HomeGalaxy Fold3

Merdeka 118 Photos with Galaxy Z Fold3

byMalaysia Asia
-December 09, 2021

This 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 Merdeka 118 skyscraper was photographed using a Galaxy Z Fold3 smartphone.An ultra-wide photo of the main entrance to Merdeka 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.

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Galaxy Z Fold3
Galaxy Z Fold3 Review
Kuala Lumpur
Malaysia
Merdeka 118
Merdeka 118 Building
Photography
Samsung Galaxy
Smartphone Review
Smartphone Reviews
Tallest Building in Malaysia

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Malaysia Asia
Blogging since 2007, but writing online since 1997. I belong to the 1st generation of worldwide bloggers, which is of course old-school.

Since 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).

After 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.

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HomeAirlines

Pangkor Island Airport To Reopen

byMalaysia Asia
-May 29, 2019

The Pulau Pangkor Island Airport is to reopen this 1 October 2019 on 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.

This airport is also called Lapangan Terbang Pulau Pangkor, a direct translation from the Malay language and has an airport code of PKG.

Flights to Pangkor Island Airport will be from Sultan Abdul Aziz Shah (Subang Airport), which is scheduled to be a daily direct flight.

The 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.

Pangkor Island Airport To Reopen

The current structure of the Pangkor Island Airport. Photo SKS Airways Facebook

According 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.

However, 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.

This 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.

View of the current Pulau Pangkor Airport in the old design. Photo SKS Airways Facebook

For the inaugural flights to the island, it is mentioned that there will be direct flights from Subang Airport in Petaling Jaya.

There are also plans for direct flights from Ipoh’s Sultan Azlan Shah Airport to Pangkor Airport, but the focus is still on the Subang Airport or Sultan Abdul Aziz Shah Airport in Selangor.

History of Pangkor Island Airport

The Pangkor STOL Airport Runway from above

The airport at Pangkor Island officially opened in 1993 as a STOL or short take of and landing airport suitable for only small turboprop planes.

The airstrip measures 732 meters long, which can only accommodate smaller passenger planes like the DCH-6 Twin Otter aircraft, and the de Havilland Canada Dash 7.

One 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.

There 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 now operates private charters.

Pangkor 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.

When Will Pangkor Island Airport Open?

The official news states that the Pulau Pangkor Airport will start operations on 1 October 2019. This was mentioned in the mainstream news at the end of March 2019.*Updated news states Pangkor airport will open on 22 January 2022.

There will also be flights starting before the official date due to testing and familiarization with operations.

SKS Airways DCH-6 Twin Otter aircraft

Which Airlines Will Fly To Pangkor Island Airport?

From 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.

SKS Airways will operate the Pangkor flights with a DCH-6 Twin Otter plane, a 19-seater turboprop aircraft.

Please 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.

The 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.

SKS Airways, a Malaysia-Australia group

SKS 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.

Only SKS Airways will be flying to Pangkor from Subang, and there has been no news about any other airline flying there.

The main reason is the STOL runway, which can only cater to small turboprop aircraft like the Twin Otter, Dash 7 and ATR42-500.

Most other airlines in Malaysia that operate turboprop planes have the ATR72-500, which cannot land at a STOL airport.

The Berjaya Air Dash 7 aircraft used to fly to Pangkor Island. Photo Wikipedia.

How Long Will It Take To Fly To Pangkor Island?

From 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.

SKS 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.

I have flown on the Twin Otter plane to various destinations in Sarawak, one of which is the Bakelalan Airport in the Sarawak Highlands.

Where the Pangkor Island Airport is located at

Where Is Pangkor Island Airport?

The 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.

Pangkor Island is small, and from the airport to Pangkor Town in the south, it only takes a 15-minute drive.

Those travelling to some of the hotels, resorts, and homestays on Pangkor Island will take you from a five to 20 minutes drive.

But if you plan to stay at Pangkor Laut Resort, you can fly in and then take a boat service to Pangkor Laut Island.

An aerial view of the Pangkor Island Airport near Teluk Dalam

Conclusion

Since the news came out in late May 2019, many locals in Pangkor Island have been looking forward to reopening the airport.

This is a very positive move towards tourism on the island, and locals hope that direct flights to Pangkor Island will bring in more tourists.

The reopening of the Pangkor Airport also compliments the island becoming a duty-free island from 1 January 2020.

Pangkor 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.

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Airport News
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Perak

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Malaysia Asia
Blogging since 2007, but writing online since 1997. I belong to the 1st generation of worldwide bloggers, which is of course old-school.

Since 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).

After 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.

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HomeFeel Sabah

Feel Sabah, North Borneo Campaign Launched

byMalaysia Asia
-March 20, 2023

The 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). According 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. Furthermore, this emphasises our geographical location as a Malaysian State on the Northern part of Borneo Island." Mataking is one of the beautiful islands that Sabah, North Borneo has to offer. STB 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 Feel Sabah, North Borneo Campaign was launched on the first day of the MATTA Fair March 2023, which was 17 March, a Friday.

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Feel Sabah
Feel Sabah North Borneo
Malaysia
Sabah
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Malaysia Asia
Blogging since 2007, but writing online since 1997. I belong to the 1st generation of worldwide bloggers, which is of course old-school.

Since 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).

After 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.

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HomeChina

China to Laos Bullet Train Service Launched

byMalaysia Asia
-October 19, 2021

China 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 Lao 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? According 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－Chinese, Laotian and English. The 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.

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China Train Travel
Laos
Laos Train Travel
Train Reviews
Train Travel
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Malaysia Asia
Blogging since 2007, but writing online since 1997. I belong to the 1st generation of worldwide bloggers, which is of course old-school.

Since 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).

After 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.

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HomeGalaxy S22

Unboxing the Galaxy S22+ First Impression

byMalaysia Asia
-March 07, 2022

A 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.
DisclaimerJust 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 Unboxing the Galaxy S22+ first impression article as I have been writing about my experiences for the last ten years, sharing them with my readers.

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Galaxy S22 Plus Review
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Smartphone Review
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Malaysia Asia
Blogging since 2007, but writing online since 1997. I belong to the 1st generation of worldwide bloggers, which is of course old-school.

Since 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).

After 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.

You might like
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HomeGalaxy S20 Ultra

Samsung Galaxy S20 Ultra Launch in Malaysia

byMalaysia Asia
-February 28, 2020

The much-awaited Samsung Galaxy S20 Ultra launch in Malaysia was done on the 28th of February and at the St. Regis Hotel in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

While 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.

Anyway, the event took place in the ballroom at the St.Regis Hotel, which started at 5.30 PM, ending at around 8.00 PM.

Launching of the Samsung Galaxy S20 Ultra in Malaysia

Incited guests and media await the launch outside the St. Regis KL ballroom.

Overall, I have to conclude that the launch was fully centred around the camera and video capabilities that the new Galaxy S20 offers.

Utilizing 2020, Samsung's mission is all about a year that signifies a whole new generation or era of revolution.

With 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.

Samsung Malaysia President Mr YS Kim holds the S20 Phones during the launch here in KL.

At the launch, I honestly expected the Samsung Malaysia president Mr Yoonsoo Kim or YS Kim, to indulge more of the smartphone's capabilities.

However, 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.

A special Malaysian 'Team Samsung' was also on stage for the photo opportunity with Mr YS Kim, each holding a Galaxy S20.

Mr 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.

The nice ambience of the ballroom during the exclusive launch of the Galaxy S20 Smartphone in KL, Malaysia.

The 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.

Live 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.

Below are the key elements that were shared during the launching of the Samsung Galaxy S20 in Malaysia.

As always, Samsung's launches are always impressive.

Space Zoom on Galaxy S20 Ultra

This mode is what most people are intrigued about where a telescopic 100X zoom is introduced on the S20 Ultra.

The mechanism uses a combination of Hybrid Optic Zoom and a Super Resolution Zoom, which is, of course, an AI-powered digital zoom.

The 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.

I have yet to fully test this model and function, so when I get a chance, I will share it in another article.

Please note that only the S20 Ultra comes with the 10x Hybrid Optic Zoom and 100x Super-Resolution Zoom.

Media testing out the Galaxy S20 just after the launching event.

Single Take on Galaxy S20

Probably 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?

Well, 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.

This seems to be targeted towards social media and lifestyle users who want to get the best out of their photo taking.

So, 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.

8K Video Filming on Galaxy S20

Say 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.

Along 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.

Honestly, 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.

What are the Galaxy S20 Specifications?

This one is rather technical, and if you are truly interested in finding out more, you can always visit the official Samsung Galaxy S20 website for the full details.

While 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.

The available colours of the Galaxy S20 in Malaysia.

What Are The Galaxy S20 Models Available In Malaysia?

With the Galaxy S20 Malaysia launch concluded, there will only be three models for the Samsung Galaxy S20 series available for Malaysians.

They are listed below with available colours and retail prices.

Galaxy S20 - Comes in Cosmic Grey, Cloud Blue, and Cloud Pink. Retails at RM3,599
Galaxy S20+ - Comes in Cosmic Grey, Cloud Blue, and Cloud Pink. Retails at RM3,999
Galaxy S20 Ultra - Comes in Cosmic Grey, Cosmic Black. Retails at RM4,999

The exclusive gifts are available during the Galaxy S20 Roadshow in Malaysia.

Any phone can be traded in to get an RM400 rebate.

A change to walk home with a new 50" Samsung TV during the roadshow promotion.

Samsung Galaxy S20 Roadshow in Malaysia

As 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.

While 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.

Did this get your attention? If it did, let me share the deals offered below;

Exclusive Roadshow Gift - Wireless Charger Pad and 128GB microSD card worth RM378.
Earlybird Reward - Buyers are entitled to be in the running to win an exclusive Samsung 50" 4K Smart UHD TV worth RM2,599.

Camera Trade-in - or any old camera and get an RM400 rebate for purchases on any Galaxy S20 model.

*Please note that customers can only choose one option for options #2 and #3, and it is only for the first 500 redemptions nationwide.

Locations of the Galaxy S20 Roadshow in Malaysia.

Where is the Galaxy S20 Roadshow Being Held in Malaysia?

Now 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.

Date: 6th to 8th March 2020 at;

Mid-Valley Megamall Kuala Lumpur
Queensbay Mall, Penang
Mid Valley Southkey, Johor Bahru, Johor
East Coast Mall, Kuantan Pahang
Imago Shopping Mall, Kota Kinabalu Sabah

The live S20 units were available for the media to test.

Before I conclude, I would like to highlight that all the photos were taken with a Samsung Galaxy S10 Plus.
Conclusion

You can also read my review on the Galaxy S10 Plus camera, which is my current smartphone and a Galaxy Note review that I had the opportunity to test a couple of months ago.

Again, 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.

I started with the Galaxy GT-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.

With that, I trust that you find this article on the Samsung Galaxy S20 Ultra Launch in Malaysia interesting and that you may even visit the roadshow or a Samsung outlet to check the phones out.

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Malaysia Asia
Blogging since 2007, but writing online since 1997. I belong to the 1st generation of worldwide bloggers, which is of course old-school.

Since 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).

After 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.

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HomeAirlines

Marinda Airport Waisai Review

byMalaysia Asia
-February 21, 2019

This 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.

You 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.

From other major cities in Indonesia, all the flights will land at the Domine Eduard Osok Airport in Sorong, West Papua.

Usually, travellers will take the ferry or boat to Waisai before catching the local boats to your resort in Raja Ampat.

For those who get seasick, flying from Sorong to Waisai would be your best option, as it only takes a 30-minute flight.

If 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.

Review of Marinda Airport Waisai

The welcome sign as you walk into the Marinda Airport in Waisai, Raja Ampat

On 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.

Therefore, I am doing this airport review for anyone who plans to do this same route to cut some travel time.

The Marinda Airport (RJM) is considered one of the tiny airports in this part of Indonesia, a Class 3 domestic airport.

This is also the closest airport to Waisai Harbor, where you catch your boat to the resort you are staying at.

The Marinda Airport officially opened in May 2012 due to increased tourism to Raja Ampat.

Currently, the airport is undergoing structural renovations to better the facilities and load of the terminal.

The 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.

Arriving lets you walk to the main terminal building.

The 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.

The 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.

This 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.

Surprisingly in 2017, a total of 40,000 tourists visited Raja Ampat, making this one of the up-and-coming places to visit in Indonesia.

Here 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 Marcus Wanma and also vice Bupati Inda Arfan.

So they simply named the airport after both of them, calling it Marinda.

The baggage collection area is still manual here.

Facilities at Marinda Airport Waisai

When 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.

Sorry, there is no shuttle bus or aero bridges here; you exit the aircraft and take a nice slow walk to the terminal building.

The 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.

You 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.

Once you have collected your luggage, it will take you five steps, and you will be outside the arrival entrance.

Here 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.

Before you exit, there are some general notice boards with signs indicating how much it will cost to travel around Waisai.

The one and only gift and general store at Marinda Airport

Sorry 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.

If 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.

There 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.

But 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.

Promotional banners on Raja Ampat are the only colours you see just as you exit the airport.

Yes, only one little shop sells coffee, tea, some local snacks, and instant noodles. This is located just outside the arrival hall by the entrance.

From 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.

There is nothing modern like  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.

The transportation service from the Marinda Airport to various places in Waisai

Outside, minor renovations are still ongoing, but at a very slow pace as debris and construction materials are seen lying around the area.

Well, 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.

Marinda 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.

It was a classic design with no air-conditioned and slide-up windows; this was indeed a trip down memory lane.

The bus ride took us through a pristine rainforest, which was so raw, just like those I have seen deep in Borneo.

I 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.

You can imagine the look on my face when I saw it. This is truly Raja Ampat.

If you are planning to visit this exotic place in West Papua, please remember to get your Raja Ampat Marine park permit from Sorong before you come to Waisai.

Wings Air ATR-72 aircraft that flies to the Marinda Airport.

Airlines that fly to Marinda Airport in Waisai

As 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.

Wings 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.

Nam Air and Sriwijaya Air are to operate flights to Marinda Airport from Sorong Airport. There are 17 flights a week operating this route, but you should double check the schedules, as, at times, other airlines may cancel or reschedule.

News also surfaced in 2018 that there may be AirAsia flights to Raja Ampat soon, but it was only verbally announced.

Once 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.

Marinda Airport Waisai

Address: Jln. Marinda Waisai Raja Ampat.
GPS Coordinates: 00 ° 25'56,3 "S130 ° 46'22,33" E

Contact: marinda.airport@gmail.com

Final Thoughts on the Marinda Airport Review

Raja 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.

The destination also contains the richest marine biodiversity on earth, making this place one of the best places for snorkelling and scuba diving.

To 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.

Overall, 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.

Again, 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.

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Malaysia Asia
Blogging since 2007, but writing online since 1997. I belong to the 1st generation of worldwide bloggers, which is of course old-school.

Since 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).

After 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.

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HomeHotel News

Sunway Hotel Big Box Review

byMalaysia Asia
-October 02, 2021

For 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 – 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 Café (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.

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Malaysia Asia
Blogging since 2007, but writing online since 1997. I belong to the 1st generation of worldwide bloggers, which is of course old-school.

Since 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).

After 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.

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HomeFrasers Hill

What to do at Fraser's Hill? A Complete List

byMalaysia Asia
-August 08, 2020

Fraser'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 Fraser'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 Fraser'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. Because 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. 4. 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. It 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. Visitors 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 Moth 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.   The unique Fraser's Hill signboard.When is the Best Time to Visit Fraser's Hill? Anytime 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? Generally, 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 Pahang 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 C. 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.

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Malaysia Asia
Blogging since 2007, but writing online since 1997. I belong to the 1st generation of worldwide bloggers, which is of course old-school.

Since 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).

After 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.

You might like
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HomeAirlines

PIA restarts Lahore to Kuala Lumpur flights in 2022

byMalaysia Asia
-July 09, 2022

Good 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.

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Malaysia Asia
Blogging since 2007, but writing online since 1997. I belong to the 1st generation of worldwide bloggers, which is of course old-school.

Since 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).

After 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.

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HomeFolding Phone Reviews

Galaxy Z Fold4 Photography at Sarawak UNESCO Caves

byMalaysia Asia
-October 12, 2022

One 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. Well, 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. I 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 subterranean 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.

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Folding Phone Reviews
Galaxy Z Fold4
Galaxy Z Fold4 Review
Malaysia
Photography
Samsung Galaxy
Samsung Malaysia
Sarawak
Smartphone Photography
Smartphone Review
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Malaysia Asia
Blogging since 2007, but writing online since 1997. I belong to the 1st generation of worldwide bloggers, which is of course old-school.

Since 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).

After 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.

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HomeMalaysia

Samsung Galaxy S10 Plus Camera Review

byMalaysia Asia
-September 26, 2019

After 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.

You 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.

Review of the Samsung Galaxy S10 Plus Camera

An ultra-wide shot taken at Kuala Baram Wetlands in Miri, Sarawak

While 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?

Anyway, I got my Samsung Galaxy S10 Plus in June of 2019 and tested the smartphone in various conditions all around Malaysia.

I 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.

However, 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.

Apart 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.

So, 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.

The many modes that are available on the Galaxy S10 Plus

Galaxy Note 10 Plus Camera Modes

I 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.

In technical jargon, the Galaxy S10 Plus is a triple-lens camera that comes with;

A standard 12-megapixel lens with a variable f/1.5 to f/2.4 aperture
12-megapixel telephoto lens with an f/2.4 aperture
16-megapixel ultra-wide-angle lens with an f/2.2 aperture

The triple camera system on the Samsung Galaxy S10 Plus. Photo from Samsung Malaysia

So, 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.

Forget 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.

I must stress that all the photos posted here are not edited, only to put in the watermark and resized for publication.

Also, 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.

Red Durians (Durian Isu) from Miri, Sarawak. The photo was taken with the standard photo mode.

Standard Photo Mode on Galaxy S10 Plus

Simple photographers will go straight for the standard "Photo" mode, which is your easiest way to take photos.

Once 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.

It 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.

Kolo Mee with homemade noodles from Pujut in Miri. Food mood used for this photo

Food Photo Mode on Galaxy S10 Plus

This 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.

The 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.

The 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.

The very unique Marudi Fried Kuey Teow in Miri, Sarawak. The photo was taken using the food mode.

So, 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.

The 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.

Another function in Food Mode is the Palette, which controls the photo's colour and temperature before taking it.

Ultra-wide photo taken at the Summit Cafe in Miri, serving authentic Orang Ulu food in Sarawak

At 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.

I 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.

The food mode is also exciting, especially when the function gives you a rich tone for food photography. Other settings do not give you this.

If 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.

Ultra-wide photo taken at the Damai Beach Resort in Santubong, Sarawak

Instagram Photo Mode on Galaxy S10 Plus

Everyone'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.

But 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.

The '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.

If you ask me, this is just a shortcut for those who hate editing and resizing photos to fit into your Instagram specific crop.

Damai Beach in Sarawak, taken with the Panorama mode on the phone

Panorama Photo Mode on Galaxy S10 Plus

Use 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.

The 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.

Also, when you are panning from left to right or the other way, be sure to go slow and keep the line straight when panning.

And, you can also take panoramic photos horizontally! So, either way, this works any way you like your photo to turn out.

The amazing turn out on the night mode of the phone

Night Photo Mode on Galaxy S10 Plus

This 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.

Since 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.

A small trick I learned is when you take the photo, put down the contrast, and look even better when there are many lights.

You also need to hold the phone steady for a good five or six seconds when taking a photo using the night mode.

The Miri Waterfront, photo taken at around 9.00 PM with night mode

The Curve and eCurve shopping mall in Mutiara Damansara, photo taken around 8.00 PM with night mode

Pro Photo Mode on Galaxy S10 Plus

Honestly, 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.

Settings include almost everything that is found in modern-day DSLR cameras, with aperture, shutter speed, white balance and so on.

To properly use this mode, you need to understand how a camera functions; otherwise, it will be confusing and frustrating.

Live Focus Photo Mode on Galaxy S10 Plus

Another 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.

It 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.

But I believe I will find some other way to explore this function, so stay tuned.

The Tusan Horse Rock at Tusan Beach in Miri, Sarawak. Taken with the ultra-wide mode during sunset

Landscape Photos with the Samsung Galaxy S10 Plus

Below are some other random landscape photos were taken around Sarawak using the normal and ultra-wide modes on the camera.

Again, 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.

So what you see is the true colours of the camera here.

The Hornbill Monument at Damai Central in Santubong, Sarawak during sunset. Ultra-wide mode

Mount Santubong view from a floating fish farm along the Santubong River. Ultra-wide mode

Sunset at Damai Beach in Sarawak. Using ultra-wide mode only.

Using the Ultra-Wide mode to capture the full moment in Miri, Sarawak

A sunset photo at Coco Cabana in Miri, using the ultra-wide mode

The Seahorse statue at the Miri Waterfront by the Pullman Miri Hotel. Taken using night-mode at 6am

The Sunday 'Tamu' or open market in Miri City, Sarawak. Ultra-wide used here

The departure hall at Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) using Ultra-wide mode

Conclusion

Overall, many people have had different opinions and reviews about the Samsung Galaxy S10 Plus, and you should pay attention to who is reviewing them.

Many tech bloggers, lifestyle bloggers, online portals, and even photographers have given their own opinions.
I 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.

I have also done a camera review for the Galaxy Note 10 Plus in October 2019 if you want to see any comparison between the two models.

For 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.
Over 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.

I 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.

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Malaysia Asia
Blogging since 2007, but writing online since 1997. I belong to the 1st generation of worldwide bloggers, which is of course old-school.

Since 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).

After 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.

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HomeAgro Tourism in Malaysia

Agro Homestay in Melaka

byMalaysia Asia
-November 29, 2022

Many 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
A banana flower from the local farm.

A type of hanging fruit.

Harvesting the Palm Oil fruit.

They call this fruit "Ciku".

Wildflowers growing freely.

Local Melaka Kampung Durians are ready to be harvested.

Visited a goat pen.

Fortunate to witness a goat giving birth to a baby.

The mother goat cleans the 'kid', a baby goat.

Mother gave birth to two kids, one black and one white.

Paddy field in Parit Penghulu.

Farmers irrigate the paddy fields.

Demonstrating how they pick the rice.

A palm seed species in beautiful colours.

Melaka also grows pineapples, as Parit Penghulu is close to Johor.

Green Rambutans at a local orchard.

Rubber tapping was demonstrated.

Traditional Rubber Trees in a plantation here.
A sign showing the paddy field area.Where is the Agro Homestay in Melaka? This 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.

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Agro Tourism in Malaysia
Community Based Tourism
Malaysia
Malaysia Agro Tourism
Malaysia Homestay
Melaka
Melaka Homestay
Parit Penghulu
Sungai Rambai
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Malaysia Asia
Blogging since 2007, but writing online since 1997. I belong to the 1st generation of worldwide bloggers, which is of course old-school.

Since 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).

After 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.

You might like
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