GTN 10.4 by Chandi Media Group & Media MNC Nusantara

PUBLISHER SURI MEDIA SDN BHD | KUMPULAN MEDIA CHANDI | SIRRON GALERIA SDN BHD | TRINITY DESIGNWORKS ADVISOR CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER MANAGING DIRECTOR SGSB PROGRAMMES, OPERATIONS & RELATIONS DIRECTOR GENERAL MANAGER KTSB FINANCE DIRECTOR KTSB FINANCE & ACCOUNTING KTSB PRODUCTION MANAGER DISTRIBUTION MANAGER ADMIN & BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT MANAGER TRAFFIC MANAGER GOVERNMENT RELATIONS MANAGERS ADVERTISING MANAGERS

Editorial EDITOR-IN-CHEIF Juhan Kamaruddin @ Jeremy Khalil CREATIVE EDITOR Irina Katjusha CONTRIBUTING EDITOR Irnee Polina ONLINE EDITOR Ed Junaidi Abu Bakar WRITERS Shahida Sakeri | Raihan Fozian | Furqaan Hod | Adela Roslan | Mohd Mursi CORRESPONDENT WRITER (INDIA) Midhun Shibu Pandala CORRESPONDENT WRITER (GERMANY) Anne Bechler CORRESPONDENT WRITERS (PHILIPPINES) Edgar Alan Zeta-Yap | Vittorio Lloyd GRAPHIC DESIGNER Imaya Irinushka ILLUSTRATOR Emila Yusof CONTRIBUTORS Adela Roslan | Nawar Anisah | Tourism Malaysia

AVAILABLE ON BOARD

PHOTOGRAPHERS Amierah Noor Ibrahim Faiz Jalal Zaty Ramlan Furqaan Hod Corporate Communications Unit, Ministry of Tourism & Culture Malaysia Photography Unit, Tourism Malaysia

& MAS GOLDEN LOUNGES SUPPORTED BY

Ministry of Tourism & Cultural Malaysia

Online Magazine

www.gayatravel.com.my

Subscription, Editorial and Advertising Enquiries Advertising Enquiries:

(+603) 7972 0952

advertising@gayatravel.com.my | Editorial Enquiries:

editor@gayatravel.com.my

Gaya Travel Magazine - Editorial Office Suites B-08-07, The Scott Soho (Scott Garden), Old Klang Road, 52200 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

(+603) 7972 0952

Printing Biz Prints Sdn Bhd

Distribution MPH (Malaysia & Singapore) | FMCG International Copyright @ 2015 Suri Media Sdn Bhd | Chandi Media Group | Sirron Galeria Sdn Bhd | Trinity Designworks | Chandi Enterprise All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without permission from the publisher and editor is strictly prohibited. All information is accurate at time of press but subject to change. The publisher and its employees cannot be held liable for any error, inaccuracy and/or admissions whatsoever caused. Liability would not be accepted for any action taken based on the views expressed or information provided in this publication.

Contents

issue 10.4

Departments Editor’s Note 12 Calendar of Events 16 Bulletin 20

Destinations Eat.Travel.Write Selangor Culinary Adventure 74 Falling for Made-in-Portugal 84 24 Hours in Bandar Seri Begawan 92 Jottings on Jordan, an Oasis of Peace in the Middle East – Part I of II 98 Quick Tour of Negeri Sembilan 110 GayaTravel Selected 10 Picks - Destinations to Find Inspiration 116 Exploring Redang’s Underwater Wonders Ship Wreck Dive 2015 136 Kuching: The Door to Borneo 142

142 010

Gaya Traveller

Adela’s Doodled Travelogue 40

Gaya Café Culture 50

Gaya Interview Datuk Rashidi Hasbullah, Deputy Secretary General of the Ministry of Tourism and Culture Malaysia 60 Michael Lee, General Manager of Fraser Residence Kuala Lumpur 64 Mr Aamir Khan, General Manager of Hotel Istana 68

154

Hotels & Resorts Adelphi Hotel, Australia 150 QT Hotel, Australia 154 Intercontinental Hotel, Australia 158 Berjaya Waterfront Hotel, Johor Bahru 160 Anantara Uluwatu Bali Resort & Spa, Indonesia 164 Hu’u Villas, Indonesia 168 The Haven, Ipoh 170 Gaya Travel 10.4: Cover Illustration by Emila Yusof www.emilayusof.com 011

The latter part of 2015 has indeed been challenging, with Malaysia and its neighbours suffering from the persistently unhealthy haze that affected regional travel; a global economic slowdown that affects international tourism arrivals; and the fall in the value of Ringgit and Rupiah, discouraging many Malaysians and Indonesians from travelling overseas. However, despite such problems, we believe that travellers of today are more sophisticated and ingenious, proving resilient and resourceful in creatively finding ways to continue travelling and enriching their lives. And hereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s where Gaya Travel Magazine hopes to assist travellers of today: by constantly offering ideas and suggestions within its pages on where to go and what to do, come what may. From Langkawi and Kuching to Jordan and even Lisbon, we hope our readers will be able to find inspiration and the confidence to continue travelling in not just trying to find the destinations but also themselves. May all of you travellers find the most important thing during your travels, which is your true self. See you in the next issue...

JUHAN KAMARUDDIN@JEREMY KHALIL Email your comments to editor@gayatravel.com.my or jeremy@gayatravel.com.my

012

Online OFFICIAL ONLINE MAGAZINE www.gayatravel.com.my

OFFICIAL TWITTER PAGE www.twitter.com/gayatravel

OFFICIAL INSTAGRAM www.instagram.com/gayatravel

OFFICIAL FAN PAGE

www.facebook.com/gayatravel

Free Copies are available at: MALAYSIAN GOVERNMENT OFFICES/AGENCIES Malaysian Ministries ALL Tourism Malaysia State Offices Tourism Malaysia Overseas Offices Tourism Malaysia Information Centre (TIC) Malaysian Embassies & Consulates

TOURISM BOARDS/AUTHORITIES Singapore, Brunei, Thailand, Indonesia & New Zealand

AIRPORTS Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA), Malaysia KLIA 2, Malaysia Soekarno Hatta International Airport, Indonesia Changi Airport, Singapore

014

AIRLINES

SPAS

MAS Golden Lounge, KLIA Fire Fly, Subang Skypark Garuda Indonesia, KLIA Japan Airlines, KLIA Austrian Airlines, KLIA Emirates, KLIA Cathay Pacific, KLIA

Selected spas in Malaysia, Indonesia, Singapore, Thailand, India, Cambodia, Brunei, Sri Lanka & China

HOTELS & RESORTS

Hotels, Resorts and Food & Baverage outlets interested to receive FREE copies of GAYA TRAVEL MAGAZINE please e-mail to:

Selected hotels and resorts in Malaysia, Indonesia, Singapore, Thailand, Brunei, Cambodia, London, India, Australia & China

FOOD & BEVERAGE Starbucks Outlets throughout Malaysia, selected F&B outlets in Malaysia, Indonesia, Singapore, Thailand, Brunei, Cambodia, Australia, London, India & China

TRAVEL AGENTS Selected travel agents in Malaysia, Indonesia, Singapore, Thailand, Brunei, Cambodia, Australia, London, India, China & Iran

editor@gayatravel.com.my

OCT - NOV - DEC 2015

Unesco World Heritage Exhibition 18 October 2014 - 31 December 2015 The UNESCO World Heritage Exhibition is being held at Sultan Abdul Samad Building, Kuala Lumpur. This exhibition features the four UNESCO World Heritage sites in Malaysia namely the cities of Melaka and George Town, the Archaeological Heritage of Lembah Lenggong, Gunung Mulu National Park and Kinabalu Park. Though small, the exhibition is packed with many interesting exhibits and information about each UNESCO site, and is a great stop before tourists decide to visit any of the actual destinations. Admission is free.

VENUE : Sultan Abdul Samad Building, Kuala Lumpur TEL : +6 03-2260 9000 WEB : www.tourism.gov.my/en/my

FIM Asia Supermoto Championship 2015 6 - 8 November 2015 The FIM Asia Supermoto Championship 2015 is one of Asiaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s premier motorsports race that began its 1st round in Malaysia in June. Supermoto racing combines exciting elements of motocross, dirt track and road racing into one dynamic discipline. It features jumps, high-speed straights with both dirt and asphalt surfaces. This year, the championship will feature up to 18 top Asian Supermoto riders mainly from Japan, Thailand, Singapore, Taiwan, Indonesia and Malaysia.

VENUE : Penang TEL : +6 03 5511 3429 EMAIL : fim_asia@aam.org.my WEB : fim.asia/news/fim-asia-supermoto championship-2015

016

Malaysian Urban Retreat Festival (MURFEST) 2015 13 - 15 November 2015 The Malaysia Urban Retreat Festival 2015, the Top 5 Wellness Festivals in South East Asia, will showcase a gathering of well-renowned names and brands in the wellness and health industry. Participants are going be spoilt for choice during this threeday festival with over 80 classes to choose from the different categories: yoga, aqua yoga, Zumba, capoeira, motivational speakers, sound healers and more.

VENUE : Pullman Bangsar Kuala Lumpur TEL : +6 016 6610 262 EMAIL : support@murfest.com WEB : www.murfest.com

NOV - DEC 2015 - JAN 2016

1Malaysia Year-End Sale 14 November 2015 - 3 January 2016 From trendy malls to openair markets, the atmosphere is vibrant with the mood for the best shopping and leisure experiences ever, as only year-end sales can offer. Yes, the fabulous 1Malaysia

Year-End Sale is back â&#x20AC;&#x201C; bigger and better, events and happenings in hundreds of shopping outlets all over the country for nearly two months.

VENUE : TEL : WEB :

Throughout Malaysia +6 03-2260 9000 www.tourism.gov.my

RFC-Rainforest Challenge 27 November 2015 - 7 December 2015 The RFC is an off-road 4x4 event which is among the worldâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s top ten toughest motor races. It takes place annually from end November to early December. Every year, it attracts the bravest of the land daredevils from Europe to Asian to face the odds in the jungle for 10 days braving the mud, rain, steep uphill, downhill & undulating terrain plus the wrath of Mother Nature from the monsoon. An extraordinary event for extraordinary adventurers set in an extraordinary season, the monsoon. Event also open for Media & Touring Adventurers.

VENUE :

Seremban, Port Dickson, Gemas, Kuala Pilah & Jelebu (Negeri Sembilan)

TEL : WEB :

+6 03-9200 8908

PHOTO CREDIT : TOURISM MALAYSIA

www.rainforest-challenge.com

017

Bulletin <bulletin@gayatravel.com.my>

KL PASS Gives Tourists More Reasons To Stay Longer in Kuala Lumpur The Mayor of Kuala Lumpur, Datuk Hj. Mhd Amin Nordin Bin And Aziz, today officially launched the KL PASS, an integrated tourist pass that offers tourists seamless access to tourism attractions and supporting amenities on top of other privileges and benefits. Tourists are also entitled to gain entry without further payment at participating tourist attractions. All they need to is present their pass at the entrance for verification and when its confirmed, access is granted! The KL PASS can also be used to gain discounts and other special privileges when shopping, dining and entertaining in Kuala Lumpur. Some of the tourist attractions on board KL PASS are, KL Tower, Aquaria KLCC, The KL Butterfly Park, Berjaya Time Square Indoor Theme Park, Batek Workshop at Kompleks Kraf, the Craft Musuem, Discoveria@Avenue K, Escape Room @ Berjaya Times Square, Laser Battle @ Berjaya Times Square, MUD The Musical, The KL City Gallery, The KL Hop-On Hop-Off, The KL Tram, Sunway Lagoon Theme Park, The Telekom Musuem, The Foundry Workshop @ Royal Selangor and Zouk Club KL.

The KL PASS is listed in the Kuala Lumpur Tourism Master Plan 2015-2025 under section walk the plan initiative 10.4: Developing an Integrated Pass. “The KL PASS will be an important medium to increase the awareness of what Kuala Lumpur has to offer, contribute to the overall tourist experience and encourage tourists to extend their stay in the city. Even an extra one night stay in the city bring a substantial increase in tourism revenue for multiple sectors that are directly and indirectly connected to tourism in KL” By design, the KL PASS is one card intergerated tourist pass mechanism for the cover tourism attractions, retails outlets, F&B and soon the public transportation. It has an IT management backend system that will run the pass efficiently and systematic, in accordance to the standard outlined in the Kuala Lumpur Tourism Master Plan. “I am proud to announce that the KL PASS will be the first of its kind to be introduced in Malaysia, designed by the local provider with international standard features at par with similar passes available in different cities such as Paris, London, New York Passes” added the KL Mayor.

020

KL PASS is produced, managed and marketed by Meridian Tourist Access Sdn Bhd. with the endorsement by Kuala Lumpur City Hall and Tourism Malaysia. Tourists purchasing the KL PASS will receive a KL PASS card together with a free 140-page KL PASS Guidebook. The KL PASS Guidebook comes in two variants, the Asian edition, which is English, French & German. Packed with information and tips for when visiting Kuala Lumpur, the Guidebook will definitely is a handy tool for any visitor to the city.

The KL PASS comes in six variants, 1-day 3-Day and 6-Day passes for adults and children. The 1-Day adult pass is priced at RM165.00 while the 3-day and 6-day passes are priced at RM395.00 and RM675.00 respectively. The KL PASS is available for purchase online as well as a number of sales outlets in the city and at KLIA. Foreign tourists may purchase the pass in their home countries and choose to either have the pass sent to them or collect their passes in KL when they arrive. Among the places the pass is currently available is at the KL City Gallery, the KL Concierge Kiosk and at the KL Hop-On Hop-Off ticket counter. In the near future, a number of tourist attractions will also offer the pass for sale. For further information, visit www.klpass. com

Bulletin

FRENCH TRADES PLEDGE SUPPORT TO CONTINUE PROMOTING MALAYSIA

WARM WELCOME TO DEAUVILLE

On a working trip to Milan recently, the Minister of Tourism & Culture Malaysia, YB Dato’ Seri Mohamed Nazri Aziz made a visit to Paris for a trade luncheon meeting with selected French tour operators and trade media. Dato’ Seri Nazri updated the French tour operators and journalists on the latest tourism developments in Malaysia, French tourist arrivals to the country, and MYFEST 2015. France is the second highest tourist generating market from Europe to Malaysia after the United Kingdom. The French tour operators who have been supporting Malaysia were happy that the lunch meeting gave them an opportunity to have first-hand information on tourism in Malaysia. They also shared with the Minister about French outbound trends, travel behaviours and assured the Minister of their support to continue selling Malaysia.

The Minister visited the city of Deauville, located just 2 hours away from Paris. Upon arrival, the Minister received a warm welcome from the city’s Deputy Mayor, Dominique Merlin. Located in the region of Lower Normandy, Deauville has been successful in attracting top leisure clientele and world-class events. Deauville has long been home to French high society’s seaside houses and is often referred to as the Parisian Riviera. Mr. Merlin presented a book on Deauville to the Minister.

ARTS IN THE GARDEN - MONET

A visit to the Garden and House of Claude Monet in Giverny, the second most visited place in Normandy, inspired Dato’ Seri Nazri to see how arts and gardens contributed greatly to tourism. Also on the programme was a visit to Tourism Malaysia Paris office, whereby the Minister was briefed on the French market performance and promotions of Malaysia in France by the director of Tourism Malaysia Paris, Mr Abdul Rahim Haron.

Financial LATeracy Exhibition traditions of the people of Malaysia. Members of the public are welcome to visit the exhibition which runs until early next year. Admission is free. The gallery opens daily from 10.00am to 6.00pm including weekends. The “Financial LATeracy” exhibition is a compilaton of distinctive caricatures by Datuk Lat over a period of 14 years from 1999 to 2012 in the “Buku Wang Saku”. It includes powerful messages on personal financial management, consumer responsibilities, moral values, culture and 022

Bank Negara Malaysia Museum and Art Gallery Sasana Kijang 2 Jalan Dato’ Onn 50480 Kuala Lumpur Tel: +603 91792784 www.museum.bnm.gov.my

“Financial LATeracy” Exhibition to Commemorate Bank Negara Malaysia’s Buku Wang Saku Bank Negara Malaysia Museum and Art Gallery’s latest exhibition, entitled “Financial LATeracy”, is part of its continuing efforts to promote prudent financial management as an essential life skill. This exhibition – launched last 28 September 2015 by Tan Sri Dr. Zeti Akhtar Aziz, Governor of Bank Negara Malaysia, at the Bank’s Museum and Art Gallery, Sasana Kijang – is based on the work done by Malaysia’s renowned cartoonist, Datuk Mohammad Nor Khalid or better known as Datuk Lat, for the “Buku Wang Saku” (‘Pocket Money Book’) series published by Bank Negara Malaysia to educate young students on the basics of managing savings and expenses. Bank Negara Malaysia’s collaboration with Datuk Lat dated back to 1999 when he contributed in creating and providing caricatures depicting the various Malaysian practices in financial management that are included in the “Buku Wang Saku”, which was conceptualised by Governor Tan Sri Dr. Zeti Akhtar Aziz and introduced as part of the national savings campaign in 1996 to encourage Malaysians to be more financially savvy and serve as financial education for young Malaysians. Visit http://www.museumbnm.gov.my/ financiallateracy/index.html

Bulletin

MIFFY Special Flight On KLM KUALA LUMPUR - JAKARTA Route

CASA GIVES MALINDO AIR GREEN LIGHT FOR KUALA LUMPUR-PERTH

KLM Royal Dutch Airlines brought representatives from four media organisations (Gaya Travel Magazine being one of them) to experience the special KLM Miffy ﬂight between Kuala Lumpur and Jakarta.

This special themed flight on Boeing 777200 aircraft (KL809 from Kuala Lumpur to Jakarta and KL810 from Jakarta to Kuala Lumpur) featured the brand new KLM Economy class cabin with the latest improvements in seat comfort and technology, offering passengers an enhanced travel experience. Miffy, the adorable white rabbit created by Dutch artist Dick Bruna, was flown from the Netherlands to Kuala Lumpur, specifically to launch the flight. Miffy, also known as Nijntje (short form of Konijntje, meaning rabbit in Dutch), was ‘born’ in 1955 when Mr. Bruna told his son a story about a white rabbit who would wander through the gardens of the holiday village in which they were staying at during their vacation in The Netherlands. This rabbit later became the inspiration for Miffy, who came to life through Mr. Bruna’s drawings. Miffy just celebrated her 60th anniversary early this month. The Miffy themed flight offered an all-round experience beginning at the check-in counter through the presence of Miffy illustrations on baggage tags and boarding pass holders, including special Miffy photo booth; during boarding when the passengers received special Miffy non-woven bag that contained Miffy plush toy and Miffy envelopes; to items on board that included KLM and Miffy themed pillow cases. “The ‘KLM Brings Miffy’ campaign is in line with KLM’s philosophy of making flying inspirational and fun. We hope

024

Malindo Air, Malaysia’s hybrid airline today officially announced that it has been granted approval from Civil Aviation Safety Authority of Australia (CASA) to ﬂy from Kuala Lumpur to Perth. Australia will be the eighth country in the airline’s growing international route network. The 11x weekly service will commence on 11 November 2015. Promotional fares for the new route start from RM599 for Economy Class and RM1,499 for Business Class one-way all inclusive of perks such as free baggage allowance, in-ﬂight entertainment, a meal and light refreshments. Ticket sales will begin upon receiving approval from Department of Civil Aviation (DCA) Malaysia.

to raise awareness, especially among the younger audience, of our new KLM cabins and our extensive worldwide network through new and exciting social media activities they can engage with,” said Aude-Lise Combier, KLM Country Manager Malaysia-Brunei. “Malaysia is also one of the major tourism markets for Indonesia, especially Kuala Lumpur. KLM has daily direct services to Jakarta, Amsterdam and other exciting destinations in Europe,” she added. Before the special flight, fans can follow Miffy’s adventures around Kuala Lumpur and Jakarta as she visited both cities for the very first time through KLM Malaysia’s Facebook page and Twitter. A KLM stewardess accompanied Miffy to discover unique places, food, arts and cultures of her host country. Fans can also follow her in greater detail on the travel blog KLMbringsMiffy.com. Following the special flight, fans can follow Miffy’s adventures while she visits several cities in Europe including Amsterdam, London, Paris and Barcelona. Several contests will be organised for fans to win exclusive KLM Miffy prizes. KLM is also planning to introduce Miffy to Japan, China, Hong Kong and Singapore soon.

The narrow-body Boeing 737-900ER aircraft with a seat capacity of 180, with 12 Business Class and 168 Economy Class seats, will be deployed on the 4,126 kilometre route. The 5 hour 50 minute ﬂight will be the furthest route from the carrier’s main hub in KLIA2 by distance. CEO of Malindo Air Chandran Rama Muthy said, “We are extremely excited to get approval from CASA to commence Malindo Air’s ﬂight to Australia and to name Perth as our first Australian destination. We are indeed very thankful to CASA for their unrelenting support and co-operation throughout our application process.” “Our international network development in the second half of 2015 supports our long-term vision to provide travellers with an extensive range of destinations and seamless connectivity from Kuala Lumpur as a regional hub. Perth will expand our coverage and strengthen our customer proposition in the strategically important markets of Asia. We are very confident that this new service, our first to Australia, will boost travel and trade between Australia and Malaysia,” said Chandran. For bookings and enquiries, visit www.malindoair. com, write in to Customer Care at customer_care@ malindoair.com or call +603-7841 5388 from 9am to 9pm daily. For purchases through mobile phones, use mobile. malindoair.com or download the Malindo Air App on Google Play and App Store.

Bulletin

MasterCard Priceless Bali Launch MasterCard announced the inclusion of Bali into the global Priceless® Cities program, on the heels of the Priceless Japan launch just a month ago in July. Bali is the second city in Southeast Asia to be part of Priceless Cities, three years after the launch of Priceless Singapore in 2012. Under the Priceless Bali programme, both visitors and residents alike can look forward to specially designed activities that are packaged to give privileged access and unique experiences to cardholders. By curating one-of-a-kind experiences for cardholders, MasterCard seeks to continuously connect consumers to their passions in new and exciting ways. Based on MasterCard’s research, consumers around the world are broadly passionate in the areas of: Stay; Eat; Play; Shop.

The MasterCard team taking photos of the MasterCard inspired artwork by a local Balinese fire painter during the Priceless Bali launch

Mayur Patel, Head of Regional Sales at Amadeus, discusses how travel trends have evolved over the years during the Travel Summit

Deborah Goldingham, Head of Marketing in South East Asia at MasterCard launches Priceless Bali

Priceless Bali opens up access to novel experiences for cardholders, such as the opportunity to take to the skies on a private helicopter ride for an aerial view of the famed Uluwatu Temple that sits atop a 70-metre tall limestone cliff facing the open ocean. Or to do a guided culinary adventure on the Bali Food Safari to mystery restaurants that surprise with exquisite cuisines. Those with an eye for design could choose to spend an afternoon with internationally acclaimed French artist Pascal Morabito and even stay at his luxurious 12-bedroom villa, used as a private gallery for his works. Food lovers are invited to indulge in a private Balinese feast prepared exclusively for them in their villa, while being entertained by a traditional Balinese dance performance. Alternatively there is a whole host of complimentary benefits including yoga classes, private massages, surf lessons, horse riding and more, when booking at any one of the 700 luxurious villas available through Ministry of Villas. 026

Abdul Rahim Bawa, Vice President of South East Asia Insights and Marketing Analytics at MasterCard, discusses consumer confidence during the Travel Summit

Pascal Morabito and wife Marie Eve posed with reporters during the launch of Priceless Bali at the Morabito Art Villa, which had the traditional gamelan ensemble set up to welcome guests The introduction of Priceless Bali marks an extension and evolution of MasterCard’s existing “Destination Bali” program that has been running for the last five years, during which cardholders have enjoyed access to a wide range of over 200 benefits and privileges available locally. “The Priceless Cities platform has seen strong traction throughout the world – in just five years, it has been launched in over 35 markets and counting. We find

Tuomas Peltoniemi, President at Digital Arts Network, discusses how to target the connected traveller

consumers are always keen to try new things or re-experience the familiar in a novel way. So bringing Bali into the Priceless Cities program was a natural step, given the strong travel demand we’re seeing for this beautiful island, particularly for the Australia, China, Malaysia and Singapore travel corridors,” said Deborah Goldingham, Head of Marketing, South East Asia, MasterCard. MasterCard research shows that Bali ranks as one of the top travel destinations in Southeast Asia. “According to MasterCard’s Asia Pacific Destinations Index, this year Bali is expected to welcome over 7 million visitors who will spend US$11 billion and Priceless Bali will definitely strengthen the island’s appeal as a coveted getaway destination as we uncover hidden gems and allow visitors to reexperience Bali in surprising and unexpected ways,” Ms. Goldingham added. In conjunction with the launch of Priceless Bali, MasterCard also held the Travel Summit at the Morabito Art Villa, comprising a series of presentations delivered throughout the day that relate to current travelling behaviours and trends, including tourism source markets that are important to Bali and how to appeal to travellers of today who are technologysavvy. All presentations point towards Bali’s continuing appeal as a veritable global destination for international travellers seeking priceless experiences, which is in line with MasterCard’s brand promise, besides recognising the need for all travel and tourism related businesses to have mobile presence.

Bulletin

CIMB Bank Strengthens Partnership with Malaysia Airlines Launches the new CIMB Enrich World EliteTM MasterCard®, an exclusive card that opens doors to the fastest miles conversion and unparalleled Enrich privileges CIMB Bank and Enrich, Malaysia Airlines’ loyalty programme are pleased to announce that they have entered into another exclusive agreement to extend their strategic partnership, with the launch of their exclusive co-branded credit card, CIMB Enrich World EliteTM MasterCard®. This latest addition to the collection of CIMB Enrich credit cards makes it the fourth credit card under the co-brands, cementing the collaboration between CIMB Bank and Enrich even further. Tengku Dato’ Zafrul Aziz, Group Chief Executive Officer, CIMB Group and Christoph Mueller, Chief Executive Officer, Malaysia Airlines were present at an event to formalise the partnership at Menara CIMB, KL Sentral. Ari Sarker, Co-President, Asia Pacific from MasterCard also attended the event. Tengku Dato’ Zafrul Aziz said, “It has been very rewarding working together with Malaysia Airlines and now, in our ninth year as partners, we are pleased to launch the CIMB Enrich World EliteTM MasterCard®, a premium credit card which embodies the social status, recognition and lifestyle of our affluent customers who travel frequently. The card is the first in the market to offer unlimited access to all Malaysia Airlines operated Golden Lounges. This exclusive privilege plus the attractive Bonus Miles conversion truly makes this the card that opens doors to great destinations and exciting experiences.” Christoph Mueller added, “We are very pleased to announce our partnership today which will enable us to deliver even more value to our Enrich members. The CIMB Enrich World EliteTM MasterCard® is a testament of our commitment to our loyal guests to continuously innovate, offering premium products and services which will add an exciting and customised element to the travel experience on Malaysia’s national airline. This co-brand card is widely accepted and is the only card that 028

expedites your daily spend into Bonus Miles, even more so when you spend on Malaysia Airlines.” Designed to enhance and complement the affluent lifestyles of frequent flyers on Malaysia Airlines, the CIMB Enrich World EliteTM MasterCard® makes it faster and easier for cardmembers to accumulate miles with the conversion of every RM2 spent locally to 1 Bonus Mile and with every RM1 spent overseas to 1 Bonus Mile. Cardmembers can also convert their everyday spend, be it domestic or international, into miles faster as MasterCard is conveniently accepted at over 3.8 million MasterCard merchants worldwide. In addition, cardmembers are given unlimited access to Malaysia Airlines operated Golden Lounges around the world, one of the unparalleled privileges exclusively from Enrich. Furthermore, the card also carries a host of other lifestyle privileges designed for the elite traveller; namely complimentary golf games in Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia and Thailand; extra Bonus Miles for flights booked online via Malaysia Airlines’ website; 4 hours in advance priority booking on selected Malaysia Airlines promotions; up to USD1 million travel insurance coverage; 24-hour MasterCard concierge service; International Travel, Medical and Emergency Assistance Services and MasterCard Moments Lifestyle Privileges, amongst others. In conjunction with the launch of the CIMB Enrich World EliteTM MasterCard®, CIMB Bank is running an exclusive promotion by giving away 10,000 Bonus Miles to each new-to-bank principal cardmember upon approval of their application from 1 October to 31 December 2015. What’s more, CIMB Enrich World EliteTM MasterCard® cardmembers will stand a chance to win from the 4.8 million Enrich Miles offered when they spend overseas with their CIMB Enrich World EliteTM MasterCard® from 3 August to 31 October 2015.

British Airways’ High Life determines the 21 top British landmarks of the 21st Century British Airways’ High Life inﬂight magazine has identified the top landmarks that define Britain in the 21st century in a three monthlong campaign where readers were invited to name the buildings – both historic and new – they felt exemplify the United Kingdom. The campaign received over 2,000 entries and 150 landmarks were nominated by the public spanning the whole of the UK, including the Millennium Bridge, Grizedale Forest Sculpture Park and Edinburgh Castle. Editor of High Life Kerry Smith said, “The British skyline is moving on at an unprecedented pace – and in the quest to find the landmarks that define Britain in the 21st century, nominations ranged from Glastonbury’s Pyramid Stage through to Stonehenge and the Shard. The final 21 landmarks celebrate British heritage along with the creative energy of the present.” 21 Landmarks for the 21st Century - The Result: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13. 14. 15. 16. 17. 18. 19. 20. 21.

Eden Project Angel of the North Coventry Cathedral Millennium Bridge London Eye St Paul’s Cathedral Tate Modern Whitechapel Gallery De La Warr Pavilion, Bexhill Turner Contemporary, Margate Lincoln Cathedral Selfridges, Birmingham Chatsworth, Derbyshire Lovell Telescope, Jodrell Bank, Cheshire Grizedale Forest Sculpture Park, Cumbria Singing Ringing Tree, Burnley Albert Dock, Liverpool Blackpool Tower Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff Edinburgh Castle Visitor Centre, Giant’s Causeway

The full list of the top 21 landmarks can be found on highlife.ba.com.

+ L A N GKAW I, KEDAH +

IMAGES | FAIZ JALAL

LAID-BACK LANGKAWI

031

PLACES LANGKAWI

KEDAH

(LILAC 2015), we quickly said yes! It is always nice to come back to Langkawi due to its laid-back yet vibrant pace. This would be our tenth trip to the island, and we were so looking forward to it!

One of the main attractions of Langkawi is its duty free status – shopaholics can never resist good bargains offered on the island. Besides its retail offerings, Langkawi is also home to many natural and man-made attractions. Langkawi Development Authority (LADA) – the body that is responsible in planning, promoting and implementing development initiatives on the island – helps in making the island into what it is today.

This annual carnival was first held in 2012, with the aim to promote and celebrate the unique laksa, a noodle immersed in gravy dish that varies from one Malaysian state to another.

It has been two years since Gaya Traveller visited Langkawi, so when LADA extended an invitation to the recent Langkawi International Laksa Carnival

032

IMAGES | FAIZ JALAL

Langkawi is the only island in Malaysia that has an international airport. This island welcomes a steady flow of local and foreign visitors throughout the year. It is especially crowded during the school holidays and whenever there are big international festivals happening on this enchanted island.

Langkawi International Laksa Carnival (LILAC)

We were there when the first LILAC was held four years ago, and had a really good time eating the various types of delicious laksa from all of the Malaysian states. This year’s LILAC was pleasantly different: being an international event, the organiser also included the types of laksa from other countries like the Philippines, China, Thailand and Vietnam. Apart from laksa, there are also

local desserts sold at each of the stalls during the event. The only complaint that came out from our mouth was how full our tummies were at the end of our visit. Celebrities and famous chefs were there at the carnival to add more excitement to the event.

LAKSA OF MALAYSIA How well do you know your laksa? Have you seen that AirAsia video on youtube where they get a few people to sample a few laksa while being blindfolded? We were quite shocked that the subjects did not fare well at all in guessing the type of laksa they were eating!

Garnish: Cucumber, bean sprouts, mint leaves, daun kesum (Vietnamese coriander leaves), daun selasih (basil leaves), long beans, pickled white radish, calamansi lime and sambal belacan (grounded chilli mixed with toasted shrimp paste).

While not all states in Malaysia have their very own laksa, they do have some famous noodle dishes. Since we had the chance to attend LILAC and ate almost all types of Malaysian laksa, we feel that it would be good to offer a â&#x20AC;&#x153;Laksa Crash Courseâ&#x20AC;? to our readers. Essentially, laksa consists of noodles and gravy that acts as a nice base to the dish. It is the accompanying garnishes that adds that extra punch to the whole laksa-eating experience. Laksa is great when you want something light yet satisfying to eat, at any time of the day.

1. LAKSA JOHOR Noodle type: Spaghetti Gravy ingredients: Fish, dried shrimps, lemon grass, galangal, curry powder, kerisik, coconut milk, tamarind.

To describe it simply, Laksa Johor consists of al dente spaghetti, drenched in curry gravy made from grounded fish paste, herbs, spices and a mix of fresh vegetables. The result is an interesting heavenly blend of sweet, tangy, spicy and savoury flavours combined with crunchy, soft and grainy textures.

033

>> 1

2. LAKSA KELANTAN / LAKSAM Noodle: Rolled up thick flat noodle Gravy ingredients: Coconut milk, fish, shallots, garlic, ginger, lemongrass, black pepper, tamarind slice Garnish: Cucumber, daun kesum (Vietnamese coriander leaves), ginger torch flower, onion, cabbage, long beans, calamansi lime, and sambal belacan. What sets Laksam apart from the rest is its distinctive noodle, which when teamed up with the creamy and full-bodied fish-based (sometimes eel) gravy and garnishes, will give you a satisfying meal.

3. LAKSA TERENGGANU Noodle: Wheat noodles Gravy ingredients: Coconut milk, fish, shallots, garlic, ginger, lemongrass, black pepper, tamarind slice What sets Laksa Kelantan and Terengganu apart is the noodle. The gravy and garnishes are more or less the same. We had the pleasure of eating this dish in a fishing village in Terengganu, and saw how the noodle was made using the traditional way.

034

4. LAKSA MELAKA / LAKSA NYONYA

tempting, unmistakably South East Asian.

Noodle type: Egg noodle and rice vermicelli

5. LAKSA PENANG

Gravy ingredients: Coconut milk, chicken and prawn broth, shallots, turmeric, galangal, lemongrass, dried chillies, candlenuts, shrimp paste, candlenuts, tofu puffs. Garnish: Blanched bean sprouts, cucumber, daun kesum (Vietnamese coriander leaves), hardboiled egg, sambal. This type of laksa, with its rich coconut gravy, is slightly sweet and pungent. The aroma is super

Noodle: Rice noodles Gravy ingredients: Tamarind, fish, shallots, lemongrass, galangal, chilli. Garnish: Mint, pineapple, onion, lettuce, he-ko (thick sweet prawn paste) and torch ginger flower. The most light and refreshing laksa of all would be the Laksa Penang. The gravy is essentially hot and sour fish soup. The addition of pineapple and he-ko adds an extra zing on your palate.

6. LAKSA UTARA ; LAKSA KEDAH, LAKSA PERLIS, LAKSA PERAK The laksa from these three states are somewhat similar, and it is hard to tell the difference if you are not from these states. They are also similar to Penang laksa and only differ in terms of the garnishing used. In some places, the gravy is made from eel instead of the usual fish. Hardboiled egg can be found in all three laksa, unlike Laksa Penang. The differences are: Laksa Penang has pineapple slices and he-ko. Laksa Perak has runny, thin gravy and uses wheat-based noodle. Laksa Kedah uses belacan (shrimp paste), and daun selom (Oenanthe javanica or Java water dropwort) is used as garnish. Sambal kelapa, which is a spicy coconut paste, is also added. Laksa Perlis has daun selom and daun putat (Barringtonia conoidea), which are local herbs. Some locals like to eat Laksa Perlis with Pulut Udang (a savoury snack made from glutinous rise with fillings of spicy coconut and dried prawn floss) on the side.

7. LAKSA SARAWAK Noodle: Rice Vermicelli Gravy ingredients: Chicken and prawn broth, coconut milk, shallots, garlic, galangal, chilli, lemon grass, candlenuts, sesame seed, peanut, cumin, coriander seed, star anise, clove, cardamom, tamarind.

1. Laksam 2. Laksa Penang 3. Laksa Nyonya 4. Laksa Utara 5. Laksa Sarawak

Garnish: Bean sprouts, omelette strips, prawns, fresh coriander and lime. The taste of this laksa is definitely different from the laksa that can be found in Peninsular Malaysia. What made it distinct is the use of various types of dry spices in the gravy â&#x20AC;&#x201C; so many that it is quite hard to guess what actually went into the gravy pot. Truly, it is an acquired taste! 035

MUST DO IN LANGKAWI… WHEN YOU’RE ONLY STAYING FOR 2 NIGHTS Besides stuffing our face with the irresistible laksa (and other fantastic local food around the island), we managed to squeeze in some fun during our short stay in Langkawi. While there are so many things to do in Langkawi, it is best to just limit yourself to only one or two activities a day… and enjoy them fully!

A must visit would be the newly improved Oriental Village. A lot of improvements can be seen since the last time we were there, the most popular one being Art in Paradise, which is an interactive 3D art museum. Art in Paradise is a 21,000 square feet indoor space, which has more than 100 3D interactive paintings. The visitors seemed to be enjoying themselves posing and photographing creatively according to the paintings at the museum – we even had fun ourselves! You need to take off your shoes before entering the museum, so bring your own socks! Be prepared to spend at least a couple of hours here, which is a great place for family fun.

036

IMAGE | IZZATI HAZRUL

>> Another attraction located within the Oriental Village that we highly recommend is the Sky Cabâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Crystal Glass Gondola. Sky Cab is the new name for the cable car attraction. With the new name comes a new system. There is now a boarding time system implemented. As you buy the tickets, you will be assigned to a boarding time, so you donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t need to wait in long queue for your turn. There are many shops and stalls nearby that you can go to while waiting for your cable car ride.

The view from the Crystal Glass Gondola is awesome! What makes the Crystal Glass Gondola different from the usual gondola is its glassbottom that allows travellers to fully appreciate the view and height during the ride. Those who are afraid of heights are not recommended to take this gondola and should just opt for the other regular gondolas. The cable car ride has always been our must-experience attraction whenever we visit Langkawi. For more information on Oriental Village attractions, do visit www.panoramalangkawi.com

037

>> The sunset in Langkawi is majestic, and sunset cruises are a good idea if you are looking for something relaxing yet fun to end your day. We boarded Naam Langkawi’s Sea Falcon for a three-hour dinner cruise. We were very impressed at the sight of their cruise boat, and even more impressed with their welcome and hospitality. We were given cold towels and welcome drink as soon as we boarded the boat. Langkawi’s heat quickly disappeared and we were totally refreshed, ready to have some fun! Do bring along your swimming suits if you would like to jump into the water for a quick swim. Dinner IMAGES | NAAM LANGKAWI FAIZ JALAL

is a buffet with a good selection of western food, enough to keep rumbling tummies happy. It was a nice end to our day, which afforded us great scenery, great company and great food! For more information on Naam Langkawi’s services, visit www.naam.bz For other activities and attractions in Langkawi, you may check out naturallylangkawi.my for information and suggestion. Langkawi is definitely a destination that is brimming with interesting things to do, thus a return to Langkawi is always on the cards.

NAAM HEADQUARTERS FF2 Tingkat Atas Jeti Pelancongan Jalan Persiaran Putra 07000 Langkawi Kedah Office : +6 04 - 963 9200 Email : info@naam.bz Web : www.naam.bz

038

2015 will feature a five-day stage race that kicks off with the 3rd UCI MTB Marathon Series Langkawi and finishes on the 24 October 2015

IRONMAN® LANGKAWI

WHEN : 14 November 2015

ANNUAL FESTIVALS IN LANGKAWI TO LOOK OUT FOR Langkawi plays host to many international level events. The month of March 2015 was where two giant events took place, Le Tour De Langkawi and LIMA (Langkawi International Aerospace and Maritime Exhibition). These events have been around since the 1990s and now become household names that build Langkawi’s international reputation. LILAC 2015 was held in May, and is an annual event. Be sure to catch it next year! Those planning for a trip to Langkawi this year may want to plan their trip to coincide with these upcoming events;

LANGKAWI INTERNATIONAL MOUNTAIN BIKE CHALLENGE 2015

The iconic IRONMAN® brand and event series is the largest participation sports platform in the world. Since the inception of IRONMAN® in 1978, athletes have proven that ANYTHING IS POSSIBLE® by crossing the finishing line at the world’s most challenging endurance races. Catch the chance to witness the triumph of human spirit by coming to Langkawi for this event!

RAJA MUDA SELANGOR INTERNATIONAL REGATTA 2015 WHEN : 21 November 2015

The Raja Muda International Regatta is a challenging offshore sailing race organised every year by the Royal Selangor Yacht Club. The event starts from Port Klang and heads to Pangkor, Penang and finally ends in Langkawi.

1ST NATURALLY LANGKAWI BIRD AND BUTTERFLY (B&B) FAIR WHEN : 27 - 29 November 2015

The inaugural B&B Fair showcases Langkawi’s birds and butterflies in its natural habitat,

promoting healthy biodiversity and eco-system. The fair inculcates interest amongst the younger generation to understand and appreciate nature by enjoying programmes presented at the fair. To date, the birds and butterflies in Langkawi are estimated to be 220 and 520 species respectively.

LANGKAWI INTERNATIONAL JUNIOR TENNIS CHAMPIONSHIPS 2015 WHEN : 4 - 8 December 2015

This event features junior tennis players from around the world such as Russia, South Korea, Singapore, Uzbekistan, Japan, Philippines, Thailand, South Africa players including top Malaysian juniors, all competing amidst Langkawi’s beautiful natural surroundings.

INTERNATIONAL EXTREME SPORTS FESTIVAL (FISE)

WHEN : 18 - 20 December 2015 Festival International Sport Extreme (FISE) started in 1997. It is the world’s biggest action-sport festival for athletes, professionals and amateurs. The event is divided into five main disciplines (skateboard, BMX, wakeboard, inline skate & mountain bike), alongside other sports and cultural activities.

For more amazing photos, follow : @gayatraveller on Instagram. #gayatraveller

WHEN : 18 - 24 October 2015 LIMBC 2015 is back as the hottest mountain bike race in Malaysia and Southeast Asia. The 6th edition of the Langkawi International Mountain Bike Challenge

039

Experiencing Medan and Lake Toba “Sure, give me an adventure and I will ride it.” Melissa Auf der Maur When I was invited to join in a familiarisation trip organised by Malaysia Airlines’ wholly owned subsidiary Firefly to Medan in Indonesia last August 2015, I know I need to calm myself down when some parts in the mails mentioned about white water rafting! Since I am pretty much an outdoor enthusiast, I was extremely enthralled by the invitation. The trip was also participated by other Malaysian mainstream media, bloggers and travel agents.

The flight to Medan from Subang Airport on Firefly was smooth and fuss-free, which are among the reasons why I love flying on the airline. When we arrived at Medan, it was already lunch time, so we had Nasi Padang (rice with various side dishes and condiments placed in many small plates like tapas), which is typical fare in Sumatera since it originated from a place called Padang, located on the island itself. After lunch, while waiting for the other media friends to finish, I walked out of the restaurant to have a quick view around. I noticed that weed is grown in front of these shops. It was something new to view, so I took its picture for memory. The atmosphere in Medan is almost similar to Malaysia, except that it has more traffic and the houses are built in different style. The locals are allowed to use parabolic dishes antennae, which are not permitted in Malaysia. On the way to Toba Lake, I spent the five-hour journey by mostly sleeping. But at one time, I was woken up when the bus broke down suddenly and all of us had to push it to give it a jumpstart. Though the journey was exhausting, my tiredness quickly went away after setting my eyes on Lake Toba for the first time, which is incredibly huge, almost like a mini sea, making me feel so small. We checked into Danau Toba International Cottage in Parapat and had an

overnight rest. In the next morning, when I woke up, it was quite chilly. Together with the other media friends, I went to the cafĂŠ next to the pool and had fried rice with omelette for breakfast. We then went on a small ferry to Samosir Island located within Lake Toba, about 20 minutes away from where we stayed. On the ferry, the tour guide shared stories and history about Samosir Island, which is one of several within this great lake. The first checkpoint we visited was the cemetery of Indonesian legends. Most of the graves are rock-made, carved and looked slightly similar to the faces mentioned in the folklores. There was also a flea market along the road, so I shopped many things since the prices were a bargain - I managed to get myself two pairs of printed quilt pants, which I reckoned was a good buy. Being Malaysian, I enjoy good food, and Indonesia serves that in spades. One of them is the Indonesian version of the cendol, which is served not cold like in Malaysia but hot. I was glued to the seat after savouring the hot cendol for the first time, which was tasty and refreshing!

041

Then, it was rafting time! It took us 25 minutes to get to Bingei River on four-wheel drive. We had been given the basic tools to raft and briefed by the experienced guides from Explore Sumatera Adventure Trip & Training. After given tips and security check, we were divided into four teams, six persons to one raft. I couldn’t hide my joy because I finally can cross check Indonesia on my list, the first rafting trip outside Malaysia. So far, I have tried different levels of water rafting in Malaysia, the first was in 2013 in Gopeng, Perak with Radak Adventure. The rapids were rocky – I survived the fall from the raft at kilometre 6, which has turbulent rapid that made me feel I was in a washing machine. The second time was in Kuala Kubu Baru, Selangor, which was slower and shorter than the one in Gopeng because it hadn’t been raining for a couple of weeks. The third time was in Ulu Sedim, Kedah, which I thought was the best rafting trip due to its super-fast current and high rapids. But, the three-hour white water rafting activity in Bingei River topped all of my other rafting experiences in Malaysia. The entirely different rapids, currents and river made this trip worthwhile. Along the way, we stopped at Sanggapura check

042

point for simple steamed corn and tea. While eating, I saw the guides jumping into the water from the Namo Odah cliff nearby. I swiftly finished the corn and joined in the 10-metre jump. Five minutes later, my other media friends started queuing to jump as well – so much fun! The fees for taking part in white water rafting in Medan is affordable and the guides are experts. Back in Malaysia, those interested to raft need to pay at least over a hundred ringgit for one trip. Surprisingly, Explore Sumatera Adventure Trip & Training on charges RM68 per person per trip, making me feel like wanting to raft in Sumatera every single day. Besides, the company’s base is cosy and well facilitated with bathrooms and airy prayer room. For lunch, we were served with nasi ayam penyet (rice served with spicy chicken and salad), popular in both Indonesia and Malaysia, which I had two servings topped with jus alpukat (avocado juice). I must say that I was contented. By the time we returned to our rooms for the night, we were all exhausted yet happy for the nice experience.

The next morning, we visited one more attraction close to Lake Toba, which is Simalem Park, a great place for hikers and newlyweds. It was raining by the time we arrived at the café to enjoy the view of Simalem Park. The feeling was almost similar to the one that I had when I was in Laban Rata during my Mount Kinabalu climb back in 2012. The temperature was cold and we were warmed ourselves with banana cheese fritters and hot coffee. The rain then gradually stopped, as if it knew that we wanted to walk around and snap photos. Within the park, we stopped by a place where the locals call Indonesia’s Rome, which has a Coliseum-like structure that is fully covered by vegetation and cold air, lending the place a kind of mystery. We bumped into a couple of newlyweds who were in the middle of their own photo-shoot at the Coliseum, relishing their togetherness while photographers captured their moments. No doubt, this is the perfect spot for newlyweds, including outdoor enthusiasts. Medan and its surrounds, as told by our tour guide, require more than three days to complete. After dinner on our last night, Firefly local staff Mas Dicky took us around the city, where we tasted delicious durian at a place called Ucok Durian, an eatery where people congregate to only enjoy the King of Fruits there and then. Later, Mas Dicky treated us to sate perut (tripe satay), sate usus (beef intestine satay), sate lidah (beef tongue satay) & sate campur (beef and chicken meat satay). I finished them all, without leaving any single morsel. I bid goodbye to Medan the next day. I will definitely return for the food and outdoor activities, including white water rafting, of course. Visit www.fireflyz.com.my for more information on flight to Medan.

» Explore Sumatera Adventure Trip & Training Jl. Setia Budi, No 132 Tanjung Sari, Medan Indonesia Tel: +061 821 3115 / 085361625549 GPS: 3.557513, 98.634664 » Rapid Fire Adventure Hutan Simpan Sungai Sedim 09700 Kulim, Kedah, Malaysia Tel: +60 13 606 1652 GPS: 5.392163, 100.562972 » Radak Adventure No. 12 B, DT (HS/5/11) Jln Sg Itek 31600 Gopeng, Perak Tel: +6019 505 7809 GPS: 4.474094, 101.167550 » Xadventure 44000 Kuala Kubu Bharu, Selangor, Malaysia Tel: +6012 465 3307 GPS: 3.562024, 101.631330

RELAX AND RECHARGE WITH THE FAMILY AT Discover the Wonders of Kuala Lumpur, including Rich Cultural Sites, World Class Shopping and Compelling Restaurants, with a Great Weekend Family Package at The Westin Kuala Lumpur

Starwood Hotels & Resorts invites guests to explore the uniquely dynamic city of Kuala Lumpur on the weekends, with The Westin Kuala Lumpur as their base. A tranquil bastion in the heart of the city, the hotel is ideally situated on Jalan Bukit Bintang – right in the midst of the Malaysian capital’s best shopping, entertainment and local attractions. Moreover, The Westin Kuala Lumpur is within walking distance of the monorail, seamlessly connecting visitors to the main transportation hub of KL Sentral, Chinatown and Central Market, among others. Guests will experience The Westin Kuala Lumpur’s innovative programs and instinctive services that turn their stay into a revitalising experience. At Westin, each signature offering has been designed to leave guests feeling better than when they first arrived, including deliciously wholesome SuperFoodsRx™ dishes; industryleading WestinWORKOUT® programs; the Heavenly® Bath for a spa-like bathroom experience; and the worldrenowned Heavenly® Bed for truly restorative sleep. For the special family weekend package, participating room types include the Two Bedroom Executive Residences, a 120-metre square 2-bedroom suite with sweeping balcony views, separate living and dining spaces, and spacious bedrooms furnished with one king bed and two single beds. Also, a kitchenette enhances guests’ comfort, providing basic cooking facilities,

a refrigerator and a mini-bar. Visitors may also opt for single connecting rooms, including the 42 square metre Deluxe and Premium guestrooms, with one room featuring a king bed and the other with two single beds. Other family-friendly amenities include a dedicated children’s pool and a variety of engaging activities. The latter includes the Bubbalicious Sunday Brunch activity corner just for kids at Prego, The Westin Kuala Lumpur’s award winning Italian restaurant, with a live show kitchen and rustic home-style Italian fare, including gourmet wood fired pizzas and homemade pasta. Also, upon request, the hotel can host children’s cooking class on the weekends. Additional dining options for families include The Living Room, a comfortable place for meals at any time of the day. From Breakfast Adventure and nutritious SuperFoodsRx™ selection to classic high tea sets during weekends, the venue serves as an oasis of culinary delights. Also, families may dine at Five Sen5es, home to the city’s most authentic Cantonese cuisine, with a wide array of tasty Dim Sum delicacies. As part of the weekend package, children from 4 to 12 years old enjoy a 50% discount on high tea at The Living Room and Dim Sum at Five Sen5es; children aged 7 to 12 are entitled to a 50% discount at Bubbalicious Sunday Brunch, with complimentary access to the kids club so parents can relax and take Sundays to Bubbalicious heights. Mums, dads and other accompanying adults can save 20% off on food and beverages at the hotel’s six signature restaurants, including Five Sen5es, Prego, Qba Latin Bar and Grill, The Living Room, Splash and Daily Treats – all presenting a variety of casual, yet compelling dining experiences. Children aged 3 to 12 are whole-heartedly welcomed at The Westin Kids Club®, which operates from Monday to Saturday, from 9:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. The fee starts at RM30 nett for the first hour and RM20 nett for subsequent hours. The special weekend package includes one complimentary hour at the club each day. Depending on their ages, children can partake in various hands-on crafts, fun games and active pursuits, such as scavenger and treasure hunts. In addition, the weekend package includes complimentary Internet access and self-parking, including guaranteed late check-out at 3:00 p.m. and extended breakfast hours on Sundays. Guests can save big with this great weekend package, indulging in a short family trip or local staycation, and experiencing the best of Kuala Lumpur. Rates begin at RM589 nett per night for a Deluxe City View room for stays on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays. Bookings can be made through www. thewestinkualalumpur.com or directly with the hotel’s reservation department at twkl.reservations@westin. com or at +6 03 2713 8333. The package is valid until 26 December 2015. For more information, please visit www.thewestinkualalumpur.com

Top Glamping Spots in South East Asia TEXT | Shahida Sakeri IMAGES | Respective Product Owners’ Websites

Glamourous camping, or glamping as it is known, is a trend that is increasingly popular, allowing travellers the chance to connect with nature through luxury and comfort. It is interesting that under the ‘glamping’ category there are so many subcategories for travellers to choose such as eco lodges, huts, tents, tipis, villas and tree houses. Below are our top choices of glamping spots in South East Asia that readers are welcome to check out:

01 | Canopy Tribes,

02 | JapaMala Resort, Malaysia Malaysia Nestled in the rustic Kampung Sungei Melayu, just 10 minutes JapaMala Resort is an eco-luxe property that features Malay-styled from Legoland, Johor, lies a bell-tent-styled accommodation architecture. Its 13 wooden villas peer over lush tropical vegetation luxuriously furnished with Queen Bed, side table, storage bench, towards the ocean. The entire resort is designed to blend into ice cooler and a patio with relaxing chairs. The resort also its natural surroundings, taking advantage of the character of provides ample activities such as flying fox, cycling, kayaking, the land upon which it is built. As a result, no two villas are the swimming, fishing, jungle trekking, rock climbing and paint ball. same. Guests staying at Japamala have access to its wide range of The rates here start from RM220 per night for two persons. outdoor activities including snorkelling, scuba diving and fishing. The rates start from RM1,540 per night for two persons. www.canopytribes.com www.japamalaresorts.com

03 | Kamu Lodge,

04 | 4 Rivers Floating Lodge,

Laos Kamu Lodge is an authentic eco-tourism and culturally responsible lodging nestled in the heart of Laos, on the bank of the mighty Mekong River. It offers visitors a truly unique journey deep into the heart of the Kamu community and nature as it engages with low-impact travel, seeking the balance between tourism and conservation of local culture and ethnic heritage. The lodge features 20 safari tents with solar-powered electricity, comfortably furnished with bamboo and rattan furniture and a private balcony overlooking the river. The rates here start at USD148 per night, including return Mekong cruise transfer.

Cambodia In a land of unspoilt virgin forest, rare orchids and fragrant frangipani, there is an environmentally friendly Cambodia fourstar glamping resort that offers nothing but luxury and high-end facilities called the 4 Rivers Floating Lodge. The resort includes 12 double and twin-bed tented villas, each containing flat-screen television, DVD player and mini bar. Do take note that the place applies the ultimate getaway tactic, therefore has no internet connectivity, no cell phone signal and absolutely no Wi-Fi. Instead, guests should seek refuge at the resort’s small reading room filled with books, or watch DVDs and play board games, all meant to foster closeness and bonding. The rates here start from USD 221 per night.

www.kamulodge.com

www.ecolodges.asia 046

05 | Amanwana,

06 | Sandat Glamping,

Indonesia Aman resorts always deliver, be it in terms of top-notch service, comfort and facilities. It is therefore not a surprise to hear that Aman resorts is always one of the top choices among the wellheeled. One of its properties that offers ‘glamping’ is Amanwana, which means ‘peaceful forest’, the only resort located on the island of Moyo, where guests can find some of the best scuba diving and snorkelling sites in the world. Guests who stay at Amanwana are treated like royalty from the moment they touch down at Bali airport, passing through smooth immigration process and the chauffeured to the resort. The rates start from USD 741 per night.

Indonesia Set on a quiet rice terrace outside Ubud with just eight luxury safari-styled tents, the Sandat Glamping Tents are the first of its kind in Bali to blend traditional Lumbung style with contemporary Italian design, offering guests an escape from the hustle and bustle of central Ubud. They also offer a variety of recreational activities here to enrich guests’ stay such as trekking, mountain biking and hiking. The rates start from USD190 per night, which includes complimentary return shuttle service from Ubud. www.glampingsandat.com

www.aman.com/resorts/amanwana 05

07 | Elephant Hills,

08 | Hintok River Camp,

Thailand Imagine African inspired safari tents amid tropical rainforest and limestone cliffs – that’s definitely what you’ll get when you stay at the fabulous Elephant Hills Jungle Safari Camp, Thailand’s first luxury tented camp surrounded by rainforest and located in Khao Sok National Park, Southern Thailand. The Elephant Camp comprises 35 luxurious, tailor-made tents and has successfully been operational for over 10 years. When staying here, guests should try searching for wildlife in the jungle; feeding, washing and interacting with elephants; canoeing or simply relax in front of their tents and admire sunset over the rainforest. The rates start from THB 17,850 per adult, which is an all-inclusive 3-day and 2-night package.

Thailand Situated in a beautiful spot by the River Kwai and the cliff of Hellfire Pass in Kanchanaburi, Hintok River Camp offers a relaxing experience in spacious deluxe canvas tents consisting either single or queen size bed, en suite bathroom, in-room adjustable air-conditioning, private veranda and rustic wooden furniture for guests’ utmost comfort. While the camp itself is beautiful, guests are also recommended to laze at the refreshing pool nearby, located halfway down to the river. There are a number of tour options and activities offered at reasonable prices such as kayaking, jungle trekking, elephant riding, bamboo rafting and even caving at Lawa cave. The rates here start from THB 6,200 per night including complimentary breakfast, dinner and Wi-Fi.

www.elephanthills.com

www.hintokrivercamp.com 047

Underground Société:

Defying the Norm TEXT | Shahida Sakeri IMAGES | Furqaan Hod & Coffee Societe

We all know what makes a good café: thoughtfully organic or sinfully comforting menu; coffees that are made right; competent and attentive staff; dining room that is both stylish and relaxing… But the really interesting cafes? They give us something we did not even know we wanted until they opened their doors. One such example is the signature Grenade dessert served by Underground Société that literally goes to flame or the refreshing cold brewed coffee drawn straight from a tap. Yes, a tap. Here at Underground Société, that’s just how things are done, which are unconventional and astounding. This establishment exudes passion for gastronomy that brings a sense of fun and an air of sophistication to the existing local café scene. The menu options are always innovative, showing creativity with ‘wow’ factor. It is the perfect example of how delicious wellplated dishes need not necessarily have to come out only from posh restaurants. In fact, all of the well-thought dishes in the menu are thoroughly crafted by the chefs and founders of the café themselves who are brothers, Choong Kar Wai and Choong Kar Heng. We sat with Kar Heng on one rainy evening to find out why Underground Société is like no other. “Underground Société is unique because it doesn’t reflect the normal standards set by other cafes in Malaysia. Here, we strive to break the mainstream combination of coffee and cake by instead pairing 050

restaurant-style food with excellent coffee on the side – almost like a finedining experience in a completely café environment,” he explained. And we couldn’t agree more. The food here is the star that attracts foodie fans from around Klang Valley. It was rather difficult for us to name which dish is the best on the menu. While my companion that day personally loved the ‘Grilled Atlantic Salmon with Asparagus, Roasted Pumpkin Broccoli, Beetroot, Sauteed Herb Potatoes & Foyot Sauce’ (RM45), I just couldn’t help but went head over heals for the ‘Slipper Lobster Pasta with Italian Pesto’ (RM35). However, we were on the same page about the undeniably addictive ‘French Toast with Nutella’ (RM15). It’s a little sweet, but not to the point of hurting your tooth. It’s so good that it should be available from the pharmacy on prescription!

As for its coffee, Underground Société uses the special Société Blend, which is custom-made for the café itself by the Australia-based coffee roaster company Coffex. Thus, coffee lovers should be rest-assured that the coffee they get here is the best that they can get considering how Australians take their coffee seriously. The blend is wonderfully balanced, smooth and sweet with medium body. Should customers enjoy alcohol in their coffee, they can opt for Baileys Latte (RM15) or Kahlua Latte (RM15) for that extra kick, perfect on casual night outs.

Meanwhile, the staff here are professional and engaging. Customers are warmly greeted at the entrance who are then ushered to their table. The café’s interior is well-designed, dim-lit with strong focus on wood, bare lightbulbs and rich dark tones to create an industrial aesthetic yet feeling cosy. Since the menu draws a more sophisticated crowd to the café, its ambience carries the air of no-nonsense urbanity, indicating that Underground Société certainly knows the requirements of its customers, who are generally urbane, discerning and possess good taste. By the way, to get to Underground Société, customers need to be mindful that finding a parking space may take a while since the café is surrounded by busy automobile workshops. However, the fulfilment that customers obtain for dining at Underground Société far outweighs the minor irritation of trying to find a parking spot… Underground Société Opens daily from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 a.m. 68, Jalan PJS 11/7, Bandar Sunway 46150, Selangor Tel: +603 5613 3851 Email: hello@undergroundsociete.com FB: UndergroundSociete IG: UndergroundSociete 051

Dinoscovery:

A Place for Budding

Palaeontologists TEXT | Shahida Sakeri IMAGES | Discoveria Avenue K

Dinosaurs have never ceased to amaze us all. Being thrust under the spotlight especially by Hollywood, these Mesozoic creatures consistently become the object of scientific fascination, probably due to their possible ferocity and gigantic size that invite wonder and admiration. Every time palaeontologists unearth the remains of dinosaurs, it becomes news. And what better way can we appreciate these extinct powerful creatures other than experiencing the exhibition called Dinoscovery by Dinosaurs Live! at Avenue K? Dinoscovery is Asia Pacific’s first-of-its-kind world-class interactive, edutainment dinosaur exhibition, which sole purpose is to celebrate the budding young palaeontologists. Dinoscovery encourages children to learn about dinosaurs in a fun and engaging way through 15 hands-on, experiential and highly interactive educational activities. Also, this 13,000 square foot exhibition features 18 reengineered life-size animatronic dinosaurs in trueto-life adventure-like settings including Pteranodon, Velociraptor and people’s favourite, Tyrannosaurus Rex, simply known as T-Rex. 052

So why do the dinosaurs grip our imagination so tenaciously? What did they eat? How fast could they move? What did they sound like? What colour were they? These are the questions that are not necessarily serious but amusing to learn by both children and adults. As they say, to contemplate on these mysterious creatures is to contemplate on the mysteries of life on Earth. In fact, the 15-minute documentary included in the tour enlightens both children and adults on the last days of the dinosaurs, making visitors feel more knowledgeable as they leave the venue.

The exciting tour begins as soon as the visiting children dress up as Indiana Jones and get their pictures taken in front of a green screen. They are then given a palaeontologist map and a Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) band that will aid them in the hunt for dinosaurs and Mesozoic specimens – a journey of discovery full of unique experiences that offer creative learning process for the children. Upon completion of the activity, these aspiring palaeontologists receive a Junior or Expert Palaeontologist certificate at the redemption and merchandising counter.

Other exciting activities include the opportunity for children to use their vivid imagination and embark on their own little adventure such as shooting pesky mosquitoes to save the Diplocuses, excavating fossils at the sand pit, climbing a wall to have a glimpse of a Pteranodonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s nest, handling dinosaur dropping, challenging a Gallimimus in an interactive race, and learning about the evolution of dinosaurs by analysing and comparing present-day animals such as chickens and elephants with dinosaurs as such the Theropod and Sauropod. Plus, they can also ride a baby T-rex for a perfect photo memorabilia. Tickets for children aged 17 years and below are priced at RM35 for Malaysians and RM50 for non-Malaysians, while tickets for adults are priced at RM25 for Malaysians and RM40 for nonMalaysians. Dinoscovery opening hours are 10:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. on weekdays and 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. on weekends, including school and public holidays. 053

Graphics by Freepik.com

Celebrating

Malaysian Talents

TEXT | Shahida Sakeri IMAGES | Respective Product Owners’ Websites

Shopping has always been one of the top things to do while travelling. Looking at the growing fashion scene in the country, Malaysian designers have started to impress not just locals but also foreigners through their promising and vibrant creation. The following are the seven local brands that we think ﬁt the bill:

1. Dude & the Duchess Founded in 2008, Dude & the Duchess offers trendsetting garb both for men and women, in line with their strong belief in proper tailoring and construction, particularly when it comes to quality and attention to detail. They attempt to epitomise modern chicness as an easyto-wear label offering clothes that can be mixed and matched with ease. Shirts are their speciality, with men’s shirts starting at RM159 and women’s at RM129. Instagram ID: @dudeandtheduchess

2. Pestle & Mortar Clothing Since 2010, Pestle & Mortar Clothing has established themselves as pioneers and one of South East Asia’s leading streetwear and lifestyle brand amongst urbanites. But more interestingly, the brand is not just about a clothing line, but also a projection of what they believe in, personal lifestyles, culture and homeland. It is the casual wear lifestyle brand that is well renowned for its graphic design t-shirts, colourful pocket tees, and love for all things Malaysian. Instagram ID: @pestlemortarclothing 054

3. OLDbrand

4. Nazifi Nasri

OLDbrand is an urban street clothing that is primarily aimed at fashion-conscious men and women. Fuelled by the constant desire to reinvent urban styles, they offer a variety of lifestyle merchandise to specifically targeted customers, specialising in t-shirts and bags. The soul of OLDbrand -- its people, products and culture -- is all about high value and edgy creativity. Instagram ID: @oldbrands

Sandals are essential, especially to cope with Malaysia’s humid weather. One of the good local brands in the market at the moment is Nazifi Nasri, offering genuine natural exquisitely handmade leather sandals with high quality craftsmanship for both men and women. Available in a variety of beautiful leather designs and combined with a durable rubber sole, these sandals provide a light, stylish comfort. Instagram ID: @naziﬁnasri

5. Lanbaharin A man’s shoes are the most important items in his wardrobe. However, a pair of handmade welted shoes goes beyond mere items of apparel. Masterfully crafted, Lanbaharin’s shoes are designed for the fashion-conscious gentleman. The story of Lanbaharin began in 1987, producing shoes meticulously by hand and made mostly from suede. Lanbaharin’s loafers incorporate classic, instantly recognisable styles, making them a hit in Japan. Instagram ID: @lanbaharin

6. Duo by Joyce Wong Duo by Joyce Wong embodies her penchant for elegant downtown styling with powerful femininity, or in other words, beautiful unfussy feminine clothes that are both luxurious and wearable. The concept is cleverly translated into pieces like cap-sleeve dresses, colour-block shifts and structural separates. So far, she has won the “Best Academic Achievement Award” and “Best Collection Winner” at Raffles Institute of Design of Kuala Lumpur and even during the Malaysian Young Designer Competition in 2008.

7. Thirtyfour.Bespoke Thirtyfour.Bespoke is the KL’s most sought-after artisan leather-maker, which offers products that are divided into seasonal, bestseller, and customisable collections. Customers can have more than 50 items tailored to their liking such as totes, passport covers, sandals, lanyards, luggage tags, wristbands, leads and dog collars. They can also choose their own gems, charms, settings, and personalised engravings, together with a butter-soft selection of top-notch hides. Instagram ID: @34stories

Facebook ID: Duo by Joyce Wong 055

Ku De Ta has been known as one of Bali’s most prominent hotspot, often considered the main place to see and be seen on the island. So much so that the popular venue has become one of the must-visit places on all travellers’ list. Ku De Ta’s idyllic tropical setting is an excuse to visit at any time of the year, where the sunshine reigns all year round. Set on the southern coast of the island, surrounded by the fragrance of fresh ocean water, Ku De Ta’s elegantly designed spaces seamlessly transition into a lively backdrop for music, dancing, lounging and dining as the sun sets into the evening. Being a highly acclaimed beach front destination in Seminyak, Ku De Ta promises an experience that travellers can’t say ‘No’. Whether over a meal or casual cocktails, Ku De Ta’s picturesque setting provides sweeping views of the Indian Ocean that will simply take your breath away. Known for its unparalleled level of Balinese hospitality and diverse dining offerings, Ku De Ta offers an extraordinary dining experience and will certainly become, if it hasn’t already, your next private escape.

Where the Sun Sets and the Party Begins TEXT | Nawar Anisah IMAGES | Ku De Ta

056

The contemporary design adopts a modern Balinese style, which we then discovered that most furniture and interior decorative items are indeed homegrown Balinese products, crafted by Balinese craftsmen, or locally known as perajin. The cuisines that are represented in the menu are a cross between Mediterranean, Japanese and regional Asian, where the ingredients and produce are mostly sourced locally to guarantee their freshness, besides supporting local farmers. That has indeed been Ku De Ta’s recipe for success, winning it numerous accolades over the years. Ku De Ta first opened in 2000 on a beach fronting façade in Seminyak, pioneering

the concept of a multi-dimensional beach club, dining experience and overall nightlife venue in Bali. Inspired by the Mediterranean beach club venues, Ku De Ta aims to introduce stylish, hip and happening beach hangout with an Asian atmosphere. The approach works, and Ku De Ta has been garnering customers non-stop from near and far from the very beginning. Not only that, it has somewhat become a culture in Seminyak to lie down on the red plush cushions at the alfresco courtyard with drink in hand and enjoy the mesmerising sunset.

Besides playing host to a myriad of visitors, Ku De Ta is commonly the place of choice to have product launches, private functions and various events. Patrons have a choice of having either a closed or private function, lunch or dinner. Ku De Ta is a terrific all-day dining and chill out destination, which opens from 8:00 a.m. and closes late at night, every day. With its formidable concoction of stunning beachfront location, accompanied by its signature DJ platform that is the centre point of almost every photo taken at the club, it is a no wonder that the club remains as a big hit in Seminyak. www.kudeta.net 057

Telaga Harbour Park Pantai Kok, Langkawi, Malaysia

Telephone: +604 959 3288

Email: info@thedanna.com www.thedanna.com

On the west coast of the tropical Langkawi sits the

One will appreciate their signature The Danna

Colonial-Mediterranean inspired The Danna Langkawi.

Experience where hospitality is rendered genuinely.

Adjacent to the beautiful Telaga Harbour marina,

Truly a vacation for the elite, guests are recommended

this award-winning 5-star luxury hotel is about 11

to leave the coordination of their stay to the Guest

kilometres away from Langkawi International Airport.

Experience Planners for a hassle-free holiday.

The spacious 125 rooms and suites are elegantly designed with a private balcony that frames the

The Danna Langkawi is a multiple winner of TripAdvisor

different angles of the ocean, marina, hills and the

Travellers’ Choice for consecutive years. It bagged titles

courtyard. Guests should never miss taking a dip in

in the Service and Romance categories, and is named

the hotel’s inviting swimming pool, which is the largest

No. 1 Top Hotel and Luxury Hotel in Malaysia in 2015

infinity pool on the island. A pampering session at The

TripAdvisor Travellers’ Choice. The hotel is also the only

Danna Spa is also warranted so that guests can totally

hotel earned a spot in the Asia Top 25 in the Top Hotel

rejuvenate and reenergise when staying at the hotel.

and Luxury Hotel categories.

LOCATION: The Danna Langkawi is approximately 11 kilometres away from Langkawi International Airport and 13 kilometres from Pantai Cenang, on the west coast of Langkawi main island. Situated along Pantai Kok, this beachfront hotel is part of Telaga Harbour Park and situated next to Perdana Quay that is built to resemble a Mediterranean-style harbour town on the French Riviera.

A Prime Mover of the Malaysian Tourism Powerhouse

Datuk Rashidi Hasbullah, Deputy Secretary General of the Ministry of Tourism and Culture Malaysia IMAGES | Datuk Rashidi Hasbullah & Faiz Jalal

Gaya Travel Magazine recently sat down with the handsome and sharp Datuk Rashidi Hasbullah to get his valuable opinion on Malaysia’s rising costs, new policies, homestay programme and ASEAN.

Datuk, in terms of the current situation, since Malaysia is facing rising costs, do you see this as a big challenge to the tourism industry and to the domestic tourists? Talking about challenges in the tourism industry, of course there will be since the industry is sensitive, yet resilient. The industry is stable because we have many great products. If you notice our arrival every year, you can see that generally there is increase in terms of arrivals and tourism receipts. Despite many challenges, Malaysia is still able to cope. For example, like last year, when we launched Visit Malaysia Year 2014, we had two big incidents involving MH370 and MH17. We thought it would be difficult to get arrivals at that time but we soldiered on. Due to our promotional efforts, we continue to receive tourists because people already know Malaysia and appreciate its diverse tourism products and attractions. Despite the challenges, we still managed to receive 27.4 million tourists in 2014 as compared to 25.4 million in 2013, representing 8% increase. This is indeed a great achievement for Malaysia. Besides that, many perceived that the slide of our currency causes our industry to drop. Instead, the situation only makes our country more attractive to foreign tourists since things become cheaper for them. And we even received news that during Singapore’s Independence Day, many Singaporeans flooded Malaysia in record numbers. In terms of domestic tourism, there is no change because Malaysia uses its own currency, the Ringgit, to sell products. So even when the Ringgit drops, our charges remain the same. Malaysians can still enjoy travelling in the country. That’s why this year we are promoting the domestic tourism campaign called Cuti-Cuti Malaysia with the theme ‘Dekat Je’(‘It’s closer than you think’) to encourage locals to travel locally. Moreover, the fall of Ringgit discourages Malaysians to travel abroad as it becomes costlier.

060

In terms of policies, is there any new policy that is being introduced by the government to further assist the industry? We have introduced the Malaysia Tourism Transformation Plan in 2010 (MTTP), a ten-year programme, which targets that by 2020, Malaysia will receive 36 million with RM168 billion tourism receipts. By introducing the MTTP, we have identified many initiatives and campaigns in order to add value to the MTTP programme. For example, in 2014, it was Visit Malaysia Year; 2015, Malaysia Year of Festivals and Dekat Je; 2018 will be Malaysia Year of Care (a collaboration with the Malaysian Health Tourism Council) to boost the medical tourism; and Visit Malaysia Year 2020. We are also in the process of reviewing our ecotourism master plan, first introduced in 1996, since our country is rich in biodiversity. The master plan covers 10 years, with the next decade starting from the end of 2015 to 2025. In 1996, we had only 48 ecotourism sites but now, we realised that the number is larger and we need to accurately take stock of them.

Ecotourism has huge potential â&#x20AC;&#x201C; how much benefit do you see that you can get from promoting ecotourism? Can you put it in numbers, Datuk? Actually during our survey for ecotourism, out of 27.4 million arrival last year, 8% of them came here for ecotourism. Thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a lot. So we want to promote ecotourism further. Because our country is still 60% green. We have excellent ecotourism sites, both in East and West Malaysia, like jungles and marine parks. Tourists from Japan, Australia and Europe love to come to these places. 061

Gaya Interview

Do you remember the time when you represented Malaysia to receive an award from the UN for our homestay programme? Yes. In fact, homestay is part of ecotourism. Our homestay programme is very well-known in the world now. When people talk about homestay, they talk about Malaysia. We started the homestay programme back in 1986 under the programme called ‘Anak Angkat’ (‘Foster Child’) as it initially involved students who came here to live with local families to learn about the Malaysia lifestyle and culture. We noticed that the foreign students loved it and immediately thought that it might be interesting for tourists as well. So, we officially adopted it in the 1995 and called it the Homestay Programme. We received positive response from tourists coming from Singapore, Japan, Australia and South Korea. I think we started to promote homestay vigorously in 2008 or 2009. In 2012, our Malaysia Homestay Experience Program won the UNWTO Ulysses Award for Innovation in Public Policy and Governance.

062

Do you get responses from other nations that would like to learn about the homestay programme? Yes. In fact, many of them came to Malaysia specifically to ask about it. I’ve received a visit from representatives of Colombia government to ask about the programme. Then, our government developed the Malaysian Technical Cooperation Programme that allows other countries to come to Malaysia and learn from us. So we designed a specific MTTP course for the Colombian government to learn about the homestay programme. We also received inquiries from Kenya, Georgia and the Philippines. They even invited us to their homestay seminars and courses to give talk. Since we won the award, ASEAN countries want us to lead and come up with homestay standards for the ASEAN countries. We had created it and presented it during the ASEAN Tourism Forum last year in Kuching. It has been agreed by the ASEAN community and now, we are in the process of implementing them. This would be a good initiative from Malaysia, so in the future, when you visit other countries, you will find homestays similar to the ones in Malaysia in terms of standards.

The uniqueness of Malaysian homestays lies in the experience: the participants will live with their host, follow the lifestyle, be involved with the activities and enjoy the village atmosphere. Currently, we have 311 villages participating in the homestay programme.

Is there any new policy that will be introduced specifically for homestay, Datuk? These days, we notice that more tourists seek the village experience without having to compromise on their privacy and comfort. They prefer to live in a separate home. So we introduced another segment called ‘Kampungstay’ programme that allows tourists to obtain the rich village experience but with a bit more privacy – instead of staying with the host family under one roof, they have separate accommodations that is close to the host family’s home. Right now, we have registered only a few homestay operators under this segment since we haven’t officially launched the programme. One good example of ‘Kampungstay’ operator is Desa Murni, Pahang.

Package (3-2-1: 3 Places, 2 Countries, 1 Package - Penang, Melaka, Borobudur), Ecotourism Package, Sightseeing Package, and River Cruise Package (Thailand, Vietnam, Laos).

One last question Datuk, to those who are interested to join the tourism industry, what would your advice be? Coming from the Ministry of Tourism and Culture, we encourage students, especially those in the tourism and hospitality fields, they must continue their career in the respective fields that they study. I notice that many students don’t join the industry once they graduated. The tourism industry is growing very fast and in order to become a tourism country, we need people who love tourism and have the expertise, as the way for the country to ‘Think Tourism, Act Tourism’. Sadly we are depending a lot on foreign workers right now, for example foreign spa therapists. Tourism students need to be mentally ready and willing to work long hours, which is the nature of the job.

In terms of ASEAN, Datuk, how do you see we benefit from them? Where do we fit in the scheme of things? ASEAN community is indeed a very good platform to work with. And so far, I think, Malaysia is a leading country when it comes to tourism, besides Singapore, Thailand and Indonesia, which have excellent tourism industry as well. But definitely, all countries are now looking at Malaysia because we have been performing from the beginning. Now we can see the trend that most tourists, especially the long haul ones, want to make the most of their travelling. They want to visit not only one country but more, at least two countries. That’s why in ASEAN is introducing multidestination packages because we want to sell ASEAN as a single destination. There are different packages offered by ASEANTA including the Heritage 063

What makes Fraser Residence Kuala Lumpur stand out According to Michael, other serviced residences offer strictly rooms and don’t offer food and beverage (F&B), or if they do provide breakfast, they often outsource it to a third party, in most cases a bar or a lobby lounge, thus people don’t get the expected quality or standards. “We had guests who previously stayed at one of our competitors and had breakfast in an outlet run by a third party that is converted into a bar at night. When they had breakfast at 6:30 to 7:00 o’clock the next morning, the place was not clean and fit for dining,” utters Michael.

The Future lies in Serviced Residences Michael Lee,

General Manager of Fraser Residence Kuala Lumpur IMAGES | Furqaan Hod

Being one of the latest additions in Kuala Lumpur’s burgeoning hospitality scene, Fraser Residence opened its doors in early 2015 and have been attracting local and international travellers in droves. Its General Manager, Mr Michael Lee, talked to Gaya Travel Magazine on the uniqueness offered by the Fraser brand and what travellers can expect from the new property. 064

Traditionally, serviced residences have only be focussing on rooms because the profit margin is high, unlike the F&B business, which offers lower margin due to substantial costs involved. Fraser Residence is different because it runs its own F&B outlets, Relish, which is an all-day dining offering three meals a day located at the lobby, and Cafe on the Fifth located by the pool, which is a family restaurant. The property also offers full service in-room dining, 24-hour room service. In short, Fraser Residence Kuala Lumpur is anyone’s preferred serviced residence in Kuala Lumpur with full hotel facilities. For Frasers Hospitality, the group looks at this matter differently; the group realises that customer trends have now changed and guests expect more choices from their lodgings, meaning that sometimes they would want to cook themselves or dine outside, as well as eating at the F&B outlet and order room service. “We can not keep telling customers that we are a serviced residence therefore our customers have to order food delivery. Frasers Hospitality has now moved up another level – our properties has more facilities and features such as in-house F&B outlets, 24-hour room service, and qualified chef,” Michael reveals. During the recent Ramadan month,

Fraser Residence Kuala Lumpur flew in the chef from Fraser Suites Dubai, Chef Hussain, who is stationed at the property a few weeks to train local employees on the preparation of authentic Middle Eastern cuisine since Relish served local and Middle Eastern fare throughout the period. Fraser Residence Kuala Lumpur is also working with the corporate office in Singapore to bring its Malaysian chef to promote Malaysian food in Australia and Europe. “If we were to look at the menu in Relish restaurant, one of the dishes served is the deeply comforting Nasi Goreng Indonesia, which is famous at Fraser Residence Menteng – Frasers Hospitality intends to bring the best of what it offers from the communities that they are present in and share it with the other international properties to enrich their customers’ experience,” says Michael.

Well thought out features After the inception of Capri by Fraser in Bangsar last year, Frasers Hospitality opened Fraser Residence Kuala Lumpur in January this year. Michael states that Fraser Residence Kuala Lumpur targets two market segments, the first main component being the long-term guests (those who stay for a minimum of 30 nights – on average, long-term guests stay for six months). Another component is the leisure travellers who stay for three to five nights, with the average short-terms stays hovering at 2.4 nights. Compared to traditional hotels, which only focus on short stays, serviced residence like Fraser Residence Kuala Lumpur is strong in long-term stays. Being a serviced residence, the property offers many facilities in all of its rooms. For the Studio, which is the entry level room, the size is already the largest in the market at 58 square metres. All rooms come with cooking facilities, washer and dryer, which are definite pluses because the other competitors do not have washer and dryer in the rooms. However, with such features, Fraser Residence Kuala Lumpur’s rates are more or less similar to

the competitors’. “Why pay for smaller room that has lesser feature?” Michael quips. Since Fraser Residence Kuala Lumpur is the flagship and the largest Frasers Hospitality property in the world, it does not operate like any other traditional serviced residence because it incorporates “the one button to call for anything, similar to a one-stop concierge or service centre” concept that is prevalent in hotels. Michael shares that guests’ demands from that one dial up button are directed to dedicated runners through their mobile devices, who will then attend to guest’s requests according to a standard delivery time. Interestingly, Fraser s Hospitality takes the pain in compiling those requests and analyse them to find out guests’ pattern of behaviour so that in the future, Frasers Hospitality will be able to easily anticipate guests’ needs. Michael further expounds that many valuable insights have been extrapolated based on studying those requests and demands. Those insights have now been applied on Frasers’ Hospitality new properties and become Frasers Hospitality’s DNA, such as the provision of full length mirror for guests to preen themselves before leaving their rooms; signature working tables and chairs by Okamura or Herman Miller that are more ergonomic to support lengthy sitting; slow closures for furnishings that require opening and shutting like the toilet covers, drawers, cabinets and doors; built-in international adaptors in rooms; surround sound system; i-Pod deck; and simple basic shoe rack, which commonly lacks in traditional hotels. Michael labels those unique characteristics as the quintessential Fraser Difference. “This is the only property in Kuala Lumpur that has an impressive sky gym that capitalise on the 360-degree panoramic view of the city,” he claims. No wonder Fraser Residence Kuala Lumpur is accorded the Gold Standard due to these outstanding characteristics. The property also recently won the World Travel Award 2015 as Malaysia’s Leading Serviced Apartments.

Mr. Michael Lee in short: • Malaysian-born, hometown: Melaka

• Have travelled around the Asia Pacific region

• Have spent 25 years in the industry • A Singaporean hotel school graduate •

Joined the airline for almost three years during younger days to gain travelling experience and character development

• Worked at Singapore Pan Pacific Group and Pan Pacific Hotel Group properties in Malaysia; then moved on to Sama-sama KLIA, Sutera Harbour Resorts’ pre-opening team • Worked in China to oversee hotels in Zhuhai and Macau • •

Joined Indonesia’s Mulya Group as General Manager for the Anggerik Service apartments, the largest property in Indonesia

Returned to Malaysia and joined pre-opening for Fraser Residence, which is Fraser’s Malaysia largest property for now

•

Served Shangri-La Chengdu and involved in bringing the much touted pandas to Malaysia

065

Gaya Interview travellers who expect more features from their lodgings; the other is due to the increasing number of Asian property investors eager to build serviced residences and seek out corporations like Fraser to manage. In Kuala Lumpur, over three years ago, there was not so much news about hotel openings other than Frasers Hospitality’s properties such as Fraser Place Kuala Lumpur. But of late, more properties are coming up in the city. Indirectly this gives leverage to the Frasers Hospitality brand to expand. Frasers Hospitality DNA is very much reflected in its branding. Prior to attracting customers, the company works closely with their partners, the building owners, so that they adhere to Frasers Hospitality’s DNA. “For instance, once guests step into the lobby, they will see iMacs used by guests and staff. Fraser also requires partners to install saltwater pool and children’s room. Together with their partners, Fraser embarks on Fraser Care, which refers to the group’s CSR projects, including Fraser World Membership, which is the group’s loyalty programme that intends to convert travellers to become loyal customers and enjoy privileges such as opportunity to collect reward points in getting room upgrades, now planning to extend their reward point system to include airline tickets,” Michael elaborates. Despite the spaciousness and impressive built-in facilities, there is not much difference in terms of prices between the serviced residence and hotel. Guests are encouraged to book their rooms online in advance because of the savings that can be reaped.

What the future holds for serviced residences According to Michael, due to the Asian economic growth, the increase in the number of serviced residences is propelled by the more sophisticated 066

Michael’s advice to those who want to join the hospitality industry: •

Graduates of the hotel industry need to be aware that in the next 10 to 15 years, they will see more growth of serviced residences besides hotels

•

Graduates who pursue hotel management should find opportunity to do internship in a hotel cum serviced residences environment to make themselves more marketable

•

The trend indicates that hotels are getting less popular – there would be more serviced residences coming into the market in the next few years, which will have an edge against traditional hotels

• Fraser Residence Kuala Lumpur works with hotel schools and inform them that it is in the best interest of the graduates to work in serviced residences today and learn the ropes – by 15 to 20 years they will become GM of a serviced residence because the market is going to that direction

“With stronger brand presence through more Frasers Hospitality properties popping up in Malaysia and the region, together with more people getting to know us and accustomed to how we do business, the brand is bound to become stronger. We are confident that we will soon become market leaders,” Michael claims. When it comes to expanding the Fraser brand in Malaysia, Michael and his team assist Frasers Hospitality’s corporate office in Singapore in doing the groundwork by hosting the site visit by the potential investors, providing them the basic information about Frasers Hospitality, how the corporation operates, and what Frasers Hospitality provides in terms of technical perspectives, sales, marketing, branding, operations and fee. As a GM, Michael is tasked on how to grow the brand in the region and coordinate with the other Frasers Hospitality properties in Malaysia. Michael confesses that since opening, the property is doing brisk business and has strongly penetrated the market. “By second quarter, we hit our forecast,” Michael radiates. “The reason is because we have an excellent product that offers hotel facilities but different from a normal hotel as well as rated as Goldstandard,” Michael states. Gaya Travel foresees that under Michael’s leadership, Fraser Residence Kuala Lumpur is bound to scale to greater heights.

Putting Hotel Istana on Corporate Travellers’ Map Mr Aamir Khan,

General Manager of Hotel Istana IMAGES | Faiz Jalal

To understand more about Hotel Istana Kuala Lumpur City Centre and the direction that it is currently taking, Gaya Travel interviewed the hotel’s dashing and astute General Manager, Mr Aamir Khan, an international hotelier whose family has been in the hotel business for three generations and grew up in hotels in different parts of the world.

Refreshing changes Ever since Aamir came in last year, he introduced several changes, one of them being the corporate lounge, a dedicated area conveniently located on the lobby level that is separate from the main reception. At the space, guests are welcomed with complimentary refreshing drinks and cold towels while waiting to be checked in exclusive comfort and personal attention. He also introduced another significant change to respond to the slowing down of tourists from China due to the two Malaysia Airlines’ aircraft incidences in 2014: the Japanese Lounge known as “Iyashi Lounge”, to tap on the growth of the Japanese travel market. Back in 2010 and 2011, Aamir was lucky to spend some precious time having some really special conversations with Tun Mahathir during the pre-opening of The Danna Langkawi which Aamir opened in December of 2010 – Aamir picked up a great deal of wisdom from Tun and inspired by the policy introduced by Tun Mahathir Mohamad (Malaysia’s former Prime Minister), which was “Look East”, prompting him to focus more on the eastern markets other than China. Aamir ended up conquering Japanese market. The lounge is located where there used to be a Japanese restaurant that comes with a well-kept Japanese garden. There is a dedicated Japanese Guest Relations 068

Manager serving the Japanese guests during checking in and checking out. Hotel Istana also employs a Japanese Director of Sales to bring in business from Japanese companies. No other hotel in Kuala Lumpur offers such service and Hotel Istana makes the Japanese guests feels at home. “Things were already in place so I only needed to think it out, strategize and shuffle the existing resources. Since I already had the resources that allowed me to build strategy to attract the Japanese market, then implementation and execution of the strategy was easy,” mulls Mr Aamir. The Iyashi Lounge also serves Japanese breakfast, separate from the other guests, because the Japanese much prefer their own food and their own people serving them. The breakfast is prepared by Malaysian-born Chef Ismail who is well trained and highly experienced in preparing authentic Japanese cuisine to the point that the Japanese guests would not be able to tell that it is the work of a non-Japanese. “I am very grateful to my team for successfully attracting the Japanese market to the hotel. We have companies like Sony and Panasonic that provide us long-staying guests who do not only stay for one week but actually longer. The business given by these companies are

also long-term,” notes Aamir. At the moment, the lounge is not open to outside guests yet – Hotel Istana prefers to keep the lounge for its own Japanese guests to maintain its exclusivity. The lounge is open from morning until night, serving breakfast then snacks and canapés during the day. In the evening, the lounge serves beverages for the guests to enjoy and unwind while viewing the iconic PETRONAS Twin Towers catching up on Japanese television programmes so that they would not miss home. Besides the Japanese market, the Middle East market is also crucial to Hotel Istana. “The market is always part of us, especially during the Middle East summer season that starts from July until September,” Aamir shares. At the time of this interview (mid-August 2015), half of the hotel is occupied by guests from the Middle East. The hotel enjoys good representation and strongly attracts Middle East guests due to the hotel’s location, which is only a few steps away from Pavilion Kuala Lumpur and close to five shopping malls at Bukit Bintang.

Enhancing the hotel’s appeal and revenue Aamir recognises that being a 23-year old hotel, Hotel Istana requires regular upgrades due to wear and tear, as well as the need in keeping up with the times. The hotel plans to undergo renovation at some stage in the near future. Hotel Istana’s challenge is the perception of the corporate world that it is a local parochial Malay hotel, which is actually not the case at all because the hotel offers facilities and services offered by other international hotels. “The idea is not to make it specific to only one nationality and instead make it internationally appealing and neutral, especially after making changes on its offerings and embarking on extensive renovation plans,” confesses Aamir.

Hotel Istana’s strengths, according to Aamir Khan:

• Its location, which is “The City Centre” of Kuala Lumpur

•

Hotel Istana is a distinctly Malaysian, a home-grown brand – guests checking into the hotel will get the true reflection of Malaysian hospitality

•

The hotel has the third largest ballroom in the city thus able to host many government, corporate and business functions

•

Among its competitors, Hotel Istana is ranked number one in terms of service as mentioned in the social media based on data collected from selected hotels, which gives comparison on which hotel does well in what categories. Aamir targets for Hotel Istana to remain among the top five city hotels in Kuala Lumpur through service excellence delivered by welltrained associates

• Dedicated corporate lounge for corporate guests • Dedicated Japanese lounge for Japanese guests • Hotel Istana offers complimentary Wi-Fi connectivity that is 100Mbps strong to all of its guests

Throughout the years, Aamir observes that there is a shift in terms of the types of guests staying at Hotel Istana. When it first started, the hotel attracted corporate clients. Over the years, it has shifted over to the leisure market due to Malaysia’s tourism growth. Nowadays, the hotel intends to shift back their focus on corporate business, hence the creation of the Corporate Lounge, specifically catering to the hotel’s corporate clientele. Obviously, in terms of profitability, corporate business offers more compared to leisure business. 069

Gaya Interview Working culture “Our culture is very tran sparent,” Aamir reveals. “We are transparent so much so that we willingly share our financial number, our profitability and everything related to it, with our associates,” he added. “What the General Manager knows, the associates know - the associates know how good or bad the hotel is doing, the associates know where we are going, the associates know our direction” This transparent culture is congruent to the culture of Tradewinds Hotels & Resorts (the holding company that owns Hotel Istana). Speaking of Tradewinds, Aamir claims that the company strongly emphasises on the training and development of its personnel at all of its properties. “I give a lot of credit to the senior management of Tradewinds because they have given us the direction. Thus, Hotel Istana trains its people to produce quality staff. We believe that if we focus on our associates, if we empower them, if we train and provide them with necessary tools, they will put those things in practice. We believe that whatever we do, we must have positive effect on our guests. Therefore to make sure that our service is up to mark, we have to train our employees really well so that the hotel can deliver our promise to our guests. A proud achievement is Trip Advisor ranking which was at number 40 when Aamir took over and it is now at 27 and credit goes to our focus on continuous training and consistency in service,” Aamir explains. When asked about how Hotel Istana addresses the high staff turnover that is normally faced by the Malaysian hospitality industry, Aamir claims that the hotel has been fortunate because it still retains many of its associates who have been around since its inception, therefore the hotel does not face extraordinary turnover problem. “Though we are located in KL where opportunities 070

to move to other organisations are abundant, our associates stay put because of Tradewinds’ senior management’s emphasis on taking care of its employees, which is our strength,” Aamir beams. Of course, the hotel is open to the fact that some of its employees will move for better opportunity, and in turn the hotel accepts new employees such as those who have worked in upper upscale properties to reinvigorate the workforce. There are also employees who have worked in the hotel, moved on to other hotels, but then return. “This is the reason why I have personally returned as well. I was here in 2007 serving as Hotel Manager. I was then asked to open The Danna Langkawi as General Manager. Later I moved to Dubai and worked for The Address Hotels, and from there I have returned to Hotel Istana,” Aamir rekindles. At the end of the interview, Aamir took the Gaya Travel team to check out Hotel Istana’s Corporate Lounge, Japanese Lounge and new meeting spaces, all of them brimming with positivity and promise. Based on our observation, it is safe to say that Hotel Istana is definitely set for better times ahead under Aamir’s helm, come what may.

Aamir’s advice to those who want to join the industry: •

They must be prepared to really work hard and make sacrifices - you must put your number of hours and true passion into it

• They must realise that the hotel industry is a 24-hour, 365 days business • Must be naturally willing to serve guests/customers and must have strong customer service attitude • Possess basic knowledge of the hospitality industry •

If you do not have passion to serve guests, then do not enter the hospitality industry because no matter what you do, you will end up serving the customer whether you are a manager or non-manager – focus is always on the guest

• Must also embrace the rapidly changing technology – must know computers, software, devices such as smartphones and i-Pads because mobile technology is the future of the hospitality industry. Travellers are increasingly doing reservations and checking in through smartphones.

Destinations

Amman Citadel, JORDAN IMAGE | Sharm

073

Eat Travel Write 2015 Selangor Culinary Adventure TEXT | Adela Roslan IMAGES | Amierah Noor

From 11 until 14 June 2015, Gaya Travel Magazine teamed up with the Selangor State Planning Unit in organising a programme called Eat.Travel.Write Selangor Culinary Adventure 2015, which was essentially a gastronomic exploration trail to promote the local and traditional culinary offerings that can be found along the Kuala Selangor-Sekinchan-Sabak Bernam stretch, besides experiencing selected attractions and accommodations along the way. 25 local and international media representatives participated in this four-day-and-three-night programme, which is held in conjunction with Visit Selangor Year 2015. The programme was launched by YB Puan Gan Pei Nei, the Assistant State Executive Councillor for Tourism, Environment, Green Technology and Consumer Affairs. 074

Day 1 Bukit Melawati, Selangor Bukit Melawati or Melawati Hill was Selangorâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s administrative centre and stronghold of the Selangor Sultanate back in the late 18th and early 19th century. Visitors normally go to the top of the hill to admire the panoramic view of the Selangor coastline. To get to the top of the hill, there is a tram that plies the route, charging RM5 per person per ride. Once arrived on top of the hill, we witnessed relics of the past, including the protective walls of the fort, the palace ground, a lighthouse, royal graves, seven stone walls, a flat stone used to behead offenders back then, a 100-step ladder, a poisonous well and several cannons pointing towards the north of the Selangor River. Bukit Melawati is also home to the silver-leafed monkeys and long-tailed macaques, which visitors can feed by purchasing peanuts from the vendors around the area. We sat close to the monkeys and fed them but it is highly advisable for visitors to maintain their distance just in case the monkeys become violent at the sight of food. These creatures could also be aggressive when provoked or teased.

Bukit Melawati Jalan Raja Lumu, 45000 Kuala Selangor, Selangor GPS: 3.341020 N, 101.248819 E

The Kabin, Pantai Remis One of the reasons why Kuala Selangor is increasing in popularity as a getaway is not just due to its seaside location and local food, but also interesting places to stay. One such place is The Kabin, which consists of 18 accommodation units, including the café cum reception area, made from recycled shipping containers and converted into hospitable cabins. The Kabin offers guests the chance to stay at an accommodation that has been innovatively and chicly designed. Since

the interior of each cabin is compact, they are perfect for travellers who travel light. Each cabin is named after an international container port – guests who prefer to jump into the pool right away from their very cabins can choose to stay at Rotterdam, Durban, Santos and Balboa. The Kabin also comes with a standard-sized pool that is popular among guests, including a cosy café. The Kabin also rents out barbeque sets for guests to use, as well as bicycles to explore the surrounding area. The Kabin Lot 2984 Jalan Jati, Pantai Remis, 45800 Jeram, Kuala Selangor Tel: +6 017 678 3825 GPS: 3.195 N, 101.307 E

Cooking with the Oyster Master @ the Kabin After a quick rest, the participants of Eat.Travel.Write Selangor Culinary Adventure 2015 took part in a cooking competition held by The Kabin’s pool side. Chef Afiq Abdullah – the owner of De Serai Café & Catering cum the Oyster Master due to his expertise in making oyster dishes – led the evening by refereeing a cooking competition. As such, all participants were given cooking utensils, recipes and TurfHunt app (similar to Waze) to hunt oysters. Everyone excitedly ran in groups of three to hunt for oysters and quickly returned to the pool to start cooking. The challenge was in cracking open the oyster because we needed to find the “opening” spot to scoop the flesh out – some groups whacked the oysters on the floor instead. All groups demonstrated their creativity and competitive spirit. In the end, after Chef Afiq tasted all groups’ oyster dish, he declared that the group called ‘Tuan Tuan and Puan Puan’ as the winner. Overall, it was an exciting game and the participants learned the valuable lesson on how to prepare delicious oyster dish.

075

Destinations The little bug that flicker

Day 2

Late in the evening, we were ferried over to Kampung Kuantan to observe fireflies (kelip-kelip). Several manually-powered boats â&#x20AC;&#x201C; each sits four persons â&#x20AC;&#x201C; brought us closer to the only insects in the world that can produce its own light. The ticket price for a 20-minute ride along the stretch of river and back is RM53 per person. Thousands of fireflies can be seen directly from the boat and the view was, needless to say, enchanting. Photographers were warned not to use the flash at it would scare the fireflies away. Some took the photos of the fireflies using bokeh effect; others tried to capture them as real as they could using camera features that accommodate low light; but everybody was definitely in

Rempeyek Master @ Sekinchan

awe and wonder. Observing these fireflies is definitely a must when travellers are in Kuala Selangor. Kampung Kelip-Kelip Batang Berjuntai, Selangor GPS: 3.388203N, 101.415178E

It takes approximately an hour and a half by bus to Homestay Sungai Sireh in Sekinchan from Kuala Selangor. When we arrived at this popular homestay, we were served with many types of traditional homemade kuih (bit-sized snacks) such as fried tapioca, banana fritters, fried sukun (breadfruit), fried keladi (taro), pecal (mixed vegetable salad with savoury sauce) along with catfish cooked with chili sauce and white gravy. For beverage, we had rucuh, a concoction made from sirap bandung (pink shingle syrup) with steamed tapioca immersed in it! It was weird when we first tasted it but become better after a few sips, similar to a fizzy drink. We were warned that too much of rucuh could get us drunk. After enjoying the refreshments, we took a long tram, similar to the tram we took at Bukit Melawati, to tour the area and enjoy the kampung scenery. It was raining by the time we arrived at a traditional house, where the participants took the rempeyek challenge. First, the participants were shown how to make rempeyek, which looked easy but in actual fact it was quite difficult to mix and stir when frying it in boiling oil. The international participants claimed that they could never compete with Malaysians but in the end, even Malaysians ruin the taste of rempeyek because of over-frying or lacking in cooking skills! Some of the participants assisted the locals in making Kuih Puteri Mandi while others were frying rempeyek. The participants later were treated to coconut jelly and Kuih Puteri Mandi (lumps of glutinous jelly immersed in coconut milk and palm sugar) by the hosts. The House of Ah Ma For those who fancy kuih kapit (crispy Chinese wafers), they would never want to leave this place. Kuih kapit is also

076

called Love Letters. In the olden days, it was a way for lovers to communicate and they believed that by consuming the message in the form of kuih kapit, the loversâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; words would go down to the heart. At House of Ah Ma, it felt like we were taken back in time due to the nostalgic displays and products. House of Ah Ma is divided into two parts: the outer area is where customers wait for their orders from the kuih kapit makers; and the inner area where plenty of classic decorations consisting rattan chairs, vintage bags and handful of chocolates and candies from the 90s can be found. Many Eat.Travel.Write Selangor Culinary Adventure 2015 participants grew up with these candies, thus bought them since they are hardly found in Kuala Lumpur. Customised cotton candy is also one of the popular products that ca be bought here. Their shapes vary and we even managed to get the ones that looked like ducks.

Besides kuih kapit, House of Ah Ma offers classic buggy service at the cost of RM5 per person. We took the buggy and rode along the paddy fields that glittered like gold, indicating that the paddy was ready to be harvested. The buggy proceeded to a temple and rice factory where travellers can learn about rice planting and harvesting. There are also plenty of food vendors at the rice factory selling snacks and dried seafood. Lot 10376, Jalan Tali air 5, Kampong Sekinchan, 45400 Sekinchan, Selangor Tel: +6 012 389 9888 GPS: 3.518267N, 101.096808E 077

#EatTravelWrite Favourite Dinner Restoran Sekinchan Ikan Bakar It was a pleasure to dine at Restoran Sekinchan Ikan Bakar, Pulau Redang. The food was excellent, we had grilled stingray, buttermilk prawn and squid, grilled fish, mixed vegetables, chicken cooked with spices and grilled scallops. Restoran Sekinchan Ikan Bakar specialises in serving fresh seafood plus and prepare them according to customersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; request. Be sure to visit the patin nursery and watch them becoming frenzy when being fed. Restoran Sekinchan Ikan Bakar 2, Jalan Puteri 1/8, Bandar Puteri, 47100 Puchong, Selangor Tel: +6016 919 3424 GPS: 3.025155N, 101.619516E

Day 3 #EatTravelWrite Favourite Breakfast Homestay Haji Dorani During the programme, the participants experienced living like a local when staying at at Haji Dorani Homestay in Sabak Bernam. The houses, which looked traditional, comprise living room, toilet and beds. Some of the houses even have pantries. Homestay Haji Dorani offers packages that include accommodation, breakfast, lunch and activities. Lucky for us, there was a harvest festival being held and we managed to join the fun! The festival started with breakfast consisting of the iconic nasi lemak and tapioca-

078

all of them! Making the traditional cigar and trumpet were not easy and we lost to the locals but we were quite formidable when it came to eel-fishing and mengoca ikan. Eel fishing was the most challenging since we only had logs found somewhere near the paddy field to be used as rods with chicken skin used as bait while the locals brought their modern fishing rods and fancy baits. We were pleasantly surprised to find that at least one of the programme participants successfully caught the eel. These activities gave room for all participants to bond with the locals and one another, which was amazing. based desserts made by the locals who are mostly Javanese descent. Homestay Haji Dorani PT 1, Kampung Haji Dorani, Sungai Panjang, 45300, Sungai Besar, Selangor Tel: +6 013 607 7025 GPS: 3.665085N, 101.015992E

Mini Scavenger Hunt, Harvest Festival After breakfast, we participated in traditional games competing with the locals such as eel-fishing, making traditional rokok (cigarette), making orang-orang (scarecrow), mengoca ikan (catching fish in the mud using hands) and making traditional trumpets using coconut leaves. The participants from Spain, Canada, Philippines and the United States were the most enthusiastic participants among all of us â&#x20AC;&#x201C; they tried

Nasi Ambeng Master @ Sabak Bernam Nasi Ambeng is a significant Javanese dish served during special occasions. In Sabak Bernam, Nasi Ambeng is normally peddled on early Friday morning, sold out by 11:00 a.m. Nasi Ambeng is made up of plain rice and other side dishes such as chicken cooked in sweet soy sauce, serunding daging (beef floss), sambal goreng tempe (stir fried compacted soy with chili), fried noodles and rempeyek. It is usually served in a huge platter to be shared with four persons or more. When we arrived, the dishes have already been cooked beforehand so we had the chance to help out by placing the rice along with the respective side dishes onto the platter. Watching the international participants assisting in serving the Nasi Ambeng was fun â&#x20AC;&#x201C; they really enjoyed putting the different dishes in the huge platters and eventually eat them together.

079

KICK OFF: The food journey was launched by YB Puan Gan Pei Nei, the Assistant State Executive Councillor for Tourism, Environment, Green Technology and Consumer Affairs witnessed by the participants of Eat Travel Write program 2015.

Day 4 #EatTravelWrite Favorite Lunch Restoran Lembah Bernam The journey then continued to Restoran Lembah Bernam. We were told that porcupines and deer will be cooked specially for us! The sweet tantalizing taste of porcupines here made the long journey worth it, even customers from other states are willing to come here to eat them! The savory porcupines and deer were matched with ikan masin (dried salted fish), ulam (traditional Malay salad), buttermilk tiger prawns, ikan baung (some sort of catfish species) curry and different kind of beverages of coconut, fresh oranges and sugarcanes. The set for lunch starts at RM35 per head (based on the menu) and some of us even brought back the dishes in small packages! Restoran Lembah Bernam Jalan Main Canal, Tali Air 9, Sekincan, Pasir Panjang, Selangor Tel: +6 017 285 8603 GPS: 3.573153N, 101.116558E

080

#EatTravelWrite Selangor Signature Dish Before the programme ended and the participants depart fom Sabak Bernam, we dropped by at the restaurant that serves fusion cuisine belonging to Chef Afiq the oyster master located on Redang Beach. He shared with us two new recipes he invented after drawing inspiration from the Eat.Travel.Write Selangor Culinary Adventure 2015 and after a lengthy conversation with one of the international participants who is also a famous travel video blogger, Brian Cox. He created a dish made from clear tom yam seafood soup topped with bread croissants called The Beautilicious Pie, which is a combination of east and west that gives multi-flavour experience all at once. Another unique dish we tasted was the deep-fried dory fish cooked with halibut roe and vegetables. Chef Afiq still has not named the dish and plans to run a competition for participants to come up with the best name. We washed down our food with a special refreshing beverage called tekukur swing made from mixed colourful jellies, vanilla, mint, soda, lemon juice and coconut. The drink was inspired by the Tekukur Island that can be seen in front of the restaurant. The meal we had at Chef Afiqâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s restaurant ended the Eat.Travel.Write Selangor Culinary Adventure 2015 on a high note. Where to stay: A+ Boutique Hotel Located in Sekinchan, this quaint hotel is strategically located, besides being close to several eateries that foodies will enjoy. A+ boutique Hotel rooms come with high speed Wi-Fi, single-bed or twin sharing beds and spacious bathroom. The hotel also sports artsy and adorable murals on the rooftop of A+ Garden. The 3D murals are the hotelâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s main attraction besides the Hello Kitty themed room. A+ Boutique Hotel No. 6 Jalan Perdana 2, Pekan Sekinchan, 45400 Sekinchan, Selangor Tel: +6 03 3241 5555 GPS: 3.507055N, 101.101245E 081

Falling for Made-inPortugal TEXT & IMAGES | Ena Ramli

Follow Ena Ramli as she checks out what Lisbon has in store for travellers, particularly shopping enthusiasts.

084

Lisbon, I realised, is not made for high heels. Nicknamed as the City of Seven Hills, it is spread out over steep slopes, intimate alleys, and cobbled streets. But you’ll hardly complain because as you stop to catch your breath trudging up an insanely steep part of the city, you’ll look back over your shoulder and the city waves encouragingly back at you. The Tagus River sweeps past the city, whitewashed buildings huddle together under the Mediterranean sun, trams clang noisily by, and, far beyond, the North Atlantic Ocean shimmers. And then you begin to understand the maritime dreams that beckoned many a Portuguese explorer to voyage across the seas from

this very port.

The Portuguese have a long history in naval exploration marked by great pioneers such as Ferdinand Magellan, Vasco da Gama and Bartholomeu Dias who helped build the Portuguese empire from coast to coast. By the 16th century, Portugal, a small nation of about 2 million people, was a major influence in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, all the way to Nagasaki, Japan. It seized Melaka in 1511, which at the time was an important international trading port, Asia’s “shopping district”, so to speak, that attracted Arabs, Persians, Indians and Chinese to shop!

Portugal today seems like a far cry from the powerful empire it was centuries ago; instead of conquering faraway lands, it is capturing the hearts of many international travellers. And it is doing so in a bold way, which is through digital and social media marketing, a strategy that’s obviously working considering the number of tourists arriving to the country has risen from 6.8 million in 2010 to 8.1 million in 2013. This year may be a record tourism year for Portugal, with the industry touted to contribute more than 15% to the country’s GDP, ultimately leading it out of recession. The call of Portugal is in the mix of experiences it offers: 850km of beaches, 15 world heritage sites, international golf courses, a growing food and beverage (especially wine) industry, cultural mix and of course, shopping. Sounds like the international trading port it was searching for in the 15th century was all the while in its own backyard!

Shopping in Portugal starts in Lisbon, where the love for all things Portuguese and Lisbon are clearly evident. The streetside architecture and sculptures, the azulejo tilework compositions on building exteriors, and the hip, trendy cafes and restaurants serving Portuguese pastries and finer cuisine, add up to a charming shopping expedition in search of all things “Made in Portugal.”

01 02 03 04 05

View of the Atlantic from Pombaline Downtown of Lisbon Entrance to A Vida Portuguesa Typical azulejo tilework that can be found around Lisbon Souvenirs bearing the name Lisbon Nicely packaged gourmet tea as fitting souvenirs

085

Something fishy The Portuguese love their fish. Being a seafaring nation with a strong fishing industry, their markets are well-stocked with all kinds of fish, and their menus, with all kinds of seafood dishes. I was surprised to learn that they, too, have ikan masin (salted fish). Theirs is called bacalhau, which is dried and salted codfish. With a history that dates back 1,000 years ago, the ‘invention’ of bacalhau made it possible for the Portuguese to sail many months at sea with their own portable and long-lasting source of protein. It is said that there are over 365 known recipes for cooking the bacalhau, one for each day of the year (with their best recipes kept for Christmas dinner, of course). While the bacalhau may be a little too pungent to pack in your suitcase as a souvenir for friends and family back home, their sardines, fished along the coast of Portugal and canned for freshness, make the perfect gift! But don’t mistake Portuguese sardines to be of the Malaysian version. We whip out our can of sardines for those dismal days when we know not what to cook. Malaysia’s “poor man’s protein” is elevated to gourmet status in Portugal. Hip and trendy restaurants serve it on their menus, specialty stores open their doors – and their cans – of vintage sardines for sale, and designers have gone to work to add a touch of old glam to this Portuguese staple with beautiful artwork for the can labels. One of the best places to stock up on sardine souvenirs is at Conserveira De Lisboa (Rue dos Bacalhoeiros, 34, Baixa). Enter this old-fashioned shop and you’ll not doubt what it sells. Walls are stacked up with canned fish wrapped in vintage packaging that make charming gifts. There’s tuna and sardines in olive oil, spring water, with herbs or tomato sauce. If you’re not sure what to choose, ask for samples tastings; but with a history of producing and selling canned fish since 1930, everything here is sure to be delicious! 086

01 02 03-04

Sardine souvenirs at Conserveira De Lisboa Cans of sardines that can be seen at Conserveira De Lisboa Claus Porto soaps

Over the years, the brand has gained the love of celebrities such as Madonna, Oprah Winrey and Nicholas Cage, and are now featured in specialty stores along the shopping districts of 50 countries in Europe, America, Africa and Asia. The Claus Porto soap experience begins when you set eyes on the packaging. The designs – many of which were reminiscent of rococo, baroque, art deco and art nouveau styles – were salvaged from the old soap factory and reproduced in the present-day batch of soaps to recreate the romance of a timeless brand. Embellishments like an embossed tendril of flower, fanciful font styles, vintage flower patterns, elaborate images, all come together in a delicate package that’s sealed by a Claus Porto trademark wax stamp. Once the seal is broken, and the bar of aromatic soap is in your hands, you’re back in Portugal all over again.

The scent of Portugal

When shopping for a gift, you can’t go wrong with something that not only looks nice, but has a great history behind it, too. And if it smells great, that’s a bonus! Luxury soap brand, Claus Porto, scores marks for all three. This proudly Made-in-Portugal soap actually has German roots thanks to two German friends who opened up the first soap factory in Portugal in 1887. They made natural, moisturising soaps using luxury raw materials such as shea, mango and pistachio butters. Essential oils of vetiver, sandalwood, lavender and bergamot were infused in the soap mixture which is then milled seven times to produce a deeply aromatic, creamy and lasting bar.

087

is that it doesn’t look too bad, either. Acushla is sold in a stainless steel bottle of 250ml or a 500ml can with a modern and cool design that you wouldn’t mind displaying as a centrepiece long after the last drop of oil has been consumed.

From the soils of Portugal

The Mediterranean climate of Portugal along with the quality of its soil make for an ideal condition to grow olive trees. Olive oil production has a long history in Portugal, thus little wonder that their olive oils are among the best, though may be under-rated due to the accessibility to Spanish and Italian versions. So passionate are they about their olive oil that the Government has designated six different regions for olive oil farming and production, and given them protected status. Each region boasts of their own unique landscape conditions – by the hills, rivers, in the valleys, on the plains, and amid castles and world heritage sites. One of the better brands of olive oil comes from Acushla, a company that owns 740 acres of olive growing farms in the Alto Douro Valley. Their approximately 70,000 olive trees are cultivated organically meeting not just European, but also American, standards of organic farming. Their award-winning olive oil, bagged for both taste and packaging design, is harvested once a year in October from a mix of new and centenarian trees. The olives are double-pressed for the highest quality extractions. With plans to be sustainable and eco-friendly, the company will soon turn to using solar and aeolian (wind) energies for their olive oil production. Aside from the beautiful colour, tasting notes and aroma of the Acushla oil, what makes this a perfect gift to bring home

088

01 02 03 04

Organic olive oil products on sale in Lisbon, including the popular Acushla brand The view from the base of Column of Pedro IV looking upwards Lisbon is popular with fado, melancholic songs accompanied by guitars or mandolins A shopkeeper in Lisbon helping to pack customer’s purchase

Portugal in nostalgia Many of these Made-in-Portugal items can be found at A Vida Portuguesa (which means Portuguese Life) at Rua Anchieta, 11, Chiado, a store born out of a passion for all things reminiscent of old Portugal. Journalist Catarina Portas opened the shop to preserve her memory of a happy childhood growing up with familiar – but fast vanishing – brands that many Portuguese knew and loved, from toothpaste to salt, tea to chocolates, and toys to notebooks. Entering the shop is like stepping back into a long-forgotten Portuguese childhood that brings out the childlike curiosity in you. Many of these vintage brands still retain their retro look, and hang on to the proud manufacturing standards upheld over the passage of time. Each little item has struggled and survived, and, are still in production today, to share their history in this fast, modern world. As quoted on the A Vida Portuguesa website, “they evoke the everyday life of another time and reveal the soul of a country.” And isn’t that what we should all bring home from our travels abroad?

05 06 07

Beautifully tiled facade A Vida Portuguesa merchandise Ceramic Portugal souvenirs

089

specially flown in from abroad: marble from Italy, granite from China, stained glass and chandeliers from England and handmade carpets from Saudi Arabia. Besides holding large congregation prayers, it is also used as the special place to hold the solemnisation ceremony for Muslim weddings.

1.00 pm Lunch at Aminah Arif Restaurant

24 Hours in Bandar Seri Begawan TEXT | Shahida Sakeri IMAGES | Shahida Sakeri

Due to its compact size, travellers are bound to enjoy exploring Brunei’s capital city, Bandar Seri Begawan, since they can do so in less than 24 hours. The following are the places that Gaya Travel Magazine has selected for travellers to understand more about the city and its denizens.

8.30 am Kianggeh Open-air Market This wet market where locals buy fresh local produce such as meat, fruit and vegetable has been operational since the 1960s. This is also the best place for travellers to be in touch with the community by witnessing how the locals go about their business, transacting and interacting with each other, besides learning about local ingredients and gastronomy. The market opens daily 092

from 7:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. (but closes every Friday from 12:00 noon until 2:00 p.m.).

10.00 am Jame’Asr Hassanil Bolkiah Mosque Being the largest mosque in Brunei, Jame’Asr Hassanil Bolkiah Mosque, also known as Kiarong Mosque by the locals, is a perfect example of impressive Islamic architecture. It features 29 golden domes made of 29 carat gold, 29 ornate minarets and 29 glittering crystal chandeliers. The interior of this mosque is also resplendent, indicating the country’s wealth. The number ‘29’ symbolises the 29th Sultan of Brunei Darussalam, His Majesty Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah, who reigns the country since 1967, making him the world’s thirdlongest reigning monarch, who is also one of the wealthiest individuals in the world. The overwhelming size of the mosque can accommodate up to 4,000 worshippers at one time.

11.30 am Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddien Mosque Built on an artificial lagoon on the banks of a river, the mosque is actually the tallest building in the city. It was designed by Italian architect Cavaliere Rudolfo Nolli and was made of materials

For good old traditional Bruneian cuisine, travellers are recommended to try the ambuyat, a starchy local delicacy made of sago. It is typically eaten using chopsticks called chandas and dipped into sauces such as sambal belacan (grounded chilli mixed with prawn paste, both cooked together), vegetable soup and meat.

2.30 pm Royal Regalia Museum A stop at the Royal Regalia Museum is a must when being in Brunei, as traveller can learn about the royal family that rules the country. Opened in 1992, the museum was specially built to commemorate the Silver Jubilee of His Majesty Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah’s accession to the throne of as Brunei’s reigning Sultan. Here, travellers can learn about the chronology of the Sultan’s life, from his

to visit for travellers to continue experiencing Bruneian gastronomy. We suggest that travellers try the selurut, which is a traditional sweet snack wrapped in cone-shaped young coconut leaf.

10.00 pm Overnight at The Rizqun International Hotel

lives. Each single journey to Kampong Ayer from the main jetty costs BND1 per person one way. Some speedboat operators also offer to take travellers to see the Proboscis monkeys at a nearby village at an extra BND10 to BND15. upbringing, education, marriage, travels and coronation to the elaborate gifts offered to the Sultan. The museum is open daily from 9:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m., but the museum is closed from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. on Friday in observance of Jumaat prayers. Admission is free.

8.00 pm Dinner at Gadong Night Market The night market is the ideal place

Conveniently located in Gadong, Bandar Seri Begawanâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s renowned commercial and entertainment district, Rizqun International Hotel is the hotel of choice discerning business and leisure travellers. This luxurious hotel offers opulently appointed guestrooms, spacious meeting and function rooms that can hold various types of events, and a variety of delectable gastronomic offerings served at Rizqun Coffee House such as the divine Creamy Butter Chicken. It has an impressive entrance with grand marble pillars, elegant lobby adorned with fancy chandeliers and regally decorated rooms, giving guests a sense of privilege and entitlement as soon as they step through the door. Room rate at The Rizqun International Hotel starts at BND320 nett. Call +6 73 242 3000 or browse www. rizquninternational.com for more info. For more information on travelling around Brunei, please contact Freme Travel at www.freme.com.

4.00 pm Kampong Ayer Travellers can stroll around Kampong Ayer Cultural and Tourism Gallery to learn more about Kampong Ayerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s history, background and what makes the place special. There is no specific opening hours for Kampong Ayer, but we suggest that travellers visit the place from morning till evening when it comes alive with various speedboats crisscrossing the river and locals go about their daily 093

GO Travel:

The A S E A N Tr av el Ma g a z i n e Del i ve r ed t o Your S c re e n

Southeast Asia is a region of rich, cultural beauty, hidden gems and undiscovered adventures. This region has been exposed through most, if not, all well-known travel and lifestyle television programmes. So what makes GOASEANâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s flagship programme GO Travel stand out among the throng of travel programmes showing on the television? For one, GOASEAN is the very first ASEAN travel channel, dedicated to showcasing nothing but the best the region has to offer, delivered to the viewers by hosts from the region who know their stuff. GO Travel, is a hip, quirky and trendy travel magazine show that brings the world of ASEAN travel right to viewersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; screens. Imagine a travel magazine on the television; essentially that is what GO Travel is. The show is jam-packed with loads of segments that will take viewers on a direct flight to all ten ASEAN countries and reveal awesome trails and sights that only a local from the region will know about.

Showing the ASEAN Way of Life, in

Asia’s largest Mixed Martial Arts

the unusual, exciting and adventurous

Bite-sized Memorable Segments.

Organisation and provide insights to

experience the region has to offer.

the audience on how the organization Unlike the conventional travel shows,

was formed and how it operates. In

GO Travel may not be the run-of-the-mill

GO Travel is comprised of vibrant,

Singapore, Ily Lim, professional surfer

travel show, but it is definitely a breath

exciting and colourful brief, bite-size

and the Women’s Overall World Flow

of fresh air that will attract viewers with

segments, to form a half hour engaging

Champion reveals to audiences the

its bite-sized content. Tag along with the

travel show. These segments cover

determination and efforts she put in and

hosts to discover beautiful Southeast

everything and anything under the sun

how she got to where she is today.

Asia, your next adventure awaits with

that viewers would want to know about

GO Travel.

when travelling in ASEAN. Segments

Audiences will also pick up some neat

like ‘GO Tripping’ will satiate viewers’

travelling tricks from the ‘What the Hack’

need to live it like a local. The segment

segment of the show where mind-

focuses on the traveler experience of

blowingly ingenious travel/holiday tips

The fun doesn’t stop at your TV,

mingling with the locals, discovering

like bringing a fitted bedsheet cover

additional contents can be found on

less-known hangout places, and trying

to the beach and propping up the four

GOASEAN’s website, GOASEAN.

out delicacies that may be squeamish

elastic corners with bottles to keep the

com like interesting ASEAN-related

for some. For instance, the Songkran

sand away, or placing smartphones into

listicles such as ‘Hollywood Films Set

festival in Thailand is a 3-day festival

zip-lock bags to prevent sand and water

in Southeast Asia’, ‘Most Epic Biking

where everyone engages in a friendly

damage.

Trails in Southeast Asia You Must Ride

water fight frenzy, and all are welcome to participate regardless of their beliefs;

Multi-platform, Online Content

at Least Once’, ’17 Most Romantic Hosts Who Know the Most

while fans of fantasy fiction can drop by

Wedding Destinations in Southeast Asia’ and many more. The website also

the Hobbit House in Manila, a Hobbit-

A show is only as good as its host, or

allows interested users to sign up as

themed restaurant inspired by J.R.R

hosts. In GO Travel’s case, fresh, young

GOASEAN Passport members for free,

Tolkien’s Lord of the Rings series.

and energetic hosts Amelia Henderson

where special perks like contests and

and Jonathan Putra(JP), and Travel

latest news will be sent to members to

Another segment transport viewers

Jockeys Juanita Ramayah, Patricia K,

keep them updated, and with the recent

to Medieval Europe, only it’s in the

and Megan Tan, will guarantee that

launching of GOASEAN’s very own

Philippines. The Three Brooms Town’, a

viewers will be hooked to their television

booking system, travelling in Southeast

European-medieval themed restaurant

sets. With each segments presented

Asia has never been this simple.

not only serves scrumptious meals, but

by different hosts traversing all across

Users can book their flights and hotel

also provides visitors with activities like

Southeast Asia, the audience will never

accommodations all from one website.

potion, shield and helmet making and

tire of watching GO Travel.

many more.

Who says you can’t have all the good The tongue-in-cheek delivery of the

things in life? Come along and let

Segment such as ‘Like A Boss’ exposes

show and the bubbly personalities of the

us take you on a thrilling, marvelous

viewers to the top dogs of ASEAN from

hosts is bound to make viewers develop

and unconventional journey across

various industries, like the CEO of ONE

an itch to go on a Southeast Asian

Southeast Asia. The sky’s the limit, your

Championship from the Philippines,

excursion and witness for themselves

next adventure awaits.

01 02 03 04

| | | |

Pat K at Mount Bromo (East Java) Juanita hanging out at Taal Volcano and Crater Lake, Philippines Amelia snapping a photo of a skull potion at Three Brooms Town, Vietnam JP chilling out at the Wheeler’s Yard, Singapore

GOASEAN is available on

channel 737

098

Jottings on Jordan,

an Oasis of Peace in the Middle East

â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Part I of II

TEXT | Juhan Kamaruddin IMAGES | Sharm

Gaya Travel Magazine finds that thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s no better time than now for Asian travellers to visit Jordan, a reassuringly safe and secure country despite being located in a tumultuous region. Poor in natural resources but rich in history and heritage, the nation of Jordan had hosted various civilisations throughout the ages. The modern kingdom of Jordan was established since 1921 by King Abdullah I, who was part of the Great Arab Revolt that ousted the Ottomans from the Arabian Peninsular, thereafter placing the country as a British protectorate. On 25 May 1946, Jordan gained independence from Britain.

In 1951, King Abdullah I was assassinated at Al Aqsa Mosque. His Majesty was succeeded by his brother King Talal, who only remained on the throne for about one year before succumbing to illness, requiring him to pass the throne over to his son, King Hussein, who was only 16 years old. King Hussein reigned over Jordan for 46 years, died in 1999 and succeeded by the current monarch, King Abdullah II, who is the 43rd generation of the Prophet Muhammad.

01 The view of Amman from Amman Citadel

099

Throughout our trip in Jordan, we relished on the healthy diet of humus, baba ghanoush, tahini, tomatoes and olives followed by hearty entrees such as grilled meats and non-starchy rice dishes on daily basis, which we enjoyed.

02 03 04 05a-b 100

The Roman amphitheatre in downtown Amman seen from Amman Citadel Healthy and hearty lunch to be had in Jordan Buildings jostling for space in Amman Sweeping views of Amman from Amman Citadel

Jordan as a destination is not about appearances and first impressions, but it is more about looking beyond the physical and instead appreciate its past, heritage and character. Yes, Jordan is expensive and yes, Jordan might not be exploding with numerous tourism objects and attractions compared to the other Middle Eastern tourism heavyweights like United Arab Emirates or Egypt. However, Jordan has what the rest of the world doesn’t have such as Petra, Wadi Rum, Ma’in and the Dead Sea, all of them compelling, strongly worthy and definitely must be visited by all travellers.

Tip: If you are not holders of USD, EUR or GBP currencies, try exchanging your money to Jordanian Dinar (simply called JD) at your home country – the exchange rate might be more favourable at home. Otherwise, bring hard currency such as USD, Euro or GBP. Be sure to only exchange the amount that you think you are comfortable in using entirely or most of your JD if you are left with too much of it, exchanging it back to your currency other than USD, EUR or GBP might be frustratingly unfavourable. When we first exhanged our RM to JD, it was RM6 to JD1. After returning, when we exchanged our JD back to RM, the money changer only accepted RM4 for JD1.

When in Jordan, travellers must be ready to pay JD1 (RM6) for a 1.5 litre of bottled water (we recommend that travellers consume four to six litres of water, especially during summer since Jordan can get really humid). Besides, travellers to Jordan also need to be mentally ready to pay JD1 every time when they enter the toilet at the rest area along the Desert Highway or giving tip for good service.

Visa: Travellers from Malaysia and Singapore do not need prior visa clearance and instead can obtain visa upon arrival at a fee of JOD40. Groups of five persons or more arriving through a designated Jordanian tour operator with a government certified tour guide are exempted from all visa charges, provided that the group arrives and departs together as well as stay a minimum of three nights in Jordan. Visit international.visitjordan.com/ generalinformation/entryintojordan. aspx for more information. 04

05a

05b

101

Facts: • Jordanians are peaceful people and Jordan society values harmony - though the majority of Jordanians are Muslims, they have close relations with the Christians. Jordan is a nation that is politically stable and has low crime rate. • Jordan is a family-oriented society • Jordan has 7.2 million population but also hosts people from other nations such as Syria (who are mostly refugees): 1.5 to 2 million persons; Iraq: 1 million persons; and Egypt: 150,000 persons • Jordan sits at the intersection that connects the Middle East and Asia to Europe and Africa • Jordanians are the most educated people in the world. For a small country, it has 30 universities, which accept foreign students in various fields, particularly Islamic Jurisprudence (Shariah) and medical science • 100% of the Muslim population in Jordan is Sunni, and there are 10% Christians in the country - there are 275 churches in Jordan • The land was also settled by Chechens, Circassians and Armenians since 1880s • Jordan produces the best virgin olive oil in the world • The size of the country is 92,000 square kilometres - it takes six hours’ drive from its Northern border next to Syria to the Southern one next to Saudi Arabia • Best times to visit are February to May and September to December • Jordan is one of the most expensive countries in the world, while Amman is considered as the most expensive city in the Middle East.

102

An Amman streetscape.

103

Water in Jordan: 70% of the country’s land is arid desert – it snows from December to January, especially the south. Jordan only receives an average of 600mm annual rainfall. Since Jordan lacks water, it intends to explore underground. According to geological studies, there is a huge amount of water under Wadi Rum that is expected to last for 50 years.

Jerash 07

Jerash is one of the cities along the King’s Way established since 3 A.D. It was part of the Decapolis, the network of 10 cities in Jordan and Syria connected along the King’s Way. Jerash, or Gerasa in Latin, is the best preserved imperial Greco-Roman site in the east. People say that it was established by Alexander the Great, but findings of archaeology indicates that the area had been settled even longer, around 6,000 years ago. At its height, it was believed that 25,000 people resided in the city, which was during the second half of the 1st Century A.D.

Unlike Ephesus in Turkey, Jerash is not a place that make you fall in love at first sight, but it grows on you and quickly garners your respect as you get to know it better. Jerash is rich with ruins and vestiges of Greco-Roman rule such as the Greek inscriptions on one of the arches into the city called the Arch of Hadrian, indicating the arrival of Emperor Hadrian to the city, besides honouring him (Hadrian reigned from 117 A.D. until 138 A.D.). This iconic arch is also known as Bab Amman (Amman Gate) since travellers back then need to pass through it to head to Damascus. When exploring the site, travellers would also be awed by the remnants of a hippodrome; the unique Oval Plaza or Forum that is surrounded by fine columns and traces of networks of ancient underwater system and large 104

sewer system underneath the long colonnaded street or cardo (an 800-metre street connecting the North Gate to the Oval Plaza); amphitheatres; and baths. Most of these structures were believed to have been built by the ancient city’s own wealthy citizens through donations. Ancient Jerash, especially during the prosperous time of the Roman Emperor Trajan who reigned from 98 A.D. until 117 A.D., enjoyed excellent infrastructure

07 08 09 10

Part of the splendid ruins in Jerash A Roman amphitheatre in Jerash Lovely details that can be seen on the ancient columns in Jerash An archway in Jerash

built by the Romans who created roads connecting to all major cities of that time, including those in the Nabatean kingdom. Trajan instituted extensive public building programmes and social welfare policies, earning him the title as one of the Five Good Emperors. Many earthquakes hit Jerash after the 7th Century A.D. Modern day Jerash saw the arrival of Chechens to the area in 1880s, who then built their houses close to the ruins and used their stones.

11 12 13 14

The remnants of the Umayyad complex at Amman Citadel Ancient columns remain steadfast in Amman Citadel Ancient sculpture known as the Hand of Hercules that can be witnessed at Amman Citadel A Greco-Roman bust in the National Archaeological Museum at Amman Citadel

Amman & Amman Citadel

The name was also changed to Philadephia during Roman rule, which gave the city its classical Greco-Roman style. In 661 A.D., the Muslim Umayyad Caliphate began taking control of the city and called it Amman henceforth, which is stuck to this day. Travellers can see vestiges of the past civilisations such as water systems comprising water channels and cisterns, traces of the Temple of Hercules built by the Romans, the Umayyad Complex and ancient colonnaded street – each civilisation built on top of what was left behind by the previous one.

Tip: Take the opportunity to capture the quintessential panoramic images of the surrounding Amman city from Amman Citadel’s various points – travellers will be able to appreciate more of Amman’s incredibly hilly terrain from there, especially the view of the ancient majestic Roman amphitheatre down below that contrasts with the surrounding modern buildings. Travellers can notice from here that the houses in east Amman are mostly built in sandstone, while those in west Amman are limestone.

Half of Jordan’s population live in Amman, the country’s political and economic hub. Amman - inhabited for over 10,000 years, began around the ancient site known as Jabal al Qala’a (Amman Citadel) - is deemed as the precursor to modern Amman. Archaeological excavations indicate that humans began settling in the area around 7,000 years ago. It was then called Rabbath Ammon (which eventually morphed into Amman as we know today) since the beginning of the Iron Age in 1,200 B.C. The site is indeed an impressive open-air museum that bears the remnants of past civilisations that had called the area home. Throughout the ages, it had endured numerous sieges, wars and earthquakes.

The Amman Citadel is also the place where travellers can visit Jordan’s National Archaeological Museum that exhibits artefacts, like pottery vessels, statues and coins found in Amman, including other sites throughout Jordan. 105

Dead Sea Visiting the Dead Sea is a must, since it is only 70 kilometres away from Amman. The Dead Sea attracts travellers from near and far who come to soak in its waters due to its health properties. “The Dead Sea products are also good for people with asthma,” said our guide Mohammed Al A’weimir. It is indeed refreshing to experience floating on the Dead Sea without worrying about sinking - travellers could even easily read a newspaper or a tome while floating. There are a string of resorts along the shores of the saltiest waters on earth - we had the chance to stay at Moevenpick Dead Sea, a cheerful, vibrant and expansive property that is bound to put its guests, especially travelling families, in awe. Besides its welcoming atmosphere, the resort also boasts one of the best spas in the area, called Zara Spa, which has received many accolades due to its impressive facilities that not only comprise efficient treatment rooms and efficacious treatments, but also several outstanding pools. Our favourite is the Hydro Pool, a large heated outdoor pool that is equipped with massage jets and lounges for guests to utilise before or after receiving treatment.

Tip: 16

106

For travellers to enjoy floating on the Dead Sea, travellers need to be reminded that it is best not to shave because it will definitely sting - it goes the same for nicks and wounds. Trust us: parts of your body that are covered in thin layer of skin will definitely feel the sting, but once you rinse the water off, your skin is bound to feel smooth. For better effect, slather your skin with the Dead Sea mud that contains nutrients that help to rejuvenate the skin. Keep lying on your back when floating so that your face will not be in much contact with the water. Remember not to let the Dead Sea water come in contact with your eyes because it will definitely feel like burning.

15 16 17 18 19 20 21

Accessing the world’s saltiest waters through Moevenpick Dead Sea Reminder that you are at the lowest point on earth No need to worry about sinking View of the Dead Sea from Moevenpick Dead Sea’s Hydro Pool View of the hot spring water at Evason Ma’in Chic interior of Evason Ma’in Relaxing view of the falling hot spring water at Six Senses Spa in Evason Ma’in

Evason Ma’in Hot Springs and Six Senses Spa This luxurious and inspiringly understated property is located 300 metres below sea level, thus temperature at the resort tends to be higher in Ma’in, warranting travellers and guests to sufficiently consume water to avoid dehydration. Since the resort is located in a valley, guests are bound to appreciate the resort’s dramatic landscape and vistas. Mr Suleyman, the Guest Relations Manager for Evason Ma’in, explained to us that the resort owners intend to create a property that is strong in character and sense of place, while respecting the integrity of its natural surroundings and resources - the resort is indeed a destination in itself. Evason Ma’in alludes to Jordanian culture and influences through soothing and sumptuous earthen tones. The resort is replete with wooden furnishing that further accentuates its appeal as a rustic exclusive getaway that brings guests closer to nature.

take the time to cycle around the area to enjoy the scenery around Ma’in, besides walking around the property’s grounds that are full of interesting pathways, walking trails, corners and spots for rest. It is also recommended that guests check out Evason’s renowned Six Senses Spa that offers signature spa treatments designed to relieve and rejuvenate. The spa also has exclusive thermal pool containing recuperative hot spring water supplied (more like falling) directly from the opposing cliff face, creating a mesmerising view, allowing the tired mind and weary body to unwind and relax. Travellers who are interested to contact the travel agents in Jordan are welcome to refer to: http://international.visitjordan. com/VisitorToolbar/TourOperators/ JordanTourOperators.aspx

Story on Jordan continues in Issue 11.1.

One of Gaya Travel team’s favourite spots within the resort is the terrace outside of ‘At The Spring’ all-day dining restaurant, which offers guests the splendid view of falling hot spring water that flows into the resort’s thermal pool where guests should find time to soak in due to the water’s curative and therapeutic properties. Guests also should

Gaya Travel Magazine extends our heartfelt gratitude to Jordan Tourism Board for making our trip to Jordan a reality.

107

Tuanku Ja’afar Royal Gallery Opened to commemorate the 10th Ruler Negeri Sembilan, HRH Tuanku Ja’afar ibni Tuanku Abdul Rahman, this 4,087 square-foot gallery houses the glory and memories of the late ruler who reigned over Negeri Sembilan from 1967 until 2008. The gallery houses original artefacts and information about Tuanku Ja’afar, his family and his favourite hobbies. The late Tuanku Ja’afar was also the tenth Supreme Head of Malaysia, called the Agong. We personally think that the gallery is indeed one of the important places to visit so that travellers can learn more about the state’s royal family, including Negeri Sembilan culture and history. The gallery also features the contributions that Tuanku Ja’afar made towards the state and society.

Quick Tour of Negeri Sembilan TEXT | Mursi Abdul Rahim IMAGES | Noor Izzati Ramlan

For travellers who are based in the Klang Valley, or those who treat Kuala Lumpur International Airport as the gateway into the country, they are welcome to go for a quick jaunt to Negeri Sembilan, the state located south of Selangor, which offers sweet short breaks. The following are some of the attractions that travellers might find interesting when visiting this predominantly Minangkabau state: 110

Tuanku Ja’afar Royal Gallery Jalan Taman Bunga, Taman Tasek Seremban, 70100 Seremban, Negeri Sembilan Tel: +606 761 9102 / 9103 / 9104 FB: www.facebook.com/gdtjns GPS: 2.725205, 101.946129

Homestay Kampung Lonek Malaysia is well known for its homestay packages, and one of Negeri Sembilan’s famous homestay is Homestay Kampung Lonek, where travellers can experience authentic traditional Malay village experience. Travellers will get to stay with a foster family and join in all of the family’s daily activities in the village such as hand-fishing, rice-pounding and hands-on cooking of traditional delicacies such as dodol and kuih Melaka. Besides, since travellers are located in the village, they are bound to appreciate its laidback lifestyle and serenity. Homestay Kampung Lonek No 68, Kg Tebat, Batu 36, Jalan Tasik Bahau 1/4, 72100 Bahau, Negeri Sembilan Tel: +6012 397 3231 FB: www.facebook.com/homestaylonek GPS: 2.812655, 102.340511

Ladang Alam Warisan One popular attraction that travellers should visit is Ladang Alam Warisan, a village-like atmosphere that showcases various activities related to culture and heritage such as cultural performances, traditional martial art and horseback archery. Travellers can try their hand on archery, horse-riding, deer-feeding and bird-watching, besides savouring Masak Lemak Daging Salai (smoked beef cooked in coconut milk gravy), which is Negeri Sembilanâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s most popular dish. Travellers may stay at this wondrous place since it also provides accommodation. Ladang Alam Warisan Jalan Masjid, Kampung Tengah, Tanjung Ipoh, Seri Menanti, 72000 Kuala Pilah, Negeri Sembilan Tel: +6012 346 0709 (Masnah) +6013 747 1647 (Izham) FB: www.facebook.com/ladang.alam. warisan GPS: 2.697695, 102.160244

Jelita Ostrich Farm Located just 45-minutes from KL, Jelita Ostrich Farm is the memorable place to go to get up-close and personal with the worldâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s biggest bird. The farm is a great place to further understand the animalâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s character, what they feed on and learn how strong their eggs can be. The exciting part is, you can even ride on the birds around in an enclosure. Travellers need not be too worried about falling off because the ostrich is strong enough to bear a human on its back. Jelita Ostrich Farm Lot 1504, Batu 6, Mukim Pantai, Jalan Jelebu, 71770 Seremban, Negeri Sembilan Tel: +6012 767 0707, +6012 763 2214, +6012 763 2168 Website: eco-travelinghotspot.blogspot.my GPS: 2.765930, 101.999999 111

GayaTravel Selected 10 Picks

- Destinations to Find Inspiration TEXT | Shahida Sakeri

Cliché as it sounds, travel is indeed therapeutic – a journey to somewhere foreign tend to transform, change, mature or even inspire oneself. So here are the top places found in the region that we believe are both inspiring and educational.

1. Sipadan Island, Malaysia

That is why Sipadan is ranked as one of the best dive sites in the world and better known for its wall dive, where the reef is only located a mere 20 metres from the shore and then drops off to an underwater cliff face for about 600 metres. In an effort to protect this pristine island and surrounding waters, there are no resorts at all on the island. Divers are required to stay on neighbouring islands such as Mabul or Kapalai and take the daily boat over to the Sipadan dive sites. Please take note that snorkelling or diving in Sipadan requires permit so as to limit the number of humans accessing the site.

Image from: Flickr - Contributor, Achilli Family

Situated off Borneo’s south coast and just an hour by boat from Semporna lies the tropical island of Sipadan, a designated national marine park blessed with colourful coral reefs and spectacular marine life. But did you know that Sipadan was also created out of an extinct volcano? The island is made up of essentially coral that has been growing from the cone of the volcano, developed over thousands of years. This volcanic history contributes to its world class ecosystem consisting of more than 3,000 species of marine life and hundreds of species of coral, making it one of the richest marine habitats in the world.

Image from: www.tourism.gov.my

2. Perhentian Islands, Malaysia

116

Situated off Borneo’s south coast and just an hour by boat Perhentian Islands, located around 25km from Kuala Besut on the east coast of Peninsular Malaysia, comprise Perhentian Kecil and Perhentian Basar. Both are hugely popular with snorkellers and divers, but as the names suggest, Perhentian Besar is bigger in size. Plus, the resorts on Perhentian Besar are more expensive and cater mostly to couples or honeymooners. In contrast, Perhentian Kecil’s two main beaches are perfect for the backpacker set, with the quieter Coral Bay as a sunset-watching haven, and Long Beach that is renowned for its party scene. The best time to visit Perhentian is from March to October, outside monsoon season. Travellers can get there in 40 minutes by using speedboat from the Kuala Besut jetty, or by chartered boat from the nearby Redang and Lang Tengah Islands.

Destinations

3. Kinabatangan River, Malaysia

118

Image from: www.belumresort.com

Image from: Flickr - Contributor, Paulo Philippidis.

Kinabatangan River is one of the most popular destinations within Sabah due to it possessing the largest concentration of wildlife in South East Asia. Other than being home to Borneo’s indigenous orangutan and proboscis monkey, the surrounding forest is also one of only two known places in the world where 10 species of primates are found. A trip up the river also gives a higher chance of bird sightings such as the snakeheads, herons, Wallace’s Hawk-Eagle, Jerdon’s Baza, Violet Cuckoo, Blue-eared Kingfisher, Grey-headed Fish-Eagle and the eight species of hornbill found in Borneo. The river can be visited all year round, though it is often flooded during December and January, Sabah’s wettest part of the year. The main flowering and fruiting season, from April to October, is generally fairly dry and a good time to spot many birds and animals.

4. Royal Belum State Park, Malaysia The Royal Belum State Park is a pristine forest within the Belum-Temengor Forest Complex (BTFC), which is one of the oldest rainforest in the world dating back over 130 million years. The park encompasses a forest, small areas of grassland, and abandoned agricultural plots, including large man-made lake, Tasik Temengor, making it excellent for trekking, bird watching and animal sightings. This is the place where travellers would be able to spot at least three different Rafﬂesia species, all 10 hornbill species found in Malaysia including large ﬂocks of the plainpouched hornbill, Asian elephants and Malayan tiger. Travellers should also arrange a stopover at the nearby Orang Asli (Malaysian aborigines) village. They are the Jahai people belonging to the Negrito tribe and they will welcome visitors with a heart-warming ancient rhythmic beats played on the Sewang ceremony.

Destinations

Known as the ‘land of a hundred handshakes’, Bario is a home to one of the smallest ethnic groups in Sarawak called the Kelabit and other tribes such as the Penan and Lun Bawang. It is located at an altitude of about 3,500 feet above sea level in the north-eastern corner of Sarawak. Most tourists visit the highland to do jungle-trekking, mountain-biking and sightseeing. Those who up for a more challenging activity, they can hike up to the peaks of Pulong Tau National Park. Every year, there is an international Bario Food Festival held in the month of July, celebrating the unique food, farming, forest and cultural heritage of the Bario community. The place is accessible by 16-seater Twin Otter planes operated by MASWings, but, locals are given preference due to it being the main transport in and out of the highlands. Thus, travellers are advised to book early online at www.maswings.com.my/en.

Image from: Flickr - Contributor, yeowatzup.

5. Bario, Malaysia

Image from: Gaya Travel

6. Gili Islands, Indonesia

120

Be it for party or family destination, Gili Islands are rapidly becoming one of the most popular stopovers for visitors to Bali and Lombok. Only a few kilometres off the northwest coast of Lombok, the idyllic Gili islands consist of Gili Trawangan, Gili Meno and Gili Air. Gili Trawangan is the most popular of the three with the largest number of accommodations and enough bars to keep dedicated partygoers well satisﬁed. On the contrary, Gili Meno being the smallest island makes it arguably the most family-friendly. Gili Air is more popular among the upscale market due to its sophisticated scene. Expect to be involved in a lot of fun activities here including island-hopping for around Rp20,000 to 23,000 one way, motor and non-motorised water sports, yoga, golﬁng, party on a boat, watching a Presean tournament (a traditional combat) and visiting the turtle sanctuary. With no cars or any form of motorised vehicles available on land, getting around is only by cidomo (horse cart), bicycle or on foot.

Destinations

7. Raja Ampat Islands, Indonesia

Image from: www.elnidoresorts.com

Being a part of the famed Coral Triangle, Raja Ampat archipelago is a world-class diving site rich in wild marine life, specifically with more than 3,000 species of fish and 537 species of corals. The islands consist of over 1,500 unique small islands with four main islands being the Misool, Salawati, Batanta and Waigeo. All travellers alike flock to this region because it offers a true tropical hideaway, welcoming them with unspoiled setting, plenty of water activities and unfussy beach accommodations away from the modern world. One of the most sought after resorts here is the Misool Eco Resort where it is built on a private island 165 km away from the nearest port. They even have their own 1,220 sq km Marine Protected Area that is patrolled by their rangers regularly. Besides the usual diving and snorkelling activities, the resort offers several excursion packages designed to bring guests closer to Raja Ampat’s flora, fauna, and people through excursions like the village tour, ‘Romantic Beach Castaway Experience’, ‘Ancient Petroglyphs and Labyrinthine Lagoons’, ‘Light Birdwatching Cruise’ and ‘Mangroves and Deserted Beaches’.

Image from: www.gorajaampat.com

8. El Nido, Philippines

122

Perched in northern Palawan, Philippines, El Nido is bordered by the Linapacan Strait in the north, the Sulu Sea in the east, and the South China Sea in the west. This secluded place boasts rich ﬂora and fauna, making El Nido one of the most sought after destinations, especially by those who are looking for special romantic getaways. With over 45 islands and islets, the place presents endless opportunities for adventure and nature appreciation via scuba-diving, snorkelling, kayaking, cliff-climbing, mangrove tour and caving. Seafood is also a local speciality here; in fact, most of the daily catches are exported to Manila and to other South East Asian countries. So be sure to try out the restaurants scattered around the town, which offers diverse menus to suit various palates.

Destinations

9. Luang Prabang, Laos

Image from: Flickr - Contributor, Spotter_nl.

Image from: whc.unesco.org

Luang Prabang is classiďŹ ed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1995 for its outstanding cultural, historic and architectural values, striking harmonious balance between nature and built environment. It shows travellers a glimpse of the old, unspoiled Asia. Here, they are bound to fall for the glistening temples, crumbling French provincial architecture and multi-ethnic inhabitants. Most travellers explore the place at a leisurely pace; but if they are pressed for time, the must-do activities include sightseeing around the old city, wandering around the lively morning market, visiting the Royal Palace Museum and Wat Xieng Thong temple, taking a boat up the Mekong River, and watching the morning alms giving ceremony as dawn breaks.

10. Kanchanaburi, Thailand Located approximately 120 kilometres away from the bustling city of Bangkok, Kanchanaburi was once the setting of an epic World War II tragedy, making it ideal destination for history and war tourism buffs. Important historical sites such as the Bridge over The River Kwai, the War Cemeteries and the HellďŹ re Pass promise to enlighten travellers with information on the dark period ever faced by Kanchanaburi. Those who are not into history or world wars need not fret â&#x20AC;&#x201C; they can always enjoy the pristine national parks and cavernous caves found abundantly in the area. One of the must-visit national parks here is the 550 square-kilometre Erawan National Park, which features the mesmerising seven-tiered Erawan Falls. The entrance fee to this park is 300 baht for foreigners.

124

T H E N AT I O N A L VISUAL ART GALLERY O F M A L AY S I A CONSERVATION AND COLLECTION MANAGEMENT DEPARTMENT

The National Visual Art Gallery of Malaysia Collection and Conservation Department is responsible for the care and preservation of the National Visual Art collection of around 4,5000 works of art, It performs one of the Gallery’s core functions, the long-term preservation of all Collection items, to make them accessible now and in future. The Collection dates from the 19th century to the present day, and consists of works of art in a variety of media such as paintings, prints and drawings, sculpture and art objects, photography and new media. It also provides care for all works lent to the gallery in support The majority of Conservation work at the Gallery is undertaken in the Conservation studios, at the ground floor of the main Gallery building. This department has carried out conservation project for the national collection as well as from other institution and private collection.

• undertaking preservation work, to ensure works are stable and suitable for display in the gallery, in the repository or on loan • providing advice and guidance to ensure all Collection items are correctly handled, packed, moved and displayed • regularly surveying Collections in the gallery and in storage.

An array of techniques is used to examine the works in their care. This may include high-powered magnification, ultraviolet and infra-red light, and material analysis. Such close investigation often provides new information about how a work has been created, helping in its interpretation and exhibition.

The Collection Management and Conservation department also takes in interns, student placement from local and foreign universities, and is actively involved in conservation awareness and training programmes to the gallery employees in Kuala Lumpur and in other states of Malaysia.

Some of the primary responsibilities of the department are: • to examine and document the collection • to carry out conservation treatments such as cleaning, consolidating, infilling and image re- integration

In order to properly care for works of art, conservation specialists must understand the materials chosen by the artist, how they react with each other, how they age and, ultimately, what the artist was trying to achieve. This awareness underpins all conservation decisions, from the selection of a cleaning method to the control

of the environment in which a work is displayed and stored. This practices been recently demonstrates in the restoration of batik painting by Chew Kiat Lim ‘Adventure’, 1969 and ‘Alibi Catur Pulau Bidong’ 1980 an installation piece by Ponirin Amin for the thematic exhibition entitled ‘French Connexions’ in the Gallery. The conservation team has invited Ponirin Amin to the conservation studio to restore and discussed the best method to install his work. They also communicates with Chew Kiat Lim whose resides in Canada on how to restore and the best way to present his batik painting to the audience after more than 30 years its kept the storage room. Collaboration with other institutions and research organization such as APTCCARN (Asia Pacific Tropical Climate Conservation Art Research Network) is given the advantage to the department to extend the range of expertise to cover the care not only easel painting and works on paper but also of wall painting, installation and new media art with an increasing emphasis on the care of contemporary art. The National Visual Art Gallery of Malaysia has it vision to establish a centre which especially to emphasis its core mission to collect, to preserve and in the best manner to disseminates the visual information in visual to the now and future generation. The centre will also provide the expertise in conservation and storage the art collection from public and private collection and indirectly will encourage the development of visual art in Malaysia.

Awesome Stay Experience at an Iconic Resort

Nestled along Port Dickson’s pristine Pasir Panjang beach and overlooking the Straits of Malacca, Lexis Hibiscus Port Dickson is a convenient one hour plus drive from Kuala Lumpur and a pleasant three-hour journey from Singapore. Lexis Hibiscus Port Dickson is the epitome of a contemporary and avant-garde resort, architected by a team of award-winning designers. A stellar collection comprising 639 pool villas, 117 tower rooms and 522 picturesque seawater villas, each unit of Lexis Hibiscus is spacious, tastefully decorated and equipped with practical amenities for a relaxing and indulgent stay. From concept to reality, the iconic Lexis Hibiscus Port Dickson began with a vision of a bud blossoming into a beautiful hibiscus bloom that sprawls into the waters of Port Dickson. Offering a unique experience, the villas above water stretches to almost a kilometre from the beach to the furthest unit on the sea. Lexis Hibiscus is also home to a 120-meter water fountain, forming a prominent part of the resort’s landscape. The highlight of these villas on the water is that all units are equipped with its own private dip pool, giving its dwellers an unsurpassed luxury and convenience. What’s more, one can even adjourn to the adjacent private steam room for a moment of respite after a dip in the pool. This ultimately sets a new record for an iconic resort development in Malaysia.

Executive Pool Villa - 108 units This modest 770 sq ft (71.26 sq mtr) lodging features two king beds and a transparent glass floor panel for underneath seawater viewing. The Executive Pool Villas are located in the hibiscus leaf area, conveniently close to the Main Building. Premium Pool Villa - 292 units Situated at the hibiscus petal area, this upgraded category measures 872 sq ft (81 sq mtr) and features two king beds with floor-to-ceiling glass windows for that spacious feeling. Panorama Pool Villa - 114 units (opening soon) If space is what one is looking for, then the Panorama Pool Villa is the ideal choice. At 926 sq ft (86 sq mtr), each of the unit features two king beds, comfortable furniture and an expansive bathroom. The Panorama Pool Villas offer a choice of breathtaking sea view in warm earthen tones, or the magnificent fountain view, where the units are stylishly decked in contemporary colour scheme. Sky Pool Villa - 114 units (opening soon) Situated onshore, the Sky Pool Villas offer its dwellers a picturesque view of the Resort and the seafront beyond. Occupying a spacious 955 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 1040 sq ft (99.7 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 96.6 sq mtr), each unit is bathed in bright and warm colour scheme with modern furniture to match. Royal Suite - 3 units (opening soon) Perched atop the upmost floor of the Main Building, the exclusive and serene Royal Suites are perfect for families and larger groups, as each unit contains two bedrooms and a large living, dining and pantry area, all housed in a 1,930 sq ft (179.3 sq mtr) of blissful sanctuary. Imperial Suite - 6 units (opening soon) Exuding in style and elegance, the 2,610 sq ft (242 sq mtr) Imperial Suites are exceedingly spacious and each unit comes with three king beds in two bedrooms, a deluxe living and dining area as well as a kitchen and bar. Located at the stigma of the hibiscus, the Imperial Suites offer a choice of breathtaking sea view or the magnificent fountain view. Presidential Suite - 2 units (opening soon) Live the high life and get acquainted with spaciousness and luxury in the Presidential Suite, housed at the tip of the hibiscus stigma for unparalleled privacy. Within this 4,112 sq ft (382 sq mtr) duplex abode are four bedrooms with ensuite bath, expansive living and dining area as well as kitchen and bar area, all lavishly furnished. Contact: Lexis Port Dickson 12th Mile, Jalan Pantai Pasir Panjang 71250 Port Dickson, Negeri Sembilan, Malaysia Tel : +6 06 660 2626 Fax : +6 06 660 2628 Email : reservations@lexishibiscuspd.com Website : www.lexishibiscuspd.com

Exploring Redangâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Underwater Wonders Ship Wreck Dive 2015 TEXT | Adela Roslan IMAGES | Amierah Noor Ibrahim & Zamari Muhyi

Diving in Malaysia is simply an outstanding experience since awesome marine life and corals can be found in particular places throughout the country. The country itself is separated into two distinct regions that offers great diving experience: the Malaysian Borneo with diving hot spots like Sipadan, Layang Layang and Mabul; and the Peninsular Malaysia with destinations like Perhentian, Redang and Tioman islands that are covered with lush tropical jungle, white powdery beaches, thriving coral reefs and marine life like reef sharks and turtles. In collaboration with Ministry of Tourism and Culture (MOTAC) and Tourism Terengganu, 10 experienced divers participated in the recent Ship Wreck Dive 2015 programme held in Pulau Redang, Terengganu, with the objective of encouraging underwater ship wrecks diving around the island. We were informed that these ships were sank close to the island to serve as artificial reefs to boost marine life population.

136

Pulau Redang The divers were briefed before the first dive in Pulau Redang while setting up their diving equipment at Coral Redang Island Resortâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s dive center. As a reminder, divers need to wear fins for manoeuvring and protection. As precaution, they are also urged to wear diving boots since corals can cut the feet. They were then divided into three teams. To ensure everyone understands the flow of the dive spots, rough sketches of a map was drawn by the dive master. Divers then hopped into speed boats and brought to a spot about half an hour away from the resort. The first ship found was the maritime ship wreck with the number 3134, still in good condition. The maximum depth at the spot was 22.6 metres, 44-minute bottom time at around 30 degrees temperature. It was a newly-sunken ship, hence the numbers of marine life is still limited. According to Firdaous Fadzil, a diver from The STAR, he managed to spot yellow snappers, some snake eelsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; head, anemone shrimps, white nudibranchs and moray eels during the dive. While the divers explored the waters surrounding the wreck, some of us managed to go for snorkelling at the marine park. The water was clear and we were delighted to be able to see various kinds of fish right after we submerged such as a group of clown fish, ikan buntal (pufferfish), gamat laut (sea cucumber), including corals. The snorkelling trip was exciting but we needed to save energy for the next spot where our guide said that we could see baby sharks! 137

Pulau Lang Tengah Pulau Lang Tengah is located between Pulau Redang and Pulau Perhentian. The visibility of the waters surrounding this island is usually great, often up to 30 metres. Unfortunately, during our dive, the current was strong and the visibility failed us that the divers could only go down as far as 25 meters, allowing them to only see a huge puffer fish, a stone fish and a lion fish. The divers were unlucky to see only parts of the shipwreck, which was a badly damaged fishing boat that was split into two. They managed to photograph the back deck of the boat and resurfaced after half an hour.

For the rest of us who snorkelled at a spot 150 metres from the shipwreck, we managed to witness the baby sharks as promised! Snorkelling next to sharks, even if they were just babies, still gave us adrenaline rush. We pulled out our cameras and took photos non-stop while swimming freely. We were told that sharks only consider attacking humans if they were to smell blood â&#x20AC;&#x201C; we quickly swam back to the boat afterwardsâ&#x20AC;Ś Pulau Redang is very much suggested for divers who are looking for memorable 138

diving experience due to its white sandy beaches coupled with outstanding underwater marine beauty and diversity â&#x20AC;&#x201C; rarely rivalled anywhere else in the world. There are many dive centers in Pulau Redang that are well-equipped and certified by internationally recognised diving agencies. From shallow driftdiving to advance wreck-diving, Pulau Redang is bound to have something for all divers!

Kuching: The Door to Borneo

TEXT | Shahida Sakeri IMAGES | Shahida Sakeri, Sharm & #projektravel

Kuching is a beautiful city, proudly boasting a harmonious blend of colonial influence together with a unique traditional Borneo presence in many aspects, as seen through the architecture, food, lifestyle and languages of its people. Here, English is widely spoken by locals besides the usual Sarawak Malay and other ethnic tongues. In fact, most Kuchingites can speak two other languages besides their mother tongue. Despite their differences, these people have been living harmoniously and easily assimilated with other cultures without losing their identity – a lovely way of life that makes Gaya Travel team members personally find Kuching inspiring. In conjunction with Jom Jelajah Koperasi (JJK) programme organised by the Co-operative Commission of Malaysia and Gaya Travel Magazine, a group of 27 delegates consisting of media and travel agents were invited to explore selected cooperatives in this land of many tongues. The following are the highlights of the trip:

Homestay Kampung Melayu Tebakang Unlike an ordinary holiday, a stay at a traditional village like Kampung Melayu Tebakang will whisk travellers off to an oasis of tranquillity and rustic charm. We kicked off the JJK trip by visiting the aforementioned village and the rousing welcome we received from the villagers was beyond expectation. The residents lined up along the road to greet us; some held bunga manggar, some played the hand percussions while a couple 142

of children performed an impressive Gerak Waris Silat (Malay traditional martial art) for us – the air was truly festive! With such grand gesture, we felt honoured and knew that the time spent here would be memorable. There are 19 homes that participate in the homestay programme, each charging at the starting rate of RM100 per night. At Kampung Melayu Tebakang, travellers’ day will be filled with various village activities such as touring the village, cruising along Batang Kayan river, witnessing

cooking demonstration of traditional delicacies like ‘Kek Jantung Pisang’ (banana bud-shaped cake) claimed to be the original ‘kek lapis’ (Sarawak layer cake), participating in a traditional Malay wedding ceremony, and plucking fruits during the fruit season. Koperasi Tebakang Melayu Serian Berhad Kampung Melayu Tebakang, 94750 Tebakang Serian, Sarawak Tel: +6 082 874 263 / +6 019 834 3182 (Encik Pathe bin Abdul Rahman) GPS: 1°06’05.8”N, 110°30’24.0”E

Homestay Kampung Mongkos Located near the Mongkos River, approximately an hour and a half drive from the Kuching city, there is a traditional longhouse resided by the Bidayuh tribe, which is one of the many indigenous groups living in Borneo. Unlike the Penan tribe, who still hunt and move to a different location after a few days, the Bidayuh are settlers who traditionally live in a communal longhouse in the form of a wooden structure built on stilts with a row of separate family rooms. Everytime the Bidayuh tribe expands, extra rooms can be easily added, making the house lengthier, hence the name longhouse. When we arrived at the longhouse, we were greeted by an old shaman at the entrance who performed the Mipis ritual, a ceremony believed to chase away evil spirits from harming the residents and guests. Then, there was a long line of the longhouse residents waited us to shake our hands, with welcoming smile and eagerness to show us a glimpse of their culture. The traditional dances followed right after. There were several of them including Langgi Sidandut, Langgi Perang and Langgi Empujon, whereby each one of them are inspired by folktales. During the final dance called Langgi Aruh, the delegates were invited to join in. We were required to dance by stepping across bamboos to a fast rhythm without getting our feet trapped between them. It was then we realised that the deceptively simple steps could turn out challenging. Regardless, our experience at the longhouse was indeed unforgettable. Ideally, the best time to visit the longhouses is on the 1st of June during Gawai or Harvest festival. The rooms are available from RM40 each per night. Koperasi Kampung Mongkos Serian Berhad Suruhanjaya Koperasi Malaysia, Daerah Serian, 94700 Serian, Sarawak Tel: +6 013 576 4003 GPS: 1°11’23.5”N 110°33’53.6”E 143

up to showcase and educate visitors on Sarawak’s major racial groups by enacting their respective lifestyles through food, dance, handicrafts and even favourite pastimes within the replica of their traditional houses. Interestingly, these individuals who enact the lifestyle are actually authentic village residents who represent their tribe and provide real information on their culture, tribe’s history as told by their ancestors and way of life. There are also cultural shows being staged daily at 11:30 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. for tourists’ enjoyment. Travellers are recommended to try the village’s culinary offerings that feature Sarawak’s fine ethnic cuisine ranging from RM35 to RM48 per person. The entrance fee to the village is RM60 per adult and RM30 per child. Sarawak Cultural Village is also the venue for the internationally acclaimed Rainforest World Music Festival held annually, attracting thousands of music lovers and festival goers from around the world to listen to the best of world music.

Bako National Park Kuching also offers unlimited opportunities for outdoor enthusiasts as it is the land where endangered proboscis monkeys, orangutans and the elusive hornbill can be easily found. Travellers can visit Borneo’s tropical rainforests by exploring the national parks within Sarawak, one of them being the Bako National Park, which is 40 kilometres from Kuching and takes a mere 45 minutes’ drive for travellers to get to Bako National Park jetty, the jump off point to beautiful rock formations, wildlife, hiking trails and breathtaking scenery. The park is only accessible by boat, therefore travellers need to take a half an hour ride from the mouth of Bako River into the South China Sea, then coast along the Telok Assam beach, where the park headquarters is located. Along the way, travellers will get to enjoy the stunning tropical environment, including witnessing the iconic sea stacks. The fare for one-way boat ride is RM15 per person for locals and RM20 per person for foreigners. 144

Damai Beach Resort 93762 Kuching, Sarawak Tel: +6 082 846 411 GPS: 1°44’57.0”N 110°18’58.7”E

Koperasi Warisan Pelancongan Bako Kuching Jeti Terminal Taman Negara Bako, Kampung Bako, 93010 Kuching, Sarawak Tel: +6 017 885 7798 E-mail: pbptnbsarawak@gmail.com GPS: 1°39’49.1”N 110°25’52.1”E

Sarawak Cultural Village Sarawak Cultural Village basically embodies the essence of Sarawak by presenting the multiracial communities and their rich heritage all in one place. That’s why every itinerary to Kuching would not be complete without a visit here. This living museum is set

second home. In fact, Kuching is an affordable city to live and retire. Some even claimed that the city is one of the most liveable cities in South East Asia. On the final day of JJK Sarawak programme, we were brought to see a successful property project by an up-andcoming cooperative in the state, Koperasi Koppes Berhad. Established since 1985, this cooperative has diversified its business from only providing loan and saving services to agriculture, construction and education. The project involves 16 single-storey terraced units priced from RM220,000 each, 30 double-storey terraced units priced from RM512,000 and eight doublestorey semi-detached units priced from RM686,000. All Koppes members get special discounts on the units.

Sumiran Eco-camp A day at the Sumiran Eco-Camp was undoubtedly fun. It was probably due to the enjoyable activities that we had there or perhaps because of the exceedingly warm welcome that we got from the owners. But whatever it was, all of us left the camp feeling motivated and energised – that seems to be the power that this camp offers to its visitors. The Sumiran Eco-camp is a training camp suitable for developing life-skills and doing outdoor activities including flying fox, jungletrekking, kayaking, futsal and outdoor zumba. We did most of the activities, but playing futsal while donning batik sarong would probably be the programme participants’ favourite, which had us all in stitches. Our visit here ended with a bonfire and a brief stargazing session. The overall experience here felt intimate and somehow strengthened the bond among the programme participants.

Tel: +6 010 979 2061 / +6 012 881 1952 / +6 082 645 591 E-mail: sumiran.ecofarm@facebook.com GPS: 1°28’53.1”N 110°16’49.3”E

Koperasi Koppes Sarawak In case travellers have fallen for Kuching and everything it has to offer, they may consider buying a house here as their

Koperasi Koppes Berhad Tingkat 1 & Bawah, Lot 249-250, Section 8, Jalan Haji Taha, 93400 Kuching, Sarawak Tel: +6 082 413 934 GPS: 1°33’20.8”N 110°20’22.9”E

Gaya Travel Magazine team extends our heartfelt gratitude to the Co-operative Commission of Malaysia and all Jom Jelajah Koperasi 2015 programme participants for making this programme a success.

Koperasi Keluarga Sumiran Kuching Berhad Lot 896, Rantau Panjang, Batu Kawa, Matang Land District, 93250 Kuching, Sarawak

145

Hotels & Resorts

QT Hotel, AUSTRALIA IMAGE | QT Hotel

149

150

Adelphi Hotel is sweet... with a cherry on top TEXT | Shahida Sakeri IMAGES | Adelphi Hotel

Let’s come clean: there’s always something delicious about discovering a secret. It’s like being accepted into a secret society, so exclusive that you need to be a member to actually experience the best bits – and that’s the magic of Melbourne. Everything here from quirky little cafes and rare vintage findings to unsung street performers are usually tucked away in hidden alleys. So if you think that you need a local insider to have access to these precious discoveries, then you got it right. When venturing down inconspicuous laneways, you will stumble upon exceptional gems unseen from the main street such as the Adelphi Hotel, which is one of the locals’ favourite boutique hotels in the city. With its deceptively small entrance, the Adelphi Hotel on Flinders Lane is easy to miss. The hotel has embraced the city’s obsession with secrets that it cheekily tempts guests and passers-by on what’s happening inside using a two metre-long glass end on its facade cantilevered over Flinders Lane, beckoning them to peek closer and quickly inspire them to join in. The original Adelphi building was built in 1938, acted as a home to soft goods and garments business. But in 1989, architects Denton Corker Marshall bought the warehouse and converted it into a 34-room boutique hotel with a private rooftop club and ground floor restaurant. The hotel immediately captured the attention of the country, and like they said “the rest is history”. However, in February 2013, Adelphi Hotel was forced into liquidation, only to be snapped up by an entrepreneurial team consisting of Dion Chandler, Ozzie Kheir and Simon & Roger Ongarato. During the day, natural light streams from the glass end into the whimsically decorated lobby that received a genius touch by an award-winning design firm, Hachem. It features bronze-coloured mirror panels, gleaming dark ceramic

tiles, dramatic mural of a woman by Melbourne-based artist Barry Drinan and our personal favourite, the beautiful carriage that serves as the reception desk whilst being pulled by a replica of an elegant galloping stallion. More often than not, guests may find people frequenting the lobby imbibing drinks and enjoying the hotel’s signature desserts, creating a refreshing and intimate vibe to the already fashionable sweet-smelling space. The rooms too are in keeping with the hotel’s concept – “the world’s premier dessert hotel” – splashed in bright colours, strong patterns, eccentric furniture and state-of-the-art technology such as the 40-inch flat-screen LED Smart TV, iHome docking station/radio alarm clock and universal connections for all audio devices. The bathroom is industrial, with a long stainless steel double basin. The rooms’ overall concept is stylishly sharp yet funky, complemented by the clever choice of coffee table books ranging from fashion and pop art to dessert titles. The in-room amenities, like the complimentary mini bar, jar of candies, movies in-demand, and deluxe Appelles bath products are top of the line. For a sweet night-time treat, Adelphi Hotel provides macaroons for a delicious turndown. Besides the hip rooms, Adelphi Hotel also houses a 10-seater boardroom, Om Nom Kitchen & Bar, Mon Bijou cocktail bar and the award winning Ezard restaurant located at the basement level. Locals consider the Om Nom, led by Head Chef Christy Tania, as a must-hit spot in Melbourne, offering well-plated and picture-worthy desserts such as the ‘Avocado Mousse’, ‘Apple Sphere’, ‘Peanut Butter Gateau’ and ‘Banana Flambé’. Guests with no sweet tooth may opt for various savoury alternatives such as the ‘Wagyu Sliders’, ’Pan-seared Duck Breast’ and ‘Caramelised Scallops’ in the menu.

151

After having said all that, we must say that the most iconic feature of the property is its gravity-defying swimming pool – a glass-bottomed pool that just out up to two metres from the top floor of the hotel over Flinders Lane, allowing passers-by have a glimpse of what Adelphi Hotel offers. Besides turning heads (upwards, of course), the cantilevered pool is also the talk of the town. Unfortunately, the pool was undergoing maintenance during the days when we were there in late June, we didn’t get a chance to try it out personally. But we are sure that the pool would have been opened by the later part of this year, just in time for the antipodean summer. Though we have talked about the great things that the hotel has to offer, this should not stop guests from venturing out and see what its neighbourhood has to offer. The hotel’s location makes it a great starting point for city exploration, besides being steps away from Melbourne’s most visited attractions: the bustling street art scene at the Hosier Lane; Australian Centre for the Moving Image (ACMI); National Gallery of Victoria (NGV); Bourke Street Mall; Eureka Tower; and Federation Square, where travellers can visit the Visitor Information Centre or board the city’s free tram. Starting early this year, Public Transport Victoria (PTV) has introduced a Free Tram Zone that covers most of the Melbourne CBD and some of the surrounding areas, including Queen Victoria Market and Docklands.

All in all, Adelphi Hotel not only impresses but also raises the bar on what an outstanding accommodation with a strong character should be. In the words of Lance Lagudi, the Operations Manager, “Adelphi Hotel provides convenience and comfort all within a unique boutique environment. It works for the locals, and certainly works for us.” And it certainly works for Gaya Travel team too… Room rates at the Adelphi Hotel start at AUD270 that include Wi-Fi access, free local phone calls and a welcome drink at Om Nom restaurant. 187 Flinders Lane, Melbourne, VIC 3000, Australia Tel: +61 3 8080 8888 Email: info@adelphi.com.au Web: www.adelphi.com.au

152

Head Chef Christy Tania

153

QT Sydney Hotel Redefines Hip TEXT | Shahida Sakeri IMAGES | QT Sydney Hotel

If QT Sydney Hotel is a man, it would probably be Chuck Bass from Gossip Girl – fun, seductive and absolutely classy. From the moment I walked in and greeted by the charming staff, I knew I have walked into something special. There is a wow factor and amazing ambiance to this hotel that sets it apart from anything I have been to; everything in the property just screams ‘sexy’. With its sleek rooms, sensual day spa and intimate restaurant, mixed with strategic location, QT Sydney promises to be perfect for girls or guys seeking a stylish mini-break. Set in upscale trendy neighbourhood of Market Street within the historic Gowings and the State Theatre buildings, QT is really a high end hip. This is one neighbourhood that certainly offers plenty of reasons not to stray further than a few blocks from the property since the location already breathes the essence of Sydney. Guests may find plenty of shopping opportunities with walking distance to the city’s iconic malls like Queen Victoria Building, Westfield and The Strand Arcade, ample choice of eateries, aspiring street performers and even in close proximity to several train stations. But despite its strategic location, QT itself is a destination in its own right. The property is full of surprises. Here are some of the highlights I discovered about the property throughout my stay that are bound to make guests fall head over heels. 154

The Charming Services A hotel is only as good as the people who work there, and those young and fresh-faced employees who work in QT are remarkable. They are youthful, cheery, good-looking and personally attired in quirky, avant-garde uniform styled by acclaimed costume designer Janet Hine. The service provided by all levels of staff is impeccable. However, special attention should be paid to their Director of Chaos – the red-wigged girl responsible in welcoming guests and usher them to the lobby – who I personally found extremely interesting and friendly. I remember how she always greeted me with a genuine ‘hello’ and initiated conversation each time I passed the entrance, and that really made me feel more than welcomed – it was as if we have known each other for a long time. These girls have style, showmanship and ‘larger than life’ factor, making them the ideal face of the boutique hotel.

Singing Lifts And when I thought the surprise stopped there, QT proved me wrong. As I stepped into the lift and pressed the button to the lobby, suddenly, my all-time favourite song Billy Idol’s “Dancing with Myself” came over the speakers and before I knew it, I was already ‘headbanging’ to the beats like no one else was watching. It may seem unnecessary to some, but after a long boring and tiring flight, the music was just a quick boost of excitement that I really needed, depicting the thrilling sensation I felt when being in the city I love so much. I soon learned that QT’s singing lifts come with heat sensors that detect the number of passengers and play songs accordingly, meaning solo passenger get tunes like Elvis Presley’s “Are You Lonely Tonight” or Eric Carmen’s “All by Myself”, while a duo will be serenaded with Bill Withers’ “Just the Two of Us” or James Taylor’s “You’ve got a Friend”. A group gets party tracks like Prince’s “1999” or Lady Gaga’s “Just Dance”. Genius!

Lobby Since QT is within the city’s most majestic historical buildings, Gowings and The State Theatre, the designers and art consultants hired by QT sought to set a delicate balance of historical charm and modern design leading to a somewhat surprising space. That’s why QT is never just a hotel, it’s a personality. Upon entering the lobby, eclectic elegance comes into play with a custom-designed and curated furniture collection, coupled with Nic Graham’s handpicked pieces. The eccentricity of the hotel is further enhanced by the use of a striking LED wall of digital art and a strong use of colours like black and white, Yves Klien blue, magenta and citron throughout the public spaces.

155

Rooms & Amenities Unquestionably, I personally think that QT is the sassiest boutique hotel that I have ever been to. Its 200 rooms come in 12 different edgy design styles that are tasteful, sumptuous and sexy. The rooms are also scented with the classic notes of Coco Chanelâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s famous Chanel NÂ°5, designed to draw the interest of any dictator of taste looking for something a little different from the corporate chain hotel. QT retains the original timber floors from 1929 in the rooms but at the same time features fashion-forward additions to enhance its sassiness such as fur throws, rugs and cushions, ceramic animals, illuminated vitrines of cut-glass ornaments, modern lounge chairs and statement lights like my favourite book binders bedside lamp. The expansive dark stone bathroom is accentuated by an oversized Japanese

156

bath tub and a separate shower, complete with Uspa amenities in the cabinet and folded black bathrobes in the corner. The mini bar was out of the ordinary also, packed with interesting products including Belvedere Vodka, Chivas Regal Scotch, local snacks like cute gingerbread ninjas, an Intimacy Kit, an emergency bow tie and vintage games.

Gowings Bar & Grill Gowings Bar & Grill is one of the most desirable places to hang out in the Australian capital, and is famed for its chic crowd of beautiful and stylish people. Even the waiters are good looking. Tucked away within the hotel, the restaurant is not a place where travellers necessarily stumbled across when negotiating their way down the bustling shop-lined Market Street. Yet, despite its somewhat obscure location in the historic Gowings Building, this dimly-lit restaurant has amassed a loyal

spaQ & The Barber Shop But when a shot of caffeine isn’t enough to revive travellers, I suggest they head straight to the hotel’s spa, spaQ, for a quality me-time. It has six treatment rooms, a hammam-inspired steam and ice room, a relaxation lounge and a spa boutique. There are expert therapists that provide treatments using pure and natural Uspa and Kerstin Florian products for the skin, body and hair. I opted for the 60-minute Signature Freshly Picked massage ($150) and the therapist, Naima, focussed mainly at specific areas of my body after she consulted me earlier. Her strokes were sure and strong – she ensured that I was comfortable with the pressure. The massage was effective and left me feeling more limber and relaxed. Plus point? Naima was really one of the nicest masseuses I have ever met.

following through its walls of wine bottles, an open kitchen and a lively bar area, all conspiring to give it a hip character. However, it also maintains an air of old world charm that allows guests to sink into one of the many cosy chairs to savour the hearty menu that is as rich as the decor. The food is unpretentious but utterly delicious, which explains why reservations are hard to make here. Thus, it is best for guests to book early in advance. Moreover, in a city so well-known for imbibing coffee, it feels like a crime not to join in the culture. Parlour Lane Roasters café, located one level below the lobby, is where serious coffee drinkers converge to indulge in top grade Allpress Arabica coffee beans. Besides a good old cup of Joe, the café also draws the eye of art-lovers and passers-by alike with its eclectic décor featuring the original 1920’s display cabinets that exhibit the works by a selection of cutting edge Australian artists.

spaQ treatment rooms 5 and 6 occupy the original Gowings Barber Shop, with historic features intact. Here, the gentlemen gets a range of premium grooming services comprising wet shaves through to massages, manicures, traditional barbershop haircut by stylish barbers dressed in MJ Bale suits and whisky tastings courtesy of Chivas Regal – it definitely appeals to stylish men like Chuck Bass. So, when you stay at a strategically located hotel in a well-loved city, which plays cool music at the least expected places, features fabulous rooms and extends outstanding service, wouldn’t you fall in love with it? Rooms rates at QT Sydney start at $380 AUD. 49 Market Street, Sydney, NSW 2000, Australia Tel: +61 2 8262 0000 Email: reservations_sydney@qthotels. com.au Web: www.qtsydney.com.au

157

InterContinental Adelaide – An on point and go-to hotel TEXT | Shahida Sakeri IMAGES | InterContinental Hotel

The InterContinental Adelaide is a fabulous oasis in a city located along the banks of the picturesque River Torrens, within the Riverbank precinct. Upon arrival, guests are welcomed by a commanding facade. Once they step inside, they may find the lobby evocative of retro glamour that comes with a dash of opulence. Its spacious central atrium is a fusion of elegance, design and comfort. Clever use of lighting, high ceilings, furniture, mirrors and stunning artworks combine to create a sophisticated effect. But the focal point of the design? It must be the impressive marble staircase leading up to the Atrium Lounge. The staff at the reception desk behaves professionally whilst the concierge personnel are helpful. Guests’ details are keyed-in swiftly. After giving the keys and notifying the guests about the hotel’s 158

The overall appeal of Intercontinental Adelaide is further honed by its easy accessibility to the city’s hotspots. Due to its proximity to the Adelaide Convention Centre, InterContinental Adelaide is perfect for business travellers and convention-goers. However, the hotel is also the choice for leisure seekers since it is within walking distance to Adelaide Casino, the Adelaide Festival Centre, the Government House, the Art Gallery of South Australia, plenty of night clubs and the Rundle Mall, where guests can do serious shopping. In fact, rumour has it that the property often hosts mega celebrities whenever they are in town.

facilities, guests are whisked to their rooms with minimum fuss, giving good first impression with regard to the hotel’s efficiency. InterContinental Adelaide offers 367 plushly appointed spacious rooms that come with the expected amenities. The rooms sport a neutral colour scheme that is easy on the eyes, comfortable furniture and large windows. When we were there in late June 2015, we stayed in one of the hotel’s King Suites, which features an expansive bedroom, lounge area, en-suite bathroom with separate bathtub and shower, a walk-in closet and another small bathroom at the entry way. There are also two flat screen television sets, one in the bedroom and another in the lounge area.

InterContinental hotels, and the one in Adelaide is no exception. The hotel features two award-winning restaurants and a chic-looking Atrium Lounge, which becomes our personal favourite spot and an ideal place to have light meals, cocktails or late-night drinks while soaking in the charming ambiance. It also features live entertainment throughout the weekend. What’s really gotten Adelaide foodies abuzz, however, is the hotel’s Japanese restaurant, Shiki, which is led by the Chef de Cuisine Kenny Trinh. Guests may enjoy fresh Japanese dishes such as sashimi, tempura and teppanyaki. Guests who prefer other gastronomic choices can proceed to the Riverside restaurant for a relaxing dining experience overlooking river view.

In case guests need to travel to the outskirts of the city, worry not as the Adelaide railway station is merely a 5-minute walk away from the property. In conclusion, we find that the experience staying at the InterContinental Adelaide is on point and top notch, definitely the kind of accommodation sought after by all discerning travellers. Room rates at the Intercontinental Adelaide start at AUD199. North Terrace, Adelaide SA 5000, Australia Tel: +61-8-82382400 Email: enquiries.adelaide@ihg.com Web: www.icadelaide.com.au

Upon entering the room, we were welcomed with a platter of fruits and chocolate truffles placed beside a thoughtful card on the table – a truly fivestar hotel gesture that touched us. The mini bar items include the much sought after Australian wines and snacks. They also have a menu for pillows for guests to choose such as soft, latex, premium firm, polyester, foam microfiber, therapeutic/ orthopaedic and pregnancy pillow. Food is one of the hallmarks of

159

Formally known as The ZON Regency Hotel by the Sea, BHR has refurbished many parts of the hotel such as the rooms and parts of the lobby, including the entryway to the connecting integrated duty-free zone that offers duty-free shopping, dining and entertainment options. Its façade has now been totally painted white, giving it a patina of contemporary sophistication. The hotel is also connected to the ferry terminal that connects Johor Bahru with Batam, Indonesia. BWH has 400 rooms and suites that are divided into five categories: Deluxe Room, Club Deluxe Room, Family Deluxe Room, Club Suite and Corner Suite. The hotel also has one of the largest MICE facilities in Johor Bahru suitable for large scale functions and expositions.

Berjaya Live

Media Excursion TEXT | Mohd Mursi Abdul Rahim IMAGES | Faiz Jalal & Berjaya Waterfront Johor Bahru

As the leading premier hospitality group in Malaysia, Berjaya Hotels & Resorts (BHR) recently organised an excursion to introduce Berjaya Waterfront Hotel (BWH) Johor Bahru to the Klang Valley- and Johor Bahrubased media. BHR acquired BWH around two years ago, making it the latest addition to BHR’s range of accommodation offerings. Strategically located on Johor Bahru shorelines, it is only five minutes away from the main causeway link to Singapore or just a few kilometres away from the city centre. 160

During the trip, the participants experienced the hotel’s dining options. There are three food and beverage outlets available at BWH that guests could choose: Salt & Pepper, The Club and The Chinese Restaurant. Each of these restaurants have their unique signature dishes, for example The Chinese Restaurant’s divine fried durian dessert and Salt & Pepper’s mouth-watering asam pedas kambing (mutton cooked in sour and spicy

stew), which are all must-try. Besides highlighting the Berjaya Waterfront Hotel, the trip also highlights the hotel’s corporate social responsibility efforts in helping and reaching out to the local community. As part of those efforts, the participants and staff of BWH visited the Sari Saujana Underprivileged Children’s Home, which is one of the many orphanages that BHR assists. Everyone got involved in gotong royong (communal work) to clean Sari Saujana’s ground and played fun games with the children to spread joy and laughter to the home.

161

For guests who stay at BWH, they do not only have to be confined at the hotel because Johor Bahru and its surroundings offer various attractions such as Legoland Malaysia, which is the first Legoland ever to be built in Asia. The media were briefed on Legoland Malaysia’s offerings, besides trying out some of the rides available at the theme park. Interestingly, Legoland is not just for children – even adults ended up enjoying their experience being at the place because it brings out the child in them due to the affinity that they have towards the brand. This is also the place where visitors are able to catch up on Lego’s latest product offerings, special displays and shows.

Another place of interest that is worth checking out is the Johor Premium Outlets, simply known as JPO, which carries a wide variety of international fashion brands at attractive discounts all year around, attracting shoppers from far and wide. As the trip’s closure, BHR introduced BWH’s The CHEFS (Cuisine, Hospitality Experience & Food Showcase), comprising the hotel’s five chefs who toiled behind the scenes relentlessly to make sure that guests’ obtain notable gastronomic experience. In overall, the BHR Excursion to BWH showcases BHR’s spirit, which is to Live In Victory Everyday (LIVE) to get the most out of life. As such, guests are bound to garner enriching and meaningful experience whenever they stay at any of Berjaya’s properties, including Berjaya Waterfront Hotel in Johor Bahru. 162

Anantara Uluwatu Bali

Resort and Spa TEXT | Azizul Arkaan IMAGES | Nawar Anisah & Anantara Bali Uluwatu Resort & Spa

Intro Uluwatu is the most southerly part of Bali. Its landscape is defined by a promontory of majestic limestone cliff, offering visitors a different scene from the other parts of the island. This stunning landscape also serves as the backdrop of Anantara Bali Uluwatu Resort & Spa. The resort is rather secluded from the other neighbouring hotels – its slightly remote location must be due to the resort’s massive beachfronting land bank.

Arrival Massive, stone, stadium-like steps leading to the main lobby might appear daunting to visitors at first. But worry not, the staff is ever ready to assist with your luggage. A gentle hit on the gong marks the arrival of guests to the resort, alerting the staff at the lobby, with their warm smiles and welcoming countenance. The climb up the stairs to the lobby is not in futile – guests will be rewarded with the spectacular view of the breath-taking, blue, glistening sea, almost surreal and looks like from a beautiful painting. We paused, stood still for a moment, trying to deal with the pleasant shock from the view and the resort’s marvellous landscape. 164

The Rooms Cascading down from the main lobby to the cliffside are the luxurious suites, pool villas and duplex penthouses that are tactfully designed to offer unobstructed priceless view of the Indian Ocean. The ocean view suites are spacious, with full sofa set, interconnected movie theatre BOSE sound-system, LCD TV, iPOD docking station and its own espresso machine. The balcony is wide to fit an outdoor Jacuzzi facing the sea. It is a perfect setting for honeymooners. For families and friends, the two or three bedroom villas are more suitable, complete with private pool and sun deck, greenery and fountains.

The Architecture The resortâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s blend of innovative design extends beyond its interior decor. The architectural features of the entire resort is leverages on the view of the Indian Ocean. Hence, each of the private villas incorporate terrace and open patio with indoor and outdoor space that flows seamlessly through large sliding floorto-ceiling doors. The finishing is elegant with natural marble floors and bathrooms, including the sun terrace. Colour schemes are muted with a consistent theme throughout the villa. For those residing in suites, two large infinity pools offer an equally satisfying experience. The botanical features surrounding the resort are minimal, consistent with the uncluttered open concept that the resort embraces. Moving about the resort is surprisingly easy. The gradient is relatively flat, with wide walkways and straightforward passages.

165

Dining Experience Anantara strives to offer fulfilling culinary experience. The resorts boasts three restaurants with different panoramic settings and cuisines. 360 Restaurant on the rooftop serves as an all-day dining outlet that serves Indonesian, Balinese and Western food. Skip the indoors and head straight to the open terrace, where guests can dine while facing the ocean. For a slight twist to your taste bud, head down to SONO Teppanyaki, which offers contemporary Japanese cuisine. Expect to stay a little longer here as the trained chefs offer live cooking show. If you decide to go 100% alfresco, make your way to Sea Fire Salt, a cliffside restaurant serving excellent barbequed seafood and meat as main course. This outlet could easily be guests’ favourite spot where they can ease out the doldrums, sip their cocktails, be with their desired company and savour the sunset.

166

Sunset Wedding Sunset and romance are the two elements that Anantara seeks to blend together. The resort is a destination for many couples to exchange wedding vows and tying the knot. Perched high on the edge of the cliff is a chapel called “Dewa Dewi”, which means “Gods and Goddess”, fitted with glass walls, facing the open sea. The stoned gateway and passage is flanked by

two ponds leading to the chapel entrance. It can fit a crowd of fifty people, perfect for an intimate and private wedding affair. The chapel is indeed a splendid avenue for a spectacular sunset wedding.

Other Onsite Attraction Being in isolation from the surrounding neighbourhood, the resorts has been relentless in making sure that all visitors remain occupied and entertained. The resort continuously organise activities centred on traditional Balinese culture such as classes for authentic Balinese dance, yoga, coconut leaf weaving, batik painting and ceramic making. Learn to cook Indonesian cuisine by joining the interactive cooking class that begins with the local market visit until the final food preparation. If guests have little interest in these activities, they could always grab some chips and watch selections of latest movies at the resort’s mini theatre. Guests need not worry if they fear that they might slack off on their routine work out when staying at the resort – the gym is open 24-hours, complete fitness

against the backdrop of the sunset and ocean view. About 15 minutes’ drive from the resort is Jimbaran Beach, where guests can taste fresh grilled seafood.

Summary We have seen how many resorts tend to compromise privacy with the urge to build bigger so as to take in more guests to increase the bottom line. We find that Anantara resisted such temptation and remain steadfast in offering unique experience to every guest that set foot on this heaven-on-earth by assuring that they receive top-notch luxury, service and privacy that they deserve. bali-uluwatu.anantara.com machines and equipment. Thereafter, guests could then adjourn to the Anantara Spa for a rejuvenating massage and spa treatment. For thrill seekers, head out to the aptly named “Impossible Beach”, due to the difficult access in getting there and the shore is covered with jagged rocks and coral reefs making it unsuitable for recreational swimmers. But the barrelling waves of the Indian Ocean is just too difficult to resist. Apparently, there are plenty number of visitors who are avid surfers, scurrying with their surf boards to the beach to get into action. Ask any surfer and they will say that Uluwatu in general is where the wind, swell, direction, tide, and seafloor meet. Wind creates the quality of the surfing waves, while its force and ideal interaction with the direction of the swell and tide makes this part of Bali a surfer’s paradise.

little sea creatures scamper into hiding at your presence. If you fancy a bit of tan, simply plonk against the bean bags on the Surfari Sundeck with cold refreshments served.

Around the Resort There are other surfing spots surrounding the resort such as Padang-padang, Dreamland, Bingin and Uluwatu Beach. Free shuttle service is provided to these destinations including Uluwatu Temple – one of the oldest temples in Bali – where visitors gets to revel in cultural performances such as Kecak dance,

The Impossible Beach is accessible from the resort by elevator that carries three passengers at most, down the thirtymetre cliff. From the top, the shore looks carpeted with rocks and coral reef, spanning endlessly in both directions. Surfers are also seen riding and crisscrossing the rolling waves across the blue and green shades of the sea. When taking a stroll by the beach, sink your feet into the wet grainy sand and see 167

Hu’u Villas

– The not so new kid on the

block...

TEXT | Nawar Anisah IMAGES | Azizul Arkaan & Hu’u Villas

Hu’u represents Bali’s evolution from a beach town to a designer getaway through its architecture that fuses minimalism with nuances of ethnic opulence. Hu’u Villas seduces the senses with its indulgent private pools in every villa and expansive wooden lounge decks that are all interconnected. The fact that every single one of its villa and loft has a private pool attached is a winning factor that automatically makes guests feel exclusively special. Don’t be fooled by its modest façade – it is a

“The house of Hu’u presents a unique experience for those who appreciate all the good things in life,”says the motto for Hu’u Villas, the new and chic accommodation that hit the Petitenget strip of Seminyak in Bali. For the uninitiated, The Hu’u brand is not foreign to Bali, especially regarding nightlife because the Hu’u Bar has been at the forefront of Bali’s club scene since 2001 and considered as the godfather of Petitenget itself. Favourite Bali beaches such as Legian, Seminyak and Canggu are all within twenty minutes’ drive from the Hu’u Villas. It is quite evident that tourists and travellers find it convenient to manoeuvre their way around the nearby streets, tote bags in hand, getting to the beach to bask in the local atmosphere. Besides the beach life, if you wish to access Balinese culture as well, you can make way to one of the most important sea temples in Bali – the Petitenget Temple – which is only a two-minute walk away.

The Hu’u Brand There is Hu’u Bar for music, drinks, dancing and unwinding; Hu’u Bistro to nourish the body; and Hu’u Villas for a total immersion of the Hu’u experience. Regardless of whether one is looking for casual relaxing stay or an all-out party weekend, Hu’u Villas provides the best of both worlds.

168

precious gem of a place waiting to be discovered and unfold. With regard to the people of Hu’u, Gaya Travel team discovered that they are a group of epicureans who advocate fun, eating well, and possess a wholesome view on love and life – these people really know how to elevate travellers’ Bali experience to a whole new level.

Why Hu’u Villas? Consisting of only 10 villas, each one personifies Hu’u’s distinctive quality, designed in different layouts and décor. The entire property feels luxurious and

of the Cuban Revolution. Based on this, one could quickly deduce that the founders of the property are the type that uphold ideas or movements that are groundbreaking and revolutionary, which without doubt are applied onto Hu’u Villas.

Facilities For gym and health enthusiasts, although there isn’t a dedicated gym attached to the property, there is shuttle service that transports guests from the villa every morning and evening to The Canggu Club, approximately 10 minutes away from Hu’u Villa. At the Club, guests will be able to enjoy the state-of-the-art health and entertainment facilities, an overall country club lifestyle right in the middle of Seminyak.

extraordinary yet personal and homely at the same time. Much emphasis is given on space, especially at the living room where guests are expected to spend most of their time.

One Bedroom Villa As any other villas worldwide, Hu’u gives the opportunity for their guests to choose which type of villa that suit them. The one bedroom lofts at Hu’u pay homage to stylish comfort. Soothing and smooth, the one bedroom lofts bring together virtually 17.5 square-metre loft space and sanctuary retreat, all in an insulated temperedglass dwelling and nearly 20 foot-high ceilings. Teak wood floors lead into the intimate loft bedroom where guests can slip into soft king-sized bed linens. It also comes with a private deck and pool outside.

Two Bedroom Villa At nearly 225-square meters, the two-bedroom achingly chic villas bring the outdoors in through its large glass-panelled wall, allowing guests

to also take in the view of the pool from various angles of the airy villa. It also has a private deck and pool. The master bedroom balcony overlooks the elegant manicured landscape of the private outdoor area. The naturally lit bathroom – furnished with giant eggshaped bathtub, spacious rainforest shower, defined double sinks, polished concrete floors and backlit mirrors – brings the tropical outdoors inside.

The Penthouse The crème de la crème of the villa experience at Hu’u just has to be its three-bedroom penthouse. The very walk that leads to the penthouse is amazingly unassuming until the moment guests actually see themselves in front of the door of the penthouse. The layout of this 298 square-metre penthouse, juxtaposed with the glittering blue waters of the hypnotic 32 square-metre pool, somehow blends the best of Bali into one clean contemporary space. To the writer, the most eye-catching feature of the penthouse would be the portrait of Che Guevara, one of the major figures

Dining Aligning with Hu’u’s island-meetscity philosophy, the Hu’u Bistro menu presents itself as a refinement of iconic dishes from around the Asian region. Dining at Hu’u Bistro redefines guests’ experience of modern Asian as the establishment attempts to continuously push the envelope when it comes to fusing the old and tested with the new and bold such as the popular Indo KFC (an interesting twist on the world famous fried chicken) and the intriguing Watermelon Sashimi (watermelon that is treated and possesses sashimi-like texture). huuvillasbali.com

169

Location Located just 5 minutes from the North-South highway along the straight Tambun Road, The Haven is surrounded by pristine landscape consisting of limestone hills and greenery that are over 280 million years old. Upon entering the venue, it feels as if you are entering an entirely different place blessed with the smell the fresh air from the surrounding lush vegetation.

Unique Selling Points The Haven offers its guests luxurious accommodation through its 150 allsuite residences that are spacious with well-thought layout, ideal for both leisure and business purposes. Almost all rooms offer stunning panoramic view of nature that surrounds The Haven. Personally, I find the property serene, calming and very relaxing.

The Haven Ipoh – Eco-Friendly Condotel amidst Mesmerising Landscape TEXT | Mohd Mursi Abdul Rahim IMAGES | Furqaan Hod & The Haven Ipoh

170

Besides the spacious rooms, The Haven offers great outdoor experience. Close to the towers housing the Condotels is the impressive 14-storey high, 280 million year old limestone outcrop called “Rockhaven” that rises from the 4-acre free flowing lake. Surrounding the lake are jogging trails, meditation decks and several barbeque pits. There are also a variety of wildlife that call the forest their home and can be seen if the guests are lucky to stumble upon them. Guests who would like to experience mountain

Introduction The Haven Ipoh – which was officially launched by the Minister of Tourism and Culture Malaysia, Dato Seri Nazri Tan Sri Abdul Aziz on 14 August 2015 – is operated by one of the world’s largest chains of hotels, Best Western International (BWI). The Haven is currently Perak’s tallest and most luxurious Condotel Resort. It is also the only five-star accommodation in Ipoh.

climbing can also attempt to scale one of the only two Via Ferrata in Malaysia on Mount Haven, which is within The Haven’s grounds.

Food and Beverages The Haven serves up two food and beverage outlets to keep guests’ bellies full: one is Cuisines (a poolside bar and restaurant serving local, Asian and Western staples under one roof); and the other is The Premiere, which offers a more formal setting with the same gastronomical food option for guests to choose from.

Facilities The Haven provides lavish facilities for guests’ enjoyment such as the patented 60-metre sea-horse shaped swimming pool, which is also an iconic identity of the resort. There are also gym, seminar rooms, Haven ballroom for weddings or for corporate functions and an amphitheatre that guests could use for yoga and entertainment purposes. Another great thing about The Haven Ipoh is that the entire complex is built with the physically disabled persons in mind since the walkways and paths are designed for easy accessibility.

Events or Functions The Haven is an ideal location to organise meetings, incentives, seminars, conferences or corporate functions. It is also ideal for weddings, celebrations or other private gatherings since it fits the bill as a getaway destination yet has ample parking space.

How to get there

Guests have a variety of options to get to The Haven. There is the Electronic Train Service (ETS) by Keretapi Tanah Melayu (KTM) that takes only 2 hours and 30 minutes from KL Sentral to Ipoh Railway Station. It is also not

too far from the Ipoh airport. Shuttle services can be arranged between the hotel and Ipoh Railway Station or airport. Should guests prefer to drive, the property can be easily accessed from the North-South highway.

Besides experiencing the hotel, what else to do in Ipoh?

Ipoh town is rapidly re-emerging as a tourist hot-spot. Guests are spoilt for choices on where to go and what to do. One thing to do when being in Ipoh town is to experience its unique gastronomic offerings, especially at Ipoh Old Town such as chicken rice, egg custard, chee cheong fun, mixed fruit shaved ice and more. Guests can also do café hopping around Ipoh since the city boasts many hip and trendy cafes. Don’t forget to also visit the mural walk located around Ipoh town for fun photo opportunities. If you like history and heritage, then the Ipoh Heritage Walk and Mosque Trail definitely suits you. Come to Ipoh now for a quick getaway and enjoy what this charming city has to offer! 171

KEITH FOO

PHOTO CREDIT: KEITH FOO & KIM RAYMOND

living and modelling in Hong Kong. He was also modelling in Jakarta when he received an acting offer that he knew too good to refuse. He said yes to the offer and stayed in Indonesia for a good 10 years! His name is popular in Malay entertainment, both big and small screen. Thanks to his Chinese and Indian heritage, Keith impressively speaks three dialects of Chinese (Mandarin, Cantonese, Hainanese), Tamil, English and Bahasa Malaysia. Due to his decade-long modelling and acting stint in Indonesia, Keith also speaks Bahasa Indonesia fluently. Not bad for a boy from Gemas, Negeri Sembilan! Keith’s career started as a model in KL at the age of 15. By 19, he was already

172

Besides acting and modelling, Keith is also now a restaurateur. His maiden venture in the F&B industry is called Mezza9 in Publika, which he co-owns with his brother-in-law. He hopes to own more restaurants in the future, and perhaps taking his career in the entertainment industry to another level, which is producing. Being in both entertainment and F&B industries means Keith leads a hectic life, and we take comfort in knowing that he enjoys travelling to balance things out!

KEITH FOO in 30seconds • Morning person or night person? Morning • Black or white? Black • Sing or dance? Dance • Back to nature or city slicker? Back to nature • Drive or be driven (public transportation included)? Drive • Land or water? Water • The glass is half full or half empty? Half full • Eat to live or live to eat? Live to eat

KEITH FOO IN HIS OWN WORDS... I am a mixture of Chinese & Indian and I am originally from Gemas, Negeri Sembilan. I speak 3 Chinese dialects (Mandarin, Cantonese, Hainanese), Tamil, Bahasa Indonesia, English and Bahasa Malaysia. I started off my career as a model in KL at the age of 15 yrs old. At the age of 19, I was offered a modeling contract in Hong Kong but after a year I decided to return to KL. One day I went to Jakarta to shoot a commercial and was offered a job in acting. From there, my acting career began in Jakarta. I acted there for 10 years and finally one day decided it was time for me to return to KL. In 2011, I came back and started acting in KL. 4 years later, with the blessings of God, here I am. I plan to continue my acting career for as long as I can and at the same time I co-own a restaurant called Mezza9 with my brother-in-law. In the future I hope to own more restaurants and also maybe go into producing. I have always loved everything about film-making and not just acting.

My favourite destination(s)... Santorini, Prague, Spain and all the beaches in Malaysia.

I love... ..... I love Santorini because it is just so beautiful. The way everything is built, the beaches and even the atmosphere.

I always pack....

..... My wife, Kim Raymond.

country, 3 cultures that are celebrated together by everyone in Malaysia. Isnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t that the most heart warming thing? I myself am made up off 2 of these cultures and am proud to say that I practice both.

My dream holiday:

My favourite Malaysian spots:

..... Anywhere by the beach, hoping to go to Bora Bora next.

Gemas & Perhentian Kecil which is an island located in between Terengganu and Kelantan.

..... My phone chargers, power banks and toiletries.

I usually travel (with):

My most unforgettable holiday experience ... ..... My recent travel around Spain, France, Greece and London all at one go.

Travelling Tips Always beware of your surroundings, avoid places that you suspect are unsafe.

Malaysia is special because...

My most treasured item bought / found during my travels: My wife and I collect little animal statues painted by different artists around the world. These statues are painted and sold for donation to save these particular animals. So far we have a few elephants, a rhinoceros and a bear. We bought the elephants and the rhinoceros from Singapore; I bought the bear when I was in Berlin.

..... Weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve got 3 main cultures in one

173

WIN! CONTEST

WIN!

EXCLUSIVE STAYS

At Selected Hotels & Resorts

FOLLOW THESE THREE SIMPLE STEPS TO WIN EXCLUSIVE VACATION! Choose only two hotels you wish to win and answer all questions correctly. Don’t forget to complete your personal details such as name, IC number, address and phone number. Send it to contest@gayatravel.com.my

GRAND HYATT KUALA LUMPUR, KUALA LUMPUR

DAYS STAY 2 X 32 NIGHTS

www.kualalumpur.grand.hyatt.com

QUESTIONS What type of cuisine is served at the hotel’s signature restaurant, THIRTY8? What are the two shopping malls closest to the hotel? What are the room categories available at Grand Hyatt Kuala Lumpur? I love to stay at Grant Hyatt Kuala Lumpur because…

SERI PACIFIC HOTEL, KUALA LUMPUR

DAYS STAY 2 X 32 NIGHTS

www.seripacifichotel.com

QUESTIONS What is Seri Pacific Hotel’s star rating? What are the health and wellness facilities provided by the hotel? List all categories of rooms that can be found in the hotel. I love to stay at Seri Pacific Hotel because…

HOLIDAY VILLA HOTEL & SUITES, SUBANG www.holidayvillahotelsubang.com

QUESTIONS How far is the hotel from Sultan Abdul Aziz Shah Airport? What is the theme park that is close to the hotel? What is the name of the spa located in the hotel? I love to stay at Holiday Villa Hotel & Suites Subang because… 174

DAYS STAY 2 X 32 NIGHTS

HOLIDAY VILLA BEACH RESORT & SPA, LANGKAWI

DAYS STAY 2 X 32 NIGHTS

www.holidayvillahotellangkawi.com

QUESTIONS How many rooms does the resort have? Where does live entertainment take place in the resort? List out the activities provided by the resort. I love to stay at Holiday Villa Beach Resort & Spa Langkawi because…

HOLIDAY VILLA BEACH RESORT & SPA, CHERATING

DAYS STAY 2 X 32 NIGHTS

www.holidayvillahotelcherating.com

QUESTIONS Where is Holiday Villa Beach Resort & Spa Cherating located? What are the categories of rooms offered by the resort? List out the names of all of the hotel’s wings. I love to stay at Holiday Villa Beach Resort & Spa Cherating because…

THE DANNA, LANGKAWI

DAYS STAY 2 X 32 NIGHTS

www.thedanna.com

QUESTIONS Name all four types of views that guests can see from their rooms. What are the names of the hotel’s food and beverage outlets? List five activities provided by the hotel that guests can enjoy. I love to stay at The Danna Langkawi because…

THE TRANS LUXURY HOTEL BANDUNG

DAYS STAY 2 X 32 NIGHTS

www.thetranshotel.com

QUESTIONS What categories of rooms does the hotel offer? What is the highlight at The 18 Restaurant? How many guests can Jewel Box accommodate at one time? I love to stay at The Trans Luxury Hotel because… TERMS & CONDITIONS The reader can only e-mail the answers regarding the hotel of choice in the quiz within the particular issue only once. Competition is open to all readers who are 18 years old and above. The prize is not transferable and can not be exchanged with cash. Judges’ decision is ﬁnal. The best entrant with the best answer will be deemed winner. Closing date of the competition is 30 November 2015. 175

SUBSCRIBE today! Subscription Form PERSONAL DETAILS Name: ..................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... Address: ................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................ City: ....................................................................................................................... Postcode: ................................................................... Country: ........................................................................... Telephone: ...................................................................... Mobile: ...................................................................... E-mail: .................................................................................................................... SUBSCRIPTION DETAILS (Please Tick The Box Below) MALAYSIA subscriber 1 Year Subscripton (6 issues)................................. MYR 94.40 2 Years Subscription (12 issues).......................... MYR 184.80 INTERNATIONAL subscriber 1 Year Subscripton (6 issues)................................. USD 50.34 2 Years Subscription (12 issues).......................... USD 100.68

176

PAYMENT METHODS • Please make Cheque / Bankdraft / Money Order payable to: CHANDI ENTERPRISE - CIMB: 800 7261 367 • For any enquiries, please call: +6 03 79972 0952 • Please allow 1-3 weeks for delivery • Mail your Cheque/Bankdraft/Money Order to: Gaya Travel Magazine Suri Media Sdn. Bhd. / Kumpulan Media Chandi, Suite B-08-07, The Scott Soho, Old Klang Road, 52200 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.