GTN 11.5 by Chandi Media Group & Media MNC Nusantara

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PARTNERS & SUPPORTERS

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Contents

I s s u e 11. 5

Cover Art Direction by Miscellaneous Minds Cover Photoshoot by Furqaan Hod

Departments

Destinations

14. 16.

48. 52. 58. 64. 68.

Editorial Jottings Bulletin

Gaya Special Feature 46. 128.

Kuala Terengganu Beckons LEGOLAND® Malaysia Resort introduces LEGO® NINJAGO™ The Ride

G a y a T r a v e ll e r 012

23.

Jalan-Jalan KL: Word Puzzle search

Gaya Tech 30.

Sony RX100 IV: Pocket-Sized Pro Shot

74. 80. 86. 94. 100.

#TSDAYOUT: Race Your Heart Out! Playing Tourist in Shah Alam and Klang Playing Tourist in Putrajaya Kelantan Eco Trip Selangor International Culinary Adventure Eat.Travel.Write 4.0: Gaining Weight for the Fourth Time and Loving It Experiencing Mauritius with AirAsiaX Educating the Public about Art: Kembara Kraf Selangor 2016 Dynamic Doha, the Heart of Qatar Mexico: Colours, Spices and Joy – Part III of III Discovering Central Japan by Bus!

Gaya Café Culture

Hotels & Resorts

32.

106.

Huckleberry, a Seriously Sweet Renaissance

Gaya Stay 36.

Kuala Lumpur’s Latest Hotels

Gaya Shop 40.

Redefining Seamless Charging of Devices for Travellers

Gaya MICE 42.

Singapore Introduces Incentives that Give Value to Business Travellers

Gaya Dine 44.

A Night of Experience, Appreciation and Taste at Limoncello-Svago

110. 114. 118. 122. 126.

Greenhost Boutique Hotel, Yogyakarta: The Hub for Eco-Sophisticates Club Med Bali: The Ultimate Family Holiday Haven Aiman Batang Ai: A Refreshing Take on the Land of Borneo Hidden Hills Villas: Hidden Gem Uncovered The Danna Langkawi: Where Sweet Memories are Made Refresh, Refuel and Recharge at Oasia Suites Kuala Lumpur

Travel Anecdotes 132.

Mimi Mashud

w w w.issuu.com/gayatravel

Cover Focus

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03 04

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What Gaya Travel Magazine recommends for travellers to do: 01. Visit Terengganu, especially since the state is celebrating Visit Terengganu Year 2017. Terengganu brims with idyllic beaches, islands, marine life, and Peninsular Malaysia East Coast Malay culture, besides tropical nature in its hinterlands. Despite the fact that the state is also rich with oil and gas, Terengganu still retains its charmingly quaint and bucolic atmosphere that appeal to travellers seeking tranquility and laidback lifestyle. | tourism.terengganu.gov.my 02. Savour the iconic and comforting nasi dagang (literally means â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;traderâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s riceâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;), one of the main staples of Peninsular Malaysia East Coast residents - particularly Terengganu - consisting rice steamed in coconut milk, accompanied by side dishes like tuna cooked in curry, vegetable pickles and hard-boiled eggs. 03. Do not miss trying out keropok lekor too, a popular Terengganu tea-time snack made from fish and flour that is rolled into the shape of sausage, then boiled, cut up and fried into fritters. 04. Buy contemporary Malaysian-made ceramics by Bangkita Ceramic Studio to remind yourself of the beautiful memories you have of Malaysia. | bangkitaceramicstudio.com 05. Look cool when treading Terengganu beaches and islands by wearing colourful and creative flip-flops by Fipper, a Malaysian brand that is now a household name. | www.fipperslipper.com

Editorial Jottings

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The months that passed since the previous issue (11.4) came out have been exciting. In this issue, we originally intended to focus more on Klang Valley, hence its theme, ‘Playing Tourist in Klang Valley’. Readers will be able to obtain ideas on where to go in Klang Valley in pages 48 (Paya Indah Wetlands and Sepang International Circuit), 52 (Shah Alam and Klang), 58 (Putrajaya/Cyberjaya), 68 (Eat.Travel.Write 4.0 Selangor programme) and 80 (Kembara Kraf Selangor 2016), including 126 (a new smart accommodation in Kuala Lumpur concentrating on wellness called Oasia Suites Kuala Lumpur). Gaya Traveller also features places that residents of Kuala Lumpur can experience like tourists in the city (page 23). Once readers have enough of Klang Valley, then why not experience something totally different like heading to Kelantan’s eco-tourism hot spot (page 64) to commune with pristine nature? And since Kelantan is just next door to Terengganu, how about swinging by Kuala Terengganu (page 46) for a quick relaxing break? By the way, we were also fortunate to have explored other places so that our readers will have more ideas

on where to go, especially when 2016 draws to a close. One place worth considering is Doha in Qatar (page 86), a rising Middle East destination that is modern and forward-looking yet strongly holds onto its customs and traditions. We also encourage readers to consider going to Japan and explore Shoryudo (Central Japan) region by bus (page 100). And don’t forget to catch Ed’s last piece on Mexico (page 94), the country that he plans to revisit early next year (read: Editor is jealous). Oh yes, Ed also writes up on his recent trip to Mauritius during AirAsia’s inaugural flight to that destination (page 74), making everybody (this time not just the Editor) green with envy... Till then, safe travels and see you in the next issue! JUHAN KAMARUDDIN@JEREMY KHALIL Email your comments to jeremy@gayatravel.com.my

O F F I C I A L W E B S I T E www.gayatravel.com.my SUBSCRIPTION, EDITORIAL AND ADVERTISING ENQUIRIES A D V E R T I S I N G E N Q U I R I E S advertising@gayatravel.com.my | +6 03 7972 0952 E D I T O R I A L E N Q U I R I E S editor@gayatravel.com.my E D I T O R I A L O F F I C E 3-57, The Scott Garden, Jalan Klang Lama, 58000 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia | +6 03 7972 0952

Bulletin

Penang Hosts The World Tourism Conference 2016 Penang - ranked 4th in Lonely Planet’s Top 10 Cities list for Best in Travel 2016 - is the fourth state in Malaysia to host the World Tourism Conference 2016 (WTC 2016) held from 17 to 19 October 2016 after Melaka (2013), Kota Kinabalu (2010) and Kuala Lumpur (2007).

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The WTC 2016 brought together world leaders in tourism, high-level policy makers, specialists and experts from the public and private sectors, academicians and media representatives to exchange ideas and knowledge, including experiences to further enhance tourism development.

since 2008, George Town in Penang was aptly chosen as the venue for WTC 2016. This capital city of Penang pulsates with life and receives many visitors from all over the world who wish to experience its unique architectural and cultural townscape, which is without parallel anywhere in East and Southeast Asia.

WTC 2016’s theme “Tourism Delights: Delivering The Unexpected” touched on the fact that tourists are becoming increasingly demanding and sophisticated in their requirements, thus successful tourism business need to fulfil customers’ expectations and surprise them on the upside by delivering the unexpected.

The conference was exclusively organised by the Ministry of Tourism and Culture of Malaysia, in collaboration with the World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO).

It is for the industry players to be able to understand the current tourism trend, anticipate future directions, and respond appropriately by walking the extra mile to fulfil tourist expectations by providing excellent products and services. The business that succeeds in the future will always be the one focused on the maxim of “Tourists First.” The innovations and areas of excellence could be in the areas of tourism policy, innovative products, marketing, service quality or corporate strategy. Listed as the UNESCO World Cultural Heritage Site

Unveiling a New Modern Tea Experience Starbucks is now offering a curated selection of full leaf tea sachets known as Starbucks® Teavana™ teas for customers in Malaysia. With Starbucks tea brewing merchandise, customers can easily access and enjoy the experience of brewing Teavana tea at home.

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Starbucks® Teavana™ is bringing an entirely new tea occasion specifically developed to all tea-lovers, who increasingly want new tastes and experiences. With Starbucks® Teavana™, Starbucks also draws on its long heritage of commitment to using only the most premium, high-quality ingredients. Leveraging deep relationships with tea growers, Teavana sources the world’s highestquality teas and botanicals. Starbucks sourcing and blending experts cup (taste) hundreds of teas daily to select only the finest teas for Starbucks® Teavana™. Available tea flavors are: English Breakfast - A handcrafted blend of Indian Assam, Sri Lankan Ceylon and Chinese black tea. Feature a taste of full-bodied black tea with malty and oaky undertones. This tastes great with or without milk. Earl Grey - A bright blend of black teas, fragrant bergamot essence and soft lavender. It has a smooth infusion with fragrant bergamot overtones that goes well with tea time pastries. Chai - This distinctive chai tea blend is a bold black tea with strong ginger and black pepper, cooling cardamom and sweet cinnamon notes. It features a bold infusion of cinnamon, ginger, cardamom and cloves, blended with black tea.

Emperor’s Clouds and Mist™ - Exclusively harvested during the month of April and grown on the high mountains of Gui Yang province at 1,700 meters above sea level, this tea has a rich body and a naturally sweet flavor. Featuring a taste of light smoky beginning, a soft sweet middle, and a green tea finish. Mint Citrus - This refreshing blend combines green tea, lemon verbena, tropical lemongrass, and U.S. Pacific Northwest sourced spearmint for a bright and citrus green tea experience Chun Mee or “precious eyebrow” is the natural green tea base used in this blend. This tea has a bright citrus balance of lemon verbena and lemongrass, with a hint of spearmint and rich Chun Mee green tea Hibiscus - Bright, juicy papaya and mango combined with citrus lemongrass for a naturally caffeine-free blend. Hibiscus flowers lend the tea a slight tartness and extraordinary deep fuchsia color. The highlight of this tea is the bright tropical notes of papaya and mango with citrus lemongrass and a hint of cinnamon. For more information about Starbucks® Teavana™ promotion, visit Starbucks Malaysia Facebook page to get the latest news and updates.

British Airways Crew Shares Top Tips For Parents Travelling With Kids

As thousands of Malaysian families prepare to jet off on their year-end holidays, British Airways has prepared – with help from its crew – a list of top tips for travelling with children. Over 1.5 million children fly with British Airways each year, and during the peak school holiday period alone the airline flies an average of half a million young travellers. “As a parent I understand that travelling with kids can at first seem like a daunting prospect, but it really needn’t be. After my 16 years as BA cabin crew I have found that flying can be made more comfortable and even fun for kids by following a few simple pointers, says Justin Cox, father of two and senior cabin crew member.

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Before your child’s first flight in their own seat, sit them on the sofa at home with a cushion between you as the armrest, explaining how it’s going to be on board.

· While visiting the flight deck mid-flight is no

Take a small compact travel pushchair for easy cabin stowage onboard. Regular-sized pushchairs or strollers will normally have to go as hold luggage.

Pack their favourite teddy, pillow or comfort blanket to help them get to sleep more easily and make it feel more like home.

If you are flying somewhere with a big time difference try to allow yourselves two days when you get back to give your children time to get back into Malaysian time and their normal routine, before they go back to nursery or school.

Sometimes waiting for take-off or leaving the aircraft can be boring for young children. A bag of treats or toys can work well at this point as a distraction.

Keep your child entertained. British Airways’ in-flight entertainment system provides a great selection of programmes, movies and games for children. Let them choose what they want to watch! You may plan your children’s entertainment ahead at: www.britishairways. com/ en-my/information/entertainmen t/in-flightentertainment

Senior first officer and mother of two, Carley Lear, adds: “Many pilots, including myself, fell in love with flying at a very young age so we are usually pleased to share our enthusiasm with kids who want to learn more. Children of all ages are very welcome to come to the flight deck to meet the pilots. The best time is after landing when passengers are disembarking. We sometimes have stickers and postcards for children and will be more than happy to talk about flying and what all the controls and buttons on the flight deck do. Budding young pilots of the future can also ask their pilot to sign their junior flight log-book

longer allowed, if you ask the crew they are usually happy to arrange for children to see flight deck after landing.

which they can get from the cabin crew for free during the flight.” Pre-programme your tablet or smart phone with your kids’ favourites. British Airways prides itself on the levels of customer service it offers to families and children. On long-haul flights the airline has a special child friendly menu, which parents can book free of charge in advance. The airline will also help to arrange seats in advance of check-in opening to ensure families can sit together on their holidays.

Langkawi Explores Eco-Sports Approach To Strengthen Tourism through AkTION Series

Organiser E-Plus Global Sdn Bhd and supporter Langkawi Development Authority (LADA), expands the successful pilot project of Tuba Trail Run to a triple treat for eco-sports athletes around the world.

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Langkawi will host a series of programmes under the umbrella of AkTION that includes Tanjung Rhu SwimFest and Mount Mat Chinchang SkyBridge Climb, besides Tuba Trail Run. The island, which is a world-renowned destination for leisure tourism, plans to expand its horizon by inviting nature and sports lovers to its islands. “In April 2016, Tuba Trail Run was introduced as a pilot project to expose the less visited Tuba Island to the domestic running market. With its success, we are now launching this brand new AkTION series that cover eco-sports on both land and water. Langkawi is well connected with other states within Malaysia, and also from neighbouring countries. Therefore, our intent is to add eco-sports that is suitable for sports enthusiasts of all levels, as a pillar to supplement Langkawi’s popular leisure tourism,” said Iskandar Shahril, Managing Director, E-Plus Entertainment Productions for Singapore and Thailand. Tan Sri Khalid bin Ramli, Chief Executive Officer of LADA, added that over 400 domestic and international participants joined the Tuba Trail Run in April this year. “LADA has cooperated with E-Plus Global Sdn Bhd to introduce the pilot programme that has resulted in a positive outcome. Moving forward, E-Plus will be incorporating more eco-sports events on many parts of the islands. While conventional tourism promotions will maintain tourism receipts, the implementation of AkTION will capture a new market and new interests towards our islands.” He further added that in 2015, Langkawi received over 3.6 million tourists and expects to achieve 3.8 million in 2016, and believes that the implementation of AkTION will boost tourist arrivals to the island in a long run.

Tanjung Rhu SwimFest Tanjung Rhu SwimFest is the beach’s first international open water swimming competition happening on 10 December 2016, divided into three categories. The two-kilometre route is suitable for budding swimmers, while the four- and sixkilometre routes are recommended for multi-sport athletes including triathletes and long distance swim enthusiasts. Starting from Tanjung Rhu beach, participants will be able to swim close to international borders, offering unique opportunity to experience Malaysia and Thailand in a single location. Mount Mat Chinchang SkyBridge Climb A trail opened exclusively for the Mount Mat Chinchang SkyBridge Climb on raceday will bring new excitement for enthusiasts of all levels. The 4.5-kilometre climb finishes at the peak of the mountain after passing the cable car’s Middle Station, crossing the renowned SkyBridge and climbing up to the Top Station. The climb will take place on 18 February 2017 and provide a unique way to discover the hidden jewels of Mt. Mat Chinchang. “This will be the first time we are opening the trail for a race. While the general public enjoy the journey up to Mt. Mat Chinchang by cable car, trail enthusiasts can seize the rare opportunity to experience it through the climb,” said Mohd Ali bin Makkit, Chief Operating Officer of Panorama Langkawi Sdn Bhd. Tuba Trail Run Tuba Trail Run, a project to provide exposure to the less explored islands of Pulau Tuba and Pulau Dayang Bunting, returns on 8 April 2017 and will offer three varied distances, including a 4-kilometre fun run, a new 15-kilometre route and the 30-kilometre route to cater to runners of all levels. For more information, log onto fb.com/AkTIONLangkawi.

ESCAPE + EXPLORE + EXPERIENCE

TEXT|IMAGES by IRNEE NORRIS & IRINA NORRIS FB | T W | IG | YO U T UB E : @g a yat r a ve lle r # g a yat r a ve lle r

JALAN - JALAN KL WORD PUZZLE SEARCH S

TOURISM MALAYSIA

MUD

LAKSA JOHOR

DEKAT JE

SULTAN ABDUL SAMAD

NASI LEMAK

LRT

DAYA BUMI

ROTI CANAI

DATARAN MERDEKA

BUKIT AMAN

MEE BANDUNG

MASJID JAMEK

I LOVE KL

BROWNIES

TEXTILE MUSEUM

JALAN JALAN KL

PISANG SALAI

THE CANTEEN BY CHEF ADU

MUSIC

TEH TARIK

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The tagline for Tourism Malaysia’s domestic campaign “Dekat Je” really hits home this time. We’ve been bogged down with work that it was almost impossible to go for an overnight getaway. The mind needs a rest and a refresher, so we thought why not explore our beloved Kuala Lumpur, affectionately known as KL? The light rapid transit (LRT) service – which is part of the Klang Valley public transport infrastructure called RapidKL – has started plying the route close to our home and connecting us more conveniently to KL by rail since 30 June 2016. We also notice that our friends have been sharing their commuting experience on their social media accounts. After enduring almost two years of bad traffic due to the construction of the rail lines, we feel that we should have a go at it. Since the closest station from our home is less than a kilometre away, we foresee that we will be using the LRT more frequently now. Since the theme of this issue is being a tourist in Klang Valley, we have decided to explore the heart of Kuala Lumpur like a tourist: by using public transport! We ditched our car at the LRT station one Saturday morning and hopped onto the next train heading towards the capital city. We honestly cannot remember the last time we boarded the LRT, it must have been a quite few years. We decided to explore Dataran Merdeka since it holds special importance to the history of Malaysia. As a matter of fact, whenever we travel to other cities in the world, we are bound to visit its historical places to understand how the past shapes the present. We love visiting old towns and museums, and the beautiful buildings on Dataran Merdeka are definitely not to be missed when travellers are in Kuala Lumpur. We alighted the train at Masjid Jamek stop, and walked to the famous mosque for a quick visit. The vicinity is currently under construction, thus poses a bit of a challenge if travellers want to explore the mosque with ease. We then continued our walk to Dataran Merdeka. It did not take long at all to reach this glorified square. Dataran Merdeka is always our favourite landmark in the city.

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Lucky for us, the major road in front of the iconic Sultan Abdul Samad Building was closed on that very Saturday since there was an event scheduled to be held there that night, allowing us to enjoy a leisurely stroll right in front of the building, which would have been otherwise crowded with vehicular traffic. Besides, we also slow down everytime we drive pass the Sultan Abdul Samad building because it is such a sight to behold. The first building we encountered was what is now Panggung Bandaraya (City Theatre), built in 1901 to house the first Kuala Lumpur Sanitary Board. This building has seen Kuala Lumpur since its infancy to what it is today. Panggung Bandaraya now runs a must-see “MUD (Our Story of Kuala Lumpur) - The Musical”. The 60-minute show runs twice daily at 3:00 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. The show depicts Kuala Lumpur 100 years before Malaysia’s independence, and brings us on a journey of its development and transition into becoming the nation’s capital.

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After Panggung Bandaraya, we proceeded to the field facing the Sultan Abdul Samad Building. Honestly we initially did not know whether we are permitted to walk on the grass, because it is so nicely manicured. But when we saw several dustbins (for the event that evening) are placed on the lawn and fellow tourists were walking on it, we figured that we can just walk on it after all. We spent quite some time sitting on the grass admiring the iconic structures surrounding the square; the Sultan Abdul Samad Building, the Royal Selangor Club, Bukit Aman, Menara Dayabumi and of course the giant flag pole. It was such a nice and sunny day that maybe next time we will come back and bring along a picnic basket! Well, since we did not bring any picnic basket with us and it was already time for lunch, we headed to Muzium Tekstil Negara (National Textile Museum), located just next to Sultan Abdul Samad Building. We wanted to say hello to Chef Adu, the proprietor of The Canteen by Chef Adu. Since Chef Adu – a celebrity chef – is a juror of MasterChef Malaysia, the food served by an establishment that carries his name would definitely go beyond delicious! The Canteen by Chef Adu is truly a hidden gem. Tucked at a quiet corner at the back of the museum, one probably would have missed it. It was our first time at the quaint restaurant, but we felt right at home as soon as we stepped inside. The restaurant’s interior sports a smart eclectic blend of nostalgic antiques

and contemporary furnishings that appeal to the well travelled and sophisticated. The star of the restaurant’s menu is of course Laksa Johor. Being fellow Johoreans ourselves, we are pleased that we have discovered a good Laksa Johor here! Other dishes like Mee Bandung, Nasi Lemak, and Nasi Kerabu Salad are equally lip-smacking. For dessert, we recommend the restaurant’s signature Smoked Banana Brownies. Finally, a nice place we could bring our foreign friends who visit KL! After lunch we continued to visit the rest of the National Textile Museum. There are some beautiful antique clothings and textiles on display. The museum explores the rich diversity of the people in Malaysia. We could learn about the development and trend of textiles that characterise and shape the lifestyles of the people in Malaysia as early as the prehistoric era right up to the modern times. There are four galleries to be explored which showcase the process and technology of textiles, an exquisite collection of textiles, accessories and costumes of Malaysia. Admission is free. Just across the street from National Textile Museum is the Music Museum. Being a multiracial country that we are, the diversity of the Malaysian culture as a whole is impressive. Like the textile, music is also a huge part of our culture and heritage. Various musical instruments are on display here, including instruments previously owned by local music legends. Admission is also free.

The Canteen by Chef Adu opens daily from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. The Canteen by Chef Adu National Textile Museum, 26 Jalan Sultan Hishamuddin, 50000 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Tel: +60 (010) 422 3014

01. The Canteen By Chef Adu 02. Nasi Lemak 03. 04.

Laksa Johor

Smoked Banana Brownies

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We then proceeded to the Kuala Lumpur City Gallery, which is located just next door. You cannot miss this building because it has a huge I *LOVE* KL sign up front, making it the place for a fantastic photo opportunity! This gallery is run by ARCH, the company that specialises in the making of unique laser engraved wood veneer souvenir items. Inside the gallery is an information centre of the history, present and future of Kuala Lumpur, including ARCH workshop and gift shop. ARCH also publishes the Kuala Lumpur Walks & Tours map that travellers can use as guide when exploring the city. There is a RM5 fee to enter the gallery. We really took our time going around Dataran Merdeka and enjoy what this historic area has to offer. There are a lot of other things to discover here, so we will definitely return and probably join in the free heritage, cultural and nature guided walks organised by the Kuala Lumpur Tourism Bureau. Please call+6 03 2698 0332 or e-mail to enquiries@kltourismbureau. com to book your participation in any of those walks. There are four trails to choose from and each lasts up to 2.5 hours: Kuala Lumpur Heritage Trail; Old KL & Nature Walk; Jalanjalan at Kampong Bharu; and the newly introduced Kuala Lumpur Heritage Guided Night Walk that brings travellers to experience Kuala Lumpur’s historical area at night and absorb the raw energy of the city’s streets along the way. The Kuala

Lumpur Heritage Guided Night Walk runs every Saturday starting at 7:00 p.m. in front of the Arch Cafe, Old Market Square. Despite having stuffed ourselves silly at The Canteen by Chef Adu during lunch, we felt hungry again since it was time for tea. So off we went to Rebung, a restaurant owned by Chef Ismail, another celebrity chef, located not too far from Dataran Merdeka. Specifically, it is at Taman Botani Perdana on Jalan Tanglin. Chef Ismail is well known for his authentic Malay dishes, and Rebung serves up reasonably priced High Tea buffet in the afternoon. We ordered deep fried goodies like banana fritters, keropok lekor (traditional Peninsular Malaysia East Coast fish fritter) and cucur bawang (onion fritters) - the perfect way to end a lovely Saturday! Of course, there are many interesting places to visit and do in Kuala Lumpur when we look beyond the shopping malls. Many places of interests are not only meant to be visited by foreign tourists, but locals too. MyKAD holders are entitled to great discounts on admission fees, so let’s take the opportunity to become a tourist in our own city. In conclusion, it was indeed fun for us to explore our beloved Kuala Lumpur like tourists and we are sure that our fellow KL-ites and Malaysians will experience the same!

Gaya Tech

Sony RX100 IV: Pocket-Sized Pro Shot TEXT by SYAZWANI BUSTAMAM

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On a recent trip to Jawa Timur, Indonesia, Gaya Travel had the privilege of trying out the new Sony Cyber-shot RX100 IV, an incredibly convenient compact camera that can fit into the pocket and easily pulled out when it is time to take photo, great for point and shoot! The Sony Cyber-shot RX100 IV takes professional quality images. It also possesses the power of the world’s first 1.0-type Stacked CMOS sensor packed into a compact, portable body, igniting user’s excitement and creativity when capturing a high frame rate shooting with 4K recording. It also has various pro-quality features suitable for amateur and professional photographers. The camera also has the ability to record super slowmotion videos up to 40 times than the standard rate, allowing users to capture and replay fleeting moments of action with incredible detail, resolution and clarity. Prior to shooting, users have the option to choose various frame rate playback formats to optimise the recording to fit the speed of the moving subject. Sony Cyber-shot RX100 IV’s wide angle 24-70mm f1.8-2.8 lens is perfect for landscape shots, street photography and portraits. Even when using the camera at night in complete darkness, the configuration of the camera’s features and settings like ISO, shutter speed, aperture, including manual focus adjustment, makes the camera handy and simple to use. The 3-inch LCD can be tilted 180 degrees upwards and 45 degrees downwards. At its 180 vertical position, the LCD automatically flips the image, allowing one to take selfies with self-timer option. The camera is also Wi-Fi enabled, thus allowing users to trigger their camera using their phone via Sony’s PlayMemories Mobile app and share photos on the spot. With a short processing time, users don’t have to wait long between shots to capture moments. The camera can be easily charged by connecting it to a power bank using a USB cable. Sony Cyber-shot RX100 IV retails at MYR3,799 (including GST).

Main Features: » » » » » » » » »

20.1 MP Stacked CMOS image sensor Contrast Detection AF System 4K movie recording up to 30 fps Slow motion movie recording up to 1000 fps Battery life for up to 280 shots Tiltable 3” LCD (+180°/-45° movement) 2.36 Million dot OLED viewfinder Up to 16 fps continuous shooting WiFi with NFC Capability

Gaya Café Culture

Huckleberry, a Seriously Sweet Renaissance TEXT by SHAHIDA SAKERI|IMAGES by HUCKLEBERRY

“All sorrows are less with bread” – Miguel de Cervantes Saavedra For a person who loves pastry so much, it frustrates me to see the lack of bakeries or cafes serving real delicious baked goods in Malaysia. Though it is understandably not an originally Malaysian culture, eating properly baked pastries can be intensely comforting, satisfying and uplifting (and let’s just not talk about guilt here) - at the very least, it is the best way to start the day. For that reason, I am always on the lookout for great places that offer marvellously baked fares. My search eventually led me to Huckleberry, Damansara Heights.

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Interestingly, Huckleberry possesses two different identities: Huckleberry Food & Fare during the day and Huckleberry After Dark during the night (think French flair at daytime and American swag come night). The establishment initially started off with Food & Fare in July 2015, focussing on spoiling customers with classic baked fares made using time-honoured recipes with authentic ingredients and techniques, resulting in food that was visually appealing and delicious. There are over 20 varieties of hand-crafted gourmet breads baked in the bakery every day – as early as 4:00 a.m. – spearheaded by their resident French Master Baker, Christophe Gros, who brings to the table over 22 years of experience in classic French breads and pastries. Coming from a family of bakers, their resident Master Baker’s work has always been designed to capture a delicious range of flavours, textures and aromas, and his passion for breads has taken him around the world. Those who are interested to see Christophe working his magic can always pop by the bakery early in the morning and stand behind the glass wall to see him baking pastries in a one-of-a-kind 120 square feet Bongard Omega2 artisanal oven. I, however, reached the cafe cum bakery already quite late in the evening, thus missed the whole baking magic session by the Master Baker. But I certainly didn’t miss the wide range of delicious smelling artisanal baked goods, from light flaky Danishes, fluffy croissants and rich moist

cakes to beautifully decadent pastries and even classic sandwiches. In fact, the entire space was still replete with the scents of butter, flour, chocolate and coffee – if I were to imagine the cake and cookies cottage in the Hansel & Gretel story, it would probably smell similar to this. As a starter, I ordered a caramelised Apple Turnover, a sinful Vanilla Slice and my personal favourite, the croissants (original and almond flavoured). One bite into Huckleberry’s eponymous croissants is all it takes to understand the hype that I’ve been hearing about the cafe – they are une tuerie (absolutely fantastic)! The croissants are nice golden coloured, lightly buttery, slightly flaky with delicate, cottony interior. It actually takes the team three days to prepare this refined pastry: first you make the dough and chill it for a day; on the next day add butter, do the feuilletage (laminating), spread and stretch it further before rolling it again, let it rest so that it rises slowly; and on day three you finally bake it! Huckleberry Food & Fare also collaborates closely with Executive Head Group Chef Yves Renou in bringing consistently high standard and ever-changing menu. Besides the bakery goodness, patrons of Huckleberry should consider trying other delicious choices available here, with menus suitable for breakfast, brunch, lunch and teatime. The general crowd pleasers are Chilli Cheese Toast with Fried Egg packed with Asian flavours, Superfood Salad and Portobello Benedict, and my favourite the House-made Salt Beef Sandwich made from 170gm of perfectly brined, slow-cooked beef brisket, house-baked

rye caraway bread, pickled gherkins and English mustard. I was told this dish was inspired by the popular Selfridges’s Salt Beef Sandwich. Lovers of coffee will be interested to know that Huckleberry Food & Fare takes a ‘tree-to-cup’ approach, dealing directly with plantation owners to produce its signature Sumatran Gayo coffee. The baristas are skilled in crafting a variety of beverages using the award-winning Synesso Cyncra coffee machine, hand-crafted in Seattle. Not fond of coffee? Then try the aromatic organic loose-leaf teas from Roleaf Tea, slow pressed juices or all natural smoothies and lassi, all equally good and satisfying. As the day was turning to night, I noticed that the space was morphing into something sexier, mystifying and certainly livelier. Even the servers began donning black uniforms, as opposed to the white ones that I saw when I first came in. People started to flock in after work, and I realised it was time for Huckleberry After Dark to come to life. I asked for the menu, curious on whether the establishment changes the offerings to suit the different theme. And believe it or not, it does. Menus for Huckleberry After Dark consists of classic American and Mexican comfort food with cheeky names, a killer line of cocktails and mocktails, Spiked Milkshakes (both alcoholic and non-alcoholic), craft beers and fine liquors. But since my stomach was already full with buttery goodness, I decided to try something savoury and light for the evening, which was the lip-smacking Chuck Norris: beef Barbacoa tacos served with BBQ-root beer sauce, pico de gallo, fresh coriander and sour cream. Honestly, this dish was truly delicious that I immediately put it into my ‘Last Meals before Death’ list. Huckleberry After Dark’s sourdough pizza selections also looked tempting, but I was too full to try that I had to give them up with a heavy heart – but of course, not without promising to myself that I would come again next time to try them! With that, I went home with a happy tummy and a happy me - Huckleberry has easily made it into one of my favourite places to eat in Klang Valley. Huckleberry Food & Fare opens every day from 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. (6:00 p.m. on Mondays). Huckleberry After Dark, on the other hand, opens at 5:30 p.m. until midnight (1:00 a.m. on weekends) from Tuesday to Sunday. Huckleberry-made breads, cakes and pastries are also delivered to other restaurants and food stores around the Klang Valley. Huckleberry 2G & 4G, Jalan Medan Setia 2 Plaza Damansara, Damansara Heights 50490 Kuala Lumpur Tel: +6 03 2098 7933 Web: www.huckleberry.my

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Gaya Stay

Kuala Lumpur’s Latest Hotels COMPILED by SHAHIDA SAKERI|IMAGES by RESPECTIVE RESORTS

Some people visit Kuala Lumpur (KL) to sample the city’s gastronomic offerings, while others check out the city’s top attractions or learn about the city’s multi-ethnic cultures. But at the end of the day, the body gets tired and all it needs is a good comfortable bed to rest. In fact, the accommodation that travellers choose to stay can make or break their city experience. To ensure that travellers get to stay at well-appointed establishments when being in KL, we have listed several accommodations that are strong in contemporary style and location yet value-for-money.

Invito Hotel Suites www.invitohotelsuites.com.my

| Features | Infinity pool, fitness centre, babysitting/child services, free Wi-Fi, meeting facilities, restaurant and bar. | Why we like it | The location is enviable, with walking distance to plenty of shopping malls, bars and restaurants. Rooms are spacious too. | Price | From RM294.50 nett per night.

The Yard Boutique Hotel www.theyard.com.my 036

Holiday Inn Express Kuala Lumpur www.ihg.com/holidayinnexpress/hotels/us/en/kuala-lumpur/kulcc/hoteldetail

The Mesui Hotel themesuihotel.com

| Features | Restaurant, bar, BBQ facilities, airport shuttle service, tour desk service and free Wi-Fi. | Why we like it | The hotel is located on a vibrant street lined with interesting eateries like No Black Tie, Bijan, Feeka Coffee and even local street stalls. | Price | From RM154++ per night.

V E Hotel & Residence www.vehotel.com

| Features | Pool bar, swimming pool, fitness centre, restaurant, airport shuttle service, complimentary city shuttle service, babysitting service and free Wi-Fi. | Why we like it | It’s good for families and ticks all the boxes for a great stay! | Price | From RM268 nett per night.

Metro 360 www.metro360hotel.com

D’Majestic Place by Swiss Garden www.swissgarden.com/hotels/dhrkl/

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Invito Hotel Suites The Yard Boutique Hotel Holiday Inn Express Kuala Lumpur The Mesui Hotel

05. V E Hotel & Residence 06. Dâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Majestic Place by Swiss Garden 07. Metro 360

Gaya Shop

RedeďŹ ning Seamless Charging of Devices for Travellers TEXT by FURQAAN HOD

It is estimated that almost 25% of gadget users own more than one device1, and this number includes travellers. It is common to see travellers lugging around multiple devices during trips such as smartphones, tablets, power banks, cameras, and personal laptops, which can be troublesome as they take up luggage space. Just imagine how many cables that travellers need to bring along in order to charge these devices while on the go! Fortunately, Innergie â&#x20AC;&#x201C; a global leader in power and thermal management â&#x20AC;&#x201C; comes up with innovative solutions that allow users to redefine seamless charging between devices. Innergie provides charging solutions that are not just light in weight, but also big in power for remarkably fast charging of multiple devices done simultaneously.

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1. PowerGear ICE 65

3. LifeHub Plus

This re-designed and innovative universal adapter is effortlessly suitable for travellers as it is small in size and compact (130 grams), making it easy to carry during trips. Moreover, it is equipped with interchangeable plugs enabling it to work with the electrical power specifications in over 150 countries worldwide, besides being compatible with the most popular laptop brands like Dell, HP, Lenovo, Acer, ASUS and Toshiba. A tip program (an external power tip) is available for free from Innergie official website for other laptop brands that are not compatible. The product retails at RM249.00.

Charging multiple devices simultaneously without the extraneous bulk can now be done easily with LifeHub Plus. It provides three-port high speed charging hub on-the-go and can be used along with the PowerGear ICE 65 as an alternative adapter. Like the WizardTip, it is also built with smart chips, which automatically detect the type of devices attached and adjust power from its three USB ports accordingly for optimal voltage. The smart LED indicator, on the other hand, helps to check the charging status by only taking a glance at the adaptor. The product retails at RM199.00.

2. WizardTip Ideal to be used together with the PowerGear ICE 65, WizardTip gives you instant USB port to connect to a smart device. It is a detachable USB charging connector that is compacted with advanced chip that enables automatic detection of connected device, providing the optimum power output for the fastest possible charging. The product retails at RM49.90.

Source: www.statista.com/statistics/245501/multiple-mobile-device-ownership-worldwide/

Power Your Life with Innergie Products

Laptop Adaptor

USB Charger

Dual-use with USB port

Car charger

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Power Bank

Accessories

Colourful style

Lightning cable

Fast facts on Innergie Products: 01. 02. 03. 04.

GreenSense Technology – Reduces electricity consumption and carbon dioxide emissions. Innershield Protection System – Protects devices from over-current, over-voltage, over-power, heating up and circuit damage. Three-year original manufacturer warranty for universal adapters, three-year for USB adapters and oneyear for rechargeable batteries. Product insurance – Covers up to USD1 million.

For more information, browse www.myinnergie.com.

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Gaya MICE

Singapore Introduces Incentives that Give Value to Business Travellers TEXT by JUHAN KAMARUDDIN|IMAGES by SINGAPORE TOURISM BOARD

Singapore Tourism Board (STB) has introduced incentive schemes to assist local travel players to serve the BTMICE segment better and provide more value to Business Travellers to the island republic.

“In today’s fast-changing tourism and consumer landscape, we cannot stay still. Consumers are increasingly distracted and demanding, and there is more competition from the region vying for their attention,” said Edward Koh, Executive Director of Southeast Asia, Singapore Tourism Board. “Our focus for Malaysia for the next two years is to strengthen our activities in what we see as bright spots within our visitor segments.” Singapore welcomed over 380,000 Malaysian business travellers in 2015. These visitors contribute 42% of the total tourism receipts and spend 1.5 times more per visitor compared to the leisure travellers. There are over 1,000 MICE events taking place annually or bi-annually in Singapore. Malaysia is consistently the top source market for many of these events, particularly in the lifestyle event cluster (such as Food & Hotel Asia and ProWine Asia), the digital content event cluster (such as Communic & BroadcastAsia), and the design event cluster (such as International Furniture Fair Singapore). While the Conference and Events sector provide a steady source of visitors, the Meetings and Incentives sector is where STB is targeting growth. STB’s survey of Malaysian business travellers have indicated that the attractiveness of Singapore as a meeting and incentive destination is in its infrastructure and ease of access; its relative safety within the region, and the wide variety of experiences including unique offerings for group travel. In growing the Meetings and Incentives segment, STB is committed to partner with travel intermediaries in Malaysia to closely build and support growth opportunities within the sector. The partnership is

supported by incentive schemes, information toolkit and planning resources that assist travel intermediaries to add value to their clientele, and provide in-depth knowledge on planning and customising unique experiences. The incentive scheme target two main areas: the travel intermediaries, and the end-clientele. Targeted at the travel intermediaries, the M&ISTARS incentive scheme supports travel intermediaries to improve planning and advisory capabilities in executing travel plans for meetings and incentives groups. Schemes available for corporate companies will include Business Events in Singapore (BEiS), which aims to encourage corporate meetings and incentive trips to be held in Singapore, providing grants for the companies who organises these corporate events. On the other hand, the M&I-Rewards scheme will benefit the corporate group travel through value-added experiences to enhance their itineraries, for instance complimentary business learning tours like Marina Barrage Guided Tours and complimentary Singapore experience like visiting the new National Gallery Singapore. Over 1.17 million Malaysians visited Singapore in 2015, averaging a moderate growth of 2% compound annual growth rate (CAGR) since 2010. Of the total visitor arrivals in that year, 33% of Malaysians were Business Travellers and 44% were Leisure Travellers. Malaysia is one of the Top 5 source markets for visitors to Singapore. For more info, visit www.yoursingapore.com/mice/en.html

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Gaya Dine

A Night of Experience, Appreciation and Taste at Limoncello-Svago TEXT by SHAHIDA SAKERI|IMAGES by SHAHRUL NIZAM & ABEL n ABEL

It was an intense night, but joyful too: the night when the whole nation anxiously followed the epic badminton match between Lee Chong Wei of Malaysia and Lin Dan of China during the 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janeiro. To some, it was just a semi-final round, but to Malaysians, the match between these two equally great players carried greater meaning: hope, redemption and lifelong rivalry.

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Rather than being caught in suspense alone, I decided to watch that match with friends over dinner and be ‘anxious together’. For that purpose, we chose the Limoncello-Svago Bistro & Lounge, an Italian-inspired bistro and lounge located on the external ground floor corner of Suria KLCC facing the park and fountains. Since it was Friday evening, the place was already crowded with patrons enjoying their cocktails or mocktails by the time we arrived, making it a bit of a challenge to secure seats. It was easy to see why this double-storey restaurant makes an ideal social hub especially on nights like this because it boasts casual spaces fit for patrons coming in with friends and families, and the air is always filled with conversations if not live soulful jazz music. People love the energy here; it’s lively, chic yet unpretentious. On top of that, this is also the place where patrons should abandon their diet and savour a combination of simple homemade dishes and a flavourful unique cuisine that is a blend of Asian and Italian. We first had the Antipasti Platter (RM41.35/RM56.30) for our pre-match meal, which consisted of bite-sized appetisers comprising crispy calamari, homemade meatballs topped with tomato puree, chicken wings and smoked salmon, ideal for warming up the conversation. It then followed by the thinly crisp wood-fired Capricciosa pizza (RM37.10) that was so good that after only a bite of this crusty, light and tasty flatbread, we knew that the chef was about to hit us with some real deal dishes. And boy, we were right. The next dish we ordered, Extra Spicy Al Amatriciana (RM34.90) was absolutely tasty! The light pasta was cooked with beef bacon bits, roasted vegetables along with olive oil and bird’s eye chilli for that Asian kick. Meanwhile,

a friend of mine ordered Mushroom Barley Risotto (RM34.95), an interesting and healthy twist on the classic Italian risotto made with chewy pearl barley, mixed mushrooms and truffle oil. The chef definitely deserved credit for reducing the guilt, but not the pleasure. Other main courses that we ordered that night were Norwegian Salmon (RM45.60), Chicken Cotoletta (RM52.00), Black Angus Sirloin (RM62.70) and Herbs Marinated Lamb Chop (RM73.35), all juicy and satiating. I definitely recommend the succulent lamb with spicy potato wedges and buttered vegetables anytime; it was toothsome at first bite, melt-in-your mouth as it went. After such a hearty meal, we had room for just one dessert: the brownies, which proved to be pure decadence. Afterwards, we were ready for the match that pushed us to the edge of our seats. We moved to Svago upstairs – a cosy gentleman club-style lounge with bronze ceiling and classy low metallic dipped lights – to get away from the madding crowd and concentrate on the match. Besides, Svago has a range of killer beverages for us to indulge. Between sips and badminton chatter, I couldn’t help but noticing how beautiful the view of the KLCC fountains were from where I was sitting, making me felt that I didn’t mind to have more nights like this, which was a night of experiencing great food, ambience and service, as well as appreciating each other’s company. The night was well-spent, indeed. Oh, did I mention that Lee Chong Wei eventually won the match in the end? That made the night even sweeter than expected…

Limoncello-Svago Bistro & Lounge opens daily from 10.00 a.m. until midnight. Limoncello-Svago Bistro & Lounge Kuala Lumpur City Center Suria KLCC, Kuala Lumpur Tel: +6 03 2163 0188

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Gaya Special Feature: Kuala Terengganu

Kuala Terengganu Beckons

Kuala Terengganu is a charming, laidback capital city of Terengganu that possesses serene kampung (village) ambience amidst unspoilt beaches. Known for its strong Malay identity, some parts of Kuala Terengganu feels like time stood still, while other parts are developed rampantly. Gaya Travel Magazine recommends that travellers spend at least three days and two nights here to appreciate the cityâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s (and Terengganuâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s) uniqueness.

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Islamic Civilisation Park & Crystal Mosque | tti.com.my If you have been dreaming of seeing the Taj Mahal of India or the Sacred Grand Mosque of Saudi Arabia (Masjidil Haram), but never have the chance to go, then why not visit the Islamic Civilisation Park? This is the place where you can find 21 replicas of Islamic monuments and architecture from around the world built on the scale of 1:8 of the original monument size, complete with intricate design that will amaze travellers. This interactive and educational park is the right place for those who are into Islamic architecture and history. Next to the park is the Crystal Mosque, with faĂ§ade that is made from crystal shine glass and steel, standing radiantly by the Terengganu River. Crystal Mosque has now become one of the icons for Terengganu due to its unique architecture. Wooden Boat-building Yard at Pulau Duyong Do not miss the chance to see how wooden boats are built in a yard located at Pulau Duyong, an area strongly linked to seafaring and fishing. The owner of the yard, Abdullah Muda, 79, has been making boats since the early 1960s and has been receiving orders not just locally but also internationally, especially from Australia. It is important to note that Abdullah and his team are responsible in the making of the ornate boats used for the lake cruise service (Cruise Tasik) in Putrajaya. Each boat requires between nine months and two years to complete, depending on the size and features required by the customer. We recommend that travellers give Mr. Abdullah a call first at +6 019 9369500 or +6 09 6315072 to find out if it is alright for the yard to be visited on the day you intend to arrive. Pasar Payang This two-storey shopping arcade boasts a myriad of local fresh produce on the ground floor (the wet market) and Malay handicrafts, including textiles and souvenirs on the upper floor. Travellers will be able to find abundance of choices, from keropok (fish crackers) to seasonal fruits. Do not miss the local delicacies like dodol (thick chewy dessert made from coconut milk, sugar and glutinous rice) wrapped in pandan leaf. The upper floor carries textiles such as vibrant songket (Malay fabric woven with gold thread) and batik. Other traders sell brassware, pandanus baskets, mats and bags, which make great gifts and home accessories.

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Masjid Tengku Zaharah Terengganu’s prominent architect Raja Dato’ Kamarul Baharin Shah designed this famous mosque, renowned for its striking Moorish-inspired whitewashed features set on the estuary of the Terengganu River. The mosque seems to float on water, hence the moniker ‘Floating Mosque’. Ever since its completion in 1994, the mosque not only becomes the place for Muslims to worship but also to catch the breeze and relax. Travellers are advised to wear attire that cover the upper body down to the knees when visiting mosques and non-Muslims are not allowed to enter during prayer times. Terengganu State Museum | museum.terengganu.gov.my The Terengganu State Museum, also designed by Raja Dato’ Kamarul Baharin Shah, projects Terengganu’s architectural identity with gigantic steep roofs and distinctive traditional floral motifs on its walls. The museum houses a large collection of exhibits ranging from Chinese Muslim wares and ancient Islamic manuscripts carved on stone (Batu Bersurat) to the systems and mechanics used in extracting petroleum off Terengganu’s coast, signifying the state’s role as one of the major oil and gas producers in Malaysia. There are also two large traditional boats located on the museum’s 27-hectare ground as a tribute to Terengganu’s maritime culture. Chinatown Located along Jalan Bandar that was formerly Jalan Kampung China, Kuala Terengganu’s Chinatown is an urban neighbourhood that has been inhabited by the Chinese community for generations, including the Peranakans, whose forebears married the locals and adopted local customs. Despite having Chinese blood, the Malay influence is quite dominant in Peranakan culture since most of them speak Malay and eat dishes closely resembling Malay food. A stroll along Chinatown allows travellers to appreciate the quaintness of the neighbourhood, characterised by rows of shophouses hosting retail outlets, ateliers, hip cafes and restaurants, signifying the community’s entrepreneurial verve.

Destinations

#TSDAYOUT: Race Your Heart Out! TEXT by FURQAAN HOD|IMAGES by TOURISM SELANGOR & FURQAAN HOD

For the second #TSDayOut in 2016, Tourism Selangor (TS) organised a familiarisation trip for the media, bloggers and social media influencers to explore Paya Indah Wetlands and Sepang International Circuit. The purpose of this event is to introduce selected Selangor tourism products via digital media and social networks. The #TSDayOut is an initiative conducted by Tourism Selangor for the conventional media representatives and social media influencers to experience those tourism products first-hand.

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We first gathered at 7:00 a.m. at the TS main office located in Shah Alam Section 14. After receiving breakfast packs and red colour #TSDayOut t-shirts, the participants were brought directly to Paya Indah Wetlands, which is 50 minutes’ away by car from Shah Alam. This was the first time that I explored Paya Indah Wetlands, and I was excited to learn what the place can offer via photo hunt and contest organised by TS.

Paya Indah Wetlands Located in Cyberjaya, which is the south-west Putrajaya, Paya Indah (which means ‘beautiful swamp’) is a manmade wetland situated at the former tin mining site. This 450-hectare recreation park preserves the environment and the surrounding ecosystem. Under the provisions of the state government, this wetland has been converted into lakes that are now home to 213 species of residential and migratory birds and 26 species of exotic species such as crocodiles and hippopotamuses. There are also few chalets and a 360-degree lookout tower for travellers to view the whole of Putrajaya. With no entry charge, this park is suitable for any recreation activity such as jogging, kayaking, fishing and cycling. After a short briefing, the participants of #TSDayOut were divided into several groups and each group received tasks to be completed. These tasks touched on many elements available at the park using tricky questions that were given during the briefing. Each group had 10 persons and we assigned different questions among each other to save up time in solving them since

we were only given 45 minutes to complete all tasks and to cover the huge area. Based on this experience, I must say that Paya Indah Wetlands is ideal for organisations and companies to hold team-building activities due to its space and greenery. Only one group managed to finish all the tasks given and it was announced as the winner of the contest. Open daily from 7:30 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. (Closes from 12:15 p.m. – 2:45 p.m. on Fridays) GPS: 2.860782, 101.632479

Sepang International Circuit The participants continued their journey by proceeding to the Sepang International Circuit, located 20 kilometres from the Paya Indah Wetlands (85 kilometres from Kuala Lumpur City Centre and 13 kilometres to Kuala Lumpur International Airport). I remember being here a few years back for a Formula 1 race, but this time was special because I got to visit the areas that only racers, their teams and organisers get to enter! We firstly underwent the Circuit Tour that was not similar to the normal circuit tour as in the package because the tour took us to the restricted areas such as the race pit to see a racer preparing and in action, control room, paddock area, Pit Building and Perdana Suite, which offers a panoramic view of the race amidst pleasant air-conditioned ambience.

There were two events held on that day: the Classic Car Test Track, which ended when we arrived, and Sepang 1000km, which offered spectators the chance to see how normal cars â&#x20AC;&#x201C; vehicles below 1900cc â&#x20AC;&#x201C; have been modified to enter the race. The #TSDayOut participants were also privileged to be allowed close to the starting grid to see what happens at the race pit during an actual race. As mentioned in the title, each team (minimum of two drivers and the maximum of four drivers in the team) has to complete 181 laps during the next eight to nine hours to cover the 1,000-kilometre distance. Throughout the circuit tour, it was refreshing to learn that Malaysia has among the best racing facilities in the world and capable in hosting the three largest and most prestigious international races such as the MotoGP, Formula 1 and Superbike World Championship. Next, we headed to the Go-Kart experience at Sepang International Kart Circuit, just next to the Sepang International Circuit. The #TSDayOut participants got the chance to be a go-kart racer since we were not yet qualified to race on the Sepang International Circuit. I have done go-karting before and this time I experienced a different engine, which was

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200cc 4 strokes, which helped me to win third place among 40 participants! For more info regarding event, track & tours kindly visit sepangcircuit.com GPS: 2.759800, 101.733108

The #TSDayOut was indeed a great one day experience with Tourism Selangor. Gaya Travel Magazine extends our gratitude to Tourism Selangor for giving us the opportunity to learn more about Selangor through this trip. We definitely look forward to repeat the experience at Paya Indah Wetlands and Sepang International Circuit again, this time with our family and friends.

Tips: Wear suitable light clothing, sunblock,

shades and hat. Drink lots of water and be sure to wear shoes if you plan to do the circuit tour.

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Rumah Melayu (Malay Traditional House) originally constructed in Terengganu without using a single nail in Paya Indah Wetlands Typical tranquil scenery at Paya Indah Wetlands The starting pit during an actual race day (Sepang 1000KM) at Sepang International Circuit The race pit where all competing drivers get ready

IMAGE 02 by TOURISIM MALAYSIA

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Destinations

Playing Tourist in Shah Alam and Klang TEXT by JUHAN KAMARUDDIN & FADHLI ROZAINOOR|IMAGES by RESPECTIVE PRODUCT OWNERS & GAYA TRAVEL PHOTOGRAPHY UNIT

Though declared as a city back in 10 October 2000, Shah Alam – the capital of Selangor since 1978 – still retains its neighbourhood feel with broad paved walkways, lush green lungs and well-manicured gardens. Considered as an exemplary suburbia with an estimated population of over 650,000, the city strongly draws families with school-going children and retired couples. Anchored by University of Technology Mara (UITM), in section 1, which is a former technological institute, Shah Alam is divided into 36 sections, spanning both north (industrial) and south (residential) regions, separated by the heavily utilised Federal Highway that links Kuala Lumpur to Port Klang. Since around 70% of Shah Alam population are Muslim Malays, the city does feel somewhat conservative yet tolerant and no less interesting. For those seeking a different urban experience, Shah Alam might just fit the bill… On the other hand, Klang – Selangor’s Royal City and only 17 kilometres away from Shah Alam – is famous for its ports (e.g Northport and Westport), which also happen to be the major gateways for goods coming into Peninsular Malaysia. Besides, Klang also have other charms that make it an interesting place to visit in one day. Travellers should consider discovering what Klang has to offer, though on the surface, it may not look much to the uninitiated. So for this coming weekend, why not readers start playing tourists and explore Shah Alam and Klang? Places to visit in Shah Alam 1. Have lontong for breakfast at Lontong Klang Restaurant in Section 7 The restaurant is already an institution made famous by its lontong, a special Javanese dish comprising compressed cubes of rice, vegetables cooked in thick coconut gravy, fried soy beans, fried beef pate and squid cooked with chili (sambal). Normally, the dish is consumed during breakfast, making the restaurant busy in the mornings, especially during weekends when patrons come in with their families in droves. Gaya Travel recommends that travellers drop by in the morning on weekdays or before 8:30 a.m. on weekends to beat the crowd. No. 20, Jalan Zirkon E7/E Seksyen 7,

4000 Shah Alam, Selangor Tel: +6 03 3371 4390/+6 012 282 8390/+6 019 223 6447 GPS: 3.076317,101.496914

2. Take a spiritual tour of the venerated Masjid Sultan Salahudin One should never give this Blue Masjid a miss – as a matter of fact, it is the most visible landmark in the city that puts Shah Alam on the international tourist’s map. Claimed to be the biggest mosque in Malaysia and stands second in Southeast Asia only to the humongous Masjid Istiqlal in Jakarta, Indonesia, the mosque could fill up to 24,000 worshippers at any one time. The main prayer hall is split into two levels: bottom level is reserved for men while the upper is for the women. Gaya Travel adores the decorative calligraphy works that adorns the outer side of the majestic dome, besides the ubiquitous intricate geometric patterns that grace most of the mosque’s walls and doors.

Persiaran Masjid, 4000 Shah Alam, Selangor Tel: +6 03 5159 9988 GPS: 3.078944,101.52718

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3. Be charmed by the Islamic arts and handicrafts at the Selangor Islamic Arts Garden Complex (Restu Foundation) www.restu-art.com Selangor Islamic Arts Garden Complex is where all Islamic arts and crafts are exhibited. Located near Shah Alam’s Blue Mosque, it is the place where paintings and fine artworks are produced, all in keeping with the teachings of the Quran, Islam’s Holy Book. Travellers are able to admire the beauty of Islamic art by checking out the artworks showcased at Taman Seni Islam. Restu Foundation is renowned for the production of mushaf (hardcopies) of the Quran and Quranic publications that are adorned with exclusively illuminated geometric and floral design. The foundation laudably preserves the art of producing fully handwritten and illuminated types of mushaf that accompanied by different translations. There are many products that can be found here such as calligraphic works, gilded art pieces, manuscripts, tiles, home furnishing and replicas of ancient mushaf. Yayasan Restu Kompleks Taman Seni Islam Selangor,

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No. 2A Persiaran Damai, Seksyen 10, 40100 Shah Alam, Selangor Tel: +6 03 5511 9001/2/3 GPS: 3.081987,101.522669

4. Chill while you’re reading at the Perpustakaan Raja Tun Uda www.u-library.gov.my/portal/web/guest/ppas This has got to be the coolest place for children, teenagers and students in Shah Alam by far. This library is intended to encourage children and teenagers to read in a cool place instead of hanging out at the malls. Perpustakaan Raja Tun Uda (Raja Tun Uda Library), located on Jalan Kelab Golf, has brought the library experience to a whole new level. Comprising six storeys and 190,000 books, Perpustakaan Raja Uda does not only provide world class library facilities, but also a gym, multipurpose hall, XD/6D Theatre and 3D Cinema that fits 8 and 30 persons respectively. Perpustakaan Raja Uda is a gift from His Royal Highness Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah to his subjects, costing approximately RM70 million and built over five years. It has attracted over 500,000 visitors since it first opened in 22 July 2011. Equipped with Apple products and cosy vibrant-coloured furniture, this is a must-visit attraction that will surely capture the public’s imagination.

Perpustakaan Raja Tun Uda, Jalan Kelab Golf 13/6 Seksyen 13, 40100 Shah Alam, Selangor Tel: +6 03 5519 7667 GPS: 3.089564,101.533233

5. Eat & Repeat Cafe www.facebook.com/eatxrepeat When every dish in a restaurant is priced at only RM1.90,

you are bound to repeat your eating, especially when the dishes are lip-smacking. Eat & Repeat is a café just opened since April 2016 with a concept similar to the Thai restaurant Boat Noodle, but using its own delicious menu that comprises mainly Malay dishes that are apportioned into bowls. The café’s mission is to educate people not to waste their food – should they need a second helping, they could just repeat their order of the same dish, or try a different dish. Great for those with small (and even big) appetite.

YG24, Jalan Plumbum Y7/Y, Pusat Komersial Seksyen 7, 40000 Shah Alam, Selangor Tel: +6 011 3176 2285 GPS: 3.065463,101.490145

6. Go wild at Skytrex Adventure www.skytrex-adventure.com Shah Alam, Selangor may be an industrial city, but little do people know that there is still lush greenery to be had in the city in the form of Taman Botani Shah Alam, formerly known as Bukit Cerakah. This is where the company called Skytrex Adventure organises exciting teambuilding programmes, especially for students and the corporate sector, amidst rainforest-like environment. Skytrex Adventure activities challenge travellers’ fear of heights, making them traverse from one tree top to another while appreciating nature. This is the place where travellers get to experience jungle-trekking along the jungle canopy!

Taman Pertanian Malaysia Bukit Cahaya Shah Alam, 40000 Shah Alam, Selangor Tel: +6 013 276 9841 (Please call only between 9:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m.) GPS: 3.095628,101.5111145

Places to Visit in Klang 7. Chong Kok Kopitiam (Chong Kok Coffeeshop) for breakfast www.facebook.com/chongkok.kopitiam The restaurant, which we were told has been around for 70 years, still using charcoal stove to toast bread, giving it a delicious wafting smell and tastes better after spreading the cafe’s homemade kaya onto it. Eating there is a truly original kopitiam (traditional Chinese coffeeshop) experience, transporting travellers back to the olden days. Even the half-boiled eggs are sourced from chickens that are raised in the villages, which are more organic. The kopitiam opens daily from 7:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m., while on Sundays and public holidays it is open only up until 2:00 p.m.

No. 5, Jalan Stesen Klang, Kawasan 1, 41000 Klang, Selangor Tel: +6 03 3371 0996 GPS: 3.042922,01.449471

8. Masjid Sultan Suleiman (Sultan Suleiman Mosque) e-masjid.jais.gov.my/index.php/profail/show/id/123 Built in 1932, this majestic mosque was opened by Sultan Alaeddin Sulaiman Shah in 1934 and assumed the role as the Royal Mosque. Several of the state’s past rules, consorts and relatives are laid to rest in the compound of the mosque. We recommend that travellers take some time exploring the interiors of the mosque, with its splendid stained glass dome and windows married with soaring gothic arches. The mosque’s design infuses Saracenic, Art Deco and Gothic influences, probably because the architect hailed from Turkey, the country that straddles on both sides of the European and Asian continents, thus absorbing the cosmopolitan cross-cultural styles. We also get the chance to pay our respects to the previous sultans of Selangor at the Royal Mausoleum adjacent to the mosque. The tombs of these late sultans are undeniably ornate and full or character. Non-Muslim visitors are strongly recommended to wear modestly (knee length outfits and no tank tops) when visiting the mosque.

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Jalan Kota Raja Kampung Jawa, 41000, Klang, Selangor GPS: 3.034981,101.450491

9. Little India Take some time to stroll around Little India, which fills up the whole stretch of Jalan Tengku Kelana. The whole street simply brims with items that are quintessential to the Indian community like savouries, spices, textiles and brasswares.

GPS: 3.034981,101.450491

10. Cendol Klang www.facebook.com/Cendol -Klang 195946733855022 Don’t forget to have some time cooling off in the late afternoon at Cendol Klang shop Jalan Nanas, which is very famous not just among locals but throughout Peninsular Malaysia. Cendol - a local dessert comprising shaved ice, coconut milk, starch noodles with pandan colouring and palm sugar - have been adopted as a Malaysian treat for more half a century, often sold by Indian Muslim vendors. According to our sources, the owner started off his business only by peddling this dessert using a three-wheel bike over thirty years ago. Despite his humble beginning, he was able to put his children through university in the United Kingdom and even possesses a grand bungalow, all thanks to his modest-looking but lucrative business. The shop is open from 12:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.

No. 78, Jalan Nanas, 41400 Klang, Selangor Tel: +6 017 636 9737 GPS: 3.049265,101.445449

11. Sultan Abdul Aziz Shah Royal Gallery www.galeridiraja.com Sultan Abdul Aziz Shah Royal Gallery was the idea of the Eleventh Yang Di-Pertuan Agong (Supreme Head) Malaysia, the late Sultan Salahuddin Abdul Aziz Shah. Formerly known as Muzium Kenangan (Memorial Museum), it is located along Jalan Kota, Kampung Jawa, Klang. After His Royal Highness Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah ascended the throne in 2001, he instructed that the building, which was originally built in 1909, be turned into the new Royal Gallery in honour of his late father Sultan Abdul Aziz Shah who ruled as the Sultan for thirty-nine years and two years as The Yang Di-Pertuan Agong of Malaysia. Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah officially launched the Royal Gallery on 17 October 2007 and it was opened to the public two weeks later. The Royal Gallery highlights the rich history and heritage of the Selangor Sultanate that originated in 1766 from the Bugis Sulawesi Royal family of Opu Tanreburung Daeng Relaka from the Malay Archipelago. Travellers will learn a great deal about the late Sultan Salahuddin Abdul Aziz Shah’s childhood, his early years as the crown prince and his career in the military, including information on this grand colonial building. There are also various personal collection of artefacts and gifts received during his reign, making the visit to Sultan Abdul Aziz Royal Gallery a beguiling experience.

Bangunan Sultan Suleiman, Jalan Stesen, 41000 Klang, Selangor, Malaysia. Tel: +6 03 3373 6500 GPS: 3.041729,101.449192

12. Pulau Ketam (Crab Island) greenway2u.com Travellers to Klang should not miss the trip to Pulau Ketam, a self-contained predominantly Chinese fishing community, located about 15 nautical miles from Port Klang. The journey takes 30 minutes by air-conditioned ferry, which travellers can embark from the Port Klang ferry terminal. Once arrived, travellers will find the thriving Pulau Ketam water village calm and laid-back, considering there is no vehicle available on the island, safe for bicycles and the occasional motorcycle. Most of the houses are on water, linked to a series of cement bridges and walkways. It is recommended that travellers rent bicycles to explore Pulau Ketam, and even engage Greenway Tours to visit the nearby fish farms. Of course, being in a fishing village, travellers should savour the seafood at any of the local restaurants.

GPS: 3.035311,101.246385

IMAGE 09 by TOURISIM SELANGOR

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Destinations

Playing Tourist in Putrajaya TEXT by RAYYAN HARIES & SHAHIDA SAKERI|IMAGES by RESPECTIVE PRODUCT OWNERS & GAYA TRAVEL PHOTOGRAPHY UNIT

Truth be told, when people mention the words Putrajaya, many still tend to think that these planned cities only consist of government ministries, offfice buildings, residences and public parks. While that is true, many people should begin realising that these two cities also make ideal weekend retreat away from Klang Valley hustle and bustle. Putrajaya, considered as the Intelligent Garden City, is blessed with world class infrastructure and careful planning that promise high quality of life for residents and visitors alike. The city has been progressing well over the years and already becoming a destinations in its own right. So this is Gaya Travel Magazine’s take on how to become a tourist in Putrajaya (even though you might live there)…

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1. Cruise Tasik Putrajaya, Putrajaya www.cruisetasikputrajaya.com Here, travellers can choose to board either the traditional handcrafted perahu (gondola) or the air-conditioned cruise boats, which last for 25 minutes to two hours depending on the chosen packages. Either way, the ride afford travellers the view of Putrajaya along the main boulevard and its surroundings while taking in the breeze from the lake. Passengers get to view notable landmarks such as Putra Mosque, Darul Ehsan Palace, Ministry of Finance, the cluster of Four Towers known as 4G9, Seri Wawasan Bridge, Millennium Monument, Palace of Justice, Seri Saujana Bridge, Perdana Leadership Foundation, Putrajaya International Convention Centre, Seri Gemilang Bridge, Perdana Putra (Prime Minister’s office) and the Putra Bridge from the deck. Also available on the cruises are the services of cocktail, tea party, dinner and karaoke. Putrajaya Lake Cruise operates daily from 11:00 a.m. on weekdays and 10:00 a.m. on weekends. Prices are between RM15 to RM40 per person. 2. Putrajaya Botanical Garden and Moroccan Pavilion, Putrajaya www.ppj.gov.my The botanical garden is a treasure trove of Malaysian botanical taxonomy, besides serving as the centre for education and research. It is divided into five different themes: Explorer’s Trail, Palm Hill, Floral Garden, Sun Garden and the Lakeside. There is also a

170-metre Canopy Bridge at the Visitors’ Interpretive Centre exit, where visitors can traverse along treetops. Adjacent to the garden sits the pavilion constructed in Moroccan architecture style to commemorate the ties between Malaysia and Morocco. Intricate and enchanting Moroccan designs keep visitors in awe, especially the entrance courtyard, King’s Court and Granada Court. The water fountain situated in the centre of Granada Court is inspired by the Lion’s Court of Alhambra. The Moroccan Pavilion opens daily from 9:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. 3. Putrajaya Wetlands and Nature Interpretive Centre (NIC), Putrajaya www.ppj.gov.my Replete with flora and fauna, this 138-hectare land clearly shows how crucial nature is to humans in providing clean potable water. Visitors should let themselves lost in the greenery whilst enjoying the scenery and observing wildlife. Activities such as stargazing, cycling, kayaking and night-trekking are available in this park. For visitors who come in groups, prearranged dinner and activities are available. Besides appreciating nature at its best, do head down to the Nature Interpretive Centre (NIC) to understand better about Putrajaya Wetland’s eco-system. Offering interactive and interesting information, NIC is definitely educational. From digital presentations to theatrical performances, NIC embodies a wellthought out information centre. For eco-enthusiasts, remember to hold activities at Putrajaya Wetlands!

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4. Saujana Hijau Park, Putrajaya www.ppj.gov.my Those who love jogging and strolling in the park will find Saujana Hijau Park ideal. Influenced from English landscapes, the park’s well-kept pathway invites strollers, runners and cyclists to meander through it, bringing them to various pavilions and facilities along the way. Located in Presint 11, Putrajaya visitors can choose to ride bicycle or jog around its undulating and mesmerising picturesque terrain.

9. Putrajaya Equestrian Park, Putrajaya www.tep.com.my Why not take a refreshing break from routine by riding horses at the Putrajaya Equestrian Park? This park offers a riding school that is open to the public at reasonable rates for beginners, intermediate and advanced riders. Learn how to gain confidence and relax while riding, master basic horse sense, understand the safety aspects of riding and handling horses. Prices for private lessons and classes range from as low as RM70 up to RM110.

5. Natural History Museum, Putrajaya www.jmm.gov.my/en/museum/natural-history-museum Do you know that Malaysia is the habitat for the world’s smallest bird species? If not, then it is probably time for you to head down to the Natural History Museum in Putrajaya. This museum offers interesting display of specimens after specimens of Malaysian wildlife, making it a centre worthwhile to be visited by families with school-going children to learn more about the animals and their habitats. Various taxidermied animals are also on display here. Located in Presint 15 Putrajaya, this museum opens daily from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

10. Putrajaya Challenge Park, Putrajaya www.visitkl.gov.my/visitklv2/index.php?r=column/ cthree&id=78&place_id=1048 For those who like extreme sports experiences and want to test their courage and stamina, we suggest they head to the Putrajaya Challenge Park, a 30-hectare park in Presint 5 said to have some of the best extreme sports facilities in Asia! It features an indoor rock wall-climbing that reaches up to 20-metre high (equivalent to a 5-storey building), skateboarding, rollerblading, cycling and mountain biking. The park opens daily at 10: 00 a.m.

6. Hot Air Balloon Ride, Putrajaya myballoonadventure.com MyBalloon Adventure invites travellers to view Putrajaya as they’ve never seen before: 500 feet above ground! This hot air balloon ride starts daily at around 7:00 a.m. adjacent to Monumen Alaf Baru, Presint 2, Putrajaya, the same spot where the annual Putrajaya International Hot Air Balloon Fiesta is held. Each ride lasts up to an hour. Packages range from RM850 to RM1150 per person, which include pre-flight refreshment, post-flight breakfast and certificate. 7. Prime Minister Official Residence (Seri Perdana), Putrajaya www.seriperdana.gov.my If you are keen to know how a Prime Minister’s home looks like, then drop by at Seri Perdana, the official residence of the Prime Minister of Malaysia. Built on a 42.5-acre land, this property is now opened for public viewing 15 years after its completion. Seri Perdana is open every day between 9:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m., except Fridays and during public holidays. For guided tours, travellers can come on Mondays through Thursdays. 8. Fantasy Rainforest at PICC, Putrajaya fantasyrainforest.com Since its inaugural show on the 20th January 2016, “Fantasy Rainforest” has been drawing theatre lovers’ interest due to its stellar performance and production. This 60-minute show encapsulates the concept of love, tolerance and harmony between Mother Earth and human beings through an interesting storyline involving a hunter, an aboriginal tribe and wildlife played by remarkable talents. The ticket is sold for RM200 (VIP), RM120 (Adult) and RM60 (Child). On top of that, visitors should also consider trying out the delectable lunch or dinner offerings served at Cafe@PICC after the show, which begins at 2:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m. daily.

11. District 21 at IOI City Mall, Putrajaya ioicitymall.com.my/district21 Love extreme sports but hate the scorching hot weather? Then why not head to District 21 at one of the biggest shopping malls in Malaysia. Recognised by the Malaysia Book of Records, this 70,000 square feet indoor park features 11 attractions including Wall Climbing, Roller Glider, Go Pedal, Pump Track, Low Ropes, Trampoline, The Maze, Free Fall (Buggy Jumping), Sky Trail, Tubby Ride and Carousel. Ticket is sold at RM58 per person on weekdays and RM75 per person on weekends. District 21 also gives multiple entry privilege to travellers, allowing them to re-enter the park within the same date should they feel tired after all those activities and in need of having a break by enjoying ice cream just outside the park, only to continue afterwards. 12. Precinct 9 Food Court, Putrajaya This food court boasts 15 stalls selling local and Western dishes, including nasi kerabu and nasi dagang from Terengganu, Kajang satay by Haji Samuri, Johor mee rebus, and Penang char kuey teow. But should visitors are interested in trying something unique, we recommend a snack called kacang pool or also known as ful medames, which is common in Arab, Middle Eastern and African cuisines. Kacang pool is made of broad beans (fava beans), green chillies, onions and served with a sunny side up egg and bread. 13. Putrajaya Farmer’s Market, Putrajaya Located in Precinct 2, this market is a local gastronomic haven for foodies looking for fresh and tasty treats. One popular stall here, in particular, is called Peneram Nadjmi selling cekodok that comes in 11 flavours such as banana, yam, onion, anchovy and sugar-laden – one can never walk out of this stall empty handed! These amazing flavoured golden balls are sold at RM2 for 14 pieces. Putrajaya Farmer’s Market is held on Tuesdays and Fridays.

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Just next door to Putrajaya:

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Cyberjaya Paintball Park, Cyberjaya www.cyberjayapaintball.com If youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re looking for the thrill of competing with your team to eliminate your opponent using a marble-sized ball of paint that travels at 270 feet per second, then look no further than Cyberjaya Paintball Park. It caters to every style of play from recreational players to competitive athletes. The park features an amazing range of fields for both speedball and recball, all designed, operated and managed by avid paintballers using top-quality products and facilities. Packages start at RM50 to RM150 per person depending on the number of players. As part of the established Kelab Komuniti Taman Tasik Cyberjaya, Cyberjaya Paintball Park also offers a full-fledged club facilities including coffee-house, driving range, swimming pool, gymnasium, wading pools, and picnic spots by the lake.

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Bukit Gua Musang, located within The Ethnobotany Park A room at Kesedar Inn that is left in its devastated state to remind the public on the scale of the damaging 2014 flood Entrance to the Swee Nyet Temple, the oldest Chinese temple in Kelantan

Destinations

Kelantan Eco Trip TEXT|IMAGES by IQMAL FAUZEE

Two years had passed since the record-setting flood of 2014 almost crippled the Kelantan. Thankfully now, the state has recovered from the calamity and is beginning to attract visitors again. Being one of the remaining hubs of Malay culture, Kelantan brims with exoticism. Gaya Travel Magazine team recently set foot in this east coast state to experience what it has to offer, especially in terms of eco-tourism, upon invitation by Tourism Malaysia Kelantan Office. The trip focussed on Gua Musang, which is the state’s largest district. Come and follow the places that we were taken to when we were there... The Ethnobotany Park The Ethnobotany Park was developed as a forestry research centre intended to support the conservation, development and sustainable utilisation of Kelantan forest resources. It serves as a recreational centre that offers activities such as hiking, abseiling, camping, canopy-walking and cave-exploring inside Gua Musang (‘Cave of the Fox’), of which the district is named after. Travellers who are interested in biodiversity can visit the cultivated herbal plants that prove popular among students of local schools and colleges who come here for educational trips. Web: www.kesedar.gov.my/en/taman-entnobotani Opening hours: 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Kesedar Inn Established in 1981 with a total investment of RM1.1 million, Kesedar Inn accommodation ranges from traditional chalets that suit differing number of travelling groups to the more contemporary Deluxe rooms. However, due to the 2014 massive flood, some of the accommodation units were affected. The aftereffects of the flood can still be seen, inadvertently making it an interesting place to not just sleep but to learn more on how the flood impacted the members of the local community, as well as how they pick themselves up again afterwards. Jalan Kesedar Inn 18300 Gua Musang, Kelantan Tel: +609-912 1229 Fax: +609-912 2131 Web: www.kesedar.gov.my/web/guest/kesedar-inn-sdn.bhd

The Swee Nyet Temple (Tokong Mek) Located approximately 15km from the Gua Musang town, The Swee Nyet Temple (Temple Mek) is known as the temple for the first Chinese settlement in Kelantan. It is believed that the arrival of Admiral Cheng Ho to the state on his way to Melaka triggered the influx of Chinese. Practitioners of Taoism and Confucianism travel from across the country to come here and pray at what is known to be the oldest Chinese temple in Malaysia. To reach there, visitors must walk for about 15 minutes before climbing 155 steps since it is located on top of a hill. Once you set your eyes on the stunning view from the top of this hill, all your exhaustion in getting there will melt away.

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Kampung Redip Kampung Redip is located at Pos Hau, Kuala Betis, around 56 kilometres from the centre of Gua Musang, Kelantan. Due to the unpaved and muddy off-road conditions, travellers need four-wheel drive to get to there, a journey that could take two to three hours. Kampung Redip offers a unique Orang Asli (Malaysian aborigines) accommodation experience called ‘Kampung Stay’ where travellers get the opportunity to stay in chalets similar to the Orang Asli traditional abodes. Travellers can also indulge in various outdoor activities such as hiking up for one hour to the adjacent Kampong Ladoi to search for the rare but iconic Rafflesia, known as the world’s largest flower, and proceed another 30 minutes to reach the peak of the hill to enjoy the magnificent view of the surrounding highlands as far as the eyes could see. Another activity that travellers can experience is trekking to the pristine Leurew waterfall, a 30-minute walk from Kampong Redip, which possesses crystal clear water and refreshing mountainous air, perfect for city-weary travellers to recharge. Along the way, travellers would also be able to witness how the Orang Asli from the Temiar tribe put together traditional traps using natural materials to catch squirrels, mice or snakes, which is eye-opening because travellers now can understand better how the Orang Asli survive when living deep inside the Malaysian rainforests. Travellers also could further learn about Orang Asli’s history and culture like the welcome dance called sewang, including traditional culinary like the tapioca-based dish that is known to last for a week without going bad. When travellers come to Kampung Redip, which is a hidden gem, they are bound to be captivated by the village’s tranquility, earthiness, and natural tropical lushness, including the ingenuity and mystery of the Orang Asli. Kampung Redip, 18300 Gua Musang, Kelantan Contact: Razali Ayeh (+6 011 4024 9499) 04

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It is possible to find Rafflesia around Kampung Ladoi Traditional Orang Asli method of cooking - food stuffed and cooked inside bamboo stem The Orang Asli of Temiar tribe performing sewang

Travellers staying at Kampung Redip get to stay in accommodation units that resemble Orang Asli traditional abodes amidst pristine nature

Destinations

Selangor International Culinary Adventure Eat.Travel.Write 4.0: Gaining Weight for the Fourth Time and Loving It TEXT by ADELA ROSLAN|IMAGES by AKUGRAPHY & IQMAL FAUZEE

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After the successfully fulfilling and scrumptious Eat Travel Write 1.0 until 3.0 programmes, Selangor Economic Planning Unit (UPEN) collaborates with Gaya Travel Magazine team again to uncover Selangor’s hidden gems and worthy places to dine in the fourth culinary adventure called Eat.Travel.Write (ETW) 4.0. This time around, the programme brought 30 local and international journalists and social media influencers to Banting, Morib and Sijangkang. All of them had a blast in experiencing the various food and attractions during this four-day and three-night programme, making them head over heels towards Selangor.

Sri Cheeding Boh Tea Farm Being one of the four tea plantations owned by the leading local tea producer BOH (www.boh. com.my), Bukit Cheeding serves as the centre where the tea leaves from all BOH plantations are sent to be packed. Bukit Cheeding also carves a name for itself because it is the only lowland tea garden in the world, grown under oil palm trees to protect the tea leaves from direct sunlight. These leaves are harvested every 20 days, rendering tea-picking as laborious and requires 30 workers just to care for the garden alone, and another 60 employees to run the factory. BOH Plantation in Bukit Cheeding is not open to the public; however, parties interested in organising an educational visit to the plant can make arrangements with the Kuala Langat District Council (www.mdkl.gov. my).

Jugra Not far from Beggar’s Chicken restaurant, the ETW 4.0 participants visited the Royal Mausoleum of Sultan Abdul Samad, the fourth Sultan of Selangor who ruled from 1857 until 1898. There is a sign here that clearly specifies the late Sultan’s resting place, which is located on Jugra Hill. Before Klang, Jugra was the royal seat of Selangor. Travellers should be aware of monkeys when walking around the area. Due to the diverse backgrounds and beliefs, we weren’t surprised to find that a few visitors were praying silently with prayer beads in hand. About 15 minutes away from Jugra Hill, travellers can admire the resplendent architecture of Istana Bandar and Sultan Alauddin Royal Mosque, both built by Sultan Alauddin Sulaiman Shah (the fifth Sultan of Selangor) in the early 1900s.

Sri Cheeding Boh Tea Farm, Banting GPS: 2.907324, 101.566419

Jugra Hill at beyond, Banting GPS: 2.835358, 101.417069

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01. Beautifully designed Istana Bandar in Jugra 02. Media representatives posing in front of a traditional Malay house 03. An ETW 4.0 participant capturing wefie with companions at Kelanang Beach

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Lemper, a local traditional dessert made from sticky rice The 400-metre wooden trail at Paya Bakau Rereational Park Crispy crackers specially made by Ros Kerepek

Ros Kerepek This is a house that is filled with kerepek (Malay snack that is thinly sliced and fried, similar to chips), owned by Ros Kerepek, who has been in business for many years. As the name suggests, this kerepek house offer a wide variety of local crackers and chips. I noticed that the products are fresh and they are affordably priced. You can get a packet of 250 g of dhall chips costs only RM2.60 or 500g salted yam for RM3.50. Customers were streaming in continuously while we were there making our selections. It’s not difficult to find this place as there are sufficient signs to guide you there.

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Ros Kerepek, Kg Sg Lang, Banting GPS: 2.793452, 101.501267

Endah Village This village is full of traditional houses reassembled by the villagers that are now worth millions compared to the price when it was first purchased. Beautifully and artfully crafted, these traditional houses are such a pleasure to look at due to their amazing details and neat finishing. One cooking documentary was underway during the ETW 4.0 participants’ visit to these houses, so we left quickly after taking great shots of the houses so as not to disturb the filming.

Endah Village, Banting GPS: 2.711670, 101.474562

Kelanang Beach Peaceful and tranquil with of much nature still intact, Kelanang beach in Banting is lined with large pockets of mangrove trees that interrupt the stretches of the shoreline. The beach has sandy white sand but is not suitable for swimming. A small and narrow road that leads through the coastal forest winds along the beach, with partial stone embankments on the side to protect against erosion. Hidden away in dense vegetation, Kelanang beach receives less visitors, so it has limited public facilities yet more secluded and feel untouched. Even if travellers do not intend to stop here for long, it is a good idea to drop by to quickly enjoy the peace and quiet.

Kelanang Beach, Banting GPS: 2.789805, 101.411303

Mozid Go-Kart Racing Due to his passion towards go-kart, Yazid Mohd Jamil built a RM100,000 500-metre go-kart circuit and spends most of his time enhancing it and encouraging youths to join in this motorsport. The players can be divided into amateur, moderate and expert categories. Mozid Go-Kart Racing’s effort in attracting youths to try go-kart even if they have zero knowledge on it is laudable because it keeps the youths occupied and not indulging in wasteful activities. The circuit fee is charged by the minute or hour for those who want to show off their skills in go-kart racing.

Mozid Racing Go-Kart Sijangkang GPS: 2.951941, 101.429967

Paya Bakau Recreational Park It was a pleasant surprise to know that such a park exists in an area covered by traditional houses and jetties. This recreational park has playground, stingless bee honey hive, campsites, barbeque area, adventure track and jetties for boats. On top of that, in the effort to curb local youths from loitering and wasting time, the community here constructed a 400-metre long wooden trail that requires 30 minutes of trekking to cover it. The trail was manually built using the wood sourced within the area. On both left and right sides of the trail, public can enjoy the serendipity of the mangrove trees and small crabs clinging onto the trees. This park is only open to the public since 2015 and has been attracting visitors who come to admire the natural surroundings. During the ETW 4.0 participants’ visit to the park, they participated in the preparation of traditional food such as namely lemper (sticky rice with beef stuffed inside), caramelised beef and bolos chicken. Apparently the locals like to throw in a lot of ginger in their cooking and it tastes super minty.

Paya Bakau Recreational Park, Telok Panglima Garang GPS: 2.940351, 101.421797

Jl. Ir H Juanda 390, Bandung 40135, West Java, Indonesia T : 62 22 250 0303 Sheratonbandung.com @Sheratonbandung

@sheratonbdg

Sheraton Bandung Hotel and Towers

Discover Our Transformation and Let It Transform You. The Sheraton Bandung Hotel & Towers recently underwent extensive renovations and now boasts a dynamic contemporary design accentuated by stately traditional touches, paying homage to Bandung, the City of Flowers in West Java, Indonesia. Nestled amid the cool mountain air of the Dago Valley, the property is perfect for a weekend of golf, shopping and entertainment, being only 30 minutes’ drive away from Husein Sastranegara Airport and 20 minutes from the Bandung Train Station. Being a luxurious urban oasis designed with intricate touches of traditional and contemporary Bandung Art Décor, Sheraton Bandung Hotel & Towers invites guests to balance work and play through its wonderfully appointed rooms, fully-equipped business facilities, tranquil spa and recreational services. The inviting lobby lounge features the iconic Link@SheratonSM, a unique offering that allows guests to work, relax and connect with family and friends while travelling. Featuring 156 guest rooms luxuriously fitted with the Signature Sheraton Sweet SleeperSM Bed, Sheraton Bandung Hotel & Towers is the only hotel in Bandung that is designed with a private balcony that offers scenic views. In addition, the Sheraton Towers rooms provide guests with access to a private reception area and exclusive Towers Lounge. Sheraton Bandung Hotel & Towers offers a range of delicious dining options, giving you the chance to taste international favorites as well as the very best of Indonesian traditional dishes. Feast, the property’s signature restaurant, welcomes guests for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Guests can enjoy an interactive experience presented by a skillful culinary team at the live cooking stations, or simply enjoy an extensive selection of buffet and a la carte items. The warm and welcoming Samsara Lounge is ideal for savouring a glass of wine, cocktails, tea, or coffee. Toastina the property’s pastry and coffee house - opens early and serves delicious sweet treats along with favourite drinks.

At Sheraton Bandung Hotel & Towers, taking care of business is a breeze by offering a total of twelve well-equipped meeting rooms that are customisable for every type of function, from a private board meeting to a large scale corporate event and outdoor banquet venues, including a poolside area and the Towers Garden. A dedicated events team will help guests plan and execute guests’ events down to the very finest detail. All rooms have high-speed Internet access and cutting-edge audio visual equipment supported by a skilled technical team to ensure a highly professional, seamless presentation or meeting. Children’s needs are also met through unique programs and conveniences to encourage the children to come together and explore the fun offered at Play@Sheraton Kids Club, located at Towers Garden featuring vibrant new splash of colours bathed in natural sunlight and non-slip wooden floor for the little ones to run wild in safety. There are also Playstation and Wii games, besides activities like t-shirt colouring, puzzle-solving, Lego-building and more. Outdoors, active kids will enjoy the swings, slides, mini soccer, and horse riding and playing with rabbit at our Rabbit Hole. For guests well being, Sheraton Fitness provides fitness and health solutions while travelling, while Shine Spa is designed to facilitate the fundamental need for recharging amidst warm, comfortable atmosphere. Discover the comfort, convenience and fun of Sheraton Bandung Hotel and Towers yourself. Please visit sheratonbandung. com for more information.

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Panoramic view of the Black River Region seen from Chamarel Viewpoint Surreal and intriguing terrain at The Chamarel Seven Coloured Earth La Rhumerie de Chamarel produces high quality rum from sugarcane byproducts

Destinations

Experiencing Mauritius with AirAsiaX TEXT|IMAGES by ED JUNAIDI

AirAsia X’s highly anticipated flight to Mauritius has finally taken off and landed at Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam International Airport on 4 October 2016 with a 100% full flight, marking the airline group’s strong presence in the African continent. According to Benyamin Ismail, the CEO of AirAsia X Berhad, the 100% load factor during this inaugural flight signified strong entry into the market, signalling confidence towards the sector’s growth that bodes well for AirAsia X and Mauritius. AirAsia passengers may now fly into Mauritius from any destinations within its extensive flight network across Asia, Australia and the Middle East via Kuala Lumpur, Asia’s low cost hub. Mauritius is known for its gorgeous white sandy beach settings and warm sub-tropical climate set on the shoreline of the Indian Ocean. Among its attractions are Troux aux Biches, Belle Mare Plage, Flic en Flac, UNESCO’s Le Morne Cultural Landscape and Ile aux Cerfs – yes, it was formerly a French colony. Port Louis, the capital of Mauritius, boasts a plethora of colonial monuments from the French to British colonisation. Traveller may also follow the Hindu pilgrimage route towards Grand Bassin (also known as Ganga Talao), a natural crater lake where the second largest statue of Lord Shiva in the world is located at the entrance.

What Mauritius Tourism Promotion Authority recommends for travellers to do in Mauritius: Chamarel Chamarel is a village with the lowest population in Mauritius, located in the Black River District, close to the Black River Gorges National Park, southwest of Mauritius. The Chamarel Seven Coloured Earth is located on

a land that has seven different colours of earth’s crust due to geological shifting. The surreal panoramic view of this land has been drawing travellers from around the world since the 1960s. The soil of this land becomes colourful due to the decomposition of volcanic rock that changes itself into clay through hydrolysis. Iron and aluminium elements inside the soil also played a role in making the sand colourful. The road to the Seven Coloured Earth passes by the Chamarel Falls, the highest waterfalls in Mauritius. There are two vantage points to see these waterfalls. However, once you are done taking photos, just move on since there is nothing else to do there. Curious Corner of Chamarel is also located nearby. This trick museum is all about taking the visitors to explore the grey areas of life, where things are not what they seem. Travellers are bound to have fun in this museum. It is recommended that travellers spend at least two hours here. Before leaving Chamarel, we recommend that travellers visit La Rhumerie de Chamarel, one of the rare sugarcane distilleries that still exists today, located in a gorgeous setting with mountains and farms surrounding it. Unlike the sugar museum, La Rhumerie de Chamarel shows travellers how the distillation process is done in producing the world famous Chamarel Rum. The place also has an acclaimed restaurant called L’Alchimiste that offers delicious and mouth-watering cuisines using produce sourced from the estate itself. Rum lovers would really appreciate being here because they can taste the famous White Rum and Old Rum of the Chamarel, as well as learn the secret of how the distillery maintains its high quality.

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Chateau de Labourdonnais This garden museum is a restored farmhouse founded 200 years ago, during the French colonial period. The farmhouse is owned by a French family who stayed here for more than 150 years and endured through the era of not just the French but also the British. Though most of the items exhibited in this house tell the history of the Bourgault and Wiehe family for three generations, they also narrate the story of Mauritius from the family’s perspective, since the colonial times up until several years ago when the house was restored back to its former glory. Today the structure of the house has been improved and renewed with modern and stronger materials. The garden surrounding the house is also perfectly landscaped that many couples today choose Chateau de Labourdonnais for their wedding ceremony. A restaurant called Table du Chateau was built within the house area to provide a place for visitors to savour a great meal a la French. It is also the place for visitors to try the home-made rum made of fruits grown within the museum area. The museum opens daily from 9:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. If travellers intend to take the tour, take note that it lasts up to 45 minutes. Admission Fee: Adults: MUR 375 (MYR45) Children (4 to 12): MUR 200 (MYR22) Students: MUR 225 (MYR 25) (student ID required) Seniors: MUR 325 (MYR 37)

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L’Aventure du Sucre This museum is a restored sugar factory that was once an important producer of sugar, located within Beau Plan Sugar Estate. The reason behind the opening of this museum is to share the history of how sugarcane became the most important industry in Mauritius. The museum also exhibits in detail the methodology of how sugar is extracted from sugarcane and how the production technology evolves through time. The Museum is close to the Pamplemousses Botanical Gardens and is open seven days a week, including public holidays from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. except on 24, 25, 26 and 31 December and 1 and 2 January. Admission Fee: Adults: MUR 380 (MYR 45) Children (6 to 13): MUR 190 (MYR 25) Students (13 to 26): MUR 190 (MYR 25)(student ID required) 05

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Every single item exhibited at Chateau Labourdonnais tell its own story Learn the history of the Mauritian sugar industry at L’Aventure du Sucre and how the industry moulded the nation

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06. A chance to get cosy with the Big Cats during the Safari Adventure in Casela 07. Up-close and personal with the birds that roam freely in Casela 08. Youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve need to swim faster if you want to swim with the dolphins

Casela World of Adventures Casela World of Adventures offers various types of extreme activities for adrenaline junkies and active individuals. There are ziplines, canyoning, Nepalese Bridge, Canyon Swing and Via Ferrata for travellers to experience. These activities are set in a perfect natural location surrounded by mountainous terrain. Besides the said activities, the most popular attraction here is the Safari Adventure. Travellers can have close encounter with wild African animals such as zebras, rhinos, and impalas. There are even special add-on packages such as Walk with the Lions, up-close with the Big Cats, Interaction with Cheetah and Interaction with Pigmy Hippos. Though there is no natural safari in Mauritius, the park attempts to create the safari-like environment for travellers to enjoy by touring on a Safari bus. Families with small children are bound to be excited when they get to interact with friendly animals at the petting farm. The park is open daily from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. It is recommended that travellers spend more than half a day here. Admission Fee: Adults: MUR 740 (MYR 86) Children (4 to 12): MUR 475 (MYR 55)

Dolphin Watch Black River Swimming with dolphins at Tamarin Bay is a must when travellers are in Mauritius. This is because travellers will be taken to swim closely within the habitat of the dolphins since Tamarin Bay is their natural habitat. There is a high chance for travellers who swim in Tamarin Bay early morning and late evening to personally witness these dolphins. Although the water can be a bit cold, swimming in it is a great experience, especially when travellers get to swim with the dolphins side by side. Of course, to be able to see them, it is best for travellers to engage an operator like JPH Charters Ltd, whose staff will advise travellers on how best to spot the dolphins and what safety requirements that travellers need to follow before swimming with them. However, travellers need to understand that there are times when the dolphins cannot be spotted at all, but the operator will not be returning travellersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; money because it is still needed to cover the costs for the boat and operations.

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Rate: Packages

Departure

Return

Per Person

Per boat (Max 6)

Dolphin swimming

7h00

8h30

EUR 45

EUR 175

Lagoons discovery Dolphin swimming + snorkelling

7h00

10h30

N/A

EUR 275

7h00

14h30

N/A

EUR 450

Full day west coast lagoons Dolphin swimming + snorkelling + Benitier island Optional lunch

Gaya Travel Magazine extends our heartfelt gratitude to AirAsia X and Mauritius Tourism Promotion Authority for making Edâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s trip to Mauritius possible. The flight to Mauritius from Kuala Lumpur takes 7 hours and 30 minutes. Visit www.airasiax.com and www.tourism-mauritius.mu for more info.

Destinations

Educating the Public about Art: Kembara Kraf Selangor 2016 TEXT by ADELA ROSLAN|IMAGES by AKUGRAPHY & IQMAL FAUZEE

Selangor Economic Planning Unit (UPEN), in collaboration with Gaya Travel Magazine, organised a media familiarisation programme called Kembara Kraf Selangor (KKS) 2016, which involves bringing 50 persons comprising journalists from various local and international media organisations and social media influencers to selected ateliers and craft studios in Selangor. The purpose of this programme is to educate the public on how to value and appreciates local crafts, especially those produced in the state.

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The term “craft” itself denotes skill in producing artful objects, for example ceramics or glass art. Creating these crafts involves manual hands-on labour rather than using a machine, hence the term ‘handicrafts’. It is unfortunate that sometimes, public put such a low value on crafts that they have no idea how complex the processes are creating them. KKS 2016 intended to expose the intricacies in producing these crafts, as well as educating the public on their high aesthetic and cultural values. The participants of the KKS 2016 were impressed with the crafts’ beauty and diversity, which are in line with Selangor’s richness in terms of colour and multi-ethnicity. The programme achieved its real objective, which is to essentially educate the public about crafts to be found in Selangor.

What we discovered during KKS 2016 Learn from the learners @ National Craft Institute, Recreational Templer Park One thing about educating people is to make sure that they are capable of learning from not a master or teacher, but from a student, apprentice or novice as well. After spending about three hours at the National Craft Institute, the KKS 2016 participants were taught about weaving, sewing, wood-shaping and more by students. There are several open-air shacks built in this place – each designated to a different craft and serves as a workshop – for those who are interested in producing the crafts with their own hands. Here, travellers are invited to wander around the place and get lost in the sea of crafts. We moved from one shack to another, experiencing the DIY session and charmed by the finished products ranging from MYR10 to the thousands! I managed to test out the clay-making pots but it didn’t turn out well. Travellers will also get to witness the range of crafts created by students for their final project that are almost similar in terms of quality with those created by the professionals!

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The colourful clay products are left to dry under the sun Final ceramic products ready to be sold to customers Replicas of animal traps traditionally used by the Orang Asli when hunting Some of the indigenous womenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s accessories made from rattan

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Raja Azhar briefing to the media on how to create batik design on glass Glass lamps in the form of torsos wrapped in batik created by Raja Azhar that grace his dining hall Master Siow, whose shop has been producing lion heads in Malaysia since 1986

Deep into the roots @ Orang Asli Museum, Gombak It was a hot afternoon in the middle of August when we visited the museum. After being closed for two years due to massive renovation, the museum is now known as the JAKOA Museum ( JAKOA means the Indigenous People Development Department). Opened since 1985, the museum subsequently has a new and bigger building in place of the older one. The museum collects, preserves, records and displays items that portray the ways of life of the Orang Asli (Peninsular Malaysia aboriginal people) in the olden days as part of the nation’s heritage. We were fascinated by the wide range of large posters, photographic pictorials, musical instruments, traps for small animals and fish, crockery and utensils, replica of dwelling huts, primitive tools used for healing illness, their taboos etc. For those who’d like to know more about the Malaysian aborigines should visit this museum since it also shows a video documentary regarding the aborigines’ life in the past. Through the hands of the master Raja Azhar Idrus @ the Art Case Gallery, Bukit Antarabangsa The participants were quite taken in by Raja Azhar Idrus’s passion towards glass art during their twohour visit to his workshop, besides his sense of humour while moulding the glass. Raja Azhar Idrus is a world famous Malaysian glass artist who does not only paint on glass but also moulds it into shapes and textures that eventually become sculptures. He then led us into his glass castle that is filled with valuable art pieces, whereby one of them was my favourite and aptly placed in the kitchen: a large glass plate showing fish head curry and satay (Raja Azhar’s favourite dishes) with hands reaching out for them. Other beautifully intricate pieces include a female torso dressed in 1Malaysia batik cheongsam painted on a flat sheet of glass, which Raja Azhar fired in his special kiln and moulded it into shape with amazing details. Some of the media also gawked at his version of a table cloth, which turns out to be a skilfully moulded glass that simulates the delicate drapery of a lace tablecloth! We were so in awe of Raja Azhar’s technical prowess. For a living, Raja Azhar does commissioned works by special request and he runs glass art classes too (check out www.artcase.com.my). By the way, please take note that one tiny bottle created by Raja Azhar can cost up to hundreds of dollars, so breaking it is not an option. From a taste of Malaysian @ paktam.com.my, Selayang Pak Tam restaurant is a mamak-like but actually Malay. What makes Pak Tam popular is that its food comes in generously large portions. Simply put, a plate of rice that accompanies the dish of choice is enough to feed a football squad and to that, we delightfully stuffed ourselves. About 60% of the food here is spicy to cater to the local palate and stomachs. Those who prefer less spicy will also be able to enjoy the spread of milder dishes that are equally delicious. However, we must warn travellers that due to the place’s popularity, the atmosphere is bustling and noisy. Well, we suppose that if you really want to enjoy great comfort food, then you just have got to deal with it... Where lion roars @ Master Siow Ho Phiew, Wan Seng Hang (WSH) Dragon & Lion Arts workshop, Subang Bestari This is the place where patrons come to customise their ornate lion heads used for the Chinese lion dance. The man behind it is Master Siow Ho Phiew, an inspiring figure in the world of lion dance, who has been producing lion heads in Malaysia since 1986. Greeted with unfinished lion heads from the front to the back of his workshop, the participants listened to Master Siow’s stories about the making of these lion heads, which is entirely done by hand. The craftsmen frame out the lion head for the resin sticker to be pasted on to form the head’s basic shape. Rattan is used to form the skeletal structure of the head as it is unlikely to break and injure the holder due to its pliability – it does not snap like bamboo and produce neat finishing. Depending on the level of complexity and customers’ requirements, a lion head can take between seven and 10 days to build or even longer, especially if it is to be used for competition. The team at WSH can make around 500 lion heads per year with some being exported to Asia and around the world. They produce two styles of southern lion heads – the Fut San and Hok San – both originating from Guangdong province and can be differentiated by the shape of the horn and mouth, and overall stance of the head. At the end of the visit, the participants got the chance to learn about the drums and songs that Master Siow teaches to his students. Let me assure you that it is easier to watch rather than learn the steps of the dance.

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Special Promotion Section

C R U I S E TAS I K P UTRAJAYA The main feature of Putrajaya is the Putrajaya Lake (Tasik Putrajaya), which makes up about 12% of the city’s landmass. The lake functions as both a recreational area and scenic element, besides serving as an environmental filter and cooling system. If there is one thing you should not miss during your visit to Putrajaya, it is taking a ride on Cruise Tasik Putrajaya. Truly, this is one of the favourite things that travellers love to do when being in Putrajaya because it gives them the best way to experience the city from a different perspective. For those who enjoy cruising, opting for Cruise Tasik Putrajaya is the natural thing to do. Cruise Tasik Putrajaya is the only cruise operator in the whole of Putrajaya and they have been in business since 2003 – that’s 12 years of hospitality experience! Upon looking at Cruise Tasik Putrajaya’s website (www. cruisetasikputrajaya.com), travellers will be able to find out that there are many options available for them to choose from. Let’s see what options are available and which one suits us best, shall we? Generally, Cruise Tasik Putrajaya offers three types of vessels for travellers to select: the traditional Perahu Dondang Sayang; the Lepa-Lepa, a traditional boat used by the Bajaus of Semporna; and the modern air-conditioned cruise boat. Perahu Dondang Sayang is a handcrafted genuine replicas of the local Malay traditional perahu or wooden gondola-like vessels. This kind of boat is intricately handcrafted and made in the state of Terengganu. This vessel, which is able to seat up to seven people, is definitely suitable for those who seek intimate and nostalgic experience, especially romantic couples. Jetty Putra, Jambatan Putra, Precint 1, 62000 Putrajaya, Wilayah Persekutuan, Malaysia. Enquiry: + 603 8888 5539 | E-Mail: sales@cruisetasikputrajaya.com Web: www.cruisetasikputrajaya.com | FB: www.facebook.com/CruiseTasikPtjy

Another unique traditional vessel option would be the LepaLepa, the traditional single-mast sailing boats of the Bajau Laut people, sea gypsies who live off the east coast of Semporna, Sabah. Travellers do not have to go to all the way to Semporna to experience sailing on board Lepa- Lepa. If travellers happen to be in Semporna, they will notice that the original Lepa-Lepa there is actually not readily available for them to experience because it is only reserved for special occasions. As such, travellers should grab this unique opportunity to experience boarding Cruise Tasik Putrajaya’s Lepa-Lepa since the boat is specially designed to accommodate up to 10 people at one time. For travellers who couldn’t stand the tropical heat, perhaps the modern air-conditioned cruise boat would be a better choice, which comes in two types: single or double deck. These boats are specifically designed and custom built with wraparound windows arching from the armrest level to the ceiling, allowing passengers clear and unobstructed view of both sides of Putrajaya Lake in luxurious comfort. The best part is that travellers get the best of both worlds: they can simply hop over to the outdoor deck and feel the wind brush against their faces, then come back inside for the cool air-conditioned comfort. Apart from the scheduled cruises, these boats are also available for private charters. There are also cruises with dining options! The Dining Cruise offered by Cruise Tasik Putrajaya is ideal for entertaining guests or clients, with its range of menu that sounds too mouth-watering to pass. Fantastic traditional dishes like Beef Rendang and Stuffed Squid are some of dishes served on rotation basis. Private functions can also be held on board the cruise and the rates are reasonable. Cruise Tasik Putrajaya is definitely a must do when you visit Putrajaya! Cruise ride from RM10/trip *terms and conditions apply

The capital city Doha, including the rest of Qatar, beams with dynamism due to the strategic vision of the nationâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s forward-thinking ruling family, the House of Thani.

Destinations

Dynamic Doha, the Heart of Qatar TEXT|IMAGES by JUHAN KAMARUDDIN

It was close to the end of summer when Gaya Travel Magazine, together with other fellow Malaysian journalists, arrived at Qatar’s capital, Doha, which is also the country’s gateway. Starting from the airport and all the way to the city, we found that Doha, being the microcosm of Qatar, is a cosmopolis supported by state-of-the-art infrastructure and on-going robust development. It is clear that Qatar in general, and Doha in particular, beams with dynamism, thanks to the strategic vision of its forward-thinking ruling family, the House of Thani, currently led by the Emir of Qatar Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani. Doha is home to around 60% of Qatar population, with the majority made up of expatriates. The city’s corniche is a seven-kilometre recreational pathway with the view of Arab sailing vessels called dhows – traditionally used for pearling and fishing – that are now used for tourism and leisure purposes. To understand Doha better, travellers are recommended to experience riding on these vessels and absorb the city’s scenery from the water. Taking the Doha Bus to quickly understand the city and its landmarks is also an excellent idea. Historically, Doha was once a pearl-diving hotspot and a major global supplier of authentic pearls until early 20th century, when Japan began introducing cheaper cultured pearl to the world market, negatively affected demand towards Qatari pearls thus caused the industry to dwindle. However, being resourceful, the Qataris’ found new ways to expand their economy, which led them to excavate oil and gas beginning in 1939. By 1973, the country’s investment in oil and gas paid off handsomely, paving the way for Qatar to become one the highest per capita nations in the world until today. However, despite their wealth, Qataris pass as more down-to-earth and practical instead of ostentatious or showy. This is made evident by the places that we visited in Doha, which clearly spell out what contemporary Qatar is all about: chic, sophisticated, upscale yet understated, well thought out, and global

in its outlook yet steadfastly holding onto its own roots and identity. Walking around venues like Souq Waqif, Msheireb Museums and Katara Cultural Village gives a refreshing perspective towards Qatar’s commitment in preserving the society’s heritage and wisdom in order to navigate through the present and shape the future. Based on our conversation with the locals and expatriates, we find that Qatar is bent towards making its mark internationally, especially through sports such as in the development of ASPIRE Sports City (an inspiring legacy from Doha’s hosting of the Asian Games in 2006) and in the preparation for the FIFA World Cup 2022, the first time ever being done by any Middle Eastern country. Sports tourism therefore becomes natural for Qatar since the country is already renowned as a world class venue for international sports events. Sports fans and athletes should follow and even participate in those events, besides utilising the impressive sports facilities, due to Qatar’s enthusiasm in becoming a leading sports nation. With a burgeoning economy, visionary leadership, global outlook, heritage conservation and dedication to sports, things are set to look bright for Qatar despite the global economic challenges. As such, it is indeed time for travellers to consider Qatar, the Pearl of the Gulf, as a tourism destination that is worth watching out for...

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Souq Waqif â&#x20AC;&#x2122;s quintessential atmosphere One of the passageways at Souq Waqif A traditional dhow that is now used for dinner cruise An interior of the Radhwani House, part of the Msheireb Museums

What to Experience:

method that give them their distinctive flavour and texture.

Souq Waqif www.visitqatar.qa/discover/tourist-hotspots/souq-waqif.html Probably the most atmospheric attraction in Doha, Souq Waqif buzzes with business, heritage, culture and nostalgia. Travellers feel transported to the olden days when Souq Waqif was the hub of trade and commerce for Doha, prior to the emergence of modern and gleaming shopping centres. Lovingly restored to its glory in 2006, Souq Waqif is the place where travellers can find souvenirs, mementos and local handicrafts, besides spices, traditional garments, gold and even falcons. It is also home to the organisation called Embrace Doha (www.embracedoha.net) that helps foreigners understand Qatari culture, where travellers can learn how to receive coffee properly when being a guest at the majlis (the space where guests are feted) and behave appropriately according to Qatari custom. Souq Waqif began since ancient times when the Bedouins began converging around the area called Msheireb oasis to trade goods, especially livestock. Waqif means ‘stand’; it was said that in the olden days, merchants and patrons conducted their business transactions while standing most of the time. Travellers will also be able to see men patrolling the area on horseback, a feature carried on from the past till this day. These men, who are actually part of the Royal Guards, are in charge of maintaining peace at the market because, besides mitigating theft and fraud, they also help to settle disputes during business transaction. That is why Souq Waqif, unlike other ancient bazaars in the Middle East, is not totally covered: this is to allow these men and their horses to easily access many parts of the market. Souq Waqif is also the area where the establishment that serves up authentic Qatari cuisine called Al Enna Restaurant is located. The dishes served here consist of various meats such as chicken, beef and mutton, including camel, all prepared using traditional Qatari ingredients and cooking

Dhow Dinner Cruise www.souqwaqifresort.com/dining/the-dhow.html One of the must-dos when travellers visit Qatar is to experience the dhow dinner cruise at sunset. Taking the dhow dinner cruise affords travellers the memorable experience of admiring the city’s impressive skyline from the water, besides its magical sunset and night time. During the cruise along the Doha Corniche and the entire West Bay (developed on reclaimed land and constructed between 2003 and 2006), travellers are feted to a hearty dinner amidst a relaxing atmosphere, a perfect way to end the day.

Tips: » » » »

Msheireb Museums www.msheireb.com/museums This collection of museums started operations since October 2015. Located within the first phase of the Heritage Quarter, adjacent to the Diwan Amiri Quarter and the Qatar National Archive, the Msheireb Museums is a complex comprising four houses. Each of these houses respectively contains exhibits pertaining to the development of Doha’s history such as in the House of Bin Jelmood, which used to be an abode of a slave trader when Doha was a slave and pearl trading hub; the Company House, the building that served as the administration house for workers to receive their pay during Qatar’s early years of petroleum exploration and production, including how life was like for the pioneering oil labourers; the Radhwani House, a traditional Qatari house to showcase how life was like for a typical family who has lived in the Msheireb neighbourhood for the past 70 years; and the Mohammad bin Jassim House, which showcases the history of Msheireb neighbourhood and its future development that employs contemporary urban regeneration solutions using human-scale and pedestrian-friendly traditional architectural principles to preserve the neighbourhood’s distinct identity.

Travellers entering Qatar via Hamad International Airport are required to pay QR100 per person for visa at the immigration counters using credit or debit card. If travellers prefer to pay in cash, they need to make payment at the Qatar National Bank (QNB) counter located opposite of the immigration counters first before going through immigration. However, travellers should be pleased to know that a new visa facilitation system is currently being developed to make travelling to Qatar easier in the near future. After clearing immigration and collecting luggage, it is best for travellers to change their currencies into Qatari Riyals (QR) at the airport before venturing further since money changers are not ubiquitous. Travellers may choose to visit Qatar between October and April, when the temperatures are more moderate. Summer time in Qatar, especially when it go above 40°C, could easily wear travellers off. Raining season in Qatar is around February to March. Travellers from Malaysia and Singapore need not bring international adaptors since Qatar has the same mains electricity voltage (220 Volts).

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Gaya Travel deeply admires the architecture of all of these buildings, which are smartly readapted for current use. The exhibits in this new museum are well curated, high-tech, immersive, educational and emotionally-moving, especially those in the House of Bin Jelmood that teaches travellers about the history of slavery, how it evolved throughout the years, how Doha became a centre of slave trade, and the kind of life that the slaves led, particularly those who had to serve as pearl divers. Travellers are allowed to touch the exhibits showcased at the museums. Admission is free. Museum of Islamic Art www.mia.org.qa/en/ This I.M. Pei-designed museum is an architectural marvel that defines Doha’s modern skyline, simultaneously putting Doha and Qatar on the international map as an arts and culture hub for the Middle East. Various historical artefacts and exhibits from the Islamic world that stretch over a thousand years are interestingly showcased to highlight the splendour and advancement of the Islamic civilisation, which are bound to enthral the educated and cultured. The museum also holds museum tours and special programmes that the public can participate. Admission is free. 092

Doha Bus Night Tour www.dohabus.com For travellers to get their bearings and quickly learn about Doha and its landmarks, the best way for them to do is to take the hop-on hop-off Doha Bus Night Tour, which brings them to the city’s important places during the night so that For memorable packages to explore Qatar, contact the following Qatar Specialists in Malaysia: » Andalusia Travel & Tours | Tel: + 6 03 9285 4530 » Ab & Artho | Tel: +6 012 480 7905 » Apple Signature Holidays | Tel: +6 03 2141 8250 » Corporate Information Travel | Tel: +6 03 2091 9988 » Canary Tours | Tel: +6 016 667 8646 » Indigo Holiday | Tel: +6 03 9200 2816 » IGNS Holidays | Tel: +6 03 4161 1372 » Kowamas Holidays | Tel: +6 03 7803 1260 » Malaysian Harmony Tour & Travel | Tel: +6 03 2145 4226 » Vic-Aire Holiday | Tel: +6 03 2141 6633

travellers get to savour Doha’s spectacular city lights, besides escaping the day’s heat. This tour provides the chance for travellers to have a quick feel of the city and conveniently get up close to many of Doha’s major landmarks at one go. The Doha Bus is also equipped with informative audio documentary in seven different languages. During the Night Tour, travellers will be served with a complimentary cup of hot karak, not unlike Malaysia’s teh tarik. The Night Tour tour costs QR95 per adult, QR45 per child and QR235 for a family of four (two parents and two children). The bus departs daily at 7:00 p.m. from the Souq Waqif booth. Travellers who have purchased the 24- or 48hour Doha Bus tickets get to ride on the Night Tour for free. Katara Cultural Village An expansive development where locals and foreigners are able to be exposed to Qatari history and culture. The place holds interfaith programmes and film festivals, in line with the government’s long-standing vision to position Qatar as a cultural beacon in the Middle East through theatre, literature, music, visual art, conventions and exhibition. Philately lovers will also take pleasure in knowing that Katara Cultural Village is also home to the Arab Postal Stamps Museum. When frolicking around Katara Cultural Village, travellers must have lunch or dinner at L’wzaar Seafood Market Restaurant for a lip-smacking seafood experience, especially the sinful lobster with cheese and mushroom. Then head to Chapati & Karak for a spot of satisfying hot tea with milk. For more info, visit www.visitqatar.qa.

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Museum of Islamic Artâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s expansive lobby Ancient armour used by Muslim warriors being displayed at the Museum of Islamic Art Enjoying post-prandial karak at Al Enna Restaurant in Souq Waqif Lobster with cheese and mushroom at Lâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;wzaar Seafood Market Restaurant at Katara Cultural Village

Destinations

Mexico: Colours, Spices and Joy – Part III of III TEXT|IMAGES by ED JUNAIDI

When I was in Mexico, I tried its culinary offerings, experienced two major festivals and made friends with a great number of amazing Mexicans. If we were to use colours to measure Mexico, the measuring chart would explode with bright, vibrant, exciting hues!

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The 23-day overland journey from Mexico City to Cancun was a splendid, colourful and definitely one of the most joyful times in my life. It is true what they say: travelling is not only about the destination, but the journey itself. And my journey around Mexico was a riot of cultures, festivals, delicious food and warm hospitality. There are over 68 native language groups currently spoken in Mexico, making it one of the most diversified nations on the American continent after the United States. Mexico is simply rich in culture and history, ranking first in the Americas and sixth in the world by number of UNESCO World Heritage Site. Relatively, Mexico is a youthful country with 30% of the population below 15 and only 6% above the age of 65.

People Mexico has diverse ethnic groups, from the various indigenous tribes to European immigrants. Mexican national identity is formed based on the mixture of European and indigenous cultures, subsequently producing mixed biological features. Like in any other multi-cultural nations in the world, the indigenous people in Mexico still practice their own culture while co-existing with modernity. Spoken languages like The Nahuatl of the Aztec or the tongue of the Mayans, including Mixtec, Otomi, Trascan and Zapotec, are still being uttered, indicating Mexico’s rich indigenous heritage. Most of the cities and towns in Mexico began as Native American communities. The arrival of the Spaniards changed the landscape of these settlements, with Spanish-influenced plazas and homes with patios. Nevertheless, Mexicans maintain their ancient native customs during the Spanish colonial period. In

the beginning of 1900s, Mexico transformed rapidly as the cities began to modernise, while the people in villagers still follow the old ways. To date, the current population of the indigenous people is about 15 million. They are scattered across Yucatan, Oaxaca, Chiapas, Campeche, Veracruz and Guerrero. These indigenous people speak Spanish along with their own traditional languages such as Nahuatl, Yucatec, Tzotzil, Mixtec, Zapotec, Otomi, Huichol, Totonac and other living 54 languages. Based on my observation, the people of Mexico are outgoing and fun, besides expressive and loving. They willingly and openly offer help whenever you need it. I totally recommend travellers to visit the small towns in Oaxaca and Puebla to get to know more about Mexico’s grassroots. If you want to experience different kind of cultures in Mexico, Ed recommends: » Oaxaca for its various tribes of indigenous groups that still observe their traditional practices in daily life, especially the Zapotecs. » Yucatan Peninsular to experience the Mayans, an indigenous tribe that built a dominant civilisation throughout Mesoamerica. » San Cristobal de Las Casas in Chiapas to see how a community of indigenous Muslims observe the Islamic faith and practice their belief. » Mexico City to observe how all kinds of cultures and ethnicities interact within a modern society but at the same time maintaining their respective cultures and traditions.

This is Danza de Los Concheros (The Concheros dance), also known as the Chichimecas, Aztecas and Mexicas. It is an important traditional dance and ceremony which has been performed in Mexico since early in the colonial period.

Festivals The people of Mexico are festive too. Most of the celebrations in Mexico relate to religion and faith. The festivals in Mexico range from conservative to liberal. There are festivals where conservative people dance in costumes and masks as a tribute to either pre-Hispanic Gods or Christianity. And then there are also festivals where men dress in women costumes despite the much touted Mexican machismo. Mexicans tend to celebrate festivals wholeheartedly. I was lucky to observe the celebration of All Saints’ Day (Dia de Todos Los Santos) on November1st and Day of the Dead (Dia de Los Muertos) on November2nd. Mexicans believe that the souls of children return to the world of the living on November1st, followed by the souls of the adults on November2nd. It is a celebration where family and friends pray in remembrance of the deceased with joy and happiness. Day of the Dead is a Mexican holiday celebrated throughout Mexico, particularly in the Central and Southern regions, and acknowledged around the world. In 2008, this celebration has been declared as UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. The new James Bond movie, Spectre, has an epic opening sequence of a parade depicting Dia de Los Muertos Festival. Mexicans started putting on costumes and make-up even a week prior to the day of the celebration itself. They wear them to school or work. Almost every city in the south organise parades for the festival, including activities like concerts and gatherings.

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If you want to experience different festivals in Mexico, Ed recommends: » Oaxaca and Puebla to experience All Saints’ Day and Day of the Dead because the celebration at these places are more vibrant and fun. » Veracruz and Mazatlan to experience a carnival-like atmosphere that features flamboyant parades, grand scale party, dance performances, and live music. The festival is held for nine days and usually takes place in March. » Oaxaca for its month-long cultural festival called the Guelaguetza, which features Oaxacan dance from the seven regions, music and a beauty pageant for indigenous women.

Food I reckoned that all of Mexican cuisines must be eaten with corn or wheat tortillas such as tacos, tostadas, enchiladas, and tamales. The fillings are usually filled eith guacamole, mole, red beans and salsa. Interesting, Mexican cuisine is a fusion of European and indigenous Mesoamerican cooking that bring out strong and distinct new flavours. The native diet mainly consist of corn, beans and chilli pepper while the European aspect comprises beef, chicken, pork, dairy products and various herbs and spices. Influences from the African and Asian continents during the Spanish colonial times are evident too. This heady mix of cultures makes up the Mexican cuisine of today, leading it to be inscribed as UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in 2010. Mexico is also famous for its street food called antojitos, prepared by street vendors and at small traditional markets in Mexico, but known throughout the world. Most notable ones are burrito, chorizo, ceviche, empanadas, enchilada, ensalada de fruta, flautas, nachos, quesadillas, tamales, tortas, tortillas and tostadas. Do not miss the opportunity to try these Mexican dishes when you happen to be in Mexico. For more info, browse www.visitmexico.com. If you want to experience different type of food in Mexico, Ed recommends: » Oaxaca because you can find the amazing restaurants and cafes here where they serve great Mexican foods. There are the famous seven different kind of moles and chapulines that usually added to tlayudas – a giant tortilla. » Puebla because they are famous with their chile en nogada, which is seasoned meat cooked with nuts, raisins, local fruits and roasted poblano chilies. You can also find taco arabe, Arab-style tacos! There is also a candy street where you can find some traditional Pueblan sweets.

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Oaxaca is well known for its diverse and delicious cuisine in all of Mexico. Taking a stroll in Oaxacaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s world-famous Food Market, Benito Juarez Market would fascinate you with an array of foods, vegetables and fruits Vendors have started selling merchandises, toys and costumes in anticipation for the celebration of The Day of the Dead The tradition of The Day of the Dead was inscribed in the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO

Destinations: In Brief

Discovering Central Japan by Bus! TEXT|IMAGES by ED JUNAIDI

Gaya Travel went back to Japan; this time to the Central region. Ed has a different experience because this time he went discovering Japan on highway bus using a bus package called Shoryudo Highway Bus Ticket. Sounds like fun, yes?

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Central Japan is also called Shoryudo, hence the package name. Shoryudo means rising dragon, coined from its shape on the map that resembles a rising dragon, which in Japanese culture symbolises wealth and power. There are five prefectures in Central Japan: Aichi, Gifu, Ishikawa, Nagano, and Toyama. Central Japan has a lot to offer through its vibrant mixture of modern urban cities and fascinating culture and history as far back as the Edo era. It also has breathtaking natural beauty that offers spectacular view according to seasons: fresh and green during late spring, beautiful foliage during autumn, and white during winter. Forget about Mount Fuji. Instead, check out the Japanese Alps, which is a mountain range encompassing Hida Mountains, Kiso Mountains and Akaishi Mountains. When we asked a typical Japanese on which region has the best hot spring in Japan, chances are they would say ‘Shoryudo’.

Shoryudo Highway Bus Ticket Shoryudo Highway Bus Ticket is actually a master ticket that helps travellers get connected to all cities within Central Japan by bus, which might be cheaper than other modes of transport. It also gives free access to Chubu Centrair International Airport (Central Japan International Airport) in Nagoya and Komatsu Airport in Kanazawa. Travellers can choose either the 3-Day Pass for ¥7,000 (RM 290) or 5-Day Pass for ¥14,000 (RM580). When travellers use this pass, they need to travel on these buses on consecutive days.

The master ticket or pass can be purchased online or at any travel agencies outside Japan. For Malaysian travellers, we recommend that they contact Wendy Tour Sdn Bhd to purchase the ticket or pass, and ask questions about travelling around Central Japan. Each master ticket or pass can be used to access buses, certain trams and certain trains to destinations in Central Japan. It can also be used to get discounts when shopping at retail outlets that are operated by the Meitetsu Group. However, if travellers need to take a highway bus that requires reservation, you can only do it at the ticket window. The master ticket or pass cannot be used to reserve tickets online or by phone.

Some ideas on where the Shoryudo Highway Bus Ticket can take you: Aichi Chubu Centrair International Airport (Central Japan International Airport) One of the international gateways to enter Japan is via this airport. It is only 30 minutes to Nagoya city centre by train. There are various services to accommodate your arrival, especially luggage service and tourist information centre, where travellers can ask about getting to other Central Japan destinations. The luggage service offers convenience in not having to carry your luggage when you’re heading to your destination, which requires you to change different trains and buses along the way. The luggage will be delivered to your hotel the same day. Travellers can also find many shopping and dining options that range from local to Western cuisines. There are many charming traditional Japanese shops that sell popular Japanese merchandise, food and toys. On top of the airport is a huge viewing deck for travellers to enjoy the fascinating sight of airplanes landing and taking off the runways. 102

Nagoya Meitetsu Department Store Shopping is a must when you come to Japan, especially for its fantastic toys and merchandises, clothes and accessories, including everything and anything you can think of. Meitetsu Department Store is not just a typical shopping complex. It is well-integrated into a bus station, taxi station and train station. The store has two buildings: the main building is dedicated to women’s clothing, general merchandise, children’s clothing, accessories and cosmetics; while the other building is for men’s fashion. This store has a huge giant doll called Nana-chan located in front of the Men’s building to help travellers and locals identify it as landmark. Inuyama Meiji Mura When we visited Meiji-mura (Meiji Village), we first thought it was a theme park, but instead we found that it is an open-air museum that preserves and exhibits Japanese architecture from the Meiji period. To date, 60 buildings have been relocated to this park and the most famous one has to be the Imperial Hotel. This is also the park where you can experience a real-life working locomotive train. Travellers may need at least half-a-day to explore this park.

Gifu Hida-Takayama Takayama Jinya Takayama Jinya used to be one of the Governorâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s offices and there were once more than 60 houses like this during the Edo period when Takayama was still called Hida. However, Takayama Jinya is the only one left in Japan. This building has been used as a government office for over three centuries between 1692 until 1969. This is the perfect place for travellers to learn and see the architectural features and details of the building from the Edo period. Sanmachi Suji (Takayama Old Town) This vividly preserved old town from an old district preserved since Edo period can be seen and experienced amidst the northern Japanese Alps. Located in the centre of the bustling city, Sanmachi Suji is brought alive by the merchants on this street who maintain the old traditional shops and houses with distinctive charm and warmth. Most of the buildings are as old as 400 years. Some of the businesses have been running for generations. Shirakawa Shirakawa-Go World Heritage Site The historic village of Shirakawa-go and Gokayama is about 400 years old. The people here still live and go about their daily lives as they have been doing for generations. Shirakawa-go has about 60 thatched-roof homes surrounded by paddy fields and breathtaking mountains. UNESCO has enlisted this village as part of the World Heritage Sites since 1995.

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Shinhotaka Shinhotaka Ropeway This is the only two-storey gondola in Japan. There are two ropeway stations heading to Nishihotakaguchi Station that has 360-degree panoramic view of the majestic mountains of the northern Japanese Alps. This station is located at the altitude of 2,156 metres above sea level. It also offers amazing views for every season. There is a visitor’s centre at the first station, Shirakabadaira Station, where travellers can watch videos of climbers scaling to the top of the highest peak of the Japanese Alps, Mount Okuhotakadake, and also learn about the flora and fauna found on the mountain range. We recommend that travellers stay at Hotel Hotaka, located right next to the Ropeway ground station within the Chubu-Sangaku National Park. We had a great time experiencing hot spring thermal water from the mountain.

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Kanazawa 21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art This museum features a unique architecture with circular design and painted in elegant white tones. It exhibits contemporary artworks in various forms including films, performing arts and music, in order to promote and exhibit contemporary art to the public as part of their learning and opportunity to gain new experiences. Higashi Chaya District Chaya is famous as the entertainment district where men used to come to be entertained by the geishas who danced and played traditional Japanese musical instruments since the Edo period. These days, most of the Chaya houses have been For further inquiries, contact: WENDY TOUR SDN. BHD. CP65, Suite 1306, 13th Floor, Central Plaza 34, Jalan Sultan Ismail, 50250 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia Tel: +6 03 2145.2312 | Fax: +6 03 2148 9364 | Mobile: +6 016 770 4915 | Web: wendytour.com.my

converted into tea houses, restaurants and souvenir shops. If travellers want to see a geisha performance, be sure to come to the district on a Saturday. Travellers are recommended to take a stroll from Higashi Chaya district to Kazue-machi Chaya District by following along the Asano river to soak in the area’s quaint historical atmosphere.

Toyama Toyama City Toyama Glass Art Museum The museum, which comes together with the Toyama City Public Library, has distinctive modern architecture that innovatively combines wood and glass. It has six floors of exhibition spaces and it is on the fourth floor that the museum exhibits Dale Chiluly’s glass artworks that combines unique glass forms with Japanese culture. This museum also symbolises the 30-year old project called “Glass Art City, Toyama” that broadly exhibits the charm of glass art. Fugan Kansui Park & Starbucks This tranquil park, located 15 minutes’ walk from Toyama Station, is where travellers can enjoy their favourite Starbucks’ coffee in a fresh bright morning while looking at the marvellous view. Now I understand why the Starbucks here is dubbed as one of the most beautifully located store in Japan: this outlet allows patrons to observe the beautiful scenery of Fugan Unga Kansui Park in every season – from cherry blossoms during spring and lush greenery of summer to the changing of foliage in autumn and the whiteness of winter – whether inside Starbucks’ glass walls or outside on the balcony. After coffee or tea, take a stroll along the canal or take a cruise ride to the port and back.

To help you understand how Shoryudo Highway Bus Ticket works, check out this e-Guide by Meitetsu Group:

Find out more about travelling in Central Japan and Shoryudo Highway Bus Ticket here:

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Hotels & Resorts

Greenhost Boutique Hotel, Yogyakarta: The Hub for Eco-Sophisticates TEXT by JUHAN KAMARUDDIN|IMAGES by SHAMSUL BAHRIN ZAINUZZAMAN

Greenhost Boutique Hotel in Yogyakarta is an interesting study on how to make a contemporary accommodation environmentally-friendly and ecologically-responsible. Unconventional and innovative yet low-key and unassuming, the hotel is housed in a building that is exemplary and inspiring. Though the hotel only began operations since September 2014, Greenhost Boutique Hotel’s emphatic message on the need for humanity to be more considerate towards Mother Earth has been making waves not only locally but also internationally.

Not just green building The hotel shares the story on how to lead a sustainable lifestyle but at the same time committed towards maintaining service standards. The owner and designer of the hotel, the visionary Bapak Paulus Mintarga, makes recycling and sustainable lifestyle sexy. The property is replete with recycled and repurposed (also termed as ‘upcycled’) materials like wooden crates and planks converted into functional furniture, clever fixtures and decorative features. The hotel’s massive skylight roof allows natural light to bathe the lobby, the restaurant, art gallery, salt water pool, concept store and the spa’s reception. The hotel allows in as much natural light as possible, including cross ventilation for interior thermal comfort, while lessening carbon emission at the same time. Interestingly, the roof over the area where the pool is located is exposed to the elements, allowing the hotel to welcome nature rather than avoid it. In terms of day-to-day running of the hotel, the management only uses eco-friendly paint, biodegradable detergents and LED lighting. Though the cost is substantial, the impact on environment is lesser. It also translates to better savings for the hotel in the long run. Besides, the property collects rainwater using water harvesters for its washing needs, as well as utilising grey water when watering the plants.

“To create a truly sustainable building, it requires considerable investment. Bapak Paulus conscientiously chooses this concept for Greenhost as a lifestyle, not just something that is in style at the moment. It is more of a calling, as a way to suggest to the surrounding communities and guests that we all should choose to live in a more sustainable way,” explains the impeccable General Manager Nia K. Sadjarwo. “The hotel is different than anything that guests have ever seen,” she adds. In line with the hotel’s mission, the hotel’s environmentally-friendly and refreshing rice soap is sold at the spa. At the same time, the pool uses salt chlorinator instead of chemicals, making the water good for the skin. The hotel’s all-day dining restaurant, The Art Kitchen, has a corner that propagates vegan menu, besides offering other healthy choices. Two vegan dishes that travellers should savour at The Art Kitchen are the satiating organic green pesto spaghetti made from homemade mayonnaise (created from soy milk) and basil leaves grown at the hotel’s own hydroponic farm; and the green hydroponic salad, which consists of greens organically grown in-house, topped with the same delightful homemade mayonnaise.

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The rooms at Greenhost Boutique Hotel are similar in size but sport different interior design. They are kept fuss-free with minimal furniture and fixtures to avoid clutter, maximise space and focus only on the essentials so that everything remains efficient. The rooms’ layout is practical, making it easy for maintenance. We adore the bathroom sliding doors that are made from upcycled materials. The commodes in the rooms are also equipped with dual-flushing system that help to conserve water.

Regular experiment with hydroponic plants are carried out in-house together with university students who will do their research on the hotel’s hydroponic farm for up to three months to identify suitable plants fit to be cultivated at the rooftop garden and corridors. “When it comes to researching, we do hire an external consultant to advise us on the technicalities involved in cultivating hydroponic crops. However, the larger effort actually lies in maintaining the farm on dayto-day basis,” Nia confesses.

Outstanding greenery

Sophisticated clientele and staff

But one factor that makes Greenhost Boutique Hotel definitely unique and stands out is its outstanding greenery and attempt to bring nature indoors. The vegetation employed throughout the hotel improves the property’s aesthetics, besides providing more oxygen. Prior to entering the hotel, guests are welcome by the sight of the hotel’s façade being draped by the Lee Kwan Yew plant, also known as curtain creeper, which is cultivated inhouse and takes only two months to grow from seedling until maturity. As they enter, they are welcome with more greenery at the lobby and the corridors leading to the guestrooms, including the rooftop, where the creative hydroponic farm is located. It is recommended that guests visit the farm because this is the place where the hotel cultivates salads to be supplied to The Art Kitchen. The hydroponic plants receive nutrients from organic material like compost and insects. The hotel’s decision to incorporate the hydroponic farm is not a mere fad or fashion – it is the hotel’s mission to educate the public on the need for modern-day humans to reconnect with the earth and appreciate the environment and vegetation. The farm is in line with the hotel’s vision in creating a conducive and sustainable environment for guests and staff alike. The Head of Creative Farming Dasa July Prasaja and his team members monitor the hydroponic farm where all plants undergo the processes of seeding, rooting and growth before being transferred to the grow channels that run along the corridors in front of the guestrooms. The hydroponic plants are changed every four to six months. The Creative Farming team also monitors the quality of the produce supplied to the Art Kitchen to meet demand, especially salads, which take 30 days to grow. The hotel is currently planting mint hydroponically along the corridors that lead to the guestrooms, therefore guests are generally greeted by the plant’s fresh scent as they walk along the corridor. “We used to plant lettuce but it is too fragile, so we replaced it with mint, which is stronger and can last up to six months in good weather conditions. Besides mint, we also grow betel leaf and basil,” mentions Nia.

Due to the hotel’s unique proposition, Greenhost Boutique Hotel appeals to individuals who are educated, mindful, respectful towards nature, creative and ecologically-savvy. “Since Greenhost is not run like a normal hotel but an unconventional one, it attracts extraordinary people,” notes Nia. Interestingly, the hotel’s 65-strong staff are also equally passionate and mindful towards sustainability and providing excellent service. She further adds that the hotel is where guests can be themselves since it offers privacy amidst sustainable sophistication. High profile figures, especially those from the entertainment industry, prefer to stay at Greenhost Boutique Hotel because the place embodies stylishness and forward-thinking, yet unpretentious and fuss-free. When asked whether the public in general truly understands what Greenhost is all about and whether all guests share the same passion towards sustainability, Nia clarifies that normally guests know what to expect when staying at the property. “At the same time, we are also informing the public on the importance of behaving sustainably such as no smoking in the rooms and corridors. Ultimately, it is about enlightening the public on what constitutes a sustainable lifestyle,” she adds.

Connecting with the surrounding communities Greenhost Boutique Hotel supports artistic initiatives and collaborates with event organisers by providing them space as event venue, besides conducting classes or workshops, which are all part of the hotel’s social values. One such collaboration was the Yogyakarta city-initiated Pecha Kucha night, hosted by the hotel. The event was founded in Tokyo and the words mean ‘the sound created in a room made by people talking’. Pecha Kucha showcases Zen presentations: 20 image slides shown in 20 seconds (20x20) to the audience, no words involved. The event in Yogyakarta taught the audience on how to deliver messages that are more precise and succinct, and never to veer off-topic because that would waste time and energy. The collaboration proves meaningful because

it sensitises the public on the need to communicate more effectively and become more efficient. Parallel to the hotel’s commitment in engaging with the surrounding communities, its concept store Genetika also holds handicraft classes, workshops and knowledge-sharing sessions on bamboo craft-making, recycled paper-making and stamp-printing on fabric, besides selling adorable, cleverly designed and quirky merchandises made from recycled items. “The hotel is able to make connection with the community through these events and programmes so as to propagate the idea of sustainability, as well as reminding them on the need to help conserve the environment using recycled materials,” claims the articulate Communications Manager Yanno Tirtahanna. “We want the community to also take action in conserving the environment with us. For instance, when we organise a course on how to make tofu, we share the knowledge with the public on how to produce good tofu from a facilitator who is brought in by the hotel, as well as learn how to market the tofu and make some money from it to supplement income. Such programmes are more effective and far-reaching than simply donating money or goods. We also engage with the artistic community by helping artists that share the same

values as the hotel on ways to market their artworks,” adds Nia. Apparently, the hotel has become the place where sustainability meets art in Yogyakarta because it showcases artworks by aspiring Indonesian artists. It also becomes renowned after appearing in the immensely popular romantic Indonesian movie ‘Apa Ada Dengan Cinta 2’ as the venue where the avant-garde Indonesian artist Eko Negroho showcased his ground-breaking works.

Conclusion From the philosophy to its design and how it operates, Greenhost Boutique Hotel is truly exemplary and inspiring. The hotel strips away ostentation and pretension to focus only on the essentials such as human comfort and conservation of the environment. It seems like you never know how sexy sustainability can be until you stay at Greenhost Boutique Hotel… greenhosthotel.com

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Hotels & Resorts

Club Med Bali: The Ultimate Family Holiday Haven TEXT by JUHAN KAMARUDDIN|IMAGES by CLUB MED BALI

Needing a break after embarking and disembarking various modes of transport non-stop for the previous few weeks, it was refreshing to know that I did not need to venture out of the resort to experience the destination, save for excursions to certain places. This time around, I much prefer to be cocooned, and might as well be in one happy bubble called Club Med Bali.

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The property – being part of the Nusa Dua’s gated community of five-star resorts – is a self-contained and quaint village that is well manicured, lush, secure and efficiently run. Beginning 2015, Club Med Bali has also been Green Globe-certified for its initiative in collaborating with a non-governmental organisation to assist local farmers to cultivate essential produce that can also be supplied to Club Med Bali in order to help boost their income, thus contributing towards Bali’s real economy. Club Med Bali is a 14-hectare property with 393 rooms. Being part of the Club Med group, the property offers premium all-inclusive holiday, meaning that food, drinks, transfers, facilities, instructors, sports, activities and more are all included in the package, therefore guests do not need to worry about making payments, except when making purchases at the Club Med Boutique, spa and participating in special tours that are not part of the package. Lately, Club Med has added more options to cater to families. Major parts of Club Med Bali such as the 87 Deluxe Rooms, Main Bar, Agung restaurant, The Deck, and the Zen Pool, have all been renovated to incorporate international and smart contemporary design that marries modernity with Balinese characteristics. Guests are recommended to stay at the Deluxe Rooms since each of them is located on the accessible ground floor and comes with a generous 50 square-metre smartly designed terrace.

In line with Club Med’s premium all-inclusive approach, vacationing at Club Med Bali is hassle-free, fuss-free and provides peace of mind, especially when it comes to food and beverages – it seems like guests can literally dine and imbibe throughout much of their waking hours. For breakfast, lunch and dinner taken during regular hours, all guests are feted to a sumptuous buffet at the Agung Restaurant, and for drinks they can head to Club Med’s Main Bar, considered as the resort’s de facto watering hole. For late lunch or late dinner, guests can make way to the suavely designed restaurant called The Deck (Club Med’s first gourmet restaurant in Asia), which serves ala carte dining – guests need to be mindful that reservation is required for late dinner. The Deck fronts the Nusa Dua public beach, allowing guests to indulge in people-watching through the outlet’s glass wall panels when dining. Club Med Bali essentially exists to serve families and active couples. The property offers something for each member of the family, including grandparents, to have meaningful holiday because there are many activities to suit each family member, all located in one secure and safe location. Here, parents or guardians are able to have time for themselves, knowing that their children are safe and in the good hands of Club Med’s well trained and experienced Gentil Organisateurs (G.O.s) who hail from many parts of the world. Mothers surely can have more ‘me time’ so that they can recharge and become new to face life again.

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Babies from as young as four months old up to 17 years of age are looked after by G.O.s who engage them with fun-filled activities. Parents or guardians could simply leave their babies and toddlers from 8:30 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. at the Baby Club (for those who are four months to under 23 months old) or Petite Club (two to four years old), provided that the parents or guardians make arrangements one day earlier because Club Med Bali assigns one babysitter per baby (extra baby-sitting services are chargeable). Children of four to 10 years of age belong to the Mini Club where the G.O.s are readily on hand to receive them. Teenagers (11 to 17 years old) will get the chance to play on their own â&#x20AC;&#x201C; but still under the watchful eyes of the G.O.s â&#x20AC;&#x201C; at the Junior Club. Parents who wish to be with their children during the day can spend time with them at the Family Zone. By the way, parents or guardians who are in need of a break can simply run to the sanctuary provided by the only-18-and-above Zen Pool after leaving their children with the G.O.s. Speaking of the Zen Pool, it is now one of my favourite places in Club Med Bali. Even though I do not indulge in suntanning, I find that lazing on one of the huge swinging lounges that double up as day beds by this ever-so-sexy pool is definitely a must. Even though

Club Med Bali hosts families with energetic children and active individuals who travel solo or as couples or in groups, the property still has many pockets of peace and serenity that allow for self-reflection and recharge. The Zen Pool is definitely one of them. Though Club Med Bali has achieved so much in terms of design, culinary choices and activities, it does not intend to rest on its laurels. Club Med has repackaged Club Med Baliâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s offerings by further developing unique signature experiences for guests to enjoy such as yoga by the sea, surfing camp, arts and crafts studio, family golf, and interesting excursions such as racing along the beach on four-wheel drive or cycling through rice fields. On top of that, after having a fun-filled day, guests and their children will never get bored at night because Club Med Bali also showcases exciting and jaw-dropping circus performances by the multi-talented G.O.s, making guests experience more memorable and fulfilling. Club Med Bali also holds night parties and live music for all family members to uninhibitedly let their hair down and have fun.

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In conclusion, Club Med Bali is a highly recommended value-for-money holiday destination suitable for the entire family, including couples and singles because it embodies Club Med’s mantra, which is to create bonds among families and friends by providing them a notably happy place. Travellers are bound to love Club Med’s premium all-inclusive holiday concept because it allows travellers to enjoy immersive, hassle-free and cashless holiday set within a safe and secure self-contained bubble. For Club Med Bali, prices start at RM1,368 per adult for three nights’ stay in Club Room. Children under four years old stay for free, while those from four until 17 years old are only charged 60% of the adult price. For more info, visit www.clubmed.com.my. Tips: » Never take the Club Med bracelet off or lose them! The bracelet is important for the Club Med staff to identify and recognise the holder as guest. » Stay at least three nights to fully make the most of Club Med experience; if possible, best to stay up to a week or more for total relaxation and bonding. » Do not miss trying out the trapeze to live out the circus performer in you!

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Hotels & Resorts

Aiman Batang Ai: A Refreshing Take on the Land of Borneo TEXT by SHAHIDA SAKERI|IMAGES by RESPECTIVE PRODUCT OWNERS & SHAHIDA SAKERI

I came to Aiman Batang Ai Resort & Retreat under the invitation by Tourism Malaysia Sarawak Office to cover on the property that had undergone a rebranding exercise in early 2016, following a change of ownership from Hilton Hotel Kuching to Planet Borneo Lodge Management Sdn. Bhd. Truthfully, the resort was like nothing else I’ve ever stayed. Not only its architecture is impressive – the resort is modelled after a traditional Iban longhouse – but it also emphasises on giving guests a real connection to the location and its surroundings, without compromising on great hospitality and comfort. It took four hours on a bus along the bumpy road from Kuching before we arrived at Batang Ai, which is roughly 270 kilometres away. We made a couple of quick stops at the distinctive Serian and Lachau towns. The last leg of the journey required us to embark on a chartered boat (leaving to and from the resort’s jetty every 30-minutes between 9:30 a.m. and 5:30 p.m.) across the calm waters of the scenic Batang Ai Reservoir constructed in the 1980s, which I found incredibly invigorating. After thirty minutes of reverie aboard the boat, the beautiful resort that stands proud on top of the hill finally came into view. The facade swept me off my feet, but then I spoke too soon – the trip to the lobby itself required walking up the steps from the jetty (read: I don’t exercise on a regular basis). Once arrived at the resort’s well-appointed lobby, we were treated with a brief traditional Iban dance performance before retreating to our own room to freshen up and prepare for a local gastronomic experience at Nanga Mepi, the resort’s restaurant. The resort’s 11 indigenous timber longhouses containing 100 individually air-conditioned guest rooms imitating the Iban’s traditional bilek (private family room) system. 88 of these rooms are Standard

Rooms, and are part of the single-storey longhouse. It is configured to include a spacious bedroom and a large bathroom with separate enclosed shower, water closet and vanity area. However, should guests desire bigger space, they could always opt for the Duplex Suites set within the two-storey longhouse featuring living room on the first floor and bedroom on the top floor, also known as sadau (loft). Regardless of size, all rooms are rustically elegant and utilise locally sourced timber furnishings, designed to achieve a style that is both comfortable and environmentally responsible. Speaking of environmentally responsible, I realise that the whole property carefully blends into its surroundings comprising impressive tropical verdure and wildlife. It combines the aspects of traditional craftsmanship, safety and sustainability. For instance, besides its aesthetic value, the longhouses sit on stilted platforms to enable animals to roam freely underneath as they would in an undisturbed forest. And since bats are part of the ecosystem, guests may find bats guano stains on the floors at some spots around the resort, but they do not have to worry because these droppings are cleaned on regular basis. Bats are actually beneficial because they consume vast amount of insect pests and pollinate many valuable plants.

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Aiman Batang Ai Resort & Retreat was featured in CNN Travel’s Amazing Rainforest Resorts in Malaysia in November 2015 due to its eco value. But that’s not all: the resort is also ideal for incentives and functions because it possesses facilities for business and social gatherings of every kind such as the three multipurpose meeting and conference rooms that can accommodate up to 220 people at any one time. Also, its outdoor team-building and training centre can facilitate courses and programmes for pre-arranged groups at reasonable rates. In most cases, when being at Aiman Batang Ai Resort & Retreat, guests choose to laze around while immerse themselves with nature; take a dip in the swimming pool; fish at the jetty; pamper at the spa with the unique Iban massage; or simply read a good book at the tanju (veranda) overlooking the picturesque view of the man-made lake. However, since the resort is surrounded by an ecosystem known for its size, beauty and diversity, outdoorsy guests and culture buffs should take the opportunity to explore the surroundings. One of the ways to do so is by taking the nature walk around the resort, including on the 110-metre suspension bridge, which is 60 metres high above the forest floor. On a clear day, guests can even have a glimpse of the neighbouring West Kalimantan area from the bridge. But for the more intrepid travellers, I recommend a day-excursion further from the resort: a trip to one of the many real Iban longhouses nestled along the Batang (Rover) Ai area such as Nanga Sumpa. This can be done easily through the resort’s excursion desk or by booking through tour agencies like Borneo Adventure (www.borneoadventure. com), one of the most ecologically responsible and culturally sensible tour services in Borneo. The trip typically starts in the morning to give ample time for travellers to not only witness the place’s natural beauty, but also interact with local Ibans. Travellers should expect to spend around one to two hours on a longboat heading upriver to reach Nanga Sumpa (actual time depends on the weather and water level) and be prepared to get out of the longboat and help push it past a set of rapids if needed. During our trip, it was low tide, so I had my fair share of pushing and shoving our boat, which was challenging but made the whole experience more memorable. Interestingly, the longhouse at Nanga Sumpa was also the first of its kind that I’ve encountered throughout my travel experience. Instead of being welcomed by either rituals or rehearsed dance performances, the reception for our arrival was casual. We shook hands with the representative of the longhouse, then invited to sit at the ruai (common area), which was almost empty since its residents were away performing their daily tasks. The experience was more realistic and refreshing because it felt like we were visiting our neighbours instead of strangers. I soon discovered that the Nanga Sumpa longhouse and Borneo Adventure has developed a community-based tourism project that enables travellers to experience authentic native lifestyle minus the pretension and commercial pressures.

Besides visiting the longhouse, travellers to Nanga Sumpa could also swim at the Enseluai Waterfall, located another 20 to 30 minutes upriver, or explore the jungle trails with a local guide who is more than happy to show them the orang-utan nests and try their luck at spotting gibbons and even hornbills. We ended the trip to Nanga Sumpa with a picnic-styled lunch at the riverside, feasting on local dishes such as manok pansoh (chicken cooked in bamboo), midin goreng (stir-fried wild fern) and lemang (glutinous rice cooked in bamboo). In short, in choosing a getaway destination with a strong sense of place and allows travellers to totally be immersed in local culture and nature, Aiman Batang Ai Resort & Retreat is definitely the place that will charm travellers near and far…

Arriving & Departing The route served between Kuala Lumpur and Kuching has three airlines operating non-stop flights: Malaysia Airlines, AirAsia and Malindo Air, which takes around 1 hour and 45 minutes.

When in Kuching Dine at My Village Barok Restaurant, Kampung Boyan Despite many visits to Kuching in the past, I couldn’t believe that I’ve never eaten here until recently. The local delicacies served here are simply amazing! This entire restaurant is set in a traditional wooden barok – a circular-shaped head-house of the Bidayuh community – giving a unique dining experience for its patrons. The restaurant opens daily from 4:30 p.m. until 11:30 p.m. (they close at midnight on Fridays and Saturdays). Stay at Merdeka Palace Hotel & Suites… Situated in front of the iconic Padang Merdeka, the hotel needs no introduction: this historic landmark has played host to many high powered figures and celebrities due to its great hospitality since opening. It is conveniently located close to the Sarawak Museum, Plaza Merdeka, Main Bazaar and the Waterfront. The hotel also has four equally wonderful food and beverage outlets; however, it is the hotel’s award-winning Italian restaurant – Ristorante Beccari – which has won the hearts of many, the place where diners can enjoy wood-fired pizzas and gourmet Italian dishes while appreciating the Baroque-inspired setting, especially the painting called ‘The Pasta Eater’ that hangs high on the wall. …Or stay at Grand Margherita Hotel Grand Margherita certainly has the best location in the city, with plenty of attractions surrounding the property and also an unrivalled view of the picturesque Sarawak River and the long-established Malay villages along its banks. The hotel boasts 288 comfortably furnished rooms and equipped with an outdoor swimming pool, cardio exercise room and business centre.

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Merdeka Palace Hotel & Suites Grand Margherita Hotel

Gaya Travel team extends our heartfelt gratitude to Tourism Malaysia Sarawak, Aiman Batang Ai Resort & Retreat, Borneo Adventure, Merdeka Palace Hotel & Suites and Grand Margherita Hotel for the great hospitality and making our trip to Sarawak a wonderful and edifying experience.

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Hotels & Resorts

Hidden Hills Villas: Hidden Gem Uncovered TEXT by NAWAR ANISAH ARKAAN|IMAGES by HIDDEN HILLS VILLAS

Hidden Hills Villas is a resort set in the ethereal charm of the Islands of the Gods that is a mere 20 minutes from the Ngurai Rai International Airport in Denpasar. Nestled amidst the Pecatu hilltop, it comprises ten exclusive bedrooms set within six individually-themed private luxury villas. It is also a stone’s throw away from the magical Uluwatu temple and the island’s best surfing spots and beaches, yet feels far away from the hustle and bustle of the touristy southern peninsula. One has got to be fair now and admit that it is not difficult to look for a decent place to stay when you are in Bali. You have plenty of places to choose, making things unbearably difficult at times. If you are still toying with the idea of where to stay, especially when you decide to spend your stay in the surfers’ paradise known as Uluwatu, look no further than one of the latest additions to the landscape - aptly named the Hidden Hills Villas. Hidden Hills is that small, quaint little paradise that most of us dream about. When one is in paradise, there is really no need to go about elsewhere and flock to the hyped up and trendy beach bars scattered around Uluwatu for a glimpse of that famous sunset. All of these experiences are what Hidden Hills Villa offers to each of its guests because each villa offers an unobstructed view of the ocean and the spectacular million-dollar sunset. Try going in and out of the pool until you wrinkle up your fingers, then lay down on the lounge, sip your favourite drink with music playing in the background while feeling the warmth of the sun gently fade away from your face during the sunset – this might be how heaven feels like. Poised on the magnificent southwestern ‘Bukit’ tip of Bali with 180-degree unobstructed view of the highly acclaimed Uluwatu sunset, Hidden Hills Villas is the epitome of luxury and hospitality that is within reach. When the Gaya Travel team arrived at the property, it was already in the wee hours of the night. Muscle cramps, throbbing headache and a slight wave of hunger hit us. At that time, the thrill in our quest to discover our little sanctuary was waning. But it was actually a big relief because in the absence of reception area, we were attended by a butler who guided us directly to our villa - no cumbersome check-in procedures required.

Remarkable villas Once arrived at our villa, as the butler opened the wooden rustic door, we were welcomed by a lovely scent that lingered in the air, subtle but sweet. We were told that the scent come from the local flowers placed in the living room called Sedap Malam, which release the scent only during the night. That really put us at ease almost immediately, allowing the magic of the villa to immerse us. The next thing that caught our eyes were the stark contrast of the blue and white interiors, befitting the name of the villa, which is called Villa Santorini, referring to one of the most iconic destinations of the world, the island of Santorini in Greece. It was as though a small part of Greece was lifted from its origins and landed in the villa. The butler showed us around the villa, how to operate the range of electronic appliances such as the espresso machine, the smart TV with pre-loaded movies and music, and wireless speakers – unfortunately all of those fell on our deaf ears. The overwhelming ambience does that to you, really. Almost every single inch of the villa was remarkable. It was indeed a home away from home.

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From Greek to Chinese, Moroccan to Persian and traditional Balinese to modern contemporary, each of the Hidden Hills Villas embodies influences unique to these cultures, reflected through their furniture and décor. The names of the villas are derived from the destinations of the represented cultures such as the one-bedroom Villa Santorini (Greek-influenced); the one-bedroom Villa Marrakesh (Moroccan-influenced); the two-bedroom Villa Sekapa (Indonesian-influenced); the two-bedroom Villa Sanya (Chinese-influenced); and the palatial three-bedroom Villa Grande (Balinese influence with contemporary panache). Each of these villas boasts a large private pool, garden and living room, customised butler service, en-suite bathrooms, kitchen and dining areas, and spectacular views of the Indian Ocean, mountains and beyond. The sixth edifice is the traditional Javanese joglo, which is a teak antique house that doubles as a yoga pavilion and a spa serviced by internationally trained therapists aimed at guests seeking rejuvenation in a tranquil lush setting. For those seeking a spectacular cliff-side wedding with magnificent ocean views as the backdrop to exchange marital vows, an open area in front of Villa Marrakesh can cater for up to 40 guests, making the perfect setting for a timeless wedding. From using recycled timber and powering areas in the resort through solar panels, Hidden Hills Villas is committed to preserving the natural environment that surrounds it. The Hidden Hills Villas’ state-of-the-art professional kitchen helmed by Chef Putra is ever ready to serve up delicious breakfast, lunch and dinner, catering to every taste and gourmet-dining wish – be it a romantic candle light dinner, a lazy breakfast in the living room, sunset drinks on the veranda or even barbecue in the villas’ private garden.

Founded by passionate family, served by passionate staff Hidden Hills Villas is a mother-and-son run villa resort in Bali, Indonesia, situated in the remarkable hills of Uluwatu. Founders Beatrice and Max Loong have developed a stunning and luxurious property spanning a total of six different boutique villas that encompass a variety of 1, 2 and 3 bedrooms. Beatrice worked for 23 years in the art world serving renowned establishments such as the Christie’s Auction House to the Swiss Institute of Art Science. Beatrice had a vision of bringing inspirations from different parts of the world to Bali, which is why you will find that each villa at Hidden Hills has its own character and style influenced from various locations around the globe such as the Mediterranean, Morocco, China, Switzerland, Iran and traditional Balinese. We were told that not only does she want the villas to feel original, she also wants to provide the guests with adequate space, their own private pool and a semi-butler service to tend to their needs. Her son Max knew he had an interest in hospitality when he was influenced by his late father, who was a graduate of Lucerne Hotel Management School and had worked in food and beverage, hotel and restaurant management all his life. As a result of his various businesses, Max has had the opportunity to fly around the world and experience some of the top hotels and resorts one can imagine. He has brought his personal experience back to Hidden Hills Villas to implement into what he calls a fresh, new, more customised and unique approach to hospitality. Hidden Hills Villas started off as a passion project and continues today as such. The duo have done everything with love, handpicking each and every material, that grace the resort. They were also extremely hands on during the resort’s construction. When staying at Hidden Hills Villas, guests will be quick to notice that the service provided at the property comes from the heart. The staff are highly trained to cater to guests’ needs, while injecting a personalised touch unique to each member of the Hidden Hills Villas family. This includes complimentary airport pick-up and drop-off, chauffeur for the Bukit area, complimentary breakfasts and a special commitment to the care and happiness of each guest. Guests are definitely in good hands when they stay at Hidden Hills Villas… www.hiddenhillsvillas.com

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Hotels & Resorts

The Danna Langkawi: Where Sweet Memories are Made TEXT by SHAHIDA SAKERI|IMAGES by THE DANNA LANGKAWI

Nestled well on the edge of Telaga Harbour – a gateway and destination for many yachts plying the region – is the beautiful Malaysian hotel called The Danna Langkawi, a luxury retreat for honeymooners, retirees, writers and sophisticated fellow travellers. Its southwest location of the island brings more serenity since it is away from the madding crowd in Kuah, yet not too distant from Langkawi’s main attractions: nature, adrenaline-pumping activities and of course, shopping! For these reasons, and the some, The Danna Langkawi makes an ideal getaway for ladies, and let me tell you why...

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I’ve had the pleasure of visiting The Danna Langkawi with my friend, Maya, for a brief weekend. Our ‘The Danna Experience’ began as soon as we stepped out of the Langkawi International Airport arrival hall and spotted the hotel’s representatives waiting for us smilingly with a small yet strikingly beautiful wooden sign that says ‘The Danna’. Our luggages were swiftly put into a sedan, and each of us received cold towel and chilled mineral water to cool ourselves from the island’s sweltering weather. Once we were at The Danna Langkawi, the check-in process was appreciatively smooth and quick, done at an area different than the check-out desks. We also received complimentary signature welcome drinks concocted from lime, clove and apple juice. And when we thought that was the only welcome treatment that we would receive, Maya and I were pleasantly surprised by the complimentary 3-minute back massage given to us by the hotel’s expert masseuses, turning on our holiday mood. The Danna Langkawi scores high when it comes to first impressions. The opulent and elegant lobby impresses guests when they first set their eyes on it. Between the marble floors, high ceilings, towering columns and antique furnishings, the space seems the perfect place to

hold Downton Abbey’s Crawley Family ball. I personally love the huge wall art with traditional motifs hanging proudly behind the check-out desks. The space is distinctively colonial and palatial in design. There is also a wide centre courtyard near the lobby too. The accommodation units at The Danna Langkawi are given high attention to details inspired from Langkawi’s rich history. There are 125 spacious rooms and suites, all elegantly bedecked with warm hues and a hint of maroon. They also come with floor-to-ceiling glass panels and private balconies to let guests admire the different views that the hotel faces: the emerald sea water with sandy beach; stunning marina; lush forest; or the courtyard garden. Mine was the Viceroy room with the view of the beach plus the massive three-tiered infinity pool. Guests at the hotel can expect the amenities of a five star accommodation: tea- and coffee-making facilities, safe, LCD television, DVD player, complimentary WiFi, custom-designed pillow-top mattress and oversized feathered pillow and duvet. The bathroom is equally superb, lavishly designed with marble floor and rich warm wood finishing. There is also separate shower and bath tub, French Connection toiletries and His & Hers vanity – which in our case, Hers & Hers – that provide ample space for our long list of vanity items.

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The breakfast spread here is also lavish, ranging from Malay, Chinese and Indian to Western menu. The complimentary ‘Eye Opener’ shot that the hotel gives to all guests every morning made from pineapple juice, yogurt and lime is fantastic in beating away morning blues. Besides breakfast, The Danna Langkawi also offers outstanding offerings for lunch and dinner. We suggest that readers try out the Tiffin set at the restaurant called The Planter’s for an authentic Malaysian gastronomic experience, featuring chicken curry, stir-fried vegetables, sweet-sour prawns and daging masak lemak cili padi (braised beef with chilli and coconut milk) served in traditional tiffin style. Should guests prefer Western cuisine, The Planter’s also serves up signature lamb and beef tenderloin, both properly marinated, tender and oh so juicy. Another vibrant food and beverage outlet called Straits & Co offers quintessential British-Malayan cuisine in a more casual ambience, decorated with colourful Peranakan tiles and ceramic vases. It also has an outdoor dining area with wooden patio, daybeds and lo-slung tables shaded by curtained gazebos. If guests were unsure what to order, trust the staff and go along with their recommendation. In my case, I was attended by an amicable staff named Fuad, who recommended me the lip-smacking Pumpkin Ravioli Marina after learning that I love pasta. Talking about Fuad and the staff, what struck me the most about them is their impeccable service, many of whom have worked at the hotel for many years. They account for much of the hotel’s appeal: charmingly attentive, dedicated and even witty. I was a bit sceptical at first when they remembered our names, thinking that it might be specifically because we were from the media. When Fuad was asked about this, he simply said “Ini kan hotel Malaysia, layanan harus penuh mesra dan tertib untuk mencerminkan nilai-nilai Malaysia yang melayan tetamu seperti keluarga (Since this is a Malaysian hotel, our service needs to reflect the Malaysian values, which is to treat guests like family)” – I couldn’t agree more. In terms of other facilities, The Danna Langkawi boasts a cosy library, a billiard room with board games, a gym with state-of-the-art equipment and the largest three-tiered infinity pool on the island, measuring 51.2 by 15 metres, including an outdoor Jacuzzi and children’s area. Since Maya and I enjoy lounging by the pool with good books, we spent a significant amount of time there. We felt touched when the staff handed us complimentary iced water and light snacks without being asked whenever we were there. Another thing that we loved was the spa; after all, a ladies’ getaway wouldn’t be complete without a proper self-pampering session. There are expert therapists at The Danna Spa who provide various treatments from massages to body wraps, facials for Him or Her, eye treatment, scrub, hands and feet care, romantic rituals for couples and even chil-

dren-friendly treatments, all using pure and natural products such as Tanamera and Pevonia. Prior to treatment, guests will be asked to choose a selection of signature blended oils such as Serenity (a blend of safflower seed, grapeseed and lavender essential oils to instantly alleviate stress and promote relaxation); Recovery (safflower seed, grapeseed and eucalyptus essential oils for warming and healing benefits); Vitality (safflower seed, grapeseed and rosemary essential oil for energising and revitalising effects); and finally Clarity (safflower seed and grapeseed oils for unscented massage experience). Maya and I opted for The Danna’s signature massage, Traditional Malay Urut (RM290 for 60 minutes per person/ RM390 for 90 minutes per person), in one of the couple rooms overlooking the postcard-perfect view of the marina. The massages were effective and left us feeling more limber and relaxed; they were so good that Maya ended booking another slot for the next day! Unfortunately, we didn’t have time to experience another ladies-friendly activity here: the private yoga session that can be personalised to suit all levels, from introductory exploration to advanced practice. Fees are RM200 per person per hour or RM280 per couple per hour. While such extraordinary facilities might make guests prefer to be sequestered at the hotel throughout their stay, The Danna Langkawi also offers an extensive list of activities for guests to explore the surrounding areas and beyond. To the delight of bird-watchers, the island is home to 230 species of birds, of which one third are migrants. Other activities include jungle-trekking, nature-cycling, island tour (shopping included!), island-hopping, scuba-diving, snorkelling, fishing, cruising, sailing, jet-ski touring, mangrove touring and golfing. Overwhelmed by the choices? Then simply proceed to the excursion desk and let the experts help you with the planning. As a parting gift, all guests receive a small box of handmade chocolates to remind them of all the sweet memories made at The Danna Langkawi. All things considered, The Danna Langkawi is undoubtedly irresistible and sensuous, just like that box of chocolates, which appeals to the discerning career ladies (and also gentlemen) seeking memorably sweet weekend getaway amidst lush greenery and picturesque landscape. And with such reputation, no wonder the hotel has been winning TripAdvisor Travellers’ Choice Awards since 2013, including the ‘The No.1 Hotel in Malaysia’ and ‘The No.1 Luxury Hotel in Malaysia’ respectively. Check the hotel’s website to find the best deals on promotion. The Danna Langkawi PO Box 236, Telaga Harbour Park Pantai Kok 07000 Langkawi, Kedah Tel: +6 04 959 3288 Web: www.thedanna.com

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Hotels & Resorts

Refresh, Refuel and Recharge at Oasia Suites Kuala Lumpur TEXT by SHAHIDA SAKERI|IMAGES by OASIA SUITES KL

When Siti arrived at Oasia Suites Kuala Lumpur, she was already exhausted. Not only her shoulders were tight and her back hurt, her mind also felt sluggish. She had a couple of long weeks prior to her arrival; days filled with meetings, running errands, catching a deadline and other commitments, to which at one point she realised that she needed to offload the tension, rebalance her life and escape the hurriedness. Hence, a staycation at the Oasia Suites Kuala Lumpur was strongly warranted.

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Located within the Kuala Lumpur Golden Triangle, just beside the Kuala Lumpur Tower and KL Forest Eco Park, the hotel is secluded enough to act as a hideaway, yet so accessible to endless entertainment and dining options in case someone like Siti changes her mind about hiding away and needs her daily dose of urban energy instead. As a matter of fact, the hotel’s location connects the best of both worlds seamlessly. As Siti parked her car at one of the many parking lots and stepped into the well-lit lobby, she immediately thought to herself, “Perhaps, it is a good idea after all to come here.” As the receptionist smoothly checked her in, fresh coconut water was handed to her by another staff while she admired the simple clean space characterised by burnished metal wall pieces, warm wood floors and humongous pillars cladded in wooden-coloured slats. She then proceeded to her room, which was a spacious and contemporary One-Bedroom Premier Suite that segregates the bedroom living from the living room. The suite is embellished in subtle hues, with floor-to-ceiling windows that allowed her to appreciate the city’s skyscrapers and the sprawling greenery of the adjacent park – having a soft spot for architecture and nature, such view was a bliss. On top of that, like all rooms and suites at the Oasia Suites Kuala Lumpur, hers was complete with a kitchenette, washing machine and dryer, including high-speed Wi-Fi connectivity – she wondered whether she should stay longer than the weekend considering the efficient facilities makes for a pleasant long stay. Besides her room, she also loved the hotel’s serene swimming pool set in a tropical garden-like atmosphere located on the top floor. In this urban oasis, she swam a few laps, took a dip in the Jacuzzi, did poolside yoga and simply lazed around on the white pool lounges with a good book. She also though that the 24-hour gym was not bad either, which is a light-filled space due to the expansive windows that afford broad views of the city – she even glimpsed over the iconic Kuala Lumpur Tower as she was huffing and puffing on the treadmill. There is also two meeting rooms located on the same floor, which she intended to introduce to her colleagues should they require an ideal space for meetings and discussions. As in many areas of the hotel, the meeting rooms receive ample natural light that certainly help people to think clearer and focus better. The food – being the crucial part of any hotel stay – served at Kafe Oasia is remarkably healthy yet tasty. Since the ingredients are sourced from environmentally-responsible suppliers, Siti could tell that the team in the kitchen accords respect to those ingredients and converts them into delectable dishes. Since she was not there to be stressed out on whether she would gain weight or not by eating too much good food, Siti decided to focus more on the ways to burn the calories to keep her body fit instead. A walk seemed appropriate – she de-

cided to explore the nearby forest reserve called the KL Forest Eco Park, which happens to be Kuala Lumpur’s only surviving natural rainforest. KL Forest Eco Park is the lung of Kuala Lumpur, covering over nine hectares of land that is home to 223 tree species, 12 animal species and 25 bird species. To Siti, the highlight of the forest reserve was the 200-metre long canopy walkway hanging 21 metres above the forest floor that brought a truly unique perspective of the forest, the animals that live among the trees and the city. She loved it there; there was no hurriedness, no negative distractions. At last, she felt at ease. Siti stopped by at the Kuala Lumpur Tower on her way back to the hotel, to experience its latest attraction (why not?), the cantilevered Sky Box that extends out from the tower’s ledge 300 metres up in the air, boasting unsurpassed view of the city and beyond. She stayed until dusk and saw the city beautifully breathing different life as lights began to twinkle from the distance. That night, after the longest time ever, she slept well. As Siti returned the access cards to the receptionist during her check-out, she can’t help but feeling lighter, more relaxed and great about herself. The hotel is indeed an oasis, a sanctuary in the middle of Kuala

Lumpur. If you feel like how Siti felt – exhausted and detached – then Oasia Suites Kuala Lumpur might just be the remedy you seek. However, even if you are as fit as a fiddle, Oasia Suites Kuala Lumpur is also for you because of the brand targets guests who take wellness and well-being seriously – its world class facilities attest to the brand’s commitment in the form of excellent gym and pool, including healthy food and beverages. Book a stay at Oasia Suites Kuala Lumpur to have a Journey Well experience through Oasia Suites’ three wellness pillars: Refresh, Refuel and Recharge. And while you’re at it, try asking for Room 1216 that has one of the best views in the city. Room rates at Oasia Suites Kuala Lumpur start at RM420++ per night. Oasia Suites Kuala Lumpur 10, Lorong P. Ramlee 50250 Kuala Lumpur Email: info.oskl@fareast.com.sg Reservations: +65 6881 8888 Web: www.stayfareast.com/en/hotels/oasia-suites-kuala-lumpur

Gaya Special Feature: Legoland® Malaysia Resort

LEGOLAND® Malaysia Resort introduces LEGO® NINJAGO™ The Ride

This cutting edge new 4D indoor ride promises to be a real game-changer

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Come November, LEGOLAND® Malaysia Resort is introducing a brand new attraction called LEGO® NINJAGO™ The Ride, a RM40 million indoor ride using cutting-edge technology that allows visitors to throw lightning bolts, move shockwaves, send ice soaring and emit fire balls. Visitors will be able to control the outcome of their adventure through the power of their hands without using any hand-held device powered by Maestro™ hand gesture technology. This ride – set to be opened in November 2016 – will be housed in a brand new section of the Park called NINJAGO™ World and expected to become a real game-changer to the theme park experience. The attraction is a 4D dark ride inspired by the popular LEGO® line of NINJAGO™ toys and related TV series. Riders play as Ninja warriors in training under the guidance of NINJAGO™ character Master Wu to vanquish a legion of enemies from snake tribes, ghosts and skeletons to the Great Devourer. Through 3D imagery, high-tech sensors and the use of hand movements in striking motion, up to four riders per car can act like ninja warriors blasting animated fireballs, lightning, shockwaves and ice as they travel through dojos to master their skills before heading into battle. Riders collect points for their training and battle efforts. Scores are displayed when their quest is completed. 4D effects such as heat, smoke and wind are also incorporated throughout the adventure, giving guests the ultimate interactive experience. LEGOLAND® Parks is the first in the world to leverage on this cutting-edge technology. The first NINJAGO™ The Ride was launched earlier this year in Billund, Denmark, followed by the California Resort in April, then Malaysia, being the first in Asia. This ride is also the largest additional investment since the opening of the LEGOLAND® Malaysia Resort after the launch of its Theme Park, Hotel and Water Park. LEGO® NINJAGO™ The Ride reaffirms LEGOLAND® Malaysia Resort’s commitment in ensureing that guests get the most exciting LEGO® experience powered by state of the art technology. As such, it has been garnering awards and recognition such as the Best Tourist Attraction in the ManMade Attraction category for the year of 2014/2015 during the prestigious Malaysia Tourism Awards and ranked No.1 in the TripAdvisor® Traveller’s Choice Award 2016 as the first choice family hotel in Malaysia.

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LEGO, the LEGO logo, the Brick and Knob configurations, the Minifigure, the NINJAGO and LEGOLAND are trademarks of the LEGO Group. Â©2016 The LEGO Group. LEGOLAND IS A PART OF THE MERLIN ENTERTAINMENTS GROUP.

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PARKROYAL Serviced Suites Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

www.parkroyalhotels.com/en/serviced-suites/malaysia/kuala-lumpur 1. Name all the suites that are available at the hotel. 2. What are the top three tourist attractions located within 10 minutes of walking distance from the hotel? 3. List out the two award categories that the hotel won during the TripAdvisor Travellers’ Choice Hotel Awards 2016. 4. I love to stay at PARKROYAL Serviced Suites Kuala Lumpur because... 130

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Sheraton Bali Kuta Resort, Indonesia

www.sheratonbalikuta.com 1. What is the name of the mall that the resort is located next to? 2. List three of Shine Spa’s signature treatments. 3. How many categories of rooms are there at the resort? 4. I love to stay at Sheraton Bali Kuta Resort because…

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Travel Anecdotes

Mimi Mashud IMAGE by MIMI MASHUD

Mimi Mashud in her own words:

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My name is Mimi Mashud - freelance illustrator slash comic artist. I have been a freelance illustrator for about seven years. Few years back, I got really inspired reading Craig Thompson’s Carnet de Voyage, Guy Delisle’s Jerusalem and Florent Chavouet’s Tokyo on Foot, and figured no one (as far as I know) except for Dato’ Lat, is producing this kind of content locally. I have written/drawn two travelogue-comics to date, Beijing in 5 Days and Kuala Terengganu in 7 Days. They are published by Maple Comics. (http://www.maplecomics.com.my) I am currently working on my third travelogue-comic, Korea in 11 Days, based on a trip I made in October 2015. That thing has been taking me forever. I’d be a professional procrastinator too, if one could get paid from doing that. I am planning to travel to Japan in November 2016. (And make another comic book out of it? And then procrastinate for another year? Who knows! Life is full of rhetorical questions!)

MIMI on Travels . My favourite destination(s): Japan (soon!). Spain (Barcelona and Andalusia). Korea (I really

like it there, would love to go again.) . My favourite season: Spring. It is the season that has my ideal temperature: 24 degree celcius. . My In-flight regime: I’m still nervous about flying. Usually I draw or read to pass the time. . My must-have(s) in the carry-on: Sketchbook. Pens. A book. iPad mini. (It’s quite a heavy carry-on.) . My worst nightmare during travel: The worst thing I’ve encountered during travel so far is communal showers, so I’m thankful. . My favourite Malaysian spot(s): Pulau Perhentian. Pulau Tioman. Kuala Terengganu. Bandar Baru Bangi. . My best meal taken in Malaysia: this is an impossible question. Malaysia is the land of good food. . Malaysia is special because… it is home. . Backpack or suitcase? Backpack . Independent travel or organised tour? Independent travel . Solo or group travel? I don’t trust my navigational sense enough to travel solo. I would love to try it someday though. . Aisle or window seat? Window. A difficult choice when you’re the kind who needs to pee all the time. . See it all or take it easy? Depends. How expensive is the trip? My kiasu-ness is directly proportional with the trip cost. . Everywhere I go, I will check out the… coffee. . In a case of flight delay, I… fidget. And draw. . I always bring home… overpriced souvenirs. . I travel for… a break in the routine. (and comics!)

MIMI in 30seconds . Night owl or early-riser? Somewhere in between.

. Best way to decompress: Go for a run

. Back to nature or city slicker? Both

. One book everyone should read? Can I say mine?

. What is the last thing you Googled? Andalusia. To make sure it’s in the right country. Because I needed to put it in this interview.

. What’s on your playlist right now?

Let Me Be Your Girl - Rachael Yamagata

. What is the moment you’re most proud?

Probably when I self-published my first travelogue-comic.

. What’s your biggest pet peeve?

Oh, this list is unhealthily long.

. Whose brain would you like to have had? A brain of a person who can draw and write effortlessly, and isn’t plagued by various insecurities. Who is this person? Does he/she exist? . Life is too short to... worry too much about interview answers. (as I’ve been doing, and taking me more than 30 seconds)