\n\n"}
{"url": "http://blog.malaysia-asia.my/2021/11/maha-tower-langkawi-all-you-need-to-know.html", "text": "\n\n\n\nHomeLangkawi\n\nMAHA Tower Langkawi - All You Need To Know\n\n\n\n\nbyMalaysia Asia\n-November 13, 2021\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nOne of the latest tourist attractions in Langkawi is the MAHA Tower or Menara MAHA, a massive 138-metre tall steel structure located in the town of Kuah.This unique tower was initially officiated by Tun Dr Mahathir Hence, there were no prizes for guessing where the name of the tower was taken from. It is currently in the final stages of completion as of November 2021 and should open anytime in 2022.MAHA Tower Langkawi InformationThe site of the tower in Kuah town is also called MAHA Square.This incredible tower joins the ranks of the mega structures of Langkawi and will be one of the top tourist attractions when it opens. The entire concept of this tower is created to suit both tourism and telecommunication with a multi-deck idea.Visitors will be allowed up to the viewing deck, 102.5 metres above sea level, the highest point for tourists.\u00a0Views include the mystical Lake of the Pregnant Maiden (Tasik Dayang Bunting) at the nearby Dayang Bunting Island.MAHA Tower LevelsLevel 40: Telecommunication (138 metres)Level 17: 360 Degrees Viewing Deck (102.5 metres)Level 10 - 15: Commercial and Activity Space (57.5 to 102.5 metres)Level 8: Sky Restaurant (57.5 metres)Level 1-8: Multiple Retail, F&B, Bazaar, Function RoomsAn overview of the tower, photo from Langkawi City.Height and Cost of MAHA TowerThe tower's total height is 138 metres or\u00a0452.7 feet and is believed to cost more than RM100 million at the time of the announcement.This massive project was supposed to be completed by 2015. However, there were some delays, and it was finally completed at the end of 2021.The Dataran or MAHA Square will be the hub of a neighbourhood masterplan containing world-class retail, food and beverage outlets, residential zones, hotels, and entertainment facilities.\u00a0This massive project will support the goals of the Langkawi Local Plan 2030, which aims to establish the island as a modern tourism centre without compromising its traditional elements.Some of the beautiful geometric patterns are seen on the tower.Design of MAHA Tower in LangkawiThe overall iconic design is heavily influenced by geometric patterns and minaret structures inherent in Islamic architecture.The dual hexagon-shaped sections are fully covered and provide unobstructed views of the Kuah town and the Kuah bay until Pulau Dayang Bunting. It is unsure how far one can see on a clear day.According to the Star newspaper, the MAHA Tower was quietly named Langkawi City after former Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Mukhriz Mahathir stepped down in 2016.Where is MAHA Tower Located in Langkawi?The MAHA tower or Menara MAHA is at a beachfront in Kuah town that covers 28.5 acres and some of it on reclaimed land.Maha Tower AddressJalan Mahawangsa,Kuah Town 07000LangkawiWho Built MAHA Tower in Langkawi?This is probably a common question that many will ask and below is what I know. If there have been any changes since then, please let me know and I will update it.The MAHA Tower project is by PFCE Integrated Plant and Project (PIPP), working closely with the Langkawi Development Authority (LADA). The construction is being done by Dekinjaya Builders Sdn Bhd.The main entrance to the tower.Photos featured here were taken using a Galaxy Z Flip3 5G smartphone.ConclusionYou can also visit the Langkawi City website\u00a0for more information about this project, as they are the developers behind the MAHA Tower and MAHA Square here in Kuah. This place could also be branded as Langkawi City.While there has not been any official announcement about the Menara MAHA Tower opening, I suspect that it should be around 2022. Once I get any information, I will update it here.\n\n\nTags\nLangkawi\nMAHA Tower\nMalaysia\nPlaces to Visit in Langkawi\nThings to do in Langkawi\n\n\n\n\n\nFacebook\nTwitter\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nShare:MAHA Tower Langkawi - All You Need To Know\n\n\nFacebook\nTwitter\nWhatsApp\nPinterest\nLinkedIn\nReddit\nTumblr\nTelegram\nEmail\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nMalaysia Asia\nBlogging since 2007, but writing online since 1997. I belong to the 1st generation of worldwide bloggers, which is of course old-school. \n\nSince 2008, I created Malaysia Asia and this travel, flood, gadget and lifestyle blog has won numerous physical awards from tourism boards around Malaysia. (Not those online awards).\n\nAfter 12 years of blogging, I have semi-retired and now blog about things I like, do product reviews and enjoy life. My work has been featured in Lonely Planet, CNN Travel, Yahoo Travel, Wall Street Journal, and many other international publications. Find out more about me and thank you.\n\n\n\n\nYou might like\nView all\n\n\n\n\n\n\n"}
{"url": "http://blog.malaysia-asia.my/2023/01/okinawa-for-first-time-visitors.html", "text": "\n\n\n\nHomeAirAsia X Destinations\n\nOkinawa For First-Time Visitors\n\n\n\n\nbyMalaysia Asia\n-January 10, 2023\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nYou may have heard of Okinawa Island in Japan, but only a few people\nhave visited this beautiful paradise island known as the Hawaii of\nJapan. Okinawa is located about 640 kilometres south of Japan and is connected\nby flight.With a population of 1.5 million people on Okinawa, the island is a top-rated tourist destination for Japanese and Asians, mainly due to\nthe northern tropical environment and landscape. Summer sees the island getting busy with those who love the sun, sea and sand.Okinawa For First-Time VisitorsOkinawa is also home to some of the most beautiful national parks,\nscuba diving sites and fantastic mountain trails or hikes. If you are expecting\nanother Tokyo or Osaka, I am sorry to say this is not your typical Japanese\ncity but more of a Japanese Hawaii.An aerial view of Okinawa, Japan. Photo by\u00a0Junpei Abe\u00a0on Flickr. CC By-SA\u00a02.0.First of all, how to get to Okinawa?The golden question is how to get here, as Malaysia has no direct flights to Okinawa. But not all is lost, as you can connect with\njust two flights from Kuala Lumpur. Around four leading airlines service the Okinawa route from Kuala Lumpur.However, on 22 January 2020, AirAsia X opened a connecting flight to Okinawa via Taipei, and because of the Covid 19 pandemic, the airline temporarily suspended the route. But the news is that Okinawa direct flights from Malaysia will restart in 2023.An average flight to Okinawa takes 10 to 11 hours from Kuala Lumpur. This includes the transit time, as you will have to\nmake a stop before connecting to Okinawa. However, faster flights sell out fast, so you must book this flight well ahead.Otherwise, other flights may take 15 to 24 hours, and you\nmust spend a night when you transmit. Flights are relatively inexpensive, as the cheapest I found online is around RM2,000 to RM2,500 for a return ticket.The fastest way is also via Taiwan, where you can take a Malaysian\nflight to Taiwan and then connect to Okinawa with Peach Airlines. Other methods\ninclude transit in Bangkok, Shanghai or Hong Kong. But please note that your\ntravel day will take up to one full day of flights and transits.If you plan a 4D/3N trip, you should wait because two days will be spent just travelling. I recommend spending\nat least six to seven days on a trip to Okinawa. This way, you can really enjoy exploring this beautiful Japanese island.\u00a0One of the most beautiful beaches in Okinawa. Photo by\u00a0Masaaki Komori\u00a0on Flickr. CC By-SA\u00a02.0.How big is Okinawa?There are five main areas or districts in Okinawa, meaning different\nislands that make up Okinawa. In total, 160 islands are found around here, with\n49 of them inhabited by people. The main island is divided into\nthree sections, north, central and south.Each of the three sections offers different tourist\nexperiences, where the north and central tend to provide more outdoor, beach,\nisland and Ecotourism activities. The south island is where the international\nairport and city are located and is the core of Okinawa.Some smaller islands are connected via bridges, and nine islands have road access from the main island. They are\nKouri, Senaga, Ou, Henza, Hamahiga, Ikei, Miyagi, Sesoko and Yagagi Island.Sesoko Island in Okinawa. Photo by\u00a0Girakku\u00a0on Flickr. CC By-SA\u00a02.0.The other island regions include Kerama Island, closest\nto Okinawa main island, Kume Island, Miyako Islands and Yaeyama Islands. Kerama\nand Kume Islands are only accessible via ferries, which take two to four\nhours, while Miyako and Yaeyama Islands are only accessible via flights from\nthe main island.Depending on your itinerary or where you plan to visit, it is highly\nrecommended that you check your flight or ferry schedules beforehand. This means you should plan your Okinawa trip months ahead to\nget better prices and availability for flights, ferries and rooms.Most first-time visitors will arrive on the main island and stay in\nthe Naha area of Okinawa. From there, they will explore the tourist\ndestinations via road and maybe boat or ferry service.Some visitors will venture to the other islands for various sea\nactivities like diving, whale watching, snorkelling, or even an island\nvacation.A popular area is Kokusaidori Street in Naha. Photo by\u00a0Rapidtravelchai\u00a0on Flickr. CC By-SA\u00a02.0.What to do in Okinawa?Another popular question many travellers ask is what you can do\non this beautiful island. Let me narrow this list to make it easy\nfor first-time visitors here. You will want to see the island's best and most popular places.While Okinawa is well known for beaches, scuba diving, Ecotourism,\nculture and the fantastic Japanese island food, you will need help deciding where to go or what to do first.Naha City - This is the capital of\nOkinawa, and it is here that most visitors will be staying. The combination\nof beach, island and city life makes this place optimum for first-time\nvisitors. All of your accommodations and facilities are found in and around\nNaha.Kokusai Street - To start your Okinawa\nexperience, Kokusai Street in Naha is the main street, where you can find\nshopping, cafes, restaurants and most of your regular city stores. In this\narea, you can also find some shopping malls and the DFS Gallery Okinawa, the\nlargest duty-free shop on the island.Shuri - In the Shuri area, you will find\nthe historical side of Okinawa, where the Ryukyu Kingdom ruled. Several\nhistorical sites are seen here, including the Shurijo Castle Park, a World Heritage Site.Kokusaidori Street - One of the main shopping streets in Naha stretches two kilometres and is recommended\nto explore. This street is also known as Naha Kokusai-Dori and can be visited day and night. Generally, you can find everything a typical Asian tourist\nlooks for when they travel abroad.Mihama American Village in Okinawa. Photo by\u00a0Okinawa Steve\u00a0on Flickr. CC By-SA\u00a02.0.American Village - This is the\nmost modern lifestyle area of Okinawa, Mihama American Village. You can\nfind everything American here, including cafes, restaurants and even an\nAmerican shopping mall. The famous Sunset Beach is also located around here.Sakaemachi Arcade - If you want to\nexplore a local area, Sakaemachi Arcade is the place to visit. Here, you\ncan see the daily life of the Okinawa people in a localized arcade which sells\nall sorts of things. You can also find some excellent local Japanese food, coffee\njoints and even small local bars in this area. Again, this is a reminder that\nSakaemachi Arcade is raw and not your local Shinsaibashi or Shibuya.Beaches - For the beach hunter, endless beaches are found all over Okinawa. Some popular ones\ninclude Okuma beach, Moon beach, Manza beach, Mibaru beach, Zampa beach, Sunset\nbeach and Emerald beach.A view of a lighthouse at Ishigakijima Island. Photo by\u00a0TrekTrack\u00a0on Flickr. CC By-SA\u00a02.0.Snorkelling - Cape Maeda and Odo Kaigan are the two most famous spots to do this for those into snorkelling. However, it\nmay take some travelling to get to both places, but the rewards are simply\nout of this world.Parks and Mountains - Eco lovers will\nfind three national parks around Okinawa: Yanbaru National Park, Kerama Shot\u014d National Park and Iriomote Ishigaki National Park\non Yaeyama Island. And if you are into hiking and trekking, there are six\nmountains to explore here.Food and Culture - Generally, you can\nfind this throughout the main island, as the Okinawa food culture is well spread.\nThe one must-try dish is the Okinawa Soba and Okinawa Sea Grapes or\nImu Budo. There are many other popular dishes for the food traveller to\ndiscover around here.Festivals in Okinawa\u00a0- Five main festivals tend to attract many visitors who are;Hari Festival - Early JuneYaeyama Beach Opening Festival - Mid-MarchEisa Dance Festival - August or SeptemberPantu Festival of Miyakojima - September, but announced last minuteShuri Castle Festival - End of OctoberThere are smaller festivals, but the most recommended\nfestival to attend is the Pantu Festival, as it is pretty unique and scary at\nthe same time.The Okinawa Yui Monorail. Photo by\u00a0Tak Wing\u00a0on Flickr. CC By-SA\u00a02.0.How to move around Naha and OkinawaThis is crucial for those who travel independently and\nrequire moving around Naha and Okinawa. In any city, there are\nalways trains, taxis and buses which provide transportation solutions. But here\nin Okinawa, you should consider what is being offered.Trains - Sadly, there is only one central\ntrain system in Naha, the Yui Rail Monorail system that operates from\nthe Naha Airport to Shuri, the historical part of South Okinawa. You can take the monorail\ninto Naha city when you arrive at the international airport.This monorail system opened in 2003 and runs for almost 13\nkilometres long. There have been plans to expand this monorail system, but there needs to be more information on this. On the bright side, you can easily\ntravel around Naha using the Yui Rail.The monorail map in Okinawa. Photo by\u00a0Naha Airport.The train system operates from 6.00 AM till midnight, and train tickets\nare from \u00a5200 to \u00a5290, depending on the distance. There are also multi-ride or\nopen tickets available for tourists.Buses - Other ways of travelling around\nNaha or Okinawa include the excellent bus service. Various bus companies operate different routes all over the island. The main bus\nterminals are found at the Naha Airport and the main Naha Bus Terminal in the\ncity.Cars and Bikes - For the more\nadventurous travellers, you can always rent a motorbike or car and self-ride or\ndrive around Okinawa. Those who plan to do this must take high importance\nto the Japanese driving culture and laws here and, most importantly, have an international\ndriving license. Malaysians need to get this before they attempt to rent a\ncar, and you need more than your Malaysian driving licence.Taxis - Around the central city area, a\nJapanese taxi can be one of the quick ways to get somewhere. But here is the\nfun part: The cabs in Okinawa are less expensive than Tokyo or Osaka, so you can consider this if you are in a rush.Bicycles - Finally, for those who want\nan easy way to explore Naha city, there are several bicycle rentals where\nyou can pedal power around Naha.The Renaissance Okinawa Resort. Photo by\u00a0PearlBear78\u00a0on Flickr. CC By-SA\u00a02.0.Where to stay in Okinawa?For first-timers, you should stay around the Naha area, which\nis the capital of Okinawa and the central city. The international airport is also\nlocated in this part of Okinawa, southwest of the island.In Okinawa, hundreds of hotels, resorts, Ryokan and even budget accommodations are available, depending on the type of place you want to stay\nat.Best to book ahead for reasonable prices, as last-minute bookings are\nalways on the higher side.The world-famous Okinawa Aquarium. Photo by\u00a0Mollenborg\u00a0on Flickr. CC By-SA\u00a02.0.Best time to visit OkinawaThe best time to visit Okinawa is during summer, but the island can be seen throughout the year. During the\nsummer, many Japanese flocks here as an alternative to Hawaii.Summertime in Okinawa also attracts many visitors from the Asian\nregion, namely travellers from the Philippines, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Korea and, of\ncourse, China. For those who dislike crowds, you should avoid coming\nhere in the peak of Summer.Conclusion on\u00a0Okinawa For First-Time VisitorsMany websites and portals offer information on Okinawa, some are accurate, and some are just for website clicks.For detailed and precise information, I strongly\nrecommend you visit the official Okinawa Tourism website, which is\u00a0the national tourism board.\n\n\nTags\nAirAsia X Destinations\nJapan\nJNTO\nJNTO Malaysia\nJNTO News\nOkinawa\nOkinawa Island\nTourism Japan\nTourism Okinawa\nVisiting Okinawa\n\n\n\n\n\nFacebook\nTwitter\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nShare:Okinawa For First-Time Visitors\n\n\nFacebook\nTwitter\nWhatsApp\nPinterest\nLinkedIn\nReddit\nTumblr\nTelegram\nEmail\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nMalaysia Asia\nBlogging since 2007, but writing online since 1997. I belong to the 1st generation of worldwide bloggers, which is of course old-school. \n\nSince 2008, I created Malaysia Asia and this travel, flood, gadget and lifestyle blog has won numerous physical awards from tourism boards around Malaysia. (Not those online awards).\n\nAfter 12 years of blogging, I have semi-retired and now blog about things I like, do product reviews and enjoy life. My work has been featured in Lonely Planet, CNN Travel, Yahoo Travel, Wall Street Journal, and many other international publications. Find out more about me and thank you.\n\n\n\n\nYou might like\nView all\n\n\n\n\n\n\n"}
{"url": "http://blog.malaysia-asia.my/2022/07/air-busan-jeju-air-jin-air-to-fly-to.html", "text": "\n\n\n\nHomeAirlines\n\nAir Busan, Jeju Air & Jin Air to Fly to Sabah\n\n\n\n\nbyMalaysia Asia\n-July 11, 2022\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nKorea is poised to contribute to Sabah\u2019s visitor arrivals by resuming several Korean airlines with direct flights from Seoul to Kota Kinabalu.Air Busan, Jeju Air & Jin Air to Fly to SabahAir Busan is the second Korean-based low-cost airline to resume direct flights from the Korean Capital to Kota Kinabalu post-Covid-19 pandemic after Jin Air on 26 May.The third airline Jeju Air is expected will restart direct flights to Sabah on 29 June. For the time being, all three airlines will depart via Incheon.Passengers arriving in Kota Kinabalu from Korea. Photo TheStar.The Air Busan BX 767 flight from Incheon International Airport with 196 passengers on board arrived at the KKIA at about 2310 and was greeted with a water cannon salute.Sabah Assistant Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister cum Sabah Tourism Board chairman Datuk Joniston Bangkuai was on hand to greet the passengers, all Korean tourists.Sabah Tourism Board chief executive officer Noredah Othman and KKIA Senior Airport Manager Sunif Naiman were also present to distribute welcome souvenirs courtesy of Sabah Tourism.Korean tourists arriving at the Kota Kinabalu International Airport. Photo NST.Joniston Bangkuai said;\u201cWith the arrival of Korean airlines in Sabah, we are seeing a slight improvement in Korean arrivals. Koreans\u2019 willingness and confidence to return to Sabah is a great indication for us.\u201cWhile we want to promote Sabah to international visitors, we also want to encourage locals to take advantage of this direct flight and explore Korea.\u201dAir Busan passengers arrive in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah. Photo by Daily Express.Conclusion\u00a0Air Busan currently operates two weekly flights to Kota Kinabalu on Tuesdays and Fridays, while Jeju Air is expected to restart direct flights to Sabah on 29 June 2022. For now, all three airlines will depart via Incheon in South Korea.Joniston and Sabah Tourism Board chief executive officer Noredah Othman visited Seoul in early May to meet with airlines in Korea along with top officials from Jin Air, Air Busan and Jeju Air. They also discussed Mode Tour and Hana Tour with top Korean travel companies.\n\n\nTags\nAirlines\nAviation\nKorean Flights to Sabah\nKota Kinabalu\nMalaysia Aviation News\nSabah\nSabah Aviation News\nSabah Tourism Board\nSabah Tourism News\nVisit Sabah\n\n\n\n\n\nFacebook\nTwitter\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nShare:Air Busan, Jeju Air & Jin Air to Fly to Sabah\n\n\nFacebook\nTwitter\nWhatsApp\nPinterest\nLinkedIn\nReddit\nTumblr\nTelegram\nEmail\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nMalaysia Asia\nBlogging since 2007, but writing online since 1997. I belong to the 1st generation of worldwide bloggers, which is of course old-school. \n\nSince 2008, I created Malaysia Asia and this travel, flood, gadget and lifestyle blog has won numerous physical awards from tourism boards around Malaysia. (Not those online awards).\n\nAfter 12 years of blogging, I have semi-retired and now blog about things I like, do product reviews and enjoy life. My work has been featured in Lonely Planet, CNN Travel, Yahoo Travel, Wall Street Journal, and many other international publications. Find out more about me and thank you.\n\n\n\n\nYou might like\nView all\n\n\n\n\n\n\n"}
{"url": "http://blog.malaysia-asia.my/2022/08/tokyu-plaza-omotesando-harajuku.html", "text": "\n\n\n\nHomeHarajuku\n\nTokyu Plaza Omotesando Harajuku \n\n\n\n\nbyMalaysia Asia\n-August 24, 2022\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nThe\u00a0Tokyu Plaza Omotesando Harajuku is probably one of the wildest and most unique building fronts I have ever come across in my travels.On my recent trip to Tokyo, I spent some time exploring Harajuku and walking around the intersection of Omotesando and Harajuku; I bumped into this futuristic place by chance.Tokyu Plaza Omotesando HarajukuHowever, this unique building facade is nothing new as it was initially opened back in 2012 and, over the years, has impressed many people.The overview of the entrance with a packed crowd of people walking by.The unique kaleidoscopic escalator tunnel is made from various tilted mirror-polished stainless-steel panels and acts as a gateway transition into the building.Visitors who walk in will be mesmerized by the sheer effect of the multiple mirror images seen from all angles, and when you exit, you will experience the ultimate effect, as seen in the main photo.The unique architectural design is also done by Hiroshi Nakamura & NAP and Takenaka Corporation of Japan.Notice where visitors stand at the top of the escalator and pose in the middle.Tourists taking time to pose at the Insta-famous Glass Entrance of Harajuku.Harajuku Glass Building Photo EthicsAs always, there are some ethics to be practised here, as when I came on a weekend, there was a short line of Instagrammers and TikTokers waiting at the top of the escalator.This means that you need to take your turn to get that photo, and please do not take more than a couple of minutes because other people are waiting as well.This has already become one of the must-take photos of Harajuku; therefore, please practice ethics when you are here.If you cannot wait, just head up the escalator, then turn around and head back down, taking photos as you go down. Remember not to obstruct anyone when taking pictures.I know that some Instagrammers or TikTokers will take forever to get that shot, so if you are one of them, please have a conscious.Where is the Harajuku Kaleidoscopic Glass Building?From the main Harajuku Station, it only takes about six to seven minutes to walk there, and this is on an average day without the crowds.On weekends, it could take up to ten minutes to walk if you do not get distracted by the many interesting shops along the way.If you walk through Takeshita Street, just head to the end, and when you exit, turn right and walk to the main Meiji-dori Avenue junction.Directions from the main Harajuku Station.ConclusionYou can also read my other articles about Japan if you want to see where I went, what I ate and what I did when I visited.The next time you visit Harajuku, walk to Jingumae Crossing to see this incredible art marvel that is bound to impress you.And get your camera or smartphone ready as the photos from\u00a0Tokyu Plaza Omotesando Harajuku are guaranteed to be Instagram, TikTok, Twitter or Facebook friendly!\n\n\nTags\nHarajuku\nJapan\nJapan Tourism\nPlaces to visit in Japan\nThings to do in Harajuku\n\n\n\n\n\nFacebook\nTwitter\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nShare:Tokyu Plaza Omotesando Harajuku \n\n\nFacebook\nTwitter\nWhatsApp\nPinterest\nLinkedIn\nReddit\nTumblr\nTelegram\nEmail\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nMalaysia Asia\nBlogging since 2007, but writing online since 1997. I belong to the 1st generation of worldwide bloggers, which is of course old-school. \n\nSince 2008, I created Malaysia Asia and this travel, flood, gadget and lifestyle blog has won numerous physical awards from tourism boards around Malaysia. (Not those online awards).\n\nAfter 12 years of blogging, I have semi-retired and now blog about things I like, do product reviews and enjoy life. My work has been featured in Lonely Planet, CNN Travel, Yahoo Travel, Wall Street Journal, and many other international publications. Find out more about me and thank you.\n\n\n\n\nYou might like\nView all\n\n\n\n\n\n\n"}
{"url": "http://blog.malaysia-asia.my/2022/07/malaysia-fujifilm-xf-150-600mm-f56-8-r.html", "text": "\n\n\n\nHomeCamera Review\n\nMalaysia FujiFilm XF 150-600mm Review\n\n\n\n\nbyMalaysia Asia\n-July 19, 2022\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nThis is my inaugural review of a camera lens, and I have never done an article on this before. Therefore, my Malaysia FujiFilm XF 150-600mm review is here.Again, I have been a DSLR user since the early days, and only in November of 2021 did I decide to switch to a mirrorless FujiFilm camera.Malaysia FujiFilm XF 150-600mm ReviewIt has been around eight months since I was using the FujiFilm X-S10, and when I got it, I started with the\u00a0FUJINON XF18-55mm F2.8-4 R LM OIS.On top of that, I also got the\u00a0FUJINON XF70-300mm f4-5.6 R LM OIS WR and the mighty\u00a0FUJINON XF2X TC WR. All of this is to complement my setup.I used the mirrorless system mainly for my bird photography, but I am not a professional, just a casual user in Malaysia.Therefore, after using the 70-300mm with the x2 TC, I needed more focal length, so in July 2022, I made another massive change for the FujiFilm XF 150-600mm.Unboxing the Fujifilm 150-600mm lens.The Fujinon 150-600mm owner's manual and Hoya UX II Filter.After removing the plastic wrapping.Close-up of the 150-600 lens.Receiving it on the 12th of July, I couldn't wait to test it out, but due to work, I prolonged the desire to take a day off just for this. I put the FujiFilm XF 150-600mm box next to my work table and continued working.I only managed to go out on the 15th of July at about 8.30 PM to see the super full moon rising. Immediately, I remembered that I wanted to test the lens and set it up as fast as possible.First Test Photos with the FujiFilm 150-600mm LensBelow are random photos taken using the zoom lens and with the X2 TC.The first test shot using the 150-600 with max zoom and unedited.I then used an X2 TC with a 150-600mm lens, which was the full zoom.A cropped Full Super Moon shot with the Fujifilm 150-600mm lens.Cropping even closer to reveal the details of the Super Moon craters.ConclusionI will be testing the lens out this weekend at the Fraser's Hill International Bird Race 2022, as I will be there covering the event for my birding website.Once I am back and have time, I will create another article to share more photos and feedback on the\u00a0Malaysia FujiFilm XF 150-600mm review that I will do.\n\n\nTags\nCamera Review\nCamera Reviews Malaysia\nFujifilm\nFujifilm Malaysia\nFujiFilm Reviews\nGadget Reviews\nLens Reviews Malaysia\nMalaysia Camera Reviews\nPhotography\n\n\n\n\n\nFacebook\nTwitter\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nShare:Malaysia FujiFilm XF 150-600mm Review\n\n\nFacebook\nTwitter\nWhatsApp\nPinterest\nLinkedIn\nReddit\nTumblr\nTelegram\nEmail\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nMalaysia Asia\nBlogging since 2007, but writing online since 1997. I belong to the 1st generation of worldwide bloggers, which is of course old-school. \n\nSince 2008, I created Malaysia Asia and this travel, flood, gadget and lifestyle blog has won numerous physical awards from tourism boards around Malaysia. (Not those online awards).\n\nAfter 12 years of blogging, I have semi-retired and now blog about things I like, do product reviews and enjoy life. My work has been featured in Lonely Planet, CNN Travel, Yahoo Travel, Wall Street Journal, and many other international publications. Find out more about me and thank you.\n\n\n\n\nYou might like\nView all\n\n\n\n\n\n\n"}
{"url": "http://blog.malaysia-asia.my/2023/03/la-vela-khao-lak-review.html", "text": "\n\n\n\nHomeHotel Reviews\n\nLa Vela Khao Lak Review\n\n\n\n\nbyMalaysia Asia\n-March 21, 2023\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nI've never been to this part of Thailand before, and on my first visit to Khao Lak, I was thrilled to see and experience this beautiful beachside town of Southern Thailand.Here is my review of La Vela Khao Lak Resort, a five-star beachfront property that sits along the main beach of this beautiful surf town 90 minutes from Phuket.La Vela Khao Lak ReviewOften, I would choose a hotel or resort that offers a balance of everything, and with much research, the internet pointed me in the direction of La Vela Khao Lak.Choosing a resort is also tricky nowadays as every other resort claims to be better than the next one. And these days, many other options exist for researching a hotel or resort.The resort with its distinctive geometrical points.Gone are the days of depending on Trip Advisor as nowadays, a quick search on social media will show more realistic photos and feedback of the property. And there are also Google reviews which do an excellent job of up-to-date reviews from real people.I ended up booking five days at Le Vela Khao Lak, considering after I found out they had three resorts on the same stretch of the beach, I decided on Le Vela.The Journey to La VelaAfter landing at Phuket International Airport and exiting, I was greeted by the resort driver, which had my name on a welcome paper. The van was just outside the airport exit, which was very convenient.It took about 90 minutes to drive from Phuket to Khao Lak, and the roads were excellent, considering that this entire area was devastated by the 2004 tsunami.One of the blocks of rooms with its own private pool area.I must stress that the Thailand vans are very comfortable, and the drivers are well-trained not to speed. That is something my own country needs help with.Throughout the 90 minutes, I just took time to relax and see the laid-back lifestyle of the villages along the way. Many rubber tree plantations are spotted, while some have started to plant palm oil trees.First Impression of La Vela Khao LakArriving in Khao Lak town centre, the whole place was rebuilt from scratch but with a more modern look and feel. There was even a McDonald's there!After passing the town centre, a small junction led further to the coast, and along this narrow road, there were shops on both ends, catering to the tourists with massage, bars, restaurants, tailors and tour companies.The interesting walkway into the main lobby area of the resort.I arrived at La Vela to find the entrance very different from other hotels and resorts. It was very modern and designer-built. My first impression was....wow!The staff greeted us as we headed through a designer passage with mini-column pillars surrounded by shallow pools. The lobby was another wow factor, with many dark wooden tones and two beautiful large white sofas.Check-in was done on the sofa, complete with welcome drinks, and we were also greeted by the general manager, who happened to be a local Malaysian and happy to see Malaysians checking in.Rooms at La Vela Khao LakI booked the pool access room, which allowed direct access to the main pools, and the unit was at Block D, just a three-minute walk from the resort's main lobby.It has been a long time since I stayed in such a beautiful room, and as you know, many of us have not been travelling since Covid 19 hit the world hard.Pool access rooms on the lower level.So, treating ourselves to something nice for a change was only fair. The pool access suite was massive and had a long room concept, which is the type I like.\u00a0The entire block consists of pool-access rooms and three more floors of sea-facing balcony units, so guests can choose which they prefer.Overall, the most important part of the room was the bed and the bathroom, so those two were the first thing I checked. The bed is a king-sized unit with a simple backboard.The bathroom, however, has two entrances, one facing the pool access entrance and one as you enter the room. It came with a mini jacuzzi tub and split shower and toilet areas with full amenities.Everything is well thought of in terms of convenience and, most importantly, the international plug sockets fitted into the walls. This was a joy for me as I need not use my extension.Pool access rooms are convenient yet fun.Each of the rooms is tastefully decorated and very earth-toned.The pool access rooms are relatively large, with much space to move around.This is the pool access room, where guests can get in and out of the pool and straight to the room.I love how they give a proper fridge in the room versus the commercial small box type.The bathtub cum jacuzzi in the bathroom.Complimentary water is refilled daily while a coffee machine is also available.Some of the bathroom amenities in the room.The international socket fitted in all the rooms makes life so much easier.Facilities at La Vela Khao LakLike any other resort, La Vela offers regular facilities like restaurants, cafes, a gym, and a spa, But one thing stood out: a skate park. I was dumbfounded when I saw that, but I was told that the owner built this during the pandemic to entertain the locals.Khao Lak is slowly becoming one of Southeast Asia's surf and skate cities; hence, the owner decided to build a decent-sized skate park complete with a skate & surf shop.The Kokulo Beach Club is also a nice touch as it is lively and offers some amazing shows on weekends, not forgetting a local DJ that spins music during dinner. There's also live music on selected days by a local Thai musician.Food at La Vela Khao LakThis has to be highlighted as it has been too long since I had some excellent hotel and resort food. The last I remember was back in Dubai when the hotel offered some of the best I have tried.Here at La Vela, I must highlight the breakfast as it meets international standards by offering a balanced variety of east meets west. Just looking at the selection takes up about 15 minutes.The breakfast area is located in a quiet, cosy and comfortable section of the resort.Guests line up for the multiple choices during breakfast.The scrumptious local Thai breakfast choices at the restaurant.Kopi & Tea Corner has a very Malaysian influence.Six types of cheese are served during breakfast. Amazing!So, every morning, I plan to have something different, and if you are a cheese lover, they offer six types of cheese to go with your bread. How about that?While many westerners will go for the continental mix, some want to experience the local Thai breakfast, and I must stress that the noodles and Thai omelette are highly popular.Japanese, Malaysian and Chinese-style dishes are available, and they even have a special room for bread. Can you imagine that?I could go on and on about the fantastic breakfast spread, but I leave it up to you to go there and try it in person.La Vela Khao Lak Resort at night, photo taken with my Galaxy S23 Ultra on night mode.Where is La Vela Khao Lak?La Vela Khao Lak is located at the Bang Niang Beach area of Takuapa in the main Khao Lak area. It is also close to the well-known Bang Niang Night Marker and the main walking street.The main street is Chai Hat Bang Niang Road, where you will find many restaurants, cafes, bars, spas and other shopping outlets. It is about a ten-minute walk from the resort.For those interested, you can book a room at La Vela Khao Lak via their website, as they have many ongoing promotions.\u00a0ConclusionIt has been a while since I did some overseas travels, and this was my first trip out of Malaysia since the Covid19 pandemic, and I'm glad I visited Khao Lak in Southern Thailand.This also marks my first international hotel and resort writing for the\u00a0La Vela Khao Lak review done in early 2023. I hope you enjoyed it, and if you have questions, please do ask.\n\n\nTags\nHotel Reviews\nKhao Lak\nPlaces to Visit in Khao Lak\nPlaces to Visit in Thailand\nResort Reviews\nThailand\nThings to do in Khao Lak\nTourism Thailand\n\n\n\n\n\nFacebook\nTwitter\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nShare:La Vela Khao Lak Review\n\n\nFacebook\nTwitter\nWhatsApp\nPinterest\nLinkedIn\nReddit\nTumblr\nTelegram\nEmail\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nMalaysia Asia\nBlogging since 2007, but writing online since 1997. I belong to the 1st generation of worldwide bloggers, which is of course old-school. \n\nSince 2008, I created Malaysia Asia and this travel, flood, gadget and lifestyle blog has won numerous physical awards from tourism boards around Malaysia. (Not those online awards).\n\nAfter 12 years of blogging, I have semi-retired and now blog about things I like, do product reviews and enjoy life. My work has been featured in Lonely Planet, CNN Travel, Yahoo Travel, Wall Street Journal, and many other international publications. Find out more about me and thank you.\n\n\n\n\nYou might like\nView all\n\n\n\n\n\n\n"}
{"url": "http://blog.malaysia-asia.my/2021/04/samsung-galaxy-a32-5g-first-impression.html", "text": "\n\n\n\nHomeGalaxy A32 5G\n\nSamsung Galaxy A32 5G First Impression\n\n\n\n\nbyMalaysia Asia\n-April 06, 2021\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\u00a0It has been an interesting start to 2021 for the smartphone market, and for this year, I will be sharing my first impressions of the Samsung Galaxy A32 5G smartphone.I have also been a Samsung Galaxy S series user for many years, and this year, I thought I would try something different for my daily smartphone use, especially for photography.So, time to change things around for 2021 and here is a review specially done for those who wonder what the medium-range Samsung phones are like.Samsung Galaxy A32 5G First ImpressionSince I have been reviewing Samsung smartphones for many years now, I have decided to review for the general middle-market users who do not seek high-end models.After unboxing the Galaxy A32 5G.Therefore, you should know that Samsung makes smartphones for all kinds of markets and budgets, and in most cases, most people always want the best models, but can they afford them?This first impression of the Galaxy A32 5G will showcase why the smartphone is great as an upgrade or even your first Samsung smartphone.So far, my first impression of this smartphone has been pretty interesting, considering that I have used it for some photography in early April 2021. I will have another article on that in the coming weeks.The original seal secures the smartphone box.Before I continue, I would like to highlight that Samsung now provides a special seal on each smartphone box to assure originality. So, when I got my handset, it came with a nice seal as above.Overall, the A32 5G is something that works for anyone in general. Moving down from the S10 Plus to this model was also quite easy because most functions are similar.I found it most interesting that the phone's display is 0.1 inches larger than the S10 Plus, and the battery is 900 mAh more. For the price, I got 6GB versus 8GB on my previous model in terms of ram and storage.A non-edited photo was taken using the Galaxy A32 5G at Shah Alam Botanical Garden.The only letdown for me was the screen resolution of 720 x 1600 pixels compared to my 1440 x 3040 on the S10 Plus. But this is not an issue because the new technology comes with\u00a0HD+ TFT Infinity-V.You will be happy to know that the front camera comes with a 13-megapixel lens with f2.2 and wide-angle mode for selfie lovers.The other technical specifications will not be highlighted because most of them do not apply to the general user. We just need to know if the phone is fast, the camera is good, and enough storage.And finally, the price is one-third of the Galaxy S21 Ultra, which makes perfect sense for anyone with a budget and wants something in-between.The colours that are available for the Galaxy A32 5G.Where to Buy the Galaxy A32 5G?You can buy the Galaxy A32 5G phone from the official Samsung website, where they may have ongoing promotions or freebies thrown in. While there, you can also check out other models.As an alternative, you can also take advantage of the many promotions by telco companies or even buy the smartphone from third party smartphone resellers around Malaysia.The A32 5G before peeling off the plastic protective layer.Back of the A32 5G with the Awesome Blue colour.Both Awesome Blue and Awesome Violet colours.ConclusionHere's my final verdict, and it all falls down to your budget. If you are working on a strict budget and want to upgrade your old smartphone to an up-to-date model, the Galaxy A32 5G is recommended.The good thing is that this smartphone cost less than RM1200 and has similar functions to its higher-end models like the A52, A72 or even the majestic S21.At the end of the day, the Galaxy A32 5G first impression was pretty unique as I never expected the model to pack in so much for so little.\n\n\nTags\nGalaxy A32 5G\nSamsung\nSamsung Galaxy\nSamsung Galaxy A32 5G\nSamsung Galaxy Reviews\nSmartphone Review\nSmartphone Reviews\n\n\n\n\n\nFacebook\nTwitter\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nShare:Samsung Galaxy A32 5G First Impression\n\n\nFacebook\nTwitter\nWhatsApp\nPinterest\nLinkedIn\nReddit\nTumblr\nTelegram\nEmail\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nMalaysia Asia\nBlogging since 2007, but writing online since 1997. I belong to the 1st generation of worldwide bloggers, which is of course old-school. \n\nSince 2008, I created Malaysia Asia and this travel, flood, gadget and lifestyle blog has won numerous physical awards from tourism boards around Malaysia. (Not those online awards).\n\nAfter 12 years of blogging, I have semi-retired and now blog about things I like, do product reviews and enjoy life. My work has been featured in Lonely Planet, CNN Travel, Yahoo Travel, Wall Street Journal, and many other international publications. Find out more about me and thank you.\n\n\n\n\nYou might like\nView all\n\n\n\n\n\n\n"}
{"url": "http://blog.malaysia-asia.my/2021/10/galaxy-buds-2-review.html", "text": "\n\n\n\nHomeGadget Review\n\nGalaxy Buds 2 Review\n\n\n\n\nbyMalaysia Asia\n-October 22, 2021\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nI have always been curious about wireless earbuds since they made headlines a few years ago. And finally, I got my hands on a pair of them hence my first Samsung Galaxy Buds 2 review.\u00a0All these years, earpieces for the smartphone has been mediocre with nothing much to shout about. I remember several years ago when Samsung introduced the Icon X wireless earbuds a year after the AirPods.This was the beginning of the wireless era, which led to the current Galaxy Buds 2, which was launched during the Galaxy Unpacked event in August 2021.Galaxy Buds 2 ReviewThe\u00a0Galaxy Buds2, which I currently use.Since then, many brands have come out with all kinds of wireless earbuds, and I even once purchased a pair from Jabra in late 2017.However, I always faced several issues when trying to connect them with my Galaxy units, and usually, after a while, I would have figured it out. However, as time passed, more applications were introduced by Samsung and eventually, the pairing was not flexible as I thought it would be.Then I stopped using any wireless buds until I was re-introduced to them again this August of 2021. After a lapse in using these ear devices, I got my pair and connected it with my Galaxy Z Flip3 5G.Suddenly, everything made sense when the Galaxy Buds 2 connected easily with the Galaxy Wearable app, and it's pretty fast-pairing too.As for the water resistance feature is only an IPX2 which means it's very basic and not meant for a rainy day, pool session, or running along the beach. These will be perfect for those who work out a lot.Generally, an IPX2 rating means that water splashes onto the Galaxy Buds 2 are acceptable, but I won't recommend trying it on purpose.The available attractive colours.Unlike the Z Flip3, which comes with an IPX8, it literally means that you can submerge the phone in up to 3 meters of water for 30 minutes. Again, only if it accidentally happens and not to be forced tried.I use my Galaxy Buds 2 mainly for one purpose, which is my meditation. When I do my meditation, I usually play music, but I constantly get distracted by surrounding outside noise.I managed to cut around 70% of the surrounding noise with the wireless buds, which alone made my meditation much more meaningful and more manageable.What it looks like inside.The active noise-cancelling works great with my expectations but not those that cancel out 100% of the outside noise. That does not work for me because I still want to have ambient noise from the outside world.With the Wearable app, you have the luxury to adjust and tweak the sound with some equalizer preset modes that suit what you want to do.For now, I'm still playing around with the Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) that is supposed to mute 98% of the surrounding world.I learned that Samsung has also improved Ambient Sound, which comes in three levels, and now it comes with some AI that learns to adapt to the environment, which is pretty impressive.The beautiful glossy and curved design.What do I like about the new Galaxy Buds 2?Works well with any Galaxy device.Does not stick out of your ears.They look beautiful with the new colours and the glossy curved designs.They are 15% smaller and 20% lighter than the Samsung Galaxy Buds Plus, making them easier to wear for long periods.Easy to carry the charging case around.A good noise-cancelling, but still a lot to improve.The stylish compact case with wireless charging.A whopping 29 hours for battery life, 5 hours non-stop usage.Also works with iOS.Cons of Using the Galaxy Buds 2This has to be mentioned, and if you are a very large-sized person (over 6 feet) or have huge ears and hands,\u00a0they can be a little challenging to handle and slip out your ears more easily.Not for heavy noise-cancellation fans, as the Galaxy Buds 2 is still a well-balanced type.No auto-pause if you remove them from your ears.ConclusionFor now, these are working great with my everyday life as I am getting used to them. You can also get more information or buy the Galaxy Buds 2 from Samsung Malaysia.The price is currently at RM499 while it comes in four incredible colours - Lavender, graphite, olive and white.While this could be the answer to previous larger models, Samsung is probably only halfway to perfecting this, and we can expect a lot more in the next Galaxy Buds3.\n\n\nTags\nGadget Review\nGalaxy Buds\nSamsung\nSamsung Galaxy\nSamsung Malaysia\n\n\n\n\n\nFacebook\nTwitter\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nShare:Galaxy Buds 2 Review\n\n\nFacebook\nTwitter\nWhatsApp\nPinterest\nLinkedIn\nReddit\nTumblr\nTelegram\nEmail\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nMalaysia Asia\nBlogging since 2007, but writing online since 1997. I belong to the 1st generation of worldwide bloggers, which is of course old-school. \n\nSince 2008, I created Malaysia Asia and this travel, flood, gadget and lifestyle blog has won numerous physical awards from tourism boards around Malaysia. (Not those online awards).\n\nAfter 12 years of blogging, I have semi-retired and now blog about things I like, do product reviews and enjoy life. My work has been featured in Lonely Planet, CNN Travel, Yahoo Travel, Wall Street Journal, and many other international publications. Find out more about me and thank you.\n\n\n\n\nYou might like\nView all\n\n\n\n\n\n\n"}
{"url": "http://blog.malaysia-asia.my/2021/09/international-bornean-frog-race-2021.html", "text": "\n\n\n\nHomeBornean Frog Race\n\nInternational Bornean Frog Race 2021\n\n\n\n\nbyMalaysia Asia\n-September 24, 2021\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nWith Covid19 disrupting events around Malaysia since early 2020, a number of them have gone virtual, and one of them includes the 9th\u00a0International Bornean Frog Race 2021.This unique nature event will also take place for 90 days, which runs from 1 September to 29 November 2021 and will be held throughout the island of Borneo.International Bornean Frog Race 2021After eight years of the frog race, there are still many who may not understand the term \"Frog Race\", and let me just share what I know about this unique event.A frog race is where\u00a0participants gather in groups or individuals to head out and see who can spot the most number of frogs during a stipulated time.There are approximately 190 species known from Borneo; 140 of them are endemic to the island.A close-up photo of a River Toad in Borneo.And with the Bornean Frog Race 2021 going virtual, participants are given three months to photograph frogs all over Borneo, including Sabah, Sarawak, Brunei and Kalimantan, Indonesia.This digital version of the race will include monthly webinars and a photographic competition that will run for 90 days in total.The Frog Race pitches the general public and researchers in a race to find and photograph the rarest and the most frog species at any locality on Borneo during the announced period and to take outstanding images.Objectives of the Bornean Frog RaceTo draw public attention to Borneo's forests.To draw public attention to the region's threatened amphibiansTo educate citizens about the natural worldTo promote the outdoors and tourism\u00a0OrganisersThe 9th International Bornean Frog Race 2021 is organised by the Institute of Biodiversity and Environmental Conservation, Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (UNIMAS).\u00a0The organising team comprises a standing committee consisting of experts in amphibian biology, natural history and photography from the host institutions and the world of science, photography, and conservation.The official banner for the Frog Race.Bornean Frog Race 2021 Information, Rules and RegulationsRace Duration: Virtually 90 days from 1 September to 29 November 2021Race Location: Anywhere on BorneoRegistration & Photo SubmissionInterested participants can register online at\u00a0International Bornean Frog Race.The registration fee is RM 60.00 per participant.Participants are required to set up an account with iNaturalist and upload images.Photo SubmissionParticipants must submit high-quality photos with the amphibians identifiable and are also encouraged to geotag their photos.Photo RulesParticipants can use any photographic device to capture picturesParticipants must reduce disturbance to amphibiansSubmitted photos must be taken within the race periodAll photographers retain copyrights of their photosEthics and Code of ConductParticipants must follow the rules and regulations of protected areasParticipants must adhere to the basic code of conduct of wildlife photographersParticipants must not touch or handle amphibiansA River Toad.Bornean Frog Race 2021 PrizesThis year, the prizes have increased slightly, and additional prizes are added due to the duration of the event.Ten Monthly Prizes\u00a0Best Photos - 5 prizes based on;Technical quality (focus sharpness, exposure, etc.)Subject (portrait, behaviour, etc.)CompositionCreativityOverall impactMost Number of Species - 5 PrizesCash awards of RM 200 eachGrand PrizesBest Photo Overall -\u00a0Three Best Photo Overall Grand Prize winners from 15 Best Photo Monthly winners.1st - RM 2,500.002nd - RM 1,500.003rd - RM 1,000.00Most Species Overall -\u00a0Most Number of Species Overall Grand Prize, total species count based on entire Race Period.1st -RM 2,500.002nd - RM 1,500.003rd - RM 1,000.00General Do's and Don'ts of the International Bornean Frog RaceDoLeave footprintsNot litterBring a flashlight or a headlampBring a raincoatBring enough drinking waterDon'tHarm frogs or any other wildlifeDisturb vegetation and different habitatsStray from trailsMake unnecessary noiseOdorrana or Poisonous Rock Frog spotted at Tabin Wildlife Reserve in Sabah Borneo.More InformationPlease visit the\u00a0International Bornean Frog Race website\u00a0for those who want to sign up or get more detailed information.Conclusion\u00a0I have been writing about the Bornean Frog Race for several years now, and to be very honest, I am yet to attend the actual event. Maybe I will plan for the 10th year event in Borneo.\n\n\nTags\nBornean Frog Race\nBorneo\nFrog Race\nMalaysia\nSabah\nSarawak\nSarawak Frog Race\nSarawak Tourism\nSarawak Tourism News\nTourism Malaysia\n\n\n\n\n\nFacebook\nTwitter\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nShare:International Bornean Frog Race 2021\n\n\nFacebook\nTwitter\nWhatsApp\nPinterest\nLinkedIn\nReddit\nTumblr\nTelegram\nEmail\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nMalaysia Asia\nBlogging since 2007, but writing online since 1997. I belong to the 1st generation of worldwide bloggers, which is of course old-school. \n\nSince 2008, I created Malaysia Asia and this travel, flood, gadget and lifestyle blog has won numerous physical awards from tourism boards around Malaysia. (Not those online awards).\n\nAfter 12 years of blogging, I have semi-retired and now blog about things I like, do product reviews and enjoy life. My work has been featured in Lonely Planet, CNN Travel, Yahoo Travel, Wall Street Journal, and many other international publications. Find out more about me and thank you.\n\n\n\n\nYou might like\nView all\n\n\n\n\n\n\n"}
{"url": "http://blog.malaysia-asia.my/2021/02/galaxy-s21-ultra-5g-photography-review.html", "text": "\n\n\n\nHomeGalaxy S21 Ultra 5G\n\nGalaxy S21 Ultra 5G Photography Review\n\n\n\n\nbyMalaysia Asia\n-February 25, 2021\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nHere is another review of the\u00a0Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G photography outdoors at Batu Caves in Selangor.I chose this place because of the naturally vivid colours that the entire place gives, plus it is a top-rated tourist attraction that is world-class and well known.Also, it was difficult to move around Malaysia because of the movement control order (MCO) since it came back into effect on 13th Jan until 4th March 2021.All the photos you see here are taken using the all-new Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G smartphone, purely for my review.Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G Photography ReviewThis eagle statue is one of the new additions to Batu Caves.While most reviews in Malaysia or around the world will be very technical, I choose to go down the simple road for simple people to understand my review.This is because most people prefer to know what the smartphone is capable of instead of how many mirrors or microchips power the camera. You know what I mean.So, I took the liberty of visiting Batu Caves in early February 2021, about two weeks after the Galaxy S21 Ultra was officially launched in Malaysia.My work usually takes me around Malaysia and Southeast Asia, but since the Covid19 pandemic, I, just like many others, have been locked down here; therefore, there are no interesting international photos.However, that will not stop my passion for reviewing smartphones for laymen and laywomen locally. So, read on and let me know what you think.And, just to highlight that all the photos here are not enhanced or edited. They have only been resized and added with my watermark, that's all.One of the lesser-seen photos was taken in Batu Caves on ultra-wide mode.Multiple Zoom ModesBelow is a series of ultra-wide to the standard full 10x zoom mode photos. To be very honest, the 100x zoom on the phone is still a novelty which I would not recommend focusing on.I would comfortably say that the 10x standard digital zoom is excellent without worrying about the photo being blurred. No one wants that if you ask me.Using the ultra-wide mode.Using the standard normal mode.This shot is using the 3x zoom normal mode.Using the 10x zoom on normal mode.As you can see from the four photos above, they were all taken handheld from one position at Batu Caves. Note that the 10x zoom photo has some loss in the colours and sharpness.Again, the photos above are all unedited, nor are they enhanced in any way. They are straight from the phone to my desktop, resized and added my watermark.If you ask my honest opinion, the Artificial Intelligence or A.I. for the camera is quite fascinating considering they compensate for the natural colour enhancements.While most people will view photos taken on their smartphone device using the incredible Dynamic AMOLED screens, very few will transfer photos to their desktop.Well, I am one of those who does that; transfer photos from phone to desktop and then view them on my desktop monitor, which is a Samsung curved screen for some strange reason.So, for beginners or general camera users, I would say that the normal mode on the Galaxy S21 Ultra is very user-friendly and enough for your personal or social use.Even if you view the photos on another device or desktop, the colours and quality still remain, which I like.Cropped photo of Lord Hanuman at Batu Caves in 108-megapixel.108 Megapixel ShotThis one is the mother of all sizes, I mean, 108 megapixels! Who needs such a high-resolution for everyday use? Well, you will be surprised so that function is available.Lord Hanuman's photo above was taken in the 108-megapixel mode on the\u00a0Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G, and so sorry I had to crop it here because it would just eat my bandwidth if I posted the original.Anyway, the original pixel size for the 108-megapixel photo is 12,000 x 9,000 pixels, which is more than enough to print out a medium-sized poster.Also, this function would work best if you are taking photos outdoors with a steady hand or tripod. Or if you are inside a studio with proper lighting.However, I would not recommend using this for all your general photos unless you work for your client.Taken with the ultra-wide mode on the S21 Ultra 5G.My other Reviews of the Galaxy S21 Ultra 5GBefore this article, I also did an earlier camera review of the Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G,\u00a0more for indoor photos.\u00a0Before this, I have been doing several Samsung smartphone reviews in Malaysia dating back many years ago.The current phone I am using for the last two years is the Galaxy S10 Plus, which has been an excellent phone overall.Perhaps it is time for me to upgrade to the S21 Ultra 5G due to the technological advancements in the last two years.My next review will focus on the night mode of the Galaxy S21 Ultra, so follow my blog if you want to know how amazing the technology has advanced for the Galaxy phones.A sample of the night mode photo was taken with the Galaxy S21 Ultra.ConclusionThere you go, an honest and straightforward photography review of Malaysia's\u00a0Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G smartphone.To learn more or buy this phone, you can visit the official Samsung Malaysia website, where they have all the different variants and colours available.Finally, if you need to upgrade or change your smartphone, the Galaxy S21 is a unit worth considering, provided your budget allows it.\n\n\nTags\nGalaxy S21 Ultra 5G\nSamsung Galaxy\nSamsung Galaxy S21\nSamsung Malaysia\nSmartphone Review\nSmartphone Reviews\n\n\n\n\n\nFacebook\nTwitter\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nShare:Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G Photography Review\n\n\nFacebook\nTwitter\nWhatsApp\nPinterest\nLinkedIn\nReddit\nTumblr\nTelegram\nEmail\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nMalaysia Asia\nBlogging since 2007, but writing online since 1997. I belong to the 1st generation of worldwide bloggers, which is of course old-school. \n\nSince 2008, I created Malaysia Asia and this travel, flood, gadget and lifestyle blog has won numerous physical awards from tourism boards around Malaysia. (Not those online awards).\n\nAfter 12 years of blogging, I have semi-retired and now blog about things I like, do product reviews and enjoy life. My work has been featured in Lonely Planet, CNN Travel, Yahoo Travel, Wall Street Journal, and many other international publications. Find out more about me and thank you.\n\n\n\n\nYou might like\nView all\n\n\n\n\n\n\n"}
{"url": "http://blog.malaysia-asia.my/2021/06/borneo-jazz-2021-virtual-journey.html", "text": "\n\n\n\nHomeBorneo Jazz 2021\n\nBorneo Jazz 2021 Virtual Journey\n\n\n\n\nbyMalaysia Asia\n-June 21, 2021\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nAfter a successful Rainforest World Music Festival 2021 digital experience from 18-20 June, the next event in line is no other than the Borneo Jazz 2021 Virtual Journey.Sarawak Tourism Board has made the month of June 2021 a musical extravaganza, with two iconic festivals being brought online for music lovers locally and internationally.\u00a0Borneo Jazz 2021 Virtual JourneySince the Covid19 pandemic crippled almost all tourism and entertainment around Malaysia and the world, many yearly events have been either put on hold or cancelled.However, Sarawak Tourism Board did not want to do just that; therefore, they created the live experience through a virtual journey utilizing today's technology.The Borneo Jazz 2021 Virtual Journey.It was easier to connect with most people online with the consumers, namely on Facebook; hence, the festival took a digital journey approach.Apart from the live performances daily, there will also be flashbacks and recorded interviews with some of the industry icons like Gracie Geikie, who was one of the CEOs of the Sarawak Tourism Board in the early days.There will also be prize giveaways, including goody bags, exclusive merchandise available on Shopee and the grand prize of RM2000 worth of merchandise for Borneo Jazz 2022.The program for\u00a0Borneo Jazz 2021 Virtual Journey.Borneo Jazz 2021 Performers Include;Pete KallangClinton Jerome ChuaNisa AddinaO-ha Soul BandTa'DanDay 1 (25 June)Clinton Jerome ChuaO-Ha Soul BandDay 2 (26 June)Nisa AddingPete KallangDay 3 (27 June)Ta'DanGrand FinaleWhen and Where is Borneo Jazz 2021 Virtual Journey?This iconic jazz festival takes place from 25-27 June 2021 and via the www.jazzborneo.com main website. It will be a three-day online event from 6.00 PM to 7.30 PM for all three days.You can also engage with the admins and fans through the official Borneo Jazz Facebook Page.How to Register for Borneo Jazz 2021?It is a free online event; therefore, all you need to do is register through the main Borneo Jazz website.From there, they will email you the log-in and password to access the event. Take note that the website event will only go live on the actual day and time.Alternatively, you can watch this on TVS or TV Sarawak through the main Borneo Jazz Facebook Page and Shopee Live.For additional information about the organiser or Sarawak in general, you can also visit the Sarawak Tourism Board main website.ConclusionAfter a mesmerizing Rainforest World Music Festival 2021 virtual experience held on 18-20 June, this back-to-back online music extravaganza will surely ignite your yearning for next years events.Sadly, the Covid19 pandemic may have ruined opportunities to travel and experience these music festivals first-hand. Still, it will not stop us from preparing for the next actual event in Sarawak.\n\n\nTags\nBorneo Jazz 2021\nBorneo Jazz Festival\nEvents in Sarawak\nMiri\nSarawak\nSarawak Music Festivals\nSarawak Tourism\n\n\n\n\n\nFacebook\nTwitter\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nShare:Borneo Jazz 2021 Virtual Journey\n\n\nFacebook\nTwitter\nWhatsApp\nPinterest\nLinkedIn\nReddit\nTumblr\nTelegram\nEmail\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nMalaysia Asia\nBlogging since 2007, but writing online since 1997. I belong to the 1st generation of worldwide bloggers, which is of course old-school. \n\nSince 2008, I created Malaysia Asia and this travel, flood, gadget and lifestyle blog has won numerous physical awards from tourism boards around Malaysia. (Not those online awards).\n\nAfter 12 years of blogging, I have semi-retired and now blog about things I like, do product reviews and enjoy life. My work has been featured in Lonely Planet, CNN Travel, Yahoo Travel, Wall Street Journal, and many other international publications. Find out more about me and thank you.\n\n\n\n\nYou might like\nView all\n\n\n\n\n\n\n"}
{"url": "http://blog.malaysia-asia.my/2022/06/huawei-p50-review-for-macro-photography.html", "text": "\n\n\n\nHomeHuawei\n\nHuawei P50 Review for Macro Photography\n\n\n\n\nbyMalaysia Asia\n-June 12, 2022\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nI have always wanted to explore smartphone photography with the much-talked-about Huawei smartphone, and I finally had the opportunity. Here is my inaugural Huawei P50 review for macro photography.Over the last 12 years, since I started using the iPhone 1 in June 2010, I have been an avid smartphone photographer, taking various phones all over Malaysia and worldwide on my trips. In most cases, I use my smartphone to capture moments, and it has not stopped.Huawei P50 Review for Macro PhotographyDue to the Covid19 pandemic, there was no leisure travel for many people, including me, and we were confined to our homes and our state. Only when the government opened state borders did people begin to slowly explore out of their comfort zones.By May of 2022, all borders were opened, and more people started to travel out of state and country. However, I am still sceptical about international travel; therefore, I chose to explore locally. But I did take the opportunity to visit several parks in Selangor for my smartphone photography.This was when I took the Huawei P50 to do some macro photography at nearby TTDI Park in Taman Tun, Kuala Lumpur.The P50 is the entry-level version with three rear cameras.As you know, I am not one of those reviewers who just ramble on about technical specifications, aperture, speed, f-stops, etc. I am sure you've come across those kinds of reviews.There are already many people out there who think they are a 'Camera or Smartphone Guru'. Still, I am an average photographer and blogger who shares experiences with ordinary people.So, below are various random macro photography taken with the Huawei P50 and not edited for this review. I just resized the photos and added my watermark; that is all.Dragonfly macro photo from around 3-4 cm away.Macro of a dragonfly, handheld at about 3 cm away.Macro photos of some ants eating something on a leaf.Slightly wider macro hot of a hibiscus flower.Macro of some small fruiting flower bud.Macro of a tiny grasshopper on a leaf. Notice the leaf details.A macro photo of some flower stamens.How Easy Is It to Take Macro Photography with Huawei P50?\u00a0The Huawei P50 is the entry-level flagship model with three rear cameras: a 50MP primary camera, a 12MP telephoto with 5x optical zoom, and a 13MP ultra-wide camera.The P50 has made it so simple for macro photography; anyone can do this. It's basically four simple steps;Point at the subjectGet closer to the subjectKeep hands steadyPhotographThere is a little skill involved, where you need to find a suitable composition, and this can be done quickly by moving around the subject to get the best composure.Remember to press on the focus area and then only snap the photo. I recommend you take several pictures of the subject for a sharp shot. Below is a failed attempt for a macro shot.Randomly taking macro photos can result in blur images like the above.Then, holding the smartphone steady to photograph also requires some steady hands. Otherwise, you can use a small tripod or monopod to rest the camera for your macro shot.Below is a compilation of three photos taken as focal points using the zoom mode on the Huawei P50. Notice the stock photo on the left, half zoom in the middle and full zoom on the right.The zoom on the\u00a0Huawei P50 is in three different modes.How much is the Huawei P50 in Malaysia?While many may think the price is similar to other brands, you will be surprised that the Huawei P50 price in Malaysia is much lower than expected.While you can get it directly from the Huawei Malaysia website, you can also visit the local Telco outlets, as they are selling this flagship model.The\u00a0Huawei P50 smartphone that I use.ConclusionIf you want to know more about this new smartphone, you can read my Huawei P50 unboxing article I did in May 2022.I am also visiting Sarawak for the Rainforest World Music Festival 2022 from 17-19 June, and I will be using the Huawei P50 for photography.I took this ultra-wide Petronas Twin Tower shot from the KLCC Park with my\u00a0Huawei P50.The following week from 24-26 June, I will visit Miri in Sarawak for the Borneo Jazz Festival 2022 and continue using the Huawei P50 for indoor and outdoor photography.I hope you enjoyed my simple\u00a0Huawei P50 review for macro photography and that you also look forward to my upcoming review for the music festivals I will attend.\n\n\nTags\nHuawei\nHuawei Malaysia\nHuawei P50\nHuawei Review\nHuawei Smartphones\nPhotography\nSmartphone Photography\nSmartphone Review\nSmartphone Reviews\n\n\n\n\n\nFacebook\nTwitter\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nShare:Huawei P50 Review for Macro Photography\n\n\nFacebook\nTwitter\nWhatsApp\nPinterest\nLinkedIn\nReddit\nTumblr\nTelegram\nEmail\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nMalaysia Asia\nBlogging since 2007, but writing online since 1997. I belong to the 1st generation of worldwide bloggers, which is of course old-school. \n\nSince 2008, I created Malaysia Asia and this travel, flood, gadget and lifestyle blog has won numerous physical awards from tourism boards around Malaysia. (Not those online awards).\n\nAfter 12 years of blogging, I have semi-retired and now blog about things I like, do product reviews and enjoy life. My work has been featured in Lonely Planet, CNN Travel, Yahoo Travel, Wall Street Journal, and many other international publications. Find out more about me and thank you.\n\n\n\n\nYou might like\nView all\n\n\n\n\n\n\n"}
{"url": "http://blog.malaysia-asia.my/2022/11/mount-kinabalu-climbing-permit-and.html", "text": "\n\n\n\nHomeBird Watching Kinabalu National Park\n\nMount Kinabalu Climbing Permit and Entrance Fees for 2023\n\n\n\n\nbyMalaysia Asia\n-November 08, 2022\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nFor those planning to visit Sabah, you should note the\u00a0Mount Kinabalu climbing permit and entrance fees for 2023.This was announced in early November 2022 as the news had gone viral on social media. Sabah Tourism Minister Datuk Jafry Ariffin confirmed the new Kinabalu Park entrance fees.Mount Kinabalu Climbing Permit and Entrance Fees for 2023With rising living costs and wages for workers, it was mentioned that the price increase was unavoidable in the last couple of years. There have been rumours about the increase, and it's now happening.Most locals will complain that the prices are too high, but for the visiting foreigners and the weak Malaysian Ringgit, the price is relatively low compared to climbing other well-known mountains.As always, many will complain about the price increase, but over time, this matter will be forgotten, and people will still climb this mountain in the Kinabalu National Park.According to the Sabah Tourism Minister, all Sabah Parks will also see an increase in entrance fees by May 2023.The new prices were announced in November 2022.Mount Kinabalu Climbing Permit for 2023Foreign Adult Climbers - RM400Foreign Children Climbers - RM200Local Adult Climbers - RM100Local Children Climbers - RM50Mountain Guide (Up to 5 pax per guide) - RM350Kinabalu National Park Entrance Ticket Fees 2023Foreign Adults - RM50Foreign Kids - RM35Local Adults - RM10Local Kids - RM5For those leisure visitors to the park, please note the above prices for 2023. Even if you are there to do birdwatching at Kinabalu Park, you still need to pay the entrance price.If you want to find out about the porter fees, how high some of the peaks are, and even climbing insurance, it's all there.\u00a0\u00a0Sabah Parks\u00a0manages;Kinabalu ParkTunku Abdul Rahman ParkCrocker Range ParkTawau Hills ParkTurtle Islands ParkPulau Tiga ParkTun Sakaran Marine ParkSipadan Island ParkTun Mustapha ParkThe\u00a0Earthquake Memorial at Mount Kinabalu National Park.ConclusionFor the record, back in 2007, the total price to climb Mont Kinabalu was a mere RM600 per person. This included the climbing fees, porter, entrance fees and so on.Then in 2016, it was priced at around RM1,500, and in 2019, it was around RM2000. For 2023, I am still taking a wild guess, as it could be about RM2,500 for everything.Just take a look at the old prices in the photo below;The old\u00a0Mount Kinabalu climbing permit fees from 2011.The 2023 prices for climbing Mt Kinabalu.For those visiting the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Mount Kinabalu, take note that you can no longer drive into the area. Also, the Kinabalu National Park is one of the 10 natural wonders of Malaysia.\n\n\nTags\nBird Watching Kinabalu National Park\nHow to go to Mount Kinabalu\nKinabalu National Park\nMalaysia\nSabah\nSabah Parks News\n\n\n\n\n\nFacebook\nTwitter\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nShare:Mount Kinabalu Climbing Permit and Entrance Fees for 2023\n\n\nFacebook\nTwitter\nWhatsApp\nPinterest\nLinkedIn\nReddit\nTumblr\nTelegram\nEmail\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nMalaysia Asia\nBlogging since 2007, but writing online since 1997. I belong to the 1st generation of worldwide bloggers, which is of course old-school. \n\nSince 2008, I created Malaysia Asia and this travel, flood, gadget and lifestyle blog has won numerous physical awards from tourism boards around Malaysia. (Not those online awards).\n\nAfter 12 years of blogging, I have semi-retired and now blog about things I like, do product reviews and enjoy life. My work has been featured in Lonely Planet, CNN Travel, Yahoo Travel, Wall Street Journal, and many other international publications. Find out more about me and thank you.\n\n\n\n\nYou might like\nView all\n\n\n\n\n\n\n"}
{"url": "http://blog.malaysia-asia.my/2020/02/komodo-island.html", "text": "\n\n\n\nHomeEast Nusa Tenggara\n\nKomodo Island For First Time Visitors\n\n\n\n\nbyMalaysia Asia\n-January 17, 2021\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nAmong some of the most beautiful places in Indonesia, Komodo Island is hands down one of the best to visit, not your typical Bali.In the last few years, I was fortunate enough to visit Komodo Island several times for multiple tourism reasons, which most tourists want these days.I came here to see the Komodo Dragons, experienced some trekking, explored my photography, did some scuba diving, and did some bird watching.Therefore, these beautiful islands are highly recommended to visit if you want something other than Bali or Lombok. Just to let you know that Komodo Island and its surroundings are not your regular developed tourist islands.Komodo Island For First Time VisitorsFor anyone who has never been here, you are in luck, and this article highlights all the key important factors for the first time visitor to the Komodo Islands.First of all, Komodo Island is not the island where you will be staying at as it is a national park that consists of multiple islands making up the Komodo National Park.Map showing where Bali, Lombok, Labuan Bajo and Komodo Island is locatedYour port of entry will be a town called Labuan Bajo, which is located on the west-most of Flores Island in East Nusa Tenggara. Please see the map above to know where this is located at.This is where everyone who visits Komodo will be staying at, and there are numerous choices of accommodations available which I have also listed below.Please also note that there are numerous kinds of tours available to Komodo National Park, and you should only take the legal and registered tour company ones due to safety.The cheaper tour packages are usually run by unlicensed tour operators and can be quite dangerous. And if anything happens, you will not be covered by any insurance. Remember this carefully.\n\n\nKomodo National Park Island\n\n\nThe main Komodo National Park sign at the entrance.For the first-time visitor, Rinca (Pronounced Ring Car) Island will be the first place that tours will bring you to visit.After Rinca Island, your next destination on the tour boat will be Komodo Island which is also part of the Komodo National Park.\n\nIt is here where you will have your lunch, on a raised eating area. You may encounter some Komodo Dragons and other wildlife along the walk but fear not as the park rangers will be with you to make sure nothing happens.\u00a0\n\n\n\nWhile having your lunch, take note of your surroundings as these mighty dragons will most definitely be seen around the lower floor trying to get up, but the good old park rangers will be there to fend them off.\n\nIn any case, your lunch will be disrupted due to simply wanting to get a closer look at the dragons or even attempt a distant selfie with them. After lunch, a beach trip is planned for Pink Beach.\n\n\n\nThe unique Pink Beach at Komodo Island - Photo by TripTribe\n\n\nPink Beach at Komodo Island\n\nOne of the unique experiences is visiting Pink Beach or\u00a0Pantai Merah,\u00a0which is on the other side of the main Komodo Island.\n\nA short boat ride will bring you here, and it is here where you can sunbath, swim or snorkel at one of seven pink beaches in the world.\n\nFor those who prefer to hike, you can do so by heading up the main hill here, and you will be rewarded with a beautiful view of the overall beach from up above.\n\nThe beach gets its name from the red coral that washes ashore for the curious on why it is pink. You will be amazed at the beautiful marine life here, which is rich with soft corals and abundance of colourful coral fishes for snorkelers.\n\nUsually, the tour operator will ask if you are doing snorkelling as the gear will be prepared. One more thing, when the boat lands on the beach, you may get your feet wet, so slippers are in order, or simply remove your shoes and hand carry them for your hike.\n\nRead my article about\u00a0scuba diving at Komodo Island\u00a0for any divers heading here, as it is one of the most beautiful places for divers.\n\nI also have a\u00a0Komodo Island dive trip review\u00a0from my two visits here, where I scuba dived at various dive sites.\n\n\n\nCheck out this amazing photo on top of Padar Island by Faelasufa (www.faelasufa.wordpress.com)\n\n\n\n\nVisiting Padar Island\n\nMost tour packages already include Padar as one of the islands to visit, and this island is perfect if you love photography or landscapes.\n\nThe catch is - you need to trek up a hill, sounds easy, but let me just say, it was one of my hardest treks uphill, so I only managed halfway on my first try.Update: I understand because of the popularity, they installed stairs and railings at some of the hiking points in 2018/19. This makes climbing up easier, I guess.\n\nBut those in my group managed to reach the peak, and the photos are astounding, and the second time around, I managed to get to the top. See my\u00a0video on Padar Island.\n\nFor our trip, we managed to reach here at about 4.00 pm for the sunset. But judging from other photos seen, it is recommended to come here in the morning to get that amazing photo of Padar Island.The mini infinity pool at Slyvia Hotel and Resort in Labuan BajoWhere to stay in Komodo Island?\n\n\nYou cannot stay on Komodo Island as it is a national park, so everyone stays at Labuan Bajo town on Flores Island.\n\nThere are many\u00a0hotels in Labuan Bajo, usually simple ones ranging from guesthouses to one or two-star hotels and several 3 to 4-star ones.\n\nOver the years, more resorts and higher-end hotels have been opening here in Labuan Bajo, a top-rated tourist destination.On my most recent trip, I stayed at the Sylvia Hotel and Resort, away from the main town area and secluded with its own private beach.\n\nDuring one of my other trips here in October, I stayed at probably one of the best hotels on the island, La Prima Hotel, a 4-Star property with a seafront and sunset view.\n\nIt comes with a swimming pool, spa, and proper restaurants while the rooms are very nice. You can directly\u00a0book a room at LaPrima hotel in Flores.The main facade of La Pirate Hotel in Labuan BajoYou can also check out\u00a0Bintang Flores Hotel, another\u00a04-star hotel, or see my hotels in Labuan Bajo article.\u00a0On another trip, I stayed at Le Pirate Hotel in the main town area of Labuan Bajo, which is a very unique and hipster style hotel.\n\n\n\nAlternatively, some tours let you live on board a boat when visiting Komodo Island, and you can check with the relevant tour companies offering this service.\n\nThis is for those wanting something different as it is quite interesting, especially if you are a diver or a fishing enthusiast.\nBeautiful weather for trekking at Komodo IslandWhen is the Best time to visit Komodo Island?\n\n\n\nEdit November 26: While someone asked me this question on Social Media recently, I thought it would be good to have this information here.\n\n\n\nSo the\u00a0best time to visit Komodo Island\u00a0is from April till November, and the ultimate time is June and July as the waters are much calmer overall.\n\n\n\nThe rainy season starts from around December till early April. For the high season here, it is during the Summer months of July and August while for me, personally October and November are ideal, with the huge crowds gone.\n\n\n\nIf you are planning to visit in December, I would recommend going early for the month, as chances are the weather maybe a little better, but then again, it is mother nature.A Komodo Dragon relaxes off the main walking path.What is the Weather on Komodo Island?\n\n\n\nThe average weather at Komodo is around 20 to 40 Degrees Celsius (68 to 104 Degrees Fahrenheit), and on the rainy season, it lingers around 20C to 25C.\n\n\n\nHumidity is around 68% to 86%. It is always recommended to bring along a poncho or raincoat when you visit the islands as being in a tropical zone, you never know when it can rain suddenly.\n\n\n\nThere you have it, a general guide on getting to Komodo Island and what you can do around here.\n\n\nFirst-timers should engage a proper tour guide and company as there will be local boatmen at the jetty that will offer you private tours.A park ranger leads the way along the main walking path.Is Komodo Island Child-Friendly?\n\n\n\nI often get asked this question from family travellers, and the answer is yes, Komodo Island is child-friendly.\n\n\n\nBut you must always be with your child, and never let them stray out of your view when you are trekking here.\n\n\n\nKomodo is not pram friendly, so please do not lug your prams along with your infants. I would not recommend coming here with infants or babies.\n\n\n\nThe best age for children to visit is around eight years and above. If your child is the crying type, please do not bring him or her as it will be a huge distraction.The trails are uneven and not disabled-friendly or for old people.Can Elderly People Visit Komodo Island?\u00a0\n\n\n\nYes, it is possible. The journey here is via boat, and then some trekking. If you are travelling with elderly people, then it is best to arrange for a special tour just for your family.\n\n\nIt is best not to join a group to save money, as older people walk slower and need time, and you do not want to slow others down.\n\n\n\nNo walker or wheelchairs, please because you need to board boats and do some mild trekking at Rinca or Komodo Island.\n\n\n\nElderly people need to be in walking or trekking conditions before coming here, so please take note.\n\n\nIs Komodo Island Disabled Friendly?\n\n\n\nWell, I would say no, because of the walking and trekking that is done on Rinca and also Komodo. This rules out wheelchairs, crutches or walkers.\n\n\n\nUnless there are exceptional arrangements, you could probably only visit the main ranger's office to see the Komodo Dragons lying around there.One of the islands near Komodo called Gili Lawa Darat.What else to do Around Komodo Island?\n\n\n\nSince you have already planned to visit this amazing destination in Indonesia, you will want to know what else is there to do around here.\n\n\n\nI have also come up with a list of\u00a0things to do in Labuan Bajo, as you will be staying in this town when you visit here.\n\n\n\nFor anyone who is planning a longer trip here, you may want to also know\u00a0what is there to do in Flores, as the island is really huge.That's me with one of the must-take signature photos at Komodo Island National Park.ConclusionFor first-time visitors to Komodo Island, you should be prepared to visit a place that is still original and not modernised like Bali.You can also read my other article on how to go to Komodo Island as I have done a detailed review on this.You can also travel here solo, couple, family, or friends and you will find that this place accepts all travellers' styles.At the end of the day, the mission is to see the unique Komodo Dragon on two of the islands at the national park.\n\n\nTags\nEast Nusa Tenggara\nFlores\nHow To Get To Komodo Island\nIndonesia\nKomodo\nKomodo Island\nKomodo National Park\nPlaces to Visit in Indonesia\nThings to do in Flores\nWonderful Indonesia\n\n\n\n\n\nFacebook\nTwitter\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nShare:Komodo Island For First Time Visitors\n\n\nFacebook\nTwitter\nWhatsApp\nPinterest\nLinkedIn\nReddit\nTumblr\nTelegram\nEmail\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nMalaysia Asia\nBlogging since 2007, but writing online since 1997. I belong to the 1st generation of worldwide bloggers, which is of course old-school. \n\nSince 2008, I created Malaysia Asia and this travel, flood, gadget and lifestyle blog has won numerous physical awards from tourism boards around Malaysia. (Not those online awards).\n\nAfter 12 years of blogging, I have semi-retired and now blog about things I like, do product reviews and enjoy life. My work has been featured in Lonely Planet, CNN Travel, Yahoo Travel, Wall Street Journal, and many other international publications. Find out more about me and thank you.\n\n\n\n\nYou might like\nView all\n\n\n\n\n\n\n"}
{"url": "http://blog.malaysia-asia.my/2020/12/sabah-laksa-at-yee-fung-kota-kinabalu.html", "text": "\n\n\n\nHomeFood\n\nSabah Laksa at Yee Fung Kota Kinabalu\n\n\n\n\nbyMalaysia Asia\n-December 13, 2020\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\u00a0I think that most people who have been to Kota Kinabalu would have already tried the famous Sabah Laksa at Yee Fung coffee shop at Gaya Street.However, there will always be new visitors to Kota Kinabalu, and probably this review of the Sabah-style laksa will give you a different perspective.Sabah Laksa at Yee Fung Kota KinabaluYou see, I have always been a pure travel blogger, writer and photographer for the last 30 years, but in 2019, I realised that I had tried so much food, it would be a waste not to share my experiences.Hence in 2020, I decided to rebrand Malaysia Asia into a travel, food and lifestyle blog; therefore, you will see more food and lifestyle postings, like this Sabah Laksa article.The exciting menu at Yee FungSo, if you have already tried the famous Sarawak Laksa, let me just say that the Sabah Laksa is not the same thing. It is completely different though it looks similar, the taste is not.However, Yee Fung's Sabah Laksa's uniqueness has gained a lot of attention among the foodies and food lovers over the last ten years, making them one of the must-try noodles in Kota Kinabalu.On average, the place gets really crowded not only from tourists but also the locals who swear that the Sabah Laksa is one-of-a-kind.I tried the Sabah Laksa not once but twice in a span of a few years and still find it difficult to understand the unique taste.I guess I have been spoiled by the Sarawak Laksa over the last few decades of eating it and when I was introduced to the Sabah Laksa, I expected similarities among them.A close up of the Sabah Laksa by Yee FungBut on a side note, the portion is pretty healthy as they give you a good amount of chicken pieces and prawns. The noodles are just nice for one person while you can still share it among two people.On a side note, if Laksa is not your thing, you have many other choices here as they offer interesting dishes like beef noodles or Ngiu Chap, dry noodles and even claypot chicken rice.I find they are well balanced in terms of the menu, and it caters to groups of people who want to try different food when they are here.Is Sabah Laksa Spicy?\u00a0Well, it depends on the level of spicy that you can accept and here, it is just level 2 out of 10, making it easy for anyone to try.Some people will add-on the local chilli paste to the Sabah Laksa to give it a good kick while eating. This is recommended for those who love a strong chilli base.The main entrance of Yee Fung at Gaya StreetWhere is Yee Fung Laksa?Kedi Kopi Yee Fung is located along Gaya Street in Kota Kinabalu, and it is pretty hard to miss with the large signboard and crowds.If you stay in the main Kota Kinabalu city area then walking her is very easy, plus most visitors to KK city will end up exploring Gaya Street as it is one of the popular places.If you still need exact directions, I recommend using Waze and searching for Yee Fung in Kota Kinabalu as it will bring you there.Yee Fung Laksa along Gaya StreetConclusionI guess I need to perhaps give the Sabah Laksa another try to see if I feel the same way, but hey, if you are visiting Kota Kinabalu, I recommend you give it a go.Also, take note that this place gets really crowded on weekends and during the peak lunch hour. Therefore, I recommend coming here around 11.00 AM to avoid the crowds.And after you have tried the Sabah Laksa at Yee Fung, please let me know what you think about this local dish as I am curious to know.\n\n\nTags\nFood\nKota Kinabalu\nKota Kinabalu Food\nMalaysia Food\nMust Eat Places in Kota Kinabalu\nSabah\nSabah Food\n\n\n\n\n\nFacebook\nTwitter\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nShare:Sabah Laksa at Yee Fung Kota Kinabalu\n\n\nFacebook\nTwitter\nWhatsApp\nPinterest\nLinkedIn\nReddit\nTumblr\nTelegram\nEmail\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nMalaysia Asia\nBlogging since 2007, but writing online since 1997. I belong to the 1st generation of worldwide bloggers, which is of course old-school. \n\nSince 2008, I created Malaysia Asia and this travel, flood, gadget and lifestyle blog has won numerous physical awards from tourism boards around Malaysia. (Not those online awards).\n\nAfter 12 years of blogging, I have semi-retired and now blog about things I like, do product reviews and enjoy life. My work has been featured in Lonely Planet, CNN Travel, Yahoo Travel, Wall Street Journal, and many other international publications. Find out more about me and thank you.\n\n\n\n\nYou might like\nView all\n\n\n\n\n\n\n"}
{"url": "http://blog.malaysia-asia.my/2023/04/klpf-2023.html", "text": "\n\n\n\nHomeEvents\n\nKLPF 2023\n\n\n\n\nbyMalaysia Asia\n-April 15, 2023\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nThis year, the\u00a0KLPF 2023, or Kuala Lumpur Photography Festival 2023, will be held at a new venue after several years at Viva Home in KL city.The new venue is at KL Gateway Mall, and KLPF 2023 will be from 18-20 August, right here near Bangsar, Kuala Lumpur, with the theme \"We are Family\".KLPF 2023This is Malaysia's largest photo festival for photography fans, with thousands of visitors attending over three days.\u00a0The festival not only showcases photography, but there is also a lively stage show happening daily. At the same time, there is a mini bazaar where vendors sell or promote their items.Last year's KLPF launch event was at VIVA Home Shopping Mall in KL.Over the years, I was one of the activities visitors to the photography event and in 2022, I managed to have my first solo exhibition at KLPF.And if you did not know, KLPF was first organised in 1997, which marks its 26th year of the festival, well, if you include the Covid-19 year, where there was no event.KLPF We Are Family ThemeSome of you may want to know why they chose the theme \"We Are Family\", and it was mentioned that when photographers meet at KLPF, it feels like we are family.Family represents respect for and appreciation of one another regardless of age, ethnicity, religion, status, capability, skill, talent, etc.In photography, interpretation is always practised in its broadest sense with much inclusivity. With World Photography Day 2023, KLPF invites photographers to celebrate our diversity and show the world \"We are Family\".The Kuala Lumpur Photography Festival 2023 also invites photographers to submit images for the Annual Theme Exhibition \"We are Family\".The key people behind KLPF.Who is Participating at KLPF?\u00a0Because it is photography, you will see various photography genres showcased, usually a well-balanced mix of photography. Regulars are;Independent PhotographersWildlife PhotographersPortrait PhotographersLandscape PhotographersFilm PhotographersBird PhotographyStudio PhotographyWedding PhotographersSchool Photography ClubsCollege and University Photography ClubsPhotography Societies and ClubsKLPF 2023Date: 18, 19, 20 AugustTime: 10.00 AM to 9.00 PMVenue: KL Gateway Mall, Bangsar South,2, Jalan Kerinchi, Kuala LumpurWebsite:\u00a0https://klpf.com.my/Facebook:\u00a0https://www.facebook.com/KLPFMalaysia/My first solo photography exhibition at KLPF 2022.David Hogan Jr Solo Exhibition at KLPF 2022Last year, I had my first solo photography exhibition at KLPF, where I took a massive challenge by using a Galaxy Z Fold4 Smartphone to photograph the UNESCO Caves of Sarawak.This was a difficult task requiring me to handheld my device as there was no allowance for using a tripod or monopod to take photos in the caves.With my passion and dedication towards the first solo exhibition, I visited both Mulu and Niah National Parks in Sarawak to photograph the caves.My mission was to show that cave photography was possible using just a smartphone, and the photos spoke for themselves during the exhibition.Many who saw the photo were stunned that a smartphone could take such amazing pictures with outstanding clarity and detail.Visitors view some of my smartphone photos.Some professional photographers even stopped by and mentioned that with today's DSLR or Mirrorless technology, they could only get the natural highlights and details with heavy editing.This was a rare moment which gave me a massive boost in confidence for my overall photography, which includes smartphone photography and mirrorless cameras.To view those cave photos taken with a smartphone, please see the link in the first paragraph, and let me know what you think.This year, I may have another solo exhibition again at the Kuala Lumpur Photography Festival 2023, and I have not completely decided on my theme.I may focus on bird photography this time, but I am still finalising a suitable destination for this, and it looks like Sarawak is my first choice.The KLPF2023 Poster.ConclusionThe Kuala Lumpur Photography Festival 2022 was the last event held at Viva Home Shopping Mall along Jalan Loke Yew in KL. Now it has found a new home at KL Gateway Mall for 2023.With that, I hope to see you all at KLPF 2023 from 18-20 August and that you will come with friends and family. And if I have my 2nd photography exhibition there, I would be happy to see you at my booth.\n\n\nTags\nEvents\nKLPF\nKuala Lumpur Photography Festival\nMalaysia\nMalaysia Photography\nPhotography\n\n\n\n\n\nFacebook\nTwitter\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nShare:KLPF 2023\n\n\nFacebook\nTwitter\nWhatsApp\nPinterest\nLinkedIn\nReddit\nTumblr\nTelegram\nEmail\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nMalaysia Asia\nBlogging since 2007, but writing online since 1997. I belong to the 1st generation of worldwide bloggers, which is of course old-school. \n\nSince 2008, I created Malaysia Asia and this travel, flood, gadget and lifestyle blog has won numerous physical awards from tourism boards around Malaysia. (Not those online awards).\n\nAfter 12 years of blogging, I have semi-retired and now blog about things I like, do product reviews and enjoy life. My work has been featured in Lonely Planet, CNN Travel, Yahoo Travel, Wall Street Journal, and many other international publications. Find out more about me and thank you.\n\n\n\n\nYou might like\nView all\n\n\n\n\n\n\n"}
{"url": "http://blog.malaysia-asia.my/2020/11/origin-mattress-review-malaysia.html", "text": "\n\n\n\nHomeHome Products\n\nOrigin Mattress Review Malaysia\n\n\n\n\nbyMalaysia Asia\n-November 24, 2020\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\u00a0How many times have you slept outside of your own bedroom only to find that your back hurts or the experience was uncomfortable?\u00a0If you travel as much as I do, my life often revolves around hotels, resorts, and even bed and breakfast places, which is when a good night's sleep is essential to me.I guess this is highly important when age comes into mind, and if I rewound back 30 years ago, I did not really care where I slept or how comfortable the bed was.\u00a0Now that I have reached mid-life in terms of age, I have been quite particular about my bed, namely my mattress. Well, if you have been having sleepless nights or backaches, read on.Origin Mattress Review MalaysiaSome of the everyday aches and pains I encountered recently from my old mattressIn the last 8 years, I had a latex and memory foam queen mattress used to the maximum, and it was time to get a new one.\u00a0Therefore, shopping for one was not as easy as I thought it would be until I came across Malaysia's most comfortable mattress called Origin Mattress.Before this, I went around shopping malls and independent mattress warehouses looking for one that suits my age and needs for sleep.Let me tell you that it sounds relatively easy, but in actual fact, it is pretty tiring in terms of travelling around, talking to salespeople, testing out each mattress and so on.I must have spent around a month looking for a suitable mattress for my wife and me, and when we found one, it was too expensive or underperforming.And then I sort of gave up and searched online only to find out about Origin Mattress, which is engineered in Germany but made in Malaysia.Malaysia's Best MattressWhen the mattress arrivedThough the tagline sounds a little misleading, I was pretty sceptical about it, but I did more research on Origin Mattress only to find that it was indeed one of the top quality mattresses out there.\u00a0Looking at the Origin website, I realised that there was a lot more favourable information there and little did I know they were also award-winning.At the end of the day, the product's information is essential to me, making me choose Origin Mattress.After the mattress was sent to my bedroomInstructions are clearly printed on the side of the mattress box.So, the next step was crucial as I needed to wait for the delivery and actual product testing.You may be wondering why I got the mattress without buying it, and the reason is that Origin Mattress has a 120-day full refund for unsatisfied customers.This is the kind of confidence companies should provide consumers, and I feel that Origin Mattress understands this very well.After placing my order, I waited a week for the mattress sent from Singapore. The day came when the delivery guy called me to say he was on the way.Unboxing the Origin Mattress MalaysiaFirst, open the top of the box to remove the mattress from the inside.Then it looks like a bolster, vacuum packed and rolled up.Cut with a blade or scissors along the side of the vacuum pack.When you cut, make sure it is laid out on your bed frame or floor.This I have to highlight as I never expected the mattress to be delivered in such a small box. I was under the assumption that they had made a mistake and sent me a mattress protector.\u00a0But the nice delivery guy assured me that this was, in fact, the Origin mattress, compressed into that little box, and I was still in doubt.After sending it to my unit, I looked closely at the box, still unclear if it was the right one, and then unboxed the mattress.To my surprise, the contents were vacuum-packed tightly and rolled up. Then I remembered watching a video of how mattresses were delivered this way.I then followed the instructions to cut according to the instructions, and the Origin mattress started to unfold slowly.My First Impression of\u00a0 the Origin MattressAfter cutting the outer layer of the plastic, the mattress begins to unfold.The Origin Mattress will slowly unfold from the vacuum pack position.The mattress takes a couple of minutes to fully unfold into the bed shape.The next step is to cut the second layer of plastic that seals the entire mattress.Removing the inner plastic sheet will fully uncompress the mattress.After removing the inner plastic layer, the mattress will uncompress into the original shape.After the mattress had unfolded, both of us were still in awe about the entire process. We then proceeded to move the mattress correctly on our queen bed frame.The positioning was crucial as you can clearly see the top and bottom before placing them on the bed frame.Spending the First Night on the Origin MattressWell, I did wait about 5 hours before trying out the Origin Mattress for the first time ever, and it was a drumroll moment for both of us.After putting on the queen-sized bedsheet, the moment had come, and we got on the mattress. The first impression - It was cooling due to the cool gel layer on the top.My Verdict of the Origin MattressIt is there along with the world-class mattresses, meaning the comfort level and the sleep quality I experienced.Back support and a semi-firm mattress are crucial to my age. You should consider changing your bed for anyone in their 30+ who is experiencing backaches or uncomfortable sleep.Many people tend to try and save on mattresses and end up with low-quality and sub-standard beds that do not help the back.The Origin Mattress, after being uncompressed.Why Origin Mattress?\u00a0The main factor is that it is a made-in-Malaysia brand, and most Malaysian brands with latex are highly recommended.Another reason is the hybrid factor, where they have combined latex, spring and memory foam into one beautiful and functional mattress.The mattress consists of six layers of perfect comfort that makes up the Origin brand and comes with a 15-year warranty if you did not already know.And if you buy it online, they will provide you with free delivery anywhere in Peninsular Malaysia.On top of that, the company has sold over 70,000 mattresses in Malaysia since 2018, which is pretty impressive.How to Buy Origin Mattress?\u00a0You can simply visit their official website called Origin Mattress and get it from there. Currently, there is a massive promotion ongoing with up to a 60% discount for all mattresses.And if you are uncomfortable buying online, they have a showroom in Petaling Jaya at SS2. Here, you can see the mattress, test it and even ask questions.What Else Does Origin Have?\u00a0Well, apart from their award-winning mattresses, they also have a beautiful bed frame, mattress toppers and one of the best pillows in the market.Yes, the Origin Superior Coolmax Latex Pillow is totally one-of-a-kind, and it is also featured as one of the best 8 pillows in Singapore.I think, after this article, I will be making my next purchase for the Origin Superior Coolmax Latex Pillow to complete my bed. I wish they also have a bolster in their product range, and maybe in time to come, they might.The Origin Mattress unfolded.ConclusionHonestly, the Origin Mattress is not only for those above 30+ years but for everyone in general. Age has caught up, and the backaches are not messed with; hence I needed a good mattress.There are many choices of mattresses available in the market, and to me, an excellent local brand is well worth the support, which is why I got the bed.Gee & Shaun, the founders of Origin Mattress. Photo Credit: Express PhotographyOne of the plus points for this brand is that they are very engaging online and on social media, and for anyone who is old-school, you can visit their showroom in SS2, Petaling Jaya.To top it all off, I just love the 120 night trial period they offer, which is remarkable and the fact that Origin is a brand by Malaysians for Malaysians.I\u00a0 hope this review of the Origin Mattress in Malaysia has provided you with more than enough information, and if you still need more, you can always check their website.\n\n\nTags\nHome Products\nLifestyle Review\n\n\n\n\n\nFacebook\nTwitter\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nShare:Origin Mattress Review Malaysia\n\n\nFacebook\nTwitter\nWhatsApp\nPinterest\nLinkedIn\nReddit\nTumblr\nTelegram\nEmail\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nMalaysia Asia\nBlogging since 2007, but writing online since 1997. I belong to the 1st generation of worldwide bloggers, which is of course old-school. \n\nSince 2008, I created Malaysia Asia and this travel, flood, gadget and lifestyle blog has won numerous physical awards from tourism boards around Malaysia. (Not those online awards).\n\nAfter 12 years of blogging, I have semi-retired and now blog about things I like, do product reviews and enjoy life. My work has been featured in Lonely Planet, CNN Travel, Yahoo Travel, Wall Street Journal, and many other international publications. Find out more about me and thank you.\n\n\n\n\nYou might like\nView all\n\n\n\n\n\n\n"}
{"url": "http://blog.malaysia-asia.my/2021/11/matta-fair-november-2021.html", "text": "\n\n\n\nHomeKuala Lumpur\n\nMatta Fair November 2021\n\n\n\n\nbyMalaysia Asia\n-November 02, 2021\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nAfter a long wait, the 49th Matta Fair November 2021will be finally taking place at PWTC in Kuala Lumpur from 20-21st of November.While many are eager to start travelling, there is good and bad news for everyone out there, and you should know that the focus of this year's Matta Fair 2021 will be on domestic travel.However, visitors to the travel fair are encouraged NOT to bring their children as per the health ministry's recommendation.Matta Fair November 2021Following the last\u00a0MATTA Digital Fair 2020, from 23 to 30 September, 95 travel and tour agents took part from most states around Malaysia. And the previous physical fair was held in September 2019.Malaysia Airlines was the official airline, and the Sarawak Tourism Board was the destination partner and over 1,000 packages, mainly domestic, were offered, with the tagline 'Buy Now Travel Later'.Matta Fair March 2021 was also cancelled due to the Movement Control Order (MCO) enforced nationwide. People were confined to their homes while domestic state borders were closed.Eventually, the government's plan for vaccination reached 90% for double-dosed on adults, and borders were ultimately opened for domestic travel in October 2021. Many took the opportunity to travel locally, while others took advantage of some travel promotions and flew to Langkawi.Now that the Covid19 numbers have significantly decreased to under 5,000 daily cases, more people are considering travelling around Malaysia.Visitors at a previous Matta Fair at PWTC.Again, international borders are still not fully opened while specific allowances are given for special reasons like education, medical or business travels. However, leisure is still in a very grey area.But I do not see international travel being high on anyone's agenda due to the complicated procedures for entry to various countries. Each one has different criteria and quarantine processes, it can get pretty complex, so many feel it is best to just wait it out.Who is Participating at Matta Fair 2021?There has not been any official announcement on who is participating. Still, I gather that Tourism Malaysia will be the main anchor, the state tourism boards, airlines, and various domestic tour companies.Independent tourism attractions, theme parks, airlines and even homestays should also be active at this years travel fair.You can also expect a lot of domestic travel packages, namely weekend packages or 3D/2N packages, to be offered at excellent prices.Other packages should include nature, culture, scuba diving and even the popular free and easy packages. It would also be better for the consumer to visit the fair to see what is on offer.Update: 3 November;The news came out after I published this article, and international tourism organisations from Korea, Taiwan, the Philippines, Japan, Turkey and Uganda continue to promote their markets for international tourism.The\u00a049th Matta Fair will also be held on a smaller scale and occupy Hall 3 and 4 of the WTC (PWTC) in Kuala Lumpur.Hall 3 WTC (International Hall)\u00a0- International Tourism Organisations will be featured here.Hall 4 WTC (Malaysia Hall) - Nearly all state tourism organisations and domestic travel and tourism products will be featured here.Local Malaysia State Tourism Boards Participating;The state tourism boards of Sabah, Terengganu, Sarawak, Pahang, Selangor, Johor, Kedah, Perak and Negeri Sembilan will be participating at Matta Fair November 2021.Official Partners for Matta Fair 2021Legoland Malaysia will be the official theme park partnerGojo (A licensed e-hailing company) is also a partnerThis year's Matta Fair will take place from 20-21 November at PWTC, KL.Matta Fair November 2021Date: 20 - 21 NovemberTime: 10.00 AM to 8.00 PMVenue: World Trade Centre, Kuala Lumpur (PWTC)Admission: FREEConclusionYou can now visit this upcoming Matta Fair November 2021 at WTC, Kuala Lumpur, if you have been waiting patiently to start travelling again. However, please take note that the majority of tour and travel packages are for domestic travel only.For international travel, there is no confirmed news on when it will be fully opened as each country around the world has different criteria for entry, based on vaccination and so on.\n\n\nTags\nKuala Lumpur\nMalaysia\nMalaysia Matta Fair\nMatta Fair\nMatta Fair 2021\nTravel Fair\n\n\n\n\n\nFacebook\nTwitter\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nShare:Matta Fair November 2021\n\n\nFacebook\nTwitter\nWhatsApp\nPinterest\nLinkedIn\nReddit\nTumblr\nTelegram\nEmail\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nMalaysia Asia\nBlogging since 2007, but writing online since 1997. I belong to the 1st generation of worldwide bloggers, which is of course old-school. \n\nSince 2008, I created Malaysia Asia and this travel, flood, gadget and lifestyle blog has won numerous physical awards from tourism boards around Malaysia. (Not those online awards).\n\nAfter 12 years of blogging, I have semi-retired and now blog about things I like, do product reviews and enjoy life. My work has been featured in Lonely Planet, CNN Travel, Yahoo Travel, Wall Street Journal, and many other international publications. Find out more about me and thank you.\n\n\n\n\nYou might like\nView all\n\n\n\n\n\n\n"}
{"url": "http://blog.malaysia-asia.my/2020/03/how-tanjung-rhu-resort-turned-around.html", "text": "\n\n\n\nHome5 Star Hotel\n\nHow Tanjung Rhu Resort Turned Around\n\n\n\n\nbyMalaysia Asia\n-March 06, 2020\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nBeing one of the pioneer luxurious resorts in Langkawi, the Tanjung Rhu Resort has become a household name for many who have been visiting the island since the 90s.\n\n\n\nOne of the questions asked by some people is that after all these years, how did the Tanjung Rhu Resort turn around to become one of Langkawi's favourite beach resort?\u00a0\n\n\n\nWell, the credit goes mainly to the Aariana Hospitality International, who took over as the management of the resort in September 2018.Turning Tanjung\u00a0 Rhu Resort Around\n\n\n\nThe courtyard of the resort seen from the main lobby.\n\n\n\n\nHaving visited this resort several times in early 2000, I have always considered the Tanjung Rhu Resort as one of the select and exclusive resorts in Langkawi Island.\n\n\n\nThe reason is probably because of the pristine location away from all the hustle and bustle of Langkawi's Cenang and Pantai Kok areas.\n\n\n\nTo me, the Tanjung Rhu Resort has always been one of the luxurious 5-star resorts that predate many of the new hotels and resorts popping up in Langkawi.\n\n\n\nThe 136-room resort was under one main management all this while until trouble arose and the property went into receivership.\n\nCurrently, there are a total of 71 rooms available, an all-day dining restaurant called Sands, a fine-dining restaurant called Chef's Table, two pool bars and a cafe, a Mandara Spa, and a new sports bar called Saffron which opened in January 2020.\n\n\n\n\nReginald doing his rounds at the resort while Ameran, the RM is seen at the back.\n\n\n\nDuring this period, Aariana Hospitality International was appointed to oversee the continuation of the business, and Reginald Pereira the CEO, led his team to undertake this mammoth task.\n\n\n\nThe main objective was to raise the value of the resort to secure a potential buyer, and to date, Aariana Hospitality International has achieved the impossible by raising the value of the property.\n\n\n\nFrom the first time I visited the resort in November and another follow up in January 2020, I personally saw huge improvements implemented throughout the resort.\n\n\n\n\nThe iconic stand-alone beach chairs and parasol of the Tanjung Rhu Resort.\n\n\n\nThis included cost savings from lighting systems to staffing and constant management meetings that would be a nightmare for most resorts.\n\n\n\nHowever, due to the importance of the task involved, everyone was on board with what needed to be done to achieve the goals set.\u00a0\n\n\n\nDuring the initial visit, I did a review of the Tanjung Rhu Resort\u00a0based on my personal experience here.\n\n\n\nReginald busy on the phone, which is a common sight at the resort.\n\nWho is Aariana Hospitality International?\n\n\nThe group is helmed by Reginald Thomas Pereira and is an ASEAN based hotel management company. They are a pure Malaysian company thus making it very easy for locals to deal with.\n\n\n\nAariana Hospitality International\u00a0was established in 2013 and each of the directors has decades of experience behind them. The company specializes in hotel management and consultancy as their main business.\n\n\n\nOther areas of expertise include talent search, training, professional certification, people development, and mergers and acquisitions of hotels.\n\n\n\nA Google Map showing the location of the Tanjung Rhu Resort.\nWhere is the Tanjung Rhu Resort Located in Langkawi?\n\n\nThe resort is located in the Tanjung Rhu area of Northeast Langkawi, which is on a private land totalling over 1,200 acres of pristine mangrove and coastal wetlands.\n\n\n\nThe great part about the location is that it is away from the main touristy areas of Langkawi and the resort boasts of its own personal white-sand beach stretching a whopping 1.2 kilometres.\n\n\n\nFrom Kuah or Pantai Cenang area, you need to use Road 112 and then Road 111 to get to the resort.\n\n\n\n\nThe beautiful beach in front of the Tanjung Rhu Resort.\n\nConclusion\n\n\nWhile it has been a decade since I last visited the Tanjung Rhu Resort, my conclusion is that under the leadership of Reginald from Aariana Hospitality International, the resort has definitely undergone a major turnaround.\n\nDon't be surprised if you see Reginald walking around the resort if you do plan a vacation here. He has a very strong belief in management by walking and observing, day or night.\n\nYou can also visit the Tanjung Rhu Resort website\u00a0for more information which includes some interesting new getaway packages for couples.\n\nOne of the packages is called Rest, Relax and Rejuvenate, which is a three day and two-night getaway for two persons.\u00a0\u00a0\n\n\n\nThe place still looks great, the staff is professional, polite and friendly, while the location of the resort is still considered one of the best in all of Langkawi Island.\n\n\nTags\n5 Star Hotel\nHotel Reviews\nLangkawi\nLangkawi Hotels\nLuxury Resorts in Malaysia\nMalaysia\nMalaysia Hotel News\nMalaysia Luxury Resorts\nResort Reviews\n\n\n\n\n\nFacebook\nTwitter\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nShare:How Tanjung Rhu Resort Turned Around\n\n\nFacebook\nTwitter\nWhatsApp\nPinterest\nLinkedIn\nReddit\nTumblr\nTelegram\nEmail\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nMalaysia Asia\nBlogging since 2007, but writing online since 1997. I belong to the 1st generation of worldwide bloggers, which is of course old-school. \n\nSince 2008, I created Malaysia Asia and this travel, flood, gadget and lifestyle blog has won numerous physical awards from tourism boards around Malaysia. (Not those online awards).\n\nAfter 12 years of blogging, I have semi-retired and now blog about things I like, do product reviews and enjoy life. My work has been featured in Lonely Planet, CNN Travel, Yahoo Travel, Wall Street Journal, and many other international publications. Find out more about me and thank you.\n\n\n\n\nYou might like\nView all\n\n\n\n\n\n\n"}
{"url": "http://blog.malaysia-asia.my/2019/12/tanjung-rhu-resort-review.html", "text": "\n\n\n\nHomeHotel Reviews\n\nTanjung Rhu Resort Review\n\n\n\n\nbyMalaysia Asia\n-December 18, 2019\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nAfter almost two decades of visiting Langkawi Island, I finally found a second opportunity to re-visit one of the most prominent luxurious resorts here.\n\n\n\nIt gives me great pleasure to share with you my Tanjung Rhu Resort review as I stayed there in November 2019 on a quick working trip.\n\n\n\nYou may have heard about popular places like Pantai Cenang or luxurious properties around the Datai Bay area, but many have overlooked the Tanjung Rhu area.\n\n\n\nThis article will highlight the resort and what makes this property so special in the Tanjung Rhu area.\n\nReview of\u00a0Tanjung Rhu Resort in Langkawi\n\n\n\n\nThe main entrance to the resort\n\nTanjung Rhu is located in the north most part of Langkawi Island and is only 25 minutes drive from popular places like Pantai Cenang, the airport, and Kuah Town.\n\n\nMost people who head to Langkawi will usually want to know where resorts are located and more importantly, the accessibility to move around the island.\n\n\nIf you are heading to Langkawi for a shopping and lifestyle getaway, then you would just stay at one of the smaller resorts or hotels around the main commercial areas.\n\n\nBut, if you want a proper beach holiday that is not commercial and with lots of privacy, then the Tanjung Rhu Resort is a place that you can consider.\n\n\nWhy I like it here is because of the location of the property, hidden deep away from the main roads or other hotels and resorts.\n\nThe surrounding area is also filled with trees and mangroves creating a kind of rainforest oasis or nature escape.\u00a0\n\n\nTo me, the ultimate relaxation is being away from the noisy budget holiday-makers, or the commercial tourists that just want a cheap holiday and at the closest place to popular beaches.\u00a0\n\n\n\nThe beautiful beach at the resort is known to be the best in Langkawi\n\nWhat Makes Tanjung Rhu Resort So Special?\n\nThis would be the most important question many will ask and let me just share with you why. I have personally stayed at many other resorts in Langkawi over the last 20 years and this is my observation.\u00a0\n\n\n\n1. Location\n\n\n\nTanjun Rhu is located way up north of Langkawi Island\n\nOverall the resort is located in a private area that totals over 200 acres of land. There are no other resorts in the immediate vicinity of Tanjung Rhu so you can expect serious privacy.\n\n\nWhile many other resorts may boast of similar reasons, Tanjung Rhu is actually well balanced in terms of the beach, nature, privacy and yet quick access to other areas.\n\n\nIn total, the Tanjung Ru Resort sits in a massive area of 1,100 acres of land, all owned by the resort and this is one of the reasons why people love to stay here.\u00a0\n\n\n\n2. Beach\n\n\n\nThe signature beach chairs of Tanjung Rhu Resort\n\nYou really need to experience the Tanjung Rhu Beach as it is noted to be the best beach in all of Langkawi Island.\n\n\nI am not kidding as I have personally been to most of the beaches around the island and not one comes close to the quality of the sand and landscape found here.\n\n\nFor the serious beach lovers, you know what a good beach is all about, and it is always the smoothness and colour of the sand. So when they say white sand, it needs to be white and sandy.\n\n\nThe main beach in front of the resort also stretches for a whopping 2.5 kilometres, and this provides guests with unlimited privacy along the coastline.\n\n\nOther beaches like Pantai Cenang\u00a0or Pantai Tengah may be popular, but the quality of the sand is not comparable to Tanjung Rhu beach.\u00a0\n\n\n\n3. Privacy and Security\n\n\n\n\nThe peaceful and quiet beach at the resort\n\n\n\nI guess this is one of the most important factors for anyone who wants to have a nice and peaceful vacation without having to run into neighbouring resort guests on a beach.\n\nOften when you want to sunbathe on the beach or on a deck-chair, you will find it difficult when there are many people around you, especially with your belongings.\n\n\nAnd when you travel with kids, you always need to be keeping an eye out for them, especially in crowded areas, but at Tanjung Rhu Resort, you can be assured that the level of privacy and security is very high.\n\n\n\n4. The Food\n\n\n\nChampagne breakfast served daily at the resort restaurant\n\nTo be very honest, I can be very particular when it comes to food, and during my stay here, I found that they have an amazing executive chef that has come up with many creative dishes ranging from local to fusion-international.\n\n\nThe kitchen is certified Halal, hence Muslim travellers will be pleased to know that they have created many localized Chinese dishes. For example, they have a special Beef Ku Teh dish, which emulates the Bak Kut Teh (Pork Broth Soup).\n\n\nBreakfast is always the most important meal of the day and when you are here, you will be spoiled with a local and international array of dishes. This also includes the luxurious champagne breakfast.\n\n\nOverall, this is not a Michelin-star restaurant and they don't try too hard, but the selections, the presentation, and the taste are beyond my regular expectations. I won't give it a 10 over 10, but I'm giving the food here an 8 over 10.\n\n\n\nChef's Table, the resorts fine dining restaurant\n\n\n\nThe resort also comes with a fine-dining restaurant called Chef's Table, serving Asian modern contemporary with Mediterranean cuisine and with an open-kitchen concept.\n\n\nThe restaurant is located in a stand-alone building away from the other restaurants and a dress code is required. Meaning that guests are required to dress up to dine here and also make reservations in advance.\n\n\nThere is a very decent wine list available for those who prefer to pair their foods. The main courses are well worth a try and of course, the desserts were my favourite when I dined here.\n\n\nFor beach dining, you can always request the resort to arrange something special, like a honeymoon or anniversary candlelight beach dinner as they are able to provide this.\n\n\nA beach barbecue is also available for guests and this too needs to be pre-arranged with the resort front office.\u00a0\n\n\n\n5. The Swimming Pools\n\n\n\nThe Sands Pool is an adults-only pool at the resort\n\nYes, I must highlight this as they not only have one or two pools but three swimming pools at the resort. Two of the main pools are for kids and adults where one pool - Sands Pool is only for adults.\u00a0\n\n\nTravelling alone or with a loved one? No worries, just use the Sands Pool where privacy is highly observed and minus the loud screaming kids. The Sands Pool is a 50-meter ozone-treated private pool with a bar serving cocktails and drinks.\n\n\nTravelling with kids or a large group? Head over to the Sunset Pool or the saltwater pool located within the resort area. The Sunset Pool is a massive 60-meter freshwater pool that comes with a cafe and bar.\u00a0\n\n\n\n6. Non-Resident Package (NRP)\n\nThis is one of the unique offers to visitors who are not staying at the resort, but who want to experience the luxurious property and its services.\n\n\nThe NRP comes at a price of RM200 per person (50% for children of 6 to 12 years old) and is valid for an entire day.\n\nThe price includes the usage of the resorts multiple pools and includes a 3-course a-la-carte lunch or dinner with two drinks.\n\n\nThis simply means that if you are staying anywhere else on the island, you can still come to the Tanjung Rhu Resort and purchase this package to spend a day enjoying the facilities and food.\u00a0\n\n\n7. Open To Public Bar (Sands Pool Bar)\n\n\n\nSands Pool Bar is also open to walk-in visitors\n\nIf you did not also know, the Sands Pool Bar is open to the public and you can just walk-in for drinks here. Plus, the bar serves probably the cheapest 5-star resort beer on Langkawi at RM8.00 a draft.\n\nThe resort does not have a no-outsiders policy hence if you stay elsewhere, you can still visit the resort to utilize the bar facilities here.\n\nJust inform the security post that you are going to the Sands Pool Bar and if you are driving, just park at the visitors or guest parking.\n\nRooms at Tanjung Rhu Resort\n\n\n\n\nWhat one of the suites looks like in wide-angle\n\nThere are overall five categories of rooms available at the resort and each of them catering to different styles of travellers. The rooms are;\n\n\nDamai Suite - This is the most common room in the resort that totals 50 square meters, living room, king-sized bed, full amenities, and a garden view.\n\n\nCahaya Suite - These 60 square meter rooms come garden facing and with king-sized beds complete with full amenities. The wooden flooring gives the room a very rustic feeling.\n\n\nBayu Suria Suite - With two balconies, this is another popular suite having both garden and sea view from the room.\n\n\nBayu Senja Suite - The second-largest suite with a total space of 80 square meters and with an unobstructed view of the Andaman Sea with the tall French windows and sliding glass doors.\n\n\nA king-sized bed, walk-in bathroom with a jacuzzi and full amenities will pamper those who seek a memorable vacation or even a special event like an anniversary or honeymoon.\n\n\nAnjung Suite - This is the presidential suite and of course the most luxurious suite at Tanjung Rhu Resort. Filling up 100 square meters, the suite is located on the top level of the resort overlooking the Andaman Sea and also the resort garden from the back.\n\n\nThe Anjung Suite is massive and is the only unit that has direct lift access to the suite. Inside, you will find a common lounge area, a dining area and the bedroom area with tall French windows overlooking the sea.\n\n\nThe suite also comes with a king-sized bed and two balconies that face the open sea and also the garden area. You can expect full amenities and pure Indian cotton fabrics\n\nFacilities at Tanjung Rhu Resort\n\n\n\n\nThe main view of the resort from the lobby area\n\nFor facilities, you will not be disappointed as there are many available for all walks of life. Below is the list;\n\n\nMandara Spa - A resort without a spa is unheard of and over here, the world-class Mandara Spa will provide guests with much-deserved pampering. The spa also offers a retail boutique, manicure-pedicure area, outdoor jacuzzi, and steam room.\n\n\nExperiential Center - A one-stop centre that provides guests with all kinds of tour activities that range from mangrove tours, nature walks, sunset cruises, fishing trips, and even various adventure experiences like cave exploring, bird watching or jungle trekking.\n\n\nLibrary and Cafe - Overlooking the Andaman Sea lies a two-story cafe and library for those wanting to just chill out with a book or smartphone. The cafe offers coffee, cakes, pastries and ice cream with indoor and outdoor seating.\n\n\nKayaking and Biking - At the sports centre of the resort, you can rent kayaks or mountain bikes to explore the vicinity of the resort. This can be done solo or with a guide.\n\n\nATV Course - This is the only resort in Langkawi that offers an in-house ATV circuit where guests can explore the beach and mangrove track located away from the main resort.\n\n\nMeeting Rooms (MICE) - There is one hall called the Pavilion that can accommodate up to 100 pax for any kind of meeting, launching or function. Great for small to medium companies to have their get-away meetings or events and 50 to 80 pax would be ideal for this space.\n\n\nBabysitting Services - Yes this is available for those who travel with kids or infants. The resort offers well-trained staff to babysit your kids up to 12 years of age.\u00a0\n\nPromotions at Tanjung Rhu Resort\n\nIf you did not already know, there are numerous promotions available at the resort, and you can easily find them by visiting the Tanjung Rhu Resort Website.\n\n\n\nDirections on how to go to Tanjung Rhu Resort from the Langkawi Airport\n\nHow To Go To Tanjung Rhu Resort?\nFrom the Langkawi International Airport, it only takes you 25 minutes to reach the resort and if you book a stay with Tanjung Rhu Resort, you will be chauffeured by the resort limousine.\nSingles or couples will be picked up by a luxury saloon while families or large groups will be driven by the resorts luxury Vellfire van.\nObviously, from Kuala Lumpur or other major cities, there are direct flights into Langkawi Island via AirAsia, Malaysia Airlines, Malindo Air and Firefly.\nFor international, Qatar has a direct flight into Langkawi three times a week and those in Europe and the Middle East can easily visit the island.\n\nConclusion\n\n\n\nThe resort photographed at night\n\nTo be very honest, if you are truly looking for a peaceful and quiet vacation, the Tanjung Rhu Resort is one to consider. It provides luxury with a charm like no other.\n\n\n\nThe great thing about the resort is that they do not try too hard to please guests here and being the pioneer resorts on Langkawi, you can expect no less from the newer properties.\n\n\n\nI hope you have found my review of the Tanjung Rhu Resort in Langkawi helpful and that it has provided you with some major updates of this place.\n\n\nTags\nHotel Reviews\nLangkawi\nMalaysia\nMalaysia Hotel Review\n\n\n\n\n\nFacebook\nTwitter\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nShare:Tanjung Rhu Resort Review\n\n\nFacebook\nTwitter\nWhatsApp\nPinterest\nLinkedIn\nReddit\nTumblr\nTelegram\nEmail\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nMalaysia Asia\nBlogging since 2007, but writing online since 1997. I belong to the 1st generation of worldwide bloggers, which is of course old-school. \n\nSince 2008, I created Malaysia Asia and this travel, flood, gadget and lifestyle blog has won numerous physical awards from tourism boards around Malaysia. (Not those online awards).\n\nAfter 12 years of blogging, I have semi-retired and now blog about things I like, do product reviews and enjoy life. My work has been featured in Lonely Planet, CNN Travel, Yahoo Travel, Wall Street Journal, and many other international publications. Find out more about me and thank you.\n\n\n\n\nYou might like\nView all\n\n\n\n\n\n\n"}
{"url": "http://blog.malaysia-asia.my/2020/03/new-malaysia-truly-asia-campaign-to-be.html", "text": "\n\n\n\nHomeMalaysia\n\nNew Malaysia Truly Asia Campaign to be Announced\n\n\n\n\nbyMalaysia Asia\n-March 25, 2020\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nA new Visit Malaysia Truly Asia campaign will replace the recently canceled Visit Malaysia Year 2020 and this was officially announced by the Tourism Minister Datuk Seri Nancy Shukri on March 18, 2020.\n\n\n\nThe reason for the Visit Malaysia 2020 cancelation was due to the Coronavirus or Covid-19 pandemic that swept Malaysia and the world in a matter of weeks.\n\nNew Malaysia Truly Asia Campaign\n\n\nWith some major setbacks occurring in the tourism industry in Malaysia and around the world, this will be a mammoth task for Tourism Malaysia to undertake.\n\n\n\nBut before anything can happen, we still need to see if the Covid-19 curve has been flattened and as to date, it has not.\n\n\n\nWhat is even more alarming is that cases are rising fast despite the Movement Control Order the government imposed from 18th to 31st March.\n\n\n\nAnd just when writing this article on the 25th March, our Prime Minister announces on live TV this afternoon that the MCO has been extended another two weeks to April 14th, 2020.\u00a0\n\n\n\nIn total, Malaysia will observe a total of 28 days for the Movement Control Order and this is surely going to affect the country and also the tourism industry really bad.\n\n\n\nIn times like this, the announcement of a new Malaysia Truly Asia campaign sheds a light and gives hope to many in the tourism industry.\n\n\n\nAnd this goes all the way from the airlines, agents, hotels, guides to even shops and other businesses. where everyone gets a piece of the tourism Ringgit.\n\n\n\n\nAn empty Batu Caves in early March of 2020.\n\n\nHow has Covid-19 Impacted Tourism in Malaysia?\u00a0\n\n\n\nLet's take a look at our tourism industry in Malaysia and what has happened to date. And below is my personal opinion on what is happening to the industry players.\u00a0\n\n\n\nAlso, some of the outgoing links put here may or may not be active as due to the pandemic reporting, even mainstream news has been facing issues, where reporters are publishing articles and then removing them.\u00a0\n\nAirlines in Malaysia\n\n\nLocal airlines have been hit so hard that many of them have grounded aircraft, canceled flights and even laid off staff or imposed voluntary unpaid leave.\n\n\n\nDon't forget that not only general consumers use these airlines to travel for both leisure or business, but even tour companies also rely on these airlines for their customers coming into Malaysia and so on.\u00a0\n\n\n\nIn the news, Malaysia Airlines had asked 13,000 employees to take unpaid leave, but there was confusion in that article.\u00a0\n\n\n\nIn actual, Malaysia Aviation Group has given its staff the option to voluntarily take five days of unpaid leave per month for at least three months, or between one to three months beginning April.\n\n\n\nAirAsia issued a flight suspension throughout its fleet on 26th March, 2020.\n\n\n\nAnother NST article published on the 25th March highlighted that Malaysia Airlines is on the brink of bankruptcy\u00a0if they do not get any sort of financial aid during this time.\u00a0\n\n\n\nAccording to the\u00a0Aliran news portal, Malaysia Airlines has seen 63% of flights canceled while AirAsia and Malindo Air are up to 70% on canceled flights.\n\n\n\nDuring these troubled times, AirAsia has come up with a Covid-19 Flight Change website\u00a0where travelers can get more information about their flights and other issues faced.\n\n\n\nIt looks like a massive bailout will be required to get things back on track, and we will have to see what happens in the next few weeks to come.\n\nTour Operators\n\n\n\nProbably one of the hardest to be hit from the Covid-19 pandemic are the tour operators in Malaysia. Both inbound and outbound have suffered massive losses from this.\n\n\n\nOnce things get better, the first markets that most of the inbound operators will target is the PRC market, as it has been announced that China is now opening up restrictions for its citizens.\u00a0\n\n\n\nHowever, it all depends on how fast Malaysia flattens the curve or controls the pandemic. It could be sooner than expected, but in reality, it will take at least three to six months or even longer.\n\n\n\nSince most tour agents are members of MATTA or Malaysian Association of Tour and Travel Agents, and agents have been paying for the annual membership, perhaps they could assist in a unique way?\u00a0\n\n\n\nAnd not by just having press conferences asking the government to do this and that or support and welcome what the PM says.\n\n\n\n\nKuala Lumpur City Centre at night. This photo was taken in early March 2020.\n\nHotels and Resorts\n\n\nWith Malaysia stopping incoming visitors, the hotel and resort industry is facing some serious losses and even before the MCO was applied, many hotels were already going downhill with 20% to 30% occupancy.\n\n\n\nDon't forget that hotels not only depend on room nights, but they also depend on business events, weddings, and meetings.\u00a0\n\n\n\nWith Ramadan and Hari Raya around the corner, a lot of hotels usually gear up for the 'Buka Puasa' or Breaking of Fast promotions at their hotel restaurants.\n\n\n\nBut for now, we can not predict what will happen in the next two to three weeks, and it is a huge gamble for the hoteliers. They can only wait and see what happens next.\n\nTourism Destinations\n\n\nThe MCO had shuttered all tourism destinations and products for two weeks and this included national parks, forest reserves, museums, theme parks, and just about anything related to tourism.\n\n\n\nEven minor and major events and festivals around Malaysia has been either canceled or postponed due to the Coronavirus issues.\n\n\n\nOne of the biggest events is the Rainforest World Music Festival 2020 which has been postponed\u00a0by the Sarawak Government.\n\n\n\nSince writing this, the MCO shutdown will now extend for another two weeks making it a total of 4 weeks of shutting from 18th March to 14th April.\n\nCruise Tourism\n\n\nWith the worldwide news of cruises being affected terribly with Covid-19 cases, many are skeptical about cruises in the future, but it could change after the pandemic.\n\n\n\n\nA local tour guide leading a group in the rainforest.\n\nTour Guides\n\n\nAlmost all tour guides have been without jobs since the MCO and this is their daily income. Of course, this comes along with the tour bus and van drivers, the dive instructors, divemasters and the whole chain.\n\n\n\nEach state tourism board can possibly help out, but if you want to help, you need to help a lot of people. However, I still think MATTA should be doing their part in helping out in this situation.\n\nTourism Boards\n\n\nAll tourism boards have adhered to the MCO and key staff is to work from home unless it is a critical issue and they have to attend office meetings.\n\n\n\nProbably the most challenging in re-marketing Malaysia is the tourism board's marketing department, and with the MCO ongoing, I don't even want to think about how this will be done.\n\n\n\nDon't forget that there is the main Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture (Motac)\u00a0and also the individual state tourism boards and the council tourism departments.\n\n\n\nAnd each one has very different objectives in terms of tourism arrivals from which country or which product they want to market. Often, this can be quite tricky in terms of seeing eye to eye.\u00a0\n\n\n\nTourism Malaysia will market on a general overall directive for Malaysia as a whole, while other states will focus on their individual strength and countries.\n\nInbound Tourism\u00a0\n\n\nIf Malaysia continues with the uptrend in Covid-19 cases and takes a long time to rectify the issue, tourists will not want to visit Malaysia. It is simple and straight forward.\u00a0\n\n\n\nThe most likely scenario would be to promote local tourism to Malaysians for a start before actually reaching out to other countries to visit Malaysia, and all of this takes time.\n\n\n\nI also wrote an article about a tourism lockdown in Malaysia\u00a0on March 18th, which was targeted towards tourists.\u00a0\n\nOutbound Tourism\n\n\nThis is quite tricky as the minute any travel restrictions are lifted, there will be those who will quickly try to take advantage of low airfares and start traveling abroad without thinking twice.\n\nA Possible Solution to the Tourism Industry - Bailout\n\n\nIt looks like the only possible solution is that the federal government will have to step in to bail out most or all of the tourism-related industries in order to see each and everyone gets back on their feet.\n\n\n\nHow they do this is another matter, but knowing the industry, it will be done in a very interesting way. And no, they are not going to just give everyone a stack of cash.\u00a0\n\n\n\nThere is no doubt this is being discussed by the tourism ministry as the Malaysian tourism industry needs all the help it can get.\n\n\n\nFor now, it is also wise to sit back, stay home, be safe and not complain about what the ministry is doing. The article below clearly shows that the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture is actually doing something.\n\nPress Release of the New Malaysia Truly Asia Campaign\u00a0\n\n\n\nMalaysia's Tourism Minister Datuk Seri Nancy Shukri. Photo from Facebook.\n\nThis article appeared in a news release on March 25, 2020.\n\n\nThe Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture (Motac) will introduce a new campaign to replace the Visit Malaysia 2020 (VM2020) campaign which was canceled following the spread of Covid-19.\u00a0\n\nCapitalizing on the \u2018Malaysia, Truly Asia\u2019 brand, Minister Datuk Seri Nancy Shukri said the campaign would run in the long-term while highlighting the country\u2019s unique experiences.\u00a0\n\n\u201cMotac is confident that this effort will strengthen the country\u2019s competitiveness and sustainability in tourism while ensuring the industry is inclusive,\u201d she said in a statement today.\u00a0\n\nOn March 18, Nancy announced the immediate cancellation of VM2020 to prevent the spread of Covid-19, in addition to the impact of the outbreak which had affected the local and international tourism sector.\u00a0\n\nFollowing the Covid-19 outbreak, Nancy said tourism industry players such as hoteliers, travel agents as well as food and beverage businesses suffered an estimated loss of RM9 billion in the first quarter of the year.\u00a0\n\nAs such, she said, after discussing with the industry players on March 17, it was decided that a strategic action plan should be introduced.\u00a0\n\n\u201cMotac has put in place an action plan to help revitalize the industry and ensure the well-being of Malaysians whose livelihoods depend on this industry.\u00a0\n\n\u201cAmong those present were representatives of the associations from the hotel and tourism industry, bus operators, traders, tour guides and taxi drivers. The meeting was organized by the Tourism Recovery Action Council (TRAC),\u201d she added.\u00a0\n\nNancy said Motac would discuss with the Ministry of Finance and related agencies, in looking into details tabled by the tourism industry players especially on the forms of assistance that could be channeled to the industry.\u00a0\n\n\nPlease note the above only indicated the plans for a new Malaysia Truly Asia campaign and is not the answer to what the next campaign will be or when it will be.\n\n\n\nOn how they are going to help each relevant sector is another story, which we need to wait for their action plan to come out, therefore do not make assumptions for now.\u00a0\n\n\n\nI speculate it will be called Visit Malaysia 2021.\n\nConclusion\n\n\nFrom the above, it shows that Tourism Malaysia is not enjoying the MCO but working around the clock to fix this major issue.\n\n\n\nFrom what I gather, Tourism Malaysia will most likely create a Visit Malaysia 2021 to follow through from this year's cancellation.\n\n\n\nThe ministry will most likely put a focus on local travel campaigns like Cuti Cuti Malaysia promoting the local destinations around the country.\n\n\n\nUntil the official news comes out, we can wait patiently on the announcement of what the new Malaysia Truly Asia campaign will be.\n\n\nTags\nMalaysia\nMalaysia Coronavirus\nMalaysia Covid-19\nMalaysia Truly Asia\nTourism Malaysia\nTourism Malaysia News\nVisit Malaysia\nVisit Malaysia 2021\n\n\n\n\n\nFacebook\nTwitter\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nShare:New Malaysia Truly Asia Campaign to be Announced\n\n\nFacebook\nTwitter\nWhatsApp\nPinterest\nLinkedIn\nReddit\nTumblr\nTelegram\nEmail\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nMalaysia Asia\nBlogging since 2007, but writing online since 1997. I belong to the 1st generation of worldwide bloggers, which is of course old-school. \n\nSince 2008, I created Malaysia Asia and this travel, flood, gadget and lifestyle blog has won numerous physical awards from tourism boards around Malaysia. (Not those online awards).\n\nAfter 12 years of blogging, I have semi-retired and now blog about things I like, do product reviews and enjoy life. My work has been featured in Lonely Planet, CNN Travel, Yahoo Travel, Wall Street Journal, and many other international publications. Find out more about me and thank you.\n\n\n\n\nYou might like\nView all\n\n\n\n\n\n\n"}
{"url": "http://blog.malaysia-asia.my/2022/08/top-hospitals-in-kota-kinabalu-for.html", "text": "\n\n\n\nHomeHealth Tourism\n\nTop Hospitals in Kota Kinabalu for Medical Tourism\n\n\n\n\nbyMalaysia Asia\n-August 14, 2022\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nThis is a list of top hospitals in Kota Kinabalu for medical tourism as the North Borneo state is now considering including this as part of health tourism.Medical tourism in Sabah is still something new as the state has never ventured deep into this genre, and now, with more flight connectivity to Indonesia, the potential is there.Top Hospitals in Kota Kinabalu for Medical TourismWhile those planning to research medical tourism in Malaysia, many Indonesians will consider Sabah and Sarawak as medical tourism destinations due to the proximity to Kalimantan.As Sabah is considered one of the new players in medical tourism or health tourism, several modern medical facilities have slowly been operating in the capital over the last ten years.Therefore, this list will highlight some of the top hospitals in KK for medical tourism and is in no particular order.Sabah recently announced they are targeting health and medical tourists from Indonesia with the current flight connectivities.Gleneagles Hospital in\u00a0\u00a0Kota Kinabalu, Sabah.1. Gleneagles Kota Kinabalu Hospital - A private hospital in the city of KK or Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, and offers medical services that include cardiac care, brain and nerve, orthopaedic and spine, women and children care.Address: Riverson@Sembulan, Block A-1,Lorong Riverson@Sembulan, Off Coastal Highway,88100 Kota Kinabalu, SabahWebsite: Gleneagles Kota KinabaluKPJ Hospital in Kota Kinabalu.2. KPJ Sabah Specialist Hospital\u00a0- A well-known private hospital in Kota Kinabalu built in 2012 and started operating in 2014 with 245 beds.\u00a0This hospital, formerly known as Sabah Medical Centre or SMC, is a household name among local Sabahans.Address:\u00a0Lot No.2 Off,Jalan Damai, Luyang Commercial Centre,88300 Kota KinabaluWebsite:\u00a0KPJ SabahJesselton Medical Centre in KK.3. Jesselton Medical Centre\u00a0- Originally established in 2009, it was first a Maternity and Child Hospital and developed over the years into \"a one-stop\" tertiary centre of international standards. Jesselton Medical Centre has 23 consultant rooms and 72 beds, of which 59 consisted of 16 single rooms and 21 double rooms, 6 intensive Care beds and 7 delivery suites.Address: Jalan Metro 2, Off,Jalan Tuaran, Jalan Bunga Ulam Raja,88300 Kota KinabaluWebsite: Jesselton Medical CentreRafflesia Medical Centre in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah.4. Rafflesia Medical Centre - Popularly known as RMC, this medical facility currently has wards with 19 beds and more to be added to the next expansion plan. Strategically located within easy reach, RMC offers a variety of clinical specialities ranging from obstetrics and orthopaedics to surgeries to meet the public's medical needs at affordable prices.Address: Lot 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 Millennium Commercial Centre,Jln Lintas, Kepayan, 88200 PenampangWebsite: Rafflesia Medical CentreConclusionYou can also read my other article on medical tourism in Malaysia, as I have highlighted the pros and cons for anyone interested.The four leading medical tourism hospitals in Kota Kinabalu above cater to international medical tourists, and I hope to see more medical facilities opening up in the coming years.And these are currently the top hospitals in Kota Kinabalu for medical or health tourism as of 2022.\n\n\nTags\nHealth Tourism\nHealth Tourism in Sabah\nMalaysia\nMalaysia Medical Tourism\nMedical Tourism\nMedical Tourism in Sabah\nSabah\nSabah Health Tourism\nSabah Healthcare\nSabah Medical Tourism\nSabah Tourism\n\n\n\n\n\nFacebook\nTwitter\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nShare:Top Hospitals in Kota Kinabalu for Medical Tourism\n\n\nFacebook\nTwitter\nWhatsApp\nPinterest\nLinkedIn\nReddit\nTumblr\nTelegram\nEmail\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nMalaysia Asia\nBlogging since 2007, but writing online since 1997. I belong to the 1st generation of worldwide bloggers, which is of course old-school. \n\nSince 2008, I created Malaysia Asia and this travel, flood, gadget and lifestyle blog has won numerous physical awards from tourism boards around Malaysia. (Not those online awards).\n\nAfter 12 years of blogging, I have semi-retired and now blog about things I like, do product reviews and enjoy life. My work has been featured in Lonely Planet, CNN Travel, Yahoo Travel, Wall Street Journal, and many other international publications. Find out more about me and thank you.\n\n\n\n\nYou might like\nView all\n\n\n\n\n\n\n"}
{"url": "http://blog.malaysia-asia.my/2020/12/best-place-in-malaysia-to-visit-after.html", "text": "\n\n\n\nHomeBest Places to Visit in Malaysia\n\nBest Place in Malaysia To Visit After CMCO\n\n\n\n\nbyMalaysia Asia\n-December 11, 2020\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\u00a0We Malaysians have been cooped up for so long that now everyone is just thinking of the best place in Malaysia to visit after the CMCO or Conditional Movement Control Order.While many places sound inviting, there are still some reservations about red zones and possible active Covid19 cases lurking around.However, there are still many remote places worth visiting, but being Malaysian, many still prefer a more commercial destination with good infrastructure and facilities.Best Place in Malaysia To Visit After CMCOMalaysia offers so many beautiful and unique places, it would be such a waste to highlight places where there have been many cases of Covid19.Since the pandemic went into the second phase in Malaysia in October of 2020, many popular tourist destinations like Sabah and Selangor were hit really hard.Pristine beaches and stunning islands at LangkawiBut there have been several places that have been spared from the second phase of the Covid19 spread, and these are the recommended places that locals can visit.Overall, there is one place spared quite well, and Langkawi Island is noted as the best place in Malaysia to visit after the CMCO.You may be asking why Langkawi Island? And the answer is quite simple - A local destination that appeals to all walks of life, offering the best of the beach, rainforest, resort living and a localised culture in one place.Why Langkawi Island?\u00a0Langkawi is still one of Malaysia's most beautiful islands, which is easily accessible by sea and air with many airports having direct flights into the island.Langkawi Island during the peak seasonThe concept of a culturally rich island with doubles as a duty-free post makes it even more desirable for those who want the best of both worlds.While Langkawi offers beautiful beaches, stuffing landscapes, a rich marine ecosystem and a never-ending mangrove system catering to ecotourism.What do Do in Langkawi Island?\u00a0So much to see and do, the list is never-ending. But again, it also depends on the type of Malaysian style traveller. Most of the time, it is the safe traveller who just seeks a simple getaway.Many beautiful and secluded resorts can cater to your style for those who want just an escape from the city. This includes doing everything in and around the resort area.Chenang Beach is seen from the flight landing.Most holidaymakers love to self explore, and the best way is to rent a car and drive around the island visiting all the many places.Panorama Langkawi or the Langkawi Cable Car is one of the popular destinations where you get to go up Mount Matcincang in a gondola and then spend time up there seeing the stunning views.Beach holidays are also high on most locals, and this is best done at Pantai Chenang where it is hands down the most popular beach in Langkawi.The combination of a long wide beach with water sport activities, restaurants, bars, cafes and street shopping makes this place the ultimate spot in all of Langkawi.The beautiful Geoforest Park in LangkawiRainforest escapes are not-so-popular but still appealing to nature lovers, and this is usually done at the Kilim Geoforest Park area.Over at Kilim, you get to do mangrove excursions, cave visits and wildlife spotting in one trip which works out perfect for anyone who wants to connect back to nature.Do note that this is a full nature experience that is highly recommended for anyone and all walks of life, old or young.One of the things that Malaysians love to do is shopping, and over here you have some of the best duty-free shopping in Langkawi Island. You can find these places from Kuah town to Pantai Chenang.You can always take some of the many boat trips that offer island-hopping around the island for those who love the sea.Paradise 101 Island by Naam in LangkawiThere is also a special island called Paradise 101 which caters to a full island and water sports experience. This is by Telaga Harbour and is operated by Naam Tours.I also did an article on the many things to do in Langkawi a few years ago which you can also refer as it caters to a very general guide.Where To Stay in Langkawi Island?\u00a0There are many choices for accommodation around Langkawi and depending on what kind of place you prefer, you can choose from the city area to beachside living.For those on a budget, you are also in luck as many of the hotels and resorts are offering desirable room promotions, including couples or even families.The facade of the Tanjung Rhu Resort in LangkawiOne of the recommended places worth checking out is no other than the Tanjung Rhu Resort, a luxurious suite-only resort with its own private beach.\u00a0The current Tanjung Rhu Resort promotion until December 2020 is desirable at RM200 per suite for two persons inclusive of breakfast and additional discounts of food and beverage.Other popular hotels and resorts include those along the ain Pantai Chenang beach road, but that comes with a catch, which is usually the crowds.One of the many promotions for CMCO offered by Tanjung Rhu ResortWhat to Eat in Langkawi?\u00a0Personally, I always love to explore the local food scene whenever I visit Langkawi and every time, I will make it a point to try a new place.On my recent visit in June of 2020, I tried the local\u00a0famous Nasi Daging Bakar Langkawi,\u00a0a nice old food centre at Padang Matsirat, near the airport.The glorious spread of Malay food at Kak Yan RestaurantOther well-known local Langkawi cuisine includes the super famous Kak Yan Nasi Campur in Langkawi, Malay\u00a0mix rice and is something everyone should try.Of course, many other proper restaurants, cafes, fast-food joints and even fine dining establishments are available all over Langkawi.Visitors enjoying the beach in LangkawiConclusionOverall, Langkawi Island is hands down one of the best places to visit for a short, medium or long vacation as there is plenty to do here depending on how long you choose.Most important is that the activities offered caters to all walks of life, and as for food and beverage, there is so much to choose from.There are many other destinations to visit, but this article highlights the best place in Malaysia to visit after the CMCO, and I hope you have a great time with our domestic tourism.\n\n\nTags\nBest Places to Visit in Malaysia\nLangkawi\nMalaysia\nMalaysia Post-Covid 19\nVisiting Malaysia After Covid-19\n\n\n\n\n\nFacebook\nTwitter\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nShare:Best Place in Malaysia To Visit After CMCO\n\n\nFacebook\nTwitter\nWhatsApp\nPinterest\nLinkedIn\nReddit\nTumblr\nTelegram\nEmail\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nMalaysia Asia\nBlogging since 2007, but writing online since 1997. I belong to the 1st generation of worldwide bloggers, which is of course old-school. \n\nSince 2008, I created Malaysia Asia and this travel, flood, gadget and lifestyle blog has won numerous physical awards from tourism boards around Malaysia. (Not those online awards).\n\nAfter 12 years of blogging, I have semi-retired and now blog about things I like, do product reviews and enjoy life. My work has been featured in Lonely Planet, CNN Travel, Yahoo Travel, Wall Street Journal, and many other international publications. Find out more about me and thank you.\n\n\n\n\nYou might like\nView all\n\n\n\n\n\n\n"}
{"url": "http://blog.malaysia-asia.my/2019/07/matta-awards.html", "text": "\n\n\n\nHomeKuala Lumpur\n\nMATTA Awards \n\n\n\n\nbyMalaysia Asia\n-July 05, 2019\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nThe inaugural MATTA Awards was held for the first time on 30th June 2019 and at the Hilton Kuala Lumpur Hotel in Malaysia.\u00a0\n\n\n\nAfter decades of working with tour agents around Malaysia, the Malaysian Association of Tour and Travel Agents or MATTA as it is known finally came up with an award series for the tourism industry players.\u00a0\n\n\n\nThe Malaysian Association of Tour and Travel Agents has been around for 44 years, and it is about high time to create something exciting for the industry players.\u00a0\n\nMATTA Awards\n\n\nThese special tourism awards were created as a way to recognize the achievements of its members and their contribution to the Malaysian tourism industry.\u00a0\n\n\n\nThe inaugural MATTA Awards were also praised highly by the Deputy Tourism, Arts and Culture Minister Muhammad Bakhtiar Wan Chik, who was a special guest at the event.\u00a0\n\n\n\nAlso present at the ceremony was YBhg. Datuk Musa Bin Yusof, Director General of Tourism Malaysia, and a total of 500 local and international tourism industry players.\u00a0\n\n\n\nIn total, 50 nominations were submitted for the MATTA Awards 2019, and out of that, only 13 category winners were selected.\u00a0\n\n\n\n\nThe winners of the MATTA Awards 2019. Click to enlarge\n\nWinners of MATTA Awards 2019\n\n\nBelow is a list of the people and companies who won the inaugural MATTA Awards this year;\n\n\n\n\n\nBest Tour Operator - Inbound: Asian Overland Services Tour and Travel Sdn Bhd\u00a0\nBest Tour Operator - Outbound: Apple Vacations and Conventions\u00a0\u00a0\nBest Tour Operator - Responsible Tourism: Borneo Eco Tours Sdn Bhd\nBest Travel Agency - Cruise: Hwajing Travel and Tours\nBest Travel Agency - Startup: Toranj Tour and Travel Sdn Bhd\nBest Travel Agency - Umrah and Hajj: Andalusia Travel and Tours Sdn Bhd\nMost Creative Marketing Campaign: Ice Holidays Sdn Bhd\nMost Creative Tour Packages: Naam World Travel and Tours Sdn Bhd\nMATTA Tourism Icon Award: Datuk Seri Tunku Iskandar Tunku Abdullah\n\n\n\n\nDatuk Seri Tunku Iskandar Tunku Abdullah with the MATTA Tourism Icon Award\n\nHow Are The MATTA Awards Selected?\u00a0\n\n\nAccording to the organizers, the nominees are suggested by the MATTA Committee themselves and then voted as the winners.\u00a0\n\n\n\nOnly members of the Malaysian Association of Tour and Travel Agents are eligible to participate in these awards.\u00a0\n\n\n\nNomination forms were made available to MATTA members by downloading them from the awards website. From there, the nominations could be done for a company or person, or for themselves.\u00a0\n\n\n\nThe winners are then selected by an independent panel of judges based on a strong operational knowledge of the industry and also with years of experience in the tourism industry.\n\n\n\nPossibly in the future, there would be another system to select and determine who the nominees will be, and also how the judging process will work.\u00a0\n\n\n\nI believe it would be much better to have both the public and also the tourism industry players to have their votes for selecting the winners.\u00a0\n\n\n\n\nThe MATTA Awards Trophy and Certification\n\nWho Came Out With The MATTA Awards Idea?\u00a0\n\n\nThe concept of these awards was actually brought forward by MATTA President Datuk Tank Kok Liang.\u00a0\n\n\n\nOne of the other reasons the awards were held was also to recognize the resilience of travel and tour operators in the country, especially in the face of disruptive technology.\u00a0\n\n\n\nMATTA President Datuk Tank Kok Liang had this to say during an interview with a local newspaper;\n\n\n\n\u201cThe Awards were meant to recognize the achievements of MATTA members and their contributions to the Malaysian tourism industry. It was also meant to encourage more travel and tour operators in the country to be more innovative, especially in the face of disruptive technology.\u201d\u00a0\n\n\u201cFor the past few years, there have been many opinions about whether tour and travel operators will go bust, but they have only been going stronger. One factor behind their staying power was being innovative by embracing technology.\u201d\n\n\n\n\nNaam World Travel and Tours with the Most Creative Tour Package Award\n\n\nOriginal MATTA Award Categories\n\n\n\nAccording to the MATTA Awards website, there was a list of 13 categories that were selected by the organizing committee and they were;\n\n\n\n\n\nBest Tour Operator (Inbound)\nBest Tour Operator (Outbound)\nBest Tour Operator (Domestic)\nBest Tour Operator (Responsible Tourism)\nBest Tour Operator (MICE)\nBest Tour Operator (Land Transportation)\nBest Travel Agency (Start-Up)\nBest Travel Agency (Umrah & Hajj)\nBest Travel Agency (Cruise)\nBest Travel Agency (Air Transportation)\nMost Creative Tour Package\nMost Creative Marketing Campaign\nMATTA Tourism Icon Award\n\n\nOut of the 13 categories, only nine were presented during the MATTA Awards 2019.\n\nMATTA Awards Gala Dinner\n\n\nAs with most award ceremonies and presentations, there will always be a gala dinner included, and attendees will be required to dress formally for the awards.\u00a0\n\n\n\nFor the inaugural tourism awards by MATTA, the gala dinner was held at the Hilton Hotel in Kuala Lumpur on the 30th of June 2019 and from 7.30 PM to 10.30 PM.\u00a0\n\n\n\nTables were made available for members and non-members to purchase in individual seats or by entire tables. The gala dinner table pricing was;\n\nMATTA Members\u00a0\nTier 1 = RM 3,000.00 (per table/10 pax)\nTier 1 = RM 300.00 (per seat)\nTier 2 = RM 2,500.00 (per table/10 pax)\nTier 2 = RM 250.00 (per seat)\n\nNon Members\nTier 1 = RM 3,500.00 (per table/10 pax)\nTier 1 = RM 350.00 (per seat)\nTier 2 = RM 3,000.00 (per table/10 pax)\nTier 2 = RM 300.00 (per seat)\n\nWho are the Sponsors of the MATTA Awards?\n\n\nThere were different categories of sponsors for the MATTA Awards which ranged from platinum, gold, and silver. Below are the sponsors for this year's awards;\n\n\n\nPlatinum Sponsors\n\n\n\nMalaysia Airlines\nHong Leong Bank\nBoost\n\n\nGold Sponsors\n\n\n\nApple Holidays\nICE Holidays\nInnogen\nSunway Putra Mall\nUOB\n\n\nSilver Sponsors\n\n\n\nChina Mobile/CMI Travel\nEffortless Beauty Malaysia\nSarawak Tourism Board\nPetronas\n\n\nThe event was also supported by;\n\n\n\nBackstage Skills\niAdventure Escape\nSunway Putra Hotel Kuala Lumpur\n\n\n\n\nFor more information on these tourism awards, you can visit the official MATTA Awards website\u00a0as there is contact information available there.\u00a0\n\n\n\n\n\nAlbert Chin holding the Best Tour Operator award for Responsible Tourism\n\nWhen is the Next MATTA Awards?\u00a0\n\n\nWith the success of the inaugural awards, the next one will possibly be held at the same time which is around mid-year. The MATTA Awards 2020 would also possibly see more nominations for all 13 categories.\u00a0\n\n\n\nAgain, to be nominated in the next MATTA Awards 2020, the tour company needs to be a member of the\u00a0Malaysian Association of Tour and Travel Agents.\u00a0\n\n\n\nSuggestions And Opinions\n\n\n\nPersonally, I think this is a great move by MATTA for the tourism industry players and a very positive one. But for the future awards, I would also consider adding in categories for the smaller tour agents.\u00a0\n\n\n\nWhile the large agents always seem to be at the forefront, let us not forget about the smaller tour agents and companies. They too are bringing in tourists into Malaysia, and also contribute to our tourism economy.\u00a0\n\n\n\nI would also love to see a category for Best Tour Guide in various sub-categories like city guides, historical guides and also nature guides.\u00a0\n\n\n\nWith everyone talking about the digital revolution and digital media, there should also be a special segment for those who utilize social media platforms to promote.\u00a0\n\n\n\nUnder the digital tourism category, there could be sub-categories like best social media promotions, best online tourism articles, the best website and so on.\u00a0\n\n\n\nFinal Thoughts on the MATTA Awards\n\n\n\nOverall, awards are always welcomed by all industries, no matter tourism or non-tourism, and it is these kinds of things that help drive the industry forward.\u00a0\n\n\n\nAs I have been writing about tourism in Malaysia for the last 10 years, I too hope that the MATTA Awards will consider adding a category for online tourism articles by others as one of the categories.\u00a0\n\n\n\nAt least this way, I know that it would attract more people to write about tourism articles and promotions in Malaysia and also out of Malaysia.\n\n\nTags\nKuala Lumpur\nMalaysia\nMalaysia Tourism Awards\nMATTA Awards\nMatta Fair\nTourism Awards\nTravel Awards\n\n\n\n\n\nFacebook\nTwitter\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nShare:MATTA Awards \n\n\nFacebook\nTwitter\nWhatsApp\nPinterest\nLinkedIn\nReddit\nTumblr\nTelegram\nEmail\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nMalaysia Asia\nBlogging since 2007, but writing online since 1997. I belong to the 1st generation of worldwide bloggers, which is of course old-school. \n\nSince 2008, I created Malaysia Asia and this travel, flood, gadget and lifestyle blog has won numerous physical awards from tourism boards around Malaysia. (Not those online awards).\n\nAfter 12 years of blogging, I have semi-retired and now blog about things I like, do product reviews and enjoy life. My work has been featured in Lonely Planet, CNN Travel, Yahoo Travel, Wall Street Journal, and many other international publications. Find out more about me and thank you.\n\n\n\n\nYou might like\nView all\n\n\n\n\n\n\n"}
{"url": "http://blog.malaysia-asia.my/2021/10/traditional-english-tea-and-scones.html", "text": "\n\n\n\nHomeCameron Highlands\n\nTraditional English Tea and Scones Restaurants in Malaysia\n\n\n\n\nbyMalaysia Asia\n-October 28, 2021\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nOne of the more British influences that have remained till this very day is the English tea and scones found at numerous restaurants around Malaysia.However, these places are mostly found at highland locations where the climate is much cooler and relaxing, namely for visiting vacationers. This article will highlight some of the best places to have traditional English tea and scones around Malaysia.Traditional English Tea and Scones Restaurants in MalaysiaEnglish Tea House Restaurant in Sandakan, Sabah.There are several places in Malaysia where you can enjoy tea and scones where some are located in the peninsular, and just two places over in Sabah, Malaysia Borneo.Tea and scones are not the normal palates for Asians, but with strong English influences over the last century, there has been a small demand for colonial cuisine. Much of this was fusioned with Chinese Hainanese cooks, resulting in a unique cuisine only found in this part of the world.However, the traditional English scones could not be fusioned; therefore, they are still being served as they once were from back in the day, complete with cream, jam and good old English tea.Visiting English tourists to Malaysia found this rather fascinating as when they explored several hill attractions, there was a chance they would encounter a restaurant that served good old English food with tea and scones.The beautiful tea plantations at Cameron Highlands.Cameron Highlands Tea and Scones RestaurantsOver at Cameron Highlands, you can try the family-run\u00a0Bala's Chalet and Hotel Cameron Highlands\u00a0as they too have served English tea and scones for many years now. Bala's was rebranded to\u00a0Planters Country Hotel in 2013.Another place called the\u00a0Smokehouse Hotel in Cameron Highlands\u00a0is\u00a0a\u00a0replica of a traditional Mock-Tudor home complete with lush-manicured gardens with swings and cobbled pathways.The\u00a0Bharat Tea Shop serves English tea and scones on your way up the highlands for a quick fix. This place offers incredible views of the tea plantation, and customers can dine at the open-aired balcony.View inside the restaurant of Ye Olde Smokehouse at Fraser's Hill.Fraser's Hill Tea and Scones RestaurantsOver at\u00a0Frasers Hill,\u00a0there is also a nice and cosy place called the Smokehouse Frasers Hill, similar to Cameron's but under different management. You can find traditional English food while the property also offers accommodations.\u00a0The impressive menu offers\u00a0Hors D'oeuvres for starters to incredible roasts, pies and puddings. This place does get crowded on weekends and holiday seasons; therefore, it is best to book ahead.Apparently, many people also\u00a0claim that the tea and scones at Fraser's Hill Smoke House are much better than the ones found in Camerons.The entrance to Sabah Tea Garden in Ranau.Sabah Tea and Scones RestaurantsIf you are visiting the state of Sabah on the island of Borneo, you can also try the\u00a0English Tea House in Sandakan,\u00a0which is over on the east coast of Sabah. This is probably one of the oldest traditional English restaurants in all of Borneo.Another place is called the\u00a0Sabah Tea Garden, about two hours from Kota Kinabalu up north towards Kudat. This beautiful tea garden, cottage and restaurant also serve tea and scones.View of Penang from David Brown's Restaurant & Tea Terrace.Penang Tea and Scones RestaurantOver in Penang Island, when you go up Penang Hill, there is a restaurant at the top called\u00a0David Brown's Restaurant & Tea Terrace, which serves traditional tea and scones.This place has an excellent hill view of Penang island, the Penang bridge, and the mainland on a clear day. Many day-trip visitors will come here for the beautiful restaurant ambience while having lunch up here.Tea and scones are also found at various cafes, restaurants and hotels.Tea and Scones at Cafes and Hotels around MalaysiaNowadays, in the larger cities around Malaysia, namely Kuala Lumpur, you can find tea and scones at numerous cafes, restaurants and hotels. Still, the feeling is not the same as having it in the cool highlands versus the city.If you Google 'Tea and Scones in Malaysia', results will come out as afternoon tea places with scones, and multiple articles will highlight places serving this in the city areas. Again, these are not the same as the places mentioned in this article.You can find tea and scones all over Malaysia.ConclusionFor an authentic experience in having traditional English tea and scones, I recommend trying some of the places mentioned here. Then only you can make your judgement on why there is a vast difference between the city types and the hill resorts.Well, each and everyone has their own tastebuds and opinions, especially when it comes to food. But if you are genuinely a real foodie, you would know the difference between traditional and modern-day cooking.For me, good old traditional English tea and scones are still found at the places mentioned above, it is just a matter of trying them over the years of travelling.\n\n\nTags\nCameron Highlands\nFood\nFood Review\nFraser's Hill\nPahang\nPenang\nPenang Hill\nPerak\nRanau\nSabah\nSandakan\nTea and Scones in Malaysia\n\n\n\n\n\nFacebook\nTwitter\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nShare:Traditional English Tea and Scones Restaurants in Malaysia\n\n\nFacebook\nTwitter\nWhatsApp\nPinterest\nLinkedIn\nReddit\nTumblr\nTelegram\nEmail\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nMalaysia Asia\nBlogging since 2007, but writing online since 1997. I belong to the 1st generation of worldwide bloggers, which is of course old-school. \n\nSince 2008, I created Malaysia Asia and this travel, flood, gadget and lifestyle blog has won numerous physical awards from tourism boards around Malaysia. (Not those online awards).\n\nAfter 12 years of blogging, I have semi-retired and now blog about things I like, do product reviews and enjoy life. My work has been featured in Lonely Planet, CNN Travel, Yahoo Travel, Wall Street Journal, and many other international publications. Find out more about me and thank you.\n\n\n\n\nYou might like\nView all\n\n\n\n\n\n\n"}
{"url": "http://blog.malaysia-asia.my/2023/03/khao-lak-at-night-with-galaxy-s23-ultra.html", "text": "\n\n\n\nHomeGalaxy S23\n\nKhao Lak at Night with a Galaxy S23 Ultra Review\n\n\n\n\nbyMalaysia Asia\n-March 10, 2023\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nHere is a special smartphone photography series of Khao Lak at night with a Galaxy S23 Ultra review done at the end of February 2023. This was also done just after the flagship smartphone was officially launched.I was given the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra to test out photography during my work trip to Bangkok and Khao Lak. While at both places, I tested the camera system to see how it compared with the S22 Ultra.Khao Lak at Night with a Galaxy S23 Ultra ReviewIf you did not know, Khao Lak is a lovely quiet beach town 90 minutes north of Phuket and is less known to most travellers. My work was mainly to review the La Vela Khao Lak Resort, one of the top resorts here.One of the common bars seen around Khao Lak town.Spending five days in Khao Lak, I explored the entire area, visiting beaches, national parks, heritage old towns and the main Khao Lak nightlife, unlike Phuket or Koh Samui.So, below are Nightography photos taken using the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra while I explored the nightlife around Khao Lak.I also used the night mode function on the normal and ultra-wide modes during my photo-taking to explore different angles.4-5 seconds of holding still are required when using ultra-wide and night mode, while it only takes 2-3 seconds for the normal mode.Generally, when you click the shutter button, you just hold still for a few seconds. Then the smartphone will calculate and compensate for the photo, resulting in beautiful and realistic night shots.A bar called Fat Shark was photographed in Nightography with the S23 Ultra.A beautifully lit restaurant along the Khao Lak main walking street.Using the ultra-wide angle and in night mode on the S23 Ultra.Motorbikes are commonly used to move around Khao Lak.Shot using night mode with realistic colours as an outcome.An Indian Restaurant is photographed in night mode n the Galaxy S23 Ultra.A vendor sells hand-carved candles and is photographed in night mode on the S23 Ultra.Even with sufficient lighting, you can still capture photos in night mode, like at this art gallery.A local Mookata Restaurant at Khao Lak is photographed in night mode.Night scenes are now even easier with the Galaxy S23 Ultra, as seen in this photo.Capturing the entire Khao Lak street with ultra-wide and night mode.A local Khao Lak restaurant was photographed in night mode on the S23 Ultra.I love the natural colours without over-compensating from the S23 Ultra.Some of the exciting photo-combinations of plants and buildings.A photo of a local pub with striking colours came out just like my eyes saw it.Again, using the night mode, the colours were well-balanced and not overdoing it.This shot shows more greenery versus lights, and with the night mode, it looks natural.Khao Lak's nightlife is captured in night mode on the Galaxy S23 Ultra.Here's a simple shot with fewer lights, and the S23 Ultra knows how to keep it real without overdoing it.Khao Lak at night, photographed with the Galaxy S23 Ultra.ConclusionSince I switched to smartphones many years ago, I have been very impressed with the technological advancements done for every model.I currently use the Galaxy S22 Ultra for Nightography, my favourite smartphone due to its incredible camera capabilities, especially while travelling. Therefore, using the S23 Ultra saw a slight improvement in the camera system.The photos are more natural now, without the A.I. trying too hard; therefore, most of the photos above are what my eyes see at night. That is a huge plus point for me, especially since heavily using Galaxy smartphones for years.And I hope that you enjoyed this Nightography series of\u00a0Khao Lak at night with a Galaxy S23 Ultra. I will be sharing more reviews in the coming articles.\n\n\nTags\nGalaxy S23\nGalaxy S23 Malaysia\nGalaxy S23 Ultra\nKhao Lak\nPhotography\nSamsung Malaysia\nSmartphone Photography\nSmartphone Review\nSmartphone Reviews\nThailand\n\n\n\n\n\nFacebook\nTwitter\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nShare:Khao Lak at Night with a Galaxy S23 Ultra Review\n\n\nFacebook\nTwitter\nWhatsApp\nPinterest\nLinkedIn\nReddit\nTumblr\nTelegram\nEmail\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nMalaysia Asia\nBlogging since 2007, but writing online since 1997. I belong to the 1st generation of worldwide bloggers, which is of course old-school. \n\nSince 2008, I created Malaysia Asia and this travel, flood, gadget and lifestyle blog has won numerous physical awards from tourism boards around Malaysia. (Not those online awards).\n\nAfter 12 years of blogging, I have semi-retired and now blog about things I like, do product reviews and enjoy life. My work has been featured in Lonely Planet, CNN Travel, Yahoo Travel, Wall Street Journal, and many other international publications. Find out more about me and thank you.\n\n\n\n\nYou might like\nView all\n\n\n\n\n\n\n"}
{"url": "http://blog.malaysia-asia.my/2021/12/rumah-ikan-fish-house-four-seasons.html", "text": "\n\n\n\nHomeFour Seasons Langkawi\n\nRumah Ikan Fish House Four Seasons Langkawi\n\n\n\n\nbyMalaysia Asia\n-December 17, 2021\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nThe Four Seasons Resort Langkawi has opened a traditional fish house called Rumah Ikan Fish House, designed by a local fisherman and crafted with island-grown wood.This unique over-water structure is an inspiring testament to Langkawi's vibrant fishing legacy. Visitors can now see how traditional methods catch the freshest fish and shellfish from the Andaman Sea.Rumah Ikan Fish HouseRumah Ikan Four Seasons photographed from Tanjung Rhu.Guests are invited to discover and learn about the island's fishing heritage at the Resort's private Rumah Ikan Fish House, where generations-old fishing methods are demonstrated.The Four Seasons Langkawi works with a local fisherman named Pal Din, who keeps the old and unique heritage of traditional fishing at the local fishing house.The traditional practice involves creating a complex structure that extends out into the sea using strips and splints of wood. And if you want to know how fish and shellfish are caught, this is the place.While some may think this floating fish house is an actual restaurant, it is not. It is a traditional fishing house replica, which is hardly seen nowadays.Rumah Ikan also officially opened on the 3rd of July 2020 and is available to the resort's guests only.Pak Din shows how he catches fish the traditional way.Pak Din explains traditional island fishing techniques.Rumah Ikan is situated at the Resort's mile-long sweep of pristine coastline, and this secluded spot is where Pak Din spends his days catching the choicest fish and squid offered by the Andaman Sea.Guests can observe Pak Din as he does his work or try their hand fishing in the olden ways, using locally sourced equipment.Photos in this article are sourced from Petrie PR\u00a0and the official Four Seasons Langkawi website, except for the one with my own watermark.The Fish House at the Four Seasons Resort Langkawi. Photo: Four Seasons Langkawi.ConclusionWhile staying at the Four Seasons Langkawi, you can also read my comprehensive article about things to see, do and eat around Tanjung Rhu.And for guests staying at the resort, you will have the opportunity to experience the unique Rumah Ikan Fish House here.For outsiders, this is not an open attraction for anyone to visit. You need to be a guest of the Four Seasons Langkawi.\n\n\nTags\nFour Seasons Langkawi\nHotel Reviews\nKedah\nLangkawi\nLangkawi Island\nMalaysia\nMalaysia Hotel Review\n\n\n\n\n\nFacebook\nTwitter\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nShare:Rumah Ikan Fish House Four Seasons Langkawi\n\n\nFacebook\nTwitter\nWhatsApp\nPinterest\nLinkedIn\nReddit\nTumblr\nTelegram\nEmail\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nMalaysia Asia\nBlogging since 2007, but writing online since 1997. I belong to the 1st generation of worldwide bloggers, which is of course old-school. \n\nSince 2008, I created Malaysia Asia and this travel, flood, gadget and lifestyle blog has won numerous physical awards from tourism boards around Malaysia. (Not those online awards).\n\nAfter 12 years of blogging, I have semi-retired and now blog about things I like, do product reviews and enjoy life. My work has been featured in Lonely Planet, CNN Travel, Yahoo Travel, Wall Street Journal, and many other international publications. Find out more about me and thank you.\n\n\n\n\nYou might like\nView all\n\n\n\n\n\n\n"}
{"url": "http://blog.malaysia-asia.my/2021/09/jurassic-park-kiulu-sabah.html", "text": "\n\n\n\nHomeKiulu\n\nJurassic Park Kiulu, Sabah\n\n\n\n\nbyMalaysia Asia\n-September 13, 2021\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nA brand new tourism attraction in Sabah is opening in September 2021, and it is called Jurrasic Land Kiulu, which is Southeast Asia's answer to the famous Jurassic Park.This dino-themed family attraction will be the talk of Kota Kinabalu (or KK as it is commonly called) as it lies in the Tuaran district, which is about one hour's drive from KK city.Jurassic Park Kiulu, SabahThe main sign of\u00a0Jurassic Land Kiulu.Jurassic Land Kiulu was conceived by three friends who envisioned a unique experience for all walks of life, including tourists.The park will feature nine animatronic dinosaurs placed strategically around the three-acre land to aim for Jurassic Land Kiulu to become the next eco-tourism destination in Sabah.Kiulu was selected due to the natural environment and eco-tourism opportunities which is not too far from Kota Kinabalu. And from the park, you have unobstructed views of the majestic Mount Kinabalu.Apart from this Jurassic Park, Kiulu is quite well known for other ecotourism activities like white water rafting at Kiulu River, trekking, hiking and rural tourism activities like homestays cultural experiences.An animatronic\u00a0Triceratops at the park.What kinds of Dinosaurs are found there?As usual, you get the best of the best, which include;Tyrannosaurus RexVelociraptorPteranodonTriceratopsStegosaurusSpinosaurusDilophosaurusAnkylosaurusWhat else is available at Jurassic Land Kiulu?Apart from the animatronic dinosaurs, activities and facilities available at the Jurassic Land Kiulu are;A cafeDinosaur safariDinosaur showsFlying zip-lineJumpolineCycling parkThe owners of Jurassic Land Kiulu with\u00a0Joniston Bangkuai (Sabah Tourism Board Chairman), second from right.Ticket / Entrance Fees for Jurassic Land KiuluThere are multiple tier ticket prices for weekdays, weekends and school holidays. There is also an annual pass for those who prefer to visit multiple times.1. Weekday Ticket PricesAdult - RM25Children & Seniors - RM152. Weekend, Public and School HolidaysAdult - RM35Children & Seniors - RM253. Annual PassAdult - RM150Children & Seniors - RM100Directions from Kota Kinabalu to Jurassic Land Kiulu.Where is Jurassic Park Kiulu?It is roughly about 60 minutes drive from the Kota Kinabalu city area, and one of the landmarks to pass is the famous Upside Down House Sabah.Jurassic Park Kiulu AddressKg BungalioKM 3.5 Jalan Kiulu Tamparuli89250 Sabah, MalaysiaThe various driving routes to Jurassic Land Kiulu.There are also two routes you can use if you are coming from Telipok or Tamparuli area. Just use Waze or Google Maps and keep a lookout for signs.You can check out the Jurassic Land Kiulu Facebook Page,\u00a0as\u00a0they have additional information there, including photos and videos.ConclusionThis place looks like it will be a hit for local and foreign tourism when it opens while it will develop Kiulu into one of the new tourism destinations in Sabah.\u00a0Hopefully, we will see more ecotourism attractions opening around here and Tamparuli after Jurassic Park Kiulu, Sabah.\n\n\nTags\nKiulu\nMalaysia\nMalaysia Theme Parks\nSabah\nSabah Theme Parks\nTheme Parks\n\n\n\n\n\nFacebook\nTwitter\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nShare:Jurassic Park Kiulu, Sabah\n\n\nFacebook\nTwitter\nWhatsApp\nPinterest\nLinkedIn\nReddit\nTumblr\nTelegram\nEmail\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nMalaysia Asia\nBlogging since 2007, but writing online since 1997. I belong to the 1st generation of worldwide bloggers, which is of course old-school. \n\nSince 2008, I created Malaysia Asia and this travel, flood, gadget and lifestyle blog has won numerous physical awards from tourism boards around Malaysia. (Not those online awards).\n\nAfter 12 years of blogging, I have semi-retired and now blog about things I like, do product reviews and enjoy life. My work has been featured in Lonely Planet, CNN Travel, Yahoo Travel, Wall Street Journal, and many other international publications. Find out more about me and thank you.\n\n\n\n\nYou might like\nView all\n\n\n\n\n\n\n"}
{"url": "http://blog.malaysia-asia.my/2021/10/rwmf-2022-25th-edition-anniversary.html", "text": "\n\n\n\nHomeMalaysia\n\nRWMF 2022 The 25th Edition Anniversary\n\n\n\n\nbyMalaysia Asia\n-October 12, 2021\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nFans should be ecstatic that the RWMF 2022 will be the 25th Edition Anniversary since starting in 1998 in Kuching, Sarawak, and one of the best music festivals for 2022 in Malaysia.It has been an incredible twenty-five years since the humble beginnings of a music festival held in a rainforest at the Sarawak Cultural Village in Santubong.RWMF 2022 The 25th Edition AnniversaryThe live crowd at the last actual event in 2019.The 25th anniversary of the RWMF will be one music festival that should not be missed because, between 2020 and 2021, the event was cancelled and then held online as an experience.Local and international fans have been waiting patiently for the Covid19 pandemic to move into the endemic phase to slowly get back to normal.With borders opening up on 11th October 2021, many are now eager and awaiting more news about the coming RWMF2022 as visitors would like to pre-book flight tickets, accommodation, etc.The dual-stage with a natural background at the Sarawak Cultural Village in Santubong.I assume that there will be minor changes in the SOPs for the event, meaning that only fully vaccinated guests will be allowed to attend the festival in Santubong.The last\u00a0RWMF 2021 Virtual Experience was held over three days, and a whopping 140,000 viewers from 80 countries logged in from 18-20 June 2021.This was also made possible when the Sarawak Tourism Board decided to bring RWMF online on multiple platforms like through the official website of RWMF.net, Facebook and TV Sarawak (TVS).A group of musicians performed live on the main stage at RWMF.When is the 25th Anniversary of RWMF?\u00a0RWMF 2022 marks 25 years since the festival started, and it happens at the Sarawak Cultural Village from 17-19 June 2022.While the venue will be at the Sarawak Cultural Village in Santubong, which is also the home of the Rainforest World Music Festival, it is only an hour's drive from the city of Kuching.How to Go to RWMF2022?As the event takes place in Kuching, Sarawak, visitors from Kuching will have to fly in from selected cities across Malaysia or Southeast Asia.You can connect your flight through Kuala Lumpur's KLIA and take a domestic flight to Kuching city for foreign visitors.Visitors will have various choices to go to the event, and below are the different methods to get to the Cultural Village in Santubong;The special bus service for the\u00a0Rainforest World Music Festival.RWMF Bus Service - A special bus service departs from Kuching and heads directly to the venue. More information will be announced closer to the event.Shuttle Van Service for RWMF - Selected hotels and resorts around Kuching may offer a shuttle service to the cultural village, and you are required to double check with the respective hotels on this.Ride-Hailing or Taxi Service to RWMF - Ride-hailing services like Grab or AirAsia Ride are available from Kuching to the venue, apart from the general taxi service to Santubong.Self Driving to RWMF - For those planning to self-drive to the venue, you should take note that you can only drive up to a certain point outside the venue to park your car and then take a special shuttle to the venue.I have also done an article on how to go to the Rainforest World Music Festival previously, and you can also get additional information there.One of the international\u00a0Rainforest World Music Festival performers.ConclusionThe Malaysian government finally opened up the local and international borders, and in 2022, many started to travel again. News about the Rainforest World Music Festival 2022 coming back was also announced in March.And since the announcement, many have started booking flights, accommodation and tickets for the 25th Anniversary of RWMF 2022.If you have not attended this unique music festival, I strongly suggest you consider it as it is genuinely one of Malaysia's most successful music festivals known worldwide.\n\n\nTags\nMalaysia\nMalaysia Music Festivals\nRainforest World Music Festival\nRWMF\nRWMF 2022\nSarawak\nSarawak Music Festivals\nSarawak Tourism News\n\n\n\n\n\nFacebook\nTwitter\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nShare:RWMF 2022 The 25th Edition Anniversary\n\n\nFacebook\nTwitter\nWhatsApp\nPinterest\nLinkedIn\nReddit\nTumblr\nTelegram\nEmail\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nMalaysia Asia\nBlogging since 2007, but writing online since 1997. I belong to the 1st generation of worldwide bloggers, which is of course old-school. \n\nSince 2008, I created Malaysia Asia and this travel, flood, gadget and lifestyle blog has won numerous physical awards from tourism boards around Malaysia. (Not those online awards).\n\nAfter 12 years of blogging, I have semi-retired and now blog about things I like, do product reviews and enjoy life. My work has been featured in Lonely Planet, CNN Travel, Yahoo Travel, Wall Street Journal, and many other international publications. Find out more about me and thank you.\n\n\n\n\nYou might like\nView all\n\n\n\n\n\n\n"}
{"url": "http://blog.malaysia-asia.my/2022/08/penang-floral-festival-history-archive.html", "text": "\n\n\n\nHomeEvents\n\nPenang Floral Festival History Archive\n\n\n\n\nbyMalaysia Asia\n-August 25, 2022\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nThis article features all the Penang Floral Festival history archives that have taken place since 1990. There was not much information available; therefore, I took the initiative to compile the info here.As Penang is one of the most visited states in Malaysia for tourism, the botanical gardens are also one of the popular places to visit.Penang Floral Festival History ArchiveKnown in Malay as Pesta Bunga Penang, it was also taken to an international level by renaming this the\u00a0Penang International Flora Festival.However, in recent years, there has not been much publicity shared. One of the reasons could be that this entire horticulture event focused more on orchids and bonsai plants, where people wanted a well-balanced exhibition.The scene at one of the Penang Flower Festivals.However, the organisers have always been neutral and offered a bit of everything for all visitors. There has been international participation from countries in the Southeast Asia region.How long has the Penang Flower Festival been around?The Penang Flower Festival has been done since 1990, which is a very long time for a horticulture exhibition or festival.The only difference is that it was never given good media coverage throughout the years, and in selected years, Tourism Malaysia would include it in the tourism calendar.I've personally been giving Royal Floria Putrajaya good coverage for many years now. Hopefully, someone from Penang will see my contribution and invite me to do media coverage for Penang.My research and work over the years have given many ordinary people a better understanding of several horticulture events held around Malaysia.The 2015 Penang Floral Fest.\u00a0Penang Flora Festival in YearsBelow is a list of years that the flower event took place, but there is not enough information before 2003. But at least we know how long this event has been happening.Penang Flora Festival 1990 to 1999 - No informationPenang Flora Festival 2000 -Penang Flora Festival 2001 -Penang Flora Festival 2002 -\u00a0Penang Floral Festival 2003 - June, Theme: In Harmony with NaturePenang Flora Festival 2004 -\u00a0Penang Flora Festival 2005\u00a0- 29 May - 5 June, Theme: Penang in BloomPenang Floral Festival 2006\u00a0- 28 May - 4 June, Theme: Penang in BloomPenang Floral Festival 2007\u00a0- 27 May -3 June, 17th anniversaryPenang Floral Festival 2008\u00a0- 29 Nov - 7 Dec, Theme: Floral FantasyPenang Floral Festival 2009\u00a0- 31 May - 7 JunePenang Floral Festival 2010\u00a0- 11-19 DecPenang Floral Festival 2011\u00a0- 28 May - 5 JunePenang Floral Festival 2012\u00a0- 3-10 June, Theme:\u00a0Penang Floral Festival 2013\u00a0- 2-9 June 2013, Theme Penang Floral ParadisePenang Floral Festival 2014\u00a0- 2 - 8 JunePenang Floral Festival 2015\u00a0- 30 May - 7 JunePenang\u00a0 Floral Festival 2016\u00a0- 28 May - 5 JunePenang Floral Festival 2017 - 1-7 Aug No InfoPenang Floral Festival 2018\u00a0- 18-26 AugustPenang Orchid Show 2019\u00a0- 11-18 AugustPenang Floral Festival 2020 -\u00a0No Event Because of Covid 19Penang Floral Festival 2021 -\u00a0No Event Because of Covid 19Penang Floral Festival 2022 -\u00a0No Event (Reason Unknown)Penang\u00a0 Floral Festival 2012 Poster.For those who want to know more about the other floral festivals in Malaysia, you can also read about\u00a0Royal Floria Putrajaya, which I do a lot of coverage on.The next event is scheduled from the end of August till the first week of September at Putrajaya.ConclusionThere you have it, a complete list of the Penang Floral Festival history archive I have compiled and shared here for everyone.For the organisers, please contact me with any additional information missing from the above, and I will gladly edit it. Also, please contact me for any coverage of upcoming events related to horticulture.\n\n\nTags\nEvents\nFlower Festivals\nHorticulture Malaysia\nMalaysia\nMalaysia Flower Expo\nPenang\nPenang Floral Festival\nPenang International Flora Festival\n\n\n\n\n\nFacebook\nTwitter\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nShare:Penang Floral Festival History Archive\n\n\nFacebook\nTwitter\nWhatsApp\nPinterest\nLinkedIn\nReddit\nTumblr\nTelegram\nEmail\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nMalaysia Asia\nBlogging since 2007, but writing online since 1997. I belong to the 1st generation of worldwide bloggers, which is of course old-school. \n\nSince 2008, I created Malaysia Asia and this travel, flood, gadget and lifestyle blog has won numerous physical awards from tourism boards around Malaysia. (Not those online awards).\n\nAfter 12 years of blogging, I have semi-retired and now blog about things I like, do product reviews and enjoy life. My work has been featured in Lonely Planet, CNN Travel, Yahoo Travel, Wall Street Journal, and many other international publications. Find out more about me and thank you.\n\n\n\n\nYou might like\nView all\n\n\n\n\n\n\n"}
{"url": "http://blog.malaysia-asia.my/2021/06/rainforest-world-music-virtual.html", "text": "\n\n\n\nHomeMalaysia Music Festivals\n\nRainforest World Music Virtual Experience RWMF 2021\n\n\n\n\nbyMalaysia Asia\n-June 12, 2021\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nThe Rainforest World Music Festival Virtual Experience or RWMF 2021 will happen this year, but not the regular way we've seen the festival being held.Sarawak Tourism Board has made sure that fans of this unique festival can get \u2018Entranced, Liberated, Immersed\u2019 from the comforts of their own home with RWMF 2021.Rainforest World Music Virtual Experience RWMF 2021With Covid19 disrupting much of tourism, entertainment and lifestyle since March 2020, the entire world is undergoing a reform that has made many people think out of the box, and this virtual experience is one of them.The concept for RWMF2021 will highlight a unique musical showcase featuring a retrospective of past RWMF performances and new pre-recorded sessions with homegrown acts.The main website promo for RWMF 2021 Virtual Experience.All of this will be streamed online for free during the 18-20 June 2021, and fans or viewers only need to register on the official website (www.rwmf.net) to attend this virtual experience.Since the iconic Rainforest World Music Festival 2020 did not occur in Sarawak due to the Covid 19 lockdowns, the RWMF 2021 Virtual Experience is for fans and festival goers that felt the absence of this much-loved event last year and as a teaser for RWMF 2022.The virtual experience of the RWMF2021 does not stop here. There will be other activities involved as well, including online workshops and food delivery.RWMF 2021 Workshops - Viewers will watch past years daytime RWMF workshops and various performances on the \"Workshop Page\" on www.rwmf.net.RWMF 2021 Food Delivery via Grab - As the official food delivery partner, viewers can order food from Grab during the virtual experience and get a discount. Register on rwmf.net for more details.RWMF 2021 Limited Edition Merchandise - Shopee is the official eCommerce partner, and viewers will be able to purchase limited-edition RWMF2021 merchandise via the platform or watch the virtual experience on Shopee Live.The limited-edition RWMF2021 T-shirt, masks and other items.Win Free Tickets to Rainforest World Music Festival 2022For this years RWMF 2021 Virtual Experience, viewers stand a chance to win free tickets to RWMF 2022, discounts to select hotels, RWMF merchandise and much more.All you have to do is register on the official RWMF website, and you will be eligible for the giveaways held during the online streaming of this event.Viewers will have to watch the RWMF virtual experience throughout all three days will have to answer questions related to the three-day online concert to win the prizes.Prizes include RWMF 2022 tickets, RWMF 2021 merchandise, and hotel stays, among others items.The promotions that are available for RWMF2021.Win a Free RWMF 2021 Goodie BagThere is also a special edition RWMF goodie bag available for registered viewers and instructions as below.To qualify for the RWMF goodie bag, participants will have to;Like the official RWMF pagePost a photo of themselves at previous RWMFs or watching the virtual concertInclude #rwmf2021virtual or tag the RWMF official Facebook pageShare the post on their own Facebook pageSome of the RWMF 2021 performers and bands.Who will be performing for RWMF 2021 Virtual Experience?\u00a0For this years RWMF 2021, a series of past performers from Sarawak and around the region will be the main showcase. They include;Mathew NgauAlena MurangKemadaSang RawiAt AdauTuku KameSuk Binie\u2019Nading RhapsodyThe RWMF has also actively promoted local Sarawakian and Malaysian artists and bands since the beginning of the festival.In 2019, five local Sarawakian bands were featured in the RWMF, which helped showcase these amazing local talents to the world.The main programme for RWMF 2021.Where is RWMF 2021 Virtual Experience Held?This is the first time the RWMF will be going online; it will be streamed at the main\u00a0RWMF.net website.\u00a0This means that all the artists and bands will be performing a pre-recorded session and streamed during the selected times from 18-20 June.When is RWMF 2021?The RWMF 2021 Virtual Experience will take place on 18, 19 and 20 June of 2021. This will also be the first time the event is done virtually.RWMF 2021 also takes place online from 6.00 PM to 7.30 PM Malaysian time (GMT 8) throughout the three days.What is the Ticket Price for RWMF 2021?\u00a0The entire virtual experience is being held online, and therefore it is a free event. All you need to do is register online at the official website.The only money you have to part with is the official merchandise purchased from the official website through Shopee.More Information on RWMF 2021You can also head to the official RWMF Facebook Page to get updates and, of course, other information. You can also ask questions there as the page is managed by moderators from the organisers' department.The organiser for the RWMF is Sarawak Tourism Board or STB.ConclusionIf you are a Malay reader or in Indonesia, a friend of mine wrote an article about the RWMF 2021 Virtual Experience on the Pontianak Post, and you can read it in Bahasa.For the fans and others interested in this year's Rainforest World Music Festival 2021, you can now just register on the official website to experience this virtually.Because of the Covid 19 pandemic worldwide in 2020, the RWMF2020 was cancelled and brought forward. However, the pandemic is still not going anywhere; hence the event was made digital.Therefore, this event will be a stepping stone to creating much hype and awareness for the next big event: the Rainforest World Music Festival 2021 or RWMF2022.\n\n\nTags\nMalaysia Music Festivals\nMusic Festivals\nRainforest World Music Festival\nRWMF\nRWMF 2021\nSarawak\nSarawak Music Festivals\nSarawak Tourism News\n\n\n\n\n\nFacebook\nTwitter\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nShare:Rainforest World Music Virtual Experience RWMF 2021\n\n\nFacebook\nTwitter\nWhatsApp\nPinterest\nLinkedIn\nReddit\nTumblr\nTelegram\nEmail\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nMalaysia Asia\nBlogging since 2007, but writing online since 1997. I belong to the 1st generation of worldwide bloggers, which is of course old-school. \n\nSince 2008, I created Malaysia Asia and this travel, flood, gadget and lifestyle blog has won numerous physical awards from tourism boards around Malaysia. (Not those online awards).\n\nAfter 12 years of blogging, I have semi-retired and now blog about things I like, do product reviews and enjoy life. My work has been featured in Lonely Planet, CNN Travel, Yahoo Travel, Wall Street Journal, and many other international publications. Find out more about me and thank you.\n\n\n\n\nYou might like\nView all\n\n\n\n\n\n\n"}
{"url": "http://blog.malaysia-asia.my/2022/12/airasia-x-kuala-lumpur-taipei-flights.html", "text": "\n\n\n\nHomeAirAsia\n\nAirAsia X Kuala Lumpur-Taipei Flights Resumes\n\n\n\n\nbyMalaysia Asia\n-December 26, 2022\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nAirAsia X has recently re-introduced flights from Kuala Lumpur to Taipei after Taiwan relaxed entry rules and ended Covid-19 lockdowns.Three flights weekly depart from Kuala Lumpur International Airport (klia2) at 1800 and land in Taipei on the same day at 2250. The return flight departs from Taipei at 0005 and lands in Kuala Lumpur at 0450.AirAsia X Kuala Lumpur-Taipei Flights ResumesTaipei has historically always been one of AAX\u2019s most popular routes with its renowned culture, food and numerous tourism drawcards. The airline carried more than 530,000 guests to and from the city in 2019 alone.The recommencement of the route was announced in November 2022, just after Taipei reopened its borders to tourists in October for the first time in over two years since the Covid-19 pandemic.AAX CEO Benyamin Ismail said:\u201cOur rapid expansion into East Asia as a group continues with these thrice-weekly flights to Taipei following the launch of services to Tokyo and increased flight frequencies to Seoul recently.\u00a0Moreover, AirAsia Malaysia (AK) restarted its services from Kuala Lumpur to Kaohsiung last month and will commence a route from Kota Kinabalu to Taipei this month.\u00a0That\u2019s not all; AirAsia Philippines (Z2) will also fly from Manila to Taipei this month.\u201dConclusion to\u00a0AirAsia X Kuala Lumpur-Taipei FlightsAirAsia X offers fares from Kuala Lumpur to Taipei starting at MYR399 all-in-one way for economy and MYR1,499 one way for Premium Flatbed.The airline sells its lowest fare out of Taiwan at TWD3,090 all-in-one way for economy and TWD9,690 one way for Premium Flatbed. You can check for AirAsia X Taiwan Flight promotions.\n\n\nTags\nAirAsia\nAirAsia News\nAirAsia X\nAirAsia X Destinations\nAirAsia X News\nAirline News\nAirlines\nAviation\nTaiwan. Taipei\n\n\n\n\n\nFacebook\nTwitter\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nShare:AirAsia X Kuala Lumpur-Taipei Flights Resumes\n\n\nFacebook\nTwitter\nWhatsApp\nPinterest\nLinkedIn\nReddit\nTumblr\nTelegram\nEmail\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nMalaysia Asia\nBlogging since 2007, but writing online since 1997. I belong to the 1st generation of worldwide bloggers, which is of course old-school. \n\nSince 2008, I created Malaysia Asia and this travel, flood, gadget and lifestyle blog has won numerous physical awards from tourism boards around Malaysia. (Not those online awards).\n\nAfter 12 years of blogging, I have semi-retired and now blog about things I like, do product reviews and enjoy life. My work has been featured in Lonely Planet, CNN Travel, Yahoo Travel, Wall Street Journal, and many other international publications. Find out more about me and thank you.\n\n\n\n\nYou might like\nView all\n\n\n\n\n\n\n"}
{"url": "http://blog.malaysia-asia.my/2020/01/kubang-badak-biogeo-trail-langkawi.html", "text": "\n\n\n\nHomeKubang Badak\n\nKubang Badak BioGeo Trail Langkawi\n\n\n\n\nbyMalaysia Asia\n-March 31, 2021\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nOne of the latest eco-tourism places in Langkawi Island is the Kubang Badak BioGeo Trail, which is now branded as a bio-geosite that will help boost tourism here.\nWhile this area is still being developed as a tourist destination, some people call this the Kubang Badak Mangrove Reserve or just Kubang Badak.The best way to experience this place is by taking a legit mangrove tour from any reputable naturalist tour company.Kubang Badak BioGeo TrailThe beautiful scenery at Kubang Badak. Photo by\u00a0https://foreverbreak.com/First of all, how did this place get a name like this? Because Kubang Badak translates as a watering hole for a hippopotamus, they do not exist in this part of the world. More of this after this paragraph.If you did not know, Langkawi was awarded Unesco Global Geopark status in 2007, the first Global Geopark in Southeast Asia.\u00a0Langkawi Unesco Global Geopark comprises Machinchang Cambrian Geoforest Park, Kilim Karst Geoforest Park, Dayang Bunting Marble Geoforest Park and Kubang Badak BioGeo Trail.The entire area covers 490-hectares of mangrove swamps and mudflats, which was once home to Siamese settlers who came here 200 years ago.For those experiencing the BioGioTrail via boat, there are a total of 12 stops along this boat tour of Kubang Badak.Kubang Badak Name MythAccording to folklore, Kubang Badak is derived from a creature resembling and mighty rhino that protects the village from harm.Many think it may well have been a significant confusion a long time ago because a wallowing buffalo was probably supposed to be a rhino, hence the name Badak.View from the main jetty here.What is at Kubang Badak BioGeoTrail?I guess this would be one of the popular questions asked, and just to give you a heads up, the place is a mangrove area and offers several activities and things to see.Apart from the mangrove swamps and wildlife that thrives here, you also get to explore and see century-old charcoal kiln ruins from the Siamese era, see some ancient fossils, explore a bat cave and watch eagles.Pulau Jemuruk at Kubang Badak.Popular Areas at Kubang Badak BioGeo TrailPulau Jemuruk - Ability to spot million-year-old trilobites and fossilized extinct marine arthropods.Pulau Dangli - Rich marine and coral life.Tanjung Buta - Mangrove mudflaps, White quartz formations and nature trails.Pinang Cave - 6,000-year-old cave, home to over 10,000 bats, beautiful stalactite and stalagmite formations.Siamese Charcoal Kiln Ruins - Century-old historical site.A birdwatcher at Kubang Badak jetty.Apparently, the Langkawi Development Authority (LADA) and Langkawi Research Center spent over a year developing the bio-geo trail northeast of the island, including geographical, biological and cultural elements.This is, of course, for the benefit of tourism and enhancing the\u00a0Unesco Global Geopark status, which is the star of the island.There are also commercial activities available here like kayaking, snorkelling and visiting hot springs. Again, it all depends on what type of experience you are looking for when you come here.For me, my mission is to explore Kubang Badak BioGeo Trail for bird watching; as I was told, there are quite many shorebirds and mangrove birds to be spotted here.The location of the Kubang Badak BioGeoTrail.Where is Kubang Badak BioGeo Trail?The geosite is located in the northeast section of the island near Kubang Badak or Kampung Kubang Badak in Malay.It is also en route to places like Tanjung Rhu, Datai Bay, Temurun Waterfalls, Pasir Tengkorak and the Langkawi Craft Complex.From Pantai Cenang Mall, it will take you roughly around 30-minutes to drive here, while from Kuah Jetty or town, it will take you around 40-minutes to go here.The BioGeoTrail is located by Kampung Kubang Badak in Langkawi.How to go to Kubang Badak BioGeo Trail?\nTo get to the core of Kubang Badak BioGio Trail, you need to drive on Jalan Teluk Yu (Road 113), which you can connect from Jalan Pantai Kok near Telaga Harbour or from Pantai Cenang.Once you pass Kubang Badak village, look out for signs on the left that point you to the BioGio Trail or\u00a0Kubang Badak Mangrove Tour and Kayaking. Turn in and head towards the end of the road.If you are coming from Kuah, you will need to take Road 152 (Jalan Padang Gaong) passing Panorama Langkawi then turn right to Road 112 (Jalan Ulu Melaka).Drive to the end, where you will reach a roundabout, turn left to Road 113 (Jalan Teluk Yu) and head towards Kampung Kubang Badak and the signs.There is a free car park lot available at the main jetty area for self-driving here, and you can also use Waze or Google Maps to drive here.Kubang Badak seen from the air.What is the Best Way to Experience Kubang Badak BioGeoTrail?To be very honest, I would strongly recommend you engage a good tour service by one of the reputable tour companies in Langkawi.This way, they will arrange for everything, including transportation and guide service, to get here and back. With a nature guide, you will learn even much more while doing an ethical tour experience here.If you try to save on money by self-driving here and engaging a local guide, they will most likely take you on a general tour, including a non-ethical eagle feeding experience.For those who still prefer self-experience, the Kubang Badak BioGeo Trail starts at Jeti Kubang Badak, with an information booklet provided for visitors to navigate themselves.Boat tour prices start from RM250 to RM500 per person, depending on what kind of tour. Usually, the tour takes about three to four hours long.The main Kubang Badak jetty area.Recommended Place to Stay in LangkawiAs you will already know, Langkawi Island offers many accommodation types ranging from homestays to hotels to resorts; you may wonder which is recommended.Every time I visit Langkawi, I will make it a point to stay at the Tanjung Rhu Resort as it is located in the Northern since of the island with easy access to nature locations.If you are the type that needs to be in a busy area, then Pantai Cenang is your place to dwell. I would recommend Casa del Mar Resort as it is located at the end of the main street.Staying in Kuah town is not recommended as it is located too far from everything unless you have a shopping wish-list you need to achieve.The main arch entrance into Kubang Badak.ConclusionIf you are into the whole nature and eco-tourism thing, this is one of the recommended places to explore in Langkawi that is not over-crowded.Langkawi's Kubang Badak BioGio Trail is also highly recommended for nature lovers and possibly new bird-watching areas.\n\n\nTags\nKubang Badak\nKubang Badak BioGeo Trail\nLangkawi\nLangkawi Geopark\nMalaysia\nMalaysia Ecotourism\nMalaysia UNESCO Sites\nPlaces to Visit in Langkawi\nThings to do in Langkawi\n\n\n\n\n\nFacebook\nTwitter\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nShare:Kubang Badak BioGeo Trail Langkawi\n\n\nFacebook\nTwitter\nWhatsApp\nPinterest\nLinkedIn\nReddit\nTumblr\nTelegram\nEmail\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nMalaysia Asia\nBlogging since 2007, but writing online since 1997. I belong to the 1st generation of worldwide bloggers, which is of course old-school. \n\nSince 2008, I created Malaysia Asia and this travel, flood, gadget and lifestyle blog has won numerous physical awards from tourism boards around Malaysia. (Not those online awards).\n\nAfter 12 years of blogging, I have semi-retired and now blog about things I like, do product reviews and enjoy life. My work has been featured in Lonely Planet, CNN Travel, Yahoo Travel, Wall Street Journal, and many other international publications. Find out more about me and thank you.\n\n\n\n\nYou might like\nView all\n\n\n\n\n\n\n"}
{"url": "http://blog.malaysia-asia.my/2019/10/galaxy-note-10-plus-camera-review.html", "text": "\n\n\n\nHomeMalaysia\n\nGalaxy Note 10 Plus Camera Review\n\n\n\n\nbyMalaysia Asia\n-October 17, 2019\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nAfter testing the Samsung S10 Plus, I had the opportunity to do a Galaxy Note 10 Plus camera review here for the smartphone photography fans.\u00a0\n\n\n\nWell, to be honest, over the last five years or so, I took a back seat from smartphone reviews to focus on other tourism destination reviews, and only in this year 2019, I became active again.\u00a0\n\n\n\nYou see, I have been a smartphone user ever since the first iPhone 1 was launched, and then switched to the Samsung Note 1 when it was also launched; hence I have the experience dating back to those days.\u00a0\n\n\nGalaxy Note 10 Plus Camera Review\n\n\n\nA night mode photo of the Kuching Bridge, taken with the ultra-wide lens on the Galaxy Note 10 Plus\n\n\nWhile most people who review smartphones are from the current generation and only in the last five to seven years, I have been using and reviewing them since June of 2007.\u00a0\n\n\n\nSince I have been travelling for the last 30 years, a smartphone has always been one of my camera choices, dating back to 2007.\u00a0\n\n\n\nSo much has happened over the last 10 years in terms of technology that I now use my smartphone more frequently on my trips.\u00a0\n\n\n\nThis review of the Samsung Galaxy Note 10 Plus camera was done in late September 2019, and I explored Kuching City in Sarawak to test out the ultra-wide and night-mode of the camera.\u00a0\n\n\n\nYou should also know that I am not one of those tech-crazy reviewers who do a technical analysis of the phone, the processors, and all of those non-layman terms.\u00a0\n\n\n\n\nFoochow Kolo Beehoon in Kuching. The photo is taken with the food mode on the Galaxy Note 10\n\n\nMy style of review is simple, straightforward for general readers to understand. I guess not everyone wants to know how many cores the processor has or how much refresh rate the screen has.\n\n\n\nIf you want to know more technical specifications of the phone, the main Samsung website or other common reviews will have them, and I am sure you have seen a ton of them online.\u00a0\n\n\n\nSo, if you are a common user like me, who just wants to know more about what kind of photography can be achieved from the Note 10 Plus, then continue reading.\u00a0\u00a0\n\n\n\nPhotos from the\u00a0Galaxy Note 10 Plus Camera\n\n\n\nBelow is a series of photos from the Note 10 Plus taken during my trip to Kuching Sarawak from 27 to 30 September 2019.\u00a0\n\n\n\nPlease note that all the photos you see here are NOT EDITED; I just resized them and added my watermark for photo theft prevention. They were taken hand-held and without any tripod as well.\u00a0\n\n\n\nThe photos are also resized to fit this article, and if you want to see them in a larger picture, head over to my Facebook post on Galaxy Note 10 Plus photos.\u00a0\n\n\n\n\nThe Kuching signage along with Jalan Tunku Abdul Rahman. Taken with ultra-wide mode\n\n\n\nSarawak DUN building in Kuching City. Ultra-wide on normal photo mode\n\n\n\nKuching Waterfront in the day, taken with ultra-wide on standard photo mode\n\n\n\n\nThe Darul Hana Bridge over the Sarawak River. Ultra-wide on standard photo mode\n\n\n\nSarawak River by the Kuching Waterfront. Taken in an ultra-wide mode\n\n\n\nThe famous Kuching Cat Statue at Jalan Tunku Abdul Rahman. Ultra-wide shot\n\n\n\nKuching Jazz mural at the Majestic Hotel wall. Ultra-wide shot\n\nNight Mode Photos from the Galaxy Note 10 PlusBelow are random photos taken using the night mode and the ultra-wide lens on the Galaxy Note 10 Plus.\u00a0\n\n\n\nInside the Kuching Jazz Festival. Night mode and ultra-wide lens\n\n\n\nNing Baizura sings at the Kuching Jazz Festival 2019. Night mode shot\n\n\n\nThe White Baruk along with Jalan Tunku Abdul Rahman. Ultra-wide and night mode\u00a0\n\n\n\nKuching Parliament Building and the Darul Hana Bridge. Night mode and ultra-wide\n\n\n\nKuching Waterfront photo from the Darul Hana Bridge. Ultra-wide on night mode\u00a0\n\n\n\nMovement shot along Jalan Tun Abang Haji Openg. Night mode and ultra-wide\u00a0\n\n\n\nCat Statue in Kuching City. Ultra-wide on night mode\n\n\n\nThe Kuching signage lit up at night. Ultra-wide on Night Mode\n\n\n*Remember, all the photos above are unedited. I just resized them and added my watermark only.\u00a0\n\n\n\nConclusion\n\n\n\nTo be very honest, the\u00a0Galaxy Note 10 Plus and the Galaxy S10 Plus are equally identical with not much difference in the camera functions.\u00a0\n\n\n\nWhen the Note 10 Plus officially launched, they had three ultra-wide focal lengths, while the S10 Plus had only two.\n\n\n\nAnd after a major software update in October 2019 for the S10 Plus, both had similar functions for the camera.\u00a0\n\n\n\nYou can also read my camera review for the Galaxy S10 Plus, which also has unedited photos showing what that phone is capable of.\u00a0\n\n\n\n\nProbably my favourite shot featuring the Darul Hana Bridge and Sarawak DUN Building. Ultra-wide on photo mode\n\n\nTherefore, if you are going for casual use, I strongly recommend the Galaxy S10 Plus, and if you are using your phone for both business and leisure, the Galaxy Note 10 Plus is the phone to get.\u00a0\n\n\n\nFor more information, visit the official Samsung website\u00a0as they have everything you need to know about the phones and other products there.\u00a0\n\n\n\nI hope you enjoyed my Samsung Galaxy Note 10 Plus camera review, and if you have any comments or opinions, I would love to hear them below in the comment form.\n\n\n\nTags\nMalaysia\nMobilegraphy\nPhone Photography\nSamsung Galaxy\nSamsung Note 10\nSmartphone Review\nSmartphone Reviews\nTravel Smartphone\n\n\n\n\n\nFacebook\nTwitter\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nShare:Galaxy Note 10 Plus Camera Review\n\n\nFacebook\nTwitter\nWhatsApp\nPinterest\nLinkedIn\nReddit\nTumblr\nTelegram\nEmail\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nMalaysia Asia\nBlogging since 2007, but writing online since 1997. I belong to the 1st generation of worldwide bloggers, which is of course old-school. \n\nSince 2008, I created Malaysia Asia and this travel, flood, gadget and lifestyle blog has won numerous physical awards from tourism boards around Malaysia. (Not those online awards).\n\nAfter 12 years of blogging, I have semi-retired and now blog about things I like, do product reviews and enjoy life. My work has been featured in Lonely Planet, CNN Travel, Yahoo Travel, Wall Street Journal, and many other international publications. Find out more about me and thank you.\n\n\n\n\nYou might like\nView all\n\n\n\n\n\n\n"}
{"url": "http://blog.malaysia-asia.my/2021/09/unboxing-galaxy-z-flip3-5g-in-malaysia.html", "text": "\n\n\n\nHomeSamsung Galaxy\n\nUnboxing Galaxy Z Flip3 5G in Malaysia\n\n\n\n\nbyMalaysia Asia\n-September 11, 2021\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nFinally, I have come to a point where it is time that I showcased an unboxing video of my Galaxy Z Flip3 5G flip phone in Malaysia.Over the years, I have been an avid user of Samsung Galaxy smartphones, and never in my wildest dreams would I imagine myself using a folding smartphone and the Galaxy Z Flip3 5G.But September 2021 was the month that everything changed for me, and here is my video with a brief update on what's in the box.Unboxing Galaxy Z Flip3 5G in MalaysiaThe great news is that I received my folding smartphone in early September, right after the official launching during Galaxy Unpacked event held worldwide on 11 August 2021.And it took me a few days to get my mind wrapped around the idea of using a flip phone due to work commitments. Finally, I did the unboxing of my Galaxy Z Flip3 5G unit.Unfortunately, I do not love to appear in my own videos, as I am more of a behind the scenes kind of person.And you can also keep a lookout for my other Galaxy Z Flip3 5G videos on my Malaysia Asia YouTube channel.After opening the sealed box, this is what was inside the slip and stylish box.What's in the Box?The box comes as a slim unit, measuring 18.5 cm long x 9 cm wide x 2.7cm high. If you ask me, that is pretty small, but it's really sleek and stylish, appealing to today's lifestyle.And with the new move by phone companies, there is no charging unit included, only the type-c charging cable, so don't be surprised.Other contents include instructions and care for the Z Flip3 and a nice design sim card pin. That is all, and Samsung encourages you to reuse your previous smartphone charger.If you do not have a type-c charging unit, you need to purchase this separately from any Samsung authorised outlets.Starting the Galaxy Z Flip3 5G for the 1st time.The\u00a0Galaxy Z Flip3 5G Flip Phone.For now, I have not had much time to go out and explore the Galaxy Z Flip3 5G, but in the coming days, I should be testing it for multiple uses.You can also expect some photography reviews using the\u00a0Galaxy Z Flip3 5G as I tend to use smartphones for a lot of my nature, landscape and food shots.Overall, I will be publishing a series of reviews about this amazing flip phone, and it will be over the next one to two months. Some of the reviews will also be published on David Explores, my lifestyle blog.Took the\u00a0Galaxy Z Flip3 5G flip phone out for a nature photoshoot.ConclusionPlease visit the official\u00a0Samsung Malaysia website\u00a0for more information about this amazing flip phone slated to change how we use smartphones.To be very honest, the timing couldn't be better for me to convert from a conventional smartphone to a flip phone. I also hope you enjoyed my simple unboxing video of the Galaxy Z Flip3 5G flip phone in Malaysia.\n\n\nTags\nSamsung Galaxy\nSamsung Galaxy Z Flip\nSamsung Malaysia\nSmartphone Review\nSmartphone Reviews\n\n\n\n\n\nFacebook\nTwitter\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nShare:Unboxing Galaxy Z Flip3 5G in Malaysia\n\n\nFacebook\nTwitter\nWhatsApp\nPinterest\nLinkedIn\nReddit\nTumblr\nTelegram\nEmail\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nMalaysia Asia\nBlogging since 2007, but writing online since 1997. I belong to the 1st generation of worldwide bloggers, which is of course old-school. \n\nSince 2008, I created Malaysia Asia and this travel, flood, gadget and lifestyle blog has won numerous physical awards from tourism boards around Malaysia. (Not those online awards).\n\nAfter 12 years of blogging, I have semi-retired and now blog about things I like, do product reviews and enjoy life. My work has been featured in Lonely Planet, CNN Travel, Yahoo Travel, Wall Street Journal, and many other international publications. Find out more about me and thank you.\n\n\n\n\nYou might like\nView all\n\n\n\n\n\n\n"}
{"url": "http://blog.malaysia-asia.my/2020/05/galaxy-z-flip-review-malaysia.html", "text": "\n\n\n\nHomeSamsung\n\nGalaxy Z Flip Review Malaysia\n\n\n\n\nbyMalaysia Asia\n-May 23, 2020\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nI never imagined that I would actually be doing a review for the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip smartphone, especially when we have been going through the Covid-19 pandemic here.Anyway, since I cannot travel anywhere, and I assume everyone else cannot travel since the 18th March 2020, I have resorted to a general review based on my daily use.Review of Galaxy Z Flip in MalaysiaBefore I start, I wanted to say that my first impression of this was going back to the good old days of the flip mobile phones in the mid-90s. If you come from my era, you would remember those days.With the review and for your info, this is the second series of folding phones created by Samsung, and the first was the Samsung Galaxy Fold which was announced in October 2019.In January 2020, I received one unit, and I did a complete review of the Galaxy Fold smartphone minus the technical jargon. You know how some techies love to throw in all those big and unexplainable words.Anyhow, it is now May 2020, and I was handed the all-new Samsung Galaxy Z Flip along with the Galaxy S20 Ultra 5G to test out.The Petronas Twin Towers in Kuala Lumpur were photographed with the\u00a0Galaxy Z Flip.It is not easy to test out two phones at once; hence I only put my focus on the Z Flip for now, and possibly by the end of May, I will test out the S20 Ultra 5G.Well, it has been two weeks since I have been using the Galaxy Z Flip, and so far, everything has been great apart from the minor pros and cons I have experienced as a general user.Honestly, I would love to take the flip phone on one of my working trips into the rainforest, where I can fully test the capabilities of this little beauty.But we all know that travel and tourism are a total shutdown because of the Covid-19 pandemic; hence, I just use them daily.The all-new Galaxy Z Flip folding smartphone.What I Liked About the Galaxy Z Flip?Honestly, I could write all good things here, just like others who say only nice things to continue to get products and so on. Well, that is not me, so I choose to be honest and neutral.1. The whole concept of the phone being able to flip into a compact case with a 7.5 cm size totally blew my mind away. This is coming from a guy, so imagine it coming from a woman's point of view.2. It's nifty, sleek, and yet functional as a conventional smartphone with split-screen functions. The two 4-inch split screens can do wonders depending on the apps you are running.3. The 90 degrees unfold is super cool, especially when multi-tasking with the split screens. Even when taking photos, I find the angle very steady with the base at your palm.\u00a04. Hands-free video chat is something I never expected to be so cool. I can just leave the phone on a table and chat with friends while doing something else.\u00a05. Privacy! Yes, this is one of the perks when using the flip. When you are with strangers, you need not worry about prying eyes when you activate your phone to see messages or those random Whatsapp images being sent. You can casually unflip it to a certain degree to see private photos or messages.6. The mini cover screen is so cute; you can just see the basic notifications show up while the phone is folded. It's cool, but I wish it would be a tad larger.The accessories that come along with the flip phone.\u00a0What I Disliked About the Galaxy Z Flip?\u00a0Of course, there will be things that I disliked when using the flip phone, and hopefully, the people in Samsung will read this and take note.1. The biggest letdown for me was that the battery was quick to go down, and this was based on my regular usage minus streaming or social media.I had to plug it in for a quick charge by the evening, so it will last through the night. So I did another test where I avoided using the flip as regularly as possible, and the battery lasted the entire day. This means that if you are a heavy user, you may want to carry along a power bank just in case.2. The top part of the flip tends to heat up quite a bit. Yes, when I constantly used the flip for some minor gaming, emails, and WhatsApp altogether, the back of the top portion gets a little hot. I can understand why the larger portion of the battery is placed there, and it is because when you use the phone, the bottom portion will be in your palm, so it does not heat up in your palm.3. The screen is still a little small for me. Yes, after being used to the S10 Plus, the Galaxy Z Flip's screen shrunk slightly. Perhaps they could consider a larger sized flip for bigger palm users like me?4. The crease between the fold still gets to me. I know they have improved it a lot compared to the first folding phone, but somehow when my fingers slide through the crease, it kind of bugs me.5. Not a lot of apps support multi-active windows or split-screen functions. Perhaps soon, we will see more of this.6. The top flip of the phone does tend to heat up a little if I continuously take photos of videos which is a little uncomfortable.Testing The Camera and the ZoomOne of the things I did was test out the camera of the Galaxy Z Flip, and it is actually quite straightforward to use. There is no rocket science as it is just a standard basic camera setup.\u00a0However, the photos tend to break up a little; hence, it is best not to fully zoom for photos. Just three-quarters of the zoom would be sufficient.Take a look at three photos I took with different focal zooms below, and they were not edited at all, just resized for this article.\u00a0Hanuman statue at Batu Caves on normal focal length.Hanuman statue on half zoom.Hanuman's face is on the full zoom of the camera. Notice the image breaking.Galaxy Z Flip SpecificationsThe phone opens up to a 6.7-inch infinity flex display and operates a simple triple camera system. This is not the high-end camera that is available on other supreme models.\u00a0The memory comes with an 8GB Ram, which is pretty cool and an internal 256GB storage. The battery is 3,33mAh dual style, and the overall operating system or OS is Android 10.The flip phone uses two types of sim cards which are an eSim and a nano sim. Other than that, most of the specifications are generally up-to-date ones found in most newer models.If you really are a tech geek or a self-proclaimed smartphone guru and want to know every little detail of the flip phone, you can check it out at the Samsung Malaysia website.The Sim card slot on the flip phone.How Many Times Can The Galaxy Z Flip Fold?Many ask a common question as there is some concern or worry in the number of times a person will flip or fold the phone.Well, the unofficial number stated was 200,000 times, and this was answered by one of the people in Samsung during the official launch in the USA.This means that if you flip your phone open and close 30 times a day, it will last you a good 6,666 days or 18 years in total. How about that?How Many Colors Are Available for the Galaxy Z Flip?There are three main colours available for the Malaysian market: Mirror Black, Mirror Purple, and Mirror Gold.The unit that I am testing is the Mirror Black colour, and it looks straightforward. It feels more for those non-colourful people or those in the corporate world.The Mirror Purple and Gold are very vibrant and seem to cater to the younger or more outstanding people.The flip phone is in a Mirror Gold colour.When was the Galaxy Z Flip Launched?\u00a0Officially, it was launched in San Francisco on the 11th of February 2020. It was launched on the main Samsung website in Malaysia, but it is yet to be officially launched.However, pre-bookings can be done through the main Samsung website for anyone interested.How Much is the Galaxy Z Flip in Malaysia?Right now, the recommended retail price for the Galaxy Z Flip is RM5,888, and if you buy this direct from Samsung, you will get some additional perks.Where to Buy the Galaxy Z Flip in Malaysia?For now, the Galaxy Z Flip is available for pre-order from Samsung Malaysia, and you can get more information from the Samsung website.Is it Worth Getting the Galaxy Z Flip in Malaysia?\u00a0I leave this entirely up to you. If you are a practical person, I suggest you go with the Galaxy S10 Plus, Note 10 Plus, or even the Galaxy S20 series.\u00a0If you are a gadget freak and love to be in the limelight, then the Galaxy Z Flip is right up your alley. Especially if you love compact gadgets as this flip phone sits perfectly in bags and pockets.ConclusionAs smartphones get more interesting and creative, I find Samsung leading the way in today's technological world. Yes, other brands may be equally advanced, but it is Samsung that impresses.Right now, the Galaxy Z Flip has gained a lot of attention in the world, with the ability to flip a smartphone into a pocket-sized gadget that fits just about anywhere.\n\n\nTags\nSamsung\nSamsung Flip\nSamsung Galaxy\nSamsung Galaxy Reviews\nSamsung Galaxy Z Flip\nSamsung Malaysia\nSamsung Z Flip\nSmartphone\nSmartphone Review\nSmartphone Reviews\nTravel Smartphone\n\n\n\n\n\nFacebook\nTwitter\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nShare:Galaxy Z Flip Review Malaysia\n\n\nFacebook\nTwitter\nWhatsApp\nPinterest\nLinkedIn\nReddit\nTumblr\nTelegram\nEmail\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nMalaysia Asia\nBlogging since 2007, but writing online since 1997. I belong to the 1st generation of worldwide bloggers, which is of course old-school. \n\nSince 2008, I created Malaysia Asia and this travel, flood, gadget and lifestyle blog has won numerous physical awards from tourism boards around Malaysia. (Not those online awards).\n\nAfter 12 years of blogging, I have semi-retired and now blog about things I like, do product reviews and enjoy life. My work has been featured in Lonely Planet, CNN Travel, Yahoo Travel, Wall Street Journal, and many other international publications. Find out more about me and thank you.\n\n\n\n\nYou might like\nView all\n\n\n\n\n\n\n"}
{"url": "http://blog.malaysia-asia.my/2022/06/weirdest-and-strangest-onsen-in-japan.html", "text": "\n\n\n\nHomeJapan\n\nWeirdest and Strangest Onsen in Japan\n\n\n\n\nbyMalaysia Asia\n-June 09, 2022\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nMany of us are familiar with the Japanese Onsen or hot springs, found extensively all over Japan. They can be experienced in snow-capped mountains, forests, the seaside, and city areas.The Onsen is also\none of the must-try experiences for anyone visiting Japan, and you can choose one based on your budget.Onsens or hot springs date back hundreds of years when local\nJapanese used them for baths and mainly for health purposes due to the mineral-rich properties of the waters produced by the hot springs.There are over a few\nthousand Onsen found all over Japan, but some of them tend to stand\nout due to their uniqueness, and here is the weirdest and strangest Onsen in Japan.Weirdest and Strangest Onsen in JapanJapanese Onsen is highly popular among locals and foreigners.A unique Japanese Onsen is found at the Yunessun Spa Resort, located in the Hakone district of Japan.\u00a0This place is also not too\nfar from the capital of Tokyo, which is southwest and is a two-hour train ride\nto experience Japan\u2019s weirdest Onsen.Yunessun Spa Resort is a highly popular destination for many local\nJapanese and foreigners, mainly because this resort operates as an Onsen and a fully serviced resort that is also branded as a Hot\nSpring Paradise.The Yunessun Onsen Spa & Resort in Hakone, Kanagawa.The place offers a mini water park, outdoor swimming pools, themed\nindoor pools, outdoor spas, scenic landscapes and the main attraction - The\nunique flavoured Onsen.In total, there are 23 hot spring baths found at\nYunessun.\u00a0Among the unique Onsen here, they have four mind-blowing types and are a must-try for anyone visiting.These unique\nOnsen are known as beautifying baths that have properties to help with skin\ncomplexion.For serious hard core coffee lovers, a strange coffee onsen is just for you.Coffee OnsenKnown as the first of its kind in Japan, the Coffee Onsen comprises coarse coffee brewed in the low temperatures of hot spring\nwater.People bathe here for the extraordinary healing properties of fatigue\nand skin beautification, which means that many women are seen at this coffee onsen.Photos of the Coffee Onsen from the Yunessun website.Coffee is added three times daily to the Onsen, which is at 9.30\nAM, 12.30 PM, and 3.30 PM and the coffee is provided by M.M.C Mitsumoto Coffee\nof Japan.So if you are up for a Coffee Onsen for beautifying your skin, this\nis the hot spring to go to, and you are reminded not to drink the coffee water\nhere.The weird red wine Onsen with a large bottle pouring wine into the hot spring. Photo\u00a0Pamso\u00a0on Flickr.Red Wine OnsenWine baths have been known from the ancient Egyptian days of\nCleopatra when it was known to rejuvenate the skin, and now you too can do\nthis at Yunessun by soaking yourself at the unique Red Wine Onsen here. The\nwine that is used in this hot spring is also the famous Hakone Red Wine.Inside the indoor wine onsen photos from the Yunessun Spa.There is two wine onsen found here, one indoor and one outdoors, and it is highly popular from Spring to Autumn. A super-sized 3.6-meter red wine\nbottle is fixed next to the Onsen and is seen pouring wine into the hot spring.Occasionally, the staff will pour red wine from a bottle\ninto the hot spring, and often plastic cups are provided for guests to take\nsome of the red wine and drink it.The wine is added three times a day at\n10.00 AM, 1.30 PM and 4.00 PM. Again, you are reminded not to drink the\nOnsen water here.A couple enjoying the Sake Onsen at Yunessun.Sake OnsenTruly Japanese, the Sake Onsen is highly popular among the locals due to the said properties of removing age spots and freckles from the skin, as\nthe Sake minimizes the production of melanin. Sake is also said to help boost\nthe immune system and prevent specific allergies.Some advice is not to submerge your head into the Sake or swim in it\nas the sake water will sting your eyes. The trick here is to just sit in the\ntub and enjoy the sake water. It is not fully 100% sake but diluted with normal\nhot spring water, but you can still taste the Sake.The unique Green Tea Onsen at Yunessun. Photo\u00a0Pamso\u00a0on Flickr.Green Tea OnsenGreen tea has been known to beautify skin, boost\nskin health and immune system, and improve blood circulation, hence this\nunique Japanese green tea or Ocha Onsen.The colour of the hot spring is\nvividly green, and the water is set at 42 degrees centigrade, making this Onsen\none of the prevalent ones.The green tea leaves are plucked from the Tanzawa and Hakone\nMountains, where they are grown. Green tea is also known to contain\nantioxidants called catechins that protect cells and also keep skin looking\nyounger. This Onsen is also an outdoor type and is highly popular in winter.Kids enjoying themselves at the chocolate bath in Yunessun.Other Strange Onsen at YunessunWell, there are more types of Onsen and baths found here,\nincluding a Syrup Onsen bath, Chocolate Onsen, and Orange Peel Onsen, just to name a\nfew.At the end of the day, this unique hot spring resort will provide\nyou with a one-of-a-kind experience, where you will be taking photos\nand sharing them on your social media.The place is worth a visit and can be done solo, even as\na family or group travel. You can spend at least a day or two here and visit some beautiful sightseeing spots around Hakone.Tattoo\u2019s on people must be covered up, or you will not be allowed at the Onsen.Rules for using the OnsenAll over Japan, there are some strict rules for Onsen usage, which vary at different Onsen all over the country. One of the most stringent rules\nis the no tattoo ruling, where many Onsen does not allow those with tattoos to\nutilize them.However, these can be overcome by covering up with a surfing type\nhalf-body suit or rash guard so that your tattoo is not visible. If you have a\ntattoo, please ensure it is covered up before entering any public\nOnsen. Private Onsen is different, where you can go stark naked if you like.If you disobey the rules, the staff will simply ask you to leave the\nOnsen, which would ruin your day, so it is best to always check on the Onsen\nrules before you book or visit one. This applies to almost all Onsen throughout\nJapan.However, a handful of Onsen will allow tattooed\npeople in, but you need to look for them if you are heavily tattooed.Map showing where Yunessun Onsen is located.Where Is Yunessun Onsen?Yunessun Onsen Spa and Resort is located in the Hakone district of\nKanagawa in, Japan. It is also in the southwest area of Tokyo, and to get\nhere, there are train services which take one and a half to two hours from\nTokyo City.The fastest way is by taking the Tokaido-Sanyo Shinkansen bullet\ntrain from Tokyo Station to Odawara and then taking the bus from Odawara Station\nto the Yunessanzen Bus Stop, which takes another 35 minutes. Once you reach the\nstop, you can just walk for one minute to the Onsen.Here are some directions to Yunessun from Tokyo. Image from Yunessun website.For foreigners wanting to travel here, you can take the train\nservice, as this would be the most accessible mode of transport to get here. You can\ntake the trains directly from the Haneda and Narita Airports in Tokyo.Otherwise, you can also rent a car and self-drive here from Tokyo,\nwhich will take around one hour and forty-five minutes. This way, you\ncan experience the local towns and a scenic journey here.The indoor public pool at Yunessun Resort and Spa.Hakone Kowakien Yunessun AddressAddress: 1297 Ninotaira, Hakone-machi, Ashigarashimo-gun,\nKanagawa-ken 250-0407 JapanTel from Japan: 0460-82-4126Tel from abroad: +81 460-82-4126Website: Yunessun Onsen ResortConclusionIf you have wanted to experience the Onsen in Japan, you now have the opportunity to go one step further and try some of the weirdest and strangest Onsen in Japan.This article is created for anyone planning to visit Japan after the country opened up in June 2022, since locking down during Covid 19.\n\n\nTags\nJapan\nJapan Onsen\nJapan Travel Malaysia\nJNTO\nJNTO Malaysia\nKanagawa\nPlaces to visit in Japan\nThings to do in Japan\nTokyo\nVisit Japan 2022\n\n\n\n\n\nFacebook\nTwitter\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nShare:Weirdest and Strangest Onsen in Japan\n\n\nFacebook\nTwitter\nWhatsApp\nPinterest\nLinkedIn\nReddit\nTumblr\nTelegram\nEmail\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nMalaysia Asia\nBlogging since 2007, but writing online since 1997. I belong to the 1st generation of worldwide bloggers, which is of course old-school. \n\nSince 2008, I created Malaysia Asia and this travel, flood, gadget and lifestyle blog has won numerous physical awards from tourism boards around Malaysia. (Not those online awards).\n\nAfter 12 years of blogging, I have semi-retired and now blog about things I like, do product reviews and enjoy life. My work has been featured in Lonely Planet, CNN Travel, Yahoo Travel, Wall Street Journal, and many other international publications. Find out more about me and thank you.\n\n\n\n\nYou might like\nView all\n\n\n\n\n\n\n"}
{"url": "http://blog.malaysia-asia.my/2020/03/yanaka-ginza-all-you-need-to-know.html", "text": "\n\n\n\nHomeGinza\n\nYanaka Ginza, All You Need To Know\n\n\n\n\nbyMalaysia Asia\n-March 24, 2020\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nWhen I first heard about Yanaka Ginza, I assumed it would be located in the central Ginza district of Tokyo, and I was so wrong.\n\n\n\nMost travellers to Japan would have never heard of this timeless part of Tokyo, which has been around since 1945 and has mostly stayed the same.\u00a0\n\n\n\nSo, you only visit Tokyo and want to explore some of the best non-touristic places around this metropolis. In that case, Yanaka Ginza is a highly recommended place to visit for a day trip.\n\nYanaka Ginza, All You Need To Know\n\n\n\nYanaka Ginza is one of the most characteristic streets in Tokyo.\n\n\nSince I started visiting Tokyo in 1990, I've been to most of the commercial and non-commercial places all over this mega-metropolis.\n\n\n\nWhy? Because I used to work in Tokyo from 1990 to 1992, I had my fair share of exploring the capital of Japan back in those days, which has been 30 years now.\u00a0\n\n\n\nHowever, while working and living here, I never once visited Yanaka Ginza, though I had heard about this place. Most of my explorations were in the central districts of Tokyo.\n\n\n\nThen after multiple visits to Tokyo over the last three decades, I finally made it a mission to check out Yanaka Ginza in March of 2019.\n\n\n\nThis shopping street started back in 1945, just after the second world war and has seen various changes throughout the decades.\n\nIt has also been a famous neighbourhood shopping street for those living nearby, catering to essential daily needs.\u00a0\n\n\n\nIn the 1990s, some improvement was made to Yanaka Ginza with a mission to become a famous shopping street for everyone, namely the local Tokyo people and international visitors.\n\n\n\nOver the years, Yanaka Ginza has been known as one of Tokyo's \"Shitamachi\" or old town districts. The overall outlook of this place is still very original, with a rustic old town ambience.\n\n\n\nA Google Map of Yanaka Ginza shows some of the businesses there.\n\n\nWhy is this place called Yanaka Ginza?\u00a0\n\n\nThe area is called Yanaka, and the word Ginza was added for prestige, and the central Ginza district is 25 minutes by train from here.\u00a0\n\n\n\nHistory states that back in the old days, there was only one main shopping street in Tokyo: Ginza. Throughout time, some other shopping streets began to add \"Ginza\" to their name.\n\n\n\nThis was because they wanted status in their shopping street name; hence Yanaka Ginza was born. So, again, this is located outside the Ginza district, that everyone may think.\u00a0\n\n\n\nThe location of Yanaka Ginza is seen in a Goole Map of Tokyo. Note the major districts on the map.\n\nWhere is Yanaka Ginza?\n\n\nFirst of all, it is not in the main Ginza area or district, but it is located in the area of Yanaka in the Taito City part of Tokyo and near Ueno.\n\n\n\nThe name sounds confusing, and it was explained above why the word 'Ginza' was incorporated into this area.\n\nWhat to see in Yanaka Ginza?\n\n\nThe main attraction here is the old and nostalgic Tokyo shopping street feel, where the streets look like they have been trapped in time since 75 years ago.\u00a0\n\n\n\nVisitors will experience a natural setting of a narrow shopping street that is non-covered and from the old days, with no modern buildings, no 24-hour convenient stores, Starbucks or any modern fast food.\n\n\n\nOne of the nostalgic Japanese beauty saloon shops was spotted at Yanaka Ginza.\n\n\n\nWalking here, you see primarily local Japanese and the occasional Caucasians or Asians around as this is not a regular high tourist area.\n\n\n\nIf you wanted to know how things were before Tokyo became modern, Yanaka Ginza is one of the best examples.\u00a0\n\n\n\nShop vendors are all locals who grew up here and sell a variety of daily necessities ranging from dried food and seafood to ready-cooked meals for takeaway.\n\n\n\nThere are about 65 businesses located along the main Yanaka Ginza shopping street and a lot more in the surrounding areas.\n\nI have another article listing some of the most popular things you can see, eat and do in Yanaka Ginza.\n\n\n\nThe busy scene along the main shopping street.\n\n\nWhen is the best time to visit Yanaka Ginza?\u00a0\n\n\nAnytime is a good time, but I recommend coming here in the Spring and Summer months from March to August when the weather is good. Most vendors will be active, except during winter.\u00a0\n\n\n\nOverall, you can visit this place anytime throughout the year but know fewer open-aired vendors will be seen during winter.\n\n\n\nIf you plan to come on a weekend, you should expect large crowds here, and some of the businesses require you to line up to buy things.\u00a0\n\n\n\nThe best time to visit Yanaka Ginza would still be a weekday, but avoid Monday as several businesses tend to close.\u00a0\n\nHow long to spend at Yanaka Ginza?\u00a0\n\nIt takes at least one to two hours unless you plan to visit every store and try every restaurant and cafe here. For my trip here, I spent about two hours walking the main street and the many other smaller roads and alleys around here.\n\nTo fully experience Yanaka Ginza and Yomise Dori, the main street at the western entrance, you may need at least two to three hours of walking.\n\n\n\nSome of the local Japanese takeaway food is sold on the street.\n\n\nWhat to Eat and Drink at Yanaka Ginza?\u00a0\n\n\nA tricky question, but I managed to explore the entire main street to find that there are several small restaurants, cafes, and even Indian food found at Yanaka Ginza.\n\n\n\nFor food, I recommend trying the local Japanese hawkers or those selling bites along the street. A lot of deep-fried food is sold at these vendors.\n\n\n\nOne of the recommended and famous street food in Yanaka Ginza is the meat croquet or 'Menchi Katsu', which you often need to line up to buy them.\n\n\n\nAs you enter through the west entrance of Yanaka Ginza, there is a corner shop that sells ready-packed Japanese dishes. You can just buy what you need, find a spot to sit down and have a quick meal on the go.\n\n\n\nFor coffee, one place is Yanaka Coffee, located along Yomise Dori shopping street from the west entrance.\u00a0They serve some authentic roast coffee and have a vast selection of beans worldwide.\n\n\n\nThe west entrance to Yanaka Ginza. The arch is your indicator of the shopping street.\n\n\nHow long is Yanaka Ginza shopping street?\u00a0\n\n\nThe main street is the core area of Yanaka Ginza and is 170 meters (557 feet) long. But the general surrounding area is much more than that.\u00a0\n\n\n\nIf you total the entire area, you can explore this beautiful rustic Japanese shopping street for at least an hour.\u00a0\n\nPhotos of Yanaka Ginza Street\n\n\nBelow are a series of photos taken along the main Yanaka Ginza street and also the surrounding areas. I used an Olympus OM-D EM-1 Mark II camera for all my images, which are resized.\n\n\n\n\n\nRoadside vendors are seen near the Yuyake Dandan stairs.\n\u00a0\n\n\n\nA Japanese couple is seen selling some of their items by the road.\n\n\n\n\n\nA local souvenir shop sells all kinds of traditional Japanese things.\n\n\n\n\n\nA second-hand kimono and yukata shop sells them for really low prices.\n\n\n\n\n\nZakuro Bazar is a unique art and craft shop at Yanaka Ginza.\n\n\n\n\n\nStreet vendors along the way to the Nippori Station.\n\n\n\n\n\nA fresh seafood shop that has been here for decades.\n\n\n\n\n\nOne of the many clothing boutiques along the shopping street.\n\n\n\n\n\nVarious souvenirs are sold at one of the shops.\n\u00a0\n\n\n\nA florist shop along the main street of Yanaka Ginza.\n\n\n\n\n\nOne of the older shops that sell a bit of everything.\n\n\nHow to go to Yanaka Ginza?\n\n\nTokyo Metro: To get here, you need to take two Tokyo Metro trains, and it only takes around 30 minutes, much less than most parts of Tokyo.\u00a0\n\n\n\nTake any Tokyo Metro subway train to the Otemachi Station, and from here, take the Chiyoda Line (Light Green) to Sendagi Station.\n\n\n\nExit the station and walk left towards the Bunkyo Sendagi Post Office; turn in there and walk to the end, and you will appear outside the Yanaka Ginza West Entrance. The walk is around five minutes.\n\n\n\nThe exit at Yushima Station near Yanaka Ginza.\n\n\n\n\nYamanote Line: Alternatively, you can take the Yamanote line from any major station around Tokyo and stop at Nippori Station. From the station, take the west exit, then head across the Shimogoinden Bridge.\u00a0\n\n\n\nHead along the main street, passing a cemetery on your left. Walk for 200 meters until you find a large flight of stairs leading down the road, and Yanaka Ginza is in front of you. In total, it takes about five minutes to walk here.\n\n\n\nYanaka Ginza Address:\n\n3-13-1 Yanaka, Taito-Ku, Tokyo\n\nHours: 10.00 AM to 6.00 PM\n\nWeb: http://www.yanakaginza.com/\n\n\n\nYanaka Ginza is seen from the east entrance.\n\n\nConclusion\n\n\nThe next time you visit Tokyo and have some extra time, you should consider visiting Yanaka Ginza as it takes a little time, plus it would be something totally different.\n\n\n\nOverall, it should take around two to three hours to travel here, walk around, take photos and continue exploring Tokyo.\n\n\n\nYanaka Ginza is genuinely off the beaten path and reminds us what Tokyo used to look like a long time ago.\n\n\nTags\nGinza\nJapan\nJapan Tourism\nJNTO\nPlaces to visit in Japan\nPlaces to Visit in Tokyo\nTokyo\nVisit Japan\n\n\n\n\n\nFacebook\nTwitter\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nShare:Yanaka Ginza, All You Need To Know\n\n\nFacebook\nTwitter\nWhatsApp\nPinterest\nLinkedIn\nReddit\nTumblr\nTelegram\nEmail\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nMalaysia Asia\nBlogging since 2007, but writing online since 1997. I belong to the 1st generation of worldwide bloggers, which is of course old-school. \n\nSince 2008, I created Malaysia Asia and this travel, flood, gadget and lifestyle blog has won numerous physical awards from tourism boards around Malaysia. (Not those online awards).\n\nAfter 12 years of blogging, I have semi-retired and now blog about things I like, do product reviews and enjoy life. My work has been featured in Lonely Planet, CNN Travel, Yahoo Travel, Wall Street Journal, and many other international publications. Find out more about me and thank you.\n\n\n\n\nYou might like\nView all\n\n\n\n\n\n\n"}
{"url": "http://blog.malaysia-asia.my/2020/11/piasau-nature-reserve-in-miri.html", "text": "\n\n\n\nHomeBird Watching\n\nPiasau Nature Reserve in Miri\n\n\n\n\nbyMalaysia Asia\n-November 07, 2020\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nIf there is one place that offers a nature experience\nclose to a city, it is here at the Piasau Nature Reserve in Miri, Sarawak.Once known as the home to the international oil\ncompany Shell, Piasau was a private property that housed many of the oil and gas\nhigh ranking staff.This all was let go in early 2013, and all 93.65\nhectares was taken over by the Sarawak Forestry Department.Piasau Nature Reserve in MiriMy bird guide checking for birds at the nature reserveThe local Mirian's call this place PNR and is highly\npopular among those wanting to trek or jog around the reserve as facilities are\nvery up to date while the place is very safe.You can the best of both worlds for vegetation in one place where you find a sandy beach vegetation area on the coast, and on the inner side, you experience a coastal forest.However, one thing that stands out here is also bird\nwatching, which I personally have done numerous times at the Piasau Nature\nReserve.I would easily say that the best time to come here for\nbird watching is around 7.00 AM or around 4.00 PM to sunset.In total, you can expect anywhere from 25 to 30\nspecies of birds spotted on a\u00a0 good day.\nTo me, I managed to spot around 12 species in one hour of the morning.Trails at Piasau Nature ReserveWhat one of the trails look like hereThere are only two main trails found here, and the\nmaster is the Faridah Loop which goes around the park for 2.1km.The second trail is called the Community Trail, 900 meters and goes into the light shrubs. One thing you need to look out\nfor is snakes along this trail.Biodiversity at Piasau Nature ReserveThe rangers station and other biodiversity project areas herePNR is actually located by the coastline of Miri and\nthere were studies and research done to find out that there is a total of 107\nflora and 75 fauna species studied here.For a nature reserve just 10 minutes from a city, this\nwas rather impressive and even gave more encouragement to promote this place\nnot only to locals but also to visitors to Miri.Pied Hornbills Conservation at Piasau Nature ReserveThe\u00a0Piasau Nature Reserve Hornbill ProjectOne of the resident Oriental Pied Hornbills seen on a tree hereThe entire bird watching thing here kind of grew\nbecause of thanks to the Oriental Pied Hornbill couples that have been roosting\nhere since 2005.To date, there has been a total of seven pairs of Pied\nHornbills that have made PNR their home and successfully breeding offspring.You can get more detailed information from this\nofficial website about the Pied Hornbill Conservation at Piasau Nature Reserve.Bird Watching at\u00a0Piasau Nature ReserveOne of the common birds spotted at PiasauA\u00a0Pink Neck Green Pigeon spotted in PiasauAn Asian Glossy StarlingThis is also one of the highlights for birders visiting Miri, as you can easily do some bird watching here in Piasau.If you did not already know, this place has been a local favourite for bird watching for a long time now. And personally, I have been here three times to do bird watching.On my last birding trip to Piasau, I managed to spot about 23 species of birds, including the local Pied Hornbills. Most of the birds are common to some uncommon local lowland birds.Of course, the best time to do this would be in the mornings or evenings, and if you need a bird guide, you can always ask me, and I will recommend someone local here.A map showing where\u00a0Piasau Nature Reserve is located atWhere is Piasau Nature Reserve in Miri?The surprising part is that PNR is located only 10\nminutes north of the centre of Miri City and that is with mild traffic too.It is truly the closest nature reserve in all of\nMalaysia, where you have one in a city area. How cool is that?For those without a vehicle, you can probably book a\nGrab to the nature reserve and also back as it is in the city area.Directions to\u00a0Piasau Nature Reserve in Miri, SarawakHow to go to Piasau Nature Reserve? Basically, you can go on your own by taking Grab or\nrenting a car to self-drive around. This option is for those who want to go\njogging or running there.However, if you are going purely for bird watching, I\nwould recommend you book up a bird guide that can lead you to the correct\nspots.Some birds are spotted with the moon in the backgroundConclusionFor anyone visiting Miri, you should know that if you\nare strapped for time, you can still take a couple of hours and visit this\nnature reserve.Piasau Nature Reserve in Miri is so close to the city\nthat you can be there and back before breakfast and the best part is that you\ncan go for your nature walks or grounding within a short time.\n\n\nTags\nBird Watching\nBird Watching in Sarawak\nMalaysia Bird Watching\nMiri\nPiasau Nature Reserve\nPlaces to Visit in Miri\nSarawak\nSarawak Bird Watching\nThings to do in Miri\nWhat to do in Miri\n\n\n\n\n\nFacebook\nTwitter\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nShare:Piasau Nature Reserve in Miri\n\n\nFacebook\nTwitter\nWhatsApp\nPinterest\nLinkedIn\nReddit\nTumblr\nTelegram\nEmail\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nMalaysia Asia\nBlogging since 2007, but writing online since 1997. I belong to the 1st generation of worldwide bloggers, which is of course old-school. \n\nSince 2008, I created Malaysia Asia and this travel, flood, gadget and lifestyle blog has won numerous physical awards from tourism boards around Malaysia. (Not those online awards).\n\nAfter 12 years of blogging, I have semi-retired and now blog about things I like, do product reviews and enjoy life. My work has been featured in Lonely Planet, CNN Travel, Yahoo Travel, Wall Street Journal, and many other international publications. Find out more about me and thank you.\n\n\n\n\nYou might like\nView all\n\n\n\n\n\n\n"}
{"url": "http://blog.malaysia-asia.my/2020/05/samsung-myshootlikeapro-mobile.html", "text": "\n\n\n\nHomeContest\n\nSamsung #MYShootLikeAPro Mobile Photography Contest\n\n\n\n\nbyMalaysia Asia\n-May 15, 2020\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nIf you have been waiting for a smartphone photography contest all this while, then you are in luck as you can now join the Samsung #MYShootLikeAPro mobile photography contest.This contest is open to all Malaysians and runs from 21st April to 18th May, and all you need is to take photos with your Samsung smartphones. It does not matter which model you use, but it needs to be a Samsung smartphone.Samsung #MYShootLikeAPro Mobile Photography ContestIt has been a while since there was an official smartphone photo contest, and this time around, Samsung is leading the way in this category.After many years of smartphone technology getting better, more and more people are ditching their conventional cameras for this.Even I have been using my smartphone for a lot of my photography and also videography. You can check out my Samsung Galaxy S10 Plus camera review article.I also managed to play around with the new Note 10 Plus, where I did a food review with the Galaxy Note 10 Plus.\u00a0As for the current contest prizes, there are some pretty amazing giveaways for the winners, and you may even be tempted to join.What Are The Prizes?\u00a0Grand prize winners will be rewarded with a Galaxy S20 UltraRunner up winners x 2 will receive a Galaxy S20 eachWeekly prizes up for grabs over the four weeks will receive a Galaxy Fit-eHow To Join?This is the big question many will ask, and below is how you can join this smartphone photography contest by Samsung.\u00a0Follow the official @SamsungMalaysia Instagram account and ensure your Instagram account is set to publicTake a picture(s) based on the weekly theme using any Samsung phoneUpload your image submission(s) onto your Instagram profile, include the hashtags #MYShootLikeAPro #withGalaxy #SamsungPhoneModel (eg #GalaxyS20) and tag @SamsungMalaysiaTag 2 friends on your post, ensure your friends follow @SamsungMalaysia on Instagram, and ensure that their accounts are set to \u2018public\u2019 tooThis photo was taken at the Lake Gardens in KL with a Samsung Galaxy S10 Plus.Samsung Photography MasterclassIf you are interested in the photography masterclass or any other details about the contest, phones or general stuff, you can get more information from the Samsung website.ConclusionI have to say that the time couldn't be better as during the CMCO in Malaysia, many people are spending a lot of time online on social platforms.This is when brands can reach out specifically towards the consumers, and what better way with running a\u00a0Samsung #MYShootLikeAPro mobile photography contest.\u00a0\n\n\nTags\nContest\nMalaysia Contest\nMalaysia Photo Contest\nSamsung\nSamsung Galaxy\nSamsung Galaxy Reviews\nSamsung Malaysia\nSmartphone Photography Contest\nSmartphone Review\n\n\n\n\n\nFacebook\nTwitter\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nShare:Samsung #MYShootLikeAPro Mobile Photography Contest\n\n\nFacebook\nTwitter\nWhatsApp\nPinterest\nLinkedIn\nReddit\nTumblr\nTelegram\nEmail\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nMalaysia Asia\nBlogging since 2007, but writing online since 1997. I belong to the 1st generation of worldwide bloggers, which is of course old-school. \n\nSince 2008, I created Malaysia Asia and this travel, flood, gadget and lifestyle blog has won numerous physical awards from tourism boards around Malaysia. (Not those online awards).\n\nAfter 12 years of blogging, I have semi-retired and now blog about things I like, do product reviews and enjoy life. My work has been featured in Lonely Planet, CNN Travel, Yahoo Travel, Wall Street Journal, and many other international publications. Find out more about me and thank you.\n\n\n\n\nYou might like\nView all\n\n\n\n\n\n\n"}
{"url": "http://blog.malaysia-asia.my/2022/01/galaxy-unpacked-2022-malaysia.html", "text": "\n\n\n\nHomeGalaxy S22 Ultra\n\nGalaxy Unpacked 2022 Malaysia\n\n\n\n\nbyMalaysia Asia\n-January 26, 2022\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nThe wait is finally over as Samsung has officially announced that Galaxy Unpacked 2022 is happening in Malaysia and Worldwide this coming February.While there has been many speculations and rumours about combining the discontinued Galaxy Note series into this year's S series model, everything will soon be revealed at the event.Galaxy Unpacked 2022 MalaysiaDue to the ongoing Covid 19 issues worldwide, Samsung has decided that Galaxy Unpacked 2022 will be a virtual affair, with no in-person component.Galaxy Unpacked 2022 is also titled 'The Epic Standard', which refers to the merger of the Galaxy S and Galaxy Note series.The date is also carefully selected not to clash with the Chinese Lunar New Year celebrations, which fall on the 1st and 2nd of February 2022.For MalaysiansFrom now until 9th February 2022, you can register your interest at Samsung Galaxy Unpacked 2022 to receive first-hand updates on Samsung's newest innovations.Plus, guests will also receive an RM200 Samsung e-voucher which you can use after you pre-order the next Galaxy.Many leaks with renders and images of the Galaxy S22 are out there. (Image credit: LetsGoDigital / Giuseppe Spinelli)Galaxy S22 SpecificationsWhile the Galaxy S22 specs and features have already been leaked in the previous months, many have concluded that the standard S22 is said to feature a 6.06-inch display, while the S22+ is tipped for a 6.55-inch 120Hz Super AMOLED display.The range-topping Galaxy S22 Ultra boasts a 6.8-inch Super AMOLED with a 120Hz variable refresh rate and an S Pen stylus, which is taken from the Galaxy Note.The Galaxy S22 Ultra is also rumoured to get an AI enhancement mode for the 108MP camera, where it is expected to deliver more detail and brightness in shots.There is also the rumoured 'Super Clear Lens' to help reduce glare and reflections in photos, namely for landscape photography. And one more rumour is that the smartphone is supposedly getting an AI enhancement mode for the 108MP camera.When is Galaxy Unpacked 2022?The grand event takes place on 9th February 2022 at 11.00 PM Malaysian time and will be a live-streamed event.To learn more about this, head over to Samsung's Galaxy Unpacked 2022 website to register and get pre-access.One of my recent photographs was taken with a Galaxy Z Flip3 at Kuala Selangor in January 2022.Why do I enjoy using the Galaxy Smartphone Series?Since January 2022, I have started a new project to Rediscover Malaysia with my photowalks around city areas. My first project was the Kuala Lumpur Photowalk which saw 25 participants attending.The next one will be a Melaka Photo Walk, which I plan to organise in mid to late February and focus on the historical Jonker Walk area.I hope to upgrade my smartphone to the latest Galaxy S22 Ultra and explore the smartphone's capabilities in usage and photography.ConclusionHonestly, I can't wait any longer because I have been using the Galaxy S10 Plus since 2019 and need a serious upgrade, especially for my smartphone photography.I am genuinely looking forward to the\u00a0Galaxy Unpacked 2022 Malaysia this coming February, and hopefully, I will be able to start reviewing or using this next-gen smartphone.\n\n\nTags\nGalaxy S22 Ultra\nGalaxy Unpacked\nSamsung Galaxy\nSamsung Galaxy Unpacked\nSamsung Malaysia\nSmartphone Review\nSmartphone Reviews\n\n\n\n\n\nFacebook\nTwitter\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nShare:Galaxy Unpacked 2022 Malaysia\n\n\nFacebook\nTwitter\nWhatsApp\nPinterest\nLinkedIn\nReddit\nTumblr\nTelegram\nEmail\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nMalaysia Asia\nBlogging since 2007, but writing online since 1997. I belong to the 1st generation of worldwide bloggers, which is of course old-school. \n\nSince 2008, I created Malaysia Asia and this travel, flood, gadget and lifestyle blog has won numerous physical awards from tourism boards around Malaysia. (Not those online awards).\n\nAfter 12 years of blogging, I have semi-retired and now blog about things I like, do product reviews and enjoy life. My work has been featured in Lonely Planet, CNN Travel, Yahoo Travel, Wall Street Journal, and many other international publications. Find out more about me and thank you.\n\n\n\n\nYou might like\nView all\n\n\n\n\n\n\n"}
{"url": "http://blog.malaysia-asia.my/2021/10/dragonfly-photography-with-galaxy-z.html", "text": "\n\n\n\nHomeGalaxy Z Flip\n\nDragonfly Photography with Galaxy Z Flip3 5G\n\n\n\n\nbyMalaysia Asia\n-October 06, 2021\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nSince I have been using the flip phone for a few weeks now, I decided to try some macro photography with the Z Galaxy Flip 3 at one of the community forests near my place.I usually like to go to Kiara Park to test my photography but only on weekdays due to the large crowds on the weekends; therefore, the photos here are taken over several visited there in September 2021.Dragonfly Photography with Galaxy Z Flip3 5GWhat I like about this flip phone is that it is small and easy to keep in my pocket and not worry much about it.And the convenience of it flipping makes it different when wanting to use the phone. Well, I have to admit that I am still getting used to the flipping.Anyway, let me share some macro photos of dragonflies taken with the Flip3 5G phone below and also to add, I took all the shots handheld. There was no tripod involved.How to do Close-Up Photography with Galaxy Z Flip3 5G?To be honest, this is something that anyone can do, and the person just needs to have steady hands and patience for this.I have had years of photography training, and one of the most important things is that you need to be focused and have steady hands when approaching the subject.The trick is not to rush in but to approach slowly without startling the subject. Holding the Z Flip3 5G, I brought the phone in as close as 4-5 cm to the dragonflies.Once you get in a comfortable range, do not use too many hand movements, or you will scare the subject, and it will fly away.I would recommend you set the circular white floating button on the screen to where you can easily access it with your thumb while holding the flip phone. This is probably one of the easiest ways.I also open up the flip phone to landscape mode for easier handling when taking photos. You can also use it vertically if you like. Again, just set the floating white button to the desired area to snap.The Z Flip3 that I am currently using.Other Reviews of Galaxy Series PhonesI have also done several reviews of other smartphones over the years, and the original Z Flip review was one of them.I recently did a quick review of the Galaxy Z Flip3 5G, highlighting some significant points on general usage of the flip phone.Plus, I have been reviewing smartphone photography using Galaxy S series phones for landscape, food and travel.ConclusionThe photos above were all taken using the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip3 5G phone at Kiara Park in Taman Tun Dr Ismail, Kuala Lumpur. Except for the last photo of the phone, which was with a Galaxy S10 Plus.I chose to explore Kiara Park in TTDI due to the close proximity to my home and the overall balance of flora and fauna in one controlled environment.This is also my first time doing dragonfly photography with the Galaxy Z Flip3 5G smartphone; I usually use a DSLR for my macro or close-up photography.\n\n\nTags\nGalaxy Z Flip\nGalaxy Z Flip3 5G Review\nSamsung\nSamsung Galaxy\nSamsung Galaxy Z Flip\nSamsung Malaysia\nSmartphone Review\nSmartphone Reviews\n\n\n\n\n\nFacebook\nTwitter\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nShare:Dragonfly Photography with Galaxy Z Flip3 5G\n\n\nFacebook\nTwitter\nWhatsApp\nPinterest\nLinkedIn\nReddit\nTumblr\nTelegram\nEmail\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nMalaysia Asia\nBlogging since 2007, but writing online since 1997. I belong to the 1st generation of worldwide bloggers, which is of course old-school. \n\nSince 2008, I created Malaysia Asia and this travel, flood, gadget and lifestyle blog has won numerous physical awards from tourism boards around Malaysia. (Not those online awards).\n\nAfter 12 years of blogging, I have semi-retired and now blog about things I like, do product reviews and enjoy life. My work has been featured in Lonely Planet, CNN Travel, Yahoo Travel, Wall Street Journal, and many other international publications. Find out more about me and thank you.\n\n\n\n\nYou might like\nView all\n\n\n\n\n\n\n"}
{"url": "http://blog.malaysia-asia.my/2020/03/must-eat-food-in-palembang.html", "text": "\n\n\n\nHomeIndonesia\n\nMust Eat Food in Palembang\n\n\n\n\nbyMalaysia Asia\n-December 16, 2020\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nFor the foodie who plans to visit Palembang in South Sumatra, this article was created just for you, but based on a non-local who explored this unique place for its cuisines.For the record, Palembang is well known for its local South Sumatra cuisine which is totally different from the Javanese side, and when people ask what is there to do in Palembang, the most common answer you will get is 'eat'.Must Eat Food in PalembangVarious local Palembang foodDuring my tour of Palembang a few years back, I was brought to many unique and interesting places to sample the authentic local food found around the main city.\n\n\n\nSome of them at restaurants while others may be in more localized 'warungs' or stalls in popular areas, so depends on the type of eater you are, you have the option of choosing.For me, it was clearly my first time visiting this part of Wonderful Indonesia, and everything was new, including the local Palembang food.\n\nBased on just this trip and also talking to many locals, my recommendations are these top three foods to eat in Palembang which are;\n\n\n\n\n\nPindang Udang or Prawn Pindang\n\n1. PindangThis is the number one dish that can be found all over Palembang and Pindang is actually a soup-based sauce used to compliment the type of fish you choose. Popular ones are Pindang Patin, Pindang Udang and Pindang Gurame.\n\nAt most restaurants, you can find a huge variety of fishes and fish heads for Pindang. This dish is also served with a plate of white rice, that's all. The sauce is a little similar to Tom Yam but more fragrant and a different kind of spicy.\n\nMy Nasi Pindang experience was done at two places, one at Rumah Pindang Musi Dari and another at a floating boat restaurant next to the Ampera river called Mbok War.If you have a fascination for spicy and soupy dishes, then Pindang is one dish you must try when you are in Palembang.\u00a0\n\n\n\n\n\nPempek, a variety of local Fishcakes\n\n2. PempekAnother hugely popular dish in Palembang is\u00a0Pempek, which is actually savoury fishcakes that are served plain, with noodles or even grilled.\n\nDating back to the 16th century, most people will visit Palembang for this unique dish easily found almost anywhere in Palembang.\n\nLocals will visit the home industries to take away raw Pempek by the hundreds, and it is told that the best Pempek fishcakes are made from the 'Belida' fish or the Knife Fish.\n\nThe interesting thing about this dish is how you eat it with the special sauce called Kuah Cuka or Vinegar Sauce which is dark, sweet and spicy.One great place to try this unique Pempek dish is at a place called Mangdin, a local home industry that sells them.\n\n\n\n\n\nMee Celor, which looks like Mee Bandung\n\n3. Mee ColorNoodle lovers will enjoy this dish as Mee Celor is served with a rich broth made from shrimp and coconut santan or milk.\n\nExtra-large yellow noodles are mixed in and served with some sprinkled savoury condiments and topped with a sliced egg.\n\nThe special sambal is served as a side, and for Malaysians or Singaporeans, this is closely related to the Mee Jawa or Mee Rebus in Malaysia.For me, after trying the local Mee Celor, our local variety is far from comparison, and I am not joking, really.Pempek Mangdin 679 is one of the most famous in Palembang.\n\n4. Krupuk Kemplang or Keropok Palembang (Fish Crackers)\n\n\nIf you visited any of the Pempek factories or shops, you are bound to see that they also sell the\u00a0Keropok Ikan\u00a0or Fish Crackers which are also the speciality here in Palembang.\n\nThe best part is they let you try as much as you like simply due to the many shapes and flavours offered.\n\nAfter trying a number, I ended up buying two huge bags to take back to Malaysia. They are simply mouth-watering, and really, these are some of the best I have ever had in years.I got mine from\u00a0Mangdin 679, a local home industry or cottage industry which is one of the most famous in Palembang.The unique Laksan, Lontong and Lakso in PalembangOther Popular Foods in Palembang Worth TryingPalembang is quite big, and hence you will also be able to find many other local foods all over the city and outskirts areas.Some of the other very local foods that can be found around the city include Mee Tek Tek, which is a unique way of selling local fried noodles.\u00a0Mee Tek-Tek is usually found by the roadsides and not at restaurants; therefore, it is a type of hawker food popular among locals.The local famous Martabak HAR\u00a0or Martabak Haji Abdul Razak has been selling these folded stuffed pancakes for almost a century now with multiple branches spread across the city.\u00a0Nasi Minyak PalembangAt the local Arab village located on Jalan Dr Misa, you can find a restaurant called\u00a0Warung Aba\u00a0which serves some authentic and traditional Burgo, Ragit, Celimpungan, Laksan, Lontong and Lakso, all which have strong ties to similar dishes found in Malaysia.Nasi Minyak\u00a0or Oily Rice is also highly popular around Palembang, but I only got a chance to explore this rice-based dish once. Maybe one day, I will have the chance to further explore more of this.Palembang Food PhotosBelow are random photos taken around Palembang showing some of the popular and well-known food.The famous Martabak Haji Abdul Razak in PalembangClose up of the Martabak HARDurian here is called Duren PalembangMbok War, a floating boat Pindang restaurant in PalembangPindang Ikan or Fish sold on the boat restaurant.The famous Pindang Udang and white rice in a cone shapeWarung Aba that sells Lakso, Lontong, Laksan and PempekA staff serving the Lontong and Lakso at Warung AbaPalembang-style Sate or SatayOne of the main streets in Palembang where you can find good foodConclusionOverall, Palembang is not your regular tourist destination, but to me, it feels like a place that deserves more attention as it is very near Malaysia, and there is so much to explore here.While many travellers may think this is out of the question, I beg to differ as Palembang does have interesting places to visit like historical places.However, being Asian or Southeast Asian, food will always bridge any gap among cultures and over here in Palembang, the must-eat foods recommended will surely keep you busy.Trust me, nothing beats exploring a destination together with the local food, which is a local fact for any Asian traveller.\n\n\nTags\nIndonesia\nIndonesia Food\nPalembang\nPalembang Food\nPlaces to Visit in Indonesia\nPlaces to Visit in Palembang\nSumatra\nThings to do in Palembang\nWonderful Indonesia\n\n\n\n\n\nFacebook\nTwitter\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nShare:Must Eat Food in Palembang\n\n\nFacebook\nTwitter\nWhatsApp\nPinterest\nLinkedIn\nReddit\nTumblr\nTelegram\nEmail\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nMalaysia Asia\nBlogging since 2007, but writing online since 1997. I belong to the 1st generation of worldwide bloggers, which is of course old-school. \n\nSince 2008, I created Malaysia Asia and this travel, flood, gadget and lifestyle blog has won numerous physical awards from tourism boards around Malaysia. (Not those online awards).\n\nAfter 12 years of blogging, I have semi-retired and now blog about things I like, do product reviews and enjoy life. My work has been featured in Lonely Planet, CNN Travel, Yahoo Travel, Wall Street Journal, and many other international publications. Find out more about me and thank you.\n\n\n\n\nYou might like\nView all\n\n\n\n\n\n\n"}
{"url": "http://blog.malaysia-asia.my/2021/12/merdeka-118-photos-with-galaxy-z-fold3.html", "text": "\n\n\n\nHomeGalaxy Fold3\n\nMerdeka 118 Photos with Galaxy Z Fold3\n\n\n\n\nbyMalaysia Asia\n-December 09, 2021\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nThis is a unique article about the soon-to-be-open Merdeka 118 skyscraper in Kuala Lumpur, scheduled to open in 2022. Now planned for mid-2023.In December 2021, I did a Kuala Lumpur Chinatown Photowalk and took some Merdeka 118 photos with a Samsung Galaxy Z Fold3 smartphone.The photos you see below are random and not edited, just to show the natural outcome of the current technology of smartphone cameras.Merdeka 118 Photos with Galaxy Z Fold3All the photos in this article were taken with a Galaxy Z Fold3 in Malaysia on the 6th of December 2021. I used the normal mode and also ultra-wide-angle for these photos.The photos below show that Merdeka 118, a 118-storey, 678.9-metre (2,227-foot), is still being constructed and almost 85% complete.For your added information, the original name for this mega skyscraper was PNB 118, formerly known as KL 118 and Warisan Merdeka Tower. Don't ask me why they changed the name numerous times.Merdeka, which means 'independence' in Malay, is heavily inspired by its proximity to two historic landmarks, Stadium Merdeka and Stadium Negara, just next to the mega-skyscraper.Merdeka 118 construction is seen from Chinatown Kuala Lumpur.Merdeka 118 is now the second tallest building in the world.The stunning\u00a0Merdeka 118 skyscraper was photographed using a Galaxy Z Fold3 smartphone.An ultra-wide photo of the main entrance to\u00a0Merdeka 118.The 118 Skyscraper in Kuala Lumpur, seen from KL Chinatown.This smartphone picture was taken from the base of Merdeka 118, at the main entrance area.I hope you enjoyed viewing the photos above, and I am constantly reviewing smartphone cameras and smartphone photography, namely with the Galaxy series.Over the last 10 years, I have been an active traveller all over Malaysia and various parts of the world, and I use my smartphone for travel photography.You can see my many articles on smartphone reviews and photography, which I do in my own style; I am not one of those tech reviewers with all the technical jargon.I use these smartphones as an ordinary person and keep the reviews as simple as possible.Where is the Merdeka 118 Tower Located in Kuala Lumpur?Below is a Google Map showing where the Merdeka 118 Tower is located in Kuala Lumpur. It is also located close to Jalan Petaling in Kuala Lumpur, known as KL Chinatown.Another prominent landmark is Stadium Merdeka, a national heritage because it is the site of the formal declaration of the Federation of Malaya's independence.ConclusionMerdeka 118 is Malaysia's tallest building after the Petronas Twin Towers and will be officially opened in early to mid-2022 if there are no further delays.Hopefully, the international borders will reopen after the Covid19 pandemic shut down the Malaysian borders for almost two years, from 2020 to 2021.I hope you enjoyed these Merdeka 118 photos with Galaxy Z Fold3, and hopefully, you will see this amazing skyscraper in person when it opens.\n\n\nTags\nGalaxy Fold3\nGalaxy Z Fold3\nGalaxy Z Fold3 Review\nKuala Lumpur\nMalaysia\nMerdeka 118\nMerdeka 118 Building\nPhotography\nSamsung Galaxy\nSmartphone Review\nSmartphone Reviews\nTallest Building in Malaysia\n\n\n\n\n\nFacebook\nTwitter\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nShare:Merdeka 118 Photos with Galaxy Z Fold3\n\n\nFacebook\nTwitter\nWhatsApp\nPinterest\nLinkedIn\nReddit\nTumblr\nTelegram\nEmail\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nMalaysia Asia\nBlogging since 2007, but writing online since 1997. I belong to the 1st generation of worldwide bloggers, which is of course old-school. \n\nSince 2008, I created Malaysia Asia and this travel, flood, gadget and lifestyle blog has won numerous physical awards from tourism boards around Malaysia. (Not those online awards).\n\nAfter 12 years of blogging, I have semi-retired and now blog about things I like, do product reviews and enjoy life. My work has been featured in Lonely Planet, CNN Travel, Yahoo Travel, Wall Street Journal, and many other international publications. Find out more about me and thank you.\n\n\n\n\nYou might like\nView all\n\n\n\n\n\n\n"}
{"url": "http://blog.malaysia-asia.my/2019/05/pangkor-island-airport-to-reopen.html", "text": "\n\n\n\nHomeAirlines\n\nPangkor Island Airport To Reopen\n\n\n\n\nbyMalaysia Asia\n-May 29, 2019\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nThe Pulau Pangkor Island Airport is to reopen this 1 October 2019\u00a0on 22 January 2022, which is a positive move towards tourism on this island off the west coast of Perak, Malaysia.Update Jan 2022 - Pangkor Airport is scheduled to open on 22 January 2022.\n\n\n\nThis airport is also called Lapangan Terbang Pulau Pangkor, a direct translation from the Malay language and has an airport code of PKG.\u00a0\n\n\n\nFlights to Pangkor Island Airport will be from Sultan Abdul\u00a0Aziz\u00a0Shah (Subang Airport), which is scheduled to be a daily direct flight.\u00a0\n\n\n\nThe reopening of the Pangkor Airport is huge news for the island, as it has been years since the airport closed. This has got many people excited, hoping to see an increase in tourism on the island.\u00a0\n\nPangkor Island Airport To Reopen\n\n\n\nThe current structure of the Pangkor Island Airport. Photo SKS Airways Facebook\n\nAccording to news reports, Pangkor Airport will undergo renovations before opening, and if it all works out well, we should expect the airport to open on schedule.\u00a0\n\n\n\nHowever, things can change due to government issues, finances, planning and so on; therefore, we can only hope that things flow smoothly for the targeted opening.\u00a0\n\n\n\nThis news also benefits everyone as Pangkor Island will be officially a duty-free island from 1 January 2020. The news report was announced by the government in early 2019.\u00a0\n\n\n\n\nView of the current Pulau Pangkor Airport in the old design. Photo SKS Airways Facebook\n\nFor the inaugural flights to the island, it is mentioned that there will be direct flights from Subang Airport in Petaling Jaya.\u00a0\n\n\n\nThere are also plans for direct flights from Ipoh\u2019s Sultan Azlan Shah Airport to Pangkor Airport, but the focus is still on the Subang Airport or\u00a0Sultan Abdul Aziz Shah Airport in Selangor.\u00a0\n\n\nHistory of Pangkor Island Airport\n\n\n\nThe Pangkor STOL Airport Runway from above\n\n\nThe airport at Pangkor Island officially opened in 1993 as a STOL or short take of and landing airport suitable for only small turboprop planes.\u00a0\n\n\n\nThe airstrip measures 732 meters long, which can only accommodate smaller passenger planes like the DCH-6 Twin Otter aircraft, and the\u00a0de Havilland Canada Dash 7.\u00a0\n\n\n\nOne of the original airlines that operated this route was Berjaya Air, where the Berjaya Group also runs the famous luxury Pangkor Laut Resort on a separate island.\u00a0\n\n\n\nThere were three flights a week from Subang Airport on Wednesday, Friday, and Sunday using the 48 seats de Havilland Canada Dash 7 aircraft. Berjaya Air\u00a0now operates private charters.\n\n\n\nPangkor Airport closed in February 2014 due to several reasons. One of them was that two large resorts had closed down on the island, and fewer travellers were heading here.\u00a0\n\nWhen Will Pangkor Island Airport Open?\u00a0\n\n\nThe official news states that the Pulau Pangkor Airport will start operations on 1 October\u00a02019. This was mentioned in the mainstream news at the end of March 2019.*Updated news states Pangkor airport will open on 22 January 2022.\n\n\n\nThere will also be flights starting before the official date due to testing and familiarization with operations.\u00a0\n\n\n\n\nSKS Airways DCH-6 Twin Otter aircraft\n\n\nWhich Airlines Will Fly To Pangkor Island Airport?\u00a0\n\n\nFrom what I know, it is said that a new airline called SKS Airways will be flying to Pangkor Airport. The airline is part of the SKS Group, a Malaysian Australian hotel and property developer group.\u00a0\n\n\n\nSKS Airways will operate the Pangkor flights with a DCH-6 Twin Otter plane, a 19-seater turboprop aircraft.\u00a0\n\n\n\nPlease note that the Twin Otter aircraft can usually take a maximum of 15 or 16 passengers due to the weight factor. Passengers need to weigh themselves and their luggage when checking in.\u00a0\n\n\n\nThe airline also plans daily return flights from Subang Airport to Pangkor Airport. As for the flight time, there has yet to be an official announcement.\u00a0\n\n\n\n\nSKS Airways, a Malaysia-Australia group\n\n\nSKS Airways is also applying for a Subang to Ipoh flight, with two daily return flights, which is also scheduled to start on 1 October 2019.\u00a0\n\n\n\nOnly SKS Airways will be flying to Pangkor from Subang, and there has been no news about any other airline flying there.\u00a0\n\n\n\nThe main reason is the STOL runway, which can only cater to small turboprop aircraft like the Twin Otter, Dash 7 and ATR42-500.\u00a0\n\n\n\nMost other airlines in Malaysia that operate turboprop planes have the ATR72-500, which cannot land at a STOL airport.\u00a0\n\n\n\n\nThe Berjaya Air Dash 7 aircraft used to fly to Pangkor Island. Photo Wikipedia.\n\n\nHow Long Will It Take To Fly To Pangkor Island?\u00a0\n\n\n\nFrom Subang Airport, it takes 40 minutes flight to Pangkor Island one way. This is the average time when using the Dash 7 aircraft, formerly used by Berjaya Air.\u00a0\n\n\n\nSKS Airways is now using a Twin Otter plane, which may take 50 to 60 minutes due to the smaller aircraft size. But I am still determining the exact time it will take. This is just an estimate.\u00a0\n\n\nI have flown on the Twin Otter plane to various destinations in Sarawak, one of which is the Bakelalan Airport\u00a0in the Sarawak Highlands.\u00a0\n\n\n\n\nWhere the Pangkor Island Airport is located at\n\n\nWhere Is Pangkor Island Airport?\u00a0\n\n\nThe Pulau Pangkor Airport is located in the north part of the island and Teluk Dalam. The main airport building is along Jalan Pasir Bogak, the main road linking Teluk Dalam with Teluk Nipah.\u00a0\n\n\n\nPangkor Island is small, and from the airport to Pangkor Town in the south, it only takes a 15-minute drive.\u00a0\n\n\nThose travelling to some of the hotels, resorts, and homestays on Pangkor Island will take you from a five to 20 minutes drive.\u00a0\n\n\n\nBut if you plan to stay at Pangkor Laut Resort, you can fly in and then take a boat service to Pangkor Laut Island.\u00a0\n\n\n\n\nAn aerial view of the Pangkor Island Airport near Teluk Dalam\n\n\nConclusion\n\n\nSince the news came out in late May 2019, many locals in Pangkor Island have been looking forward to reopening the airport.\n\n\n\nThis is a very positive move towards tourism on the island, and locals hope that direct flights to Pangkor Island will bring in more tourists.\u00a0\n\n\n\nThe reopening of the Pangkor Airport also compliments the island becoming a duty-free island from 1 January 2020.\u00a0\n\n\n\nPangkor Island now joins other duty-free islands in Malaysia that are highly popular among local travellers and also foreigners. Once the Pangkor Island Airport reopens, this should bring in more visitors.\n\n\nTags\nAirlines\nAirport News\nAviation\nAviation News\nMalaysia\nMalaysia Airports\nPangkor Airport\nPangkor Island Duty Free\nPerak\n\n\n\n\n\nFacebook\nTwitter\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nShare:Pangkor Island Airport To Reopen\n\n\nFacebook\nTwitter\nWhatsApp\nPinterest\nLinkedIn\nReddit\nTumblr\nTelegram\nEmail\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nMalaysia Asia\nBlogging since 2007, but writing online since 1997. I belong to the 1st generation of worldwide bloggers, which is of course old-school. \n\nSince 2008, I created Malaysia Asia and this travel, flood, gadget and lifestyle blog has won numerous physical awards from tourism boards around Malaysia. (Not those online awards).\n\nAfter 12 years of blogging, I have semi-retired and now blog about things I like, do product reviews and enjoy life. My work has been featured in Lonely Planet, CNN Travel, Yahoo Travel, Wall Street Journal, and many other international publications. Find out more about me and thank you.\n\n\n\n\nYou might like\nView all\n\n\n\n\n\n\n"}
{"url": "http://blog.malaysia-asia.my/2023/03/feel-sabah-north-borneo-campaign.html", "text": "\n\n\n\nHomeFeel Sabah\n\nFeel Sabah, North Borneo Campaign Launched\n\n\n\n\nbyMalaysia Asia\n-March 20, 2023\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nThe launch of Sabah Tourism new destination brand tagline \"Feel Sabah, North Borneo\" at the MATTA Travel Fair here will give a huge impetus to the growth of domestic tourism, says Minister of Tourism, Culture and Environment Datuk Christina Liew.She stressed that the domestic market is still an important economic segment for Sabah, while we welcome international tourists from around the globe.Feel Sabah, North Borneo Campaign LaunchedCiting statistics from Sabah Tourism Board's (STB) Research Division, Liew said domestic travellers contributed two-thirds of the total tourism arrivals in Sabah before the Covid-19 pandemic.Datuk Christina Liew said in an interview;\"For the pre-pandemic scenario, the total tourism arrivals in Sabah was 4.19 million visitors in 2019. That year, domestic tourism contributed 2.72 million arrivals, while the figure for international arrivals stood at 1.47 million visitors.Last year, 80pc of the 1.72 million arrivals to Sabah constituted domestic visitors. Based on the Domestic Visitors Profile survey in 2019, one finding is that for domestic visitors, shopping activity is considered high compared with international visitors.\"The peak of Mount Kinabalu in Sabah, North Borneo.As part of the campaign, the minister then flagged off 10 of 100 e-hailing cars to mark the occasion, highlighting Sabah's new identity at the Malaysia International Trade & Exhibition Centre (MITEC).\u00a0According to her, all these vehicles bearing the \"Feel Sabah, North Borneo\" sticker will be around the Klang Valley area for three months as a promotion strategy.The MATTA Travel Fair is one of the largest and most anticipated travel fairs by consumers in Malaysia.Christina also mentioned;\"What better venue than this leading Travel Fair for STB to launch Sabah's new destination rebranding - 'Feel Sabah, North Borneo'. This motto is punchy enough to capture people's attention.\"\"Malaysians in other parts of the country will embrace this new promotional theme. Many younger generations may need to know about Sabah's historical and colourful past.So, while they feel Sabah's beautiful nature, warm hospitality, cultural heritage and iconic wildlife, they also get to experience treasures of yesteryear, such as antiques dating back to the North Borneo era.\u00a0Furthermore, this emphasises our geographical location as a Malaysian State on the Northern part of Borneo Island.\"\u00a0Mataking is one of the beautiful islands that Sabah, North Borneo has to offer.\u00a0STB is under the purview of the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Environment. The Sabah delegation comprised Assistant Minister cum STB Chairman Datuk Joniston Bangkuai, the Ministry's Deputy Permanent Secretary I Mary Malangking, STB Chief Executive Officer Noredah Othman, and STB officials.The map of Sabah, North Borneo.ConclusionPlease visit the official Sabah Tourism website for more information on this brand-new tourism campaign launched in March 2023.The\u00a0Feel Sabah, North Borneo Campaign was launched on the first day of the MATTA Fair March 2023, which was 17 March, a Friday.\n\n\nTags\nFeel Sabah\nFeel Sabah North Borneo\nMalaysia\nSabah\nSabah Tourism\nTourism Malaysia News\nTourism Sabah News\n\n\n\n\n\nFacebook\nTwitter\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nShare:Feel Sabah, North Borneo Campaign Launched\n\n\nFacebook\nTwitter\nWhatsApp\nPinterest\nLinkedIn\nReddit\nTumblr\nTelegram\nEmail\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nMalaysia Asia\nBlogging since 2007, but writing online since 1997. I belong to the 1st generation of worldwide bloggers, which is of course old-school. \n\nSince 2008, I created Malaysia Asia and this travel, flood, gadget and lifestyle blog has won numerous physical awards from tourism boards around Malaysia. (Not those online awards).\n\nAfter 12 years of blogging, I have semi-retired and now blog about things I like, do product reviews and enjoy life. My work has been featured in Lonely Planet, CNN Travel, Yahoo Travel, Wall Street Journal, and many other international publications. Find out more about me and thank you.\n\n\n\n\nYou might like\nView all\n\n\n\n\n\n\n"}
{"url": "http://blog.malaysia-asia.my/2021/10/china-to-laos-bullet-train-service.html", "text": "\n\n\n\nHomeChina\n\nChina to Laos Bullet Train Service Launched\n\n\n\n\nbyMalaysia Asia\n-October 19, 2021\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nChina has launched a China to Laos Bullet Train service, which uses electric multiple units or an EMU train to run between Kunming, southwestern China's Yunnan province, and Vientiane.This service will operate from Kunming to Vientiane and will begin in December 2021, where Laos will receive its first modern train in railway history.This is a joint venture project between China and Laos, where the company is the Laos-China Railway Co. Ltd. This year also marks the 60th anniversary of diplomatic ties between China and Laos.China to Laos Bullet Train ServiceUnder the Laos-China Railway Co., Ltd., a special handover ceremony was held with the Chinese Ambassador to Laos - Jiang Zaidong and Lao Minister of Public Works and Transport Viengsavath Siphandone.The bullet train or EMU has also been named Lane Xang and will be put into the upcoming railway trial run. Laos was once called the Lane Xang (million elephants) Kingdom. It is also named by the\u00a0Lao Prime Minister Phankham Viphavanh.Lane Xang is also known as Lancang, the name of the upper section of the Mekong River in China, and this symbolizes the China-Laos relationship as good neighbours, good friends, good comrades and good partners.Jiang Zaidong and Lao Minister of Public Works and Transport Viengsavath Siphandone.The official launching of the Lane Xang EMU Bullet Train is also scheduled to take place on 2nd December, which is also Lao National Day.The track construction of the China-Laos railway was also completed in Mengla County of the Xishuangbanna Dai Autonomous Prefecture, which is near a land port on the China-Laos border.Construction of the US$5.986 billion (37.4 billion yuan) railway began in December 2016, and on Oct 6 2021, the China-Laos railway station opened in Vientiane and is the largest and most important station on the China-Laos Railway; it was built by the China Railway Construction Group.The Vientiane railway station has three platforms with five-track lines and two additional platforms with two lines reserved.One of the many beautiful bridges along the China-Laos railway.How Long is the Bullet Train Journey from Kunming to Vientiane?\u00a0According to the China State Railway Group, the train departs from Kunming in the morning and would arrive in Vientiane in the evening on the same day.With this new train line and EMU bullet train system, the journey from Kunming to Laos will be cut by two days to just half a day.There are 167 tunnels along the China-Laos railway, with the total length of the tunnels adding up to over 590 km.It also accounts for 63 per cent of the railway's total, which runs through the India-Eurasia plate collision zone, which features crisscrossing valleys and rivers.The railway line will also cut the travel time between Kunming and Jinghong, a city on the border with Laos, to just over three hours.The 422.4-km railway runs from Vientiane to the Chinese border through Vientiane, Luang Prabang, Oudomxay and Luang Namtha, passing through 75 tunnels with a combined length of 197.83km.There are also 10 passenger stations: Vientiane, Phonhong, Vangvieng, Kasy, Luang Prabang, Nga, Xay, Namor, Nateuy and Boten. There are also 22 stations for the loading and unloading of freight.A low angle shot of the bullet train.The EMU was named Lane Xang. Photo by THX.Lane Xang EMU Bullet Train InformationThe Lane Xang EMU is made by CRRC Qingdao Sifang and CRRC Dalian, subsidiaries of China Railway Rolling Stock Corp.The train is designed to suit the line and feature advanced technology, safety, ample passenger capacity and low operating costs and also based on the Fuxing bullet train.The bullet train is painted in the Lao flag colours of red, blue, and white. At the same time, the interior design integrates elements of traditional Chinese and Lao cultures, embodying the Lao people's vision of a better life and the friendship between the two peoples.The maximum operating speed of the bullet train is 160 km per hour and consists of nine carriages, including a locomotive, a dining coach, a first-class and six second-class coaches, and provides 720 seats altogether.The interior of the dining coach of the train. Photo by LCR.Inside the passenger coach of the bullet train. Photo by LCR.Another coach of the train in maroon colours. Photo by LCR.Lane Xang Bullet Train InformationThe Lane Xang train has nine carriages, including a locomotive compartment, a dining car, a first-class coach car and six second-class coach cars.Instructions and broadcasting will be provided in three languages\uff0dChinese, Laotian and English.\u00a0The carriages also have facilities such as bathrooms for handicapped travellers and braille guide signs to benefit passengers with special needs.Passenger Coaches - The air-conditioned carriages are spacious with comfortable seats installed with power outlets suitable for Chinese and Laotian plug standards that are provided under each seat.Dining Coach - The dining coach is well equipped to meet the needs of passengers for food and leisure; the screens, broadcasts and service signs are all in three languages of Chinese, Lao, and English.Special Coach - The fourth carriage with barrier-free areas is equipped with special seats, handrails, toilets, SOS call buttons and Braille guide signs to facilitate the travel of disabled passengers.The train tracks from Vientiane to Kunming.ConclusionThe China-Laos Railway is a docking project between the China-proposed Belt and Road Initiative and Laos' strategy to convert itself from a landlocked country to a land-linked hub.The construction of the fantastic project started in December 2016 and is scheduled to be fully completed and operational in December 2021.\n\n\nTags\nChina\nChina Train Travel\nLaos\nLaos Train Travel\nTrain Reviews\nTrain Travel\nVientiane\n\n\n\n\n\nFacebook\nTwitter\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nShare:China to Laos Bullet Train Service Launched\n\n\nFacebook\nTwitter\nWhatsApp\nPinterest\nLinkedIn\nReddit\nTumblr\nTelegram\nEmail\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nMalaysia Asia\nBlogging since 2007, but writing online since 1997. I belong to the 1st generation of worldwide bloggers, which is of course old-school. \n\nSince 2008, I created Malaysia Asia and this travel, flood, gadget and lifestyle blog has won numerous physical awards from tourism boards around Malaysia. (Not those online awards).\n\nAfter 12 years of blogging, I have semi-retired and now blog about things I like, do product reviews and enjoy life. My work has been featured in Lonely Planet, CNN Travel, Yahoo Travel, Wall Street Journal, and many other international publications. Find out more about me and thank you.\n\n\n\n\nYou might like\nView all\n\n\n\n\n\n\n"}
{"url": "http://blog.malaysia-asia.my/2022/03/unboxing-galaxy-s22-first-impression.html", "text": "\n\n\n\nHomeGalaxy S22\n\nUnboxing the Galaxy S22+ First Impression\n\n\n\n\nbyMalaysia Asia\n-March 07, 2022\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nA lot had changed since I started using the Galaxy series phones in late 2010 when I got the original Samsung Galaxy S GT-i9000 model.11 years ago, many would have laughed at the specification and complications of a smartphone, but look where it has come after just ten years.So much has changed that smartphones have become a part of our lives and a dependent, which is quite scary. Anyway, here is my first impression of unboxing the Galaxy S22+.Unboxing the Galaxy S22+ First ImpressionMy last flagship smartphone was a 2019 model, the Galaxy S10+, and I was a loyal user of that model until I got the all-new S22+ in early March 2022.The Galaxy S22+ before unboxing.This article discusses my love for smartphones, namely the Samsung Galaxy series, which has changed quite a lot in my photography, as I have been actively taking photos for the last 30 years.Therefore, don't be alarmed if you do not see all that technical jargon talk about megapixel this and that, and f stops. Not everyone is a photography fanatic or geek; hence, I write for ordinary people.So, when I received the Galaxy S22+ in a box one evening in early March, I was pretty excited to do an unboxing for this. And it has also been six months since my last unboxing the Galaxy Z Flip3.As I opened up the box, I could already feel the positive energy of the phone asking me to quickly transfer from my S10+ to the S22+.Without hesitation, I unboxed the phone to get an even bigger surprise - the new green colour! Which is a new addition to the phone colours.The colour of the phone is indicated on the word S.I assumed it was some fancy named green like emerald forest green or jade turquoise green, but after researching online, I realised they just called it green, which was simple and nice.Anyway, the S22+ in green was perfect for me, as I go into the rainforest and do a lot of nature photography, so this was an excellent match.Well, it's now 7th March 2022 as I write this, and I am yet to take the smartphone for its maiden journey into the rainforest. I was hoping to visit Sarawak this month, but it looks like my trip has been postponed to next month.I guess I need to plan a local trip to explore the photography on the Galaxy S22+, and it should be somewhere around the Klang Valley.After unboxing, I followed all the start-up steps to the final stage before doing the transfer.After unboxing and starting up, this is the standard landing screen of the smartphone.Plus, one more thing I am super excited about is the nightography with the Galaxy S22 series, as that is apparently the most talked about feature in this year's models.I just got back from Melaka last month and totally missed out on the opportunity to explore nightography at Jonker Walk. However, I did get some pretty nice photos with my S10+.So, the two main things that excited me on the first impression of unboxing the Galaxy S22+ was the green colour of the smartphone and the nightography feature, which I cannot wait to try.Stay tuned as I will be updating my experiences in future articles as I test our the smartphone in coming weeks and months.Galaxy S22+ Unboxing VideoBelow is a quick unboxing video I made; you can see the actual unboxing, and please subscribe to my YouTube channel if you like my videos.\nDisclaimerJust for the record, I am not one of those popular gadget review blogs or websites which always gets the first hand to review and test new smartphones, whom a lot will just copy and paste each other.I have been a genuine user, blogger, and writer who actually takes the effort to test these new smartphones properly when I travel. Most of the time, I use smartphones for durability and photography.You can also see some of my smartphone reviews in Malaysia that I have done over the years and even recently in the last few years.I have been actively travelling to Sarawak, Sabah and Langkawi to test our various Samsung Galaxy models over the last few years. Still, due to the Covid19 pandemic, everything stopped for two years.Therefore, once things get back to normal, you will see me hit the road again for my smartphone photography as I also plan to do a series of Malaysia Photowalks in 2022 and 2023.I received an award for photography in Sarawak by the Premier of Sarawak - Abang Abdul Rahman Zohari Abang Openg.ConclusionAs technology keeps improving, we will soon not require an additional camera as smartphones will eventually take over.I look forward to that day, and I feel that the smartphone companies may even merge with big camera names to create the one ultimate gadget.Already you see joint-ventures between brands like Leica and Hasselblad in the market, and it is only a matter of time before Samsung announces a partnership.For more information, you can always visit the official Samsung Malaysia website and pre-book your Galaxy S22 smartphone series there.Finally, I hope you enjoyed my\u00a0Unboxing the Galaxy S22+ first impression article as I have been writing about my experiences for the last ten years, sharing them with my readers.\n\n\nTags\nGalaxy S22\nGalaxy S22 Plus Review\nGalaxy S22+\nSamsung Malaysia\nSamsung S22\nSmartphone Review\nSmartphone Reviews\nUnboxing\n\n\n\n\n\nFacebook\nTwitter\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nShare:Unboxing the Galaxy S22+ First Impression\n\n\nFacebook\nTwitter\nWhatsApp\nPinterest\nLinkedIn\nReddit\nTumblr\nTelegram\nEmail\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nMalaysia Asia\nBlogging since 2007, but writing online since 1997. I belong to the 1st generation of worldwide bloggers, which is of course old-school. \n\nSince 2008, I created Malaysia Asia and this travel, flood, gadget and lifestyle blog has won numerous physical awards from tourism boards around Malaysia. (Not those online awards).\n\nAfter 12 years of blogging, I have semi-retired and now blog about things I like, do product reviews and enjoy life. My work has been featured in Lonely Planet, CNN Travel, Yahoo Travel, Wall Street Journal, and many other international publications. Find out more about me and thank you.\n\n\n\n\nYou might like\nView all\n\n\n\n\n\n\n"}
{"url": "http://blog.malaysia-asia.my/2020/02/samsung-galaxy-s20-ultra-launch-in.html", "text": "\n\n\n\nHomeGalaxy S20 Ultra\n\nSamsung Galaxy S20 Ultra Launch in Malaysia\n\n\n\n\nbyMalaysia Asia\n-February 28, 2020\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nThe much-awaited\u00a0Samsung Galaxy S20 Ultra launch in Malaysia was done on the 28th of February and at the St. Regis Hotel in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.\n\n\n\nWhile it was officially launched worldwide on the 11th of February in San Francisco, USA, it took another 17 days for it to arrive in Malaysia, and this is, of course, is normal.\n\n\n\nAnyway, the event took place in the ballroom at the St.Regis Hotel, which started at 5.30 PM, ending at around 8.00 PM.\u00a0\n\nLaunching of the\u00a0Samsung Galaxy S20 Ultra in Malaysia\n\n\n\nIncited guests and media await the launch outside the St. Regis KL ballroom.\n\n\nOverall, I have to conclude that the launch was fully centred around the camera and video capabilities that the new Galaxy S20 offers.\u00a0\n\n\n\nUtilizing 2020, Samsung's mission is all about a year that signifies a whole new generation or era of revolution.\n\n\n\nWith that, Samsung has taken the opportunity to release one of the most innovative smartphones to date, the entire range of Galaxy S20s, which comes in three models.\n\n\n\n\nSamsung Malaysia President Mr YS Kim holds the S20 Phones during the launch here in KL.\n\n\nAt the launch, I honestly expected the Samsung Malaysia president Mr Yoonsoo Kim or YS Kim, to indulge more of the smartphone's capabilities.\u00a0\n\n\n\nHowever, his appearance on stage was rather quick, only to reveal the Galaxy S20 units on hand and take some photo opportunities with telco and business partners.\u00a0\n\n\n\nA special Malaysian 'Team Samsung' was also on stage for the photo opportunity with Mr YS Kim, each holding a Galaxy S20.\n\n\n\nMr YS Kim concluded his stage time highlighting how the latest AI (Artificial Intelligence) and the phones larger image sensor work hand-in-hand to bring out the best from photography and videography.\n\n\n\n\nThe nice ambience of the ballroom during the exclusive launch of the Galaxy S20 Smartphone in KL, Malaysia.\n\n\nThe event immediately led to the local dual host taking over to highlight some of the key features of the S20, which was assumably targeted towards lifestyle and social media users.\u00a0\n\n\n\nLive demonstrations and key functions were conducted onstage to a rather mixed crowd of business professionals, Samsung Members, invited guests and the Malaysian media from all areas.\n\n\n\nBelow are the key elements that were shared during the launching of the Samsung Galaxy S20 in Malaysia.\u00a0\n\n\n\n\nAs always, Samsung's launches are always impressive.\u00a0\n\nSpace Zoom on Galaxy S20 Ultra\n\n\nThis mode is what most people are intrigued about where a telescopic 100X zoom is introduced on the S20 Ultra.\n\n\n\nThe mechanism uses a combination of Hybrid Optic Zoom and a Super Resolution Zoom, which is, of course, an AI-powered digital zoom.\n\n\n\nThe Galaxy S20 Ultra would be the highlighted model due to the folding lens technology with AI-powered multi imaging processing to reduce quality loss at extreme zooms.\n\n\nI have yet to fully test this model and function, so when I get a chance, I will share it in another article.\n\n\n\nPlease note that only the S20 Ultra comes with the 10x Hybrid Optic Zoom and 100x Super-Resolution Zoom.\n\n\n\n\nMedia testing out the\u00a0Galaxy S20 just after the launching event.\u00a0\n\nSingle Take on Galaxy S20\n\n\nProbably one of the most innovative camera modes to date, the 'Single Take' is a comprehensive AI camera system that takes multiple mode photos in one shot. Impressed?\u00a0\n\n\n\nWell, let me explain what it means; generally, the AI system will take not only photos but even quick video clips, cropped shots, ultra-wide shots and even Live Focus. All of this in one touch of a button.\u00a0\n\n\n\nThis seems to be targeted towards social media and lifestyle users who want to get the best out of their photo taking.\u00a0\n\n\n\nSo, by using the 'Single Take' mode, you can capture a whole set of photos and videos and then choose the best ones to upload onto your social media.\u00a0\n\n8K Video Filming on Galaxy S20\n\n\nSay hello to 8K on smartphones, and now everyone can shoot in 8K on the Galaxy S20. This upgrade in video quality will allow true-to-life colour and supreme quality never before seen from a smartphone.\u00a0\n\n\n\nAlong with this comes an upgrade to the built-in stabilizer where the new 'Super Steady' technology gets some serious AI motion analysis and anti-rolling stabilization.\n\n\n\nHonestly, this is what was shared during the launch, and I would really love to test this out on my own to see how much the technology has improved.\n\n\n\nWhat are the Galaxy S20 Specifications?\n\n\n\nThis one is rather technical, and if you are truly interested in finding out more, you can always visit the official Samsung Galaxy S20 website\u00a0for the full details.\n\n\n\nWhile you are there, you can also pre-order the phone directly from Samsung and get really detailed information about the other functions like 5G and so on.\n\n\n\n\nThe available colours of the Galaxy S20 in Malaysia.\n\nWhat Are The Galaxy S20 Models Available In Malaysia?\u00a0\n\n\nWith the Galaxy S20 Malaysia launch concluded, there will only be three models for the Samsung Galaxy S20 series available for Malaysians.\n\nThey are listed below with available colours and retail prices.\n\nGalaxy S20 - Comes in Cosmic Grey, Cloud Blue, and Cloud Pink. Retails at RM3,599\nGalaxy S20+ - Comes in Cosmic Grey, Cloud Blue, and Cloud Pink. Retails at RM3,999\nGalaxy S20 Ultra - Comes in Cosmic Grey, Cosmic Black. Retails at RM4,999\n\n\n\n\n\nThe exclusive gifts are available during the Galaxy S20 Roadshow in Malaysia.\n\n\n\nAny phone can be traded in to get an RM400 rebate.\u00a0\n\n\n\nA change to walk home with a new 50\" Samsung TV during the roadshow promotion.\n\n\nSamsung Galaxy S20 Roadshow in Malaysia\n\n\nAs always, after the official launching of a new Samsung smartphone comes a roadshow, and this time around, the Samsung S20 Roadshow happens simultaneously around major cities in Malaysia.\n\n\n\nWhile you may think it is just another roadshow, Samsung Malaysia has upped its game by offering some incredible deals and gifts for anyone who buys an S20 from the roadshow.\n\n\n\nDid this get your attention? If it did, let me share the deals offered below;\n\nExclusive Roadshow Gift - Wireless Charger Pad and 128GB microSD card worth RM378.\nEarlybird Reward\u00a0- Buyers are entitled to be in the running to win an exclusive Samsung 50\" 4K Smart UHD TV worth RM2,599.\n\nCamera Trade-in -\u00a0or any old camera and get an RM400 rebate for purchases on any Galaxy S20 model.\n\n*Please note that customers can only choose one option for options #2 and #3, and it is only for the first 500 redemptions nationwide.\n\n\n\n\n\nLocations of the Galaxy S20 Roadshow in Malaysia.\n\nWhere is the Galaxy S20 Roadshow Being Held in Malaysia?\u00a0\n\n\nNow that you may be interested in visiting any roadshows to see the phone or perhaps even purchase one, check out the locations where the roadshow will be held around Malaysia.\n\n\n\nDate: 6th to 8th March 2020 at;\n\nMid-Valley Megamall Kuala Lumpur\nQueensbay Mall, Penang\nMid Valley Southkey, Johor Bahru, Johor\nEast Coast Mall, Kuantan Pahang\nImago Shopping Mall, Kota Kinabalu Sabah\n\n\n\n\n\nThe live S20 units were available for the media to test.\n\n\nBefore I conclude, I would like to highlight that all the photos were taken with a Samsung Galaxy S10 Plus.\nConclusion\n\n\nYou can also read my review on the Galaxy S10 Plus camera, which is my current smartphone and a Galaxy Note review\u00a0that I had the opportunity to test a couple of months ago.\u00a0\n\n\n\nAgain, to clarify my review, I have been a Samsung Galaxy and Note user since they were launched here in Malaysia over 10 years ago, after moving from the iPhone 1 in June 2007.\n\n\n\nI started with the Galaxy\u00a0GT-I7500 back in 2009 before moving to the Samsung Note 1 in October 2011. After Note 5, I eventually moved to another brand before coming back to the Galaxy S10 Plus.\u00a0\n\n\n\nWith that, I trust that you find this article on the\u00a0Samsung Galaxy S20 Ultra Launch in Malaysia interesting and that you may even visit the roadshow or a Samsung outlet to check the phones out.\n\n\nTags\nGalaxy S20 Ultra\nMalaysia\nSamsung Galaxy Reviews\nSamsung Galaxy S20 Malaysia\nSamsung Malaysia\nSmartphone Review\nSmartphone Reviews\n\n\n\n\n\nFacebook\nTwitter\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nShare:Samsung Galaxy S20 Ultra Launch in Malaysia\n\n\nFacebook\nTwitter\nWhatsApp\nPinterest\nLinkedIn\nReddit\nTumblr\nTelegram\nEmail\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nMalaysia Asia\nBlogging since 2007, but writing online since 1997. I belong to the 1st generation of worldwide bloggers, which is of course old-school. \n\nSince 2008, I created Malaysia Asia and this travel, flood, gadget and lifestyle blog has won numerous physical awards from tourism boards around Malaysia. (Not those online awards).\n\nAfter 12 years of blogging, I have semi-retired and now blog about things I like, do product reviews and enjoy life. My work has been featured in Lonely Planet, CNN Travel, Yahoo Travel, Wall Street Journal, and many other international publications. Find out more about me and thank you.\n\n\n\n\nYou might like\nView all\n\n\n\n\n\n\n"}
{"url": "http://blog.malaysia-asia.my/2019/02/marinda-airport-waisai-review.html", "text": "\n\n\n\nHomeAirlines\n\nMarinda Airport Waisai Review\n\n\n\n\nbyMalaysia Asia\n-February 21, 2019\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nThis review of the Marinda Airport in Waisai is for anyone who plans to fly from Sorong to Waisai in the Raja Ampat Regency of West Papua.\n\nYou should know that there is currently one daily flight from Sorong to Waisai, and this is the closest airport to entering the main Raja Ampat area.\u00a0\n\n\n\nFrom other major cities in Indonesia, all the flights will land at the\u00a0Domine Eduard Osok Airport in Sorong, West Papua.\n\nUsually, travellers will take the ferry or boat to Waisai before catching the local boats to your resort in Raja Ampat.\u00a0\n\n\n\nFor those who get seasick, flying from Sorong to Waisai would be your best option, as it only takes a 30-minute flight.\n\nIf you take a ferry or fast boat from Sorong, it will take you around two hours by sea; this all depends on sea conditions, which are usually not that bad.\u00a0\n\nReview of Marinda Airport Waisai\n\n\n\nThe welcome sign as you walk into the Marinda Airport in Waisai, Raja Ampat\n\n\nOn my trip to Raja Ampat in late 2017, I was fortunate to have experienced flying from Makassar to Sorong and then catching a connecting flight to Marinda Airport here in Waisai.\n\nTherefore, I am doing this airport review for anyone who plans to do this same route to cut some travel time.\u00a0\n\n\n\nThe Marinda Airport (RJM) is considered one of the tiny airports in this part of Indonesia, a Class 3 domestic airport.\n\nThis is also the closest airport to Waisai Harbor, where you catch your boat to the resort you are staying at.\n\nThe Marinda Airport officially opened in May 2012 due to increased tourism to Raja Ampat.\n\nCurrently, the airport is undergoing structural renovations to better the facilities and load of the terminal.\n\nThe renovations include extending the airport runway to accommodate larger wide-bodied aircraft like the Airbus A320s and Boeing 737s. At the moment, only the ATR turboprop planes can land here.\n\n\n\nArriving lets you walk to the main terminal building.\n\n\n\nThe Indonesian transport ministry is hoping to turn the Marinda Airport into an international airport to receive more guests into Raja Ampat. Originally initiated in 2015, renovations were ongoing when I visited this place.\u00a0\n\n\n\nThe current runway is only 1,200 meters long by 30 meters wide and has a very small terminal with a total size of 120 square meters.\n\nThis is the old format of small remote airports in Indonesia, but with tourism leading the way here, it is only right to renovate this airport for the future.\n\nSurprisingly in 2017, a total of 40,000 tourists visited Raja Ampat, making this one of the up-and-coming places to visit in Indonesia.\u00a0\n\n\n\nHere is a fun fact - The unique name of Marinda Airport (Bandar Udara Marinda) is also adopted from the combination of the West Papua regional leader (Bupati), where his name is\u00a0Marcus Wanma and also vice Bupati Inda Arfan.\n\nSo they simply named the airport after both of them, calling it Marinda.\n\n\n\nThe baggage collection area is still manual here.\n\n\n\nFacilities at Marinda Airport Waisai\n\n\n\nWhen you arrive, be prepared to go back in time. The aircraft will make a quick landing and then a quick turnaround before stopping about 10 meters from the airport entrance.\n\nSorry, there is no shuttle bus or aero bridges here; you exit the aircraft and take a nice slow walk to the terminal building.\u00a0\n\n\n\nThe airport is so small only one door leads into the arrival room. The luggage is still manual and dropped through a hole in the wall.\n\nYou pick up your bags as the staff puts them through the hole. Honestly, this was so old school, as I have seen this at some other remote airports in Borneo too.\u00a0\n\n\n\nOnce you have collected your luggage, it will take you five steps, and you will be outside the arrival entrance.\n\nHere you will be greeted by the local drivers or 'supirs' who will ask you if you need a taxi service or if you are a confirmed guest.\n\nBefore you exit, there are some general notice boards with signs indicating how much it will cost to travel around Waisai.\n\n\n\nThe one and only gift and general store at Marinda Airport\n\n\n\nSorry to say, this small airport has no coupon or taxi counter. Only locals are dressed in everyday attire, waiting to pick up confirmed guests or act as taxis.\n\nIf you have arranged a pick-up with your resort, they would likely send a modern-day air-conditioned van to pick you up. Well, I did see a couple that used one of the services.\u00a0\n\n\n\nThere are toilets, but they look like a scene from the 1980s. They are overall clean and usable, as some of us had to go after landing.\n\nBut refrain from attempting to shower or drinking the local water from the bathroom taps. Just buy a bottle of mineral water from outside the general shop.\n\n\n\nPromotional banners on Raja Ampat are the only colours you see just as you exit the airport.\n\n\n\nYes, only one little shop sells coffee, tea, some local snacks, and instant noodles. This is located just outside the arrival hall by the entrance.\n\nFrom what I saw, only the locals will frequent this place for their daily coffee fix or a quick meal while waiting for guests to arrive.\u00a0\n\n\n\nThere is nothing modern like\u00a0 Starbucks, souvenir shops or any kind of shop. Just one local general shop, so if you need to buy anything, please do so at the Sorong airport in West Papua before you come here.\n\n\n\nThe transportation service from the Marinda Airport to various places in Waisai\n\nOutside, minor renovations are still ongoing, but at a very slow pace as debris and construction materials are seen lying around the area.\n\nWell, they are doing upgrading works, and according to the locals, the new Marinda airport should be ready by the end of 2018 or early 2019 if it all goes smoothly.\u00a0\n\n\n\nMarinda Airport is a stand-alone airport located about 20 minutes from Waisai Harbor. My group was decently large, with about 15 people; hence a local bus from the 1980s was arranged to send us to the harbour.\u00a0\n\n\n\nIt was a classic design with no air-conditioned and slide-up windows; this was indeed a trip down memory lane.\n\nThe bus ride took us through a pristine rainforest, which was so raw, just like those I have seen deep in Borneo.\u00a0\n\n\n\nI sat at the last seat by the window to capture anything out of the ordinary on my camera, and to my surprise, as the bus was travelling, an eagle was flying next to the bus after being startled.\n\nYou can imagine the look on my face when I saw it. This is truly Raja Ampat.\n\nIf you are planning to visit this exotic place in West Papua, please remember to get your Raja Ampat Marine park permit\u00a0from Sorong before you come to Waisai.\n\n\n\nWings Air ATR-72 aircraft that flies to the Marinda Airport.\n\nAirlines that fly to Marinda Airport in Waisai\n\n\n\nAs of April 2018, only two airlines fly to Marinda Airport in Waisai. They are Susi Air which uses a Cessna Grand Caravan aircraft since 2012, and Wings Air which started once-a-day flights in January 2017.\u00a0\n\n\n\nWings Air uses an ATR 72-600 aircraft for this flight which operates in four cities. The flight route is Manado, Waisai, Sorong, and Manokwari, a once-a-day flight. This means the airport only operates from 8.00 AM to around 5.00 PM.\u00a0\n\n\nNam Air and Sriwijaya Air are to operate flights to Marinda Airport from\u00a0Sorong Airport.\u00a0There are 17 flights a week operating this route, but you should double check the schedules, as, at times, other airlines may cancel or reschedule.\n\nNews also surfaced in 2018 that there may be AirAsia flights to Raja Ampat\u00a0soon, but it was only verbally announced.\n\nOnce AirAsia starts flying here, the airline will most likely land at the Sorong Airport due to the aircraft size used, unless the Marinda Airport is ready to accept larger aircraft.\u00a0\u00a0\n\n\n\nMarinda Airport Waisai\u00a0\n\nAddress: Jln. Marinda Waisai Raja Ampat.\nGPS Coordinates: 00 \u00b0 25'56,3 \"S130 \u00b0 46'22,33\" E\n\nContact:\u00a0marinda.airport@gmail.com\n\n\nFinal Thoughts on the Marinda Airport Review\n\n\nRaja Ampat is home to 75 per cent of the world's corals, with a whopping total of 553 coral species and 1,437 coral reef species.\n\nThe destination also contains the richest marine biodiversity on earth, making this place one of the best places for snorkelling and scuba diving.\n\nTo travel here, you can read my other article on how to get to Raja Ampat, as I share the most common ways to travel here.\n\nOverall, you should not be booking a three or five-day trip here as it is not worth it. You must spend at least a week in Raja Ampat to enjoy this fantastic place.\u00a0\n\n\nAgain, for those who plan to take a flight from Sorong to Waisai, this is the main airport you will arrive at, and I hope you got some valuable information from my review of Marinda Airport in Waisai.\n\n\nTags\nAirlines\nAirport Reviews\nAirports\nAviation\nFlights to Raja Ampat\nFlying to Raja Ampat\nGetting to Raja Ampat\nHow to go to Raja Ampat\nIndonesia\nRaja Ampat\nWest Papua\nWonderful Indonesia\n\n\n\n\n\nFacebook\nTwitter\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nShare:Marinda Airport Waisai Review\n\n\nFacebook\nTwitter\nWhatsApp\nPinterest\nLinkedIn\nReddit\nTumblr\nTelegram\nEmail\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nMalaysia Asia\nBlogging since 2007, but writing online since 1997. I belong to the 1st generation of worldwide bloggers, which is of course old-school. \n\nSince 2008, I created Malaysia Asia and this travel, flood, gadget and lifestyle blog has won numerous physical awards from tourism boards around Malaysia. (Not those online awards).\n\nAfter 12 years of blogging, I have semi-retired and now blog about things I like, do product reviews and enjoy life. My work has been featured in Lonely Planet, CNN Travel, Yahoo Travel, Wall Street Journal, and many other international publications. Find out more about me and thank you.\n\n\n\n\nYou might like\nView all\n\n\n\n\n\n\n"}
{"url": "http://blog.malaysia-asia.my/2021/10/sunway-hotel-big-box-review.html", "text": "\n\n\n\nHomeHotel News\n\nSunway Hotel Big Box Review\n\n\n\n\nbyMalaysia Asia\n-October 02, 2021\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nFor those heading to Johor, Sunway Hotel Big Box is scheduled to open in phases starting October 1, 2021, following the state's transition to Phase Two of Malaysia's National Recovery Plan.Sunway Hospitality announced that it will be launching the massive project and preparing to welcome domestic tourists in the expected reopening of interstate travel.The hotel is Sunway's first in southern Malaysia and is a new haven of nature and adventure, which is done in a pre-review article.Sunway Hotel Big Box ReviewArtist impression of the lobby area.Sunway Hotel Big Box is located in Sunway City Iskandar Puteri, a 1,800-acre integrated township with residential, hospitality, retail, educational and upcoming medical elements.This 284-room hotel offers guests access to a verdant natural playground surrounded by some of the region's lushest mangrove forests resulting from extraordinary preservation and conservation efforts by Sunway.Sunway Hotel Big Box is easily accessible via Senai International Airport, Puteri Harbour International Ferry Terminal, and the Coastal Highway Southern Link (CHSL) from Singapore, just 5km away.Deluxe King Room.Deluxe Room.The bathroom is tastefully done.Rooms at Sunway Hotel Big BoxGuests can choose from five accommodation categories designed with contemporary interiors, complimentary Wi-Fi, smart flat-screen IPTV \u2013 Internet Protocol TVs, mini-fridges, coffee and tea making facilities and sofa beds in selected categories. The rooms are;Deluxe RoomDeluxe Plus RoomFamily SuiteExecutive SuitePremier SuiteHotel FacilitiesPool BarOutdoor Swimming PoolChildren's Swimming Pool24-hour fitness centrePendas Caf\u00e9 (local and international cuisine)Three flexible meeting rooms (20 to 300 people)The Pool Bar.Attractions and Activities around Sunway Hotel Big BoxThere are numerous activities, and attractions found around the hotel area, including the Sunway Big Box Retail Park that houses a 500,00 square feet open-air mall.X ParkATVGo KartArcheryPaint BallIndoor SnowboardingSunway Big Box Retail ParkRetail OutletsFood and Beverage OutletsEntertainment Outlets13 Large Warehouse-style Concept StoresThe fitness centre of the hotel.Sunway Hotel Big Box Promotion Packages for 20211. STAY & PLAYGet your adrenaline pumping with the \"Stay & Play\" package, which combines a stylish stay at Sunway Hotel Big Box with tickets to X Park, including go-karting, ATV riding, archery and more! Prices start from RM200 net per person, based on a minimum of two guests per room.2. BOOK DIRECT & SAVECustomers who book directly with the hotel will be rewarded with five extra benefits: exclusive rates, a dedicated check-in lane, complimentary early check-in, late check-out (subject to availability), and 10% off dining at the hotel. Guests will also be treated to a special gift if they stay during their birthday month.3. BBB (BIG BBQ) DINNERDon't miss a mouth-watering dining experience! Every Saturday from 6pm, the hotel's chefs will grill a selection of fresh delicacies such as slipper lobsters, whole spring lamb, flower crabs and much more, plus a live pizza and pasta station and more than 60 other delicious dishes. This feast is priced at just RM98 net per adult and RM45 net per child.4. BIG BOX HI-TEA BUFFETElevate your weekend afternoons with a delectable selection of local and international cuisine, plus special treats for kids! Hosted every Sunday & public holidays from 12pm to 3.30pm, the Big Box Hi-Tea Buffet is priced at RM55 net per adult and RM35 net for kids or senior citizens. Extend your afternoon by booking a Deluxe Room from 12pm to 6pm for a nominal surcharge and enjoy access to the hotel's leisure facilities, including the pool, kid's pool and fitness centre.Artist impress at night.ConclusionSunway Hotel Big BoxTel: +607 533 6688Email: sbbh.enquiry@sunwayhotels.comWebsite: visit www.sunwayhotels.com/sunway-bigboxFacebook: www.facebook.com/SunwayHotelBigBoxYou can contact Sunway through the channels mentioned above or check out their website for other promotions and packages for further information.\n\n\nTags\nHotel News\nHotel Reviews\nJohor\nMalaysia\nMalaysia Hotel News\nMalaysia Hotel Reviews\n\n\n\n\n\nFacebook\nTwitter\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nShare:Sunway Hotel Big Box Review\n\n\nFacebook\nTwitter\nWhatsApp\nPinterest\nLinkedIn\nReddit\nTumblr\nTelegram\nEmail\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nMalaysia Asia\nBlogging since 2007, but writing online since 1997. I belong to the 1st generation of worldwide bloggers, which is of course old-school. \n\nSince 2008, I created Malaysia Asia and this travel, flood, gadget and lifestyle blog has won numerous physical awards from tourism boards around Malaysia. (Not those online awards).\n\nAfter 12 years of blogging, I have semi-retired and now blog about things I like, do product reviews and enjoy life. My work has been featured in Lonely Planet, CNN Travel, Yahoo Travel, Wall Street Journal, and many other international publications. Find out more about me and thank you.\n\n\n\n\nYou might like\nView all\n\n\n\n\n\n\n"}
{"url": "http://blog.malaysia-asia.my/2020/08/what-to-do-at-frasers-hill-complete-list.html", "text": "\n\n\n\nHomeFrasers Hill\n\nWhat to do at Fraser's Hill? A Complete List\n\n\n\n\nbyMalaysia Asia\n-August 08, 2020\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nFraser's Hill is well known as one of Malaysia's famous hill getaways, and it is located just a two-hour drive from Kuala Lumpur. Therefore, you may also be asking what to do at Fraser's Hill when you visit this beautiful place.Before you continue, you should know that Fraser's Hill or the 'Little England of Malaysia' is a nature getaway that offers several things you can do here, provided you love the outdoors. The climate here is also cooling as it is located on a hill and is relatively isolated.In the local Malay language, this place is called Bukit Fraser, where Bukit is Hill. Most visitors would rent a car and self-drive up because there is no bus service here. The altitude is also around 1,420 meters above sea level, with temperatures that range from 18 to 25 degrees Celcius.What to do at Fraser's Hill?This list is in no order and applies to just about anyone planning to visit Fraser's Hill. As for me, I have been visiting this beautiful place yearly for Fraser's Hill International Bird Race.Puncak Inn is the main town centre of\u00a0Fraser's Hill.1. Go Trekking and HikingThere are many trails found around Fraser's Hill, and they range from beginner to advanced trails. There are 8 commercial trails available, where some are family-friendly, and some are for advanced hikers.To experience the hikes and trails here, it is recommended that you spend a night or two at Fraser's Hill for this. If you go for a day trip, you may be able to make one or two trails.One of the popular trails in\u00a0Fraser's Hill.Below are the Fraser's Hill Trails;Abu Suradi Trail, Length: 0.5 kmRompin Trail, Length: 0.5 kmKindersley Trail, Length: 0.75 kmHemmant Trail, Length: 1 kmMager Trail, Length: 1 kmBishop Trail (Advanced), Length: 1.5 kmMaxwell Trail (Advanced), Length: 1.8 kmPine Tree Trail (Advanced), Length: 5 kmYou should know that most of these trails are self-guided, and you can do them independently. However, if you require a trail guide, you can contact the hotel or Fraser's Hill Tourism Office.Fraser's Hill is one of the well known IBA sites for bird watching.2. Do Bird WatchingIf you did not already know, Fraser's Hill is one of the top bird-watching destinations in Peninsular Malaysia. Every year, the international bird race is held here for two days and attracts hundreds of visitors.\u00a0Because of the climate, birders or aspiring bird watchers get the best of both lowland and lower montane birds in one place. There are over 270 species of tropical birds to be spotted and photographed here.The birds can be spotted everywhere, namely from the town area, cottages, and trails. At any one time, you will be able to spot at least 20 species of birds without trying too hard.3. Explore Allen's Water LakeThe only lake here offers visitors a boating experience using a pedalo or paddle boat for two persons. This is great family fun where you can also feed the fish while exploring the lake.There is also Zorbing which is a giant water ball experience. The place is open daily and has a counter where you can book your paddle boats which, of course, come with safety jackets. If it rains, they are closed.\u00a04. Dine or Stay at the Fraser's Hill Smokehouse RestaurantOne of the nostalgic and old-world English themed restaurants is still operational since opening in 1937. The place is also called Ye Olde Smokehouse, and they serve some authentic English-Asian cuisine which is a must-try for anyone coming up here.Several people claim that the English tea and scones are a must-try when you visit the Smokehouse, and personally, I have tried it numerous times. Of course, you cannot compare this to the United Kingdom, but hey, this is the tropics.This restaurant is busy during weekends, especially in the afternoons for tea time. Ye Olde Smokehouse also doubles as a cottage where you can book rooms to stay. There are a total of 14 rooms and suites available.If you are staying here, try the English Breakfast, but don't expect UK quality again. To make any bookings or get more information, visit the Ye Olde Smokehouse website.Horse riding at The Paddock.5. Try Horse Riding and Archery at The PaddockThere is a place called The Paddock, which offers horse riding and archery to visitors. The story goes where retired racehorses are housed in a stable and used as leisure horse riding that does not strain them.The mesmerising Jeriau waterfalls here.6. Visit the Jeriau WaterfallsProbably the only commercial waterfall here and is located about four kilometres from the main town area. You can hike there, but it will take you around 30 minutes, and most visitors would self-drive here.The trail is easy with railings and walkways, which is suitable for the elderly and kids. There are gazebos and picnic areas available. The Jeriau waterfalls are about 10 meters high and safe for swimming.Sometimes they close the waterfalls during the monsoon season from November to January due to heavy rains. If you go during this time, you may want to check with the locals there first.7. Play a Round of GolfIf you are into golf, there is only one course up here and offers a cooling 9-hole experience. It is called the Fraser's Hill Golf Club, and the best time to play here is during the weekdays.Tee-offs in the mornings are surreal as the course is dominated by the dawn fog, and when it gets late morning, the climate is golf-perfect.This golf course has also been around since the 1920s when the British escaped the city to come up and relax. It is also built over the former tin mining area.The iconic clock tower in the town centre.8. Admire the Nostalgic Fraser's Hill Clock TowerIt is probably the only stand-alone Mock Tudor designed clock tower in Malaysia, and it is located smack centre of the town square. The clock still works and is one of the most photographed places here.The four-sided clock tower creates charm in the town centre, where creeper vines grow on all sides of the Mock Tudor design.While you may think this clock tower is over a century old, it is not.\u00a0It was actually built by the Frasers Hill Development Corporation in 1989. It was designed by Malaysian Landscape Architect Z. Jaal, making it only 31 years old while writing this in May 2020.Glen Bungalow is one of the original Mock Tudor homes here.9. See the Mock Tudor Colonial Buildings and HomesBecause Fraser's Hill was a British Hill Station before Malaysia got its independence, many British expatriates who worked in old Malaya would take a break and head up the hill. The reason was that the climate reminded them of home.After the British left in 1957, the old Muck Tudor homes and structures remained, and many of them turned into rest-houses. Nowadays, when you explore the area, you will easily spot these beautiful structures here.10. See, Smell and Photograph the Beautiful FlowersBecause of the beautiful climate, you can find a wide range of flowers growing all over here. Many incredible climate flowers are the stars here. One of them is the Angles Trumpet which is grown all over the place.If you are an avid anthophile, this will be a wonderland for you as you will find several species growing freely here, including orchids.Strawberry farm and cafe.11. Visit the Strawberry Farm and CafeThere is a quaint strawberry farm and cafe where visitors can experience plucking their own strawberries just after the Smokehouse. This place is called Strawberry Garden and also offers a flower nursery.\u00a0Visitors can try scones, cakes, ice cream, fresh strawberries, and even local cuisine at the cafe. This is also a Halal cafe. You can buy souvenirs like strawberry jam among the many items here while there is no entrance fee and open from 8.00 AM to 6.00 PM.Visitors at the local restaurant.12. Experience the Local Food Center at Food GardenThere is a famous local food centre, or food court found here and caters to all walks of life. You get the best Chinese, Malay, and even Indian local food here at the Food Garden.Because of the crowd popularity, this place may be partially opened during non-peak times. Whenever I visit Fraser's Hill, I will surely make it a point to come here for my local food fix. The prices are very reasonable, and the experience is overall quite enjoyable.13. Do Some Souvenir or Necessity ShoppingWithout a doubt, any traveller would want some sort of souvenir when they visit a new place, and here at Fraser's Hill, you can find some local souvenir shops at the Food Garden.Apart from the available t-shirts, caps, and other memorabilia being offered, mini markets and sundry shops sell daily necessities, snacks, and drinks.Why? Because after dark, all shops and restaurants are closed, and if you need a midnight snack, this is your option.14. Indulge in Local Orchids at Sanyi Orchid GardenThere is a dedicated orchid garden that doubles as a flower nursery up here for orchid lovers. Apparently, the owners are from the city and decided to open a branch at Fraser's Hill. They are well-known exporters of\u00a0Moth orchids or Phalaenopsis orchids from Malaysia.They offer a range of local and hybrid orchids for sale but do not expect rare jungle orchids. Prices are pretty reasonable and usually cater to the local visitors. Sanyi Orchid Garden is open daily from 9.00 AM to 6.00 PM, and there are no entrance fees.The scene during Fraser's Hill Bird Race.15. Do some Bird Watching at Fraser's HillBird watching is probably the most popular outdoor activity here as there are over 250 bird species to be spotted all over Fraser's Hill. Every year, there is the Fraser's Hill International Bird Race that sees thousands of enthusiasts attending.Each trail here offers different species of birds to spot, and often, you can also spot them along the main roads here. This activity can be done solo or with the assistance of bird guides here.The unique Glass House at Frasers's Hill.16. Visit the Glass House Fraser's HillThe latest attraction at Fraser's Hill is the Glass House, a cosy cafe located just after Shazan Inn. The concept of a small annexe glass greenhouse gives the place its name, and here, you can order a selection of coffee and cakes throughout the day.They close on Wednesdays and Thursdays and open on other days from 10.00 AM to 6.00 PM. Inside the glass greenhouse, they have a beautiful display of cactus and other interesting plants.\u00a0 \u00a0The unique\u00a0Fraser's Hill signboard.When is the Best Time to Visit Fraser's Hill?\u00a0Anytime is a great time, but the coolest months are from November to January, where the temperature drops a little, and there is more mist seen. However, it can also be rainy during this time so take note.And because this is the year-end, it is also school holidays, so the place can get a little crowded with locals bringing their families for a city getaway. It is recommended to book ahead if you plan to visit during the year-end.Directions to Fraser's Hill from Google Maps.How to Go to Fraser's Hill?\u00a0Generally, most visitors will self-drive up here for a daily trip or an overnight trip. From Kuala Lumpur, it only takes two hours to drive one way passing Kuala Kubu Bharu town.There is no public transportation to get here; hence if you do not drive, you can always arrange for a taxi or ride-share car to send you up there. But getting down would be tricky unless you pre-book your way back.Alternatively, you can always engage a tour company to book a tour up here, including a nature guide, which can be a little more costly.Back in the day, the\u00a0Pahang Lin Siong bus was used to service the route between Raub-Fraser's Hill-Kuala Lumpur, but they stopped this around 2009.The welcome sign is in Malay.Some Historical Facts on Fraser's HillJust for those who would like to know a little more, Fraser's Hill was discovered by Louis James Fraser, a Scottish trader searching for gold in the hills. This was back in the 1890s.Discovering tin instead of gold, Fraser recruited workers and opened up a mine here. For some reason, Fraser disappeared 25 years later without a trace.But the person that made Fraser's Hill what it is today is actually a Bishop from Singapore named\u00a0C. J. Ferguson-Davie. He was tasked to search for Fraser but could not find him in 1917.While up here, C. J. Ferguson-Davie found the area highly suitable for a hill station and a retreat from the heat in the city. In 1919, they started building a road to the top, and by 1922, Fraser's Hill was opened to the public.Fraser's Hill in the 1950s. Photo by New Straits Times.ConclusionI trust this list provides all the information you need about Fraser's Hill, and if there is anything left out, please do let me know.At the end of the day, if you desire a nature getaway from Kuala Lumpur, this is one of the recommended places to visit.\n\n\nTags\nFrasers Hill\nMalaysia\nPahang\nPlaces to Visit in Pahang\nThings to do at Fraser's Hill\n\n\n\n\n\nFacebook\nTwitter\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nShare:What to do at Fraser's Hill? A Complete List\n\n\nFacebook\nTwitter\nWhatsApp\nPinterest\nLinkedIn\nReddit\nTumblr\nTelegram\nEmail\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nMalaysia Asia\nBlogging since 2007, but writing online since 1997. I belong to the 1st generation of worldwide bloggers, which is of course old-school. \n\nSince 2008, I created Malaysia Asia and this travel, flood, gadget and lifestyle blog has won numerous physical awards from tourism boards around Malaysia. (Not those online awards).\n\nAfter 12 years of blogging, I have semi-retired and now blog about things I like, do product reviews and enjoy life. My work has been featured in Lonely Planet, CNN Travel, Yahoo Travel, Wall Street Journal, and many other international publications. Find out more about me and thank you.\n\n\n\n\nYou might like\nView all\n\n\n\n\n\n\n"}
{"url": "http://blog.malaysia-asia.my/2022/07/pia-restarts-lahore-to-kuala-lumpur.html", "text": "\n\n\n\nHomeAirlines\n\nPIA restarts Lahore to Kuala Lumpur flights in 2022\n\n\n\n\nbyMalaysia Asia\n-July 09, 2022\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nGood news as Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) has resumed Lahore-Kuala Lumpur flight operations due to the ease in the Covid-induced restrictions.The first flight departed from Lahore for Kuala Lumpur earlier today, PIA spokesman Abdullah Hafeez Khan said in a recent news release at the end of June 2022.PIA restarts Lahore to Kuala Lumpur flights in 2022The national flag carrier also celebrated the resumption of aviation, and a simple ceremony was held at Allama Iqbal International Airport Lahore.Aviation Minister Khawaja Saad Rafique felicitated the PIA team and said the national flag carrier consistently increased its network for customer convenience.Earlier, Pakistan Airlines resumed operating two weekly flights from Islamabad to the capital of Malaysia. The airline has also gradually increased the number of its domestic and international flights.ConclusionFor more information about the flight schedules, including day and time, you can also visit the Pakistan Airlines Malaysia website with the latest updates.\n\n\nTags\nAirlines\nAirlines News\nAviation\nPakistan\nPakistan International Airlines\nPIA\n\n\n\n\n\nFacebook\nTwitter\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nShare:PIA restarts Lahore to Kuala Lumpur flights in 2022\n\n\nFacebook\nTwitter\nWhatsApp\nPinterest\nLinkedIn\nReddit\nTumblr\nTelegram\nEmail\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nMalaysia Asia\nBlogging since 2007, but writing online since 1997. I belong to the 1st generation of worldwide bloggers, which is of course old-school. \n\nSince 2008, I created Malaysia Asia and this travel, flood, gadget and lifestyle blog has won numerous physical awards from tourism boards around Malaysia. (Not those online awards).\n\nAfter 12 years of blogging, I have semi-retired and now blog about things I like, do product reviews and enjoy life. My work has been featured in Lonely Planet, CNN Travel, Yahoo Travel, Wall Street Journal, and many other international publications. Find out more about me and thank you.\n\n\n\n\nYou might like\nView all\n\n\n\n\n\n\n"}
{"url": "http://blog.malaysia-asia.my/2022/10/galaxy-z-fold4-photography-at-sarawak.html", "text": "\n\n\n\nHomeFolding Phone Reviews\n\nGalaxy Z Fold4 Photography at Sarawak UNESCO Caves\n\n\n\n\nbyMalaysia Asia\n-October 12, 2022\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nOne of the things that I have always wanted to do with a smartphone is take it into one of the caves of Malaysia and try some smartphone photography.\u00a0Well, my wish came true as I managed to try the Galaxy Z Fold4 Photography at Sarawak UNESCO Caves of Mulu National Park and Niah National Park in September 2022.Galaxy Z Fold4 Photography at Sarawak UNESCO CavesFirst, the Galaxy Z Fold4 has been known to be a business phone due to the folding screen, and no one imagined that it was also packed with a powerful camera system.I love challenges, and when I was told I had an exhibition spot at the Kuala Lumpur Photography Festival 2022, I wanted to make it count and be remembered as it was my first solo photography exhibition.My first smartphone photography exhibition was at Kuala Lumpur Photography Festival 2022.I've always wanted to exhibit my photography, and in recent years, I have been toying around with several phones for my smartphone photography in Malaysia.Yes, you heard that, and smartphone photography is here to stay, no matter how you look at it, so I've had a significant headstart from the early days of the Galaxy Note 1 (Nov 2011).Back to the Galaxy Z Fold4 review - I booked a trip to not one but two UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Malaysia, the Niah National Park and Gunung Mulu National Park, both in Sarawak.\u00a0I spent five days at both national parks using my Galaxy Z Fold4 to capture as many photos as possible, ranging from landscape to macro and low-light cave photography.What is low-light cave photography? If you have been inside a cave, you would know it is one of the most challenging places to photograph. Regardless if you use a DSLR, Mirrorless or a smartphone.Therefore, I tested myself to see if this could be achieved when several people told me it would not turn out nice; the photos are below.A closeup of my prints at the exhibition. The soft copies are featured in this article below.Low-light Photography with the Galaxy Z Fold4The photos below will be placed by the names of the caves, and each of the pictures was taken with the Galaxy Z Fold4 and minimally edited before printing on photo paper for my exhibition.These are the original soft copies which I have resized for this article. Note my name, number, and camera used to photograph.Note: Please click on the photos to see the full-size image.Deer Cave at Mulu National Park in SarawakThe following four photos are taken inside the Gunung Mulu National Park Deer Cave. Please note that I used the Galaxy Z Fold4 Smartphone for all my photos below.The Deer Cave is one of the national park's hero caves and one of Malaysia's most visited caves.If you have never been to this part of Malaysia, I highly recommend it, especially if you love the outdoors, caves and plain nature.Water falls from the main cave chamber, estimated to be around 100 meters high.As you exit the main cave chamber, you will pass several waterfalls from the cave ceiling.The Sarawak Chamber is the largest cave chamber in the world, inside the Deer Cave.Can you spot the person wearing blue in the photo inside the Sarawak Chamber?Clearwater Cave at Mulu National Park in SarawakThe Clearwater Cave is one of the most beautiful caves I have visited because a fast-flowing river about 10 meters wide runs inside the cave system at the Mulu National Park.To get here, one must climb 200 steps and slowly descend until one arrives at the Clearwater River. The following photos show the river system of the caves, taken with the Galaxy Z Fold4 in night mode.Clearwater Cave is also known to be the 9th longest cave in the world, and even I just found out about this.Entering the Clearwater Cave from the top. Notice the person in the photo and the bridge on top.The\u00a0subterranean river runs at the bottom of the cave.Clearwater Cave's subterranean river is about 10 meters wide. This was photographed with my smartphone placed on the bridge for 7 seconds.Another interesting view of the cave river. Photographed handheld for 7 seconds.Wind Cave at Mulu National ParkBelow are four photos taken inside the Wind Cave near the Clearwater Cave system at the Gunung Mulu National Park in Sarawak.As the name says, when you reach certain parts of the cave, you feed a strong gust of cold wind that makes your hair stand. It's a wonder how the wind travels in the caves.The Wind Cave at Mulu tends to feature some of the best stalactites and stalagmites I have seen in this part of the world.For some reason, I found my old article on the Wind Cave at Mulu Park from 2009; therefore, you can see some of my old photos of the caves taken back then.Stalactites and stalagmites joined over millions of years, some of them 10 meters tall.The walkways inside the Lang Cave are cleverly planned, where you make a loop and exit.Various angles of the stalactites and stalagmites provide exciting photography opportunities.The walkways in the cave often look like an Indiana Jones movie set.Lang Cave at Mulu National ParkThe Lang Cave is probably one of the most beautiful caves in terms of unique formations, stalactites and stalagmites that have formed over millions of years.And the fact that lights are used carefully to highlight them makes them even more beautiful to photograph.The reverse view cave mouth of Lang Cave at Mulu Park.Water droplets on a stalactite were photographed handheld in normal mode with a seven-second delay.Unique stalactite formation looking like an alien photographed handheld on normal mode.Different tones and highlights are photographed in normal mode.Water streaking down a stalactite and photographed in night mode on the Galaxy Z Fold4.Niah Caves at Niah National Park in SarawakThe Niah Caves are also being selected as another UNESCO World Heritage Site for Sarawak, located about an hour's drive from Miri.This stand-alone cave is also spectacular, namely the amazing cave mouth and the fact that one of the oldest living remains of a prehistoric man in this region was found here.You can do further reading of my 2015 article on Niah Caves in Sarawak, as I went there unexpectedly on a quick 2-hour trip.The main cave entrance at Niah is seen from inside the mouth.A glimpse of the Trader Cave at Niah. Notice the red dot in the centre, which is a person.Niah Cave exit, taken on a reverse angle with the Galaxy Z Fold4.Inside Niah, a cave opening is seen at the top.In total, there are 21 photos taken inside the five caves of Niah and Mulu National Park, all photographed with the Galaxy Z Fold4 smartphone.Each of the photos you see here has also been printed on photo paper and in 18 x 12-inch size and will be displayed at the Sarawak Tourism Board office in Kuching, Sarawak.The fact that smartphone technology has improved in recent years shows that low-light photography is fine, especially when using one of the newer smartphones.My objective was to challenge myself to capture photos inside the caves without a tripod and see how well the smartphone performed. And to my surprise, I was very impressed with the outcome.Most people will review or use their smartphones to do portrait, landscape or other street photography, but those are a dime a dozen, and every other person seems to want to do that.Hence my unique choice to feature cave photography in Malaysia, which no one would think of; by now, I have set the benchmark so high that my next project will be even more challenging.And for the record, I have been visiting many caves around Malaysia in the last 15 years and also wrote an article about 8 caves to visit in Sabah and Sarawak in 2010.That's me, David Hogan Jr, a smartphone photographer from Malaysia.ConclusionThere you go, my actual photos taken with the Galaxy Z Fold4 Smartphone, and each of the images above was exhibited at the Kuala Lumpur Photography Festival 2022 from 23-25 September.Again, thank everyone who came and supported my first solo photography exhibition. My topic for the next photo exhibition will be much more challenging.And once again, the photos you see above were taken with a Samsung Galaxy Z Fold4 smartphone and at two UNESCO national parks in Sarawak, Malaysia.\n\n\nTags\nFolding Phone Reviews\nGalaxy Z Fold4\nGalaxy Z Fold4 Review\nMalaysia\nPhotography\nSamsung Galaxy\nSamsung Malaysia\nSarawak\nSmartphone Photography\nSmartphone Review\nSmartphone Reviews\n\n\n\n\n\nFacebook\nTwitter\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nShare:Galaxy Z Fold4 Photography at Sarawak UNESCO Caves\n\n\nFacebook\nTwitter\nWhatsApp\nPinterest\nLinkedIn\nReddit\nTumblr\nTelegram\nEmail\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nMalaysia Asia\nBlogging since 2007, but writing online since 1997. I belong to the 1st generation of worldwide bloggers, which is of course old-school. \n\nSince 2008, I created Malaysia Asia and this travel, flood, gadget and lifestyle blog has won numerous physical awards from tourism boards around Malaysia. (Not those online awards).\n\nAfter 12 years of blogging, I have semi-retired and now blog about things I like, do product reviews and enjoy life. My work has been featured in Lonely Planet, CNN Travel, Yahoo Travel, Wall Street Journal, and many other international publications. Find out more about me and thank you.\n\n\n\n\nYou might like\nView all\n\n\n\n\n\n\n"}
{"url": "http://blog.malaysia-asia.my/2019/09/samsung-galaxy-s10-plus-camera-review.html", "text": "\n\n\n\nHomeMalaysia\n\nSamsung Galaxy S10 Plus Camera Review\n\n\n\n\nbyMalaysia Asia\n-September 26, 2019\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nAfter using the phone for two months, I have finally come out with my Samsung Galaxy S10 Plus camera review based on various conditions and settings on the camera.\u00a0\n\n\n\nYou see, I do not rush to get a phone and review it overnight just to be the first few to do it, and if you know me, I love to use a product for a decent time before reviewing it officially.\u00a0\n\nReview of the Samsung Galaxy S10 Plus Camera\n\n\n\nAn ultra-wide shot taken at Kuala Baram Wetlands in Miri, Sarawak\n\n\nWhile most people rush to review new smartphones, I just wonder how they base their reviews on. The most common way would be by taking photos and comparing them with other smartphones?\n\n\n\nAnyway, I got my Samsung Galaxy S10 Plus in June of 2019 and tested the smartphone in various conditions all around Malaysia.\u00a0\n\n\nI do this because I travel a lot for my work, and I always lug my heavy DSLR camera with me. Before owning the S10 Plus, I once did get a review unit in early April to test it for a couple of weeks.\n\n\nHowever, that did not work well for me because it was a rush, and I had to return the unit, so I was pretty limited in what I could do.\u00a0\n\n\n\nApart from the usual screen resolution, speed, materials, ram, battery life and so on, you have most probably read them all on other reviews, which are mostly copied and pasted or re-written.\u00a0\n\n\n\nSo, let me give you my honest camera review of the Galaxy S10 Plus below. And you should also know that the photos posted in this article are all non-edited and straight from the phone.\n\n\n\nThe many modes that are available on the Galaxy S10 Plus\n\n\n\nGalaxy Note 10 Plus Camera Modes\n\n\nI love the new camera system on the Galaxy S10 Plus and the triple-camera mode it offers. All I can say is that this is what I was waiting for all my life, well, sort of.\u00a0\n\n\n\nIn technical jargon, the Galaxy S10 Plus is a triple-lens camera that comes with;\n\n\n\nA standard 12-megapixel lens with a variable f/1.5 to f/2.4 aperture\n12-megapixel telephoto lens with an f/2.4 aperture\n16-megapixel ultra-wide-angle lens with an f/2.2 aperture\n\n\n\n\n\n\nThe triple camera system on the Samsung Galaxy S10 Plus. Photo from Samsung Malaysia\n\nSo, what does that mean for the common layman? More confusion, I assume, but not to worry, as I will do my best to break it down in layman terms.\u00a0\n\n\n\nForget about the f/this and f/that as it is more for those professional wannabes. You need to know that when you launch the camera mode, you will see a bunch of icons and words.\n\nI must stress that all the photos posted here are not edited, only to put in the watermark and resized for publication.\n\nAlso, before you start using the camera, please go to the 'Camera Settings' on the phone and enable your 'Screen Optimizer'. This will differentiate many objects like buildings, people and pets.\n\n\n\nRed Durians (Durian Isu) from Miri, Sarawak. The photo was taken with the standard photo mode.\n\n\n\nStandard Photo Mode on Galaxy S10 Plus\n\n\n\nSimple photographers will go straight for the standard \"Photo\" mode, which is your easiest way to take photos.\n\nOnce in that mode, you have three options to choose from in terms of zoom. That is the easiest option for anyone who does not want complications.\n\nIt is also a straightforward mode, as in point and clicks the button. That is all, and this will be the most popular mode for many users.\n\n\n\nKolo Mee with homemade noodles from Pujut in Miri. Food mood used for this photo\u00a0\n\n\n\nFood Photo Mode on Galaxy S10 Plus\n\n\n\nThis one was made purely for the foodies, or in general everyone who just loves to take food photos. However, please note it works great with food in the photos and not your empty plates.\u00a0\n\n\n\nThe food mode opens with an adjustable bokeh ring in the middle of the screen. You can pinch it wide or small to give it a blurred effect on the outside. Bokeh is a known photographer's term.\n\nThe cropping for the bokeh mode will go away if you wait a little longer, and then you can just take a full photo without the blurring.\n\n\n\nThe very unique Marudi Fried Kuey Teow in Miri, Sarawak. The photo was taken using the food mode.\u00a0\n\n\n\nSo, when you get into this mode, you can either use it or not. Pinching it as wide and waiting, the blurring effect automatically goes away unless you touch the area you want to photograph.\u00a0\n\n\n\nThe food mode also cleverly adjusts colours to make them look more appetizing on your screen. This is part of the built-in A.I. that recognizes food photos.\n\nAnother function in Food Mode is the Palette, which controls the photo's colour and temperature before taking it.\n\n\n\nUltra-wide photo taken at the Summit Cafe in Miri, serving authentic Orang Ulu food in Sarawak\n\n\nAt first, I found it interesting, but honestly, I find a nice sharp and clear photo that will show the food much better. Anyway, it's very subjective, so use it how you like.\u00a0\n\n\n\nI find the food mode great for those who indulge in food photography or just want to post it on Instagram. But know that in low-light conditions, you may have to play around with this food mode.\n\nThe food mode is also exciting, especially when the function gives you a rich tone for food photography. Other settings do not give you this.\n\nIf you are extra creative, you can also use the 'Food Mode' to photograph other items like insects, flowers or small items that turn out pretty impressive.\n\n\n\nUltra-wide photo taken at the Damai Beach Resort in Santubong, Sarawak\n\n\n\nInstagram Photo Mode on Galaxy S10 Plus\n\n\n\nEveryone's favourite mode except me. Really, I started in the early days of Instagram when it was much nicer and eventually got a little tired of this platform as it became worse over the years.\u00a0\n\n\n\nBut not to fear, as the Galaxy S10 Plus Instagram mode is an easy way out for Instagrammers or would-be influencers, closet influencers and so on.\u00a0\n\n\n\nThe 'Instagram Mode' comes built with perfect cropping to fit Instagram, so you need not edit your photos after taking them. Just snap and upload to Instagram, that's all.\u00a0\n\n\n\nIf you ask me, this is just a shortcut for those who hate editing and resizing photos to fit into your Instagram specific crop.\n\n\n\nDamai Beach in Sarawak, taken with the Panorama mode on the phone\n\n\n\nPanorama Photo Mode on Galaxy S10 Plus\n\n\n\nUse only when you see a nice landscape, meaning when the angle is really wide, you can then get into this mode and capture the entire scene from left to right.\n\nThe trick is to use this mode when the light is great, especially in the morning or afternoons. The natural light helps to beautify the photo.\n\nAlso, when you are panning from left to right or the other way, be sure to go slow and keep the line straight when panning.\n\nAnd, you can also take panoramic photos horizontally! So, either way, this works any way you like your photo to turn out.\n\n\n\nThe amazing turn out on the night mode of the phone\n\n\n\nNight Photo Mode on Galaxy S10 Plus\n\n\n\nThis is currently my favourite function on the Galaxy S10 Plus camera as I never thought I would see the day I would be able to shoot at night without problems.\n\nSince testing the phone and exploring many different night scenes, I find that areas with a lot of light tend to turn out even more beautiful.\n\nA small trick I learned is when you take the photo, put down the contrast, and look even better when there are many lights.\n\nYou also need to hold the phone steady for a good five or six seconds when taking a photo using the night mode.\n\n\n\nThe Miri Waterfront, photo taken at around 9.00 PM with night mode\n\n\n\nThe Curve and eCurve shopping mall in Mutiara Damansara, photo taken around 8.00 PM with night mode\n\n\n\nPro Photo Mode on Galaxy S10 Plus\n\nHonestly, I am still testing this function, and if you are a general user like most people, I recommend you use the other functions. This requires a little photography knowledge to operate.\n\nSettings include almost everything that is found in modern-day DSLR cameras, with aperture, shutter speed, white balance and so on.\n\nTo properly use this mode, you need to understand how a camera functions; otherwise, it will be confusing and frustrating.\u00a0\n\n\n\nLive Focus Photo Mode on Galaxy S10 Plus\n\nAnother function that I am also still testing is to see how it turns out. To be honest, this is still something new to me, so let me explore this and update it here later.\n\nIt states that this function plays around with the depth of field, providing some pretty amazing shots, namely selfies. So as I am not a selfie-person, I doubt I will be doing any of that here.\n\nBut I believe I will find some other way to explore this function, so stay tuned.\n\n\n\nThe Tusan Horse Rock at Tusan Beach in Miri, Sarawak. Taken with the ultra-wide mode during sunset\u00a0\n\nLandscape Photos with the Samsung Galaxy S10 Plus\n\nBelow are some other random landscape photos were taken around Sarawak using the normal and ultra-wide modes on the camera.\n\nAgain, I want to stress that all the photos here are taken with the Galaxy S10 Plus, and they are not edited at all. I just put a watermark and resized them to fit here.\n\nSo what you see is the true colours of the camera here.\n\n\n\nThe Hornbill Monument at Damai Central in Santubong, Sarawak during sunset. Ultra-wide mode\u00a0\n\n\n\nMount Santubong view from a floating fish farm along the Santubong River. Ultra-wide mode\u00a0\n\n\n\nSunset at Damai Beach in Sarawak. Using ultra-wide mode only.\n\n\n\nUsing the Ultra-Wide mode to capture the full moment in Miri, Sarawak\u00a0\n\n\n\nA sunset photo at Coco Cabana in Miri, using the ultra-wide mode\n\n\n\nThe Seahorse statue at the Miri Waterfront by the Pullman Miri Hotel. Taken using night-mode at 6am\u00a0\n\n\n\nThe Sunday 'Tamu' or open market in Miri City, Sarawak. Ultra-wide used here\u00a0\n\n\n\nThe departure hall at Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) using Ultra-wide mode\u00a0\n\n\n\nConclusion\u00a0\n\n\n\nOverall, many people have had different opinions and reviews about the Samsung\u00a0Galaxy S10 Plus, and you should pay attention to who is reviewing them.\n\nMany tech bloggers, lifestyle bloggers, online portals, and even photographers have given their own opinions.\nI would suggest you take all the reviews with a pinch of salt for the general user out there, as each one has a different expectation and review.\n\nI have also done a camera review for the Galaxy Note 10 Plus\u00a0in October 2019 if you want to see any comparison between the two models.\n\nFor me, I have been travelling and photographing for the last 30 years, and ever since the first iPhone 1 was launched, I was already using that from day one.\nOver the years, I have seen how the smartphone and its camera have evolved tremendously; namely, it has become a staple tool for humans with so many technological advancements.\n\nI trust that this review of the Samsung Galaxy S10 Plus camera will provide you with a non-biased opinion and see it from a travel photographer's point of view.\n\n\nTags\nMalaysia\nPhone Review\nSamsung Galaxy\nSamsung Galaxy S10 Plus\nSamsung Malaysia\nSmartphone Review\nSmartphone Reviews\nTravel Smartphone\n\n\n\n\n\nFacebook\nTwitter\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nShare:Samsung Galaxy S10 Plus Camera Review\n\n\nFacebook\nTwitter\nWhatsApp\nPinterest\nLinkedIn\nReddit\nTumblr\nTelegram\nEmail\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nMalaysia Asia\nBlogging since 2007, but writing online since 1997. I belong to the 1st generation of worldwide bloggers, which is of course old-school. \n\nSince 2008, I created Malaysia Asia and this travel, flood, gadget and lifestyle blog has won numerous physical awards from tourism boards around Malaysia. (Not those online awards).\n\nAfter 12 years of blogging, I have semi-retired and now blog about things I like, do product reviews and enjoy life. My work has been featured in Lonely Planet, CNN Travel, Yahoo Travel, Wall Street Journal, and many other international publications. Find out more about me and thank you.\n\n\n\n\nYou might like\nView all\n\n\n\n\n\n\n"}
{"url": "http://blog.malaysia-asia.my/2018/05/agro-homestay-in-melaka.html", "text": "\n\n\n\nHomeAgro Tourism in Malaysia\n\nAgro Homestay in Melaka\n\n\n\n\nbyMalaysia Asia\n-November 29, 2022\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nMany years ago, when I first started travel blogging, I did explore Malaysia quite a bit, and I did visit a lot of unique places. One was an Agro Homestay in Melaka, which was very different.While homestays are quite common among Malaysians and possibly Asians, the concept of staying with a hosting family has caught on over the last ten years in Malaysia.Agro Homestay in MelakaOver the last decade, there has been a surge in homestay tourism in Malaysia. Some places offer different local experiences, like culture, agriculture and even a simple village lifestyle.Some of you may ask what an Agro Homestay is, and the answer is simple - It is actually a homestay that focuses on agro-tourism or tourism featuring local fruits grown in orchards.There are few Agro Tourism homestays in Malaysia, but from what I know, you can find some, like this one in Melaka.One should know that this is not your regular budget hotel accommodation as it is raw and something you will remember for life.Also, some people try to compare the Malaysian homestay experience with the Taiwan homestay, which is totally different. The Malaysian homestay focuses on staying with the host family, who lives in a typical local 'Kampung' wooden house with outdoor bathrooms and toilets.You live just as they live, east with them and do stuff as they do in the local villages. Most authentic homestays offer visitors a very natural experience too.Therefore, if you seek a much more comfortable experience, I recommend you avoid trying a Malaysian homestay program.Photos of the Agro Homestay in MalaysiaI will not go into details about my stay here and jump straight into the photos I took. I will also indicate what they are in the captions of each of the photos.You can read this article about my Parit Penghulu Homestay experience, which was reviewed in 2011. Yes, it was a long time ago, but not much changes in the local villages.And below are the random photos of what you can expect at an agro homestay.What Parit Penghulu looks like from the homestay area.Inside the homestay villageA large community area for visitors to this homestay\nA banana flower from the local farm.\n\n\nA type of hanging fruit.\n\n\nHarvesting the Palm Oil fruit.\n\n\nThey call this fruit \"Ciku\".\n\n\nWildflowers growing freely.\n\nLocal Melaka Kampung Durians are ready to be harvested.\n\n\nVisited a goat pen.\n\n\nFortunate to witness a goat giving birth to a baby.\n\n\nThe mother goat cleans the 'kid', a baby goat.\n\n\nMother gave birth to two kids, one black and one white.\n\n\nPaddy field in Parit Penghulu.\n\n\nFarmers irrigate the paddy fields.\n\n\nDemonstrating how they pick the rice.\n\n\nA palm seed species in beautiful colours.\n\n\nMelaka also grows pineapples, as Parit Penghulu is close to Johor.\n\n\nGreen Rambutans at a local orchard.\n\n\nRubber tapping was demonstrated.\n\n\nTraditional Rubber Trees in a plantation here.\nA sign showing the paddy field area.Where is the Agro Homestay in Melaka?\u00a0This agro homestay is located in Parit Penghulu, which is in the Sungai Rambai area of Melaka. It is also way out of the main Melaka city area, and to get here takes about a 30-40 minute drive from the city.What else to do at Parit Penghulu?While the area is known for its vast paddy fields and farms, many birders come here during the migratory period from October to March to do birdwatching at Parit Penghulu.Besides that, the entire Sungai Rambai is more of an agricultural area with many paddy fields and orchards. It's also the border area to Johor state.Parit Penghulu is a laid-back and relaxed place in Sungai Rambai, Melaka.ConclusionI would recommend trying this Agro Homestay in Melaka for anyone interested in experiencing this one-of-a-kind homestay in Melaka.\n\n\nTags\nAgro Tourism in Malaysia\nCommunity Based Tourism\nMalaysia\nMalaysia Agro Tourism\nMalaysia Homestay\nMelaka\nMelaka Homestay\nParit Penghulu\nSungai Rambai\nThings to do in Melaka\n\n\n\n\n\nFacebook\nTwitter\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nShare:Agro Homestay in Melaka\n\n\nFacebook\nTwitter\nWhatsApp\nPinterest\nLinkedIn\nReddit\nTumblr\nTelegram\nEmail\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nMalaysia Asia\nBlogging since 2007, but writing online since 1997. I belong to the 1st generation of worldwide bloggers, which is of course old-school. \n\nSince 2008, I created Malaysia Asia and this travel, flood, gadget and lifestyle blog has won numerous physical awards from tourism boards around Malaysia. (Not those online awards).\n\nAfter 12 years of blogging, I have semi-retired and now blog about things I like, do product reviews and enjoy life. My work has been featured in Lonely Planet, CNN Travel, Yahoo Travel, Wall Street Journal, and many other international publications. Find out more about me and thank you.\n\n\n\n\nYou might like\nView all\n\n\n\n\n\n\n"}
{"url": "http://blog.malaysia-asia.my/2020/03/rainforest-world-music-festival-is.html", "text": "\n\n\n\nHomeCoronavirus Malaysia\n\nRainforest World Music Festival 2020 is Postponed\n\n\n\n\nbyMalaysia Asia\n-March 20, 2020\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nThe\u00a0Rainforest World Music Festival 2020 has been postponed due to the Coronavirus or Covid-19 pandemic around the world and also here in Sarawak and Malaysia.\u00a0\n\n\n\nKnown commonly as RWMF, the Sarawak Tourism Minister Datuk Abdul Karim had issued the media statement on 13th March 2020 in Kuching.\n\nRainforest World Music Festival 2020 Postponed\n\n\n\nThe crowd at the last RWMF in Sarawak.\n\n\n\nThe decision to postpone the Rainforest World Music Festival 2020 was done due to the ministry's top priority for public health during the Coronavirus or Covid-19 pandemic.\u00a0\n\n\n\nThe RWMF is a major flagship event for the state of Sarawak and is also a popular world-renown ethnic music event that sees over 20,000 visitors yearly.\n\n\nThe music festival not only sees local attendees but a large number of international visitors from all over the world attending the festival.\n\n\n\nThe Rainforest World Music Festival takes place mid-year, usually during the summer of June or July, and is held at the Sarawak Cultural Village in Santubong, one hour drive from the capital city of Kuching.\n\n\n\nThe scene during the last RWMF in Sarawak.\n\n\n\n\nWhy this event is so popular is because of the uniqueness where a wide range of local and international performances from traditional music, to world fusion and contemporary world music are held in one natural venue.\n\n\n\nThis year, the Rainforest World Music Festival was supposed to take place from 10 to 12th July and according to Kevin Nila from the Sarawak Tourism Board, tickets were not opened for sale yet.\u00a0\n\n\n\nThis means that the Sarawak Tourism Board had anticipated the seriousness of the Coronavirus and held back from opening the online ticket sales.\u00a0\n\n\n\nTherefore, most of the festival attendees or visitors would have pre-booked airline tickets and accommodations before the event. If you have done this, please read further below on what you can do next.\n\n\n\nOrang Ulu at the RWMF\n\n\n\nWhy is the Rainforest World Music Festival Postponed?\n\n\n\nThere are in fact many reasons that contribute to why the RWMF is being postponed, and I will list down the most obvious reasons below.\n\n\n\nFirst of all, the current Coronavirus or Covid-19 pandemic is the core reason for the postponement. of this festival. This is also followed by the concern of the virus spreading in large gatherings or events.\n\n\n\nInternational musicians also make up the bulk of the performers of the festival, hence, flight logistics would be a serious nightmare for many of them.\n\n\n\nMost of the performing bands and musicians come from all over the world, and with the current airline lockdown from many countries and airlines, this would impose a very chaotic situation.\n\n\n\nLogistically, it would be an organizer's nightmare just to coordinate the arrivals of the performers, the equipment, the health screenings and so on.\n\n\n\nThe Rainforest Fringe Festival 2020 is also canceled.\n\n\n\nRainforest Fringe Festival 2020 Postponed\n\n\nAnother major build-up event that coincides with the RWMF is the 2-week long Rainforest Fringe Festival 2020. This event too has been postponed until further notice.\n\n\n\nThe Rainforest Fringe Event usually takes place around Kuching city, promoting the RWMF with daily and weekly events ranging from workshops to music performances.\u00a0\n\n\n\nOne of the performers during the last RWMF.\n\n\nWhen is the Rainforest World Music Festival Postponed?\n\n\nAs of writing this article, there is no confirmed date when the RWMF 2020 will be postponed. For now, it was just announced by the ministry.\u00a0\n\n\n\nIt also depends on the situation of the Covid-19 or Coronavirus in Malaysia, and if it subsides or continues to spread.\u00a0\n\n\n\nIn the event, the Coronavirus does spread and an emergency is declared in Malaysia, all events and music festivals in Sarawak and the country will be canceled or postponed to the following year.\n\n\n\nDatuk Karim also mentioned that events are not canceled but only postponed to a later date. This also depends on the outcome of what happens in the next two to three months.\u00a0\n\n\n\nIn the event, the Coronavirus comes under control or major improvement is observed, the ministry will then go under review to see if it is viable to set another date.\u00a0\n\n\n\nThe Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture of Sarawak also stressed that the decision to postpone all major events in Sarawak was also due to the advisory of the State Disaster Management Committee.\u00a0\n\nWhat if you have bought flight tickets or booked hotel rooms for RWMF?\u00a0\n\n\nFirst of all, you need to contact your airline or online travel agent (OTA) about postponing or refunding your flight tickets.\u00a0\n\n\n\nNext, you need to contact the hotel or accommodation you booked for a cancellation. In this scenario, most companies will be flexible and issue you a refund.\n\n\n\nNo RWMF tickets were sold online due to the anticipation of the pending Coronavirus or Covid-19 issues in Sarawak and around the world.\n\n\n\nThe Rainforest World Music Festival in Sarawak.\n\n\nWhere is the Rainforest World Music Festival held?\n\n\nEvery year, the RWMF is held at the Sarawak Cultural Village or SCV in Santubong, which is an hour's drive from the city of Kuching.\n\n\n\nThe Sarawak Cultural Village has been the home of this unique music festival ever since it was inaugurated back in 1997.\n\n\n\nWhat other events have been Postponed or Canceled in Sarawak?\n\n\n\nWith the Rainforest World Music Festival 2020 being postponed, the Ministry of Tourism Sarawak has also made it official that any event in the next two months with more than 250 people has been postponed.\u00a0\n\n\n\nThis goes all the way from private to public sectors all across Sarawak and most of them are indefinite for now until further notice has been announced.\n\n\n\nAny rumors or fake news going around should be verified with the ministry, and this includes the many social media platforms which are well-known to be the main source of this.\n\n\n\nCurrently, the major events that are postponed in Sarawak are;\n\nSpartan Race Sarawak 2020\nBorneo Jazz Festival 2020 in Miri\nBorneo Cultural Festival 2020 in Sibu\n\n\n\nThe massive crowd at last year's RWMF in Santubong, Sarawak.\n\nConclusion\n\n\nIf you have plans to attend the Rainforest World Music Festival 2020, you should take note of this event that has been postponed by the tourism ministry of Sarawak.\u00a0\n\n\n\nHopefully, the Coronavirus situation in the country and the world gets sorted out and things can get back to normal. You can also visit the official RWMF website\u00a0for any further updates.\n\nApart from that, any visitors or travelers should also take note that there has been a tourism lockdown in Malaysia\u00a0and the Visit Malaysia 2020 year has been also canceled.\u00a0\n\n\n\nIn the worst-case scenario that the event is canceled for this year, please do not worry as there is always an opportunity to attend the Rainforest World Music Festival 2021.\u00a0\n\n\nTags\nCoronavirus Malaysia\nKuching\nMalaysia\nMalaysia Music Festivals\nMusic Festivals in Malaysia\nRainforest World Music Festival\nRWMF\nSantubong\nSarawak\nSarawak Music Festivals\nSarawak Tourism News\n\n\n\n\n\nFacebook\nTwitter\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nShare:Rainforest World Music Festival 2020 is Postponed\n\n\nFacebook\nTwitter\nWhatsApp\nPinterest\nLinkedIn\nReddit\nTumblr\nTelegram\nEmail\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nMalaysia Asia\nBlogging since 2007, but writing online since 1997. I belong to the 1st generation of worldwide bloggers, which is of course old-school. \n\nSince 2008, I created Malaysia Asia and this travel, flood, gadget and lifestyle blog has won numerous physical awards from tourism boards around Malaysia. (Not those online awards).\n\nAfter 12 years of blogging, I have semi-retired and now blog about things I like, do product reviews and enjoy life. My work has been featured in Lonely Planet, CNN Travel, Yahoo Travel, Wall Street Journal, and many other international publications. Find out more about me and thank you.\n\n\n\n\nYou might like\nView all\n\n\n\n\n\n\n"}
{"url": "http://blog.malaysia-asia.my/2023/01/galaxy-unpacked-2023-share-epic.html", "text": "\n\n\n\nHomeGalaxy Unpacked\n\nGalaxy Unpacked 2023: Share the Epic\n\n\n\n\nbyMalaysia Asia\n-January 11, 2023\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nAnother year has passed, and a new era of Galaxy innovation is coming. Samsung's innovations are designed to enable incredible possibilities for people today and beyond.The new Galaxy S series will be the epitome of how Samsung defines the ultimate premium experience, and they're raising the bar and setting new standards for what's epic.Galaxy Unpacked 2023: Share the EpicFor the first time in three years, Samsung Electronics will hold an in-person Unpacked event in San Francisco, on February 2, at 2:00 AM Malaysian Time.Join Samsung as one of the first to see the new premium Galaxy innovations unveiled during the live event in the USA.The Galaxy Unpacked 2023 event will be streamed live on Samsung Malaysia YouTube, Samsung Malaysia Official Website, Samsung Malaysia Facebook and Samsung Malaysia Newsroom.Since the Covid 19 Pandemic, the events were live streamed to millions of people worldwide, and this was Galaxy Unpacked 2022 was themed The Epic Standard.The much-awaited Galaxy S23 Ultra.Conclusion to\u00a0Galaxy Unpacked 2023From now until February 2, register your interest at Malaysia Galaxy Unpacked 2023 to receive first-hand updates on Samsung's newest innovations and an RM200 Samsung e-voucher.Stay tuned to the Samsung official channels for all the upcoming teasers, trailers, and news about Galaxy Unpacked 2023.\n\n\nTags\nGalaxy Unpacked\nGalaxy Unpacked 2023\nSamsung Galaxy\nSamsung Galaxy Unpacked\nSamsung Malaysia\nSmartphone Review\nSmartphone Reviews\n\n\n\n\n\nFacebook\nTwitter\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nShare:Galaxy Unpacked 2023: Share the Epic\n\n\nFacebook\nTwitter\nWhatsApp\nPinterest\nLinkedIn\nReddit\nTumblr\nTelegram\nEmail\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nMalaysia Asia\nBlogging since 2007, but writing online since 1997. I belong to the 1st generation of worldwide bloggers, which is of course old-school. \n\nSince 2008, I created Malaysia Asia and this travel, flood, gadget and lifestyle blog has won numerous physical awards from tourism boards around Malaysia. (Not those online awards).\n\nAfter 12 years of blogging, I have semi-retired and now blog about things I like, do product reviews and enjoy life. My work has been featured in Lonely Planet, CNN Travel, Yahoo Travel, Wall Street Journal, and many other international publications. Find out more about me and thank you.\n\n\n\n\nYou might like\nView all\n\n\n\n\n\n\n"}
{"url": "http://blog.malaysia-asia.my/2022/06/moon-photography-with-huawei-p50.html", "text": "\n\n\n\nHomeHuawei\n\nMoon Photography with Huawei P50\n\n\n\n\nbyMalaysia Asia\n-June 28, 2022\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nI have been photographing the moon for as long as I can remember, and it has become even more enjoyable since the dawn of the telephoto lenses on smartphones.When I received my smartphone, one of the first things I couldn't wait to do was explore some moon photography with the Huawei P50 smartphone.Moon Photography with Huawei P50I am still testing this new flagship unit from Huawei, and below are some test shots I did when I got my P50 at the end of May 2022. Again, I used the entry-level model, not the P50 Pro.The initial test photo of the supermoon. This photo is also edited.Also, two photos are shown, the first one taking the moon picture with 75 x zoom on the telephoto, and you can see the natural outcome of the image.The following moon photo is the same, just that I did minor touch-ups on Photoshop to decrease the contrast, lighten it a little and sharpen it a little.Original moon photo, not edited, just cropped.After some basic editing in Photoshop, the moon photo looks better.ConclusionI'm still exploring this function to understand why the AI behaves oddly and where it should compensate by lessening the glow around the moon.It may be just the P50 that does not allow the full features and functions of moon photography or astrophotography. I've been an avid smartphone user for all my travels, and with standard flagship units, it is hard to determine how well they perform.One day, I can test the Huawei P50 Pro for my travel photography versus just the standard units. And you can see from the images above that something is lacking in the pictures taken.I also did a previous article for some night photography with the Huawei P50 in Kuching, Sarawak, just a few weeks back when I visited for the Rainforest World Music Festival 2022.Let me see the next moon photo opportunity I get, and I will try it again. Meanwhile, has anyone explored taking moon photography with Huawei P50? If so, please share your experience.\n\n\nTags\nHuawei\nHuawei Malaysia\nHuawei P50\nHuawei P50 Review\nHuawei Review\nHuawei Smartphones\nMoon Photography\nPhone Photography\nPhotography\nSmartphone Review\nSmartphone Reviews\n\n\n\n\n\nFacebook\nTwitter\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nShare:Moon Photography with Huawei P50\n\n\nFacebook\nTwitter\nWhatsApp\nPinterest\nLinkedIn\nReddit\nTumblr\nTelegram\nEmail\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nMalaysia Asia\nBlogging since 2007, but writing online since 1997. I belong to the 1st generation of worldwide bloggers, which is of course old-school. \n\nSince 2008, I created Malaysia Asia and this travel, flood, gadget and lifestyle blog has won numerous physical awards from tourism boards around Malaysia. (Not those online awards).\n\nAfter 12 years of blogging, I have semi-retired and now blog about things I like, do product reviews and enjoy life. My work has been featured in Lonely Planet, CNN Travel, Yahoo Travel, Wall Street Journal, and many other international publications. Find out more about me and thank you.\n\n\n\n\nYou might like\nView all\n\n\n\n\n\n\n"}
{"url": "http://blog.malaysia-asia.my/2023/01/galaxy-s23-ultra-malaysia.html", "text": "\n\n\n\nHomeGalaxy S23\n\nGalaxy S23 Ultra Malaysia\n\n\n\n\nbyMalaysia Asia\n-January 12, 2023\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\u00a0With Galaxy Unpacked 2023 happening on 2 February, many are looking forward to what the Galaxy S23 Ultra will offer in terms of upgrades from the S22.This massive event will be streamed worldwide from San Francisco via its official Samsung country website and social media channels and promises to be the 'Show of the Year'.Galaxy S23 Ultra MalaysiaWhile many fans worldwide patiently await the official news, others in Malaysia, like me, who have been using the Galaxy S series for many years, are also excited about the Galaxy S23.As the S23 was launched during Unpacked 2023 on 1 February 2023, you can\u00a0pre-order the Samsung Galaxy S23 Plus Ultra in Malaysia.The official colours for the S23 Plus and Ultra are available in Malaysia.I cannot wait for the official announcement of the improvements made to the all-new S23 Ultra during Galaxy Unpacked 2023\u00a0on 1 February.So much speculation and leaks about the all-new Galaxy S23 have been shared on social media in the last six months, and that got a lot of people, including me, excited about the innovation of the smartphone.The four primary colours of the S23. Photo from PhoneArena.As I have been actively using the Galaxy S series over the last few years, I have reviewed many models of the S series.While there have been so many speculations, many hints toward high-megapixel sensors and improved low-light photography.It seems there was some teaser promotion done on the Chinese social platform Weibo where the teaser claimed that \"Stunning night photos are coming soon\" and \"WOW-worthy resolution is coming\",\u00a0Another speculation is that the chipset will likely be powered by Qualcomm's latest Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 processor. This is also\u00a0rumours that Samsung will be quitting Exynos globally in favour of a unified Qualcomm front.One more rumour is that some or all of the phones might come with at least 256GB of storage, which is double the starting capacity of the current Galaxy S22. Everyone needs more space nowadays.The phone screen is essential to me, and it is rumoured to be an AMOLED screen with 120Hz refresh rates, which means they are colourful and bright with silky smooth onscreen motion. Hopefully, it will also be the new Gorilla Glass Victus 2.And some massive news as for the flagship Galaxy S23 Ultra phone, rumours are suggesting that Samsung will be bending the glass on that phone on all four screen edges. Maybe slightly.Samsung has been bending the sides of the phone in varying degrees since the Galaxy S6 edge, but this could be a first for an all-around curve on the S23 Ultra flagship phone. That would be really cool!Finally, the rumoured colours for the Samsung Galaxy S23 series are four attractive colours: black, beige, green, and light pink. But these are only rumours, as the current series colours are Cotton Flower (cream), Misty Lilac (pink), Botanic Green and Phantom Black.Another speculated photo of the 200MP Camera on the Galaxy S23 Ultra. Photo BusinessToday.Galaxy S23 Ultra Specification SpeculationsDimension:\u00a0163.4 x 78.1 x 8.9 mm (6.43 x 3.07 x 0.35 in)Weight: 233 gramsScreen Size:\u00a06.8 inches, 114.3 cm2 (~89.5% screen-to-body ratio)Screen Type:\u00a0Dynamic AMOLED 2X, 120Hz, HDR10+, 1750 nits (peak)Screen Resolution:\u00a01440 x 3088 pixelsChipset:\u00a0Qualcomm SM8550-AC Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 (4 nm)Memory:\u00a0128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM, 1TB 12GB RAMBattery System - Li-Ion 5000 mAh, non-removableCharging -\u00a045W wired, PD3.0 -\u00a015W wireless (Qi/PMA) -\u00a04.5W reverse wirelessColours: Black, beige, green, and light pinkCamera System on the Galaxy S23 UltraThis is important to me because I use the camera for my work and daily photography, so my focus goes to this department on every launch of the flagship models.The news also announced that Samsung launched a 200MP ISOCELL HP1 sensor very early in 2022, which could be a major leap in phone photography.It can also be the most significant step forward from Samsung in years, with one source saying the phone has 'night vision', a super improved night camera system.Well, there has been a speculated slight improvement in the quad camera system on the S23, and below is what I have gathered so far;Rear Camera: Four Cameras200 MP, f/1.8, 23mm (wide), 1/1.3\", 0.6\u00b5m, PDAF, Laser AF, OIS10 MP, f/4.9, 230mm (periscope telephoto), 1/3.52\", 1.12\u00b5m, dual pixel PDAF, OIS, 10x optical zoom10 MP, f/2.4, 70mm (telephoto), 1/3.52\", 1.12\u00b5m, dual pixel PDAF, OIS, 3x optical zoom12 MP, f/2.2, 13mm, 120\u02da (ultrawide), 1/2.55\", 1.4\u00b5m, dual pixel PDAFSelfie Camera40 MP, f/2.2, 26mm (wide), 1/2.82\", 0.7\u00b5m, PDAFBeige colour rendering of the S23. Image from NoteBookCheck.\u00a0Video System on the Galaxy S23 UltraThis is another area I have been focusing on in the last three years, as I have done several quick videos for social media postings.\u00a08K@24/30fps4K@30/60fps1080p@30/60/240fps720p@960fpsHDR10+stereo sound recording\u00a0gyro-EISThe official price for the\u00a0Galaxy S23 Plus Ultra in Malaysia is for pre-order.Galaxy S23 Ultra Price in MalaysiaThis is also one of the factors that many are considering, as a flagship smartphone usually starts around RM3,000 and above.But nowadays, people just trade in older models or take on a new telco contract to get the latest smartphone in instalments. This way, you don't need to fork out RM5,000 and above to buy it instantly.Galaxy S23 Price: Starting from RM3,899 to RM7,199.Probably S23 Variants AvailableGalaxy S23: 8GB of RAM + 256GB\u00a0Galaxy S23+: 8GB of RAM + 256GBGalaxy S23 Ultra: 12GB of RAM + 256GB/512GB/1TBThe speculated colours for the Galaxy S23 Ultra, Galaxy S23+, and Galaxy S23. Photo PhoneArena.My ReviewsBefore we end, you can also look at my smartphone reviews, including the current Galaxy S22 Ultra, Galaxy Fold 4 and many other Samsung flagship models.And, for those who are into smartphone photography, you can also check out my Galaxy Z Fold 4 Photography review.That special edition was done inside the UNESCO World Heritage Sites of Mulu and Niah National Park in Sarawak in 2022. Then I had a smartphone photography exhibition at KLPF 2022 a few weeks later.Conclusion to\u00a0Galaxy S23 Ultra MalaysiaAnyway, for those who are into whole smartphone photography, please register at Samsung Galaxy Unpacked 2023 in Malaysia to get to know all the details about Samsung's next-generation flagship smartphones, including their features, specifications, pricing, availability, and pre-order information.And finally, this could be the fastest and most advanced Andriod smartphone in the market when launched, if the rumours above are all accurate. But then again, let's wait till they fully announce the Galaxy S23 Ultra during Galaxy Unpacked 2023.\n\n\nTags\nGalaxy S23\nGalaxy S23 Malaysia\nGalaxy S23 Ultra\nMalaysia\nSamsung Galaxy\nSamsung Malaysia\nSmartphone Review\nSmartphone Reviews\n\n\n\n\n\nFacebook\nTwitter\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nShare:Galaxy S23 Ultra Malaysia\n\n\nFacebook\nTwitter\nWhatsApp\nPinterest\nLinkedIn\nReddit\nTumblr\nTelegram\nEmail\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nMalaysia Asia\nBlogging since 2007, but writing online since 1997. I belong to the 1st generation of worldwide bloggers, which is of course old-school. \n\nSince 2008, I created Malaysia Asia and this travel, flood, gadget and lifestyle blog has won numerous physical awards from tourism boards around Malaysia. (Not those online awards).\n\nAfter 12 years of blogging, I have semi-retired and now blog about things I like, do product reviews and enjoy life. My work has been featured in Lonely Planet, CNN Travel, Yahoo Travel, Wall Street Journal, and many other international publications. Find out more about me and thank you.\n\n\n\n\nYou might like\nView all\n\n\n\n\n\n\n"}
{"url": "http://blog.malaysia-asia.my/2023/03/sunset-dinner-at-chao-phraya-river.html", "text": "\n\n\n\nHomeBangkok\n\nSunset Dinner at Chao Phraya River\n\n\n\n\nbyMalaysia Asia\n-March 31, 2023\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nOver the years, I've been to Bangkok several times; even before the Covid-19 pandemic, I would travel at least 4-5 times a year, but I've never seen a lovely sunset here.Therefore, in February 2023, I went for a lovely sunset dinner at Chao Phraya River and at Savoey Restaurant at Tha Maharaj pier.Sunset Dinner at Chao Phraya RiverOk, fair enough, but I have never heard of Tha Maharaj and all this while, I only knew of Asiatique Riverfront in Bangkok. So, challenge accepted! I needed to visit this new place.Getting here was relatively easy; now, with Grab Thailand available, it was just a click of the phone, and a car was available in under five minutes.A view of the Chao Phraya River from Tha Maharaj Pier.The journey from my hotel in On Nut took around 40 minutes, with traffic, but after so many years, I have gotten used to the Bangkok traffic now.So, my destination was Tha Maharaj, but I was also recommended to dine at the Savoey Restaurant here because it had one of the best sunset viewing decks.Savoey Restaurant at Tha Maharaj.Arriving at Tha Maharaj, there were signs leading to Savoey, located on the second floor of the area. There were several cafes, restaurants and bars here, which were relatively easy to find.Before going to the restaurant, I passed a small local Thai bazaar, where vendors sold local Thai handicrafts among several commercial items.The restaurant manager, who spoke simple English, greeted me and was led to a table by the riverside. The restaurant offered two sections - indoor and outdoor-covered dining.The menu arrived, and the giant river prawns were highly recommended by the staff and my friend in Bangkok. And, of course, I ordered those because they are locally sourced from around Thailand.River prawns freshly grilled per order.My interesting dinner spread was pure and authentic Thai food.Massive grilled river prawns facing the Chao Phraya River.Thai-style spring rolls.A freshly grilled Thai river lobster.Placed perfectly for photography.My dinner was a mixture of seafood, chicken, vegetables and Tom Yum Goong, a must-try for anyone visiting Thailand.The best part was dining by the riverside at Tha Maharaj while waiting for sunset and watching the riverboats pass by.The taste was truly authentic, as it is challenging to find good Thai food nowadays due to too many businesses opening and trying to be different by offering Thai fusion.At Savoey Restaurant, I was impressed with the high quality of food they serve here, namely the river prawns and lobster, which are delivered fresh almost daily.The cooks in the kitchen also get my salutes as they are genuinely passionate about preparing the dishes according to how they should taste.As soon as the sun had set, the colours were romantically beautiful, well, not the best I have seen, but better than any other normal day.I took several photos with my Galaxy S23 Ultra and my Huawei Mate 50 Pro to see the comparison, and both performed equally, giving a lovely warm hue and tone for the sunset.By then, dinner had concluded, and it was time to leave and head back to Cross to Vibe, the hotel where I was staying in the outer core area of Bangkok.Photos of Savoey Restaurant at Tha MaharajThe entrance to Savoey Restaurant at Tha Maharaj.Sunset dining at Savoey Restaurant, Tha Maharaj.One of the photo-taking spots at Tha Majaraj.View of the Chao Phraya River during sunset. There are much better days than this too.The view from Savoey Restaurant on the second floor.Savoey Restaurant Tha MaharajAddress: \u0e15\u0e36\u0e01 G \u0e17\u0e48\u0e32\u0e21\u0e2b\u0e32\u0e23\u0e32\u0e0a Maha Rat Rd,Phra Borom Maha Ratchawang, Phra Nakhon,Bangkok 10200, ThailandPhone: +66 86 341 8472For those who want to pre-book that riverside view, I strongly recommend you make reservations with Savoey Restaurants Bangkok in advance.This is so that you can get the riverside and sunset view tables, which can be adjusted for single, couples or large groups.The location of Tha Maharaj along the Chao Phraya River in Bangkok.ConclusionIf you are also looking for a decent and authentic Thai seafood restaurant in Bangkok, check out Savoey in the city area, as they have two main outlets in the core area near central.So if you are still wondering where is the best place for a sunset dinner at Chao Phraya River, head over to Savoey Restaurant at Tha Maharaj pier.Of course, there are many other locations along the riverside, but judging from the overall sit-and-view experience, this restaurant is probably one of the better.\n\n\nTags\nBangkok\nFood Review\nPlaces to Eat in Bangkok\nPlaces to Visit in Bangkok\nSavoey Restaurant\nTha Maharaj\nThai Food\nThailand\nTourism Thailand\n\n\n\n\n\nFacebook\nTwitter\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nShare:Sunset Dinner at Chao Phraya River\n\n\nFacebook\nTwitter\nWhatsApp\nPinterest\nLinkedIn\nReddit\nTumblr\nTelegram\nEmail\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nMalaysia Asia\nBlogging since 2007, but writing online since 1997. I belong to the 1st generation of worldwide bloggers, which is of course old-school. \n\nSince 2008, I created Malaysia Asia and this travel, flood, gadget and lifestyle blog has won numerous physical awards from tourism boards around Malaysia. (Not those online awards).\n\nAfter 12 years of blogging, I have semi-retired and now blog about things I like, do product reviews and enjoy life. My work has been featured in Lonely Planet, CNN Travel, Yahoo Travel, Wall Street Journal, and many other international publications. Find out more about me and thank you.\n\n\n\n\nYou might like\nView all\n\n\n\n\n\n\n"}
{"url": "http://blog.malaysia-asia.my/2020/02/secrets-of-kl-food-art-and-cocktail.html", "text": "\n\n\n\nHomeFood\n\nSecrets of KL Food, Art and Cocktail Tours\n\n\n\n\nbyMalaysia Asia\n-February 06, 2020\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nKuala Lumpur city has always impressed me in many different ways, but on a recent exploration, I have to admit that I was totally out of touch with KL city and what it has to offer in terms of tourism, entertainment, and nightlife.\u00a0\n\n\n\nThis unique story starts with me taking a specialized experience called Secrets of KL Food, Art and Cocktail Tours which is created, managed and operated by Simply Enak, a local food tour company in Malaysia.\u00a0\n\n\nSecrets of KL Food, Art and Cocktail Tours\n\n\nSo, you may be wondering what is this tour about, and let me share my experience on attending this so very unique tour which is what Kuala Lumpur city needs right now.\n\n\n\nPauline from Simply Enak and her guests at the start of the Secrets of KL Tours.\u00a0\n\n\n\nDon't get me wrong, but there are a ton of tours available in KL but all of them are the commercial tourist type of tours.\n\nYou usually come across the usual KL city tour, Putrajaya tours, Batu Cave tours, and the list go on.\u00a0\n\n\n\nSimply Enak, a pioneer in the Malaysian food tours, has been operating the general KL Food Tours\u00a0for many years now and has branched out to some different food tours in Malaysia.\u00a0\n\n\n\nPauline is the mastermind behind this setup and her passion for sharing the wonders of Kuala Lumpur through food and culture made her come up with this unique idea.\n\nSimply said, the objective is to bring visitors to experience a different side of Kuala Lumpur just as the sun sets in the city.\u00a0\n\n\n\n\nExploring Petaling Street's Local Food and Culture Scene\n\n\n\n\n\nPetaling Street's south entrance arch in Kuala Lumpur\n\n\n\nThe Secrets of KL Food, Art and Cocktail Tour starts at 4.15 PM by meeting up with the licensed tour guide at the Pasar Seni MRT Station, which is located in the Petaling Street or Chinatown KL area.\u00a0\n\n\n\nThe tour actually starts at the MRT Station by viewing some of the creative artwork or murals that are painted in the station.\n\nThese murals tend to reflect a very modern contemporary art showcase of traditional Kuala Lumpur and truth be told, they are quite interesting to look at.\n\n\n\nExploring Kuala Lumpur's Chinatown on foot is part of the tour.\n\nFrom the train station, the four-hour tour starts on foot and heads towards Jalan Tun H.S Lee, where Pauline introduces the various Chinese and Indian temples along the way.\n\nAfter the short walk along Jalan Tun H.S Lee and exploring some of Kuala Lumpur's old businesses, Pauline makes a stop at one unique shop selling the world-famous durian puffs.\n\nShe patiently explains how the unique fruit can be made into many other desserts and opens up a tasting experience for the group, which is, of course, something I wanted to try.\n\n\n\nOne of KL's Chinese Restaurants is along the tour route.\n\nOn the way back, she points out various popular local Chinese restaurants, one that is over 50 years old and still attracting locals and some curious tourists.\n\nAlong the way, Pauline never seizes a moment to keep the group entertained with her interesting facts and information that is done casually.\n\nThis makes the tour less tiring and more interesting due to the constant information being shared along the walk.\n\n\n\nInside the Beryl's Chocolate Shop at Petaling Street in KL.\u00a0\n\n\n\nOur next stop is, of course, something that recently opened at the Southern end of Chinatown and the place is called Beryl's Chocolate Story, which is a chocolate museum, cafe, and shop combined in one concept.\n\nInside this unique chocolate shop, Pauline will explain the different types of chocolates which of course include the famous Malaysian Cocoa chocolates.\n\nA tasting is done with some of the unique chocolates while one of the staff there will continue to share valuable information about the type of chocolates.\n\n\n\nBeryl's Durian Chocolate, a must by as a souvenir from Malaysia.\n\nDon't be surprised when you see Durian Chocolates being sold here, and if you are a huge fan, these can be bought as souvenirs from Malaysia.\n\nBeryl's has been a local household name for chocolate since 1995 and only recently, they have moved towards a more international name.\n\n\n\nKwai Chai Hong or Prankster Lane at Petaling Street, KL.\n\nA quick tour of this place then leads you to the next place located just behind the Beryl's Chocolate Shop and is also one of\u00a0KL's new tourist attraction\u00a0called Kwai Chai Hong or Prankster Lane.\u00a0\n\n\n\nThis beautiful heritage row was preserved and refurbished to acknowledge what Petaling Street used to be like back in the good old days from the 40s to the 60s.\n\nWhile here, Pauline or your guide will give you a more verbal explanation of how this place got its unique name.\n\nAnd if you love photography or want to get a nice memorable picture of your Secrets of KL tours, this is one of the places to do it.\n\n\n\nSpeakeasy Cocktail Bars in Kuala Lumpur\u00a0\n\n\n\n\n\nThe beautiful and rustic interior of the Attic Bar in Petaling Street.\n\n\n\nAfter a light dinner and dessert and a short walk, our next stop is one of Kuala Lumpur's hidden speakeasy bars called The Attic Bar.\n\nThis is one of the many little speakeasy bars that have mushroomed in the last two to three years around Petaling Street.\u00a0\n\n\n\nGetting to the bar is an adventure by itself, where you walk through a hotel, then climbing up two floors using an antique cast iron spiral staircase before going through a wooden door and then only arriving at the attic of the building.\u00a0\n\n\n\nOnce up here, you will be pretty much impressed with the beautiful decoration of the bar and walk towards the outdoor section where the complimentary cocktail will be served to you.\u00a0\n\n\n\nDo not worry if you don't take alcohol or a Muslim traveller visiting KL as Simply Enak can arrange for a mocktail and pork-free food selection on the tour.\n\n\nLocal Food Experience Tour in Kuala Lumpur\n\n\n\n\nClaypot Chicken Rice, just right for a KL Foodie Tour.\n\n\n\nFrom the evening cocktail tour, you move up towards the main Chinatown area where a mandatory stop to sample one of Malaysia's popular Chinese hawker food called Claypot Chicken Rice.\n\nHere, guests are treated to a large bowl of the dish, which is cooked openly over a charcoal fire. Pauline briefly explains how this dish came about before placing the order.\u00a0\n\n\n\nFrom there, we were brought into the main Petaling Street shopping area where Pauline introduced us to the local street dessert stall selling Tai Kao Meen (Peanut Turnover) and Apom Manis or Soft and Sweet Pancakes.\n\nOf course, we were treated to sample some of these popular Malaysian desserts which are done by this old Chinese uncle, who has been selling these for over 30 years.\n\n\n\nPauline explains the different types of local Chinese biscuits during the tour.\n\n\n\nFrom the dessert stall, a short one-minute walk brings us to one of the oldest traditional biscuits and cake shops in Petaling Street called Fung Wong.\n\nThis traditional biscuit shop is now in the fourth generation serving some of the best freshly baked biscuits and cakes in Kuala Lumpur.\n\nThe tour continues through Petaling Street or Chinatown KL with Pauline leading you through the many stalls along the way. Vendors will call you to see their wares but we did not make a stop.\n\nHowever, if you see something that you may be interested in, please do let Pauline know as she can help you negotiate the price of the item.\n\n\nRexKL, a Heritage Building Revived for Today's Lifestyle\n\n\n\nThe entrance to RexKL in Petaling Street.\n\nWe end the tour at RexKL, one of the latest attractions in Petaling street where an old abandoned cinema was refurbished to cater to the lifestyle travellers.\n\nThis multi-store concept building houses various concept stores, a unique food centre and of course one of the popular speakeasy bars called Modern Madness that sells very unique craft beers.\n\nPauline introduces us to some of the strangest craft beers which will definitely impress any beer drinker. A paddleboard of craft beers is served complimentary and we get to try some of these beers.\n\nThe menu at Modern Madness Craft Beer Bar changes from time to time, hence when you are there, you will see what is available. I would recommend trying the Kopi Stout and Assam Boi Beer.\n\nAnd if you are not a drinker, not to worry as Pauline can easily order a non-alcoholic drink for you. Our group sat down nearby and thus the tour was concluded.\u00a0\n\n\n\n\nSome of the unique craft beers served at RexKL Craft Beer Bar.\n\n\n\nConclusion\n\n\n\nI have to say that this KL Secret Tour experience was totally unexpected, even as a local hailing from Kuala Lumpur, we often tend to overlook our own little backyard.\u00a0\n\n\n\nThere are many little hidden gems that we don't see, but others may see, and Simply Enak's Pauline has a strong eye for things like this.\n\nHer dedicated passion and a strong command of English makes the tour so comfortable and worthwhile, that even I could not pull something like this off.\n\n\n\nPauline is one of the most passionate persons I have met in terms of sharing her hometown experiences.\u00a0\n\n\n\nFor anyone visiting Kuala Lumpur and wants to experience a very unique and interesting tour, you can contact Simply Enak\u00a0and they will arrange everything for you. You can also Whatsapp or call them at this number: +6017-287 8929.\u00a0\n\n\n\nSimply Enak has a dedicated team of tour guides, that are licensed by the Ministry of Tourism, and have been doing specialized food tours in Kuala Lumpur for almost a decade.\n\nThey are one of the highly recommended companies for any specialized food tours due to their passionate nature in sharing the best of Kuala Lumpur.\n\n\n\nPauline of Simply Enak takes some time to pose for a photo.\u00a0\n\n\n\nThey also operate a Penang food trail called Eat, Drink Georgetown, which takes you to discover the best food of Penang along with some of the cultural experiences along the way.\n\n\n\nTherefore, if you are in KL or Penang, and has around four hours of free time, go ahead and experience the little secrets of Kuala Lumpur with the\u00a0Secrets of KL Food, Art and Cocktail Tour.\n\n\nTags\nFood\nKL Food Tours\nKuala Lumpur\nKuala Lumpur Food Tours\nMalaysia\nMalaysia Food Tours\n\n\n\n\n\nFacebook\nTwitter\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nShare:Secrets of KL Food, Art and Cocktail Tours\n\n\nFacebook\nTwitter\nWhatsApp\nPinterest\nLinkedIn\nReddit\nTumblr\nTelegram\nEmail\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nMalaysia Asia\nBlogging since 2007, but writing online since 1997. I belong to the 1st generation of worldwide bloggers, which is of course old-school. \n\nSince 2008, I created Malaysia Asia and this travel, flood, gadget and lifestyle blog has won numerous physical awards from tourism boards around Malaysia. (Not those online awards).\n\nAfter 12 years of blogging, I have semi-retired and now blog about things I like, do product reviews and enjoy life. My work has been featured in Lonely Planet, CNN Travel, Yahoo Travel, Wall Street Journal, and many other international publications. Find out more about me and thank you.\n\n\n\n\nYou might like\nView all\n\n\n\n\n\n\n"}
{"url": "http://blog.malaysia-asia.my/2019/11/airasia-x-narita-tokyo-flights-begins.html", "text": "\n\n\n\nHomeAirAsia Flights to Tokyo\n\nAirAsia X Narita Tokyo Flights Begins\n\n\n\n\nbyMalaysia Asia\n-November 20, 2019\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nGreat news for Japan travel lovers as AirAsia X begins its Narita Tokyo flights effective 20th November 2019.\u00a0\n\n\n\nThe maiden flight D7552 departed KLIA 2 at 12.15 AM and is the first high-speed WiFi-equipped wide-body Airbus A330 aircraft for AirAsia X.\u00a0\n\nAirAsia X Narita Tokyo Flights Begins\n\n\n\nPassengers on board the inaugural flight to Narita, Tokyo\n\n\nThe four times weekly return services will deliver over 150,000 additional visitor seats annually through Kuala Lumpur\u2019s KLIA2 and Narita International Airports.\n\n\n\nThis flight route will also assist in boosting tourism and the economy ahead of Visit Malaysia 2020 and also the Tokyo Olympic Games 2020 in a two-way benefit for Japan and Malaysia.\u00a0\n\nCEO Benyamin Ismail quoted;\n\n\u201cWe are very proud to provide more options for our guests travelling to Tokyo, Japan, with our four weekly return services to Narita International Airport, complementing our existing services to Tokyo Haneda.\u00a0\n\nThis new service signifies our commitment to accelerating our growth in Japan and we are confident the route will be popular, especially for guests exploring Tokyo and the neighbouring northeast region in Tohoku.\u201d\u00a0\n\n\u201cWe wish to thank our airport, tourism and local government partners as well as the authorities for making this route a reality.\u201d\n\n\nThe aircraft used is also the airline's first A330 aircraft to be equipped with high-speed AirAsia WiFi services.\u00a0\n\n\n\nThe high-speed WiFi will allow guests to stream videos and connect with real-time social media updates 35,000ft in the sky.\u00a0\n\n\nFor the inaugural flight, AirAsia BIG members on board were also treated to a complimentary 10MB internet plan.\n\n\n\nAbout Narita Airport\n\n\n\nNarita is the main international airport for Japan and is located just out of the main Tokyo Metropolis. From Narita, you can easily catch a train into Tokyo city while there are also express buses.\u00a0\n\n\n\nPreviously in early 2019, I visited Tokyo and explored both airports where I wrote an article review on Narita Airport\u00a0and also a comparison on Narita Airport and KLIA.\u00a0\n\n\n\n\nWater cannons welcoming the AirAsia X inaugural flight at Narita International Airport\n\n\nAirAsia X Narita Tokyo Flight Schedule\n\n\n\nThe good news is that AirAsia X will be flying into Narita four times a week, and the arrival is perfect for Malaysians planning to visit Tokyo.\u00a0\n\n\n\nMidnight departures will see passengers arrive at 8.15 AM in Tokyo which gives them one full day to explore the metropolis.\u00a0\n\n\n\nBelow is the AirAsia X Narita flight schedule;\n\n\n\n\nThe weekly flight schedule for AirAsia X to Narita International Airport in Tokyo.\n\n\n\n\nTicket Price to Narita, Tokyo with AirAsia X\n\n\nFor now, AirAsia is offering all-inclusive fares from RM539* for standard seats and RM1,499* for the award-winning Premium Flatbed between Kuala Lumpur and Tokyo Narita.\n\n\n\nFares are available for booking at airasia.com or via the AirAsia mobile app from now until 24 November 2019, for travel through 28 March 2020.\n\n\n\nConclusion\n\n\n\nAirAsia X is the largest airline group in Japan\u2019s emerging great value, long haul travel sector, operating close to 110 flights weekly.\n\n\n\nThis includes 12 international and domestic routes to and from Japan and at the end of January 2020, travellers will be able to travel with AirAsia flights to Okinawa Island\u00a0in Japan.\u00a0\n\n\n\nFor those who have been planning to travel to Tokyo, you now have an alternate route as an option. The other Tokyo airport that AirAsia X flies to is Haneda, known as the Tokyo City airport.\u00a0\n\n\n\nWhile many travellers are also wishing to visit Tokyo to see the Sakura or Cherry Blossom in late March and early April, you have two airports to choose from.\u00a0\n\n\n\nAs AirAsia X begins its Narita Tokyo flights, you have up to 24th November 2019 to book them with the promotional flight tickets.\n\n\nTags\nAirAsia Flights to Tokyo\nAirAsia News\nAirAsia X Destinations\nAirAsia X News\nAviation News\nJapan\nNarita\nTokyo\n\n\n\n\n\nFacebook\nTwitter\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nShare:AirAsia X Narita Tokyo Flights Begins\n\n\nFacebook\nTwitter\nWhatsApp\nPinterest\nLinkedIn\nReddit\nTumblr\nTelegram\nEmail\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nMalaysia Asia\nBlogging since 2007, but writing online since 1997. I belong to the 1st generation of worldwide bloggers, which is of course old-school. \n\nSince 2008, I created Malaysia Asia and this travel, flood, gadget and lifestyle blog has won numerous physical awards from tourism boards around Malaysia. (Not those online awards).\n\nAfter 12 years of blogging, I have semi-retired and now blog about things I like, do product reviews and enjoy life. My work has been featured in Lonely Planet, CNN Travel, Yahoo Travel, Wall Street Journal, and many other international publications. Find out more about me and thank you.\n\n\n\n\nYou might like\nView all\n\n\n\n\n\n\n"}
{"url": "http://blog.malaysia-asia.my/2023/05/malaysia-international-dive-expo-2023.html", "text": "\n\n\n\nHomeDive Expo\n\nMalaysia International Dive Expo 2023 (MIDE2023)\n\n\n\n\nbyMalaysia Asia\n-May 11, 2023\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nThis year, the Malaysia International Dive Expo 2023 (MIDE2023) will take place at the Malaysia International Trade and Exhibition Centre (MITEC) in Kuala Lumpur.The 17th edition of the Scuba Diving Expo is scheduled for 26 to 28 May 2023 and will occupy Hall 6 at Level 2 of the new venue, MITEC. It was previously held at PWTC or World Trade Centre.Malaysia International Dive Expo 2023This is the largest dive expo in Malaysia for first-timers attending, and the event is bigger than in previous years. Still, it will also cater for the space needed to feature the latest products and services from local and international exhibitors from 14 countries.For the regulars, MIDE2023 has a new venue, and you can expect it to be the most well-attended event in Malaysia. The scuba diving event is well-reputed for its trademark resilience and a wide variety of top dive gear suppliers and international diving packages.MIDE 2023 Poster.Dive equipment vendors are plenty at MIDE.MIDE 2023 expo will feature more than 172 companies from Malaysia and internationally, with visitors from Australia, Brunei, China, Denmark, Estonia, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, Maldives, Netherlands, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and the United Kingdom.At the dive expo, the visit will see and experience the latest and greatest in scuba-diving-related products and services, new lines including sailing expeditions and various watersports.A speaker shares her favourite diving photos at MIDE.MIDE's founder and organiser, Ms Ness Puvanes, said the dive industry is resilient, having bounced back since 2021. Since then, the dive industry has enjoyed more interest, with the community growing. She added that the demand for boating and watersports has never been stronger.Ms Ness also shared that this year is breaking records with the number of exhibitors \u2013 there will be 220 booths set up for the expo.Lucky draw presentation at MIDE.MIDE 2023 New ExhibitorsThis year, the MIDE 2023 will be welcoming 69 new exhibitors, including major associations such as;Malaysian Sub-AquaMalaysian Underwater Hockey AssociationEco District AssociationLangkawi Development Authority (LADA)More and more manufacturers and distributors of sailboats, dive boats, car topper boats, rescue boats & kayaks at the show have also widened the interests of water enthusiasts visiting the expo.Some of the speakers for MIDE 2023.What To Expect at MIDE?Malaysia Airline Flight Discounts - MAS is the official airline partner for MIDE 2023 and offers visitors travelling to KL for the expo a 20% discount on their flights booked by 26 May. The promo code MHMIDE20 must be applied when booking flights through the MAS website.Dive Safety Partner\u00a0- DAN World is MIDE's official Diving Safety Partner. DAN World offers not only diving accident coverage for divers but is committed to helping enhance diving safety in MalaysiaStaying Connected\u00a0- Themed \"Let's Stay Connected to the Ocean\", this year, a major focus will be ongoing conservation efforts to keep the oceans healthy. NPOs will create SOPs for Dive Centres and educate the community on single-use plastic and pollution, the impacts of climate change on the ocean, protected marine life and many more projects.Face-to-face Networking\u00a0- MIDE 2023 is set to welcome a host of business entrepreneurs, tourism boards, dive agencies, brand manufacturers and distributors who will utilise the platform to network and create new business opportunities and partnerships.A diving talk panel about cave diving at MIDE.Dive Talks\u00a0- Visitors to the dive show will be hearing from the experts, including TV personalities, who will take the stage to share their knowledge and experiences in the water. Topics include cave diving, underwater photography, marine conservation, health, dive insurance, archaeology and more.Dive Education: By Teens for Teens\u00a0- A special section on teens taking to the stage to inspire others in the sport and their personal conservation efforts in improving the environment.Scuba Diving Deals & Promotions\u00a0- Visitors will have a chance to chat with dive operators and tourism representatives; and can take advantage of the wide range of products and services, including many exclusive deals on dive holidays, gear, courses and the latest technologies available today.Prizes to be Won\u00a0- Visitors who spend at least RM300 will be entered into the Purchaser's Lucky Draw. Collectively, the dive holiday prizes are valued at RM50,000, including a grand prize on a live onboard worth RM22,000 are all up for grabs over the 3-day event.At a previous MIDE event in Kuala Lumpur.Malaysia International Dive Expo 2023 InformationDate: Friday, 26 May to Sunday, 28 May 2023Time:10.00 AM to 7.00 PMVenue: MITEC Kuala LumpurTickets: MIDE WebsiteContact: Tel: +603 79809902 or email at: info@mide.com.my\u00a0\u00a0Social Media: FB, IG & TwitterHashtag: #MIDEEXPOMe scuba diving at the Secret Barge dive site in Perhentian Islands.Me having a close encounter moment with a hairy seahorse at Mabul's P1 Dive Site.For the record, I retired from scuba diving in 2018, and my last dive was a 2-week diving trip to Raja Ampat. After that dive, I hung up my diving equipment and called it a day.My last diving article was about MIDE, all you need to know, and that was done in April 2018 before I went to R4 in West Papua.ConclusionFor those who are into scuba diving, you will not want to miss the\u00a0Malaysia International Dive Expo 2023 or MIDE2023 this May at MITEC Kuala Lumpur.This is undoubtedly the largest scuba diving expo in the country, organised by\u00a0AsiaEvents Exsic (AEE). The expo expects to welcome more than 15,000 water enthusiasts and generate approximately RM25 million in sales over the 3-day event.\n\n\nTags\nDive Expo\nDiving\nKuala Lumpur\nMalaysia\nMalaysia Dive Expo\nMalaysia International Dive Expo\nMalaysia Scuba Diving\nMIDE\nMIDE 2023\nScuba Diving\nScuba Diving Expo\n\n\n\n\n\nFacebook\nTwitter\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nShare:Malaysia International Dive Expo 2023 (MIDE2023)\n\n\nFacebook\nTwitter\nWhatsApp\nPinterest\nLinkedIn\nReddit\nTumblr\nTelegram\nEmail\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nMalaysia Asia\nBlogging since 2007, but writing online since 1997. I belong to the 1st generation of worldwide bloggers, which is of course old-school. \n\nSince 2008, I created Malaysia Asia and this travel, flood, gadget and lifestyle blog has won numerous physical awards from tourism boards around Malaysia. (Not those online awards).\n\nAfter 12 years of blogging, I have semi-retired and now blog about things I like, do product reviews and enjoy life. My work has been featured in Lonely Planet, CNN Travel, Yahoo Travel, Wall Street Journal, and many other international publications. Find out more about me and thank you.\n\n\n\n\nYou might like\nView all\n\n\n\n\n\n\n"}
{"url": "http://blog.malaysia-asia.my/2023/06/malaysia-steam-locomotive-train.html", "text": "\n\n\n\nHomeKTMB\n\nMalaysia Steam Locomotive Train Experience\n\n\n\n\nbyMalaysia Asia\n-June 06, 2023\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nTrain fans will be pleased to know that a traditional\u00a0Malaysia steam locomotive train experience will soon be available in 2024 at selected destinations in Malaysia.This news is a bonus in building up to Visit Malaysia Year 2025 as local train operator Keretapi Tanah Melayu Bhd (KTMB) has joined forces with a local company called Great Leisure Sdn Bhd.Malaysia Steam Locomotive Train ExperienceA news publication announced in early May 2023 that the\u00a0KTMB Steam Locomotive Train experience will start operating as early as January 2024.The concept will feature a classic passenger train hauled by a traditional steam locomotive and a traditional interior concept that will win the hearts of train tourism fans worldwide.The Tourism Heritage Steam Locomotive Train project is a unique collaboration between KTMB and Great Leisure Sdn Bhd and aims to attract local and foreign tourists to enjoy the beauty of nature along the railway line.A Class 56 steam train engine was seen somewhere in Malaysia.Kuala Lumpur and Butterworth will be the initial destinations for the steam train service before covering other destinations.The follow-up routes will let passengers enjoy the beauty of interesting tourist attractions along the railway line, especially on the forest route from Gemas, Negeri Sembilan, to Tumpat, Kelantan.Great Leisure's MD has also mentioned that the interior decoration of the passenger coaches makes full use of the craft produced by local talents, which is currently about 70 per cent completed.He also mentioned that passenger seats will feature a design concept inspired by legendary Malaysian actors and singers P. Ramlee and Saloma.The\u00a0Class O 4-6-2 Steam Locomotive. Image from Steam in West Malaysia.Passengers can use the service as a mode of transportation to tourist destinations and the train as a venue to hold any event, including weddings.As for the KTMB steam locomotive train engine, there was no mention, but if I were to guess, it could be the KTMB Class O 4-6-2 steam locomotive, which was highly popular and known as the O Class.It won't be the American-built USATC 2-8-2 trains because those are defunct and probably scrap metal by now. Again I feel it's the O Class 564 series, one of which has been in storage.For more information, please visit the Malaysia steam trains and engines from back in the day, as there is much to learn for the train aficionado.One of the old Malaysia train maps.ConclusionFor now, no official photos or news were released at the time of this writing in May 2023, but once there are, I will update this article. You can also check KTMB for any other information about trains.Therefore, train fans in Malaysia and around the world, you can soon get on the\u00a0Malaysia steam locomotive train experience and explore Malaysia.\n\n\nTags\nKTMB\nMalaysia\nMalaysia Steam Locomotive Train\nMalaysia Train Tourism\nMalaysia Train Travel\nMalaysia Trains\nSteam Train Malaysia\n\n\n\n\n\nFacebook\nTwitter\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nShare:Malaysia Steam Locomotive Train Experience\n\n\nFacebook\nTwitter\nWhatsApp\nPinterest\nLinkedIn\nReddit\nTumblr\nTelegram\nEmail\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nMalaysia Asia\nBlogging since 2007, but writing online since 1997. I belong to the 1st generation of worldwide bloggers, which is of course old-school. \n\nSince 2008, I created Malaysia Asia and this travel, flood, gadget and lifestyle blog has won numerous physical awards from tourism boards around Malaysia. (Not those online awards).\n\nAfter 12 years of blogging, I have semi-retired and now blog about things I like, do product reviews and enjoy life. My work has been featured in Lonely Planet, CNN Travel, Yahoo Travel, Wall Street Journal, and many other international publications. Find out more about me and thank you.\n\n\n\n\nYou might like\nView all\n\n\n\n\n\n\n"}
{"url": "http://blog.malaysia-asia.my/2022/01/boat-cafe-kuala-selangor.html", "text": "\n\n\n\nHomeKuala Selangor\n\nBoat Cafe Kuala Selangor\n\n\n\n\nbyMalaysia Asia\n-January 08, 2022\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nA brand new tourist attraction called Boat Cafe Kuala Selangor opened up during the Covid19 pandemic in 2021. This is one of the new Instagrammable places many are now headed to.Kuala Selangor is an old fishing town that has gained popularity recently due to the famous Sky Mirror, a seabed that appears above water during low tide once a month during the full moon.The place is also well known for the Kuala Selangor Lighthouse, Bukit Malawati Hill and charming fishing villages around the Pasir Penambang area.Boat Cafe Kuala SelangorThe entrance to the boat cafe is shared with the Bagan Seafood Restaurant.Since this unique boat cafe opened, many people have been interested in who, what, why, where, and when. And I will do my best to share whatever information I have gathered since visiting here in late October 2021.This unique concept cafe is also owned by the famous No16 Bus Cafe in Sekinchan; however, the boat cafe caters to both day and night visitors.Because of the popularity of social media platforms like Instagram, Facebook and TikTok, this place attracts many people on weekends.Therefore, if you do not like crowds, plan to visit here on a weekday, namely Monday, when there are fewer people.Parking is available outside the restaurant area, but please double check and ensure you do not park in people's spots.What is the Kuala Selangor Boat Cafe?This is one of the must-visit places in Kuala Selangor.It is a large wooden boat refurbished into a multi-level cafe concept and does not sail. It is also parked permanently at the location, so do not expect cruises or trips.You enter via the starboard side into the boat's main deck, where the staff will greet you and ask if you prefer to sit indoors or outdoors.The main deck area has tables and a glass or glass flooring section showing the engine room under the floorboard.The area is air-conditioned and suitable for those who want to cool down or dislike outdoor heat. If you go outside, a small stair leads you to the upper deck, where the outdoor seating area is located.This is a popular area due to the open-aired feeling and almost 360-degree view of the surrounding area. There are high tables and also seating tables for sunset watching.A wooden ladder leads up the main mast to a crow's nest area on top of the boat, where you can view the entire area in full 360 degrees.This area is only accessible for two persons at one time for safety reasons, and up there, you get to take some beautiful photos.What is Served at the Boat Cafe Kuala Selangor?The basic menu of the boat cafe.For food and beverage, there are limited choices but reasonable enough for lifestyle cafe hunters. Don't expect full meals, as this is not a restaurant but a cafe concept.Visitors can choose simple snacks like fries, chicken popcorn, cakes, Korean fried chicken and even a mini hotpot. Drinks include mineral water, coffee, hot beverages, soft drinks, soju and beer buckets.The\u00a0Boat Cafe Kuala Selangor is not Halal for Muslims, but no pork is served here. They serve alcohol, but visitors can always order canned drinks or mineral water.When I visited around 4.00 PM, I did not order food, just drinks and walked around to take photos and video.Photos of the Boat CafeBelow are random photos of the boat taken with my Galaxy Z Flip3 and Galaxy S10 Plus smartphones when I visited this place at the end of October 2021;This is the main entrance into the boat when you first walk in.The air-conditioned section is located inside the boat.A beautiful chandelier hangs in the captain's cabin of the boat.Visitors can dine in air-conditioned inside the main deck of the boat.The boat engine is seen through glass flooring.The upper deck of the boat cafe provides an outdoor experience.Iced Latte and soft drinks.Monkey God Temple is seen from the boat.Kampung Pasir Penambang is seen from the top of the boat cafe.Thye also sells Sky Mirror tours from the boat.Inside the captain's cabin of the boat.A simple bar counter is available on the upper deck of the boat.The toilets are very clean and unisex.The front of the boat is where a cute red aeroplane lies.A bird's eye view from the Crow's Nest is high on the boat.The Kuala Selangor Monkey God Temple is on the right.A cute red aeroplane is one of the props on the boat deck.Where is the Boat Cafe, Kuala Selangor?The unique boat cafe is located in Kuala Selangor, by the riverside, just after the bridge heading towards Pasir Penambang and Sekinchan.If you drive along the main Jalan Klang-Teluk Intan, you must pass the Kuala Selangor old town area where Bukit Malawati is.There is a bridge over a river, and you need to keep left after the river and enter Jalan Feri Lama and drive to the end where Restoran Makanan Laut is located.They share the same entrance area and are at the side of the Monkey God Temple, Kuala Selangor, while another landmark is the\u00a0Qi Jian Xian Shi Fo Zu Gu Miao Temple.Boat Cafe Kuala Selangor Address:10, Jalan Feri Lama, Pasir Penambang,45000 Kuala Selangor,Selangor, Malaysia.Tel: +6 016-223 4788Business Hours:Monday, Thursday & Friday: 3.30 PM to 10.30 PMSaturday & Sunday: 11.30 AM to 10.30 PMClosed: Tuesday & WednesdayThe boat cafe.Video of the Boat Cafe in Kuala SelangorConclusionIf you plan to visit this part of Selangor for a day trip or other locations like Tanjung Karang or Sekinchan, this\u00a0Boat Cafe Kuala Selangor is highly recommended to see in the evening.Be prepared to take some lovely photos, and if things work out well, I will start organising a Kuala Selangor Photo Walk for anyone interested.\n\n\nTags\nKuala Selangor\nMalaysia\nPhotography\nPlaces to Visit in Kuala Selangor\nSelangor\nThings to do in Kuala Selangor\n\n\n\n\n\nFacebook\nTwitter\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nShare:Boat Cafe Kuala Selangor\n\n\nFacebook\nTwitter\nWhatsApp\nPinterest\nLinkedIn\nReddit\nTumblr\nTelegram\nEmail\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nMalaysia Asia\nBlogging since 2007, but writing online since 1997. I belong to the 1st generation of worldwide bloggers, which is of course old-school. \n\nSince 2008, I created Malaysia Asia and this travel, flood, gadget and lifestyle blog has won numerous physical awards from tourism boards around Malaysia. (Not those online awards).\n\nAfter 12 years of blogging, I have semi-retired and now blog about things I like, do product reviews and enjoy life. My work has been featured in Lonely Planet, CNN Travel, Yahoo Travel, Wall Street Journal, and many other international publications. Find out more about me and thank you.\n\n\n\n\nYou might like\nView all\n\n\n\n\n\n\n"}
{"url": "http://blog.malaysia-asia.my/2023/02/pata-destination-experience-forum-mart.html", "text": "\n\n\n\nHomeEvents\n\nPATA Destination Experience Forum Mart 2023\n\n\n\n\nbyMalaysia Asia\n-February 12, 2023\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nThe Pacific Asia Travel Association is set to organise the PATA Destination Experience Forum and Mart 2023 (PDFM 2023) in Kuching, Sarawak, Malaysia, from 21 to 23 June.The event, supported by Sarawak Tourism Board, comprises four components: destination experiences, a conference, a B2B adventure travel trade show with 1-1 meetings, and various networking opportunities.It provides an opportunity for tourism professionals to gain first-hand practical experience and knowledge in marketing and managing attractions, tourism products, and services that are relatively unknown by both trade and consumers to a global audience responsibly and sustainably.PATA Forum Mart 2023Kuching City is chosen for PATA Destination Experience Forum Mart 2023.Focusing on Ecotourism, Gastronomy Tourism, Adventure Travel, Wellness (particularly Sensory Nature Activities), Destination Management and Digital Marketing, the three-day programme begins with a one-day destination experience through a choice of technical tours, followed by a conference and travel mart spread across two full days, as well as various networking opportunities throughout the programme.With gastronomy tourism being one of the themes of the PATA Destination Experience Forum and Mart 2023, Sarawak Tourism Board CEO Sharzede Datu Haji Salleh Askor said the theme suits Sarawak perfectly, as its capital city Kuching was recognised as the \"City of Gastronomy\" by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) 's Creative Cities Network (UCCN) in 2021.Sharzede Datu Haji Salleh Askor also said;\u201cSarawak\u2019s diversity in ethnicities and culture has created a wealth of authentic dishes and food that are staples of the indigenous households, passed down through generations, making Sarawak not only a destination rich with nature and culture but also a place to enjoy and relish in a variety of local foods.\u201dPATA Chair Peter Semone said;\u00a0\u201cAt PATA, we continue to focus on bringing greater depth and value to our events, understanding that, more than ever, delegates are more focused on four aspects when attending events: trading, networking, learning and socialising.As the travel and tourism industry in the Asia Pacific region is seeing positive signs of recovery, the inaugural PATA Destination Experience Forum and Mart 2023 looks to highlight the best practices in destination marketing and destination management in support of a responsible and sustainable recovery for the region. We all look forward to welcoming you to Sarawak, Malaysia.\u201dThe year 2022 has been a thriving one for Sarawak tourism as the industry has seen a substantial surge in tourism arrivals since the region opened its international borders in April 2022, with the rise of \"revenge travellers\" ticking off Sarawak from their wish list and the increasing demand for ecotourism-based destinations, such as national parks and nature reserves, post-pandemic.Kuching is the capital city of Sarawak, Malaysia, located along the southwest tip of the island of Borneo, the third largest island in the world. A vibrant city well known for its immersive culture, adventure, nature, food, and festival elements, it makes you feel at home away from home.Visitors can enjoy pristine rainforests, meet gentle orangutans, spot the world's largest flower, the Rafflesia, check out the second largest museum in Southeast Asia, the Borneo Cultures Museum, and find the rare proboscis monkey endemic to Borneo at the oldest national park in Sarawak, Bako National Park.The program.Conclusion to PATA Forum Mart 2023Registration is now open for buyers, sellers, and conference delegates. Interested delegates can register now, enjoy a Super Early Bird Rate, and receive a 15% discount on registration fees until 15 February. Afterwards, delegates can enjoy an Early Bird Rate and receive a 10% discount until 15 March.Following the event, delegates can extend their stay and visit the Rainforest World Music Festival, which takes place from June 23-25. Event delegates will receive complimentary access to the festival's first night on 23 June and a discount on tickets to access the entire event during the weekend of June 24-25.For more information about the event, please visit the official PATA Forum Mart 2023 website or email Events@PATA.org.\n\n\nTags\nEvents\nKuching\nMalaysia\nPATA\nPATA Forum Mart 2023\nPATA News\nSarawak\nSarawak Travel\n\n\n\n\n\nFacebook\nTwitter\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nShare:PATA Destination Experience Forum Mart 2023\n\n\nFacebook\nTwitter\nWhatsApp\nPinterest\nLinkedIn\nReddit\nTumblr\nTelegram\nEmail\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nMalaysia Asia\nBlogging since 2007, but writing online since 1997. I belong to the 1st generation of worldwide bloggers, which is of course old-school. \n\nSince 2008, I created Malaysia Asia and this travel, flood, gadget and lifestyle blog has won numerous physical awards from tourism boards around Malaysia. (Not those online awards).\n\nAfter 12 years of blogging, I have semi-retired and now blog about things I like, do product reviews and enjoy life. My work has been featured in Lonely Planet, CNN Travel, Yahoo Travel, Wall Street Journal, and many other international publications. Find out more about me and thank you.\n\n\n\n\nYou might like\nView all\n\n\n\n\n\n\n"}
{"url": "http://blog.malaysia-asia.my/2019/05/bakelalan-bird-watching-trip-report.html", "text": "\n\n\n\nHomeBakelalan Bird Watching\n\nBakelalan Bird Watching Trip Report\n\n\n\n\nbyMalaysia Asia\n-May 14, 2019\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nOne of the few places that have been getting some bird watching attention is no other than the highland village of Bakelalan in Sarawak, Borneo. This is my Bakelalan birdwatching trip report for the serious bird watchers, done in November 2018.\u00a0\n\n\n\nFirst, Bakelalan or Ba'Kelalan, is a Lun Bawang tribe village located in the northeast highlands of Sarawak, Malaysia. It is also in the district of Lawas, which can be easily accessed from Kota Kinabalu in Sabah or Miri in Sarawak.\n\n\n\nGetting here is quite a challenge, but then again, not complicated. However, for bird watchers or photographers, you can take a flight or even drive overland, passing the famous Paya Maga Wetlands.\u00a0\n\n\n\nBird Watching Trip Report For Bakelalan\n\n\n\n\nBirding in Bakelalan is combined with some adventure and amazing outdoors.\n\nMy bird watching expedition here was a cross-border initiative involving the Sarawak Tourism Board and the Borneo Bird Club from Sandakan Sabah.\u00a0\n\n\n\nThis was more of a birdwatching inspection trip to initiate cross-border birdwatching tourism between the two states of Malaysia and Borneo.\u00a0\n\n\n\nOur journey started from the town of Lawas, where the Borneo Bird Club flew in from Sandakan and Kota Kinabalu into Miri and then caught a MasWings flight into Lawas.\u00a0\n\n\n\nI was the only one that flew in from Kuala Lumpur into Miri and then caught a similar flight into Lawas, where we all met up to continue our journey overland using a couple of 4x4 off-road vehicles.\n\n\n\nBukit Demaring view point, on the way to Bakelalan\n\nFrom Lawas, it takes around five to six hours overland through old logging roads, which is not that bad, considering we left as early as 7.00 AM and reached Bakelalan by 1.00 PM.\u00a0\n\n\n\nAlong the way, we made a couple of stops to admire the majestic view of the Maligan Highland Range, which is highly recommended for anyone using this route.\n\nOne particular stop is called the Bukit Demaring viewpoint, where you can see the beautiful highland range stretch as far as your eyes can see.\u00a0\n\n\n\nOne main stop was for lunch at a small licensed logging camp, where a local cafe served coffee, tea, noodles, and even rice.\n\n\n\nThe signboard at the entrance of Paya Maga IBA in Lawas\n\nPaya Maga IBA in Sarawak\n\n\n\nAlong the way, we passed the much talked about bird watching spots called Paya Maga, an Important Bird Area or IBA.\n\nPaya Maga was designated as an IBA in 2010, and it is here where you can spot the endemic Black Oriole, which many birders want to see or photograph.\u00a0\n\n\n\nWe did not do bird watching in Paya Maga for this trip, as our mission was to explore Bakelalan and its surroundings. Hence, we stopped to take photos of the entrance area only.\n\n\n\nMe (the writer) attempting to make some natural salt at the Bakelalan Salt Factory\n\nVisiting the Bakelalan Salt Factory\n\n\n\nAs we got closer to Bakelalan village, we made a stop at the Buduk Bui Salt Factory, which is recommended for anyone wanting to see how the local highland salt is processed.\u00a0\n\n\n\nBakelalan is home to several natural salt wells, and the natural saltwater is pumped into a processing hut, where it is boiled over a wood fire until the salt is formed.\u00a0\n\n\n\nThis part of the trip was more of an understanding of what the Lun Bawang people do in the highlands.\n\nAgain, the locals here are a farming and agricultural society; hence it is good to visit the Bakelalan salt factory\u00a0when you are here.\n\n\n\nThe village of Buduk Nur seen from a nearby hill in Bakelalan\n\nBuduk Nur Village in Bakelalan\n\n\n\nWe arrived in Buduk Nur around 2.00 PM, the main village in Bakelalan, where the small airport is located. We met our host and bird guide, Cikgu Sang, or Teacher Sang, a school teacher in Bakelalan.\u00a0\n\n\n\nAfter meeting his acquaintance, we adjourned by foot to his beautiful home located smack in the middle of the village. His wife, Julia Sang, welcomed us at his home, and we were treated to some home-cooked food.\u00a0\n\n\n\nStories about bird watching filled the air while many questions were being thrown at Cikgu Sang, namely about one elusive bird called the Dulit Frogmouth (Batrachostomus harterti).\n\n\n\nThis is the one endemic bird that can only be seen around Bakelalan, and many bird watchers and photographers from around the world come here to see this nocturnal bird.\u00a0\n\n\n\nOn our arrival day, we just hung out at Cikgu Sang's lovely home, settled into our simple and comfortable rooms, and just prepared for the following day of bird watching.\n\n\n\nBirding from the local roads around Bakelalan with Andrew Saini, Cede Prudente, CK Leong and David Tseu\n\nDay One - Birding in Bakelalan\n\n\nWhen we started early in the morning, we took two 4WDs towards a hillside road on a higher elevation overlooking Bakelalan. This was a supposedly new road linking Bakelalan to Bario, the sister village.\n\nReaching our stop, we gradually made our way down on foot and checked the birds in the canopy tops. Several spiderhunters, flowerpeckers and mid-sized birds were spotted.\n\nThe walk was easy as it was downhill, and the cooling weather made it fun and enjoyable. This is one of the plus points of bird watching in the highlands.\n\nWe chilled out at the Cikgu Sang's beautiful homestay in the afternoons, exchanging birding information and casual talks among the group.\n\n\n\nA Black and Crimson Oriole perched behind some leaves.\n\nCome 4.00 PM, we head out to one of the most common sites where the Dulit Frogmouth is usually spotted. This is about 10 minutes drive from the main village of Buduk Nur.\n\nAfter the sun sets, our callings start, and we wait with excitement. No response and we call again. Still no reply, and after about 30 minutes, we move to another spot to repeat the call.\n\nWell, Cikgu Sang mentioned that the Dulit Frogmouth may be nesting or with a baby; hence it may not show. Thus we decided to call it a night and head back.\n\n\n\nThe trek up and down Pa' Sarui Hill in Bakelalan. Buduk Nur is in the distance\u00a0\n\nDay Two - Birding in Bakelalan\n\n\nSame as day one, we started early with the trucks, and this time around, we went to Pa' Sarui Hill and its vicinity. This is also where the famous Bakelalan Owl House is located at.\n\nThe journey here requires you to walk through paddy fields and then cross a small stream leading to the beautiful stand-alone wooden house.\n\nOnce you reach the Owl House, a trail from the back leads you up to Pa' Sarui Hill, which also doubles as one of Bakelalan's best viewpoints.\n\n\n\nOwl House in Bakelalan\nSeveral birds were spotted along the trek up, while fewer birds were at the peak. But as a bonus, the majestic view was breathtaking, especially in the late morning.\n\nThe trail up is considered medium, but I would not recommend this trail if you have knee or walking issues. Please take note of this before going up to Pa' Sarui's viewpoint.\n\nAt the end of the day, the journey up the hill, spotting some birds and seeing the fantastic scenery was good enough for our group.\n\nBy lunch, we had gone back down and headed back to Cikgu Sang's home, and after that, we were invited over next door to see the last traditional Lun Bawang Longhouse, which was quite an experience.\n\n\n\nCrossing streams to look for the Dulit Frogmouth in Bakelalan\n\nDay Three - Birding in Bakelalan\n\n\nOur final day of birding saw us returning to our original spot from day one to see if we could spot one of the much sought-after birds - Hose's Broadbill.\n\nWith luck on our side, after some calls, a couple of them did show up, but they landed in the thick bush; hence we managed to spot them through our binoculars.\n\nAs for bird photography, luck was not on our side due to the thick bushes. However, we were pleased to know that they are, in fact, there.\n\nOur night session was the final, where we went out to look for the Dulit Frogmouth. This time, Cikgu Sang took us deep into a secluded area, crossing three streams and doing a bit of trekking.\n\n\n\nThe journey to seek the Dulit Frogmouth in Bakelalan\n\nReaching the spot, we set up the gear, waited for dusk, and started calling. Within minutes, a response was heard in the distance. The Frogmouth calls were closer but high up in the canopy when it got pitch dark.\n\nLuck was not on our side, as we still could not spot it with multiple calls from the Frogmouth. But it was just there, about 10 meters up in the canopy.\n\nWell, I can say that the Dulit Frogmouth is found in Bakelalan, and it doesn't mean you will be guaranteed to spot it. One theory was that it was the breeding season; hence they don't really show themselves.\n\nMy next trip to Bakelalan will guarantee that I will be seeking this endemic bird of Borneo, which is apparently spotted in several places around Bakelalan.\n\n\n\nAn Ashy Drongo spotted in Bakelalan\n\nList of Birds Spotted in Bakelalan\n\nBelow is our checklist of birds we spotted in Bakelalan over the three days of exploring these beautiful highlands of Sarawak.\n\n1) Hose's Broadbill\n2) Black and Crimson Oriole\n3) Oriental Honey Buzzard\n4) Bat Hawk vs Rhinoceros Hornbill\n5) Bornean Bulbul\n6) Bornean Leafbird\n7) Cinereous Bulbul\n8) Bornean Barbet\n9) Black-Thighed Falconet\n10) Whitehead's Spiderhunter\n11) Boobook\n12) Whiskered Treeswift\n13) Yellow-Vented Bulbul\n14) Blue Eared Kingfisher\n15) Cattle Egrets\n16) Barn Swallows\n17) Eurasian Tree Sparrows\n18) White-Breasted Woodswallow\n19) Chestnut Hooded Laughing Thrush\n20) Temminck's Sunbird\n21) Red-Necked Phalarope\n22) Little Cuckoo Dove\n23) Verditer Flycatcher\n24. Mountain Serpent Eagle\n25. Mountain Barbet\n26. Blue-eared Barbet\n27. Little/Malaysian Bronze cuckoo\n28. Dusky munia\n29. Chestnut Munia\n30. Spotted Dove\n31. Grey-rumped treeswift\n\n\n\nA male Scarlet Minivet with an insect catch\n\n\n\nThe female Scarlet Minivet with another insect photographed nearby\n\nAs a bonus, during our birding, we actually did manage to spot some mammals, which are listed below;\n\n1) Tufted Ground Squirrel\n2) Whitehead's Pygmy Squirrel\n3. Bornean black-banded squirrels\n\n\n\nThe location of Bakelalan in Sarawak\n\nWhere Is Bakelalan?\u00a0\n\n\n\nBakelalan is a highland village located in the Maligan Range northeast of Sarawak, Borneo. The town is also the closest to the border of Kalimantan, Indonesia.\n\nFor the locals, Bakelalan is nearer to Miri, Lawas or even Brunei. From Kota Kinabalu, it will take you about 9 hours to drive there, while from Bandar Seri Begawan, it will take less than seven hours drive.\n\n\n\nSpotting birds in Bakelalan, Sarawak\n\nHow Long To Spend In Bakelalan For Bird Watching?\u00a0\nIt is a common question that birders will be asking, and most think they can just travel in and out for this part of Sarawak.\n\nIn reality, the optimum time to spend in Bakelalan for bird watching would be four days and three nights. This will ensure that you get to spot the birds that you came for.\n\nWhile many birders will want to also spot the Black Oriole, the trip will be broken up into two sections, one at Paya Maga and the other at Bakelalan for the Dulit Frogmouth.\n\n\n\nKevin from the Sarawak Tourism Board and Rona Sultan from Heart of Borneo Tours do weight checks at the Lawas Airport check-in counter.\n\n\u00a0How To Get To Bakelalan?\u00a0\n\n\nThe best way to get to Bakelalan in Sarawak\u00a0is to fly into Lawas and then from Lawas to Bakelalan. This journey will require you to take two or three planes.\n\nPlease note that there are only two or three flights from Lawas to Bakelalan per week; hence you need to time your flights for the trip to Bakelalan.\n\nFlying From Kuala Lumpur: Fly into Miri (Malaysia Airlines, AirAsia), connect to Lawas with MasWings, and from Lawas, connect to Bakelalan with MasWings.\n\nFlying From Kota Kinabalu, Sabah: Fly into Miri ((Malaysia Airlines, AirAsia), then connect to Lawas with MasWings, and from Lawas, connect to Bakelalan with MasWings.\n\n\n\nDriving back to Lawas from Bakelalan is a long journey but worthwhile in many ways.\n\nDriving to Bakelalan\n\nThis would be a more accessible but time-consuming option as you may spend around 10 hours from Miri, Brunei or Kota Kinabalu.\n\nHowever, driving gives you the flexibility to stop and enjoy the local lifestyle along the way and even do some ad-hoc bird watching.\n\nSome bird watchers may prefer to do it this way as you can also make a stopover at the famous Paya Maga IBA, spending the night at the Merarap Hot Spring Resort.\n\nDriving From Kota Kinabalu: From KK, you go south and pass Sipitang to the Sindumin Checkpoint. From there, drive to Lawas town, which is around four or five hours drive to Bakelalan using the old timber roads from Lawas.\n\nThe total time without checkpoints and stops from Kota Kinabalu: is 7 Hours, but we are looking at around a nine-hour drive with checkpoints and stops.\n\nDriving From Brunei: From Bandar Seri Begawan, you drive to the Tedungan Immigration Post, then head to Limbang town, and to Ujung Jalan, then to the Mengkalap ICQ, and then to Lawas. From Lawas, it's a 4 to 5-hour drive to Bakelalan.\n\nThe total time without checkpoints and stops from Bandar: is 6.5 hours, but with visits and so on, it will take 8 to 9 hours to drive.\n\nFrom Miri: Head to Sungai Tujuh Checkpoint, then to the Tedungan Immigration Post, then head to Limbang town, and to Ujung Jalan, then to the Mengkalap ICQ, and then to Lawas. From Lawas, it's a 4 to 5-hour drive to Bakelalan.\n\nThe total time without checkpoints and stops from Miri: Eight hours drive, but realistically, it will take you a good 10 to 12 hours.\n\n\n\nOur cross-border team with Cikgu Sang (4th from right) and Julia Sang (3rd from right) with Rona (Right)\n\nConclusion\n\n\nBakelalan is one of the hidden birdwatching destinations of Sarawak and is slowly getting some recognition for some of the endemic birds found here.\n\nSerious bird watchers have started coming here since 2015, and over the last few years, more birders have been making their way here.\n\nWhile the accessibility may not be commercially feasible, it makes the entire birding experience more memorable. I have also done an article about the many things to do in Bakelalan\u00a0when you are there.\n\nWith some of the notable Sabah birdwatching guides exploring this destination, it is now easier for them to bring in bird watchers who want to experience birding in Sabah and Sarawak.\n\nHopefully, this Bakelalan birdwatching trip report will provide additional information about this exotic birding destination. A huge thanks go out to the Sarawak Tourism Board\u00a0for making this happen.\nI would also like to thank Cikgu Sang and his beautiful wife, Julia Sang, for their kind hospitality during our stay there. And also to Rona Sultan from Heart of Borneo Tours for making our trip smooth and memorable.\n\nIf you have questions, please ask them in the comment form, and I will do my best to answer them. Otherwise, you can also follow my Malaysia birding website,\u00a0Birdwatching.Asia, for more birdwatching information and reviews.\n\n\nTags\nBakelalan Bird Watching\nBird Watching\nBird Watching in Bakelalan\nBird Watching News\nMalaysia Bird Watching\nSarawak\nSarawak Bird Watching\nSarawak More To Discover\nSarawak Tourism\n\n\n\n\n\nFacebook\nTwitter\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nShare:Bakelalan Bird Watching Trip Report\n\n\nFacebook\nTwitter\nWhatsApp\nPinterest\nLinkedIn\nReddit\nTumblr\nTelegram\nEmail\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nMalaysia Asia\nBlogging since 2007, but writing online since 1997. I belong to the 1st generation of worldwide bloggers, which is of course old-school. \n\nSince 2008, I created Malaysia Asia and this travel, flood, gadget and lifestyle blog has won numerous physical awards from tourism boards around Malaysia. (Not those online awards).\n\nAfter 12 years of blogging, I have semi-retired and now blog about things I like, do product reviews and enjoy life. My work has been featured in Lonely Planet, CNN Travel, Yahoo Travel, Wall Street Journal, and many other international publications. Find out more about me and thank you.\n\n\n\n\nYou might like\nView all\n\n\n\n\n\n\n"}
{"url": "http://blog.malaysia-asia.my/2020/03/putrajaya-hot-air-balloon-fiesta-2020.html", "text": "\n\n\n\nHomeMalaysia\n\nPutrajaya Hot Air Balloon Fiesta 2020\n\n\n\n\nbyMalaysia Asia\n-March 03, 2020\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nIt's that time again for the\u00a0Putrajaya Hot Air Balloon Fiesta 2020 and what are the balloons to look out for? Every year, there will be a series of unique shaped hot air balloons on display and flight.\n\n\n\nFor this year, we can expect a better show and event as the organizers have always been improving the event to bring exciting hot air balloons to Malaysia.\n\nUpdate March 6th - The Putrajaya Hot Air Balloon Fiesta 2020 has been postponed to an unconfirmed date due to the Coronavirus or Covid-19 outbreak here in Malaysia.\n\nFor those who have purchased tickets, you are eligible for a refund, and you can do so by visiting the official My Balloon Fiesta website.\u00a0\n\nPutrajaya International Hot Air Balloon Fiesta 2020 Quick Guide\u00a0\n\n\n\nOne of the quirky hot air balloons in-flight.\n\n\n\nAs always, there will be a total of 25 normal and special-shaped hot air balloons from all over the world participating this year.\u00a0\n\n\n\nYou can expect local and international balloonists, hot air balloons from a total of 13 countries participating in this year's fiesta.\u00a0\n\n\n\nOut of that, there are also normal shaped balloons from Spain, Japan, Belgium, Thailand, South Korea, Italy, Taiwan, Vietnam, and Malaysia.\n\n\n\nA scene from last year's event, taken from the first hot air balloon in the air.\n\n\nMust-Watch Events At Putrajaya Hot Air Balloon Fiesta\n\n\nApart from the many events and experiences happening during the event, there are a number of them which are clearly not to be missed by the public.\u00a0\n\n\n\nMass Ascension Event -\u00a0This year\u2019s main highlights include a Mass Ascension in the morning from 7.00 am to 8.00 am daily,\u00a0\n\n\n\nNight Glow Show - The night glow show is one of the most anticipated events during the festival where hot air balloons line up to ignite with the DJ music played.\u00a0\n\n\n\nFireworks Display - A spectacular fireworks display will take place on Saturday and Sunday from 8.45 pm to 9.30 pm.\u00a0\n\nPutrajaya Hot Air Balloon Flight Video from 2019\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nWhat are the Unique Hot Air Ballons to Look Out for?\n\nMost visitors love to come here and see some of the star balloons which are usually in odd and funny shapes. This year, you can expect the following;\n\nMinion from the United Kingdom\nLittle Pirate from the United States\nBigHug from Brazil\nMy Deerling from Canada\nBlue Rooster from France\nLight House from the United Kingdom\nOwlbert from the United States\n\nWhere is\u00a0Putrajaya International Hot Air Balloon Fiesta Held?\n\nThe event has made its home at the Monumen Alaf Baru or\u00a0Millennium Monument at Presint 2 in Putrajaya. This is where all the main ministry offices are located at.\n\nIf you are planning to self-drive here, just use waze or Google Maps and key in Monumen Alaf Baru or\u00a0Millennium Monument and it will lead you here.\n\n\n\nLocation of the Hot Air Balloon Fiesta in Putrajaya.\n\n\nWhen is\u00a0Putrajaya International Hot Air Balloon Fiesta?\u00a0\n\nDate: 19 to 22 March 2020 Postponed to a later date\nTime: 7.00 AM to 9.00 PM\nLocation: Monumen Alaf Baru, Presint 2, Putrajaya\nEntrance: Free\n\nWhat Kind of Tickets is available at the Balloon Fiesta?\n\n\n\nThe tickets for different experiences.\n\n\nThe general entrance to the event is free of charge as has been since days one. This is an initiative by the organizers to make it easy for all walks of life to experience.\n\nHowever, those wanting an intimate experience, you can purchase Balloon Zone entrance tickets\u00a0for different individual experiences.\n\nThere are three types of access tickets available for those wanting a more personal experience, and they are;\n\nLaunching Field Access - For the morning and evening balloon launch at the main field.\nNight Glow Access - Access into the main balloon area in the night.\nTethered Balloon Rides - Twice a day rides to go up on a hot air balloon.\n\n\nConclusion\n\n\nEvery year, I make it a point to attend this festival as it is something out of the ordinary and different here. The mere sight of hot air balloons in the sky is something spectacular.\n\nYou can also take a look at my 2010 Putrajaya Hot Air Balloon Fiesta review, which was done a decade ago. It shows how dedicated MyBalloon Fiesta is, even after 10 years.\u00a0\n\n\n\nIf you have not attended this event, I highly recommend you do so, especially if you have kids or if you have nothing to do.\n\n\n\nThe\u00a0Putrajaya Hot Air Balloon Fiesta is definitely considered as one of Malaysia's most interesting yearly event that has seen over millions of people attending.\n\nIf you have not attended, or have considered attending, perhaps this year is the year to do it.\u00a0\n\n\nTags\nMalaysia\nMalaysia Hot Air Balloon Festival\nPutrajaya\nPutrajaya Hot Air Balloon Fiesta\nPutrajaya Hot Air Balloon Fiesta 2020\n\n\n\n\n\nFacebook\nTwitter\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nShare:Putrajaya Hot Air Balloon Fiesta 2020\n\n\nFacebook\nTwitter\nWhatsApp\nPinterest\nLinkedIn\nReddit\nTumblr\nTelegram\nEmail\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nMalaysia Asia\nBlogging since 2007, but writing online since 1997. I belong to the 1st generation of worldwide bloggers, which is of course old-school. \n\nSince 2008, I created Malaysia Asia and this travel, flood, gadget and lifestyle blog has won numerous physical awards from tourism boards around Malaysia. (Not those online awards).\n\nAfter 12 years of blogging, I have semi-retired and now blog about things I like, do product reviews and enjoy life. My work has been featured in Lonely Planet, CNN Travel, Yahoo Travel, Wall Street Journal, and many other international publications. Find out more about me and thank you.\n\n\n\n\nYou might like\nView all\n\n\n\n\n\n\n"}
{"url": "http://blog.malaysia-asia.my/2021/06/kuala-lumpur-lake-gardens-smartphone.html", "text": "\n\n\n\nHomeKuala Lumpur\n\nKuala Lumpur Lake Gardens Smartphone Photography\n\n\n\n\nbyMalaysia Asia\n-June 16, 2021\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nOne of the places I love to frequent regularly is the Kuala Lumpur Lake Gardens or Perdana Botanical Gardens, a perfect place to escape from the city.This time around, I've taken the opportunity to bring along the Samsung Galaxy S21 5G smartphone to do some smartphone photography here.And to most people's surprise, they never knew that our KL Lake Gardens was actually gorgeous after seeing my photos on my social media.Perdana Botanical Gardens or Laman Perdana.Kuala Lumpur Lake Gardens Smartphone PhotographyA little history about this beautiful place first - This massive garden measures 91.6 hectares or 916,000 square meters big. It was the brainchild of Alfred Venning and officially opened on 13 May 1889.The Perdana Botanical Gardens has undergone numerous names over the last century, and they are;1889 - Public Gardens1900 - Lake Gardens1975 - Taman Tasik Perdana2011 - Perdana Botanical GardensThis place also serves as one of the popular tourist destinations of Kuala Lumpur, and some of the tourist attractions located here are the;National MonumentDeer ParkHerbariumHibiscus GardenOrchid GardenSunken GardenKuala Lumpur Bird ParkKuala Lumpur Butterfly ParkNational MosqueIslamic MuseumThe Samsung Galaxy S21 5G, which I used for my photography here, is one of the latest models from the S series for 2021 and was launched in Malaysia in mid-January 2021.You should also know that there are a total of three S21s in the market right now; they are the S21 Ultra 5G, S21+ 5G and this one I am reviewing, the S21 5G.The Samsung development team has been continuously evolving the photography technology over the last few years, and it just seems to get better and better with each new model.As I am still using the Galaxy S10 Plus, I occasionally get to test out some of the newer models from Samsung, and the main thing I always look into is the photography aspect of the smartphone.Not to confuse the S21 Ultra 5G, this unit is much smaller and one notch lower than the other two Ultra and series. Therefore, the price is also way lower too.Photos of KL Lake Gardens with the Galaxy S21 5G PhoneBelow are photos taken around the KL Lake Gardens with the Galaxy S21 5G smartphone and in no particular order.Also, note that the photos displayed here are not edited at all. They are straight-from-the-phone and only resized to fit this article.You can also click on the photos to see them a little larger than here.Galaxy S21 5G Camera SpecificationsAre you ready for the technical jargon or nerd talk about the cameras on the S21 5G? If you are into this kind of number and words, check out the camera system of the smartphone.Primary Camera - Uses a 1/1.76\" sensor with 1.8\u00b5m individual pixels, 12 million of them. In front of it is a 26mm equivalent focal length lens with an f/1.8 aperture, which features optical image stabilization, something everyone relies on.The Ultra-wide Camera - The 5G models only has fixed focus, and only the S21 Ultra has an autofocusing ultra-wide camera. The lens has a field of view of 120 degrees and an f/2.2 aperture, while the size of the 12MP sensor is 1/2.55\", with 1.4\u00b5m pixels.A comparison of the three S21 models: Left is Ultra 5G, the middle is S21 5G, right is S21 Plus 5G.Third camera or Telephoto Lens - Comes with a slightly longer lens than the main module, around 29mm equivalent. Its 64MP sensor is used for hybrid zoom action with 'lossless' results up to the default 3x magnification level. This one, too, has a stabilized lens; its aperture is listed at f/2.0. Now, this is very impressive.Selfie Camera - Relies on a 10MP 1/3.24\" sensor with 1.22\u00b5m pixels coupled to an autofocusing lens with a 26mm equivalent focal length and f/2.2 aperture.Where to Buy the Galaxy S21 5G in Malaysia?\u00a0The best place to get this is, of course, from Samsung Malaysia. Or if you have some deal with your local telco company, you could probably get one from them with great promotion.The Galaxy S21 5G phones are available.ConclusionIf you are starting to get the hang of smartphone photography, you can also read my other smartphone review of various models. Each highlighting photography, and the best part, it's not technical reviews.You can also read my Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G photography review\u00a0earlier in 2021 as I visited Batu Caves in Selangor for this.Overall, since the dawn of smartphone photography and how fast they advanced in the last five years, you will definitely be seeing more reviews from different models from me.I trust you have seen the\u00a0Kuala Lumpur Lake Gardens smartphone photography pictures here, and you should roughly have an idea of what is achievable with today's phones.\n\n\nTags\nKuala Lumpur\nMalaysia\nSamsung\nSamsung Galaxy\nSamsung Galaxy S21\nSamsung Malaysia\nSamsung S21 5G\nSmartphone Review\nSmartphone Reviews\n\n\n\n\n\nFacebook\nTwitter\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nShare:Kuala Lumpur Lake Gardens Smartphone Photography\n\n\nFacebook\nTwitter\nWhatsApp\nPinterest\nLinkedIn\nReddit\nTumblr\nTelegram\nEmail\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nMalaysia Asia\nBlogging since 2007, but writing online since 1997. I belong to the 1st generation of worldwide bloggers, which is of course old-school. \n\nSince 2008, I created Malaysia Asia and this travel, flood, gadget and lifestyle blog has won numerous physical awards from tourism boards around Malaysia. (Not those online awards).\n\nAfter 12 years of blogging, I have semi-retired and now blog about things I like, do product reviews and enjoy life. My work has been featured in Lonely Planet, CNN Travel, Yahoo Travel, Wall Street Journal, and many other international publications. Find out more about me and thank you.\n\n\n\n\nYou might like\nView all\n\n\n\n\n\n\n"}
{"url": "http://blog.malaysia-asia.my/2019/01/don-mueang-airport-vs-klia2-review.html", "text": "\n\n\n\nHomeAirlines\n\nDon Mueang Airport vs KLIA2 Review \n\n\n\n\nbyMalaysia Asia\n-January 25, 2019\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nAs a frequent traveller all these years, I have visited more than 50 different airports ranging from really small to mega world-class airports, and it is time that I focus on airport reviews now.\u00a0\n\n\n\nThis is not my first airport review, as, towards the end of this article, I will share some of my other airport reviews over the last few years.\n\nHowever, in this review, I want to emphasise the current budget or low-cost terminals that have changed travel rapidly in the last decade. It will focus on the Don Mueang International Airport and KLIA2, Malaysia's budget airline airport.Review of the Don Mueang International Airport vs KLIA2\n\n\n\nThe Kuala Lumpur International Airport 2.\n\n\nFirst and foremost, flying into Don Mueang airport requires you to be on a budget airline. For me, it was AirAsia that flew from Kuala Lumpur International Airport 2 or KLIA2 to the Bangkok budget terminal.\u00a0\n\n\n\nAs I have been flying into Bangkok for the last 30 years, using various airlines, I would like to share how Don Mueang was quite run down after Suvarnabhumi Airport took over as Thailand's international airport.\n\n\n\nThe new terminal two of Don Muang International.\n\nSince September 2006, all major airlines moved to the new international airport, and Don Mueang closed shortly for some renovations, only to reopen in March 2007. Since then, the former airport was known as the low-cost carrier airport in Bangkok.\u00a0\n\n\n\nIf you have been flying as long as I have, you would have known how bad the condition of Don Mueang was back from 2006 to 2013. But soon, it all changed to one of the most efficient airports in the region.\u00a0\n\n\n\nWell, Thailand values tourism very much, and from 2013 to 2018, a lot of effort has been made to make this one of the easiest airports in Southeast Asia to visit.\u00a0\n\n\n\nBelow is a timeline of what Airports of Thailand did and is still doing for the Don Mueang Airport;\n\n\n\n\nSeptember 2013 to May 2014 - Three billion Baht renovation for Terminal 2.\nDecember 2015 - Completion of Terminal 2. Passenger capacity increased to 30 million a year.\nDecember 2018 - 38 million passenger capacity achieved.\n2018 to 2024 - 38 billion Baht expansion plan, including Terminal 3.\u00a0\n\n\n\n\n\nWhen you look at the statistics and numbers for Don Mueang Airport, it is no surprise that Thailand is going full steam ahead for the tourism arrivals, and to do so, you need a fully functional airport that can handle this.\n\n\n\nNok Air is one of the airlines that flies from Don Mueang.\n\nWhat Airlines Fly To Don Mueang Airport?\u00a0\n\n\n\nThere is no doubt that AirAsia is Don Mueang's biggest customer, with AirAsia Thailand, Philippines, Indonesia and Malaysia all landing there. However, many other budget carriers land here as well. They include;\n\n\n\nAirAsia - Malaysia- Thailand- Philippines- Indonesia\nMalindo Air\nNok Air\nNokScoot\nScoot\nJC International\nThai AirAsia X\nThai Lion Air\nTigerair Taiwan\n\n\n\n\n\nAs a hub for budget airlines, I have to say it is quite impressive to have so many different airlines landing here in Don Mueang, and if you look at KLIA2, on the one hand, you can count the number of airlines that land here.\n\n\n\nDon Mueang International Airport, outside.\n\nComparison of Don Mueang Airport and KLIA2\n\n\n\nMalaysia is home to AirAsia, and we obviously have our own budget terminal, the Kuala Lumpur International Airport 2, or KLIA2.\n\nWith that, I assumed that our budget terminal would also be on par or better than other countries. Malaysia Airports has been trying hard to make airports world-class over the last decade.\u00a0\n\n\n\nHowever, Malaysia is left far behind when you make an apple-to-apple comparison. Even though KLIA2 launched as a modern lifestyle budget terminal, everything flowed differently than how an airport system usually flows.\u00a0\n\n\n\nWith that, let me share with you the simple process of what happens when you go to an airport to check in for your flight, comparing both airports.\n\n\n\nThe distance of both airports, using Google Maps.\n\nDistance to the Airport\n\n\n\nKLIA2 - The distance from the city centre to KLIA is a whopping 58.3 kilometres, making this one of the furthest airports in Asia, if not the furthest.\u00a0\n\n\nIt takes about 60 minutes to drive here, and sometimes up to 90 minutes one way, depending on traffic. The only good thing is that a train gets you from KL Sentral to KLIA2 in 30 minutes. A Grab car will cost you RM65.00 one way, minus toll charges.\u00a0\n\n\n\nDon Mueang Airport - From the airport to Bangkok Central, it is only 23 kilometres and an average of 30-minute drive. Grab Car only charges around 300 to 400 Baht, or you can even take the local bus and then change to the BTS for less than that.\u00a0\n\n\n\nConclusion - As KLIA2 is a beautiful airport without a proper system, it does not work in favour of the passengers. Don Mueang takes the prize here as the closest airport to a city.\n\n\n\nThe main drop-off area of KLIA2. Photo by www.klia2.info.\n\nArriving at the Airport\n\n\n\nKLIA2 - When you arrive at the departure area, you will find multiple lanes, with cars always hogging the drop-off areas on the outmost lane. Police or authorities are hardly seen monitoring this, or often at times, they are there but not doing anything.\u00a0\n\n\n\nPlus, the closest lane to the airport entrance is permanently blocked off for VIPs, and often the second lane can also be closed, leaving only the third and outer lanes open. When this happens, there is congestion in the third lane during peak hours, which can be frustrating.\nI always notice the urgency of people that get dropped off at KLIA2. Sometimes, the entire family and neighbours want to tag along, and they spend a good ten minutes saying their goodbyes at the drop-off areas.\n\n\n\nThe drop-off area at Don Mueang International Airport.\n\nDon Mueang Airport\u00a0- The main highway runs past the airport, and turning in is hassle-free. When you arrive at the terminals, there is only one main road for vehicles to drop off passengers, which is constantly monitored by airport authorities.\n\n\nThey are strict and no-nonsense and will chase away cars that wait there. Because of this system, there is hardly any traffic congestion here, providing a smooth traffic flow.\u00a0\n\n\n\nThe terminals are also all laid out in an elongated format, so terminal one and two has their own drop-off, which is part of a continuous road. Along with both terminals, you will also find bus stops, taxi stops and the general car stop for dropping passengers off.\n\nThe great thing about this drop-off area is that people get dropped off, and the cars dropping them will move on. If they want to say long goodbyes, they will usually park at the airport parking.\u00a0\n\n\n\nConclusion - Don Mueang wins this vote due to the simple and practical airport layout and flow. This makes it easy for travellers to manoeuvre from the drop-off to the check-in counter without much walking.\n\nAuthorities are extremely strict at the drop-off areas in Bangkok, whereas in KLIA2, they may or may not be there, and this is a loophole for locals taking advantage of the system.\n\n\n\nOne of the check-in counters at KLIA2.\n\nCheck-In Counters at the Airport\n\n\n\nKLIA2 - Because of the lifestyle concept of having a mall and terminal linked together, Malaysia Airports makes passengers walk through the mall before reaching the departure terminal of KLIA2.\n\nIf you have been here before, you will know that you must walk at least half a kilometre inside before arriving at the departure terminal's check-in counters.\u00a0\n\n\n\nMalaysians are always late, tend to rush for their check-in, and in most cases, they are always cutting it close. This has also become a local habit for those travelling.\n\nHonestly, this concept only works for a budget terminal, but I do not blame the airport designers for trying to be different, and in the end, it shows how passengers are always rushing to check in for their flights.\u00a0\n\n\n\nThis also means that you need extra time to walk from the main door of the drop-off point, and I estimate around 10 minutes before you reach the departure hall, with a casual walk.\n\nThere is no direct drop-off to the airport's departure hall; hence, please note this flaw.\n\n\n\nThe distance from where you get dropped off and the check-in counters.\n\nDon Mueang Airport - The minute you walk into the airport door, the check-in counters are located just meters from the main doors. All you need to do is find out which row your counter is and head straight there.\u00a0\n\n\n\nThis layout is highly functional and straight to the point, with no hassles or distractions. Airports of Thailand, or AoT in short, has made it easy for passengers to check in once they arrive, which is what it should be.\n\n\n\nEven how busy or stressed, the Thai AirAsia staff know how to maintain a pleasant smile.\n\nThe only setback I found is that some of the check-in counters can get crowded due to the airlines' popularity. But the airlines have overcome this with fast and efficient staff that keep the momentum moving to avoid jamming up the areas.\n\n\n\nConclusion - Again, Don Mueang Airport gets the vote due to a simple and functional system where you are already at the check-in area without walking too far after you get dropped off.\n\n\n\nGateway KLIA2, the main shopping mall before the airport terminal\n\nShops Layout at the Airport\u00a0\n\n\n\nKLIA2 - Because the KL Gateway mall is your main entry point, you can easily get distracted before checking in for your flight. Having this concept of a mall in an airport is good and bad.\u00a0\n\n\n\nThe mall is spacious, but the outlets tend to be occupied by only the big names or chains. One thing for sure is that you will not find any small local brands here due to the excessively high rentals charged.\u00a0\n\n\n\nThe bad side is that because most travellers are always in a rush, many just bypass the mall and head straight to the check-in areas.\n\n\n\nWhen your gate is right at the end, you tend to hurry and will continue at the retail shops along the way.\n\nHow many times have you stopped to look at some of the shops, and if your gate is at the other end, you just tend to worry about reaching your gate. This results in the retail shops needing to do better.\n\nThose retail outlets nearest to the departure terminal are doing well, as after checking in, you can then explore the mall, provided you are not rushing.\u00a0\n\n\n\nBut here's the fun part - The main departure hall at KLIA2 also has some food, cafe and retail outlets, which is somewhat confusing as the airport management just wants to fill the place up with retail outlets.\n\n\n\nHow some of the restaurants and fast food shops are laid out conveniently\n\nDon Mueang Airport - Somehow, I find the departure area very straightforward; when you first arrive, you will be greeted by the check-in area. Only after checking in will you start seeing the retail lots, which is how an airport layout should be.\u00a0\n\n\n\nThe whole point of going to an airport is to check in for your flight, and then only you look for retail outlets, food or drinks. Correct me if I am wrong on this part, but it has been like that for all these years, so why change the flow? Don't you think so?\u00a0\n\n\n\nAfter the second phase of renovations, Don Mueang Airport was very well laid out for the passengers. After checking in to your flights, you get your boarding pass, and those who do not want to shop or eat can immediately cross over to the passport control area without any hassle.\n\n\n\nThe perfect layout for passengers as they head to the boarding gates\n\n\n\nAnd if you wanted to eat or just walk around, you could do so in this elongated terminal concept. Priority outlets get closer to the check-in area, like the airport hospital, airport inquiry centre, toilets and prayer rooms.\u00a0\n\n\n\nAll other general retail outlets follow after the priority ones, and you can find them at two main levels of the airport with one of the best selections of fast food and other eateries and cafes.\u00a0\n\n\n\nConclusion - Another vote goes to Don Mueang Airport for the overall shop layout plan in the airport. Only takes a rocket scientist to figure this out if you just want to fill an airport with shops anywhere you can find a slot.\n\n\n\nThe automated passport gate for Malaysians at KLIA2\n\nPassport Control at the Airport\u00a0\n\n\n\nKLIA2 - After you have checked in, you will walk to the domestic passport or identification check and also for the first layer of the body and bag screening. The domestic check is located at one leftmost corner of the airport.\u00a0\n\n\n\nThe international passport section is smack centre of the departure terminal and is easy to notice. It is here where you will first go through the first layer of the airport police check for your boarding pass and identification. Right after this, it is straight to the immigration counter for your passport check.\n\n\n\nThe kind of sign you do not want to see when you are coming home to Malaysia\n\nFor local Malaysian, there are passport gates, which are meant to make passengers go through much faster and smoother. But often, their passport gates may need to be fixed, which can create really long lines.\n\n\n\nPlus, it only helps when there are staff there to assist confused passengers. Many times that I have gone through these gates, there was no immigration staff stationed there. This led to many passengers' frustrations in trying to utilise the passport gates.\u00a0\n\n\n\nNon-Malaysians still need to line up at the manned counters, which usually works well. But on many occasions, I noticed a lack of immigration officers manning the counters, resulting in long lines. Do I need to elaborate more on this matter?\n\n\n\nAsean lane at the immigration counters. Photo by www.chiangraitimes.com\n\nDon Mueang Airport - There are two entry points to the immigration checks for passengers, which the management thought ahead for this. One issue is for foreign travellers, and another entry point is for local Thai and Asean country citizens.\u00a0\n\n\n\nThis way, you break up the different travellers, making it easier for the passengers lining up to get their passports checked. At the Asean counters least two immigration officers are serving at any one time.\n\n\n\nTowards the far right of the immigration, they have the Thai passport autogate. Other country travellers will just line up at the 'Foreign Passport' counters.\u00a0\n\n\n\nHere is what I found interesting. There are always AoT and immigration staff at the beginning of the lines, where they ask you where you are from to smoothen out the process. And yes, they speak good English too.\u00a0\n\n\n\nThis way, you know which lane you are supposed to be lining up at, and it will be clear to the lines at the passport checks.\n\nAnother plus point is that they have a dedicated lane just for PRC travellers, where the staff of the officer manning those counters are Mandarin-speaking.\n\nThis all makes perfect sense as it divides the majority of China travellers and the general other country travellers. I call this thinking ahead and not making matters worse.\u00a0\n\n\n\nConclusion - As for smooth immigration or passport flow, Don Mueang Airport again gets the vote for efficiency, courtesy, and, most of all, friendly staff assisting passengers in this part of the airport.\n\n\n\nA security check towards Gate Q at KLIA2; is after the first check.\n\n\n\nSecurity Scanning Checks at the Airport\u00a0\n\n\n\nKLIA2 - Recently, the security scanning points at our local airports have gone from bad to worst, not only at KLIA2 but even at KLIA. I'm saying this because there is no longer any professionalism involved among the airport police who man the stations.\n\nOften, they are seen chatting away, laughing and treating it like a casual fast-food job. There have been times I notice how they harshly treat passengers, especially when they do not know about the security check procedures.\n\nThere are also times I see some of them on their smartphones. Wow, how did this behaviour become part of their jobs? They often have a very 'sempoi' or laid-back attitude, compared to ten years ago when a bit of professionalism was involved.\u00a0\n\n\n\nDon Mueang Airport - The number of times I have been in and out of Bangkok, I never once saw the airport security personnel or police joking or laughing among themselves, as they treat their job with respect and professionalism.\n\nYes, they do talk, but they keep it to a minimum and constantly pay attention to the passengers undergoing security checks. At most airports worldwide, certain positions require strict professionalism rather than a casual, fun job.\u00a0\n\n\n\nConclusion - Another vote for Don Mueang Airport for their staff's professional attitude. Malaysian security personnel lack integrity and professionalism, which looks bad for our country. I hope that something gets done about this fast.\u00a0\n\n\n\nOften at times, passengers are seen rushing through the duty-free to get to their gates on time.\u00a0\n\nDuty-Free Area at the Airport\n\n\n\nKLIA2 -\u00a0 For many years, I have seen how our duty-free products have been getting worse. Correct me if I am wrong, but most passengers don't even stop at the duty-free areas anymore, and maybe just to get cigarettes or liquor, and that is all.\n\nHave you wondered why? Simple, the duty-free selection that we carry is limited. This means the choices are different from other international airports.\n\nFor example, chocolates are one of the things that I personally avoid. Why? Because most of the chocolates have a short expiry life and are usually sold with promotions like buy two, get one free.\n\nThe duty-free at KLIA2 is conveniently located as passengers have to walk through to get their luggage, and this is at the international arrival hall. But due to the poor selection, passengers buy duty-free from the departing country rather than from KLIA2.\n\n\n\nWell laid out duty-free section in the international departure area.\n\nDon Mueang Airport - Their duty-free section is conveniently located just after your screening check, and the area is huge, well-lit, and inviting. Probably due to the market research on what travellers want or what is in trend.\n\nPromoters are seen all over and ready to attend to customers, while products are world-class, with great selections, from perfumes to liquor, to local snacks, chocolates and cigarettes. This is exactly what travellers want to see when they travel.\n\n\n\nThe lively duty-free section of Don Mueang Airport\n\n\n\nEven if I am not buying anything from duty-free, I will still detour to see what is new or available as sometimes there may be certain items on sale. Overall, the duty-free area layout is excellent for high traffic, as it is spacious and with many things to see.\u00a0\n\n\n\nConclusion - Another vote goes to Don Mueang Airport, mainly for the wide selection, brightly lit duty-free] area and lively place with attentive staff.\n\n\n\nAt KLIA2, if your gate is J22, then good luck walking there.\n\nBoarding Gates at the Airport\n\n\n\nKLIA2 - This has been a joke since the airport opened up, and why have gates laid out in a one-kilometre-long row when only AirAsia seems to be utilising most of the gates.\n\nHonestly, have you ever been given Gate J22? That is like the end of the airport, and they expect passengers to walk over 700 or 800 meters.\n\n\n\nGate J layout map at KLIA2. Just look at the number of gates in one area.\n\nAs for design, yes, it looks nice on paper, but for functionality's sake, it does not help at all, namely if the passengers are elderly. Moreover, you really need to find which wing your gate is located in and then find your way there.\n\nThe airport authorities may claim that they have a buggy service for the elderly and disabled, but if you have been travelling as long as me, you will know that there are no buggies available at times. Or you will have to wait over 20 minutes for one.\n\nDon Mueang Airport - Their gating system is well-planned and highly functional for passengers, meaning that you are in the main boarding walk area after you exit the passport control. All you need to do is find your gate, which is either left or right.\n\n\n\n\nAn aerial view of the main departure gate system at Don Mueang Airport\n\nMost times, when I exit the passport control and security checks, I am in the main departure area, and I just need to walk about a hundred or two hundred meters to my main gate. And once I enter that area, the gates are broken up into six or eight boarding gates.\n\nBesides, each main gate has its own convenient shops or cafes selling coffee, soft drinks, snacks and quick bites. This is what passengers want; the best part is at affordable prices.\u00a0\n\n\n\nConclusion - In terms of easy access and convenience, Don Mueang gets the vote, and one can stay aware of their system. Just look for your gate number, which is straightforward.\n\n\n\nThis is just one of the many photos I took at KLIA2.\u00a0\n\nCleanliness at the Airport\n\nKLIA2 - Airport cleanliness has always been one of my top criteria whenever I visit any airport, especially if it is a modern-style airport, and for KLIA2, when it first opened, it was very clean.\n\nHowever, over the years that I have been using the airport, I noticed that many areas need to be addressed, which simply shows what the airport management is doing. It is an eyesore, and imagine the first-time visitors to Malaysia seeing the dirt and stains.\n\nNot only KLIA2 but even KLIA, the national airport, are similar. The floors are clean, but the walls, glass and other areas seem to be overlooked. Is it because the airport management has cut back on the cleaners?\n\nJust look at the photo above, which was taken along the walkway from the international arrival towards the main terminal building. Areas like these are visible to passing passengers, and it is a shame that no one did anything about it.\n\nThe best part is that I hardly see cleaners around; if there are, they are usually foreign contract cleaners. The contract budget was cut; hence the company only provides a limited number of cleaners.\n\nAn example, to maintain the cleanliness of an airport daily, specificuire a workforce of 50 staff to do so. Still, with certain budget cuts or just trying to save some money, there are probably only 20 workers doing the work of 50 people.\n\n\n\nThis was after I reached the baggage area of Don Mueang. It looks spotless\n\nDon Mueang - Because Don Mueang is an old airport, the original terminal building looks old, but somehow they manage to keep it clean. But when you compare the new terminal two, it has a modern look and feel of bright white lights and is extremely clean.\n\nEvery now and then, I see cleaners pushing their cleaning carts, often working solo and doing their work as supposed. I tried to find fault by looking around for dirty areas along the main path that passengers use, but I was surprised that I could not find any.\n\nConclusion - Vote for Don Mueang Airport again, and this is probably due to the airport management's strict procedures for keeping an airport clean. Staff are all local and not seen chatting or lazing, and some might conclude that there is an oversupply of local workers.\n\n\n\nThe outdoor smoking areas on both wings of KLIA2, with a great view.\n\nSmoking Room and Areas at the Airport\n\nKLIA2 - This section had to be included because I am a smoker, and there are also many smoking travellers worldwide. But for KLIA2, I am quite sad that the airport management does not view this as a passenger service or facility inside the main terminal.\n\nOutside the airport, the smoking area is found on both wings of the main terminal building, which is located outside. The area is huge and open-aired, which is also great for the view, and if it rains, you cannot utilise it.\n\nYes, there are only two smoking rooms inside the airport, one at the local domestic departure hall and one more at the international departure hall. However, good luck if you want to locate it, as it is hidden away from general view and with little or no signs.\n\n\n\nThe international departures smoking room at KLIA2 is in horrible condition.\nThey also need adequate signs to show where the smoking rooms are located, and you will have to ask someone.When you find them, just look at the condition of the smoking rooms. Dirty and unhygienic, and there is not even a monitor for the flight details.\n\nFor some reason, airports in Malaysia are the worst in terms of smoking rooms. Singapore, Indonesia and Thailand all have proper smoking rooms that are clean and with good ventilation systems.Why are we so different? If you do not want to encourage passengers to smoke, do not sell cigarettes at airports.\n\n\n\nThe smoking rooms are convenient at each main gate area in Don Mueang.\n\nDon Mueang - The smoking rooms outside Don Mueang are clearly indicated, and with one look, you will see signs pointing to where you can smoke outside the airport. They have allocated several areas for this and have even provided chairs to sit down.\n\nInside the airport are smoking rooms at each gate, making it convenient for smokers to just pop in and have a cigarette before the flight. Yes, every main gate area has one smoking room. And the best part is that the airport cleaners are constantly in and out, ensuring the place is clean.\n\nConclusion - KLIA2 does not deserve any credit for this part as, for years, they have neglected the smoking rooms inside the airport and are one of the worst in the region.\n\nThey have it there to have it but do not upkeep the rooms. So, Don Mueang gets the vote because they care for all passengers, smokers or non-smokers.\n\n\n\nOutside the\u00a0Don Mueang International Airport.\n\nOverall Conclusion\u00a0\n\n\nAfter writing all the above, Don Mueang International Airport is the clear winner in all the categories discussed. And as Malaysian writing this, I feel ashamed about this.\n\nFirst and foremost, we are one of the emerging countries in Southeast Asia for aviation and air travel, with award-winning airports and airlines. Still, when you look beyond those, you see how we could improve in many areas.\n\nYes, there is so much room for improvement, but with our laid-back mentality of 'if it is not broken, don't fix it', we will fall further back, and other up-and-coming countries like Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos will overtake us.\n\n\n\nKLIA2 only look good in terms of architecture, but for functionality, it lacks in many ways\u00a0\n\nBangkok's Don Mueang Airport has clearly shown how efficient and traveller-friendly they are; where else, our KLIA2 is more than just a fancy lifestyle airport that is truly not passenger-friendly.\n\nWe tend to always have a vision, but only sometimes will we manage to fulfil it, and at many times, things are done half-heartedly or just plain mismanagement of everything.\n\nWhen an issue arises, we are quick to point fingers at others, which is one of our worst traits in any business. If things cannot change, the local airports should be managed and operated by a private entity. If we never try, we will never know.\n\nI only hope that our KLIA2 airport management bucks up and becomes on par with the other regional airports, or we will never move forward, especially with our backward or laid-back thinking.\n\nOver the years, I have also done several airport reviews, including STOL airports to international airports and from Malaysia, Indonesia and Japan.\n\nIf you would like to comment on my Don Mueang Airport and KLIA2 review, please leave it in the comment form below. Again, this is a very personal review after years of being an air commuter utilising these two airports.\n\n\nTags\nAirlines\nAirport Reviews\nAirports\nAviation\nAviation News\nDon Mueang Airport\nKLIA\nKLIA2\nMalaysia Airport\nThailand Airport\n\n\n\n\n\nFacebook\nTwitter\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nShare:Don Mueang Airport vs KLIA2 Review \n\n\nFacebook\nTwitter\nWhatsApp\nPinterest\nLinkedIn\nReddit\nTumblr\nTelegram\nEmail\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nMalaysia Asia\nBlogging since 2007, but writing online since 1997. I belong to the 1st generation of worldwide bloggers, which is of course old-school. \n\nSince 2008, I created Malaysia Asia and this travel, flood, gadget and lifestyle blog has won numerous physical awards from tourism boards around Malaysia. (Not those online awards).\n\nAfter 12 years of blogging, I have semi-retired and now blog about things I like, do product reviews and enjoy life. My work has been featured in Lonely Planet, CNN Travel, Yahoo Travel, Wall Street Journal, and many other international publications. Find out more about me and thank you.\n\n\n\n\nYou might like\nView all\n\n\n\n\n\n\n"}
{"url": "http://blog.malaysia-asia.my/2022/08/floria-putrajaya-2022.html", "text": "\n\n\n\nHomeEvents\n\nFloria Putrajaya 2022\n\n\n\n\nbyMalaysia Asia\n-August 09, 2022\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nGreat news for horticulture fans as Floria Putrajaya 2022 is back this year after a two-year hiatus from the Covid19 pandemic. This event is also known as Floria DiRaja Putrajaya 2022.For those who have been overnight gardens or plant lovers because of the Covid19 lockdowns, this is the one show you should attend in Malaysia.Floria Putrajaya 2022This major flower and garden exhibition is now known as Royal Floria 2022 and is a yearly event in the heart of Putrajaya that is held for almost a week, with the theme - Floria Hebat, or Fantastic Floria.The official flower for this year's festival is the internationally and locally loved Orchid, which visitors will see all over the event.One of the floral displays by DBKL.It also takes place during the week of Merdeka or Malaysia Independence Week, which falls at the end of August. This year's Royal Floria 2022 is from 29 August to 4 September.As I have been a plant and garden lover for over 30 years, this horticulture event is something I never miss yearly.This entire event revolves around flowers, plants and gardens, so if you are a fan, this event is worth exploring.The official poster.Flower lovers can expect\u00a0favourites such as Bonsai, Bromeliad, Chrysanthemum, Hibiscus, Heliconia, Rose, Bougainvillea, Begonia, and Lilies.And if you are also new to this, meaning you only started plants and gardens since Covid 19, you may want to read this article about the complete guide to Royal Floria Putrajaya.The last Royal Floria 2019 saw over 1,000,000 people attending, and the event featured 61 showcase garden lots with 43 international participants from 23 countries.For this year's Floria DiRaja Putrajaya 2022, the organisers expect a minimum of 500,000 visitors. There will also be over 400,000 flowers and plants on display, which includes 10,000 orchids.One of the mesmerising flower creations at the last Royal Floria.International Participants for Royal Floria 2022This year, the organisers will receive international participation from Singapore, China, Indonesia, Korea, Thailand, Taiwan, Germany and New Zealand.They will showcase some of their creations in special air-conditioned tents with unique and exciting floral designs.Unique Areas Not to Miss at Floria 2022There are several exciting and specially created areas using flowers that visitors should not miss, and they include;Red Karoemt or Sky Walk\u00a0Gemerlapan FloriaClock MeadowWall of OrchidsGlow in the Dark ParkFloral PavilionVIP Orchid ShowVisitors take photos with some of the flower displays.Contest for Royal Floria 2022As always, there will be numerous contests taking place throughout the event, and those interested may check out some of the contests below;Terrarium ContestOrchid ContestInternational ContestPhotography ContestSocial Media ContestFor the latest up-to-date information, I recommend you follow the Royal Floria Facebook Page, which is\u00a0now very active in updating information.Visitors take photos at night.Quick FAQWhen is\u00a0Floria Putrajaya 2022?\u00a0Floria Putrajaya is happening from 29 August to 4 September.Where is\u00a0Floria Putrajaya? The flower and horticulture show takes place at Presint 4 of Putrajaya.How to Go to Floria Putrajaya? The best way is to self-drive here and use Waze or Google Maps to search for Anjung\u00a0 Floria.Tickets for Royal Floria 2022MyKad Adult - RM15.00MyKad Child (7-12) - RM5.00MyKad Child (Under 6) / OKU - FreeNon-MalaysiansAdult - RM100.00Child (7-12) / Senior Above 60 - RM50.00Child (Under 6) / OKU - RM30.00Additional InformationFor the record, I also run a hobbyist\u00a0Malaysia Plants website and blog, focusing mainly on some of the rare jungle ferns and plants. But it could be more active than I would like it to be.The Penang Floral Festival started in 2015, but I never did explore this northern horticulture event.An orchid vendor at the Floria Bazaar.Past Floria Putrajaya EventsBelow is a breakdown of the past events that have taken place in Putrajaya, each with the theme of flowers.Royal Floria Putrajaya 2021 - Cancelled because of Covid 19Royal Floria Putrajaya 2020 - Cancelled because of Covid 19Royal Floria Putrajaya 2019 - Mother of All Gardens, Orchids, and BonsaiRoyal Putrajaya Floria 2018\u00a0- 10 Wonders of Floria, every theme flower from the last 9 yearsRoyal Putrajaya Floria 2017 - There was no event this yearRoyal Putrajaya Floria 2016\u00a0- Chrysanthemum ThemeRoyal Putrajaya Floria 2015\u00a0- Lily ThemeFloria Putrajaya 2014 - Begonia ThemeFloria Putrajaya 2013\u00a0- Orchid Theme (Orkid)Putrajaya Floria 2012 - Flower Paper Theme (Bunga Kertas)Putrajaya Floria 2011\u00a0- Rose Theme\u00a0Floria Putrajaya 2010\u00a0- Heliconia ThemeFloria Putrajaya 2009 - Orchid Theme (Orkid)Floria Putrajaya 2008 - There was no event for this yearFloria Putrajaya Flower and Garden Exhibition 2007 - Hibiscus ThemeConclusionI honestly cannot wait for Floria Putrajaya 2022 because I've been yearning to see what has been cooked up for the last two years of the Covid19 pandemic.Many plants and garden lovers like me have also been waiting for this event to happen, and it will likely be a full house when it does open to the public for a week.\n\n\nTags\nEvents\nFloria DiRaja\nFloria Putrajaya\nFloria Putrajaya 2022\nHorticulture Malaysia\nMalaysia\nPutrajaya\nPutrajaya Floria\nRoyal Floria\nRoyal Floria 2022\n\n\n\n\n\nFacebook\nTwitter\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nShare:Floria Putrajaya 2022\n\n\nFacebook\nTwitter\nWhatsApp\nPinterest\nLinkedIn\nReddit\nTumblr\nTelegram\nEmail\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nMalaysia Asia\nBlogging since 2007, but writing online since 1997. I belong to the 1st generation of worldwide bloggers, which is of course old-school. \n\nSince 2008, I created Malaysia Asia and this travel, flood, gadget and lifestyle blog has won numerous physical awards from tourism boards around Malaysia. (Not those online awards).\n\nAfter 12 years of blogging, I have semi-retired and now blog about things I like, do product reviews and enjoy life. My work has been featured in Lonely Planet, CNN Travel, Yahoo Travel, Wall Street Journal, and many other international publications. Find out more about me and thank you.\n\n\n\n\nYou might like\nView all\n\n\n\n\n\n\n"}
{"url": "http://blog.malaysia-asia.my/2015/09/islands-to-visit-in-sabah-borneo.html", "text": "\n\n\n\nHomeBest Places to Visit in Malaysia\n\nIslands to Visit in Sabah\n\n\n\n\nbyMalaysia Asia\n-October 15, 2021\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nThis list of islands to visit in Sabah is compiled by David Hogan Jr of Malaysia Asia for anyone interested to visit and see some of them.As The Land Below The Wind is famous for diving and recreational activities, several islands here cater to all sorts of activities, including scuba diving, snorkelling, water sports, or even bird watching.Islands to Visit in SabahSabah has an astounding number of islands off its coastlines in its eastern and western regions, totalling 394 islands. The state also has the largest number of islands in Malaysia.\n\nClear waters, sun-drenched beaches and un-spoilt tranquillity are some of the main attractions of Sabah\u2019s islands. Among them, the incredible underwater and marine life are absolutely stunning.Surrounded by one of the richest underwater ecosystems globally, Sabah is one of the premier destinations to experience and view marine life.\n\nThere are many rare and endangered sea creatures such as the green and hawksbill turtles, napoleon wrasse, giant clams, and countless species of sharks and schools of thousands of barracuda and jacks.Sabah is known for its reef\u2019s larger inhabitants and as a \u2018muck diving\u2019 paradise with such rarities as the mimic octopus, flamboyant cuttlefish, mandarin fish, harlequin ghost pipefish, seahorses, ribbon eels, plus many types of weird and wonderful frogfish and nudibranchs. East Coast Islands of Sabah\n\n\nSipadan IslandPulau Sipadan is hands-down probably the most well-known island in Sabah and worldwide due to the stunning natural beauty of the underwater world here.The island is also known as one of the top five best diving spots in the world and the winner of many tourism and diving awards over the last couple of decades.There are special permits required to visit the island, which attracts mainly scuba divers due to the impressive 3000+ species of fish and corals found here. It is now slowly gaining interest for bird watching as well.\n\n\nMabul IslandPulau Mabul Island has been known to many as the gateway to Sipadan and a scuba divers haven due to the incredible underwater life.\u00a0The beauty of this island is that it is shared among the local Bajau people who inhabit part of the island, while scuba divers have the choice of budget or general accommodation here.Due to the rich marine ecosystem and multiple dive sites, many beginner divers come from 15-25 meters deep and close to Mabul.\n\n\nLankayan IslandProbably one of the most beautiful islands in terms of landscape, Pulau Lankayan Island is often called a paradise escape due to only one luxurious resort available here.The resort offers all sea-facing villas, while a restaurant is set on stilts connected by a stilted walkway from the island, giving it the Maldives feel.A two-hour boat ride from Sandakan gets you here, and mainly scuba divers who want some privacy will head here apart from those wanting a private escape or even a local honeymoon.\n\nKapalai IslandOften called the Maldives of Malaysia, Pulau Kapalai Island is probably the most photographed island since it is a massive sandbank hidden between Sipadan and Mabul.\u00a0The entire resort is built on stilts and resembles an over-water resort, just as in the Maldives. This resort is so popular that you may need to pre-book your trip here.The rich marine life around the Ligitan Reefs also attracts scuba divers worldwide, while it is not common to see divers from Mabul come here.\n\n\nMataking IslandAnother stunning island hidden away from commercial tourism is Pulau Mataking Island, less than an hour boat ride from Semporna.This island also boasts one resort that caters mainly to honeymooners, privacy seekers and upscale scuba divers.There are over 30 dive sites located around both Mataking Besar and Kecil (Big and Small), while the star attraction is a post box mounted on a sunken wreck that is just 25 meters deep.\n\n\nPom Pom Island\u00a0Pulau Pom Pom also boasts of just one main resort that offers a variety of accommodations, attracting various types of island-seekers.The location is also near Mataking Island and is less than an hour boat ride from Semporna town and attracts mainly scuba divers who want a diving experience away from Mabul.The Pom Pom Island Resort offers beautiful water bungalows, beach-front chalets and, of course, the standard garden view chalets that also cater to guests seeking privacy and even honeymooners.\n\n\nSelingan Island or Turtle IslandQuite a well-known island for visitors who want to experience watching turtles come ashore to lay eggs under strict supervision.Turtles to spot here are the Green and Hawksbill Turtles, while there is an educational centre where videos are other information is available.Pulau Selingan Island is also a recognised sea turtle conservation park located about an hour from the city of Sandakan on the east coast of Sabah.Most visitors book an overnight trip to experience the turtles and spend the rest of the day on the unspoiled beaches before returning to Sandakan.\n\nIslands Near Kota Kinabalu\n\n\nGaya IslandOne of the largest islands in Sabah is no other than Gaya Island, which occupies over 15 square kilometres and is just a 15-minute boat ride from Kota Kinabalu city.\nPulau Gaya Island is also part of the Tunku Abdul Rahman or TAR Marine Park that also houses several large water villages, two five-star resorts and a unique zipline that goes from island to island.The luxurious resorts are Gayana Eco Resort, home to the Marine Ecology Research Centre, Bunga Raya Island Resort on the north-east part of the island and Gaya Island Resort by YTL Hotels.\n\n\nManukan IslandAmong the most popular islands in Sabah is no other than Pulau Manukan Island that is just 15 minutes boat ride from Kota Kinabalu city and is part of the TAR Marine Park.Offering crystal clear waters, the shade-fringed island houses a stylish resort, restaurants, and a swimming pool nestled in the island\u2019s beautiful rainforest.Day-trippers are the most prominent visitors as they come from the city to spend half-day snorkelling, sunbathing and just enjoying the natural island life. Read my Manukan Island complete guide.\n\n\nMamutik IslandOne of the smaller islands of the TAR Marine Park is Pulau Mamutik Island, which only covers six hectares. The island offers mainly sunbathing, snorkelling and some scuba diving for day trips.\nThere is no accommodation available, but you can apply for a permit to camp overnight there in rare cases. Mamutik is also about 15 minutes boat ride from Kota Kinabalu city.\n\n\nSapi IslandAnother small island that makes part of the TAR Marine Park is highly popular among day-trippers and scuba divers.The island is so tiny that it only measures 0.1 square kilometres, with no lodging facilities available here. Most visitors come here to get away from the crowds on the other islands, but this place can also get busy on weekends and peak seasons.Pulau Sapi has some excellent beaches and coral life, which is more attractive than the other islands. You can also read my review on Sapi Island I did several years back.\n\n\nSulug IslandKnown as the least visited island of the marine park here, Pulau Sulug Island is small and rocky with amazing underwater reefs and marine life.The island totals around 20 acres and is very popular among visitors who want privacy or a less crowded beach. There are no facilities available on this beautiful island which is also part of the TAR Marine Park.Sepanggar IslandPulau Sepanggar Island is probably one of the new additions to tourism as they have been recently promoted as one of the island destinations of Sabah.To get here, it is only a 10-minute boat ride from Jesselton Pier in Kota Kinabalu city, and there is one resort available on the island. Other jetties include the UMS Jetty and the Kampung Gentisan Jetty.Island lovers will find a perfect balance of nature and beach combined into one destination with flor and fauna dominating the place.Visitors can visit for a day trip and do sea-walks, parasailing, scuba diving, banana boat rides or just laze around the white sand beaches.\n\nMantanani IslandThe beautiful island is located about two hours away from Kota Kinabalu and is extremely popular with foreign tourists to Sabah.Pulau Mantanai Island is located near Kota Belud, which is also your main gateway to the island and part of a three-island group here.A couple of resorts are available while day-trippers from Kota Kinabalu are regularly seen on some famous beaches. Scuba divers are also aplenty due to the crystal clear waters and rich marine life.Dugongs or Sea Cows once populated the island but are rare nowadays. Mantanani Island is also one of the popular dive locations of Sabah, with 16 dive sites, including three wrecks.Usukan IslandOne of the very local islands near Kota Belud town is Pulau Usukan Island, which has one solo resort hidden away behind the island.This island is not well-known to tourists, but this place can be one of the new getaways from the city with more promotions. Activities include snorkelling, scuba diving, fishing and regular beach activities.Pulau Usukan tends to attract a lot of local Sabahans who come here for quick escapes, picnics, and some quality family time.\n\n\nLayang Layang IslandProbably one of the least visited islands in Sabah due to the logistics, Pulau Layang Layang Island is a divers paradise that sits 300 kilometres from Kota Kinabalu.The only way to get to Layang Layan Island is via a private flight from KK City, and only scuba divers are regular visitors to this unique island. There is also only one resort on the island.The island stretches 7.5 kilometres long and is only two kilometres wide and is a well-known diving destination to see the incredible hammerhead sharks.\u00a0\n\nTiga IslandPulau Tiga Island is world-famous because it was featured in the first season of \u2018Survivor\u2019, the TV series shot in 2000.The island attracts visitors for the natural wildlife, including numerous birds, reptiles and insects. There are also two resorts available on the island, which is located at Kimanis Bay.Many also come here for the unique volcano mud bath apart from the quiet sunbathing, snorkelling, and scuba diving. Some birdwatchers come here to spot certain species of water birds.\n\nIslands Near Kudat\n\n\nBanggi Island\nAt the north of Sabah, near the town of Kudat, you will find Pulau Banggi Island, which is home to local villagers and fishermen. This island is also the largest in Malaysia, Betruit Island, Langkawi Island and Penang Island.\u00a0One of the unique things about Banggi Island i that you can find the elusive Bonggi Tribe that live deep inside the island. They are still a very reserved community that tends to keep to themselves.\n\nConclusionThis article was created for anyone who wishes to explore Sabah\u2019s beautiful islands spread over North Borneo.For more information, you can also contact Sabah Tourism, as they are in contact with many resort operators.\nAmong all the islands to visit in Sabah, I have personally gone to 80% of them over the last decade. While some can be a little difficult to access, most are easy to get to. If you like this article, please share this with your friends and safe travels, everyone.\n\n\nTags\nBest Places to Visit in Malaysia\nBest Places to Visit in Sabah\nMalaysia\nMalaysia Islands\nSabah\nSabah Islands\nSabah Tourism\n\n\n\n\n\nFacebook\nTwitter\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nShare:Islands to Visit in Sabah\n\n\nFacebook\nTwitter\nWhatsApp\nPinterest\nLinkedIn\nReddit\nTumblr\nTelegram\nEmail\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nMalaysia Asia\nBlogging since 2007, but writing online since 1997. I belong to the 1st generation of worldwide bloggers, which is of course old-school. \n\nSince 2008, I created Malaysia Asia and this travel, flood, gadget and lifestyle blog has won numerous physical awards from tourism boards around Malaysia. (Not those online awards).\n\nAfter 12 years of blogging, I have semi-retired and now blog about things I like, do product reviews and enjoy life. My work has been featured in Lonely Planet, CNN Travel, Yahoo Travel, Wall Street Journal, and many other international publications. Find out more about me and thank you.\n\n\n\n\nYou might like\nView all\n\n\n\n\n\n\n"}
{"url": "http://blog.malaysia-asia.my/2021/04/pantai-suri-floating-market-in-kelantan.html", "text": "\n\n\n\nHomeFloating Markets\n\nPantai Suri Floating Market in Kelantan\n\n\n\n\nbyMalaysia Asia\n-April 08, 2021\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\u00a0I am sure many of you know that there is a\u00a0Pantai Suri Floating Market in Kelantan? Yes, even I did not know until someone highlighted this attraction to me recently.And to top things off, this is the first-ever Malaysian floating market to take after the Klonghae floating market in Hat Yai, which was conceptualised and opened in 2016.Pantai Suri Floating Market in KelantanWell, I am yet to visit this interesting hidden gem in Kelantan, but judging from what I have seen in photos and videos, this place looks like an exact replicate of the Klonghae floating market Hatyai.Why? Because the entire concept is similar and over in Hatyai, it is the Thai-Muslims that run the show while over here, it is the Kelantanese who are running it.The specially built signboard at the floating market area.The wooden boats are similar where they come and dock side-by-side by the river bank to sell their food and drinks.The only setback I have seen is that the sellers are much more matured here in Pantai Suri Floating Market than a much younger group in Klonghae.This place is also called by other names such as Pulau Suri Floating Market, Kelantan Floating Market or Pasar Terapung Pantai Suri in Malay.Food vendors at the floating market.What Can You Buy from the Pantai Suri Floating Market?Well, it is very localised; therefore, you can expect a lot of Kelantanese delicacies ranging from desserts to snacks to even full meals like rice and noodles.Expect what you generally see at a local Kelantanese night market or pasar malam, just that the items are all sold from a vendor in a boat.The gimmick is that these vendors sell their food from boats, and when you pay, they extend a stick with a container to collect the money from you.The location of the floating market in Kelantan.Where is the Kelantan Floating Market?This market's location is towards the mouth of the Kelantan River, where it goes out to the South China Sea.From Kota Bharu City, the floating market is about 11.2km and a 20-minute drive to the jetty where you need to take a local boat to the floating market.The boat ride also takes about 15 minutes but depending on the boats' frequency and usually on weekends, there is more boat available.A Google Map showing where the Kelantan Floating Market isHow to go to\u00a0Pantai Suri Floating Market in Kelantan?Okay, this may be a little tricky, but it is not as easy as one thinks. First of all, there are no roads that lead here and only rivers.So, there are many rivers and small estuaries located around this part of Kelantan, which you may need to ask locals for directions if you are not from here.The easiest way to get here is to take the local boat services offered by the jetties around the kampungs.\u00a0From Jeti Kuala Besar Masseroja Village - It will take about 15 minutes one-way to the floating market, and this is the easiest from Kota Bharu. The boat ticket price is RM2.00 per person.From Jeti Kok Majid - It will take around 40 minutes one-way to the floating market, and this is from the other side of the Kelantan River opposite Kota Bharu. The boat ticket price is RM5.00 per person.A customer buys drinks from a boat vendor.Renting a Private BoatThis is something that large families or those wanting some privacy will do, as many offer a full boat rental.The price varies among the locals, but you should just be careful that the boat you rent is a properly licenced boat operator and not some teenager who wants to make a quick buck.And you should also ask if the boat comes with safety equipment like life jackets and so on.Another New Floating Market in KelantanApparently, there is another floating market that opened up in recent years, and it is called the Pasar Tani Terapung Pengakalan Datu by Sungai Peng Datu.This one seems to be much closer to Kota Bharu than the Pantai Suri floating market. There is also another one called Tumpat Floating Market which I plan to visit one of these days.Pantai Suri Floating Market (Pasar Terapung Pantai Suri)Time: 8.30 AM to 4.00 PMDay Open: Saturday OnlyEntrance Fee: RM1.00 Adults, Free for KidsNotes: Because of Covid19, the market may not be in operation. Best to double check before going.Suri Floating Market, photo by Lubur.com.my.ConclusionSince the Covid-19 has kind of crippled the world tourism travels, each country has been stepping up on their own local domestic campaigns.This is also a great time to start exploring your own country, and over here in Malaysia, there is so much to discover that all you need to do is explore.I have been saying this for years since I started promoting Malaysia, my home, to foreigners and locals, and you can easily see from my articles how many beautiful places there are.If you are thinking about going somewhere different, I would recommend taking a self-drive trip towards the east coast and northeast of Malaysia.It is here that you will come across some of the little hidden gems like this\u00a0Pantai Suri floating market in Kelantan, among many others.\n\n\nTags\nFloating Markets\nKelantan\nMalaysia\nPantai Suri Floating Market\nPlaces to Visit in Kelantan\nThings to do in Kelantan\n\n\n\n\n\nFacebook\nTwitter\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nShare:Pantai Suri Floating Market in Kelantan\n\n\nFacebook\nTwitter\nWhatsApp\nPinterest\nLinkedIn\nReddit\nTumblr\nTelegram\nEmail\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nMalaysia Asia\nBlogging since 2007, but writing online since 1997. I belong to the 1st generation of worldwide bloggers, which is of course old-school. \n\nSince 2008, I created Malaysia Asia and this travel, flood, gadget and lifestyle blog has won numerous physical awards from tourism boards around Malaysia. (Not those online awards).\n\nAfter 12 years of blogging, I have semi-retired and now blog about things I like, do product reviews and enjoy life. My work has been featured in Lonely Planet, CNN Travel, Yahoo Travel, Wall Street Journal, and many other international publications. Find out more about me and thank you.\n\n\n\n\nYou might like\nView all\n\n\n\n\n\n\n"}
{"url": "http://blog.malaysia-asia.my/2021/12/kuala-lumpur-photowalk.html", "text": "\n\n\n\nHomeKL Photowalk\n\nKuala Lumpur Photowalk\n\n\n\n\nbyMalaysia Asia\n-December 29, 2021\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nOne of the fun things that I did during the Covid19 pandemic was a\u00a0Kuala Lumpur Photowalk, where I explored Petaling Street, the surrounding old KL areas and the River of Life.Usually, I would carry my Nikon DSLR or FijiFilm Mirrorless camera around. Still, I explored with my Samsung Galaxy smartphone since the Covid 19 lockdowns in Kuala Lumpur or KL City.Update: Since 2023, I have stopped conducting photowalks in KL due to my work schedule in Borneo and other parts of Southeast Asia.Kuala Lumpur PhotowalkCreative art at one of the back lanes of Chinatown KL.The photo walk I do in KL is simple and easygoing, whereas I prefer a casual take-your-time concept. This way, I don't pressure myself.My objective is straightforward: I try to discover my backyard and learn about smartphone photography and its capabilities.My favourite place to do the KL photo walk is Petaling Street or the KL Chinatown area and its immediate surroundings. Below are a series of photos that are taken during my KL photowalks.Kuala Lumpur offers some exciting street art murals or 'Graffiti'.Kwai Chai Lane is one of the well-known photography areas in old Kuala Lumpur.Merdeka 118, the 2nd tallest building in the world, and in Kuala Lumpur.Some of the creative shop displays around the old KL area.\u00a0I looked up and saw this creative painting on top of a shophouse.One of the old photo studios on Petaling Street.Old and new.Glass display at one of the shops.ConclusionThe Kuala Lumpur Photowalk is conducted by David Hogan Jr, who has been doing photo walks all over Malaysia. If you are interested in future photo walks, please let me know through my Facebook Profile.I will also announce on my Instagram account if I am conducting any photo walks in Malaysia; therefore, you can follow me there if you are active on IG.The first KL Photowalk will be conducted on the 2nd of January 2022 to welcome the new year and explore the older part of Kuala Lumpur.This is also to kick-start a new interest in smartphone photography in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, as technology has improved recently.\n\n\nTags\nKL Photowalk\nKuala Lumpur Photowalk\nMalaysia\nMalaysia Photowalk\nPhotography\nPhotowalk\nSmartphone Photography\nTravel Photography\n\n\n\n\n\nFacebook\nTwitter\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nShare:Kuala Lumpur Photowalk\n\n\nFacebook\nTwitter\nWhatsApp\nPinterest\nLinkedIn\nReddit\nTumblr\nTelegram\nEmail\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nMalaysia Asia\nBlogging since 2007, but writing online since 1997. I belong to the 1st generation of worldwide bloggers, which is of course old-school. \n\nSince 2008, I created Malaysia Asia and this travel, flood, gadget and lifestyle blog has won numerous physical awards from tourism boards around Malaysia. (Not those online awards).\n\nAfter 12 years of blogging, I have semi-retired and now blog about things I like, do product reviews and enjoy life. My work has been featured in Lonely Planet, CNN Travel, Yahoo Travel, Wall Street Journal, and many other international publications. Find out more about me and thank you.\n\n\n\n\nYou might like\nView all\n\n\n\n\n\n\n"}
{"url": "http://blog.malaysia-asia.my/2022/08/top-hospitals-in-kuching-for-medical.html", "text": "\n\n\n\nHomeBorneo Medical Tourism. Kuching\n\nTop Hospitals in Kuching for Medical Tourism\n\n\n\n\nbyMalaysia Asia\n-August 16, 2022\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nThis is a list of the top hospitals in Kuching for medical tourism, done in 2022 after the Covid19 pandemic.This list will share some basic information for anyone interested in medical tourism in Kuching, and you can click on the individual private hospitals for more info.Top Hospitals in Kuching for Medical TourismAs Kuching is considered relatively new in medical or health tourism, the main market is none other than Indonesia, namely the cities of Kalimantan.Private facilities have opened up over the last 10 years in Kuching, where some of Malaysia\u2019s top hospitals have branches in Sarawak.Below are the top hospitals for medical tourism in Kuching in no order;KPJ Kuching Specialist Hospital.KPJ Kuching Specialist Hospital - Also known as the Kuching Specialist Hospital, it is the 12th hospital under the flagship of KPJ Healthcare Bhd, the largest healthcare group in Malaysia and the South East Asia Region.Specialities at KPJ Kuching include:Accident & EmergencyAnaesthesia & Critical careCardiology (including Pediatric)Cardiothoracic SurgeryDental (Retorative & Endodontic)Ear, Nose & ThroatDermatology & AllergyEndocrinologyGastroenterologyGeneral, Laparoscopic, Colorectal & Hepatobiliary SurgeryGynaecologyOncologyInfectious DiseasesInternal MedicineNephrologyNeurologyNeurosurgeryNuclear Medicine & CTOrthopaedic, Spine & Arthroplasty SurgeryPaediatricsPathologyPlastic Surgery & Reconstructive SurgeryPsychiatryRadiology & Diagnostic ImagingRespiratory MedicineSleep DisordersSports Medicine & SurgeryUrology & Men\u2019s HealthVascular & Endovascular SurgeryKPJ Kuching Specialist Hospital InformationAddress: Lot 18807, Block 11 Muara Tebas Land District, Jalan Stutong, 93350 KuchingPhone: 082-365 777Website: KPJ KuchingTimberland Medical Centre in Kuching.Timberland Medical Centre - TMC is a private hospital that has been in operation since 1994 and is one of the oldest private hospitals in Kuching, with over 20 medical specialities.Specialities at Timberland Medical Centre include:Accident & EmergencyAnaesthesia & Critical careCardiologyEar, Nose & ThroatDermatologyEndocrinologyGastroenterologyGeneral, Laparoscopic, Colorectal & Hepatobiliary SurgeryGeriatricsHaematologyInternal MedicineNephrologyNeurologyNeurosurgeryNuclear Medicine & MRI/CTObstetrics & GynaecologyOncologyOphthalmologyPaediatrics; PathologyPlastic & Reconstructive SurgeryPsychiatry, Radiology & Diagnostic ImagingRespiratory MedicineRheumatologySports Medicine & SurgeryUrology & Men\u2019s HealthTimberland Medical Centre InformationAddress: 5164-5165, Block 16 KLCD 2 1/2 Mile, Rock Road, Taman Timberland, 93250 KuchingPhone: 082-234 466Website: Timberland Medical CentreBorneo Medical Centre in Kuching.Borneo Medical Centre - This private hospital is an 80-bed, tertiary-level private medical centre. It is equipped with modern medical technology and a talented and dynamic team of healthcare professionals, all dedicated to the continued well-being of the people.Specialities at Borneo Medical Centre include:Accident & EmergencyAnaesthesia & Critical care & ThroatDermatologyEndocrinologyGastroenterologyGeneral, Laparoscopic, Colorectal & Hepatobiliary SurgeryHaematologyInternal MedicineNuclear Medicine & PET/CTObstetrics & GynaecologyOncologyOphthalmology & Lasik SurgeryOrthopaedic, Spine & Arthroplasty SurgeryPaediatricsPlastic SurgeryPsychiatryRadiologyRespiratory MedicineRheumatologyUrology & Men\u2019s HealthVascular & Endovascular SurgeryBorneo Medical Centre InformationAddress: Lot 10992, Section 64 KTLD, Jalan, Tun Jugah, 93350 KuchingPhone: 082-507 333Website: Borneo Medical CentreNormah Medical Centre in Kuching.Normah Medical Specialist Centre - Normah created history to be the first private hospital established in Sarawak. It was officially opened on 11 August 1988 and is a not-for-profit hospital. In June 2003, Normah opened its first Information Centre in Pontianak, West Kalimantan, Indonesia. It is the first Information Centre set up by Normah outside Sarawak.Specialities at Normah Medical Specialist Centre include:Accident & EmergencyAnaesthesia & Critical careCardiologyCardiothoracic SurgeryDentalEar, Nose & ThroatGastroenterologyGeneral, Laparoscopic, Colorectal & Hepatobiliary SurgeryHaematologyInternal MedicineNephrologyNeurologyOccupational HealthObstetrics & GynaecologyOncologyOphthalmologyOral & Maxillofacial SurgeryOrthopaedic, Spine & Arthroplasty SurgeryPathologyPsychiatry, Radiology & Diagnostic ImagingRespiratory MedicineRheumatologyUrology & Men\u2019s HealthNormah Medical Specialist Centre InformationAddress: Lot 937, Section 30 KTLD, Jalan Tun Abdul Rahman Yaakub, Petra Jaya, 93050 KuchingPhone: 082-440 055Website: Normah Medical CentreKuching is one of the leading cities for medical tourism in Borneo.ConclusionI have been writing about tourism for the last 15 years and have also covered some articles on medical tourism in Malaysia. One of my recent articles covers the top hospitals in Kota Kinabalu for medical tourism.In the last five years, health tourism in Sarawak has grown exponentially, with more Indonesians visiting from Kalimantan, due mainly to the flight connectivity into Kuching and Miri.I hope this article about the\u00a0Top Hospitals in Kuching for Medical Tourism provides relative information as done in 2022, making it up-to-date and relevant, especially after the Covid-19 pandemic.\n\n\nTags\nBorneo Medical Tourism. Kuching\nHospitals in Kuching\nKuching Medical Tourism\nMalaysia\nMalaysia Health Tourism\nMalaysia Medical Tourism\nMedical Tourism\nSarawak\nSarawak Medical Tourism\nSarawak Tourism\n\n\n\n\n\nFacebook\nTwitter\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nShare:Top Hospitals in Kuching for Medical Tourism\n\n\nFacebook\nTwitter\nWhatsApp\nPinterest\nLinkedIn\nReddit\nTumblr\nTelegram\nEmail\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nMalaysia Asia\nBlogging since 2007, but writing online since 1997. I belong to the 1st generation of worldwide bloggers, which is of course old-school. \n\nSince 2008, I created Malaysia Asia and this travel, flood, gadget and lifestyle blog has won numerous physical awards from tourism boards around Malaysia. (Not those online awards).\n\nAfter 12 years of blogging, I have semi-retired and now blog about things I like, do product reviews and enjoy life. My work has been featured in Lonely Planet, CNN Travel, Yahoo Travel, Wall Street Journal, and many other international publications. Find out more about me and thank you.\n\n\n\n\nYou might like\nView all\n\n\n\n\n\n\n"}
{"url": "http://blog.malaysia-asia.my/2018/09/best-places-to-see-wildlife-in-malaysia.html", "text": "\n\n\n\nHomeBest Places To See Wildlife in Malaysia\n\nBest Places To See Wildlife in Malaysia\n\n\n\n\nbyMalaysia Asia\n-September 17, 2021\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nHere is a list of the best places to see wildlife in Malaysia for nature, outdoor and adventure lovers in no particular order.All of the places listed here have also been visited by me; hence this article is based on a first-hand experience and not written by writers who sit in an office researching content.\n\n\n\nMalaysia is a tropical country located just above Singapore and below Thailand and is often overlooked by many travellers.\n\nThe country is also divided into Peninsular Malaysia and Malaysia Borneo, where Sabah and Sarawak are located.\u00a0\n\n\n\nHowever, with this article, my mission is to highlight some of the more unique tourism experiences you can find here off the general tourist radar.\u00a0\n\n\n\nBest Places To See Wildlife in Malaysia\n\n\n\nTo see Malaysia's wildlife, you need to travel out of Kuala Lumpur to other states around the country, some on the peninsular and other places at Malaysia Borneo.\u00a0\n\n\n\nI will only be highlighting those places that are pretty much guaranteed to spot wildlife and how you can get there. The list of places to spot wildlife in Malaysia are;A female Great Argus at Taman Negara National Park.1. Pahang (Peninsular Malaysia)\n\n\n\nIn the state of Pahang, which is about four to five hours from Kuala Lumpur, you will find the Taman Negara National Park, which is the oldest national park in Malaysia.Taman Negara\u00a0Known as one of the oldest rainforests globally, Taman Negara is also the country's first national park and possibly the best in Peninsular Malaysia.As Taman Negara is massive, only one luxurious resort is located in the national park, the Mutiara Taman Negara Resort\u00a0I visited in 2018.Taman Negara National Park offers many activities, including visiting an original 'Orang Asli' village upriver and a beautiful canopy treetop walk.\u00a0Wildlife watching includes birds in the day and a unique night walk to spot nocturnal animals, insects, etc. It is also recommended to spend at least two nights minimum here to experience this place.The Maya Houseboat at Tasik Kenyir Lake.Kenyir LakeOnce a popular location to see some wildlife in the 90s, this place has been going through some up's and down's because the only resort here, Lake Kenyir Resort, has been undergoing renovations for a few years now and has yet to be reopened.Since back then, most people that visit Kenyir tend to go there fishing or live on houseboats. I would recommend waiting for the resort to reopen before coming here to explore Tasik Kenyir Lake\u00a0for those who have plans.Most of the wildlife activities here are bird watching and the occasional mammal spotting around the massive manmade lake.\u00a0Kuala Gandah Elephant SanctuaryA beautiful rehabilitation for the Malaysian elephants has seen a massive tourism boom in the last 10 years. Kuala Gandah is an experience fit for just about anyone.In recent years, van loads of tourists have been flocking here to experience seeing, feeding, riding and bathing the elephants that have been rehabilitated.Around Kuala Gandah, a private zoo and deer farm is also open to visitors. The area around here is also known as a bird-watching location.Belum offers just one rainforest resort for nature lovers.2. Perak (Peninsular Malaysia)\n\nPerak is one of the larger states in Peninsular Malaysia and is neighbouring the state of Selangor. There are a few places for wildlife watching but are more on the commercial side.\n\nOrangutan Island at Bukit Merah Laketown\n\nA very localised theme park and resort, Bukit Merah has been around for quite a while now. However, they have one unique attraction: Orangutan Island, about 10 minutes boat ride from the main park area.\n\nThis remarkable conservation in the peninsular is managed by the Bukit Merah Orang Utan Island Foundation, which was\u00a0blossomed from an idea by YABhg Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamed many years ago.The entire island serves as a rehabilitation and sanctuary for orangutans on the Peninsular, and just to add on, orangutans are not native to the peninsular.A Clouded Leopard photographed by a camera trap at Belum Rainforest.Belum Rainforest\n\nThis is one of the oldest rainforests in Malaysia next to Taman Negara and offers a resort built within the rainforest.Belum boasts of the only place in Malaysia where you can spot all 10 species of hornbills. However, one needs to spend a few days to achieve this, and with a lot of trekking and hiking.This rainforest is also not overcrowded and is a little more peaceful compared to other popular destinations. Most that visit here is either bird watchers, photographers or nature lovers seeking an escape.Sarawak is filled with wildlife locations that are spread throughout the state.3. Sarawak (Borneo Malaysia)\n\nSarawak is the largest state in Malaysia, and by comparison, it is almost as big as the entire peninsular Malaysia.\n\nThis means that Sarawak is massive and perhaps 30% developed, leaving much of the land untouched. Yes, there are oil palm plantations, but overall, many rainforests are available throughout the state.\n\nSemenggoh Orangutan Rehabilitation Center\n\nSemenggoh is probably the best place to see the Orangutans in their natural habitat and is only about an hours drive from Kuching, Sarawak's capital city.It is managed by the state forestry department and is open daily for visitors. Natural trails make the entire experience worthwhile, and it is not guaranteed that the orangutans may be there in full force.The best is to book a tour from any travel agents in Kuching to know the best times to visit Semenggoh to see the orangutans.A Beared Pig is seen at the Bako National Park in Sarawak.Bako National Park\u00a0\n\nLocated two hours from Kuching, Bako National Park is a wonderland for nature lovers. The national park is also situated by the sea, making this a very unique place to explore.\n\nAt Bako, you can find Proboscis monkeys, Bornean bearded pigs, snakes, many birds, and other tropical wildlife. There are park accommodations, a restaurant and many trails to explore.It is also recommended to book a tour from Kuching city as they include everything that makes it easy to experience Bako National Park in Sarawak.A view of the Mulu National Park in Sarawak.Mulu National ParkOne of the UNESCO Heritage Sites of Malaysia, Mulu, is a perfect escape for the outdoor lover. The national park is massive, and one needs to spend a minimum of two to three days to experience this place.The beauty of the Gunung Mulu National Park is that you can spot wildlife while exploring caves and rivers and see the unique nomadic Penan culture that resides around the national park area.Mulu offers luxurious and budget accommodation and requires a flight from Kuching, Kota Kinabalu or Miri.The incredible multiple-tier canopy treetop walk at Danum Valley in Sabah.4. Sabah (Borneo Malaysia)This part of North Borneo is probably the most active place for Malaysia's wildlife for many reasons.Among the areas, Sandakan is the best place to see wildlife in Malaysia. The city is central and located on the east coast, making it accessible to many sanctuaries.\n\nDanum ValleyDanum is one of the best locations for Malaysia's wildlife and probably the most luxurious accommodations with world-class guides.This conservation centre is not for the budget seeker and caters to those who want a top-notch wildlife experience while visiting Malaysia.Some years back, I agreed that the amount of wildlife I spotted here is probably the most at one location. One of the attractions here is the fantastic Danum Valley canopy walk.A Slow Loris is seen climbing up a tree at Maliau Basin.Maliau BasinKnown as the Lost World of Sabah, this massive basin stretches for 588 square kilometres, home to numerous wildlife ranging from primates to rare jungle cats to unique birds.Maliau Basin Conservation Area, as it is known, is also not a touristy destination and only appeals to the hardcore nature lover, trekker and wildlife photographer or watcher.Most of the time, beginners or intermediate level nature lovers will stay at the main conservation centre area while advanced levels will do the few day treks to the many base camps in Maliau.At one of the base camps, which takes three days to trek to, you will find the unique seven-tier Maliau waterfalls.The beautiful nature resort at Tabin Wildlife Reserve in Sabah.Tabin Wildlife ReserveAnother excellent wildlife destination in Sabah is Tabin Wildlife Reserve, which is larger than the island of Singapore.I enjoyed five nights here, only to be thrilled that I saw the Borneo Pygmy Elephant among the many other wildlife like Leopard Cats, rare birds, and unique frogs.There is only one central accommodation: the main resort and the professional service level is surreal, from the housekeepers to the guides.One of the wildlife lodges at the Kinabatangan RiverKinabatangan RiverKnown as the mother of all rivers in Sabah, the mighty Kinabatangan River is home to many wildlife, including crocodiles, primates, reptiles, birds, and the endemic Pygmy Elephants.For anyone wanting a surreal wildlife experience in Malaysia, the Kinabatangan River is hands-down the best place to do this, and you will need to spend a minimum of at least two nights here.From Sandakan, it takes a couple hours to drive before you hop on a boat to the many riverside lodges and resorts along the Kinabatangan River.A male Orangutan photographed at Deramakor Forest Reserve in Sabah.Deramakot Forest ReserveThis is the only place that has not been visited by me yet, and because of Covid19, I missed my chance to do so in 2020. But not all is lost as this will be my next destination once we can travel.Demarakot is relatively a new destination, having only opened up to the public in 2012. The forest reserve only started to get noticed in 2018/2019 with the help of social media.This unique place is now known as Malaysia's best place to see wildlife in its natural environment. Clouded Leopard is one of the star attractions here, while bird watching is also one of the top activities.The entrance to Sepilok.SepilokKnown as an Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre for decades and attracting wildlife and nature lovers from all over the world, including England's Prince Charles.\u00a0Even Star Trek Discovery's Michelle Yeoh visited Sepilok in 2018, just to name a few celebrities who paid this place a visit.However, Sepilok is also home to the Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre (BSBCC) and the Rainforest Discovery Centre (RDC), great for nature and wildlife lovers.If you are in Sandakan, I would highly recommend visiting these places if you do not have the luxury of spending too much time here.5. Commercial Wildlife PlacesThe Lok Kawi Wildlife Park in Sabah.This is the commercial part for those who do not have enough time when visiting Malaysia, and zoo's are probably one of your best options to see the local wildlife.While many do not support zoos' entire idea, some still believe that they provide a safe place for the animals, away from poachers and modernisation.Below are Malaysia's best zoo's that are located throughout the country;Zoo Negara - Malaysia's national zoo and the largest. It is located about a 20-minute drive from Kuala Lumpur city and is top-rated.Taiping Zoo - Probably the best zoo in the northern region that offers a fantastic night safari experience with a good collection of wildlife.Melaka Zoo - Catering the southern region, the Melaka Zoo has been around for a long time, and they have a decent collection of wildlife here.Langkawi Wildlife Park - On the island of Langkawi and catering mainly to high traffic tourists, this wildlife park is decent with an essential wildlife collection.Lok Kawi Wildlife Park - Located in the Penampang area of greater Kota Kinabalu in Sabah, this is probably the best zoo in Borneo Island.Some of the wildlife resorts are simply breathtaking and beautiful.What I use to capture my photographsI am a DSLR person, and over the years, with smartphone technology improving, I have slowly resorted to using my smartphone for general photography.As of Sept 2021, I'm currently using a Galaxy Z Flip3 5G smartphone for my general and landscape photos, which I find is quite good considering the technology changes.However, I still refer back to my Nikon DSLR and my trusty Tamron 150-600mm telephoto lens for my wildlife shots. I guess this will eventually change to a mirrorless camera and a much smaller lens in the coming months.For spotting wildlife, I still use my Omicron Binoculars 8x42, which is perfect and lightweight.ConclusionThis article was specially created for anyone who wants to visit Malaysia and experience the unique and natural wildlife places spread all over the country.Again, all of the places mentioned above have been personally visited by me over the last ten years, and I am still going to some of them for my bird watching in Malaysia.If you enjoyed this article on the best places to see wildlife in Malaysia, please share it with your friends or on your social media platforms.And if you have questions or feedback, I would love to hear them from you. Be safe and happy wildlife watching!\n\n\nTags\nBest Places To See Wildlife in Malaysia\nMalaysia\nMalaysia Wildlife\nMalaysia Wildlife Tourism\nPahang\nSabah\nSarawak\nWildlife Tourism\n\n\n\n\n\nFacebook\nTwitter\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nShare:Best Places To See Wildlife in Malaysia\n\n\nFacebook\nTwitter\nWhatsApp\nPinterest\nLinkedIn\nReddit\nTumblr\nTelegram\nEmail\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nMalaysia Asia\nBlogging since 2007, but writing online since 1997. I belong to the 1st generation of worldwide bloggers, which is of course old-school. \n\nSince 2008, I created Malaysia Asia and this travel, flood, gadget and lifestyle blog has won numerous physical awards from tourism boards around Malaysia. (Not those online awards).\n\nAfter 12 years of blogging, I have semi-retired and now blog about things I like, do product reviews and enjoy life. My work has been featured in Lonely Planet, CNN Travel, Yahoo Travel, Wall Street Journal, and many other international publications. Find out more about me and thank you.\n\n\n\n\nYou might like\nView all\n\n\n\n\n\n\n"}
{"url": "http://blog.malaysia-asia.my/2023/05/rwmf-shuttle-bus-information.html", "text": "\n\n\n\nHomeMalaysia\n\nRWMF Shuttle Bus Information\n\n\n\n\nbyMalaysia Asia\n-May 09, 2023\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nEvery year, the Rainforest World Music Festival takes place in Santubong, Sarawak, and many people want to know the\u00a0RWMF Shuttle Bus Information as it is the easiest way to go to the festival.Previously, several companies were handling this, but in recent years, Red Bus from Kuching has been awarded the contract to ferry people to and from the event.RWMF Shuttle Bus InformationThis year, the\u00a0RWMF 2023 shuttle bus information is similar to the last event. The service starts at 9.00 AM, ends at 1.00 AM, and is operated by BusAsia, a local bus company in Kuching.Those staying in Kuching can catch the shuttle bus, which is on an hourly schedule to Santubong. There are two pick-up locations in the city area, which are accessible from several hotels here.The RWMF shuttle bus stop at Santubong.Again, this shuttle service is free for Rainforest World Music Festival ticket holders and for those without tickets,\u00a0There are two main pick-up locations in Kuching which are;The Hills Shopping MallPlaza MerdekaWhile the departure point from the RWMF event area is outside the entrance of the Sarawak Cultural Village at Damai Central Parking Area. This is also the main drop-off and pick-up at Damai Central.\u00a0There are no other stops once you go inside, so please refer to the photo below, as it indicates the pick-up and departure times.RWMF Shuttle Service is free for ticket holders.Shuttle Van Service from Santubong Junction to Sarawak Cultural VillageFor those planning to drive, take a grab or a taxi, you must stop and park at the Santubong junction and take the shuttle van service.If you have a special permit or pass, only then the police and security will allow you in. Otherwise, they will direct you to the side road to park and take the shuttle.There is a fee for the shuttle service, and you can buy tickets from a makeshift canopy tent at the junction of Santubong.The shuttle van service from the junction to the festival entrance.Why take the Shuttle Bus to the RWMF event?\u00a0Because it is the easiest way to travel from Kuching to Santubong without hassle. The shuttle buses directly access the festival area and stop in front of the RWMF.You can also read further on how to go to the Rainforest World Music Festival, which details the many ways of going to Santubong.A close-up view of the shuttle bus counter outside the festival venue at Damai Central.ConclusionIf you still need to get your tickets, please get the RWMF early bird tickets\u00a0on sale currently. For first-timers coming to the Rainforest World Music Festival and staying in Kuching city, this is the best way to travel to the festival.The\u00a0RWMF shuttle bus information provided here will make your travels to and from the event much more accessible. Also, have a great festival for everyone attending.\n\n\nTags\nMalaysia\nMusic Festivals\nRainforest World Music Festival\nRWMF\nRWMF 2023\nRWMF Shuttle Bus Information\nSarawak\nSarawak Tourism\n\n\n\n\n\nFacebook\nTwitter\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nShare:RWMF Shuttle Bus Information\n\n\nFacebook\nTwitter\nWhatsApp\nPinterest\nLinkedIn\nReddit\nTumblr\nTelegram\nEmail\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nMalaysia Asia\nBlogging since 2007, but writing online since 1997. I belong to the 1st generation of worldwide bloggers, which is of course old-school. \n\nSince 2008, I created Malaysia Asia and this travel, flood, gadget and lifestyle blog has won numerous physical awards from tourism boards around Malaysia. (Not those online awards).\n\nAfter 12 years of blogging, I have semi-retired and now blog about things I like, do product reviews and enjoy life. My work has been featured in Lonely Planet, CNN Travel, Yahoo Travel, Wall Street Journal, and many other international publications. Find out more about me and thank you.\n\n\n\n\nYou might like\nView all\n\n\n\n\n\n\n"}
{"url": "http://blog.malaysia-asia.my/2022/11/huawei-mate-50-pro-review-in-malaysia.html", "text": "\n\n\n\nHomeHuawei Malaysia\n\nHuawei Mate 50 Pro Review in Malaysia\n\n\n\n\nbyMalaysia Asia\n-November 01, 2022\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nThis is a\u00a0Huawei Mate 50 Pro review in Malaysia based on the actual usage of the new flagship smartphone to be launched in early November 2022.I was one of the lucky people to get the test unit, and I took it to Sandakan in Sabah to test out the capabilities of the smartphone.Huawei Mate 50 Pro Review MalaysiaI started using the\u00a0Huawei Mate 50 Pro on the 14th of October, where I explored Kuala Lumpur first, and then I headed to Sandakan in Sabah to further test the smartphone.My primary mission was to attend the unique Borneo Bird Festival, which takes place at Sepilok's Rainforest Discovery Centre or RDC, just outside Sandakan.A typical morning scene at the Rainforest Discovery Centre in Sabah.Therefore, I took the opportunity to explore Sandakan city first before heading to the RDC and exploring the beautiful rainforest of the Sepilok-Kabali Forest Reserve.And just to add, the Huawei Mate 50 Pro is currently the talk of the town among smartphone photographers due to the new technology incorporated with the camera system.But I won't bore you with the technical aspects of the smartphone. I will get straight to the basics and show you the photos to let you decide how amazing the results are.I use the 'Orange' colour Huawei Mate 50 Pro for my smartphone photography.Again, my style of taking smartphone photography is straightforward as I do not use the 'Pro Mode' on the smartphone.I prefer to use the normal mode, which most people will use, and as you already know, most people are not professional photographers. So, this review is based on the ordinary person's usage.The photos I share below are also all not edited at all. I just resized them to fit for web use, also showing you that I did not manipulate the photos in any way.All photos are randomly arranged with descriptions in the captions below; enjoy.The Sandakan Harbour Mall was photographed in wide-angle mode on the Mate 50 Pro during the day.Wide angle mode at night on the Mate 50Pro, without night mode, and the results are amazing.Testing the natural bokeh on the Huawei Mate 50 Pro at a local temple in Sandakan.Super Macro of a local Sandakan noodle dish.3-4 cm super macro shots of the beautiful Lantern Bugs at the RDC in Sepilok, Sabah.The steel skywalk at the RDC in Sepilok, taken on the wide angle mode of the Mate 50 Pro.While photographing St Michael's Church in Sandakan, a beautiful halo appeared around the sun.Mulan, a 12-year-old Orangutan, poses about 3 metres from me. I took this with the normal mode.I couldn't help but test the aperture more on the orangutan and the security staff.Photographed with the Super Macro Mode on the Mate 50 Pro.I'm a huge local street foodie, so here's a close-up of the famous UFO tarts in Sandakan, Sabah.A 2.5cm close macro shot of a rather odd-looking lilac-coloured flower at the RDC in Sabah.This is a very rare find for me, a Tree Crab that lives in dead stumps of trees in the rainforest.The photos I took above with normal, wide or super macro modes. You can visit the official website for the full specifications of the\u00a0Huawei Mate 50 Pro.You can also check my other Malaysia smartphone reviews I have been doing over the years; they are all non-complicated and easy to understand.I will also be doing a Huawei Mate 50 Pro camera zoom test review where I shoot the same image in multiple focal lengths of the camera system.A dedicated Huawei Mate 50 Pro super macro review was also done in mid-October 2022 to showcase the capabilities of the smartphone camera system.The Orange coloured Mate 50 Pro after my unboxing session.ConclusionOverall, I am very impressed with the Artificial Intelligence (AI) of the Mate 50 Pro as it has improved so much from other brands. To me, the most important in smartphone photography is the realistic colours of the photos.Some brands tend to overdo it on the compensation, which is when computational photography gets unrealistic. Huawei has learned that, and they now have a nice balance in the final results of photos.I am still testing the Huawei Mate 50 Pro for everyday use, but I still need to do more macro and night photography with interesting conditions.Fear not, as I will be back to share more articles about my findings, and I hope you enjoyed my\u00a0Huawei Mate 50 Pro review in Malaysia.\n\n\nTags\nHuawei Malaysia\nHuawei Mate 50 Pro\nHuawei Mate 50 Pro Review Malaysia\nHuawei Smartphones\nPhotography\nSmartphone Review\nSmartphone Reviews\n\n\n\n\n\nFacebook\nTwitter\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nShare:Huawei Mate 50 Pro Review in Malaysia\n\n\nFacebook\nTwitter\nWhatsApp\nPinterest\nLinkedIn\nReddit\nTumblr\nTelegram\nEmail\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nMalaysia Asia\nBlogging since 2007, but writing online since 1997. I belong to the 1st generation of worldwide bloggers, which is of course old-school. \n\nSince 2008, I created Malaysia Asia and this travel, flood, gadget and lifestyle blog has won numerous physical awards from tourism boards around Malaysia. (Not those online awards).\n\nAfter 12 years of blogging, I have semi-retired and now blog about things I like, do product reviews and enjoy life. My work has been featured in Lonely Planet, CNN Travel, Yahoo Travel, Wall Street Journal, and many other international publications. Find out more about me and thank you.\n\n\n\n\nYou might like\nView all\n\n\n\n\n\n\n"}
{"url": "http://blog.malaysia-asia.my/2022/07/miri-in-photos-with-huawei-p50.html", "text": "\n\n\n\nHomeHuawei Malaysia\n\nMiri in Photos with the Huawei P50\n\n\n\n\nbyMalaysia Asia\n-July 11, 2022\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nMiri is located in the northern part of Sarawak and is often overlooked by many people; hence here is an article about\u00a0Miri in photos with the Huawei P50 smartphone.I visited this coastal resort city in mid of June to attend the Borneo Jazz Festival 2022, which took place at Coco Cabana, located at Marina Bay, just by the town.Miri in Photos with the Huawei P50While the jazz festival takes place yearly in this beautiful bay area at night, I took the opportunity to explore the city and its surroundings with my Huawei P50, hoping to capture moments that will be remembered.The Grand Old Lady, Miri's 1st oil well, is restored and placed at Canada Hill.I often use a smartphone for my travel photography; this has been a habit since 10 years ago when I began to explore the world of smartphones. While some may know, many need help understanding how tedious smartphones were back then.Nowadays, technology has caught up so fast that smartphones will soon replace cameras, as point-and-shoot cameras are slowly becoming obsolete.For your additional information, this article is created based on an everyday user experience; therefore, you will only see a little technical jargon, like f-stop, 1/800, f2.8 and so on.I like to keep my reviews and articles user-friendly so everyone can enjoy reading them and seeing the photography results. There are already a ton of technical reviews out there.While exploring Miri, I travel with my mirrorless and Huawei P50 and below are random photos taken throughout my weekend exploring this beautiful city.For the Huawei P50 photos featured here, I resized them and mildly edited them for web viewing. The images here are all taken with the ultra-wide camera.The Borneo Jazz Festival 2022 inside Coco Cabana, Miri.Some beautiful photography angles at one of the temples in Miri.A local Mirian sells many types of fried noodles at Pasar Malam Saberkas.The myriad colours of drinks are being sold at Saberkas Night Market.The\u00a0Lian Hua San Ching Tien Temple in Miri.Front view of the\u00a0Lian Hua San Ching Tien Temple.The beautiful\u00a0Hai Long Si Temple.Miri city view from Canada Hill.The Miri Esplanade area.Inside Miri Handicraft Market.Looking up inside a temple.Inside the Saberkas Night Market.A famous street art painting in Miri.Miris offers some beautiful temple photography.One of the scenes was at a local fish seller at Emart in Miri.They call this place 'Rumah Asap' or Smoke House in Miri.During my Miri Photowalk, I stopped at the Miri Esplanade for this photo.I also did another article in Kuching in early June and featured the Rainforest World Music Festival 2022 in photos with the Huawei P50.You can visit the main Huawei Malaysia website\u00a0for more information about this flagship smartphone.ConclusionMiri is one of the unvisited cities often overlooked by tourists, local and foreign. However, I will visit here for a few days whenever I can.\u00a0I've come here numerous times in the last 10 years, most of the time visiting national parks and nature reserves,\u00a0Once in a way, I will come here to do birdwatching at Kuala Baram Wetlands or just to explore the laid-back lifestyle of Miri City.On several occasions, I have done transit stopovers en route to places like Bario and Ba'kelalan in the highlands of Sarawak.On my next adventure, I can do more smartphone photography with the Huawei P50 Pro. Finally, I hope you enjoyed this particular series of\u00a0Miri photos with the Huawei P50 smartphone.\n\n\nTags\nHuawei Malaysia\nHuawei P50\nHuawei P50 Review\nHuawei Smartphones\nMiri\nPhotography\nSarawak\nSarawak Photography\nSarawak Photowalk\nSmartphone Review\nSmartphone Reviews\n\n\n\n\n\nFacebook\nTwitter\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nShare:Miri in Photos with the Huawei P50\n\n\nFacebook\nTwitter\nWhatsApp\nPinterest\nLinkedIn\nReddit\nTumblr\nTelegram\nEmail\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nMalaysia Asia\nBlogging since 2007, but writing online since 1997. I belong to the 1st generation of worldwide bloggers, which is of course old-school. \n\nSince 2008, I created Malaysia Asia and this travel, flood, gadget and lifestyle blog has won numerous physical awards from tourism boards around Malaysia. (Not those online awards).\n\nAfter 12 years of blogging, I have semi-retired and now blog about things I like, do product reviews and enjoy life. My work has been featured in Lonely Planet, CNN Travel, Yahoo Travel, Wall Street Journal, and many other international publications. Find out more about me and thank you.\n\n\n\n\nYou might like\nView all\n\n\n\n\n\n\n"}
{"url": "http://blog.malaysia-asia.my/2021/02/tanjung-rhu-resort-mco-20-promotions.html", "text": "\n\n\n\nHomeHotel Promotions\n\nTanjung Rhu Resort MCO 2.0 Promotions\n\n\n\n\nbyMalaysia Asia\n-February 06, 2021\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\u00a0If you are hunting for some vacation deals for after the second lockdown in Malaysia, you can check out the\u00a0Tanjung Rhu Resort MCO 2.0 promotions valid till the end of July 2021.Tanjung Rhu Resort is one of the most active resorts in Langkawi where they have been aggressively offering all kinds of offers and promotions since the first MCO 1.0 in Malaysia.Tanjung Rhu Resort MCO 2.0 PromotionsThis time around, the Langkawi resort has come up with an irresistible offer under the\u00a0Buy Now Enjoy Later Stay Vouchers on sale until the end of February.The current promotion by Tanjung Rhu Resort in Langkawi.This\u00a0Buy Now Enjoy Later Stay Vouchers start as low as RM200 per room night and for two persons and is valid for designated suites.\u00a0Not only that, but guests will also enjoy a 20% discount on food and beverage at the resort and also a 20% discount at the resort's signature Mandara Spa.Buy Now Stay Later Promotion at Tanjung Rhu ResortThe main area at the Tanjung Rhu Resort in Langkawi.This February 2021 promotion from Tanjung Rhu Resort will be available until the end of February 2021 and guests can plan their stay until the end of July 2021.While the offer is valid for two persons, you can simply contact the resort to make your booking for your desired dates. Just make sure that it is way after the MCO 2.0 and that you can travel cross-borders.If there is another MCO 3.0 or cross-border restriction issued by the state or government of Malaysia, you can contact the resort to reschedule your suite booking.For more information or booking, you can visit the official Tanjung Rhu Resort website and book or inquire through them.The February till July promotion by Tanjung Rhu Resort in Langkawi.ConclusionWith an entire year of Covid19, causing so much stress and problems in Malaysia and around the world, many feel frustrated and need to get away to release some of that stress.What more than a nice beach escape with your loved one, and here in beautiful Langkawi Island. The MCO 2.0 promotions are quite attractive considering how much the five-star resorts previously charged.\n\n\nTags\nHotel Promotions\nHotel Reviews\nLangkawi\nLangkawi Resorts\nMalaysia\nMalaysia Resort Reviews\nResort Promotions\nTanjung Rhu Resort\n\n\n\n\n\nFacebook\nTwitter\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nShare:Tanjung Rhu Resort MCO 2.0 Promotions\n\n\nFacebook\nTwitter\nWhatsApp\nPinterest\nLinkedIn\nReddit\nTumblr\nTelegram\nEmail\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nMalaysia Asia\nBlogging since 2007, but writing online since 1997. I belong to the 1st generation of worldwide bloggers, which is of course old-school. \n\nSince 2008, I created Malaysia Asia and this travel, flood, gadget and lifestyle blog has won numerous physical awards from tourism boards around Malaysia. (Not those online awards).\n\nAfter 12 years of blogging, I have semi-retired and now blog about things I like, do product reviews and enjoy life. My work has been featured in Lonely Planet, CNN Travel, Yahoo Travel, Wall Street Journal, and many other international publications. Find out more about me and thank you.\n\n\n\n\nYou might like\nView all\n\n\n\n\n\n\n"}
{"url": "http://blog.malaysia-asia.my/2020/12/tourism-recovery-in-malaysia.html", "text": "\n\n\n\nHomeMalaysia\n\nTourism Recovery in Malaysia\n\n\n\n\nbyMalaysia Asia\n-December 02, 2020\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nThe most talked about subject in the travel and tourism industry is Malaysia's tourism recovery in this unfortunate post-pandemic time.By now, many of us already know that Malaysia's tourism sector has been hit very badly due to its lockdown and the closure of international borders.Often, we wonder how some of the smaller tourism-related businesses have made it this far since March of 2020. Hundreds of tourism businesses have since closed, and there are even more in the coming months.Tourism Recovery in MalaysiaThere has been a lot of talk about this, but there have been little announcements on how Malaysia's tourism recovery will be made until writing this.Since the closure of the international borders was in effect, no one was allowed to enter the country and this, of course, was also seen around the world and not only Malaysia.Among the hardest-hit industries are the travel agents, hotels, tourism attractions, transportation, airlines, and attractions.It has reached a point in Malaysia where numerous hotels have closed down completely, and this was not only small ones buy even three to four-star hotels.Some of the smaller travel and tour agents have also been hit so hard that several of them have closed down or are on the verge of closing or for sale.To be very honest, no one saw this coming,, and it truly is the worst tragedy for the tourism industry in Malaysia and around the world.For now, those who are left standing can only hope and pray for things to get back to normal. And now in this post-pandemic world with the new normal of living, things will be very different.Travel bubbles were once the talk of the industry.Travel Bubbles for Malaysia and Other CountriesThis will never work, even though many countries have been talking about it, even Malaysia at one point.It is a silly idea, and I wonder who suggested this in the first place. The whole Covid 19 issue is something we cannot control, and having a travel bubble makes no sense.\u00a0Imagine spending all that time, planning and money to create a travel bubble with Singapore, and then one of the countries has an outbreak, the who plan is up in flames.Dialogues, Talks and Seminars on Tourism Recovery in MalaysiaThis has been done by various bodies like MATTA, Tourism Malaysia and independent tourism companies, but I can assure you that no one really knows what's happening.So, why have all these talks if you are unsure about the pandemic situation? It's all a show to let people know that they are doing something in these trying times.As I have been involved in tourism for over 10 years, I know how these things happen without results. It's all talk and little or no conclusion.I say this is not because I am taking pot-shots at these people, but because no one really knows how to handle this pandemic and yet, they go ahead and try to provide useless solutions.A good example is the travel bubbles with other countries, which clearly does not work in a pandemic.\u00a0Tourist and locals spotted in Kuala Lumpur during Covid19. Photo Xinhuanet.So, what can be done for now?\u00a0Honestly, the Covid 19 pandemic has really messed up the tourism industry locally and worldwide. If any tourism board has a plan, it is nothing sold as things can backfire.For now, everyone has to wait for the vaccine to be produced and then wait for the pandemic to subside in terms of spreading. This can take anywhere from six months to a year or even more.Malaysia is also awaiting a Covid19 vaccine and has allocated a massive budget for this. But again, when the vaccine arrives, not everyone will be the first to get it.The first in line for the Covid19 vaccine will be the frontliners, and the tourism industry is probably one of the last industries to get it.So, how do people fix this massive tourism problem locally? Because for now, international arrivals is still very subjective and will be the biggest problem for importing the disease.Self-driving would be one of the most popular vacations around Malaysia.Self-Drive Holidays in MalaysiaOne of the best options for locals to explore is the self-drive holidays around Malaysia as this is quite simple and relatively safe.Most of the destinations in Peninsular Malaysia are within a few hours drive making it viable for locals to travel to other states for their vacation.You do not need to buy an RV or recreational vehicle to do this as you can just do it with your own car. In the worst case, you can rent a van if you plan to bring your family.While this sounds very interesting, not all Malaysians will opt for this method as they may find it too troublesome. They would rather just fly and take the risk.Visiting some of the not-so-popular places in Malaysia is a good start.Visit Destinations around Peninsular MalaysiaThe safest thing one can do is explore the multiple destinations around Peninsular Malaysia when the CMCO is lifted.You need to be cautious on certain states if they have red zones for Covid 19 too. Please try to avoid those places.Recommended places to visit would be islands, nature retreats and not so commercial destinations around Malaysia.Places like Sabah and Sarawak require flying, and one needs to double check if they require a Covid19 scan before entering the state.Tourism Minister Nancy Shukri with her tourism plan. Photo by Bernama.Extreme Measures for Tourism Industry in MalaysiaIn early November, MATTA Malaysia issued an official news statement asking tourism players to explore other work fields because the pandemic was getting nowhere.And for the Malaysia Budget 2021, there was not much allocated towards assisting tourism in Malaysia, which resulted in many sectors being unhappy with the current government.Since then, some budget changes have been made in assisting the tourism sector, but not everyone will benefit from this.At the rate things are going, it looks like every man or woman is for themselves in the tourism industry.Everyone is waiting for the Covid19 Vaccine in Malaysia.ConclusionAt the end of the day, this pandemic is so uncertain that no one can guarantee anything. While cases may subside for a few days, it can suddenly explore with double to quadruple-digit cases overnight.Since there is no official vaccine out yet, many speculations and guessing games are used by all walks of life, which has created much confusion among the tourism industry people.We can only hope for the best to come in 2021, but things are still uncertain from now until mid of next year in Malaysia's tourism recovery.The tourism ministry and other related bodies like MATTA, Malaysia hotels, guides and others will continue to voice their opinions and suggestions. But there is no immediate fix to opening up our borders.\n\n\nTags\nMalaysia\nMalaysia Covid-19\nMalaysia Post-Covid 19\nMalaysia Truly Asia\nTourism Malaysia\nTourism Malaysia News\nTourism Recovery\nVisiting Malaysia After Covid-19\n\n\n\n\n\nFacebook\nTwitter\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nShare:Tourism Recovery in Malaysia\n\n\nFacebook\nTwitter\nWhatsApp\nPinterest\nLinkedIn\nReddit\nTumblr\nTelegram\nEmail\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nMalaysia Asia\nBlogging since 2007, but writing online since 1997. I belong to the 1st generation of worldwide bloggers, which is of course old-school. \n\nSince 2008, I created Malaysia Asia and this travel, flood, gadget and lifestyle blog has won numerous physical awards from tourism boards around Malaysia. (Not those online awards).\n\nAfter 12 years of blogging, I have semi-retired and now blog about things I like, do product reviews and enjoy life. My work has been featured in Lonely Planet, CNN Travel, Yahoo Travel, Wall Street Journal, and many other international publications. Find out more about me and thank you.\n\n\n\n\nYou might like\nView all\n\n\n\n\n\n\n"}
{"url": "http://blog.malaysia-asia.my/2020/03/tourism-lockdown-in-malaysia-all-you.html", "text": "\n\n\n\nHomeMalaysia\n\nTourism Lockdown in Malaysia - All You Need To Know\n\n\n\n\nbyMalaysia Asia\n-March 18, 2020\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nWith the Malaysia lockdown taking effect on 18th March till 31st March 2020, there has been some confusion on what is open and what is closed in terms of tourism attractions and destinations.\u00a0\n\n\n\nFrom what I have gathered in the last 48 hours, I am posting the information here for anyone who is still unsure of what the tourism lockdown in Malaysia is all about.\n\n\n\nIf you still have not heard about this, then you should know that the Malaysian\u00a0government has imposed a 14-day Controlled Movement Order (CMO) or partial lockdown from March 18 to 31 nationwide.\u00a0\n\n\n\nThe objective of this Controlled Movement Order is to curb the spread of the Coronavirus or Covid-19 infection in Malaysia.\n\n\n\nAs of writing this today on the 18th March, there are 790 cases and two deaths in Malaysia related to the Coronavirus or Covid-19 virus pandemic.\n\nUpdate 19th March: There are now 900 Covid-19 or Coronavirus cases in Malaysia as of 8.00 PM, 19th March 2020.\n\n\nUpdate 19th March: Visit Malaysia Year 2020 Cancelled!\n\nAfter posting this article, the Malaysia Tourism Minister has officially canceled the Visit Malaysia Year 2020 campaign\u00a0as of yesterday night.\n\nMalaysia Tourism, Arts and Culture Minister Datuk Seri Nancy Shukri quoted;\n\n\"The cancellation is with immediate effect and will involve the freezing of all over-the-counter and online services for the ministry\u2019s Tourism Licensing Division.\"\n\nWhat Tourism Locations are Closed for the Malaysia Lockdown?\n\n\nBefore we go into what is closed for the Malaysia lockdown, here are some important travel information that everyone should know about.\n\n\n\nThe decision for the nationwide partial lockdown was made under the Prevention and Control of Infectious Diseases Act 1988 and the Police Act 1967.\n\n\n\nAnd there are three main guidelines to follow;\n\nAll Malaysians will also be banned from traveling overseas during this 14-day period.\nThose who are returning from abroad must undergo health checks and self-quarantine for 14 days.\nAll foreign tourists will be banned from entering the country during this time.\n\n\nBelow are some tourism questions for locals and also tourists who may be wondering what is actually going on or what to expect.\u00a0\n\n\n\n\nLegoland Malaysia posted a notice about their closure.\n\nTourist Places Closed for Malaysia Lockdown\n\nAll Museums under the Department of Museums Malaysia\nAll National Parks and Forest Reserves around Malaysia\nAll Public Parks in Kuala Lumpur\nAll Theme Parks around Malaysia\nAll Private and Commercial Tourist Attractions around Malaysia\nKuala Lumpur Craft Center\nMalaysia Tourism Centre (Matic)\nNational Visual Arts Development Board\nNational Heritage Department\nNational Archives of Malaysia\nMalaysian Handicraft Development Corporation\nNational Library of Malaysia\nDepartment of Culture\nKuala Lumpur Performing Arts Centre\nIstana Budaya\n\n\nBasically, all states around Malaysia has followed in closing all tourist attractions, from the government to the private sector.\u00a0\n\n\n\nAnywhere you go during this time will only be a waste of time. Even the entire resort city of Genting Highlands is closed off.\u00a0\n\n\n\n\n\n\nThe Restriction Movement Order for Malaysia.\n\n\nAre Hotels and Resorts Opened During The Malaysia Lockdown?\u00a0\n\n\n\n\nYes, all hotels and resorts can remain open during the Controlled Movement Order (CMO) or nationwide partial lockdown in Malaysia.\n\n\n\nPreviously, the Malaysian Association of Hotels (MAH) had mentioned that hotels may only continue serving existing guests. All other facilities and services of the hotels and resorts are to remain closed.\n\n\n\nDue to some confusion about what essential services are, the government has changed this on the 18th March to include hotels under the essential services in Malaysia.\n\n\n\nAccording to the Malaysian Reserve, there has been slightly over 170,000 hotel room cancellations totaling to a whopping RM68 million in losses impacted by the Covid-19 outbreak.\n\nUpdate 19th March: The Malaysian hotelier's group has confirmed that hotels and resorts can operate partially during the lockdown in Malaysia.\u00a0\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nKLIA empty.\n\n\n\n\nCan I Travel Locally For Holidays?\u00a0\n\n\n\n\nNo, you cannot.\u00a0Under the CMO, the public is prohibited from traveling anywhere including holidays around the country. You are advised not to proceed with your holiday or 'Balik Kampung'.\u00a0\n\n\n\n\n\n\nThe Malaysian Police has issued a live telecast of this on the 17th March restricting locals from moving interstate for 'Balik Kampung' or any other kinds of trips or holidays.\u00a0\n\n\n\nThe police issued a special travel form available at local police stations nationwide and if anyone needed to travel, they are required to fill in this form to be approved.\u00a0\n\n\n\n\nA closure notice from Sabah Parks.\n\nAre Tourism Events in Malaysia Canceled?\u00a0\n\n\nAll tourism events and related events are immediately canceled nationwide as of the announcement made on 16th March 2020.\n\n\n\nThis means that any tourism event in any part of Malaysia has been canceled or postponed to an indefinite date.\n\nCan Tourist Still Visit Malaysia During The Lockdown?\n\n\nNo, tourists and visitors are not permitted to enter Malaysia from the 18th till the 31st of March and this is a directive by the Malaysian Federal Government.\u00a0\n\n\n\nThere is an exception for diplomats, permanent residents, and expatriates in essential services with a 14-day quarantine period on a case-by-case basis.\n\nIn the event the situation gets out of hand, the Prime Minister has mentioned in his speech that the government can and will extend the CMO for another two weeks.\n\nThis means that the CMO will move into the first 2 weeks of April 2020. I suggest that anyone planning to visit Malaysia should monitor the situation before making any future plans.\u00a0\n\n\n\n\nA lonely tourist is seen walking the streets.\n\nWhat About Tourists Who Are Still In Malaysia?\n\n\nCurrently, all tourist attractions are closed, and for tourists who are still in Malaysia, you are not forced to leave.\u00a0\n\n\n\nHowever, you must respect the CMO and stay in your hotel or accommodation until you depart or leave Malaysia.\u00a0\n\n\n\nThis will, of course, be an inconvenience and a bad experience, but it is being done for the good of everyone.\n\n\n\nVisit Malaysia 2020 Arrivals Target\n\n\n\nBefore I conclude, the Ministry of Tourism Malaysia\u00a0had early in March announced that the target number of 30 million visitors will remain, even during the Covid-19 outbreak.\n\n\n\nHonestly, coming from a tourism background, I do not see this happening, and it would be wise for Tourism Malaysia to change that number by at least half.\n\nUpdate 19th March: The Visit Malaysia Year 2020 has been officially canceled by the new Tourism Minister as of today.\u00a0\n\n\n\n\nA message from Sunway Lagoon, one of Malaysia's largest theme and water park.\n\nConclusion\n\n\nIf you have been planning to visit Malaysia in March 2020, it is very unfortunate that the government has imposed a restriction movement order and is on partial lockdown.\n\n\n\nI know for a fact that there are several travelers who are taking advantage of various discounted airline tickets and packages being offered during this pandemic.\u00a0\n\n\n\nMost likely your flight has been canceled otherwise, if you do manage to get a flight into Malaysia, you will be denied entry into the country. You may want to rearrange your plans to visit Malaysia.\n\n\n\nI will do my best to update the information for the Tourism lockdown in Malaysia on a daily basis since I am too on lockdown.\n\n\n\nMeanwhile, be safe, avoid crowded places, don't keep touching your face and remember to wash your hands always.\u00a0\n\n\nTags\nMalaysia\nMalaysia Lockdown\nMalaysia Restricted Movement Order\nTourism Malaysia\nTourism Malaysia News\n\n\n\n\n\nFacebook\nTwitter\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nShare:Tourism Lockdown in Malaysia - All You Need To Know\n\n\nFacebook\nTwitter\nWhatsApp\nPinterest\nLinkedIn\nReddit\nTumblr\nTelegram\nEmail\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nMalaysia Asia\nBlogging since 2007, but writing online since 1997. I belong to the 1st generation of worldwide bloggers, which is of course old-school. \n\nSince 2008, I created Malaysia Asia and this travel, flood, gadget and lifestyle blog has won numerous physical awards from tourism boards around Malaysia. (Not those online awards).\n\nAfter 12 years of blogging, I have semi-retired and now blog about things I like, do product reviews and enjoy life. My work has been featured in Lonely Planet, CNN Travel, Yahoo Travel, Wall Street Journal, and many other international publications. Find out more about me and thank you.\n\n\n\n\nYou might like\nView all\n\n\n\n\n\n\n"}
{"url": "http://blog.malaysia-asia.my/2019/10/airasia-starts-flights-to-okinawa.html", "text": "\n\n\n\nHomeAirAsia\n\nAirAsia Starts Flights to Okinawa\n\n\n\n\nbyMalaysia Asia\n-October 30, 2019\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nJapan fans will be thrilled to know that AirAsia is starting flights to Okinawa in Japan, making the tropical island in the south of Japan the sixth Japanese destination for the airline.\u00a0\n\n\n\nThe news of the Okinawa flights with AirAsia was announced on the 30th of November 2019. The four times weekly flights will commence on the 22nd of January 2020 via Taipei, Taiwan, and land at Naha Airport, which is only 4 kilometres from Naha City.\u00a0\n\nAirAsia Flights to Okinawa\n\n\n\nOne of the beautiful scenes at Okinawa.\n\n\nOkinawa has always been one of the desired holiday destinations for many Malaysians and also Southeast Asians over the years.\u00a0\n\n\nWith AirAsia opening up this direct route, many will have the opportunity to explore this beautiful Japanese tropical paradise, a dream come true.\u00a0\n\n\n\nFour times weekly flight schedule to Okinawa via Taipei provides travellers with options on travel dates that make it easier to plan.\u00a0\u00a0\n\n\n\nHowever, the scheduled flight only commenced on the 22nd of January 2020, but flight bookings can be made from the airlines' website.\u00a0\n\n\nApart from Okinawa, AirAsia also flies to five other Japanese cities: Narita and Haneda in Tokyo, Osaka, Sapporo, Fukuoka, and Nagoya (via Bangkok).\u00a0\n\n\n\nFor the official press release of this flight, AirAsia Malaysia CEO Benyamin Ismail had this to say;\u00a0\n\n\u201cOur rapid expansion into Japan continues following the launch of services to Fukuoka and Tokyo Narita earlier this year.\u00a0\n\nOkinawa is an island paradise that offers a different Japanese experience for leisure travellers, including white sandy beaches with clear blue waters, some of the world\u2019s most famous diving spots and unique Ryukyuan cuisine.\u00a0\n\n\u201cLike Fukuoka, we are building the foundation for more AirAsia flights to serve Okinawa in the near future, strengthening our regional network and allowing more travellers to discover the unique cultural heritage of this amazing destination.\u201d\nUpdate: 22 Jan 2020 - AirAsia Flight Lands in Okinawa\n\n\n\nThe VIP delegates arrive in Okinawa on 22 Jan 2020.\n\n\nJust to add that the inaugural AirAsia flight D7 384 landed at Naha Airport on the 22nd of January 2020, marking the airline\u2019s maiden flight to Okinawa, Japan.\n\n\n\nThis also marks the beginning of a unique low-cost passageway connecting Okinawa with East and Southeast Asia by providing over 150,000 visitor seats annually with AirAsia.\u00a0\n\n\n\nOnboard the Okinawa maiden flight was;\n\n\n\nDeputy Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture Malaysia YB Tuan Muhammad Bakhtiar bin Wan Chik\nAirAsia X Chairman Tan Sri Rafidah Aziz\nAirAsia X Board of Director Dato\u2019 Fam Lee Ee\nAirAsia X CEO Benyamin Ismail\u00a0\n\n\n\nThe VIPs who were onboard the inaugural flight were greeted by Okinawa Prefecture Governor Denny Tamaki at Naha Airport on arrival at Naha International Airport.\u00a0\n\nPrice of AirAsia Flights to Okinawa\n\n\nBIG Members can purchase fares from Kuala Lumpur to Okinawa Naha starting from RM239 one-way on standard seats and RM899 one-way on the award-winning Premium Flatbeds.\n\n\n\nThis promotion starts on 31 October 2019 at 12:00 pm (GMT+8) and until 2 November 2019 for travel between 22 January 2020 and 27 March 2020.\u00a0\n\n\n\nFor more booking information, please visit the AirAsia website.\u00a0\n\n\n\nOne of the beautiful beaches on Okinawa Island.\n\nTransit at Taipei International Airport\n\n\nThe good news is that travellers from Kuala Lumpur to Okinawa are not required to obtain a Taiwan visa during their one-hour, fifteen-minute stopover in Taipei.\n\n\n\nAfter the transit, they may return to their seats after clearing a quick security check of their carry-on bags and inflight belongings.\n\n\n\nThis also means you are not allowed to exit the Taipei airport but remain only in the transit area.\u00a0\n\n\n\nHowever, those creative travellers who want to kill two birds with one stone can do so by booking your Taipei trip and then your Okinawa connecting flight the following day or days later.\u00a0\n\n\nThe AirAsia flight schedule to Okinawa.\n\n\nHow Long Does It Take To Fly From Kuala Lumpur to Okinawa?\u00a0\n\n\nThis is a common question by most travellers, and the answer is 8.5 hours. This, of course, includes your transit time in Taipei for about one hour.\u00a0\n\n\n\nYou must factor in around 12 hours of travel, transit and flight time. Meaning from the time you travel from home to the airport, you need at least two hours before check-in.\u00a0\n\n\n\nThe flight is 7.35 am in the morning, meaning you must be at KLIA2 at about 5.30 am. Travelling to KLIA2 requires around one hour, so you must leave your home at 4.30 am or 4.00 am to be safe.\u00a0\n\n\n\nGetting up from bed, preparing, final checking and waiting for your ride-hailing or taxi means you must be up at about 2.00 am or 3.00 am.\n\n\nYou will undoubtedly end up taking a nice morning nap along the journey to Taipei.\u00a0\n\n\n\nThis is also best done after your in-flight breakfast on AirAsia, so add that Santai meal when you book your flight tickets.\n\n\n\nMap showing where Okinawa Island is located at\n\nWhere is Okinawa?\u00a0\n\n\nOkinawa Island is one of Japan\u2019s 47 prefectures comprising 160 islands in the East China Sea. It is also located quite close to Taiwan.\u00a0\n\n\n\nBefore AirAsia flew to Okinawa, the only other way to get here was via Taipei, Shanghai, Beijing, and a few Japanese cities.\u00a0\n\n\nThere were no direct flights from Malaysia, and many had to take connecting flights to get to Okinawa. There are even some local travel agents that sell special charter flights to Okinawa.\u00a0\n\n\n\nOkinawa has long been a popular holiday destination for the Japanese. At the same time, its subtropical climate reminds many travellers of Hawaii, complete with coral-fringed waters and a very relaxed way of life.\u00a0\n\nConclusion\n\n\nMany thought that this flight route would never materialize, and surprisingly, even for me, the news came out just before the end of 2019.\u00a0\n\n\n\nThis simply means that many Malaysians and Southeast Asians can now start making plans to visit one of the most beautiful islands that Japan has to offer.\u00a0\n\n\n\nWith the news that\u00a0AirAsia is starting flights to Okinawa, many will likely plan to book their dream tropical vacation on this beautiful Japanese island.\n\n\nTags\nAirAsia\nAirAsia Destinations\nAirAsia News\nAirAsia Okinawa Flights\nAirlines\nAviation\nJapan\nOkinawa\n\n\n\n\n\nFacebook\nTwitter\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nShare:AirAsia Starts Flights to Okinawa\n\n\nFacebook\nTwitter\nWhatsApp\nPinterest\nLinkedIn\nReddit\nTumblr\nTelegram\nEmail\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nMalaysia Asia\nBlogging since 2007, but writing online since 1997. I belong to the 1st generation of worldwide bloggers, which is of course old-school. \n\nSince 2008, I created Malaysia Asia and this travel, flood, gadget and lifestyle blog has won numerous physical awards from tourism boards around Malaysia. (Not those online awards).\n\nAfter 12 years of blogging, I have semi-retired and now blog about things I like, do product reviews and enjoy life. My work has been featured in Lonely Planet, CNN Travel, Yahoo Travel, Wall Street Journal, and many other international publications. Find out more about me and thank you.\n\n\n\n\nYou might like\nView all\n\n\n\n\n\n\n"}
{"url": "http://blog.malaysia-asia.my/2019/01/silabur-cave-in-sarawak.html", "text": "\n\n\n\nHomeMalaysia\n\nSilabur Cave in Sarawak\n\n\n\n\nbyMalaysia Asia\n-January 11, 2019\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nHave you heard about the Jade Caves of Sarawak? Yes, a cave that looks like it is made from jade, which is called the\u00a0Silabur Cave in Serian, Sarawak.\u00a0\n\n\n\nThis beautiful cave has been around for a very long time, and mostly visited by researchers, but in 2016, the cave became more popular among the locals, mainly due to the beautiful jade texture of the cave walls.\u00a0\n\nSilabur Cave in Sarawak\n\n\n\nThis beautiful cave is found in the district of Serian, which is about 90 minutes drive from the city of Kuching in Sarawak.\u00a0\n\n\n\nCurrently, as I write this article, there are only one or two tour companies that bring you here, and you can also request from some of the adventure travel agents in Kuching for trips to Silabur Cave.\u00a0\n\n\n\nOverall, a trip here would take you half a day to a full day, and to explore the cave area, it will take you roughly around four to five hours.\u00a0\n\n\n\nThe entrance of the cave is about one hour trek up the hill and located in the middle of Mount Silabur. Be prepared for a medium level hike up here.\n\nFrom the entrance of the cave, it will take you another 15 minutes before you reach the main cave chamber, which is called Labak Tirason.\n\n\n\nOne of the photographers poses inside the cave. Photo by Paul Sarawak\n\nWhat are Silabur Caves?\u00a0\n\n\nSilabur Cave is a limestone cave that is located inside of Mount Silabur and offers vertical cliffs. From the village, it is a one hour trek to the foot of the mountain.\n\nFrom the foot of the mountain, you then need to trek up halfway which is roughly another hour before you reach the entrance of the cave at the mid of the mountain.\n\n\n\nThese caves have been long harvested for the prized bird's nest from the local swiftlets. A local association operates and manages the caves here, where bird next harvesting takes place a couple of times a year.\u00a0\n\n\n\nMost of the harvested Silabur bird nest is processed and exported to China, and very little is sold to the locals.\n\n\n\nInside the beautiful cave at Mount Silabur\n\nWhat to do in Silabur Caves?\u00a0\n\n\nA cave is always a cave, and there are very limited things one can do here. In most cases, those who are into caving or cave exploration will find this place quite fascinating.\n\n\n\nProbably due to the overall jade colouring inside the cave, it gives a beautiful colour tone versus the general dark grey colours.\u00a0\n\n\n\nSome people have actually gone into the cave to do some photography and then shared the images on social platforms, which has now created interest among the locals around Kuching and also Sarawak.\u00a0\n\n\n\nThe top of Mount Silabur is a peak called Sky-Park which is about 400 meters, where most visitors will also trek or climb up to this peak. The view is not too bad at Sky-Park and is recommended for outdoor lovers.\u00a0\n\n\n\nNearby, there is another underwater cave called Siturib Cave, where clear cave waters are waist or chest high. You need local guides for both of these places. Read at the end for more info.\u00a0\n\n\n\nOverall, I will list down several things that you can so at Silabur Caves as below;\n\n\nTrekking and hiking up to the Silabur cave\nSpot birds nest inside the cave\nPhotography shoot, Instagram and Facebook shoot\nTrek up to the peak of Mount Silabur called Sky-Park\nExplore the Siturib Underwater Cave here\nSimply visiting to tick this place off your cave bucket list\n\n\n\n\n\n \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nView this post on Instagram\n\n\n\n \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nA post shared by Alena Murang (@alenamurang) on Jan 4, 2019 at 5:48pm PST\n\n\n\n\nAlena Murang Singing At Silabur Caves\n\n\nA famous Sarawakian female sape artist called Alena Murang has also created a short video of herself singing inside the Silabur Caves, which has been viewed over 1,400 times.\u00a0\n\n\n\nAlena Murang is part Kelabit and is one of the up and coming Sarawakian sape musicians that has created an interest among today's music lifestyle.\u00a0\n\n\n\nShe has performed all over the world, and her video in the Silabur cave has also created a lot of interest from the locals about the location.\n\n\n\nA group of cavers climbing the wooden stairs inside the cave\n\nSilabur Cave Legend\n\n\nAlong with many other caves in Sarawak, there are always folk legends connected to these places, and some of them are pretty interesting to know.\u00a0\n\n\n\nIn Silabur Cave, the legend revolves around the Bidayuh people, the harvest festival and the culture, and you can read below;\n\n\n\nThe Gua Silabur Legend\n\nA long time ago, the local Bidayuh people here celebrated the harvest festival once every year. On one harvest festive celebration night, there was an old man who lived in the village. The old man has one grandchild who stays together with him. For the kids parents are nowhere to be found after they went out for food, some say they were killed by the head hunters, and some say they were eaten by animals.\n\nOn that festive celebration night, the old man was eating Kasam Ikan (a local delicacy where they marinade the raw fish with rice and salt, put it in a tight jar, leave it in a dark corner for a month or so and eat it), but one of the village people mixed the fish with the rubber tree fruits to play a joke with the old man. The old man eventually ate the rubber fruits, and got laughed by the village people. And the old man then called his dog, and he tied a bell on the leg of the dog, and asked the dog to bark at the village people.\n\nThe dog starts chasing after them, and due to the bell, the old man will know the where his dog is from the sound. But all of a sudden the sound of the bell is gone, complete silence. The old man keeps on calling the dog to come back, but it never returned.\u00a0\n\nThe old man cried, and while was crying, it started to rain, and a weird thing happened where it rained rocks instead of water drops. The rain became heavier, and soon when they knew it, the rocks had then formed the mountain, and also the cave.\u00a0\n\n\nPhotos of Silabur Cave\n\n\nBelow are some beautiful photos of Silabur Caves, taken by Paul Sarawak\u00a0and his group, when they visited in August of 2017. The photography skills of this team are awesome, and you can see from the photos why.\u00a0\n\n\n\nHave a look at them, and tell me you do not want to visit these caves? If you plan to do so, read the end of the article where details on how to go there and so on are shared.\u00a0\n\n\n\n\nLight falls through the cave ceiling onto the floor. Photo by Paul Sarawak\n\n\n\nPhoto of the cave mouth. Photo by Paul Sarawak\n\n\n\nInteresting cave formations inside. Photo by Paul Sarawak\n\n\n\nA cave sits for some cave photography. Photo by Paul Sarawak\n\n\n\nThe beautiful combination of cave flora and lights. Photo by Paul Sarawak\n\n\n\nA cave pose by the Jade Cave. Photo by Paul Sarawak\n\n\n\nThe light shines through openings in the cave ceiling. Photo Paul Sarawak\n\nAll photos are from the Paul Sarawak and team Facebook Page unless stated under the photos.\n\nWhere are Silabur Caves?\u00a0\n\n\nGua Silabur is located just out of Kuching City, in the district of Serian, and is located near the town of Tebakang.\n\n\n\nIt is about 90 kilometres from Kuching, but because of the small roads to get here, it will take you around two hours drive one way.\u00a0\n\n\n\nThe caves are also located close to the Kalimantan border, which is only about five kilometres distance. This part of Kalimantan Indonesia is known as the Sanggau Regency of West Kalimantan.\u00a0\n\n\n\nThe closest Malaysia-Indonesia checkpoint to Silabur Cave is the Tebedu Immigration Complex, which is also a popular place for both countries.\u00a0\n\n\n\n\n\nAt the entrance of the Siturib Cave, which is a water cave. Photo from Silabur Facebook Page\u00a0\n\nSiturib Cave or Gua Siturib\n\n\n\nFor those into some serious adventure caving, there is also another cave in the area which is called Siturib Cave or Gua Siturib.\u00a0\n\n\n\nThis is a water cave, where you need the local guides to bring you in the waist or even chest-deep waters. Anyone going into the Siturib Cave will guarantee to get wet, so come prepared for this.\u00a0\n\n\nYou should also arrange this with your cave guide, who will be the locals from the village area. They know the caves by the back of their hands, which is vital to anyone entering this water cave.\u00a0\n\n\n\n\nAerial view of Sky-Park on top of Mount Silabur. Photo from Silabur Facebook Page\n\n\nSky-Park, Peak of Mount Silabur\n\nThis is the top of the mountain, where many visitors will also trek or climb up since they are here. A trek up to Sky-Park will take you about three hours, and is a medium level trekking.\u00a0\n\n\n\nFor those interested in doing this, you must engage the local Silabur guides, as they know the place inside out.\n\nThe thrill about the trek up Mount Silabur\u00a0is enjoying the amazing view of the area from the peak here. Usually, it would be better to start with the trek up, and then visit the caves.\n\nHowever, you can ask your local guides about this, and which is easier done. If you plan to do both trekking and caving, then you will require a full day here.\n\n\nHow to go to Silabur Caves?\u00a0\n\n\n\nIf you are in Kuching, you can ask some of the travel agents in town, as they would know who organize trips to Silabur Caves.\u00a0\n\n\n\nFor those who plan to explore by themselves, you can easily drive to Silabur Cave on your own, with your friends. Please do not go by yourself, as visiting caves is best done in a small group.\u00a0\n\n\n\nThe best way to go to Silabur Cave for travellers is to rent a car and self-drive there. There are directions on Google Maps which make your drive here easy.\n\nOnce you reach here, you can contact the local Silabur Cave Association to make arrangements. The contact is below in a photo.\n\n\n\nDriving directions to Silabur Cave from Google Maps\n\nDriving Directions to Silabur Cave or Gua Silabur\n\n\n\nFirst, you need to head to Serian town from Kuching, which is about 90 minutes drive with mild traffic. I would recommend using Google Maps or Waze to do this.\u00a0\n\n\n\nAfter you reach Serian, head to Tebakang town, which is another 15-minute drive. From the main Jalan Serian-Tebedu, you need to turn off at Kampung Tebakang.\u00a0\n\n\n\nHere, there are two villages, known as Kampung Tebakang Dayak, and Kampung Tebakang Melayu, which are located one after the other.\n\n\n\nOnce you enter this village, you need to drive about 20 minutes until you reach Lampung Lobang Batu, and then look out for SK Lobang Batu, then look for a sign that turns right into the Gua Silabur or Silabur Cave.\n\n\n\nAfter you turn into that road, head towards Kampung Batu Lin and Batu Mawang, which is about 1.5 km inside. Batu Lin is also a Bidayuh village, and signboards are showing the village name.\n\nDo ask for directions if you are unsure as the locals are very helpful in this part of Sarawak.\n\n\n\nThe contact persons for anyone who wants to explore Silabur Caves in Serian\n\nAdditional Information For Silabur Caves\n\n\n\nThere is an entrance fee of RM10.00 per person paid at the foot of Mount Silabur, to the Silabur Association.\u00a0\nThe cave is also managed by the local Silabur Birdnest Operator Association.\nLocal tour guides for the caves are available at RM50.00.\nThe main office to do your booking is in the village closest to the caves. There is a small office there, and you can ask the locals when you are there.\u00a0\nI would recommend you contact them from the numbers above to make an appointment.\u00a0\n\n\n\n\n\nPosing in the light of the caves. Photo by Paul Sarawak\n\nConclusion\n\n\nIf you have a thing for caves and is visiting Kuching in Sarawak, I would make the Silabur cave a place to explore and visit, as it is not too far from Kuching City.\u00a0\n\n\n\nYou will most likely do a morning trip here and be back in Kuching after lunch, hence it is less than half a day to spend.\u00a0\n\n\n\nHowever, if you are heading here for some photography, make sure you come prepared, and just like any other cave in Sarawak, one should always be cautious when walking in the caves.\n\nTake a look at some of the other caves in Sarawak and Sabah, which I wrote about many years ago if you are interested in visiting the others.\n\nI write this article about the Silabur Caves in Serian, based on the Visit Sarawak Campaign, which is in 2019, and the objective is to promote the other places of Sarawak, with a tagline of Sarawak More To Discover.\n\n\nTags\nMalaysia\nMalaysia Caves\nPlaces to Visit in Sarawak\nSarawak\nSarawak Caves\nSarawak More To Discover\nThings to do in Sarawak\nVisit Sarawak Year\n\n\n\n\n\nFacebook\nTwitter\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nShare:Silabur Cave in Sarawak\n\n\nFacebook\nTwitter\nWhatsApp\nPinterest\nLinkedIn\nReddit\nTumblr\nTelegram\nEmail\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nMalaysia Asia\nBlogging since 2007, but writing online since 1997. I belong to the 1st generation of worldwide bloggers, which is of course old-school. \n\nSince 2008, I created Malaysia Asia and this travel, flood, gadget and lifestyle blog has won numerous physical awards from tourism boards around Malaysia. (Not those online awards).\n\nAfter 12 years of blogging, I have semi-retired and now blog about things I like, do product reviews and enjoy life. My work has been featured in Lonely Planet, CNN Travel, Yahoo Travel, Wall Street Journal, and many other international publications. Find out more about me and thank you.\n\n\n\n\nYou might like\nView all\n\n\n\n\n\n\n"}
{"url": "http://blog.malaysia-asia.my/2019/12/borneo-bird-festival-2019-trip-report.html", "text": "\n\n\n\nHomeBird Watching Events\n\nBorneo Bird Festival 2019 Trip Report\n\n\n\n\nbyMalaysia Asia\n-December 11, 2019\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nAnother year of a successful Borneo Bird Festival and for 2019, the event saw an increase in the number of people attending to slightly over 4,000 visitors in just two days.\n\n\n\nKnown as the most promising nature and birding festival in Malaysia, the Borneo Bird Festival has come a long way from its inaugural event back in 2007.\n\nAnd since attending the event every year, I have come up with a trip report which includes personal observations and general information.\u00a0\n\nTrip Report for the Borneo Bird Festival 2019\n\n\nFor those who may not know, the bird festival is the largest nature and birding event held in Sabah and also in entire Malaysia.\n\n\n\nThe festival is also the brainchild of Cede Prudente, who worked with the Sabah Tourism Board in bringing this event to the city of Sandakan.\n\n\n\nThe official launching of the Borneo Bird Festival 2019 at the RDC in Sandakan, Sabah\n\n\n\nOrganized by the Sandakan Borneo Bird Club, the event gets physical support from local Sabahan birders and naturalists who in turn, act as marshalls and guides.\n\n\n\nFor this year's event, it was held at the Rainforest Discovery Center in Sepilok from the 26 to 27 of October and over a beautiful weekend.\n\n\n\nEvery year, the organizers will do their very best to include a wide selection of fun, games, contests, activities and of course food and drink vendors.\u00a0\n\n\n\nThis year saw some of the regular food vendors take place in the event area, and also for the first time, four food trucks in the car park area.\u00a0\n\n\n\nBefore you continue, you should also know that to date, there has been a record of 688 resident and migratory birds in all of Borneo and out of that, 60 birds are endemic on the third largest island in the world.\u00a0\n\nWhere is the Borneo Bird Festival held?\u00a0\n\n\n\nThe entrance to the Rainforest Discovery Center\n\nOver the last decade, the Borneo Bird Festival's home ground is at the Rainforest Discovery Center or RDC, which is located in Sepilok, Sandakan.\n\nDue to the public interest and creating a state-wide awareness for bird watching and conservation, the even was taken to various destinations around Sabah.\n\nThe festival has been held at iconic locations like;\n\n\nKinabalu National Park\nCrocker Range\nKota Kinabalu City\n\n\nHowever, after much consideration among the tourism board, council and the organizers, it was noted that the festival best takes place at its home ground at the RDC in Sepilok, Sandakan.\n\nThis way, it would be easier for those planning to visit the even and they can pre-book their transport and accommodation arrangements way ahead of time.\n\nWho Attends the Borneo Bird Festival?\u00a0\n\n\n\nThe crowd at the recent festival at the RDC\n\n\nOver the years, there have been tens of thousands of visitors to the event bringing an overall total to more than 100,000 people visiting the festival in the last decade.\u00a0\n\n\n\nLocals make up most of the attendees while there is an estimate of 20% of international visitors that visit the festival yearly.\n\n\n\nAs for the local participants and curious visitors that attend, it is usually those who have some form of interest in nature, flora, and fauna.\n\nOne of the many booths at the event\n\n\n\nThe Borneo Bird Festival has also been actively engaging students in primary and lower secondary schools to participate in various programs created for them.\u00a0\n\n\n\nAs Cede once told me, education and knowledge begin with children, and the best way is to get the children involved in nature programs like this.\u00a0\n\n\n\nMain Events At The Borneo Bird Festival\n\n\n\nWith a multitude of events that take place during the festival, there is, of course, the main highlights which are the bird race, bird photo race, and the year-long bird photography contest.\u00a0\n\n\nBird Race\u00a0 - A team event open to everyone and limited to three persons per team.\u00a0\nBird Photo Race - An open event to individuals.\u00a0\nBird Photography Contest - Open to everyone months before the event.\u00a0\n\nWinners for the Bird Related Events\n\nBelow is a list of the winners for each of the birding categories in a photo format and who the sponsors are with the prizes they got;\n\n\n\nSabah Bird Race team and students winners list\n\n\n\nSabah Bird Race photography contest and race winners list\n\nOther Events at the Festival\n\n\nWhile the above are the main highlight for the event, there are many other smaller events or even fringe events that take place during the event.\u00a0\n\n\n\nA decent portion of events is also targeted towards younger children, school children and also teenagers. These events are created to coincide with all things birds and nature.\n\n\n\nA participant at the colouring contest\n\n\nSome of the other events and contest include;\n\n\nColouring contest\nBird Mimic Contest\nArtistic Make Up Competition\nBeyblade Competition\nDrawing competition\nTattoo Art for Kids\nTree Climbing\nK-Pop Random Play Dance\nCaricature Artists\nCake Decorating Competition\n\n\n\nTalks on Conservation and Bird Watching at the Festival\n\n\n\nHenry Goh from BirdLife giving a talk during the event\n\n\nOne of the interesting segments that attract many people are the various talks conducted throughout the event.\n\n\n\nEvery year, various NGOs, birding professionals, conservationists, camera brands, and other related genres are invited to give short talks.\n\n\n\nThis task is something challenging as the objective is to provide a wider understanding of wildlife and conservation among the visitors.\n\n\n\nThe majestic canopy walkway at the RDC\n\n\n\nBut by making it too academic, the organizers have found that not many people would turn up for the talk sessions, hence they explored a mixture of hobbist and also related brands to balance the talks.\n\n\n\nThis year's talks included various people from;\u00a0\n\n\nBornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre\nBorneo Refugia Adventure\nAlexander John, Birdlife International\n1Stop Borneo Wildlife\nNature Society of Singapore\nWild Tour Vietnam\nDongshi Forest District Taiwan\nRaptor Research Group Taiwan\n\n\n\n\nFor more information on the event, please visit Borneo Bird Festival\u00a0as they have the program and other vital information available.\u00a0\n\nA Successful Event Despite Certain Promises\n\n\n\nThe assistant tourism minister for Sabah tries out a pair of binoculars\n\n\nWith the 11th year of running the festival, the president of the event had stressed out to the ministry and other non-governmental bodies about assisting in additional funding for this.\u00a0\n\n\n\nApparently, year-on-year, many promises have been made by various sectors, and always, the agreed sponsorships would be trimmed down or cancelled on the eleventh hour.\u00a0\n\n\n\nA lot of companies or NGOs also show keen interest but in the end, they do not materialize due to budget cuts and so on.\u00a0\n\n\n\nWhile the event does need proper funding to proceed, a delay in the handling of the funds by sponsors always leaves the event to be only confirmed a couple of months before the date.\u00a0\n\n\n\nThis has affected many especially in terms of booking flights and hotel rooms as the closer it gets to the event date, things start to get expensive or sold out.\u00a0\n\n\n\nOne way to resolve this issue is for sponsors and other relevant bodies to confirm the event early in the year so that the organizers can lock down the dates and start marketing the event earlier.\n\n\n\nMy Humble Opinion On the Bird Festival\n\n\nSun shining through the rainforest canopy here\n\n\n\nAfter continuously visiting the Borneo Bird Festival every year, I have seen this grow from a few hundred people to thousands of visitors.\u00a0\n\n\n\nTo be very honest, I have to give it to Cede and Carol Prudente for undertaking such an ambitious task in making this happen yearly.\n\n\n\nWhile some may have reserved comments on this, I have personally seen how difficult it can be to manage and operate such an event on a nationwide scale.\u00a0\n\n\n\nAs the bird festival tends to attract international participants and also visitors, it is strange that the government, council or other related NGOs do not see this as a potential tourist attraction.\u00a0\n\n\n\nBird festivals in other countries have grown tremendously over the last five years, but over here in Sabah, it still looks like nothing has changed.\n\n\n\nOfficial mascots for the bird festival\n\n\n\nThis is purely due to the lack of funding from the council, tourism ministry and other related entities from around Sandakan or even Sabah.\u00a0\n\n\n\nI mean, for the first few years, I can totally understand as people want to see success and growth in the event. But after five years, there should already be a solid track record.\u00a0\n\n\n\nThe bird festival could have grown to a world-class level, provided that the ministry, sponsors and other related bodies see the potential.\u00a0\n\n\n\nAnd by achieving this, an allocation of extra funding would not run the state bankrupt, but it would allow the organizers to actually spend more in terms of marketing and advertising the event.\n\n\n\nA father lets his son see through a digiscope\n\n\n\nProper funding would also see that the event dates be fixed, and for some strange reason, I prefer if the event had a locked date instead of always waiting for the minister's confirmation to attend and have dates moved to suit this old-style move.\u00a0\n\n\n\nYes, back in the old days, the ministry provided funding, hence you should launch the event on a date that the minister or assistant can attend. This kind of concept should be phased out.\u00a0\n\n\n\nPeople want to attend an event for the experience and fun, not to see who the VIP giving a speech is. A very old style of event organization if you ask me.\u00a0\n\n\n\nI mean, if the minister wants to come, fine and by all means, but people should not make this into a political event and just focus the event on the public sector.\n\n\n\nDuring the prize-giving ceremony\n\n\n\nAll Talk But No Action\n\n\n\nEvery year, I have heard ministers, assistant ministers, councilmen, and councilwomen go on stage to give their speech at the bird festival.\u00a0\n\n\n\nBut what irks me is the fact that there is a lot of talks, but no follow through the next year. Or somehow, the budgets have been cut and so on.\u00a0\n\n\n\nI hear them read out how birdwatching can be a top tourism earner, how many people visited here and there, how we can improve on this to bring in more visitors and so on.\u00a0\n\n\n\nIt has always been just talking, but the following year, the same revised speech is repeated again. Nothing changed in the last five or six years. So, what is the purpose of having the minister there?\u00a0\n\n\n\nTo be honest, it would be better if they just had a casual opening instead of empty promises that need to be reviewed again the following year.\u00a0\n\n\n\nBird watching in Sabah is currently the number one earner for entire Malaysia, but this is mostly thanks to the self-initiative of the bird guides and bird tour companies.\u00a0\u00a0\n\n\n\nIf the tourism board or ministry would actually consider looking into this genre as a high-yield tourism earner, this would be a game-changer for the birding industry in Sabah.\n\n\n\nThe birding destinations are all developed and ready to receive visitors, but the lack of promotions on this has hampered further actions to make it a success.\n\n\n\nOne of the interesting booths featuring Sabah handicrafts during the bird festival\n\n\n\nWhen we talk about destinations, there are numerous places like Danum Valley, Tabin, Maliau Basin, Kinabalu Park, Tawau Hills, Kinabatangan, Damarakot and of course here in Sepilok-Kabali.\u00a0\n\n\n\nAll the destinations above are more than ready to handle birding and wildlife watching, and even a majority of the guides are well-trained for both genres.\u00a0\n\n\n\nRight now the ministry does do some sort of promotions, but I have a feeling that the focus is on the tourism numbers and Chinese visitors versus the high-yield spenders.\u00a0\n\n\n\nIf the ministry can spend millions on other slow-to-develop tourism products, why can't they for once, allocate a large sum of funding to give wildlife and bird watching to actually develop a free and natural product instead of some other man-made products.\u00a0\n\n\n\nIf executed properly, this would bring Sabah to another level of tourism highlighting the wildlife and bird watching area to the world. After all, it could be a test module for just a couple of years.\u00a0\n\n\n\nPersonally, I see this as a potential investment for the ministry to embark on and trust me, I do not see a problem as the local destinations are all ready for this.\n\n\n\nI do really hope that someone in the ministry will read this and consider focusing on bird watching and wildlife experiences as one of the main attractions to promote.\u00a0\n\n\n\n2020 is Visit Malaysia Year and every time we execute this, the same old tourism products are being promoted. Why not introduce something special, and to a growing international market worldwide?\n\n\n\nA massive group photo at the end of the event\n\n\nConclusion\n\n\nThe event was indeed a success with a large number of people turning up for the Borneo Bird Festival in Sandakan, Sabah.\u00a0\n\n\n\nIt simply goes to show that there is a market for these kinds of specialized events, and it would gain world recognition if there were more funds allocated to market this event.\u00a0\n\n\n\nIt is not your regular localized event, but more of an educational and yet touristic-related event that highlights nature, wildlife and bird watching.\n\n\nTags\nBird Watching Events\nBird Watching News\nBorneo Bird Festival\nMalaysia\nMalaysia Bird Watching\nSabah\nSabah Bird Watching\nSandakan\n\n\n\n\n\nFacebook\nTwitter\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nShare:Borneo Bird Festival 2019 Trip Report\n\n\nFacebook\nTwitter\nWhatsApp\nPinterest\nLinkedIn\nReddit\nTumblr\nTelegram\nEmail\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nMalaysia Asia\nBlogging since 2007, but writing online since 1997. I belong to the 1st generation of worldwide bloggers, which is of course old-school. \n\nSince 2008, I created Malaysia Asia and this travel, flood, gadget and lifestyle blog has won numerous physical awards from tourism boards around Malaysia. (Not those online awards).\n\nAfter 12 years of blogging, I have semi-retired and now blog about things I like, do product reviews and enjoy life. My work has been featured in Lonely Planet, CNN Travel, Yahoo Travel, Wall Street Journal, and many other international publications. Find out more about me and thank you.\n\n\n\n\nYou might like\nView all\n\n\n\n\n\n\n"}
{"url": "http://blog.malaysia-asia.my/2022/08/kuala-lumpur-photography-festival-2022.html", "text": "\n\n\n\nHomeEvents\n\nKuala Lumpur Photography Festival 2022\n\n\n\n\nbyMalaysia Asia\n-August 07, 2022\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nThe\u00a0Kuala Lumpur Photography Festival 2022 is back again this September and will be held at the Viva Shopping Mall in KL city.For photographers, KLPF is the biggest and largest photography exhibition and festival in the country, which attract all kinds of photographers and visitors alike.Kuala Lumpur Photography Festival 2022The last\u00a0Kuala Lumpur Photography Festival 2021 was held on a last-minute arrangement after the Malaysian government decided to open the borders and loosen the SOPs for the Civid19 pandemic.Because of this arrangement, the organisers decided to go ahead but make it a hybrid format event where it was live-streamed on their official Facebook channel.During the event, they also had various talk sessions with renowned photographers and industry players via Zoom.For KLPF2021, a similar concept will also be done, and a little more focus will be put on the actual event at Viva Shopping Mall.Exhibition booths for photographers.Who is Participating in KLPF 2022?While many assume this is just a photographer's gathering, you will be surprised to see who participates in the event.We will see tourism boards, NGOs, camera shops, and camera and photography brands participating. Several photographic societies and clubs are also on the list.And there are even some overseas companies that also take part in promoting various photography-related tourism activities. Some schools also take part as exhibitors.Smartphone brands are also no strangers to the event, as over the years, notable brands have made their presence at KLPF.What KLPF 2021 looked like just after the borders opened.When is KLPF 2022?This year, KLPF 2022 will take place from 23-25 September 2022. It will be from Friday, Saturday and Sunday and at the main centre court area of the mall.Where is\u00a0Kuala Lumpur Photography Festival?The KLPF event will occur in Kuala Lumpur and at Viva Shopping Mall, Jalan Cheras. This has been the official venue for the last few years since it was held at the Mid Valley Exhibition Centre.How to go to\u00a0Kuala Lumpur Photography Festival?No train stations are located around Viva Shopping Mall; therefore, those taking public transport may have to take a taxi or ride-hailing service to get there. Just use Viva Shopping Mall. Those driving use Waze or Google Maps and head to Viva Shopping Mall.Viva Shopping Mall AddressLG, 85, Jln Loke Yew,Taman Miharja, 55200 Kuala Lumpur,Wilayah Persekutuan Kuala LumpurFor more information, please visit the KLPF website as they have everything you need to know, including the layout plan, vendors and participants and also the program for the weekend.Visitors viewing some photography at KLPF 2021.ConclusionThis year, the Kuala Lumpur Photography Festival 2022 will also be a hybrid format where the event will be live-streamed via Facebook. This is done for those who cannot attend and those who are out of Kuala Lumpur or Malaysia.\n\n\nTags\nEvents\nKLPF\nKLPF2022\nKuala Lumpur\nKuala Lumpur Photography Festival\nKuala Lumpur Photography Festival 2022\nMalaysia\nPhotography\n\n\n\n\n\nFacebook\nTwitter\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nShare:Kuala Lumpur Photography Festival 2022\n\n\nFacebook\nTwitter\nWhatsApp\nPinterest\nLinkedIn\nReddit\nTumblr\nTelegram\nEmail\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nMalaysia Asia\nBlogging since 2007, but writing online since 1997. I belong to the 1st generation of worldwide bloggers, which is of course old-school. \n\nSince 2008, I created Malaysia Asia and this travel, flood, gadget and lifestyle blog has won numerous physical awards from tourism boards around Malaysia. (Not those online awards).\n\nAfter 12 years of blogging, I have semi-retired and now blog about things I like, do product reviews and enjoy life. My work has been featured in Lonely Planet, CNN Travel, Yahoo Travel, Wall Street Journal, and many other international publications. Find out more about me and thank you.\n\n\n\n\nYou might like\nView all\n\n\n\n\n\n\n"}
{"url": "http://blog.malaysia-asia.my/2021/09/galaxy-z-flip3-5g-review-in-malaysia.html", "text": "\n\n\n\nHomeGalaxy Z Flip\n\nGalaxy Z Flip3 5G Review in Malaysia\n\n\n\n\nbyMalaysia Asia\n-September 26, 2021\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nAfter years of using a conventional smartphone, I have recently converted to a flip or folding phone in September 2021 and here is my honest\u00a0Galaxy Z Flip3 5G review.Since July of 2007, I had already been using a smartphone when the original Apple iPhone 1 was launched in the USA, and I had my unit shipped to me one day after the launch.To be honest, the technological advancements of smartphones in the last 14 years have really changed so much, and only those who started from day one will fully understand this.Galaxy Z Flip3 5G Review MalaysiaThe Galaxy Z Flip3 5G smartphone.From the humble iPhone 1 beginnings in 2007, I eventually moved to the Samsung Galaxy Note 1 in 2011 due to many positive reasons, namely the Android operating system (OS).And since moving over to Samsung, I have never looked back or regretted the change as I found more positive factors that made my experience even better.Over the years, the conventional one-face smartphone was the staple for everyone until the idea of a folding phone came around in 2019. First edition models made headlines, but the technology was still lacking.There was a mixed feeling among consumers, and of course, the mainstream media, critics and blogs took the opportunity to hammer these folding devices.But now, after two additional years of intense research, Samsung has come out as the leader in folding phones with some very impressive improvements.The Flip3 5G folding phone was reviewed outdoors.So, it has been a week since I started using the\u00a0Galaxy Z Flip3 5G phone, and to my surprise, so much has been improved from my initial review of the first Galaxy Z Flip I did in May 2020.I have to be honest and say that I'm still testing the flip phone out because I need to use it longer than just a few days to give it a full and proper review.Therefore, this is an overall quick review of the Galaxy Z Flip3 5G, while in the coming weeks, I will have more detailed reviews of the flip phone.Remember, I am a consumer-user of the folding phone and not one of those tech blogs or websites that do all these super technical reviews. I mean, which ordinary layman understands all this tech jargon?The most important number you should be concerned about is the processor, ram and storage, where both variations of the Z Flip3 come with the Snapdragon 888 chip, 128GB or 256GB storage, and 8GB of RAM.Z Flip3 CameraI've been a considerable smartphone photography person from the early days; therefore, the camera is probably one of the most important things for me in any smartphone.One of the functions I am currently addicted to is the ultra-wide camera system on the phone, making my landscape photography more enjoyable.And the Z Flip3 is the only flagship unit that comes with a unique two-camera setup. This includes a primary wide-angle 12MP at f/1.8 and a 12MP ultra-wide at f/2.2.In layman terms, these are some of the highest standards in photography, so you get amazing photos without trying too hard.This photo was taken at the Perdana Botanical Gardens using the standard mode on the Z Flip3 5G.What I Like About the\u00a0Galaxy Z Flip3 5G?I've always been used to the one-piece conventional smartphone design as it has grown on all of us over the last decade. And changing to the Galaxy Z Flip3 is something that needs getting used to.I will list down what I like below and just summarize it for easy reading.The Size - After folding the Z Flip3, it measures a fabulous 8.5cm x 7.5cm with a thickness of just 2cm. This is quite amazing as it fits into any standard pocket, bag or pouch.The Water Resistance - Wow, and I mean wow! How Samsung has managed to make this folding phone water resistance is totally mind-boggling. The new IPX8 rating means that this flip phone can be submerged in 1.5 metres of water for a whopping 15 minutes! Now, this takes folding phones to another whole new level.The Price - While the inaugural model in 2019 shocked many people with a relatively high price, Samsung surprised everyone when they dropped the cost of the Z Flip3 to RM3,999. Not only that, if you buy the Z Flip3 5G from Samsung, you will get additional discounts and promotions.What I Dislike About the Galaxy Z Flip3 5G?Folding Screen Crease\u00a0- To be honest, there is still a slight crease in the folding part of the screen, but it's not as apparent as the earlier model. So, this is still here to stay until they find a solution, which I think is not a significant issue.Camera Area Heating Up - If you decide to be a sports or fashion photographer, this is not the camera you want to use, as continuous shooting will heat up the camera lens area. So, the camera is made for casual lifestyle photography.Battery Life - This is probably one of the irks for many smartphone users as everyone wants to have the longest battery life. However, it also depends on how you use the phone.If you are someone who is constantly online, multi-tasking with social media, websites, youtube and playing games, you probably need a large power bank on standby.But if you are a minimalist or casual user, the battery life will suit your daily lifestyle for almost an entire day, depending on the usage.Being Honest About My ReviewsAfter years of reviewing smartphones, I have found that many try very hard to over-review smartphones and avoid any negative or bad comments and suggestions.To me, I have always been both positive and negative to give a well-balanced review. This again is to show that I am not just doing it for the sake of doing it like many out there.The unique\u00a0Galaxy Z Flip3 5G.More Detailed InformationFor even more detailed information, specifications, videos and offers, please visit the Samsung Malaysia website.You can also visit any Samsung outlets around your town or city to see the actual model on display. There, you can also test out the folding phone and ask the staff questions.ConclusionAs mentioned earlier in this article, I am an everyday user of this smartphone and not a gadget techie who talks numbers and tech jargon in their reviews.My aim is to provide a simple and easy to understand review for anyone who wants to know more about this folding smartphone.I hope you found my\u00a0Galaxy Z Flip3 5G review in Malaysia entertaining, and if you have any questions, please do ask me here, and I will do my best to answer them for you.\n\n\nTags\nGalaxy Z Flip\nGalaxy Z Flip3 5G Review\nSamsung\nSamsung Galaxy\nSamsung Galaxy Z Flip\nSamsung Malaysia\nSmartphone Review\nSmartphone Reviews\n\n\n\n\n\nFacebook\nTwitter\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nShare:Galaxy Z Flip3 5G Review in Malaysia\n\n\nFacebook\nTwitter\nWhatsApp\nPinterest\nLinkedIn\nReddit\nTumblr\nTelegram\nEmail\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nMalaysia Asia\nBlogging since 2007, but writing online since 1997. I belong to the 1st generation of worldwide bloggers, which is of course old-school. \n\nSince 2008, I created Malaysia Asia and this travel, flood, gadget and lifestyle blog has won numerous physical awards from tourism boards around Malaysia. (Not those online awards).\n\nAfter 12 years of blogging, I have semi-retired and now blog about things I like, do product reviews and enjoy life. My work has been featured in Lonely Planet, CNN Travel, Yahoo Travel, Wall Street Journal, and many other international publications. Find out more about me and thank you.\n\n\n\n\nYou might like\nView all\n\n\n\n\n\n\n"}
{"url": "http://blog.malaysia-asia.my/2021/11/galaxy-s22-ultra-rumours.html", "text": "\n\n\n\nHomeGadget Review\n\nGalaxy S22 Ultra Rumours Malaysia\n\n\n\n\nbyMalaysia Asia\n-November 07, 2021\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nRight now, the Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra rumours are getting more interesting, especially with the news that this flagship unit from Samsung will be released in the next couple of months.In Malaysia, not many people are excited, unlike in the western countries where every other tech and gadget website has already been speculating and writing about this since mid-2021.While most Malaysians and Asians are not overly excited, I, for a fact, a genuine Samsung Galaxy user since the Note 1 days, am pretty curious about the upcoming S22 Ultra. Namely the camera functions and what has been improved since the S10 Plus.Galaxy S22 Ultra Rumours in MalaysiaA render of the\u00a0Galaxy S22 Ultra in a lovely red colour from a YouTube screengrab.With so many different rumours of the S22 going around, I always keep an open mind and just wait for the official announcement from Samsung. I mean, what's the point of speculating? What will you get out of it?Over the last five years, since the internet became more social, many people have seen the opportunity to jump on the bandwagon and get people to visit their websites or blogs by doing speculations like these.Now, you must also be wondering why I am writing about this? Well, truth be told, I used to wait until I obtained the actual unit before writing a review on smartphones in Malaysia.And over the years, the landscape has changed pretty much where everyone wants to be the first to review, and it came to a point where people started extracting info from other pre-review sited and re-write it on their own.For me, I've been reviewing smartphones since the early days of 2010 when almost no one was doing it. Suddenly, every other person or website seems to be the pros of reviews. Well, I'm just sticking true to what I do, and I actually use the smartphones by actual testing them on the field.I don't like to get a review unit, use it for a couple of weeks, and then write a review. I find that that is not the right way of doing a review.Right now, I am still an avid fan of the Galaxy S10 Plus, and you can read my S10 Plus camera review, which I took around Malaysia for my photography.That is how reviews should be, with actual proper usage, testing in different conditions, locations, and situations.Recently in November 2021, I took a quick trip to Sekinchan in Selangor for a Galaxy Z Flip3 5G review with some serious photography there.And one of my new subjects in photography is flora and fauna macro; therefore, I have been putting a lot of interest in this area, namely for my dragonfly photography in Malaysia.What am I expecting for the Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra?\u00a0As an avid Galaxy user, I am pretty stoked about the rumoured minor improvements done to the camera system and cannot wait to try that out. The rumoured camera specifications are also giving me goosebumps.Let me just share what I am looking forward to.Camera - The Galaxy S22 Ultra is expected to have a;108MP main camera10MP 10x telephoto camera10MP 3x telephoto camera12MP ultra-wide-angle cameraScreen - It is speculated to feature a 6.8\u2033 AMOLED Quad HD+ with a 120Hz refresh rate.Battery - It looks like a large 5,000mAh battery that supports 45W fast charging via USB-C is what the S22 is getting.The 5-camera system on the Galaxy S22 Ultra.When will the Galaxy S22 Ultra be Launched?According to multiple sources, the Samsung Galaxy S22 series is expected to be announced in mid-February 2022, just before Mobile World Congress 2022.ConclusionMain Photo Credit: GMS Arena.Well, as I patiently wait for the official news from Samsung, I really hope that the S22 will over exceed its so-called rumours and come out as the best flagship smartphone for 2022.For the Samsung fans here, you can also check some of my other smartphone reviews in Malaysia done over the years by me.And while we wait patiently, this is all I know about the\u00a0Galaxy S22 Ultra rumours circulating on the internet since mid this year.\n\n\nTags\nGadget Review\nGalaxy S22\nGalaxy S22 Ultra\nGalaxy S22 Ultra Review\nMalaysia\nSamsung\nSamsung Malaysia\nSamsung S22\nSmartphone Review\nSmartphone Reviews\nTravel Smartphone\n\n\n\n\n\nFacebook\nTwitter\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nShare:Galaxy S22 Ultra Rumours Malaysia\n\n\nFacebook\nTwitter\nWhatsApp\nPinterest\nLinkedIn\nReddit\nTumblr\nTelegram\nEmail\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nMalaysia Asia\nBlogging since 2007, but writing online since 1997. I belong to the 1st generation of worldwide bloggers, which is of course old-school. \n\nSince 2008, I created Malaysia Asia and this travel, flood, gadget and lifestyle blog has won numerous physical awards from tourism boards around Malaysia. (Not those online awards).\n\nAfter 12 years of blogging, I have semi-retired and now blog about things I like, do product reviews and enjoy life. My work has been featured in Lonely Planet, CNN Travel, Yahoo Travel, Wall Street Journal, and many other international publications. Find out more about me and thank you.\n\n\n\n\nYou might like\nView all\n\n\n\n\n\n\n"}