GTN 12.5

Gaya Travel P U B L I S H E R S Gaya Peninsular Global Ventures | Kumpulan Media Chandi | Sirron Galeria Sdn Bhd | Suri Media Sdn Bhd A D V I S O R S Dato’ Sri Azmi Ismail | Yusoff Awang | Kerk Chan C H I E F E X E C U T I V E O F F I C E R Nuar @ Md Nor Md Diah M A N A G I N G D I R E C T O R S G S B Irnee Norris Ishak P R O G R A M M E S , O P E R AT I O N S & R E L AT I O N S D I R E C T O R Shamsul Bahrin Zainuzzaman G E N E R A L M A N A G E R K T S B Kerk Chan F I N A N C E D I R E C T O R K T S B Pon Lim F I N A N C E & A C C O U N T I N G K T S B Joanna Teo | Julia Han P R O D U C T I O N M A N A G E R Catherine Kh’ Ng D I S T R I B U T I O N M A N A G E R An An Sung A D M I N , B U S I N E S S D E V E L O P M E N T & M A R K E T I N G M A N A G E R Ahmad Furqaan Hod T R A F F I C M A N A G E R S Anthony De Costa G O V E R N M E N T R E L AT I O N S M A N A G E R S Suhaila Ahmad A D V E R T I S I N G M A N A G E R S Ameerah Abdullah | Datin Sharifah Salmah P R & E V E N T A S S O C I AT E Adela Roslan

E D I T O R - I N - C H I E F Juhan Kamaruddin @ Jeremy Khalil C R E AT I V E E D I T O R Irina Norris Ishak C O N T R I B U T I N G E D I T O R Irnee Norris Ishak O N L I N E E D I T O R Ed Junaidi Abu Bakar D I G I TA L W R I T E R Muhammad Hasif Mohd Jelani W R I T E R Shahida Sakeri 010

D E S I G N E R Imaya I L L U S T R AT O R Emila Yusof C O N T R I B U T O R S Tourism Malaysia | Mohd Shahril Fawzy | Farah Nadiah P H O T O G R A P H E R S Photography Unit, Gaya Travel | Zarif Ikmal |

Corporate Communications Unit, Ministr y of Tourism & Culture Malaysia | Photography Unit, Tourism Malaysia

PA R T N E R S & S U P P O R T E R S

M E D I A R E P R E S E N TAT I V E S London | Singapore | Jakarta | Bandung | Medan | Brunei | Thailand | India | Sydney | Ha Noi | Paris

P R I N T I N G Biz Prints Sdn Bhd D I S T R I B U T I O N MPH (Malaysia & Singapore) | FMCG International Copyright @ 2017 Gaya Peninsular Global Ventures| Chandi Media Group | Sirron Galeria Sdn Bhd | Suri Media Sdn Bhd | Chandi Enterprise All rights reserved.

Reproduction in whole or in part without permission from the publisher and editor is strictly prohibited. All information is accurate at time of press but subject to change. The publisher and its employees cannot be held liable for any error, inaccuracy and/or admissions whatsoever caused. Liability would not be accepted for any action taken based on the views expressed or information provided in this publication.

Contents ISSUE 12.5

Cover Illustration by Emila Yusof

w w w. iss uu. co m /gayatrave l

Departments

14. Editorial Jottings 16. Bulletin

Gaya Special Feature

25. #SayangMalaysia 112. Cooking Demonstration by Ibu Dhian:

Of Togetherness, Unity, and over 300 years Legacy

Gaya Traveller 012

27. Taiwan take Three

Gaya Dine & Cafe 36.

38.

Dining 40 Floors Above the Ground at TRACE Restaurant and Bar Seafood Chow Down Fest in Little Paris, JB

Gaya Shop 40.

Four Brands that will Step Up Your Travel #OOTD Game

Gaya Spa 42.

Beating the Soreness Away, Literally…

www.emilayusof.com

Destinations

44. Imbak Canyon Conservation Area Sabah’s

Primeval Jewel 50. Selangor’s Passion Expressed through Crafts

from the Heart 55. Loving the Age-Old Legacies 60. Tasik Kenyir: Terengganu’s Ultimate Hinterland Getaway 66. Start-in-Tioman 2017 70. Savouring Indonesia’s Spice Islands 76. Shop, Dine and Jaunt where the East meets West!

82. Doing MICE in Switzerland Part 1: Lugano, Ticino 90. Lost Under the Clouds of North Sumatra 94. A Night Above the Clouds in Wae Rebo 100. Up-and-Coming Non-Hedonistic Escapade:

Banda Aceh & Pulau Weh 108. In Brief: Universiti Malaya Tropical Camp

Hotels & Resorts

114. One World Hotel: Accessible Top-Notch Staycation Destination 118. Aloft KL Sentral: Cracking the Millennial Code 124. Village Hotels: Mirrors of Tradition and Pride 128. Bhainsrorgarh Fort: A Magnificent Heritage Stay in

The Heart of Rajasthan

Travel Anecdotes 132. Fahmi Esmail

Editorial Jottings

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When we put together this issue, we were not sure what would be the common thread that binds the stories together. From Imbak Canyon in Sabah (page 44) to Switzerland (page 82), the destinations covered in this issue are varied and wide. However, we finally managed to come to one conclusion: that all of the destinations covered in this issue are just downright exotic.

In Malaysia, besides the primeval Imbak Canyon, our team members also wrote up on the unique Selangor craft-makers (page 50); age-old legacies of Perak (page 55); the mystifying Kenyir Lake and surroundings (page 60); legendary Tioman island in conjunction with the annual Start-in-Tioman 2017

event (page 66); and the edutourism programme called UM Tropical Camp conducted on the grounds of Malaysia’s foremost tertiary institution, Universiti Malaya, in Gombak (page 108). Though being Malaysians ourselves, Gaya Travel Magazine team members were awestruck to find new surprises at those destinations, indicating that there is still so much to discover and learn about the country.

Outside Malaysia, our team members have also travelled to four destinations in neighbouring Indonesia: mesmerising Medan and surroundings (page 90); sobering Banda Aceh and Pulau Weh (page 100); remote but increasingly popular Wae Rebo village on Flores (page 94); and far-flung Ambon (page 70). On top of that, other than the efficient and MICE-centric Switzerland, we also feature exuberant Taiwan (page 34) and dreamy Istanbul (page 76), both rich in heritage, culinary, shopping and stunning panoramas.

Hope you will find this issue inspiring and enriching, as well as beneficial in helping you to find your own exotic escapade that you can cherish with your family, friends and loved ones.

See you in the next issue, safe travels...

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 S U B S C R I P T I O N , E D I TO R I A L A N D A DV E RT I S I N G E N Q U I R I E S 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

The first CAMBODIA TRAVEL MART 2017 to be held in Siem Reap The Ministry of Tourism Cambodia, in collaboration with Slickbooth Holding – Events & Public Relations, officially launches the first Cambodia Travel Mart (CTM) 2017 that will be held from 17 until 19 November 2017 in Siem Reap, the gateway to the iconic ruins of Angkor.

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The event will be officiated by the Minister of Tourism Cambodia His Excellency Dr. Thong Khon.

High-ranking officers and experts from the Ministry of Tourism Cambodia, including local industry players, are also expected to attend this prestigious event.

CTM 2017 is principally approved and permitted by the Royal Government of Cambodia since 2015. The Ministry of Tourism Cambodia is tasked in organising and cooperating with the public and private organisations related to tourism.

Slickboth Holding – Event & Public Relations is an important partner to the Ministry of Tourism Cambodia in staging international tourism expos in Cambodia, supervised by TTG Asia Media & Events, a Singaporean company experienced in organising many international tourism expos over the past 30 years.

CTM 2017 is a tourism business forum that convenes over 500 tourism- and travel-related organisations comprising destination management companies, tour operators, tourism experts, national and international media. The forum is supported by tourism organisations from ASEAN state member countries to improve local and regional tourism. This special event is a golden opportunity to promote tourism destinations, trade service packages, exchange experience and forge business partnerships.

This event contains many essential

activities such as pre-online business matching, golf tournaments, workshops related to tourism and travelling, including exhibition of tourism products and services. CTM 2017 attracts over 200 national and international sellers and over 200 national and international buyers. On top of that, 50 national and international media agencies are also joining this event.

CTM is an event that testifies Cambodia’s commitment towards promoting tourism destinations of ASEAN member countries to the world and to celebrate Visit ASEAN@50 (Golden Celebration).

Dr. Thong Khon states that the peace enjoyed by Cambodia today allows for tourism to grow year after year, made possible under the leadership of Prime Minister Samdach Ahka Moha Sena Padei Techo Hun Sen. In 2016, the number of tourist arrivals visiting Cambodia increased 5%, totalling 5 million. In 2017, Cambodia expects to have 5.5 million tourist arrivals, and 7 million tourist arrivals in 2020. Thus, the first CTM event in Siem Reap is key in tourism development in Cambodia and achieve the expected goals.

CTM 2017 invites and welcomes all national and international tourism-related organisations to support and involve in this event, which is effective in enhancing the presence of their respective businesses.

World’s MOST Brilliant

Hospitality Stars to be revealed at spectacular

HAUTE GRANDEUR AWARDS GALA CEREMONY

27 October 2017 promises a night of opulence, accolades and acclaim as the Haute Grandeur Global Hotel and Spa AwardsTM honor the world’s best hospitality experiences at an illustrious Awards Gala Ceremony, hosted by Sofitel Bangkok Sukhumvit, Thailand.

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Anticipated as one of the most dazzling events on the luxury hospitality calendar, the annual Haute Grandeur Global Hotel and Spa AwardsTM Gala Ceremony commends exceptional establishments across 7 continents, 172 countries and 94 categories.

This prestigious red-carpet event is associated with status and exclusivity, drawing admired industry influencers, decision-makers and VIPs together in celebration as top luxury hospitality brands vie for the ultimate accolade in overall excellence. Leading hospitality groups represented include Anantara, Banyan Tree, Dusit Thani, Fairmont, Hilton, Mandarin Oriental, Sofitel, St Regis, The Four Seasons, The Peninsula, Rosewood, The Ritz Carlton, and Westin, among others.

The 2016 Awards took place at the Fairmont Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, with Raffles Jakarta crowned as the overall victor. This year, industry VIPs and esteemed guests can expect a stunning event hosted by a celebrity emcee, with world-class entertainment and the finest cuisine.

Haute Grandeur Award nominees are shining examples and seen as the benchmark in the industry. Association with Haute Grandeur guarantees participating establishments unrivaled recognition and prestige, and emphasizes the importance of continuously striving for excellence. “Hospitality is one of the world’s largest and fastest-growing industries. Healthy competition is crucial to the sustainability of an industry that creates so many jobs globally,” says Haute Grandeur founder and Managing Director, Marinique de Wet. “We are proud to contribute and encourage establishments worldwide to continuously excel on all levels.”

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The Haute Grandeur Awards system is unlike any other. Unbiased results are guaranteed through a fair, transparent process that recognizes brilliance by means of quality guest feedback rather than the quantity of votes by a panel of judges or the general public. This unique approach to measuring excellence is why Haute Grandeur is in a class of its own.

Each year, Haute Grandeur chooses a leading destination to host the prestigious Awards Gala Ceremony. “Selection of the perfect host destination is essential to the success of the Awards,” says De Wet. “Thai hospitality is worldrenowned and we are elated to bring this spectacular event to Thailand this year.

Bangkok won the bid to host because it is a one-of-a-kind city. With its fusion of traditional and contemporary, Bangkok is a gift for the senses. One moment you’re exploring ancient temples and floating markets, the next you’re immersed in luxurious hotels, restaurants and boutiques. With the upcoming Awards, our aim is to not only create a valuable networking opportunity, but encourage guests to experience first-hand why Thailand is among the most prosperous hospitality regions in the world. Haute Grandeur partners with the Award Gala Ceremony host to offer special rates and encourage our members to spend time in the host city.”

Sofitel Bangkok Sukhumvit, the south-east Asian flagship of Sofitel Hotels & Resorts, was chosen as the ideal host venue because of its unwavering dedication to raising the standards of service excellence in a highly competitive industry. The 32-storey state-of-the-art hotel is situated in a vibrant cosmopolitan district of Bangkok, and seamlessly blends French elegance with Thai culture to offer discerning guests a magnificent experience.

“We are honored and proud to be selected as the host property for the 2017 Haute Grandeur Awards,” says General Manager, Khun Oliver Schnatz. “This trusted Awards system reflects our commitment to excellence and recognizes the talent and ambassadors who work with unwavering dedication to excel. “We look forward to welcoming esteemed guests to this prestigious affair.”

As one of the most illustrious events of the year, the Haute Grandeur Awards Gala Ceremony is featured prominently in the media spotlight. 2017 global event partners include Etihad Airways, the Tourism Authority of Thailand, Sofitel Hotels & Resorts, and UBER.

“Our annual Awards Gala Ceremony not only provides a platform for dignitaries to celebrate their achievements,” says De Wet. “Most importantly, the Awards honor and recognize the values of dedication, ambition, leadership, hard work and success. By awarding only the best of the best, the Haute Grandeur Awards raise standards of service excellence and inspire outstanding hospitality establishments to reach even greater heights.”

Recognized as the highest accolade a hotel or spa can receive, a Haute Grandeur Award is a guaranteed golden stamp of excellence. Award winners and participating establishments are perceived as exceptional and distinguished by association.

For more information or to become a member, visit www.hautegrandeur. com

U r u t a n M a l ay s i a the

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L a u n c h e d to Propagate

Malaysian Signature Massage

On 2 October 2017, the Ministry of Tourism and Culture Malaysia (MOTAC) in collaboration with the Malaysian Association of Wellness and Spa (MAWSPA) and the Association of Malaysian Spas (AMSpa) launched the 90-minute Urutan Malaysia (The Malaysian Massage) that utilises indigenous herbs and traditional spices synonymous to the Malaysian society.

Urutan Malaysia – designed by Malaysian professionals from diferent ethnic backgrounds – integrates the therapeutic practices of the major cultures in Malaysia such as Malay, Chinese, Indian, Peranakan and Malaysian Borneo Native Tribes to portray the essence and soul of the Malaysian spirit, with emphasis on the most efficacious healing techniques, rituals, treatment recipes, setting and even music. The development of this massage took six years.

With the theme ‘Proudly Malaysian, Inspired Tradition’, Urutan Malaysia is now identified as a new Malaysian tourism attraction that has the potential in becoming one of the must-do Malaysian experiences that will gradually be deployed to all spas throughout the country, besides enriching the existing line of spa products and offerings for the pleasure of today’s consumers. Urutan Malaysia is also intended to be exported overseas so as to reach international acclaim similar to Thai and Balinese massages.

Consumers who undergo Urutan Malaysia is expected to feel energised, refreshed and relieved since the techniques employed promotes the improvement of blood and energy circulation, alleviate tense and joint stiffness, as well as reducing stress and rejuvenating the body. This massage is not expected to have no side effects on the consumers.

Through the Urutan Malaysia Train-theTrainers programme, 20 therapists who graduated from the seven designated Centres of Spa Excellence have been certified to train Urutan Malaysia. These trainers will eventually teach other therapists on the fine techniques of the massage using the signature herbal massage oil concocted from ginger, cloves, galangal and cinnamon.

The Urutan Malaysia launch was officiated by the Deputy Minister of Tourism and Culture The Honourable Datuk Mas Ermieyatie binti Samsudin.

STARBUCKS MALAYSIA and GAYA TRAVEL MAGAZINE

c e l e b r a t e d

THE PERFECT PAIRING Today, with more than 21,000 stores in 65 countries, Starbucks without a doubt has reached a global success and could even be considered as an institution. Starbucks also makes a name by supporting local businesses as a way to help boost local economy and create more enjoyable communal experiences.

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This brand knows exactly how to reach out to its audience and encourages face-to-face interactions by consistently providing comfortable and welcoming space for customers to have uninterrupted conversations. As a matter of fact, Starbucks now is not just a joint where consumers get their caffeine fix but also becomes their third place after home and office.

And there is no better pair for a perfectly-brewed cup of coffee than a good book or publication full of history, stories, inspiration or new ideas, just like how R.M. Engelhardt once wrote: “A smoke, a book, a cup of coffee. These are the little things that get us through this sometimes weary world and all the rainy days.”

Hence, in honouring this wonderful connection between coffee and publication, Starbucks Malaysia collaborated with Gaya Travel Magazine to celebrate this perfect pairing through its summer “Show Your Flavour” campaign.

Starbucks Malaysia introduced specially-crafted drinks that were inspired by the summer spirit featuring the Starbucks Irish Cream Coffee Pudding Frappucino, the Starbucks Matcha Earl Grey Jelly Frappucino, the Pop’zel Coffee Frappucino and the Coconut Strawberry Bliss Frappucino. These sweet ice-blended drinks were available at selected stores throughout the country from June to September 2017.

The campaign also saw the company working with Gaya Travel Magazine in a series of road tour promotions to encourage customers to taste the summer flavours and share travel inspirations right at the following Starbucks stores: The Curve, Damansara; Tanjung Tokong, Penang; Setia Tropika, Johor; The Mines, Seri Kembangan; and Jalan Tambun, Ipoh.

Moreover, since summer often comes as a time for exciting activities and cooling Starbucks Frappucino, both Starbucks Malaysia and Gaya Travel teams came up with multiple games and contests during this period, including ‘Creative Selfie’, ‘Catch & Locate’ and ‘Subscribers Special’ for the fans, followers and readers.

Prizes included Starbucks vouchers, three-day two-night stay vouchers at five-star hotels, GT Mobile smartphone and Gaya Travel exclusive merchandise.

Readers can learn more about the “Show Your Flavour” with Gaya Travel campaign at both Starbucks Malaysia and Gaya Travel Facebook page respectively, or through these online hashtags: #StarbucksMY, #GayaTravel #GTNxStarbucksCampaign #GayaTravelXStarbucks.

Gaya Special Feature: #SayangMalaysia

1.Fiesta NBOS Malaysian Prime Minister YAB Dato’ Seri Mohd Najib Tun Abdul Razak spent some time visiting MOTAC’s booth during Fiesta NBOS Bersama Rakyat. He was joined by Deputy Minister of Tourism and Culture Malaysia, YB Datuk Mas Ermieyati Samsudin.

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3. Seri Menanti Resort, Kuala Pilah

2. APECTWG 51

51st Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation and Tourism Working Group (APEC TWG 51) Meeting at Eastern & Oriental Hotel, Penang. The Malaysian delegation is headed by Madam Nor Yahati Binti Awang, Deputy Secretary-General (Tourism), Ministry of Tourism & Culture, Malaysia.

Seri Menanti Resort, Kuala Pilah in Negeri Sembilan project development handing over ceremony was officiated by YBhg. Datuk Rashidi Hasbullah, Deputy Secretary-General (Culture), Ministry of Tourism and Culture, Malaysia..

This RM7.4 million project was designed and built

by Kuala Pilah District Public Works Department. Work commenced on 3 December 2015 and completed on 2 June 2017.

Components of this project involve erecting a building containing 38 hotel rooms, expansion works for Coffee House (Café Berlado), M&E works, external works, and supply of built-in and loose furniture.

4. Keretapi Sarong Keretapi Sarong Returns #SayangMalaysia 2017 and closing of Night at the Museum Program was officiated by Minister of Tourism and Culture Malaysia, YB Dato’ Seri Mohamed Nazri Bin Abdul Aziz. Also in attendance are YB Datuk Mas Ermieyati Bin Samsudin, Deputy Minister of Tourism and Culture Malaysia and Datuk Kamarul Baharin bin A. Kasim, Director General Department of Museums Malaysia.

This program was done to cultivate #SayangMalaysia patriotism through the use of the latest public transport, MRT. Not only that, this program also aims to promote the Malaysian Sarong.

The #SayangMalaysia campaign is one of the National Blue Ocean Strategy (NBOS) initiatives. Keretapi Sarong Returns #sayangmalaysia 2017 was a collaboration between KPK and other strategic partners.

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6. Tandem Paragliding Jump

Tandem Paragliding Jump in Kuala Langat with Deputy Minister of Tourism and Culture Malaysia YB Datuk Mas Ermieyati Samsudin.

7. Jordan - Malaysia Tourism Industry Business Networking Dinner Jordan - Malaysia tourism industry business networking dinner with YBhg. Dato’ Yean Yoke Heng, Deputy Secretary-General (Tourism), Ministry of Tourism & Culture, Malaysia in JW Marriot Hotel, Kuala Lumpur.

5. Kl Tower International Jump Malaysia 2017 KL Tower International Jump Malaysia 2017 and KL Tower’s 21st Anniversary closing dinner was officiated by Madam Nor Yahati Binti Awang, Deputy Secretary-General (Tourism), Ministry of Tourism And Culture Malaysia. Apart from that, she also handed over the Malaysia Book of Records 2017 certification.

8. Malaysia Book of Records record for the Longest Underwater Human Chain Breaking the Malaysia Book of Records record for the Longest Underwater Human Chain with participation of 190 divers forming a 200 meter chain.

ESCAPE + EXPLORE + EXPERIENCE

Te x t & I m a g e s b y I RN EE N O RRI S & I RI NA N O RRI S FB | TW | IG | YOU TUBE @gayatraveller #gayatraveller

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Image by MR JOCKO

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What are the odds of us having to step onto Taiwanese soil two times this year? We were in Taiwan last April when it was sweltering hot, and we returned in August to experience the end of summer and the beginning of autumn.The temperature hovered between late 20 and mid-30 degrees Centigrade, which were quite similar to the Malaysian weather!

Although this is our third time in Taiwan, we are still equally excited like our very first trip! This time, we found ourselves eating extraordinarily well, whereby each meal consists of rice accompanied by at least 10 side dishes, and every dish was delicious since it was made from fresh local ingredients. As such, we always look forward to meal times when we were in Taiwan.

Taiwan & the Muslim Travel Market Mention ‘Taiwan” to any of our friends, many would have not believed that there are many facilities at the destination that cater to Muslims. It is interesting to know that Taiwan is ranked at number 7 (beating Spain, France and even the United States of America, among others) on MasterCard-CrescentRating Global Muslim Travel Index 2017’s non-OIC tourist destination among Muslim travellers. The Index rates a total of 130 destinations relevant to the Muslim Travel Market.

Taiwan is a preferred destination due to its safe travel environment, airport services as well as sensitivity towards Muslim travellers’ needs. With a

population of 1.7 billion-strong, the lucrative Muslim market is targeted by governments around the world.

Taiwan is also in the fray, investing significantly to attract the market. Based on our observations during the recent Halal Taiwan trips, we are happy to report that the Taiwan Tourism Bureau (TTB) are making many proactive moves to welcome more Muslim visitors. TTB works closely with the Chinese Muslims Association to ensure the halal facilities meet the expected standards and requirements. There is even a mobile application called Halal.Taiwan to make it easier for Muslim independent travellers to explore Taiwan with peace of mind.

The Taiwan Tourism Bureau has set the goal of attracting one million Muslim travellers within 10 years.

To date, 112 restaurants and hotels in Taiwan have attained halal certification. Even the Taipei Station and 13 national scenery parks are now equipped with prayer rooms. Taiwan is definitely making inroads in becoming a major tourism destination among Muslim travellers worldwide.

Images by CHINA AIRLINES

China Airlines, Celebrating 50 years in Malaysia! “Spread your wings, explore the world” We would like to thank China Airlines and Taiwan Tourism Bureau Kuala Lumpur Office for including us in this Halal Taiwan familiarisation trip. We were joined by fellow media practitioners and Malaysian travel agents who offer Halal Taiwan Packages.

China Airlines has been in existence since 1959, and has made presence in Malaysia since 1967. China Airlines offers flights to Taipei’s Taoyuan International Airport from Kuala Lumpur. Taoyuan International Airport is the world’s 11th busiest airport, making it an excellent transit point to other destinations. It is also China Airlines’ and EVA Air’s main international hub.

To date, we have flown on China Airlines three times; once on the 777-300ER evening flight, and twice on the 737-800 morning flight.

All flights have been exceptionally pleasant with friendly crew, delicious meals, and more importantly, 30 kilograms of luggage allowance on Economy Class! The four-hour and a half journey was punctual and enjoyable.

With two daily direct flights and extra two more flights on Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday to Taipei, getting to Taiwan is not at all a problem for Malaysians.

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Our Itinerary!

Please note that our itinerary is based on packaged tour holiday, and many of the restaurants and hotels we stayed at require prior notice for halal services. For independent travellers, we strongly urge that you contact the Muslim-Friendly Restaurants (MFR) and Hotels (MFT or MCH) prior to your visit. Otherwise, there are plenty of Halal Restaurants (HR) owned and run by Muslims that do not require prior arrangements.

Day 1 -» Arrival at Taoyuan International Airport -» Lunch at City Suites Taoyuan Gateway (MFR) -» Taipei Grand Mosque -» Shilin Night Market -» Dinner at Halal Bismilla Restaurant (HR) -» Overnight at U-Hotel Taipei (MFT)

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Day 2 -» Breakfast at U-Hotel -» Head to Taichung City by Speed Train (1 hour 15 minutes journey) -» Taichung City to Puli (30 minutes) -» Lunch at Tsai Food Restaurant (MFR) -» Sun Moon Lake -» Tai-Yi Ecological Leisure Farm (MFT, MFR) -» Dinner and overnight at Tai-Yi Red Maple Resort Day 3 -» Breakfast at Tai-Yi Red Maple Resort -» Head to Hsinchu City (2 hours journey) -» Leofoo Village Theme Park -» Lunch at Aladdin Restaurant (inside the theme park) (MFR) -» Head to Yangmingshan (80 minutes journey) -» Dinner and overnight at Atami Hotel (MFT, MFR) Day 4 -» Breakfast at Atami Hotel (MFR, MFT) -» Head to Yehliu Geopark (80 minutes journey) -» Head to Yilan (1.5 hours journey) -» Lunch & DIY activitives at Tea & Rice Resort (MFR) -» Head to Toucheng Leisure Farm (1.5 hours journey) -» Activities, dinner and overnight at Toucheng Leisure Farm (MFT, MFR) Day 5 -» Breakfast at Toucheng Leisure Farm -» Jinpu Orchard for fruitpicking (guava & citrus fruits) -» Head to Taipei City (2.5 hours journey) -» Lunch at Tajin Moroccan Cuisine (HR) -» Taipei 101 -» Tour Forum Discussion with Taiwan Tourism Bureau

-» Dinner at Halal Beef Noodles Restaurant (HR) -» Ximending -» Dinner and overnight at Amba Hotel Ximending Day 6 -» Breakfast at Amba Hotel Ximending -» Vigor-Kobo Pineapple Cake Dream Factory -» Long Gong Mosque -» Lunch at Chateau de Chine (MFR) -» Gloria Outlets -» Head to Taoyuan International Airport (40 minutes journey) -» Flight back to Kuala Lumpur.

List of China Airlines agents » Malaysian Harmony Tour and Travel Sdn Bhd (www.ziarahharmony.com) » TH Travel & Services Sdn Bhd (THTS) (www.thts.com.my) » Triways Travel Network (M) Sdn Bhd (www.triways.com) » YHA Travel & Tours (M) Sdn Bhd (www.yhatravels.com) » KSB Travel & Tours Sdn Bhd (www.ksbtt.com) » Sina Leisure (www.sinaleisure.com) » Hanz Travel & Tours Sdn Bhd (www.hanztravel.com.my) » Five Estec Travel Services Sdn Bhd (FB : Five Estec Travel Services Sdn Bhd) » Az Zair Travel & Tours Sdn Bhd Formally known as KBP Travel Tours Sdn Bhd (FB : Az Zair Travel & Tours SDN BHD) » Eye m Hear Holidays Sdn Bhd (FB : EyemHearHoliday)

Travelling in Taiwan is the Happening Thing Now. Let the Experts Recommend Quality Hotels to Visitors InterNations, an internationally renowned website, surveyed 14,000 people from 67 different countries, and learned that Taiwan was considered the most friendly place, and that more than one-third of the travellers have considered living here permanently. Travelling in Taiwan has become an international tourism trend. Whether it’s the warm hospitality, magnificent natural scenery, depth of history and culture, and the internationally acclaimed specialty cuisine, Taiwan has continually become a happy tourism destination for visitors and TaiwanStay can help visitors find quality accommodation for their stay.

Magnificent Mountains, Lively City, Diverse Scenery Taiwan is blessed with a rich and diverse culture, and wonderful natural scenery. Visitors can enjoy natural landscapes and experience the charm of a bustling city. There are many choices for accommodation regardless of the kind of trips visitors plan to take, because Taiwan is the best destination for their next trip.

Located in Hualien’s Taroko, Leader Hotel used to be the location where the Taroko tribe (12th indigenous tribe of Taiwan) originated. Surrounded by mountains and beautiful natural scenery, the sweet sounds of birds chirping and insects buzzing provide music to the ears throughout the area. Enjoying beautiful landscapes during the day, and gazing at stars with friends and loved ones at night are wonderful ways to slow down time and relax.

If visitors would like to see the metropolis and experience the nightlife in Taiwan, they must not

miss Formosa 101 in Taipei’s Jinghua District. Besides the affordablepriced merchandise that many young people and backpackers want, the transportation is also very convenient.

Taipei 101 and the nearby historic Tonghua Night Market are within walking distance. The comfortable and chic lobby at Formosa 101 is available to visitors 24 hours a day. Visitors from all over the world can relax, chat and share their trip’s memorable moments here.

Now is the Time to Visit Taiwan, Embark on a Fun Trip and Return Home Safely To find a lodging location when travelling in Taiwan, just identify the legal certification or ID number, or visit the official Taiwanstay website, you’ll be able to see a complete list of legally operated lodging locations. Depart now, and embark on a trip to Taiwan -- a trip that will be filled with wonderful surprises.

Illegally Operated Hotels Are Risky!

Traveling Safely Is A Smart Choice Taiwan’s specialty cuisines and natural landscapes have earned international recognition and awards numerous times.

As a result, the number of tourists visiting Taiwan increases year after year, making Taiwan undoubtedly one of the leading tourism destinations in the world! Picking a good hotel is often essential to having a perfect trip. Regardless of what an ideal accommodation looks like, safety is absolutely the most important consideration. Travelers should find an

ideal, but safe and legally operated hotel.

Travelers will find two simple steps to help quickly identify legally operated hotels from the information below. There is no longer a need to worry about hotel accommodations while traveling, providing a relaxing and pleasant journey.

First Step: To choose a good hotel, visit TaiwanStay Visiting the TaiwanStay website (http://taiwanstay.net.tw/), travelers have access to all the legally operated hotels. While checking off all the conditions that apply, or enter the name of the hotel on the website. If the hotel name pops up in the website, it’s legitimate.

Second Step: Identify the hotel ID number and its certification When entering a legally operated hotel or B&B, travelers will see a certificate posted on the wall. If it is not present, ask the hotel staff or ask for the hotel ID number. This is an important step to protect your safety and interest.

Just following these two simple steps helps you find a legally operated hotel quickly, and allows you to travel throughout Taiwan peacefully and happily!

SOURCE TaiwanStay. PRNewswire

Identify the hotel ID number and its cer tification

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Clockwise from Top Left: Halal friendly (HR) hotels will generally furnish their rooms with a copy of Al-Quran, praying mat and qiblat direction indicator.; Among the DIY activities we experienced was making bipang; a snack made from puffed rice and honey.; The serene Sun Moon Lake has many things to offer travellers, thus we would recommend staying a night or two.

Directory Halal Meals at Halal Restaurants (HR) and Muslim Friendly Hotels (MFH) » City Suites Taoyuan Gateway (MFR)This was our first taste of Taiwanese dishes for this trip because this restaurant is only five minutes’ drive away from the airport. We especially enjoy its mushroom dish and mochi covered with sunflower seeds!

Address: No.442, Zhongzheng E. Rd., Dayuan Dist., Taoyuan City, Taiwan » Halal Bismilla Restaurant (HR) We totally recommend this delicious Thai restaurant located right in front of the Taipei Arena, especially if you are feeling a bit homesick where food is concerned!

Address: 1F., No. 40, Beining Rd., Songshan Dist., Taipei City, Taiwan » Tsai Food Restaurant (MFR) If you’re headed to Sun Moon Lake, do drop by this establishment, which serves extensive halal menu, ranging from poultry to seafood and red meat!

Address: No. 1060-1, Xinyi Rd., Puli Township, Nantou County, Taiwan » Tea & Rice Resort (MFR) Hot pot (steamboat) of seafood and vegetables direct from Yilan agricultural community, where everything is fresh and organic! After our hearty meal, we made bipang (puffed rice snack) and fa ghau (fortune cake).

Address: No. 46-1, Sec. 2, Yongxing Rd., Dongshan Township, Yilan County, Taiwan » Tajin Moroccan Cuisine (HR) Expect to feast on Moroccan dishes like Chicken Tagine Lamb Kofta and Beef with Prunes Tagine and finish off your meal with hot mint tea like a proper Moroccan would!

Address: 1F., No. 3, Ln. 144, Sec. 2, Keelung Rd., Da’an Dist., Taipei City, Taiwan » Halal Beef Noodles Restaurant (HR) Besides Beef Noodles, this restaurant serves other authentic Chinese Muslim dishes such as bread (similar to the Malaysian roti canai), dumplings and other succulent beef

dishes that we love.

Address: No. 23, Yanping S. Rd., Zhongzheng Dist., Taipei City, Taiwan » Chateau de Chine (MFR) Our last meal in Taiwan was at this restaurant, and we love the restaurant’s steamed prawns with noodles and steamed fish. The food quality is topnotch!

Address: No. 107, Minsheng Rd., Taoyuan Dist., Taoyuan City, Taiwan Muslim Friendly Hotels (MFT) MFT rated hotels means the hotels provide bidet in their bathrooms, equipped the rooms with prayer requirements such as qibla direction, prayer mats and a copy of the holy Al Quran. The food served at the hotel are prepared in a dedicated halal kitchen, and served using halal dedicated cutleries and plates. » U-Hotel Taipei (MFT) Address: No.16, Sec. 3, Nanjing E. Rd., Zhongshan Dist., Taipei City, Taiwan » Atami Hotel Taipei Onsen (MFT, MFR) Address: No. 258, Guangming Rd., Beitou Dist., Taipei City, Taiwan » Amba Hotel Ximending Address: 5F, No. 77, Sec. 2, Wuchang St., Wanhua Dist., Taipei City, Taiwan Mosques » Taipei Grand Mosque Address: No. 62, Section 2, Xinsheng South Road, Da’an District, Taipei City, Taiwan » Long Gong Mosque Address: No. 216, Longdong Road, Zhongli District, Taoyuan City, Taiwan Attractions » Shilin Night Market Visiting the night market is one of the “Must Do’s” whenever you are in Taiwan, and Shilin Night Market is one of the largest in Taipei. Bargaining is not practised here, unlike other countries.

However, you may ask for a special

price if you buy in bulk.

Address: No. 101, Jihe Road, Shilin District, Taipei City, Taiwan » Sun Moon Lake Located at the foothills of Taiwan’s Central Mountain Range, Sun Moon Lake is surrounded by forested peaks and foot trails. There are plenty of activities to do here such as the popular boat ride and cycling around the lake.

CNN has named the Sun Moon Lake as one of the best cycling routes in the world that takes three hours to complete.

Address: Sun Moon Lake, Yuchi Township, Nantou County, Taiwan https://www.sunmoonlake.gov.tw English/#1 » Tai-Yi Ecological Leisure Farm (MFT, MFR) Depending on season, fruit picking is the highlight of this leisure farm.

When we were here last April, it was strawberry season. During our second visit in August, it was passionfruit season. This farm is filled with edible plants and flowers; there is even a bee farm here.

Address: No. 176, Sec. 1, Zhongshan Road, Puli Township, Nantou County, Taiwan » Leofoo Village Theme Park This is indeed fun for the whole family, similar to Disneyland but with safari and real live animals! Get on the train or bus to see the animals, and allocate one whole day here because there are so much to see and do. There is also the Muslim-friendly Aladdin Restaurant (MFR) that comes with a prayer area.

Address: No. 60, Gongzigou, Guanxi Township, Hsinchu County, Taiwan » Yangmingshan is the nearest National Park to the city with many wonderful natural attractions.

Address: Jhuzihhu Rd., Beitou District, Taipei http://english.ymsnp.gov.tw/ » Toucheng Leisure Farm Be prepared to live simply and at a slow pace here! We made sky lanterns and painted our own shopping bags after devouring scrumptious halal dinner. Be sure to also eat the yummy kumquat

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Top: A bird’s eye view of one of Yehliu Geopark’s interesting rock formations known as “The Mushrooms”. Bottom: Gastronomic galore at Shilin Night Market! Don’t forget to tr y Taiwan’s street food when you’re here.

candy.

Address: No. 125-1, Gengxin Rd., Toucheng Township, Yilan County, Taiwan » Yehliu Geopark located on the north coast of Taiwan, Yehliu Geopark is home to many interesting rock formations fashioned from years of erosion. The star attraction is the Queen’s Head formation.

Address: No.167-1, Kantung Rd., Yehliu Village, Wanli District, New Taipei City 20744, Taiwan » Fruit-picking Guava and lemons were in season during our visit. For more information on the fruit season and farm information, go to www.taiwanfarm.org. tw. » Taipei 101 Standing tall at 101 floors, Taipei 101 is currently the world’s 8th tallest building.

Do not miss the chance to go on the observatory located at the 89th floor!

Address: No. 7, Section 5, Xinyi Road, Xinyi District, Taipei City, Taiwan » Ximending This pedestrian-only zone shopping district is home to many pubs, eateries, shops and peddlers open until late. This is Taipei’s answer to Kuala Lumpur’s Bukit Bintang and Japan’s Harajuku. » Vigor-Kobo Pineapple Cake Dream Factory We made our own pineapple tarts here, and had a wonderful time learning about its production during the factory tour. Some of their products are halal certified, so buying some as souvenirs is a good idea!

Address: No. 87, Chengtai Rd., Wugu Dist, Xinbei, Taiwan. » Gloria Outlets International designer brands bargain hunters will be pleased to know that there is a designer outlet so close to the airport!

Address: No. 189, Chunde Road, Zhongli District, Taoyuan City, Taiwan 320 ____________________________ Thank you China Airlines and Taiwan Tourism Bureau for making our trip to Taiwan memorable.

Gaya Dine & Café

Dining

40 floors

Above the Ground at

T R AC E Restaurant And Bar

Te x t b y I RN EE N O RRI S I m a ge s b y T RAC E R e s t a u r a n t A n d B a r, E l e m e n t Ku a l a L u m p u r

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There is something mysterious about Element Kuala Lumpur hotel, the first ever full fledged Element brand to open in South East Asia, tucked discreetly in Menara Ilham, the third tallest building in the city designed by the globally acclaimed Foster+Partners. Menara Ilham is among Kuala Lumpur’s most recent state-of-the art office towers, with an impressive art gallery that sets it apart from its neighbours.

The Element chain, which is part of Westin, is already popular in America and China. Built green from the ground up, the hotel promotes eco-friendly practices and draws inspiration from the sense of renewal that defines the Westin brand experience. Element Kuala Lumpur consists of 252 well-appointed rooms ranging from studios to 3-bedroom units. Its 39th floor houses the spa, in-door swimming pool, gym and exercise rooms in line with the ‘live well’ concept. It also has meeting rooms for guests to use for business or small scale functions.

We boarded the unassuming lift with discreet buttons to the 40th floor where TRACE Restaurant

And Bar is located. What greeted us upon arrival is the hotel lobby, and an impressive panoramic view of Kuala Lumpur city skyline. The restaurant, which is a few steps further in, features floor to ceiling windows, promising abundance of natural sunlight during the day and stunning view of Kuala Lumpur skyline during the night.

TRACE is all about being kind to yourself and your surroundings whenever food is concerned. Of late, “clean eating” – which means being mindful of the food’s pathway between its origin and the plate – seems to be a popular catchphrase among health-conscious adults. In

short, clean eating means eating whole foods, or “real” foods (those that are un- or minimally processed, refined, handled, and made as close to their natural form as possible).

The name TRACE speaks for itself: the objective is to create transparency around what is in the food and where it came from. The restaurant is therefore committed to serving fresh, local produce, which in turn supports local farmers and reduces carbon footprints.

TRACE is the only food and beverage outlet in the hotel, serving dishes with pizzazz and conscience.

With Executive Chef Mohammad Hashrul Sehwan at the helm, diners can look forward to a well balanced

menu featuring local and western-fusion cuisine. With a wealth of experience from reputable international hotel chains under his belt, one can expect an unforgettable dining experience here. Each dish is thoughtfully crafted and artistically put together to retain its freshness and flavour so that it is not only a feast for the taste buds but also to the sight as well.

Diners, especially guests who stay at Element Kuala Lumpur, should start their day right with TRACE’s signature Rise Breakfast to set them in good mood. The breakfast comprises wholesome spread such as homemade granola, refreshing smoothies and chef ’s daily special egg presented in different rendition every day, including the 63-degree Centigrade sous-vide hen’s egg. We especially love Beans & Toasts Supreme, a localised dish with Middle Eastern influence.

For lunch and dinner, TRACE features a la carte signature main

courses such as Sous-Vide Baby Chicken, Nasi Kukus Ayam Berempah (steamed fragrant rice with spiced fried chicken and condiments), Alaskan Black Cod and the fruity Live Well Salad.

Dessert lovers are also in for a treat when they dine at TRACE because its dessert offerings are sinfully divine. Do not miss Exotic Fruit Lava Carrot Cake and Earl Grey Chocolate Sphere. You will leave TRACE with a big smile on your face, guaranteed!

TRACE Restaurant And Bar is open daily from 6:30 a.m. – 11:00 p.m., serving breakfast buffet, lunch, dinner and handcrafted cocktails. The restaurant is also designed to cater for intimate functions and celebrations such as birthdays, baby showers and family gatherings.

For reservations, please call +6 03 2771 3351 or e-mail to element. kualalumpur@elementhotels.com

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S E A F O O D 038

Chow Down Fest in Little Paris, JB Te x t b y S H A H I DA S A KERI I m a g e s b y P H O T O G R A P H Y U N I T, G A Y A T R A V E L

Gaya Dine & Café

Prepare the bib, and get ready to get messy – again!

Yes, we love the Crab Factory – so much so that we can’t stop talking about it. In case you missed it, we’ve published a review about this marvellous seafood joint in our previous Issue 11.6/12.1. But this time around, I’d like to invite readers to Crab Factory’s latest outlet in Johor Bahru, located along a row of French-inspired shoplots christened as Little Paris in the perfectly manicured Taman Mount Austin neighbourhood.

The first Crab Factory opened in SS2 Petaling Jaya, Selangor, roughly four years ago and business has been booming since then. Speaking to the owner of Crab Factory, T.Y., the second opening marks the joint’s latest adventure in catering to a wider market, including Singaporeans who have been known to visit the southern state in droves especially during weekends for quick getaway. Despite the expansion, the essence of the restaurant remains the same: dining over finger-licking good seafood boil with loved ones should be fun and highly interactive.

This concept fits the Malaysian dining scene for various reasons, with the most obvious being camaraderie. In contrast to the Western-style dining in which everyone is served individually, Crab Factory practices the concept of sharing whereby diners sit together to share food and shelling utensils, a sort of festive gathering ideal for families and friends.

At Crab Factory, diners’ culinary journey begins by choosing their ‘catch’; the highlight on the menu would be the king crab, red lobster, French brown crab, freshwater prawn, crawfish, clams and mussels, all sourced and sold per kilogram based on seasonal rates. They will then be tossed in a bag filled with the sauce of diners’ choice: Signature Southern Bang, Jamba Jamba, Garlic Butter, Creamy Lemak and Salted Egg, all available in varying levels of spiciness, from mild to the scorching “Death Valley”.

For diners who prefer to know the exact prices upfront, they are recommended to opt for the value meals since their prices are already fixed and the portions are generous.

Once everything is sorted, the staff would then lay down the paper on the table with all the seafood on top, ready to be ripped and cracked open with diners’ own bare hands. Honestly, this could be your messiest yet most

fulfilled dinner to remember. The seafood served is fresh, never overcooked and its sauces, oh the sauces… what a heavenly creation! All of them, especially the Signature Southern Bang, match perfectly well with the sweetness of the corn.

Apart from seafood boil, my favourite from the menu would be the grilled oyster platter with 12 different unique sauces – a latest addition to the menu – packed with bold flavours that the palate will not forget. For those seeking other than seafood or shellfish, there are also other dishes to choose such as fried fish & ships, fried enoki mushrooms, waffles, mashed potatoes and Coca Cola chicken wings, which is my colleague’s favourite. Since eating also makes diners thirsty, Crab Factory offers a wide range of beverages that pair well with the food.

So it doesn’t matter whether you are a local resident of Johor, or a hungry traveller looking for something to eat; a visit to the Crab Factory at Little Paris is definitely recommended. So bring your families and friends along to make it a fun affair, but probably skip the place on first date if you’re a messy eater. Oh wait, come to think of it, this might just be the place for it! Who knows, shelling out on seafood might just be the thing that brings soulmates closer together…

Crab Factory Little Paris opens every day except Monday from 12:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.

G14, Block B, Jalan Jaya Putra 1/1 Bandar Jaya Putra, 81100 Johor Bahru Johor, Malaysia.

Tel: +6 07 351 4062 Web: www.crabfactory.com.my

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Gaya Shop

Fb rOa U R n d s That Will Step Up Yo u r Tr a v e l

#OOTD g a m e Graffiti walls, cool store fronts, and stunning landscapes are all beautiful backgrounds to pose against, but without stylish outfits to compliment the whole setting, your travel #OOTD may just turn out to be ordinary. Think about it: you wouldn’t know if you were ever going to visit the place again, so why don’t capture all those precious memories while looking good in them?

For effortless travel outfits and impressive Insta-perfect travel looks, consider the following brands.

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Compiled by

SHAHIDA SAKERI

Images by RESPECTIVE PRODUCT OWNERS

THE TWEE (thetwee.com.my)

This Korean-born, famed young casual fashion brand has finally arrived in Malaysia with its first South East Asia flagship store at KL Gateway Mall, Bangsar South, claimed to be the brand’s biggest store yet. The collections feature a wide variety of flexible and easy to coordinate pieces for both men and women, all designed and imported directly from South Korea. Shopper s can already trust in THE TWEE’s trendy pieces as they strive to bring only the latest fashion trends to its customer s.

TOMS (www.toms.com)

Timberland (www.timberla nd.com.my

so being comfortable is key.

Travel requires a lot of walking, the latest sporty Custom Do yourself a favour and pack

by TOMS, engineered in a Mesh Knit Alpargata (MYR289) l with a modern twist. They breathable, lightweight materia colours: choose black or grey also come in three attractive picking red. Either way, a pair for a classic look or go bold by a hint of All-American Girl of TOMS will never fail to add most importantly, TOMS chic to your travel #OOTD. And a child in need for every will give a new pair of shoes to for One® campaign. purchase made through its One )

Elevate your whole fashion presence while travelling by spor ting Timber land® boo t, the brand that every stylish jetsetter swears by for that chic yet edgy look.

We love the Ultimate Boot which is a twist of the classic Timber land® 10061, and more impor tantly, they won’t kill your feet. Each pair is made with waterproof waterbuck leather, a Gripstic k™ Rubber outsole along with it signature Sensorflex™ technology so that you can stay comfor table all-day long. The boot also pair s well with the Ultimate Jacket, especially dur ing winter season, as it features an app lication of heat sealed baffles that maximize heat retentio n and is also water resistant.

a.com) Fjällräven (www.fjallravense

tical while being street-chic Fjällräven bags prove to be prac realised in the signature at the same time. Each piece is quality materials supreme craftsmanship with high like pockets and ures feat al and roomy organisation all the necessary travel ying carr for l compar tments – idea gs without looking too gear s and your per sonal belongin sack No. 1. bulky! Our favourite is the Fold

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BEATING THE SORENESS AWAY,

LITERALLY… Te x t b y S H A H I DA S A KERI Images by HARD ROCK HOTEL PENANG

Gaya Spa

“Are you sure you want to do it?” asked my therapist of the day, Fion, with perplexed look when I selected the Rhythm Sticks Treatment (RM300) at the Rock Spa in Hard Rock Hotel Penang.

“Err...yes? Why?” I suddenly doubted my decision for a second.

Why wouldn’t it be suitable for me?

She later explained gently that the treatment utilises bamboo rods of various sizes to destroy knots and relieve aching muscles belonging to those of brawnier body type.

While it was sweet of her to think that I have a small body (clearly she needed glasses), I convinced her that I have had a similar treatment in a local spa back in Kuala Lumpur and fortunately, my body survived. Besides, the stress on my lower back due to too much sitting and working on computer was killing me that I was desperate for it to go away.

Complying to my request, she escorted me to my treatment room: a dimly lit space decorated with music memorabilia that creates a casual atmosphere ideal fit for a rock star seeking a quiet refuge. Fion then consulted me on my areas of concern before she showed me the set of bamboo canes I was about to be beaten with.

I changed and lay faced down on the bed and surrendered myself to Fion’s sublime hands, who started by slathering the back of my legs with the uplifting warm peppermint-based essential oil. Then, she used a thick rod to knead my aching calf and tight muscles in a rolling pin motion as if she was kneading a dough. The ends of the rod were alternately used to press on pressure points.

Fion also made percussion movements on my thighs, which I was told to be effective in breaking cellulite. A

bunch of thinner bamboo rods was then used to pat the legs rhythmically before she moved on to the other parts of my body.

Moving on to my back, Fion continued to knead and roll with the rod firmly upwards from my lower back right to the shoulders and neck, thankfully avoiding the bones.

This was the time when I felt the pressure was more intense, but the relief was wonderful. I then turned over and Fion massaged the front of my arms. She noticed that I was feeling uncomfortable with the pressure, so she reduced the pressure a notch down before concluding the session by hitting a Japanese suzu gong gently that produced positive vibrations to help reenergise my body.

I must say that the ‘Rhythmic Sticks Treatment’ would not be for everyone, but it does put a whole new meaning to deep tissue massage. I would suggest for guests to start with gentle pressure in the beginning and gradually request for firmer pressure as the treatment progresses to find the ideal pressure that works best for them. I was glad to have had Fion for the session – she was highly attentive and smart when it comes to applying the right pressures that suit my body.

For guests who instead prefer other forms of treatment, there are plenty of options on the spa menu. The treatments can be conducted either in the spa’s private rooms or at the outdoor cabanas. Parents with children could also enjoy family massage as there are treatments catered to the little ones. Besides spa, a free yoga session is available every Saturday morning from 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. for in-house guests who intend to savour more of the hotel’s wellness offerings.

Rock Spa at Hard Rock Hotel Penang is rated five stars by the Ministry of Culture Malaysia and Tourism, and the winner of ‘Best Luxury Day Spa’ at the World Luxury Spa Awards 2012. For bookings, refer to penang.hardrockhotels.net/amenities/rock-spa/.

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Destinations

Imbak Canyon

C o n s e r v a t i o n

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A r e a

Sa ba h’s Primeval Jewel Te x t & I m a g e s b y FA R A H N A D I A H

Most national parks offer varying degrees of wilderness, but very few offer the true and unexplored kind of wilderness like the Imbak Canyon Conservation Area (ICCA). Located at the central interior of Sabah, it takes one whole day of travelling on a four-wheel-drive along treacherous, unpaved and muddy tracks to reach Imbak Canyon from Kota Kinabalu. But those who make the trip to this isolated place will be rewarded with pristine rainforest experience that feels primeval and Jurassic-like.

The tiger leech has thirst for blood

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Clockwise from Top: Imbak Canyon Studies Centre engulfed in morning mist; Breathtaking view of the iconic Imbak Falls; Wallace’s flying frog, one of the inhabitants of the dense Borneo jungle; Rafflesia Tengku-Adlinii in full bloom

Sitting within the “Corridor of Life” that connects Imbak Canyon with Maliau Basin Conservation Area and Danum Valley Conservation Area, the Imbak Canyon is a 27,599-hectare complex of rainforest habitat ranging from lowland dipterocarp forests to lower montane heath forests. Considered as rare geographical landscape in Sabah, the canyon is an elongated valley located along the Imbak River, an area inhabited by ‘Dusun Sungai’ and ‘Murut’ ethnic groups.

Fragile to human greed, conservation efforts are being undertaken by Yayasan Sabah Group in collaboration with PETRONAS to protect the rich biodiversity of Imbak Canyon.

Given the rampant felling off trees outside the core area and the threats of poachers and illegal loggers, a scientific expedition is carried out at the yetto-be-explored Batu Timbang Virgin Jungle Reserve, comprising an area of 271 hectares within the ICCA from August 16 to August 26. The objective of the scientific expedition is to identify the biodiversity value of the area and its viability to the opening of another research station and ranger post at Batu Timbang, which is earmarked as a hot spot for trespassers heading towards the core area.

If not for the first scientific expedition at Batu Timbang, it would be difficult for me to gain access to Imbak Canyon, which is restricted to researchers and naturalists. Imbak Canyon has yet to be opened to the public. Accessibility is only available to researchers and trekkers that have permission from the management of ICCA. Together with other members of the media, I embark on this journey to discover the untouched Imbak Canyon for five days.

After a long day on the road, I find refuge at the basic room in the Imbak Canyon Studies Centre (ICSC). The deafening silence of the night is punctuated by high-pitched sound of crickets and cicadas. Flying insects that I have never seen in my life grace me with

their presence. Their existence in high numbers makes me wonder what kind of ecosystem exists in Imbak Canyon.

The next morning the manager of ICCA, Dr Hamzah Tangki, lead the members of the media for a tour around the newly-built ICSC comprises two main zones: the Imbak Rainforest Park for environmental education activities; and the main ICSC area consisting of rest houses, conference hall, VIP and visitor accommodation, laboratory, office, mini theatre, gallery and café.

Clad in his camouflage uniform and complete camouflage camera lenses, Mr Mohd Alzahri, a passionate birdwatcher cum photographer is hard to miss at the ICSC. He is a team member of a group of scientists conducting a scientific research on the birds of Imbak Canyon to assess the value of conserving the area. “Learning the birds’ behaviour and sound are important in birding.

For example, birds are active in early morning and late evening,” he advises, after having shot the images of 74 bird species within the ICSC area.

As the day progresses, I cross paths with scientists in various fields from botanists to herpetologists and chiropterologists to ornithologists. They are among the 100 scientists and researchers who are on scientific expedition at Batu Timbang studying the values of the conservation area to advocate for the establishment of a new research station and ranger post to curb illegal logging, besides analysing for more natural hidden gems and resources such as the agarwood.

By noon, the media entourage leaves the ICSC for Batu Timbang Base Camp to have first-hand experience in witnessing scientists and researchers at work at the Batu Timbang Virgin Jungle Reserve. To get there, we travel for two hours and a half on four-wheel drive traversing the muddier road.

It was worse when the first team of scientists trailblazed through the path a few weeks before. If vehicles were to

get stuck in the soft boggy terrain, the recovery winch is needed to pull the vehicles out of the mud. That explains the stationary winch tractor half way to Batu Timbang Base Camp that can be deployed at times of need.

The Batu Timbang Base Camp is a basic makeshift camp for scientists and researchers doing field research to collect samples for their studies. Besides tents with 10 camp beds each, the camp also contains research area, dining area, kitchen and comfortable makeshift toilets and bathrooms.

While the facilities exceed my expectation, it is the muddy terrain all over Batu Timbang Base Camp that bothers me the most. Imagine having to wear your high-cut hiking boots at all times or else your legs will be covered in mud, including the infamous pacat (blood-sucking leeches).

Not long after our arrival, we hike through Batu Timbang’s diverse range of lowland tropical forest as well as cross stream and river to catch the sight of the smallest and rarest rafflesia flower called Rafflesia tengku-adlinii in full bloom. Besides this spot, there is also another place where the flower is known to grow. The one that we are taken to is further than the other one, but it is far more rewarding because it has the breathtaking view of a terraced waterfall. On the way back, I cannot resist the temptation of plunging into the refreshing river.

As soon as I reach the base camp, the rain starts to pour heavily – this is expected since the rainforest functions as part of the natural water catchment system. The rain does not hinder us from braving the weather (and ever muddier base camp, I might add) to listen to the presentation by the lead scientists in their respective fields of study. When I arrive at the dining area where the presentation is to take place, researcher Daicus M Belabut demonstrates how to properly hold a frog without causing hurt and discusses the importance of frogs in the ecosystem.

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Next, the herpetologist, Dr Noorhayati Ahmad, shares her team’s experiences in collecting frog samples in Imbak Canyon. In a matter of few days, her team has collected 5 species of true toads, 30 species of fork-tongued frogs, 3 species of Asian leaf toads, 3 species of narrow-mouthed frogs, 6 species of true frogs and 7 species of old tree frogs. I am also enlightened of the existence of voiceless frogs, which are among the great many new things I learn at Batu Timbang Base Camp.

Among other things found in Batu Timbang area are the discovery of 14 species of bats; the sightings of the banteng, which is a species of wild cattle locally known as tembadau; and the discovery of eight ornamental plants known as Begonia, including four that are new to science. At the end of the presentation, all scientists emphatically emphasise on one common message: if we do not conserve our rainforests, the ecosystem will be adversely affected and our water catchment areas will be at stake. We will then have problems with water supplies. Surely, water is the most basic necessity to sustain life. Without quality water, human crisis is inevitable.

Despite the night-long rain, the pattering of water on the tent therapeutically lulls me to sleep. Early morning, a group of media members follow the bat scientists and researchers to collect the bats from traps, which have been designed to capture the bats unscathed. Regrettably, no bats are found in the gunny sack as the rain affects their flying patterns and visibility of the bat traps. This is definitely one of the frustrating challenges that scientists and researchers face during expeditions. Many factors are beyond human control and they need to persevere in obtaining results by laying more traps to collect samples.

I have made arrangement to tag along with the dipterocarps researchers. The dipterocarps are a family of hardwood, tropical trees locally known as Meranti, Kapur, Chengal and Keruing, among others. The ICCA has recorded 79 species of dipterocarps, including 30 species that are endemic to Borneo.

The dipterocarps trees form the main forest canopy. The scientists and researchers are studying the demographics of the dipterocarps. Since the expedition takes a full day, I have to abandon the idea of following the researchers since the media entourage that I am part of has to leave for the ICSC at noon.

Back at the ICSC, the media is taken to the iconic Imbak Waterfall, which is easily accessible since the road leads right to the edge of the waterfall. The 39-metre wide Imbak Waterfall offers even novice photographers the chance to take stunning waterfall pictures. The waterfall can also be viewed from the suspension bridge.

The more adventurous ones trek up along the Big Belian trail to see the 250-year old Borneon ironwood tree, commonly known as belian. Our trail guide, Mohd Erwan, constantly reminds us to avoid touching the trees because some are poisonous. The trek takes about 30 minutes to reach the huge belian tree, with circumference that can be hugged by at least six adult humans.

At night, I participate in night trekking at the Imbak Rainforest Park. Guided by the sounds and focussed lighting, I am amazed at the amount of wildlife that my group has spotted in a span of just an hour. Apart from a herd of sambar deers and muntjacks, we also spot slugs, tiger leech, the cinnamon frog, house centipede and at least five different spiders.

Before heading back to Kota Kinabalu, I rise early to walk to one of the highest parts of the ICSC to observe the pristine forest canopy covered in mist one last time. Disconnected from technology for almost three days, I realise how privileged I am to be able to experience the primeval jungles where bare necessities of life such as clean air and water top the priority for the survival of just mother nature’s, but also us humans. The trip to Imbak Canyon is deeply inspiring. It makes me realise that it is mankind’s duty to protect not just Imbak Canyon, but rainforests all over the world at all costs because we owe a great deal to Mother Earth…

Visitors to Imbak Canyon Conservation Area are welcome, but permission to enter must be obtained in advance from Yayasan Sabah Group. For more info, please visit http://imbakcanyon-borneo.com.my.

Gaya Travel Magazine expresses our heartfelt gratitude to PETRONAS and Yayasan Sabah Group for inviting the writer to be part of the amazing journey to Imbak Canyon.

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Wan Jamila painstakingly completing her latest piece of art at her studio in Shah Alam

Destinations

Selangor’s Passion

Expressed

through

Crafts

from the

Te x t b y M U H A M M A D H A S I F M O H D J ELA N I Images by ZARIF IKMAL

Heart

Selangor, without doubt, is consistently blessed with diverse crafts and artisanal products.

For six consecutive years, media members, local and international have discovered and provided exposure and documentation on many of these products through an annual event held over three days called Kembara Kraf Selangor (KKS).

Now entering into its seventh year, the Selangor Economic Planning Unit (UPEN), in collaboration with Gaya Travel Magazine, decided to make the programme different than before by focussing more on the artists or craftsmen themselves to acknowledge the deep passion that these artists or craftsmen possess towards their respective crafts and the ability to remain creative despite setbacks in their lives. Hence, the theme of this year’s KKS was Crafts from the Heart.

For this year, a total of 25 media members and bloggers took part in this programme that was held from 17 until 19 August 2017. They were brought to six craft production sites across Selangor, which left them in awe.

Products We Discovered during KKS 2017 1. Art Jamila Diagnosed as autistic since four years old, Wan Jamila Wan Shaiful Bahri proves she is also special in her own way by showing her creative talent through drawing. Coached by her mom, Noorhashimah Mohamed Noordin, the quiet but friendly Wan Jamila started drawing as a medium to express her feelings, thereafter giving her joy in doing so. As years passed, she began developing her own drawing skills with intricate and detailed patterns based on inspirations found through her experiences and observations.

Now 15, Wan Jamila takes part in numerous exhibitions. Her outstanding drawings have been catching much attention among the Malaysian public, including the royals, placing her as one of the brightest young artists in Malaysia.

Website: www.artjamila.com Phone: +6 019 315 2662 E-mail: artjamila2002@gmail.com

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2. FS Design Furniture Sdn. Bhd. Being an orphan at the tender age of 10, Fazli, the founder of FS Design Furniture, is now somebody worth looking up to. When he furthered his study in the university, he took engineering. Ironically, he holds a strong passion towards drawing and designing. Thus, he determined to start a manufacturing business at the age of 25 with the capital of a meagre RM2,000.

More than just a manufacturer, FS Design Furniture now supplies commercial grade furniture for homes, restaurants, condominiums, projects and commercial spaces from high grade raw materials such as solid timbers such as Douglas Fir, Meranti and Nyatoh, among others. Now, the seven-year-old company records RM1.5 million sales per year.

Studio Address: No. 23A-1, Jalan Seri Mas 1, 43100 Hulu Langat, Selangor Factory: Lot 94 Batu 1 ½, Jalan Sg Tekali, Sg Makau, 43100 Hulu Langat, Selangor Phone: + 6 017 636 1202 / 03-9021 1400 E-mail: fs.designfurniture@gmail.com

3. Amaze Creative Behind the beautiful creation of hand-painted canvas shoes and bags using acrylic paint, one might not actually be aware that they were done assiduously by a group of underprivileged people, including the deaf. Nonetheless, the works on these hand-painted shoes are agreeable. Their artworks indicate how meticulous and steadfast they are in producing artworks that strongly appeal to their customers.

The idea of establishing a business for the underprivileged came from the compassionate Chang Wan Sang seven years ago. To date, he has trained up to 20 persons, some of whom have left to start their own business. Produced in a humble shop lot at the TAR Villa Apartments in Desa Setapak, the business also raises funds for the Malaysian Federation for the Deaf.

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Website: www.amaze.com.my / egoodshops.com Phone: +6 012 329 2068

4. Queen L’s Craft Inspired by the Japanese kimekomi or easy-tuck craft, Latifah Hamzah is the figure responsible in bringing the craft a notch higher by giving it an intriguing touch – dubbed as the ‘Malaysian value’ – onto it. From simple, basic drawing patterns, she brings songket and batik a new lease of life through her prodigious skills in creating brilliant and exquisite decorative masterpieces. The no-stitch patchwork craft is done by tucking in the fabric into the grooves of the patterns to give definition to the artwork. Latifah now receives custom-made orders besides participating in various exhibitions to promote her artworks and Malay traditional heritage to the public.

Phone: +6 018 874 7712 Facebook: www.facebook.com/queenlscrafts/ Instagram: www.instagram.com/queenlscrafts/

5. HI Heritage Inspired Founded by Hanisah Izzati Adnan, HI Heritage Inspired produces purses, clutches and handbags from songket, batik and pelikat fabrics.

Hanisah Izzati, who was a Science teacher, has never attended any craft classes before. In fact, the first handbag she made was by using her father’s old songket simply by following online tutorials.

From just a hobby, the business has now flourished due to Hanisah’s passion. To market her products, Hanisah utilises the online platform to engage with her customers have now grown larger in number. She has been receiving many orders not just from Malaysia but also Indonesia and Singapore, including France and Nigeria.

Instagram: www.instagram.com/hi_heritageinspired/ Phone: +6 017 224 7442 Email: hia2710@gmail.com

Clockwise from Top: Fazli explaining the process of producing furniture at his factory; A hearing-impaired artisan at Amaze Creative painting a shoe using acrylic paint; Hanisah introducing her hand-made, elegant clutch from songket; Latifah presenting her artwork collection

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6. Artsis Studio Artsis Studio is a home studio based in USJ 9, Subang Jaya. Unlike any other art studio, it is founded by five sisters who come from a Malaysian family comprising artistes, according to the Malaysian Book of Records. Though each of the five sisters have their own styles, they share the same passion towards sharing their talents with kids through art classes and workshops.

Their masterly father is Datuk Mohd Yusoff Jaafar who, surprisingly, was the former Commissioner of Police of Sarawak. The family members, including the brothers, have been taking part in many exhibitions, either as a team or individually.

Facebook: www.facebook.com/ArtsisStudio/ Instagram: www.instagram.com/artsisstudio/ E-mail: artsisstudio@gmail.com

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Top: The five sisters; from left Nursuraya, Nurfarhana, Nurhayati, Nurhidayah & Nursyuhadah, showcase their paintings at Artsis Studio Bottom: One of the galleries at Boustead Cruise Centre

Boustead Cruise Centre, Port Klang Boustead Cruise Centre, located in Port Klang, is Malaysia’s largest and busiest port. The cruise terminal is equipped with state-of-the-art facilities and modern amenities to welcome cruise passengers. There are also Malaysian artworks on display at this centre for travellers’ enjoyment.

Among the cruise lines that have sailed into this terminal include Star Cruises, Royal Caribbean, Princess Cruises, Cunard Lines and Costa Cruises.

Holding the mantle as one of the main maritime gateways to Malaysia, the terminal comes with souvenir and gift shops, including duty free outlets dedicated to retailing products by local entrepreneurs and businesses, especially crafts, to international cruise passengers.

Destinations

Loving the Age-Old

Legacies Te x t b y S H A H I DA S A KERI Images by MUHAMMAD HASIF MOHD JELANI

I believe that many would agree with me when I say that heritage is crucial for us to understand what lies behind a destination that make its people, culture and objects unique. Heritage gives the destination a particular character that sets itself apart from the other destinations under the sun.

Perak, in this case, is outstandingly full of character given the great influences it has been receiving over the ages. This Northern Malaysian state prides itself in having the right mix of built heritage or monuments such as museums and religious structures, as well as the intangible heritage such as culture, customs, ceremonies and even gastronomy, which eventually become legacies.

In conjunction with the Perak World of Wonders (WOW) programme organised by Tourism Perak in collaboration with Gaya Travel Magazine, a group of 20 media members and travel agents embarked on a journey to Perak to learn more about the state’s age-old legacies, and the following are the highlights of their trip...

Ubudiah Royal Masjid Once served as the State Masjid before the completion of Masjid Sultan Idris Shah II, Ubudiah Royal Masjid is one of the country’s most beautiful mosques located at Perak’s royal town, Kuala Kangsar. This masjid (Muslim house of worship) was designed by Arthur Benison Hubback, a government architect who also designed the beautiful Ipoh railway station and the Kuala Lumpur rail station. The construction of this masjid was part of Sultan Idris Murshidul Adzam Shah I’s expression of gratitude to The Almighty

when the royal highness recovered from an illness.

Ubudiah Royal Masjid features an Indo-Saracenic architecture with striking gilded golden domes that glimmer gloriously under the sun.

Ihsaniah Iskandariah Mosque One day when Sultan Iskandar Shah went out for a picnic at Lata Bubu near Padang Rengas, His Highness noticed that his subjects were praying in a rundown madrasah (Islamic religious school). As he was a pious man himself, Sultan Iskandar Shah then ordered a better mosque to be built in the area, hence the creation of Ihsaniah Iskandariah Masjid, which was named after him. The building – considered unique due to its exquisite plaited kelarai (woven strip bamboo) and carvings on the building’s façade – was crafted by Chinese artisans and now becomes one of Perak’s Instagram-worthy attractions.

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Clockwise from Top: Ubudiah Royal Masjid; Istana Kenangan that is now turned into Royal Museum of Perak; Ihsaniah Iskandariah Masjid has elegant detailing that make it one of the most fascinating structures in Perak.

This year, the committee received more than 40 entries of oil lamp decorations from the villages within the area based on five themes: Selamat Hari Raya (the festive day signifying end of Ramadhan), Historical Buildings, Negaraku (My Country), Malaysian Culture and Visit Perak Year 2017.

In order to win the competition, the participants needed to follow rules such as the structures must be able to support a minimum of 500 oil lamps, they must be constructed from natural items like bamboo and wood, and measured at least 4.5 metres high and 9 metres wide. Winners walked away with the grand prize of MYR3,500, while those in the second placing won MYR2,000, third MYR1,000, fourth MYR500, and fifth MYR300.

Rendang Tok Mak Nik

Celebrating the panjut festival in front of the panjut structure at Kampung Changkat Gohor

Royal Museum of Perak Also aptly known as Istana Kenangan (Palace of Memories), the palace had been the official residence of the Perak royal family between 1931 and 1933. It was built in 1926 by the Malay carpenter Enci Sepian for Sultan Iskandar Shah.

However, after Istana Iskandariah was completed, the royal family moved to the new palace and Istana Kenangan was then used to host royal occasions and palace guests. Today, the lovingly quaint palace has been turned into the Royal Museum of Perak, which opens daily except Friday, from 9:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. (the museum closes at 12:45 p.m. on Thursdays).

Panjut Festival Considered as a unique tradition in Padang Rengas, the panjut (or oil lamp) festival, which has been around for decades, takes place in the final week of every Ramadhan (Muslims’ Holy Month). This festival involves lights that can be witnessed when villagers brighten their villages with dazzling illuminations from huge elaborate structures decorated using oil lamps. However, in the mid-80s, the festival was temporarily banned due to a claim that it made people neglect their tarawih (special prayers held nightly during Ramadhan). The festival was revived in 2014 by Padang Rengas Parliamentary Constituency Sports and Community Recreation Club in collaboration with the Ministry of Tourism & Culture Malaysia and Padang Rengas Member of Parliament Service Centre, so as to promote unity and creativity at the grassroot level.

Rendang Tok (meat stewed in coconut milk and spices until dry) is popular in Perak, thus travellers should expect to see many local brands selling this traditional delicacy in the market. However, if we were to suggest the one that is most authentic, then Rendang Tok Mak Nik is the real deal. Hajjah Napsiah Yeop Abdullah (Mak Nik) was a royal cook in the early years, but due to the positive feedback she received on her cooking, she started selling her rendang tok in the farmer’s market since 1959 so that the public can enjoy the delightful flavours of her cooking. Her recipe uses buffalo meat rather than beef because of the coarser texture that goes well with the spices used and the need for it to be cooked for a long time. Today, the business is managed by her children and has expanded internationally. Rendang Tok Mak Nik can now be found not only in Perak but also at KLIA and overseas like Dubai, Philippines and Mexico.

Delicious Mak Nik’s rendang tok made according to the recipe from the Perak royal kitchen

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Destinations

Ta s i k Ke ny i r T E R E N G G A N U ’ S Ultimate Hinterland Getaway

Images by ZARIF IKMAL Te x t b y C E N T R A L T E R E N G G A N U D E V E L O P M E N T A U T H O R I T Y ( K E T E N G A H )

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TA S I K K E N Y I R Nestled in the heart of Terengganu, and spanning over 209,199 hectares, Lake Kenyir is the largest man-made lake in South East Asia. This vast lake with 340 islands is surrounded by the world’s oldest rainforest with more than 14 cascading waterfalls, cooling waters, an idyllic fish sanctuary and habitat teeming with exotic wildlife. A treasure trove of flora and fauna thrive in this vast landscape where a wonder of discoveries and adventures await nature lovers. It is the place to be for freshwater anglers, jungle trekkers, mountaineers, campers, bird watchers, horticulturists, nature photographers, researches and even city dwellers. When being in Tasik Kenyir, travellers must visit attractions that are educational and eye-opening such as the Herbal Park, Orchid Garden, Lasir Waterfall, Kelah Sanctuary, Gua Bewah, and Kenyir Elephant Conservation Village.

H E R B A L PA R K (10-minute boat ride from Pengkalan Gawi)

This park is situated on Pulau Sah Kecil and abound with over 200 types of traditional herbal species, including Tongkat Ali, Kacip Fatimah, Misai Kucing and Mas Cotek, besides other various herbs and plants. Visitors can feast their eyes on countless types of herbal plant that offer therapeutic and general healthcare needs.Visitors can also savour freshly made herbal beverages renowned for their effective nutriments.

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ORCHID GARDEN (20-minute boat ride from Pengkalan Gawi)

This garden is spread out across Pulau Hulu Selimbar, Pulau Hilir Selimbar and Pulau Belit. Various wild orchid species and exotic hybrids of local and international species are bred and bloom in an array of awe-inspiring colours. Established as a hub for orchid gardening, preservation and research, the garden retains the natural ecosystem to allow nature’s wonders to flourish.

L A S I R WAT E R F A L L ( 3 0 - m i n u t e b o a t r i d e f ro m Pe n g ka l a n G a w i ) Located 16 km from Pengkalan Gawi, this waterfall is one of the most popular picnic spots in Tasik Kenyir.Visitors are welcomed by the majestic 500-foot waterfall which drops gracefully onto a multi-tiered array of boulders and rocks forming cascading showers of foaming white spray. This waterfall is well shaded by the leafy green canopy of the surrounding tropical rainforest. Tracks and walkways have been built and climbing up to the top offers spectacular breathtaking views.

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K E L A H SA N C T U A RY (45-minute boat ride from Pengkalan Gawi) Kelah Sanctuary is located in Sungai Petang, approximately 45 minutes from Pengkalan Gawi. The river has 91 streams flowing into it, mainly from Mount Padang. For the protection, preservation and reproduction of the Kelah fish, fishing activities are strictly prohibited at the sanctuary, to maintain the natural spawning grounds. What makes this sanctuary exciting is the opportunity for visitors to swim with, catch by hand, and have their feet nibbled on by the abundant of Kelah.

G U A B E WA H ( 2 - h o u r b o a t r i d e f ro m Pe n g ka l a n G a w i ) Situated in Bewah Hill, this cave – which is Kenyir’s largest cave with an entrance arching 40 meters above the water level – is home to nocturnal animals and insects. Archaeologists uncovered skeletal remains of prehistoric humans and primitive artefacts used during Stone Age such as pots, axes and eating utensils. Other prehistoric skeletal remains recently found in the area were carbon dated to be 16,000 years old, making those remains the oldest skeleton found in the country. Travellers should also admire the extraordinary sight of naturally formed stalactites and stalagmites that appear in shapes best interpreted by travellers’ imagination.

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K E N Y I R E L E P H A N T C O N S E RVAT I O N V I L L A G E Located at the Sungai Telemong area, lovers of wildlife can befriend the rainforest’s largest and magnificent creature at the Kenyir Elephant Conservation Village (KECV). The elephants at this sanctuary welcome visitors and offer them the opportunity to ride, play and feed them. The Kenyir Elephant Conservation Village is the foremost authority on elephant translocation to ensure a healthy elephant population and reduce human-elephant conflict.

For more info, browse www.ketengah.gov.my/lakekenyir or call +60 9 823 1000.

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Destinations

Star t-in-Tioman

2017 Te x t b y M U H A M M A D H A S I F M O H D J ELA N I I m a g e s b y S TA R T I N T I O M A N 2 0 1 7

Start-in-Tioman (SiT) is a premier diving event, the biggest of its kind in Malaysia. Now in its eighth year, the Ministry of Tourism and Culture Malaysia (MOTAC) Pahang Office has been successfully organising this event to put the island of Tioman on the map as the diving spot of choice among local and international divers, including as the getaway destination of choice among sun, sand and sea enthusiasts.

The programme which took place from 24 to 27 August 2017 and was launched by the Director of MOTAC Pahang Office, Dato’ Haji Edros Yahya.

In his opening speech, he expressed his office’s great pleasure in hosting the event as an effort to encourage the public to treat Tioman as the destination where they can admire and respect the beauty of the tropical island and waters, including as the spot where diving enthusiasts first learn to dive. Being a diver himself, he finds Tioman irresistible and possesses the charms that attract local and international travellers, including divers and marine enthusiasts due to its diversely rich marine life since it is located within the Coral Triangle, where the Pacific and Indian Ocean meets.

This year’s SiT took a more casual approach by providing divers and non-divers the opportunity to not only savour Tioman’s bewitching underwater beauty but also take in the wondrous above-water island panorama from the peak of Nenek Semukut Hill. By doing so, the programme definitely achieved its objective in instilling awareness among participants and the general public towards the need to respect and conserve the natural environment and biodiversity, not just in Tioman but also worldwide, besides cementing the island’s position as one of Malaysia’s top-of-mind destinations.

‘Promoting’ crafts… underwater Besides hiking up Nenek Semukut Hill, what makes this year’s SiT differently special was the fact that for the first time, MOTAC Pahang Office worked hand-in-hand with Kraftangan Malaysia (National Craft Council) during the programme as part of Malaysia’s National Blue Ocean Strategy (NBOS), a national initiative that encourages voluntary collaboration among different ministries, government agencies and private sector to deliver projects in high impact, low cost and rapid manner.

Kraftangan Malaysia contributed to the SiT programme by developing an artificial reef in the form of one pole with various traffic signs and directions attached to it. Each sign points the direction to different districts in Pahang that are identified based on their specialty crafts such as Pekan (popular for royal handwoven textiles), Temerloh (wooden handicrafts) and Jerantut (ceramic crafts). Once the pole and signs have been designed, the divers who participated in the programme brought the road sign 100 metres from the beach and planted it on the seabed at the depth of 10 metres.

During the dive to plant the artificial reef, the group of scuba divers also brought along Jalur Gemilang, Malaysia’s national flag, in the spirit of celebrating the nation’s Independence Day.

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Turning a cancer fighter’s dream into reality During this four-day programme, the SiT participants were given a crash course on the underwater world and accompanying marine life, including the do’s and don’ts of diving.

More than just classes and a handbook, the participants were also brought to the sea to put their knowledge to test. At the end of the programme, the participants would receive diving certificates and licenses, giving amateur divers an exciting start to their dream to dive elsewhere in the world.

As a result, 20 participants are now certified as open water divers and one successfully received an advanced license.

One of the divers is the inspiring cancer fighter, Zaki Mohd Yamani, who was diagnosed with third stage blood cancer (Hodgkin Lymphoma) in July 2014. This 28-yearold youth from Jerantut, Pahang set a remarkable record last year when he hitch-hiked across Peninsular Malaysia with only RM13, his identification card and driving license in his wallet. His will and determination, as well as his message in spreading the word that getting cancer is not a life sentence, garnered nationwide attention.

As such, MOTAC Pahang Office intended to acknowledge Zaki giving him the chance to turn his dream of diving into reality by including him into the programme and eventually obtain a diving license, which is another feather in his cap. In his speech, the humble yet visionary Zaki thanked MOTAC Pahang Office for giving him such a valuable opportunity and expressed hope that he can help the public to understand cancer patients and inspire more cancer fighters to not stop pursuing their dreams.

Discovering the hidden gem of Tioman Island – Dragon’s Horns 068

Besides the divers, a total of 24 students from Kota Tinggi Community College, Johor were also invited to take part in snorkelling and learning the basics of safety while being in the water. These students also experienced discovery scuba diving, which is escorted underwater diving for beginners by an experienced diver or divemaster. To most of them, it was their first time in their lives being immersed in the underwater world and marine life, sparking interest among them to obtain their own diving licenses in the near future.

These students also experienced the Dragon’s Horns, Tioman’s hidden gem. It actually refers to the peak of Nenek Semukut Hill with an elevation of 695 metres above sea level.

It takes three hours of challenging uphill trek from Kampung Mukut. The name ‘Dragon’s Horns’ is derived from the hill’s geographical granite formation that resembles fantasy-like horns of a dragon. The view from the top of this hill is indeed breathtaking.

Where to Stay Damai Tioman Resort Damai Tioman Resort has been the accommodation of choice for the participants of the SiT programme. This beachfront, budget-friendly resort not only has an on-site dive centre, but also a restaurant that overlooks a pristine beach. The resort’s rooms come with private balconies, air-conditioning units, and en suite bathroom with hot water supply.

WiFi is also provided to the guests at the resort’s public areas. Sightseeing and snorkelling trips around the island can be arranged at the front desk.

Kg. Genting Pulau Tioman, 26800 Rompin Pahang Website: damaitioman.my Phone: +6 09 413 1442

Destinations

Savouring

I N D O N E S I A’ S

SPICE ISLANDS Te x t & I m a g e s b y FA R A H N A D I A H

The group of islands in the southeastern corner of Indonesia is known to the locals as Maluku.

The Portuguese attempted to render the Malay term in plural form by calling her ‘Malucas’, which later became to be known as Moluccas. In English, it is widely known as the Spice Islands, as a tribute to the two renowned spices native to Maluku: cloves and nutmeg. Despite being home to valued commodities which were the reasons for conquest, the present day Maluku is the lesser known wonders of Indonesia, waiting to surprise travellers.

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AMBON Tour de Molvccas 2017 I arrived in Ambon, the main capital of Maluku province as the city was preparing for the inaugural Tour de Molvcass 2017, a road cycling event following a 770-kilometre route through the eastern part of the islands.

The event attracted 120 cyclists from 30 countries. In the spirit of sportsmanship, I joined the locals cheering for the cyclists at the starting point. After the flag off, I began my journey to explore Ambon and two most famous islands in Maluku: Seram Island and Kei Islands.

Museum Siwalima & World Peace Gong Travellers who arrive in Ambon for the first time should visit Museum Siwalima to understand the history and culture of the 14 kingdoms that ruled over Maluku from north to south over the centuries and witness the magnificent World Peace Gong that symbolises the reunification of Ambon from civil unrest and violence. Travellers are bound to realise that Ambon is a thriving city that increasingly receives visitors from all over the globe.

Ambon War Cemetery Located on the opposite bay from the airport, Ambon War Cemetery was designed by Ralph Hobday and constructed on the grounds where the camp for prisoners of World War II comprising Australian, American and British soldiers during Japanese Occupation. The prisoners buried in the cemetery were Australian soldiers who died during the Japanese invasion of Ambon and Timor, including those who died in many camps constructed by the Japanese throughout Maluku and British prisoners who were transferred from Java. The cemetery has over 2,000 graves, marked with bronze plaques.

Top: The water chalet at Ora Beach Bottom: The beautiful corals at Adranan Island

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SERAM ISLAND

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After exploring Ambon, I travelled to Seram Island, which is the largest island within the Maluku archipelago, approximately 15 times larger than all of Hong Kong with a population of 170,000. From Liang Port, travellers need to take a two-hour ferry ride to Waipirit Port. A car transfer is needed to bring you to Saleman Village, only 10 minutes from Ora Beach. It is also possible to bring your car to Seram Island. Against the backdrop of the blue sea and mountain, the Saleman Village is painted in rainbow colours.

The treasured destination of Seram Island is Ora Beach, a heavenly paradise often likened to the Maldives or Bora-bora in the Pacific Ocean.

Set in kaleidoscopic glitter of the blue waters, Ora Beach is an ideal base to enjoy the ocean. Standing against the background of lush green jungle of Manusela National Park, Seram Island packs a lot of activities from snorkelling to mangrove tour.

Besides swimming and snorkelling at Ora Beach, there is also an opportunity to indulge in adrenaline rush by jumping off from Hatupia Cliff. Today, the vertical cliff is becoming more popular for travellers to jump into the crystal clear water.

Travellers should follow the mangrove tour on Pulau Raja, where they will learn about the significance of mangroves and the need to conserve them.

Then proceed to Sawai Village to see how lobster and napoleon wrasse are cultivated to meet the demands of seafood lovers.

Another unique attraction of Seram Island is Air Belanda, named after the discovery of the point where salt water from the ocean converges with fresh water from the stream by Dutch soldiers. A cruise along the estuary provides a glimpse of fauna where they congregate to feed, find refuge and

migrate. The estuary is the top spot for birdwatching due to the nutrient-rich waters due to the mixing of the lighter fresh water and the heavier salt water.

KEI ISLANDS Said to be a combination of Bali, Lombok and Raja Ampat, Kei Islands are located at the southeastern part of Maluku, amid Seram, Banda and Arafuru seas. Two of the largest islands in Kei Islands are known as Kei Besar and Kei Kecil. Dubbed as ‘the most popular hidden gem in Indonesia’ by the Ministry of Tourism of the Republic of Indonesia in 2016, Kei Islands are lesser known compared to destinations such as Wakatobi and Alor.

To reach Kei Island, one has to take the one hour and a half flight from Pattimura Ambon Airport to Karel Satsuitubun Airport in Langgur on Kei Kecil Island. Kei Islands can be visited all-year round, but it is advisable to avoid visiting during the month of January and February due to the rough seas. The best times to visit are April to May and from October to December.

Travellers should take a stroll on the coastal area of Pasir Panjang Beach renowned for its long white and finegrained sandy beach. With only 300 travellers visiting Kei Islands in 2016, you can expect to enjoy the pristine beach all to yourself. The accommodations for Pasir Panjang Beach can be found at the two villages located at its southern and northern ends, Ngur Bloat and Ohoililir respectively. Ohoililir Beach is popular for picnic, but the beach turns into a white mudflat during low tide.

Snorkelling around the waters of Kei Kecil and hopping to the Bair, Adranan and Ngurvatur islands are a must. Equated to the world famous Raja Ampat, the turquoise water of Bair Island is surrounded by sea stacks, mangrove vegetation and rocky cliffs.

Despite its small size of 500 meters squared, Bair Island has two beaches that are divided by a sandy bar. You can swim or enjoy yourself basking under the sun at one of the floating gazebos, besides indulging in kayaking and jet-skiing.

Next on the list is the Adranan Island where the current is not as strong that beginners can easily enjoy snorkelling to see the beautiful corals and reef fishes. If you are lucky, you may also spot the black-tipped sharks. Even if diving and snorkelling are not your cup of tea, you can just relax by the beach or have picnic with friends and family. Better still, master the art of perfectly doing nothing but enjoying the moment.

Goa Hwang Goa Hwang or Hwang cave is situated at the west coast of Kei Kecil Island in Letvian Village. Some believe the cave is haunted by ghosts. Others believe the myth that a local man and his dog were cursed and turned into stones when they entered the cave while hunting for pigs and drank the water from the pool. However, the mystical cave does not shun people away from visiting the natural pool within the cave. From your boat, you will need to swim to enter the cave chamber that is surrounded by large stalactites hanging between 10 and 20 metres from the water surface.

The reflection of the sun rays creates sparkling blue crystal clear water below.

Tip: To visit Bair, Adrana Island and Goa Hwang for a day trip, you need to charter a boat. The small boat that can fit up to 10 persons costs IDR1,000,000, while the larger boat that can accommodate up to 20 persons costs IDR2,500,000.

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Clockwise from Top: Swimming in the crystal clear water of Adranan Island; Glistening waters in the natural pool of Goa Hwang; A beautiful day at Adranan Island relaxing on the floats; The friendly people of Maluku

THE DETAILS Getting there | Most overseas travellers will arrive at Ambon by air from Jakarta or Makassar. From Ambon to Kei Islands, it is possible to take either flight or ferry.

Where to stay | Swiss-Belhotel Ambon Jl. Benteng Kapaha No. 88, Uritetu, Kota Ambon, Maluku 97124; swiss-belhotel.com; doubles from RM279. Maluku Resort & Spa Jl Waititiri, Suli, Salahutu, Central Maluku Regency, Maluku 97582; doubles from RM309; malukuresort.com. Grand Vilia Hotel & Restaurant Jl Telaver, Tual, Langur, Kei Kecil, Southeast Maluku Regency, Maluku; doubles from RM219; grandviliahotel.com.

Tips | Souvenirs can be bought from Ambon Manise Shop.

Must Try Food | Papeda – the sticky porridge-like food made from pulpy flour extracted from mature sago trees.

Gaya Travel Magazine expresses our heartfelt gratitude to the Ministry of Tourism of Republic of Indonesia for inviting the writer to be part of the journey to Maluku.

Interesting array of Turkish desser ts at Osmanli Zadeler 1879

Destinations

Shop, Dine and Jaunt where the

E a s t We s t ! meets

Te x t & I m a g e s b y J U H A N KA M A R U D D I N

Gaya Travel Magazine team were in Istanbul during the 7th Istanbul Shopping Fest held from 1 until 16 July 2017. During our visit, we savoured the city’s delights, especially its retail and dining scene, besides admiring the city’s wondrous heritage that spans over two millennia. Today, Istanbul remains the economic and cultural hub of Turkey, complementing Ankara’s functional role as the country’s administrative and political epicentre.

Though it was our third time in Istanbul, the city is as authentic as when we first visited it a few years ago.

Besides strong sense of nostalgia and wistful romance, Istanbul never ceases to pique inquisitive travellers’ interest.

Since half of Istanbul straddles on the European continent, visiting the city – especially on the European side – is likened to visiting a typical dynamic Western European city with its world-class infrastructure, streetscape and liberal vibe, yet rich with imperial heritage, culture, cobbled streets, cosy eateries and enjoyment of simple pleasures of life that that Turks called keyifli such as watching the world go by along

the bustling Bosphorus strait or appreciating the city’s undulating skyline punctuated by landmark Ottoman and Byzantine architecture from a rooftop in Sultanahmet.

Shopping When it comes to shopping, there are over 122 malls all over Istanbul, so shopaholics are definitely spoilt for choice. Due to the more favourable exchange rate (TRY1=MYR1.22) recently, travellers from Asia, especially Malaysia, will find Istanbul definitely value for money.

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Clockwise from Top Left: Men’s eau de cologne sold at Vakko depar tment store in Zorlu Centre; Divine steak ser ved at Welldone by Midpoint in Nişantaşı; Scenery along the shores of Bosphorus that can be witnessed during the cruise along the strait.

Tip: Travellers who hold cash other than the US Dollar (USD) or Euros (EUR) need to firstly exchange it into those currencies before coming to Turkey, then exchange them into Turkish Lira (TRY) when they are there.

Shoppers should check out: » Kanyon (www.kanyon.com.tr/ en/#!/home) is a hip, airy and forwardthinking mall designed by US-based Jerde Parnertship, offering local and international brands that appeal to discerning shoppers. » Zorlu Shopping Centre (www. zorlucenter.com.tr/en/) in Besiktas is home to various attractive fashion brands including chic local fashion greats Abdullah Kığılı, Sevan Bıçakçı, Beymen and Vakko. It also has a performance centre that can accommodate up to 2,200 spectators at any time. » Vakko (www.vakko.com) – already a household name in Istanbul, if not Turkey – has been established for over 60 years.

Founded by a Jewish family, the first Vakko store opened in 1962 in Beyoglu, close to Taksim Square, carrying home textiles and apparels. These days, several Vakko stores are located in selected shopping hubs throughout Istanbul offering not just fashion items like artisanal brands, limited edition merchandises and leather but also men’s eau de cologne and amazing in-house made chocolates (which Gaya Travel Magazine recommends, especially the divine product line called Superfine).

The Vakko store at Zorlu Centre, opened in 2014, is the group’s largest store to date. » The luxurious Emaar Square Mall (www.emaarsquaremall.com/en) is a new addition to the Istanbul shopping scene.

Besides upscale retail outlets, shoppers together with their family and friends will be able to get up close and personal with marine life that includes penguins and alligators at the aquarium (www. emaarsquaremall.com/en/istanbul-shoppingcenter/emaar-aquarium-ve-underwater-zoo), located inside the mall as well.

» Akasya Acıbadem Konutları (www.ak-asya.com.tr/eng/) mall is situated on the Asian side and home to 260 stores. Recognised as the Best Shopping Mall in Europe under ‘New Developments Large’ Category during 2015 ICSC European Shopping Centre Awards, Akasya offers visitors unique architectural design with 30-metre high freeform skylights that offer maximum daylight and wide walking space for shoppers’ ease. Though the mall is actually enclosed, the mall’s interior feels spacious and airy. » Istinye Park Mall (www.istinyepark. com/en) is arguably the best place in Istanbul for quality mid-priced products and reasonably priced items, retailed through its 300 stores. We were also told that travellers can even spot Turkish personalities and celebrities during winter at Masa Restaurant, located at the mall’s outer courtyard.

Tip: Lovers of Zara (www.zara.com) should check out the brand’s product lines being retailed in Istanbul, which might offer better variety and more attractive prices than in East and South East Asia. We suspect this is due to lower transport costs since Istanbul is closer to Europe (Zara’s headquarters is in Spain) and clever inter-connected supply chain.

Dining Istanbul is not only great for shopping, but also dining. The following are the recommended places for travellers to consider: » Portaxe (www.portaxe.net/en/home) is a multi-purpose event space that comes with catering service. The venue is able to accommodate 700 persons for sit-down dining or 2,000 for cocktail on the terrace next to the Bosphorus strait, making it ideal for functions, shows and filming. It also serves up hearty brunch buffet every Sunday from 10:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m.

» Eataly Istanbul (eataly.com.tr/en/) is the hub that brings together the best Italian food and everything about it under the same roof. Travellers who do not get the chance to visit Italy could simply savour the country’s amazing culinary offerings when they visit Zorlu Centre. Besides Istanbul, Eataly has another 14 branches scattered throughout the globe. » When visiting Akasya Acıbadem Konutları mall, be sure to dine at Trattoria Enzo (trattoriaenzo.com.tr) on Level 3 that serves scrumptious and hearty Italian dishes. » Steak lovers should dine at Welldone by Midpoint restaurant (www.midpoint.com.tr/en/) in Nişantaşı for the restaurant’s succulent servings.

It also possesses a vast open garden, where diners can cosily dine outdoors. » For satiating and excellent Westmeets-East dishes, head to Big Chefs Anadolu Hisari (www.bigchefs.com.tr/ en-US) restaurant by the Bosphorus.

The restaurant is popular among locals for lunch and dinner, especially during weekends. Besides the food, diners are bound to be wowed by the restaurants smartly designed and cosy indoor and outdoor dining spaces that invite diners to linger longer. » Dessert lovers should head to Osmanli Zadeler 1879 (www. osmanlizadeler.com/) for its dazzling array of Turkish desserts based on recipes that has been developed and remain popular for over one century and a half.

Sightseeing Besides shopping and dining, Istanbul is also rich in history. Be sure to walk around the pretty neighbourboods of Nişantaşı , Beyoğlu, Galata and Ortaköy for an enriching experience. » Nişantaşı is a hipster chic neighbourhood within Sisli district where Armenians, Jews and liberal Muslims live. The area seems to possess a bourgeois Bohemian vibe that has now been gentrified and caters to the upmarket, with specialty stores and elegant boutiques.

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» Galata and Beyoğlu are the areas where European communities have been residing for hundreds of years, contributing to the area’s panache and atmosphere. We love the scenery surrounding the iconic Galata Tower that was built in 1348 by the Genoese with its cobbled streets and serried historical buildings containing business spaces at the street level that are now converted into trendy ateliers, specialty shops selling quirky merchandises and charming cafes serving aromatic coffee and refreshing lemonade. As you explore Beyoğlu, check out the shops along Istiklal Caddesi leading up to the Taksim Square. » Ortaköy, which means ‘Middle Village’, is a breezy area set within the Beşiktaş district next to the Bosphorus that is full of restaurants, bars and shops, attracting locals and foreigners to enjoy its quaint village-like atmosphere.

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Top: One of the many charming cafes that dot the area surrounding Galata Tower Bottom: Typical scener y along Istiklal Caddesi, popular for shopping and people-watching

A few more tips to enjoy Istanbul: » Admire the city’s beauty from the water by taking the cruise along the Bosphorus strait. » Walk around the neighbourhoods surrounding the Blue Mosque and the Hagia Sophia that bare filled with its quaint houses, shops, restaurants and cobblestoned streets. » Shop at the beguiling Grand Bazaar that was built in 1455 and houses over 3,000 shops, believed to be the pre-cursor to the modern shopping malls. Then make way to the atmospheric Spice Bazaar, also known as the Egyptian market, for its heady collection of spices on sale.

For more info, visit istshopfest.com/en/ and turkeytourism.com.my. Also refer to www.gayatravel.com.my/tag/turkey/ for more images and stories on Istanbul and Turkey.

Gaya Travel Magazine extends our heartfelt gratitude to Istanbul Shopping Festival Trade Organisation and Turkey Tourism for making our trip to Istanbul memorable.

Destinations

Doing in

MICE

Switzerland Par t 1:

Lugano, Ticino

Te x t & I m a g e s b y J U H A N KA M A R U D D I N

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When I visited Switzerland for the second time, I fell in love again with this landlocked country not just twice but times over due to its mesmerising beauty and high quality of life.

No doubt, Switzerland is known the world over as a prestigious destination that pursues excellence and high quality in whatever it produces, making it excellent for meetings, incentives, conferences and expositions (MICE). Switzerland – though comparatively small and only as large as the Malaysian state of Pahang – possesses many places that can hold events and functions for large MICE groups. Destination managers who bring incentive groups are invited to collaborate with the Switzerland Convention & Incentive Bureau (www.MySwitzerland.com/meetings) for an impactful and rewarding MICE experience in this landlocked nation.

Cappella Santa Maria degli Angeli

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Clockwise from Top Left: Bellinzona Grand Castle that has courtyard fit for MICE activities; Fresco masterwork entitled Passion and Crucifixion by Leonardo da Vinci’s contemporary Bernardino Luini inside Santa Maria degli Angeli Loreto Church in Lugano; A typical scenery of Lugano lakeside during summer

When it comes to MICE, especially relating to incentive travel, the owner of well-established destinations management company BMC Travel Sdn. Bhd. Mr. Billy Leong recommends that companies and organisations should consider offering travel as an effective way to reward or incentivise employees for their hard work or excellent performance. Since Switzerland is renowned for its beauty and efficiency, employees are bound to be strongly motivated by the chance to be sent to the destination for incentive tour should they hit certain target or level of performance at work.

On top of that, research also indicates that people derive greater value from experience than physical items or objects, meaning that travelling offers more impact than monetary or physical reward in getting the best out of employees.

BMC Travel Sdn. Bhd. (www.bmctravel.com) is a top-notch MICE inbound and outbound tour operator based in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. The company offers a complete range of services covering destinations management, client goaloriented projects, and travel consultancy, among others.

Since 1979, BMC Travel Sdn. Bhd. has been the household name among movers and shakers of the corporate world, including ministers, royals and discerning travellers seeking professional, trusted tour provider with proven track record. The company also has extensive experience bringing large contingent of delegates from Malaysia to worldwide destinations.

Switzerland has many moments that make you smile and release stress – it is indeed a destination where travellers savour strikingly beautiful views and absorb energy from the pristine surroundings while taking in the fresh Swiss air.

It is also the place where MICE travellers can collect their thoughts and get inspired. Since this mountainous country is about landscapes, public transport, pedestrianism and efficiency, travellers are expected to do lots of walking, taking the public transport, changing train platforms and being punctual, which can be challenging for those who are not used to walk in their daily life. However, buses or coaches can definitely be arranged for MICE groups.

Doing MICE in Ticino and Lugano Ticino (www.ticino.ch/en) is the Italian-speaking canton located in the south of Switzerland, bordering with Italy. The canton is dubbed as the sunnier side of Switzerland, clocking 2,302 hours of sun in a year. It also boasts 160 kilometres of lake shores and 130 lakes that are ideal for swimming and fishing, including 3,600 kilometres of hiking trails and 737 kilometres of cycling paths. Due to the canton’s mild climate, travellers could hike at any day of the year, especially during spring through autumn. Though it is recommended that the best time to come to Ticino is in September to October, May

onwards is already lovely enough.

Ticino is also home to two UNESCO Sites: one site located in Ticino’s charming capital, Bellinzona (www. bellinzonese-altoticino.ch/en), the home of the three landmark castles (Castelgrande, Montebello, Sasso Corbaro) that possess unique military architecture from the medieval times; and the other is in Monte San Giorgio located right at the border of Italy, which is home to the best fossil record of marine life from the Triassic Period (between 245 and 230 million years ago). The Grand Castle of Bellinzona has a courtyard that can be converted into a space suitable for MICE activities.

The largest city within Ticino is Lugano, a picturesque lakeside city with buildings that are not more than six or seven storeys high to preserve the city’s charm. Located on Lake Lugano and surrounded by the mountains, the city has a population of 63,583 (as of December 2015) and urban agglomeration of over 145,000. Like all other places in Switzerland, the city is great for walking.

When it comes to MICE accommodations in Lugano, Hotel de la Paix (www.delapaix.ch/eng) is the largest in the city with 131 rooms, ballroom that can accommodate up to 320 persons for sit-in dining (banquet style), two restaurants offering Italian and international cuisines respectively, and free large private parking. On the other hand, Hotel Esplendide Royal (www.splendide.ch) is the most opulent in the city – opened since 1887 – and received the Best Service Award from Leading Hotels of the World.

Interesting observation if you were to stay at Hotel Esplendide Royal: when travellers choose their accommodations in historical buildings that once served as large manors and palatial residences built from the 17th century up until the 20th century, they are bound to notice that the rooms at the lower floors have higher ceilings than those on the upper floors because back then, servants lived on the higher floors since the lower floors were meant for the owners and masters of the house so that they would not need to walk too far to their private quarters, unlike the servants.

Thus, when you stay in such a historical building like Hotel Esplendide Royal, you might want to choose a room located on the lower floors if you prefer higher ceilings. However, the rooms on the upper floors of Hotel Esplendide Royal are no less exquisite.

Another notable property is Villa Sassa Hotel, Residence and Spa (villasassa.ch/en), which is romantic, compact, and intimate. The hotel has 24 rooms and 107 suites and apartments of various types. It has a meeting room that fits 100 people (banquet style), making it popular for weddings and small MICE groups. The establishment is well known for health and well-being, hence its restaurant serves up tasty yet healthy international fare. It even has a spa facility that covers 3000 meters squared.

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For MICE venues, Monte Tamaro (www.montetamaro. ch/en), offers a 360-degree view over many parts of Ticino encompassing lakes and valleys. To enjoy the views, go up to Alpe Foppa, a landing on Monte Tamaro that is 1,530 metres above sea level and accessible via cable car. This is where travellers will find the restaurant that serves delectable risotto and vegetarian lasagna for lunch, an adventure park, a children’s playground and even the awe-inspiring and unconventionally designed chapel called Cappella Santa Maria degli Angeli by the highly respected architect Mario Botta, which exists in perfect harmony with the surrounding landscape.

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Tip: When Malaysians budget for their trip to Switzerland, the rule of thumb is to anticipate their expenditure to be similar to shopping and dining at the retail outlets and restaurants (NOT the food courts) located on the Concourse and Ground Floor levels of Suria KLCC or Pavilion. Travellers must be comfortable with the idea that one meal might cost them MYR80 to MYR100 per person.

But of course, if travellers consume less and opt for merely sandwiches, pastries and fresh fruits, the cost for meals can considerably be reduced.

At the foot of Mount Tamaro is Splash & Spa (www. splashespa.ch/en), opened four years ago, an ideal all-yearround attraction that is ideal for MICE travellers since its facilities such as pools, spa treatment rooms and saunas are mostly located indoors (events or functions can easily be held by the poolside that can hold up to 1,000 persons). It even has a slide as high as five storeys for adults who want to relive their childhood.

Swissminiatur (www.swissminiatur.ch/en) is an open-air park cum replica museum where one can admire the most important Swiss buildings and means of transportation,

allowing travellers to cover most of Switzerland’s famous landmarks in just one day. This park, covering 14,000 metres squared, is defined by 120 1:125 scale models that represent Switzerland’s foremost buildings and monuments. There is also a 3,560-metre long model railway with 18 trains running through the park. Visiting Swissminiatur makes an interesting addition to the corporate MICE itinerary.

As a way for MICE travellers to be immersed in the enviable Swiss-Mediterranean languor, take the boat to Morcote, a peaceful village with 700 souls situated on the lakeshore, once entirely devoted to fishing. Morcote was declared the winner of “the most beautiful village in Switzerland” competition in 2016. Travellers are bound to fall in love with Morcote’s narrow streets and alleyways, historic edifices and landmarks, elegantly well-aged atmosphere and lush, subtropical vegetation. For those who are fit and love to take in the view of Morcote from a higher ground, be sure to climb up the 404 steps to the Church of Santa Maria del Sasso, built in Rennaissance Baroque style.

Another interesting and memorable MICE activity to be done in Lugano would be to follow the Food & Wine trail, whereby business and corporate travellers or guests are given the opportunity to go eatery-hopping for lunch or dinner to experience various food and wine offerings by selected local producers, gastronomic retailers and restaurants in Lugano.

An example would be to begin with cheese canapes and Ticinese finger food tasting at Bernasconi (cibodivino.ch) while imbibing Merlot made from grapes grown in south Lugano near Monte Generoso; then head to Ciani (www. cianilugano.ch/en) for assorted cold meats and porcini and chanterelle mushroom cooked in polenta (boiled cornmeal); culminating at Osteria del Porto (anticaosteriadelporto.ch) for comforting fish and chips, topped with walnut ice cream for dessert. Now, who says that meeting and incentive trips should just be about sitting in coaches and follow run-ofthe-mill tours?

Top: Cappella Santa Maria degli Angeli, designed by Mario Botta, at Alpe Foppa on Monte Tamaro Bottom: Swissminiatur is the place where travellers are able to view Switzerland’s important landmarks and buildings in one day

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Switzerland at a Glance

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To the Gaya Travel team, Switzerland is about liveability – all travellers should take time to absorb Switzerland’s fresh air, exceedingly beautiful natural landscapes and high quality of life. Swiss cities such as Zurich and Geneva tend to score high on the world global cities index when it comes to liveability.

Visiting Switzerland offers international travellers the real understanding of what ‘liveability’ actually means.

Travellers will find Switzerland accessible, natural, pristine, built in human scale, hardly garish, elegantly understated, highly functional and efficient, clean, pragmatic, durable and sustainable. As for the people, the Swiss is generally down-to-earth, polite, punctual, diplomatic, outdoorsy, active and modest. Both the country and people possess characteristics that any forward-thinking nation should aspire!

Around 60% of Swiss territory are mountainous, thus space and arable land in Switzerland are premium. Besides snow-capped mountains and glaciers, Switzerland is also blessed with pristine rivers, waterfalls and gorges, elements conducive for the construction of hydropower plants, which produces 56% of the country’s energy, making it the most important domestic source of renewable energy. It is followed by nuclear power plants (producing 39% of energy), thermal and other power plants (5%).

For Malaysians and Singaporeans, entering Switzerland for the purposes of tourism and business is fuss free since visa is not required and travellers are allowed to stay not more than 90 days. However, after having stayed up to 90 days in Switzerland or anywhere within the Schengen states (Austria, Belgium, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain and Sweden), a 90-day waiting period is imposed on the traveller, which means he or she needs to remain outside the Schengen area for 90 days before re-entering it for the same purposes. There is no need to fill up any embarkation card or customs and declaration form upon entry.

Switzerland is small thus many parts of the country can be conveniently accessed by public transport. It does seem that the country’s urban and transport design and planning philosophy is strictly bent towards making life easy. It is highly recommended that travellers visiting

Top: A corner full of character and historical charm in Morcote Bottom: The boat approaching the village of Morcote

Switzerland readily purchase the handy and all-encompassing Swiss pass online at www.mySwitzerland.com/rail prior to visiting Switzerland to make use of the excellent Swiss public transportation, allowing travellers to use Swiss railways, trams, buses, and boats to as far as the system takes you throughout the country.

Travellers will also be able to get more travelling information from swisstravelsystem.com.

Remember: if you get caught taking the train, bus, tram or boat without purchasing any ticket or Swiss Pass, you will be fined up to CHF80, which is hefty, so never take that chance! » Yes, Switzerland is no doubt expensive and travellers sometimes can’t help but compare the prices of goods here to those back home.

However, we feel that embracing this reality is part of the travelling experience since prices are also exorbitant in other European countries like Denmark, Norway, Sweden, Iceland and Luxembourg. The chance to travel through one of the world’s most beautiful and most liveable countries on the planet far outweighs the cost. » Travellers are recommended to refer to the website www.MySwitzerland.com, which is one of the best sources for travellers to research and obtain up-to-date information on Switzerland, including suggestions on what to do and see. » To know what time and what mode of public transport to take to travel from one point to another when being in Switzerland, simply download the SBB Fahrplan mobile app (www.mySwitzerland.com/en/sbb-app. html) onto your mobile device. The app precisely calculates the time and schedule of the relevant mode of transport that travellers can take from one point to another. It also suggests various possibilities and alternative options for travellers to get to their destinations from respective points of departure.

Follow Part 2 of this story in Issue 12.6, which will feature Luzern and Bern.

Gaya Travel Magazine extends our heartfelt gratitude to the Switzerland Convention & Incentive Bureau (SCIB) and BMC Travel Sdn. Bhd. for the smooth arrangement, coordination and execution of the Educational Corporate Trip to Switzerland, which the magazine’s Editor-in-Chief participated.

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Destinations

LOST under the clouds of

Nor th Sumatr a Te x t & I m a g e s b y S H A H I DA S A KERI

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“Please, just five more minutes...” I begged silently.

But time was not on our side – we are pressed for it just like during any other typical media familiarisation trips that I participated in the past. “Chop chop...onto the bus. We need to get going for our lunch now,” said my guide, Pak Herman, a humorous, kind-hearted man with strong sense of punctuality.

We were in front of Sipiso-piso waterfall, supposedly the highest waterfall in Indonesia and probably one of the most spectacular sights I’ve ever seen. It’s fascinating how this simple case of natural physics could make you lost in the moment; like how this curtain of water in front of me flows sleekly from an opening on the rock face down to the bottom, crashing and roaring 120 metres below the platform I was standing. Despite the violent sound it makes, I found peace in it. Honestly, I think I could spend hours sitting there doing nothing but looking at the majestic waterfall.

We continued our journey for lunch as suggested by Pak Herman at the nearby Taman Simalem Resort, which is a beautiful mountain retreat sitting in the clouds with unobstructed views of Lake Toba. This is the kind of place you’ll go for a quiet hideout, amidst organic farms, fruit orchards, tea and coffee plantations. I can imagine having brunches with a novel in my hand here...or I wonder, will this place be inspiring enough for artists to craft their next masterpiece? The serenity of the place had won me too, but before I could delve deeper into my thoughts, it was time for us to move yet again.

Our next destination was the Samosir Island, a large volcanic island in Lake Toba touted to be as big as Singapore, formed after the eruption of a volcano 75,000 years ago. To reach there, we boarded a boat and cruised along the calm waters of Lake Toba for 45 minutes with the majestically jagged mountains in the background before arriving at Tomok Jetty. There are plenty of tourist attractions on the island including souvenir stalls, Batak Museum and tombs of previous Batak Kings, each comes with fascinating tales on its own.

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“It’s fascinating how this simple case of natural physics could make you lost in the moment; like how this curtain of water in front of me flows sleekly from an opening on the rock face down to the bottom, crashing and roaring 120 metres below.”

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Clockwise from Top: The breathtaking, vast view of the Lake Toba; a Karo woman selling fresh organic fruits at Berastagi Fruit Market; and a couple of Batak women before the Sigale-gale ritual.

But the highlight of this island would probably be the Sigale-gale ritual, involving a wooden puppet in Batak traditional clothing, dancing on an ornate wooden platform while being controlled from behind like a marionette. Like many other age-old rituals, there are many versions on how Sigale-gale came about but the most popular belief is that the puppet was a representation of a son of local king, who died young in a war. Saddened by his death, the king ordered a life-sized puppet and named it Sigale-gale, which sounded similar to his son’s name, Manggale. During the ritual, local people believe the spirit of the dead child would possess the puppet and dance, adding mystical feel to the entire experience.

That night, I retreated to one of the topranked lakefront resorts in town – the Inna Parapat Hotel – which boasts spectacular view of Lake Toba to wake up to.

Now Pak Herman, please don’t wake me from my dreams too soon, please!

Don’t miss these places too when you visit Medan!

Maimun Palace If you’re like us who start the journey to Samosir Island from Medan, the capital city of North Sumatra, Indonesia, be sure to spare a couple of days to visit worthy attractions along the way including the historic Maimun Palace, which is a symbol of a Malay King sovereignty in Medan, or more specifically the Sultanate of Deli. Built between 1887 and 1891, the palace’s impressive architecture combines a myriad of local and foreign influences such as Indian (Moghul), Spanish and Italian; a refreshing take from the stereotypical design using European marble tiles, big arches and hand-painted ceiling decorations. The main building features the Balairong Seri (The Great Hall), where travellers can find the Sultan’s throne, then dress up in traditional king or queen attire and have their pictures taken by the palace’s designated photographer. The actual sultan, Aria Mahmud Lamanjiji – who was only eight years old when he was

installed as the 14th Sultan of Deli in 2005 – doesn’t live at the palace anymore; he is currently in Sulawesi with his mother, and his role today is purely ceremonial.

Vihara Gunung Timur (Gunung Timur Temple) Built in 1962, this Chinese Taoist temple is the largest of its kind in the city of Medan. It has 80 statues of deities altogether, and has been the main temple in Medan for years. The worshippers also believe that its strategic location facing the River Babura brings good luck to both temple and its visitors.

Graha Maria Annai Velangkanni Characterised by a pagoda in the middle of this Indo-Mogul styled house of worship, travellers could mistook this a Hindu temple. Upon closer inspection, travellers will instead notice the common features of a Catholic church such as crucifixes and passages from the Bible adorning its grey and white walls.

This church is dedicated to ‘Our Lady of Good Health’, or Mother Mary who devotees believed to have shown herself in Velankanni, a small town in Tamil Nadu, India, in 17th century, hence inspiring the church’s unique design.

Lumbini Natural Park Located high at the foot of Gunung Sibayak sits a magnificent and ornate Buddhist pagoda dubbed as the tallest one in the whole of Indonesia. The look and feel is inspired by the Shwedagon Pagoda in Yangon, Myanmar, while the gold colour imitates the pagodas in Thailand. Naturally, the site is considered as one of the holiest places in Indonesia for Buddhists, thus visitors need to dress modestly as a sign of respect when visiting the place.

Berastagi Fruit Market Located approximately 35 kilometres away from Sipiso-piso waterfall, Berastagi is a picturesque town in the Karo highlands 1,300 metres above sea level.

The average annual temperature of the area is 18°C, making it ideal destination to escape from the suffocating heat. The

town was initially developed around 1920 as a Dutch hill base, but today, little traces of this colonial history can be found, except for the fruit market, which was the centre of agricultural trade during the Dutch era. The land around this area has always been fertile due to its close proximity to two active volcanoes: Mount Sinabung and Mount Sibayak. Common crops that can be found here include passion fruit, oranges, avocados and cabbages – some of them are exported to neighbouring countries like Malaysia and Singapore.

The market opens everyday from early morning till late evening, and do keep in mind that you need to bargain for the best prices here. *** The journey to Samosir Island took an eight-hour bus ride from Medan before reaching Parapat town, where visitors board the boat that leaves every hour for the island from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.

There’s no denying that the trip was long, but the winding drive up into the hills through farmlands and colourful vegetation truly is a sight for sore eyes.

After such a long ride, I now learned that the most beautiful treasure troves in the world are often the hardest to reach.

It is a trip such as this that opens one’s eyes and make travellers realise that the beauty of travel does not lie on the destination alone, but the hidden gems you encounter along the way.

But having said that, there is a quicker alternative to Lake Toba and Samosir Island if travellers wish to skip the eight-hour bus ride: just book a flight to Silangit Airport from Medan or Jakarta, and then get a taxi to Parapat once you arrived. The Parapat town is 76 kilometres away from the airport.

Gaya Travel Magazine would like to extend our heartfelt gratitude to The Embassy of Republic of Indonesia (KL Office) and Ministry of Tourism Indonesia for their kind invitation and for making our journey smooth sailing.

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Destinations

A Night Above the Clouds in

Wae Rebo Te x t & I m a g e s b y ED J U NA I D I

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The hike that I found miserable during my previous trip somehow felt easier this time. Perhaps because I had enough rest at Wae Rebo Lodge the night before and managed freshen up and clean myself well, I felt bushy tailed in the following morning to explore the lodge’s surrounding panorama and take photos. The view around the lodge is simply breathtaking – it is surrounded by resplendently layered and vast green paddy fields that seem to meet the sky. At the horizon, Mules Island stands regal, making it an outstanding object to photograph from afar.

Once in a while, during our hike, we passed by several locals commuting between Wae Rebo village and Denge. Sometimes we passed by one or two men walking briskly, and we passed them again along the trail, this time they were coming from the opposite direction. These are ‘the postmen’, who are hired to deliver various items between the village and Denge. In a day, they make several walking trips between the two villages. They can complete a walking trip in just 20 minutes, which the rest of us need two hours and a half. I aspire to reach that level of fitness and stamina, one day...

As we explore the area, the locals greeted us with warm and welcoming smiles as we passed by. It touched my heart to see how the locals are impressively polite despite being isolated far from civilisation. They also seemed to have gentler demeanour than bigcity dwellers. Along the hike, we stumbled upon outsiders like us too.

Dubbed as the ‘village above the clouds’, Wae Rebo village is located on one of the seven peaks within Todo Forest in West Flores

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Top: There are not that many activities can be done here but most of the visitors choose to enjoy the social activities with friendly locals Bottom: The kitchen area located inside mbaru niang

Located amongst the Todo Forest at Manggarai West Flores in East Nusa Tenggara province, Wae Rebo is dubbed as the ‘village above the clouds’, erected 1,100 metres above sea level; however, to get there, we only need to hike up to 600 metres. The village is surrounded by mountains and in the morning when temperature is optimum, clouds gather around the lower levels of the mountain where this village is on, making it look like floating in the sky. Though remote, Wae Rebo is fast attracting travellers from the world over since it offers various off-the-beaten-path experience that intrepid travellers seek. It even helps to put Flores on the map, which is still relatively untouched.

Note: I honestly recommend that travellers go to Flores now before it is overrun by more tourists and becoming more commercialised, thus losing its authenticity. As a matter of fact, the government of Indonesia intends to increase the number of tourists to Labuan Bajo, the capital city of Flores, from 54,000 in 2013 to 500,000 in 2019i. The government is currently investing heavily on infrastructure and facilities to accommodate the tourism boom in Flores.

Wae Rebo is not just a heritage village, but a conservation project by the local community to conserve and protect its conical traditional houses called mbaru niang, characterised by high pitched roof supported by structure made from wood and cladded with layers of palm leaves. This project – initiated by Tirto Utomo Foundation and Rumah Asuh – is acclaimed as environmentally sustainable and fosters the sense of unity and pride among Wae Rebo residents. It also garnered the Award of Excellence by UNESCO in 2012 as

recognition towards the community’s efforts in preserving their unique identity despite the difficulties and challenges faced.

Wae Rebo is the only village in the entire province of East Nusa Tenggara that still has complete structure of the mbaru niang houses, which retain special aspects of Manggarai culture.

There are seven such houses in total to honour the seven mountain peaks surrounding the village. Each unit has rooms where one family resides in each room. Although I may not call it a kitchen, there is a cooking area right in the middle of each house with stoves and storage places for food, cookware and crockery. It is placed in the middle so that during cooking, the smoke from the stove fire would rise to the top of the house and not suffocate the people living inside. Such clever technique is also similar to one of the traditional houses I visited in Japan.

The roof of each house typically consists of five levels. Each level serves its own purpose such as to store seeds for next harvesting season, food in preparation for drought or disasters, and offerings to the spirits of the ancestors, normally placed top-most. Although the members of the community are mostly Catholics, they still practice their old beliefs.

We stayed one night in Wae Rebo and were lucky to be placed in the main house called Rumah Gendang, where each leader from the eight families lives.

This is the biggest house compared to the rest. This is also the ceremonial house where they gather for festivities or rituals, including the place where they keep their ancestors’ heirlooms, gongs and drums called gendang.

However, when specifically referring to the house, the word gendang is not about the drums but a derivation from the word gadang, which means

‘big’ in Minangkabau culture from West Sumatera. It is believed that the ancestors of the Manggarai who were of Minangkabau descent went all the way to Flores as sailors and traders. To remind them of their roots, a totem that looks like buffalo’s horn is placed on top of the roof, another signature feature of the mbaru niang houses.

The people of Wae Rebo live in social structures similar to other communities. The men go out hunting and gathering in the jungle, while the women help with the processing of the beans for luwak (civet cat droppings) coffee and weaving traditional cloth.

They are also aware of the importance of education and nowadays, when the children reach six years old, they will be sent to live with their relatives in Denge or Dintor to get formal school education and return home during weekends and school holidays. Michael, the young Manggarai man of Wae Rebo who welcomed us and showed us around, speaks fluent English with impressive Australian accent.

Truth be told, there are not that many activities to do in Wae Rebo.

You can ask the locals to take you to a gorgeous waterfall about 40 minutes’ hike from the village. But most of the visitors choose to enjoy the socialise with the friendly locals. Take a story book with you and read it to the children; you could even donate the book to the village when you leave.

Other than that, travellers mostly spend the days taking awesome photos of the village or sipping luwak coffee while enjoying the view. There is no television here and definitely no Internet connectivity – it will be just you, the community, and surrounding nature.

And that is exactly what travelling and learning about local culture should be...

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How to get to Wae Rebo from Labuan Bajo: 1. Get a van with a driver in Labuan Bajo (or arrange it before your arrival). It is better if you can depart from Labuan Bajo around 1:00 p.m. because it takes about six hours on winding road to get to Dintor: three hours on a winding one-lane highway, three hours on paved-but-yet-to-be-maintained roads, and another few hours on several bridges as you pass the seashore. Bring a plastic bag with you in case you get motion sickness. The budget for a car of six is usually between MYR600 to MYR800. You are being ripped off if you are asked for more. The price should include the driver’s accommodation.

Tip: Take the journey during the day instead of at night. You’d feel less nauseated when you can see the road. I have been on the trip twice, both day and night, and find that it is always better travelling when there is sunlight.

2. Check in at Wae Rebo Lodge (recommended) in Dintor and stay the night. You may arrange for a guide to Wae Rebo village from here. It is compulsory to hire a local guide. For cheaper option, you can ask the driver to send you to Pak Blasius Homestay in Denge. Pak Blasius will be happy to help you with the arrangement.

3. Begin trekking at 6:00 a.m. (the sun is already up by this time) – even better to depart at 5:00 a.m.when it is still not hot. We took about 2 hours and 30 minutes ascending and descending to arrive at Wae Rebo village from Dintor. The trek depends on your ability to hike – some parts will be relatively easy while some parts can be challenging because they are quite steep. Bring enough water to avoid dehydration, especially during dry and hot season. Don’t rush and instead enjoy the view along the way.

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4. The hike takes you along a seven-kilometre trail that passes by three rest stops. The first one is at Wae Lomba. The second stop is Pocoroko, about 90 minutes from the first rest stop. I heard that Pocoroko is important for the villagers because this is the place where they can make phone calls and send text messages from their mobile phones, but I’m pretty sure my phone did not get any signal at all when I was there.

5. About 45 minutes later, you will arrive at the third post, Nampe Bakok. From this point, you can take a sneak peek of the Wae Rebo village from afar. In less than 30 minutes later, you will arrive at a small shed where the guide will shake a bamboo-made instrument to signal your arrival.

6. Henceforth, no photos or other activities are allowed until a welcoming ritual is completed by the Head of the Rumah Gendang. Don’t worry, there’s nothing fancy about the ritual, so you won’t miss anything if you do not take photos of it.

Budget:

Stay: Wae Rebo Lodge (about MYR100 per pax including breakfast) or; Blasius Homestay (MYR60 per pax including breakfast).

Welcoming ritual fee: MYR15.

Guide fee: MYR60 per group Village Entrance fee: MYR60 per pax (including lunch) or; if you plan to stay overnight, MYR100 per pax including breakfast/lunch or breakfast/dinner.

__________________________________ iTourism in Indonesia: Labuan Bajo (Flores), the ‘New Bali’? Indonesia Investments. 05 November 2016.

Web: www.indonesia-investments.com/id/culture/culture-columns/tourism-in-indonesia-labuan-bajoflores-the-new-bali/item7335

What is Banda Aceh all about? » »

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Good coffee and local culinary Commemoration of the 26 December 2004 Tsunami and empathising with those affected by the tsunami – hearing the tale from those who survived the tsunami also enriches travellers’ experience Conservative and hardly racy compared to destinations like Phuket and Bali Safe and low crime rate due to the implementation of the shariah (Islamic law) Family-friendly, but infrastructure such as walkways for strollers/prams and places for parents to change diapers are still lacking Energetic cultural performances such as rapa’i geleng and tarian saman Potential for investment because Aceh welcomes foreign investments to further contribute to its rising economy; however, investors need local partner to navigate through government bureaucracy

The view from the top of Kapal PLTD Apung, the ship that became stranded in the middle of Punge Blang Cut village during tsunami and now turned into a museum

Destinations

Up-and-C oming Non-Hedonistic

E s c a p a d e :

Banda Aceh & Pulau Weh Te x t b y J U H A N KA M A R U D D I N Images by MUHAMMAD HASIF MOHD JELANI & JUHAN KAMARUDDIN

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Aceh is Indonesia’s western-most province, the gateway for those coming from the South and West Asia such as Myanmar, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, India and even the Arabian Peninsula to the Straits of Malacca and the Malay Archipelago. It is rich with resources like minerals, especially uranium and natural gas. It also boasts high quality beef due to the good cattle feedstock. The capital of Aceh is Banda Aceh.

Due to its strategic location, which lies within the lucrative West-East maritime trade route, Aceh has historically been receiving travellers from Arabia and South Asia who were not just traders but also Islamic scholars who help establish Aceh to become the region’s major centre for Islamic learning. The South Asian influence can be seen from the act of pulling hot tea and coffee by wing kopi (coffee baristas) at many local coffee shops, especially the Solong Mini Coffee Ulee Karing branch during the preparation of kopi sanger (frothy hot coffee with a spot of condensed milk and sugar).

The Acehnese are known to be prudent, hardworking and enterprising people. We were told that they would normally work and save for the whole year to spend during the holy fasting month (Ramadhan), including the celebratory day that follows (Eid al Fitr) and the festival of sacrifice to commensurate the peak of Hajj (Eid al Adha). Since the Acehnese are devout Muslims, Aceh’s urban landscape is punctuated by many mosques, mostly built and maintained by the local communities rather than the government.

The city on maritime crossroads Banda Aceh was one of the first places in Indonesia to receive Islam back in 1250 A.D. and became pivotal for the religion to spread throughout the Malay Archipelago. It is also called the Corridor of Mecca (Serambi Makkah) because Banda Aceh and the off-coast islands served as the hub for Muslim pilgrims from the whole of Indonesia to prepare themselves prior to leaving for Hajj (Muslim pilgrimage), as well as the place where they dock the ship to Jeddah, the port in Saudi Arabia that serves as the gateway to Mecca, before the advent of jetliners in 1970s.

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Tip: Since Aceh is predominantly conservative Muslim, travellers are expected to respect local mores such as dressing up modestly and behaving accordingly because local authority enforces the shariah (Islamic law). However, lady travellers should not worry or feel apprehensive when exploring Aceh for fear of being strictly policed.

Banda Aceh receives the moniker as the ‘15-minute city’ because it seems to take around a quarter of an hour to get from one place to another. Parts of it are marked by the beginnings of the majestic Barisan Mountains, the range that runs the entire 1,700 kilometres along Sumatera’s west coast, all the way from Banda Aceh down to the island’s southernmost province called Lampung.

Banda Aceh is also dubbed as the city with a million warung kopi (coffee shops or stalls) since Aceh grows world class coffee beans in its highlands.

Coffee grows well in Aceh highlands because of the soil, which contributes to the quality of the coffee beans.

Travellers must savour late night coffee at NA Coffee Premium to learn more about the world-famous Kopi Gayo, which comprises 80% Arabica and 20% Robusta. On top of that, the Arabica Gayo variants produced in Aceh are

among the most expensive in the world.

We were informed that it is better to consume Arabica than other types of coffee; the Arabica coffee bean contains low caffeine and tastes acidic and sour leading towards sweet, while Robusta is high in caffeine, up to four times compared to Arabica.

Tip: When drinking coffee, it is recommended that travellers choose Arabica over Robusta beans due to their flavour and healthier properties. The world-famous coffee produced in the Aceh highlands called Kopi Gayo is primarily made from Arabica beans. Aceh coffee also makes a worthy souvenir to give family and friends back home.

The 26.12.2004 tsunami memory etched forever Though it happened nearly 13 years ago, the memory and evidences of the 26 December 2004 tsunami remain strong. Travellers would be able to notice the various mass graves around Banda Aceh of those who perished during the tsunami.

The epicentre of the earthquake with the magnitude of 9.1 on Richter scale that triggered the 26 December 2004 tsunami was at Simeulue island, around 200 kilometres from Banda Aceh, which occurred at 7:50 a.m.

Before the tsunami hit Aceh, the tide along the beaches ebbed as far as two kilometres. Once it came, the tsunami brought three successive waves, the last being the largest. It eventually killed 197,000 Acehnese. In response, 54 countries, including Malaysia, sent the much-needed humanitarian aid and rescue mission.

Though the tsunami was a great tragedy, it can also be considered as a silver lining because it draws the world’s attention towards Aceh and make the province even more relevant in the post-modern Indonesia narrative. It also makes more people become curious about Aceh, intriguing local

and foreign travellers who have never been to that part of the world before.

The Aceh Tsunami Museum (museumtsunami.blogspot.my) is a must-visit for all travellers to understand the scale of devastation that the 26 December 2004 tsunami brought onto the people of Aceh. Opened to the public in May 2011, the Aceh Tsunami Museum is one of the only two tsunami museums in the world (the other one is in Kobe, Japan) and located only six kilometres from the sea. The architect (Ridwan Kamil, who is currently the mayor of Bandung) designed it to resemble the tsunami’s swirling wave as a way to remind the public to always respect the might of nature. The museum comprises different exhibition spaces such as the long dark and wet corridor to simulate the feeling of being overwhelmed by the tsunami; the 26 podiums at the Memorial Hall that screen still images of the gripping scenes after the tsunami hit Banda Aceh; and the Chamber of Blessings with names of the dead or lost from the tsunami gracing its walls with soaring 32-metre ceiling to indicate the height of the tallest wave that hit Aceh, engulfing travellers.

Though visiting the Aceh Tsunami Museum is a humbling and melancholic experience, it also iterates hope since it serves as an educational institution to remind the world to always be prepared for calamities and emergencies by putting in place disaster-mitigation procedures nationwide. Interestingly, this MYR27 million museum also functions as an escape building for the surrounding communities in case Banda Aceh is hit by tsunami again. There are currently six escape buildings already constructed in Banda Aceh alone.

The museum also carries the message that humans should also submit to God when searching for strength to face calamity, be grateful for remaining alive and continue to endure by picking themselves up and moving on.

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Clockwise from top left: Refreshing iced coffee at Solong Mini Coffee Ulee Karing branch; The 32-metre high Chamber of Blessings at Aceh Tsunami Museum; A few parts of Masjid Rahmatullah in Lampuuk affected by the tsunami that can still be seen today; The iconic Masjid Baiturrahman, Banda Aceh’s main landmark.

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Top: The dramatic surroundings of Gua Sarang that can be accessed by foot, which make splendid background for selfies Bottom left and right: Serene view at Anoi Itam Resort; The black sands of Anoi Itam beach

Learning point: When you see the tsunami heading towards you, run as fast as you can to higher ground and never look back!

Another important venue for travellers to understand what happened on 26 December 2004 is the ship-turned-museum called Kapal PLTD Apung, which was carried five kilometres inland by the tsunami from the Port of Ulee Lheue and became stranded in the middle of the Punge Blang Cut village. This ship – weighing 2,600 tons, 63 metres long and containing 1,900 square metres of space – was formerly used to generate electricity for the local communities around the Indonesian islands. Similar to the Aceh Tsunami Museum, Kapal PLTD Apung also serves as the place where travellers can learn more about tsunami, its impact and society’s need for disaster preparedness. The museum stresses time and again on the importance of preparing for any sort of calamity and building emergency response capabilities.

Travellers should also make way to Lampuuk beach – the site where the tsunami first hit, located 20 kilometres from Banda Aceh – that faces the beautiful Indian Ocean and now attracts local and international surfers and surfing enthusiasts from July until September every year. On the way to Lampuuk Beach, travellers would pass by the house of Cut Nyak Dhien, Indonesia’s lady warrior who strongly defied the Dutch colonisers. The house has now been turned into a museum for travellers to understand the Acehnese’s fiercely independent psyche.

Close to Lampuuk beach, around 500 metres from the sea, is a masjid called Rahmatullah, which miraculously survived the tsunami onslaught save for some of its outer parts that can still be witnessed to this day, purposely left for posterity. This masjid is also known as Masjid Turki since the Turkish government assisted in repairing it.

The entire surroundings of the masjid were reduced to rubble by the tsunami, and only a handful of villagers who sought refuge in the masjid survived.

Already rebuilt, Lampuuk village now has two dedicated tsunami evacuation sites: Masjid Rahmatullah itself, and a four-storey escape building.

Turkey’s relations with Aceh go as far back as 1511, when the Ottoman Sultanate sent reinforcements to the Sultanate of Pasai (which Aceh was part of ) to weaken the Portuguese siege on the port of Melaka but unsuccessful. It was told that the Ottoman soldiers who survived assimilated into local community. The tombstones of those soldiers could even be identified to this day. Modernday Turkey also extended its help to Aceh during post-tsunami reconstruction. All structures constructed with the help of Turkey bear the crescent and star emblem.

Once back in Banda Aceh, do remember to also visit the iconic Baiturrahman Grand Masjid that has survived since the times of the Sultanate of Aceh in the 17th Century until today. During the 26 December 2004 tsunami, just like Rahmatullah in Lampuuk, Baiturrahman also remarkably escaped destruction and harboured devotees who survived the tsunami. This masjid with its seven black domes is important to the Acehnese because it symbolises their resilience, determination and devotion to Islam.

Where to dine in Banda Aceh: » Syiah Kuala for Aceh culinary style that uses natural ingredients and less coconut milk in the dishes compared to traditional Padang or Peninsular Malaysian Malay cuisine. » L’pante for traditional Banda Aceh cuisine over water and enjoy marvellous Aceh sunset. » NA Coffee Premium to learn about Aceh coffee.

Where to stay at Banda Aceh: » Hermes Palace (www.hermespal acehotel.com), a four-star hotel with upmarket efficiency and conveniences, considered as one of the most established in the city. » The Pade (www.thepade.com), Banda Aceh’s first boutique hotel with con temporary elegant West Asian inspired style.

Where to buy souvenirs in Banda Aceh: » Pustaka Souvenir, including shops along Jalan Sri Ratu Safiatuddin in Peunayong. » Pasar Atjeh (Aceh Market) Sobering island getaway Pulau Weh, an island twice the size of Singapore, is 45 minutes’ boat ride off-coast Banda Aceh. To get there, travellers need to board the ferry from Ulee Lheue in Banda Aceh to Sabang, Pulau Weh’s capital. Sabang faces the waterways into the Straits of Malacca, strategically located within the international maritime trade route. It also has been earmarked by the Indonesian government as an upcoming hub for international trade logistics.

On Pulau Weh, the natural environment is conserved, therefore indiscriminate cutting of trees is not permitted because the trees hold water and form water catchment areas crucial for the supply of potable water, especially for 30% of its residents who depend on agriculture for livelihood. Travellers can be rest assured that many parts of Pulau Weh remain unspoilt. They should catch lovely sunset views from designated spots around Pulau Weh, particularly in Sabang, including Balohan lookout point. Those who prefer to dine amidst green and serene surroundings should head to Putro Ijo restaurant, situated next to Anuek Laut lake, also in Sabang.

Travellers should take note that it takes around 30 minutes to one hour to get from one place to another on the island.

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One of the attractions that travellers should not miss when visiting Pulau Weh is Gua Sarang (Cave of Swallow’s Nest), located in Iboih. To access the cave, travellers need to hike down from the roadside heading towards the collection of caves surrounded by stone-laden beach and rocky outcrops.

Prior to going down, many travellers tend to firstly enjoy the surrounding view because the landscape reminds them of Raja Ampat islands in West Papua, Indonesia’s best rated diving spot. When exploring Gua Sarang on foot, travellers must be ready to tread along absolutely rocky and uneven surface. Once they reach the outcrops, they will be rewarded by visually arresting scenery that is great for taking selfies.

For those who are interested to visit more of the Gua Sarang cave system, they can opt to do so by boat because various parts of the cave are inundated by seawater.

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Tip: Be sure to wear suitable footwear that is highly comfortable, flexible and have good traction to walk on the rocks leading towards Gua Sarang. Slippers and sandals are not recommended!

Another must-visit spot on Pulau Weh is Indonesia’s Kilometre Zero, which is demarcated by a modest geographical marker (Latitude: 05° 54’ 21.42” LU; Longitude: 95° 13’ 00.50” BT) to signify Indonesia’s starting point on the map, as well as a 43.6-metre tall monument (Tugu Nol Kilometer), still being constructed during time of writing. The place has tropically bosky surroundings that travellers would find relaxing. They are welcome to plonk themselves on chairs or benches set on the decks that jut out into the greenery overlooking the sea from the eateries that line the cliffside where the marker is situated.

There are also various beaches where travellers can languor

over while taking in the waves and sea such as Sumur Tiga (Three Wells), dubbed as Aceh’s Hawaii due to its sandy form instead of rocks found at the other beaches on Pulau Weh. The three wells located on the beach are crucial because they have been providing freshwater to the local community since time immemorial. Another beach that is popular among locals during weekends is the intriguing Anoi Itam (Black Sand), which faces the open Andaman Sea, the start of the Straits of Malacca and the northern-most tip of Sumatera.

The nearby Anoi Itam Resort also offers breathtaking vistas of the sea, which travellers should relish from gazebos erected above water.

For those who love to snorkel, the best spot for snorkelling is at Pulau Rubiah, located next to Pulau Weh. Snorkellers claim that they can easily witness various types of marine life like angel fish, gigantic clams, parrot fish and lion fish, among others. To get there, travellers need to take a boat from the convivial seaside village called Teupin Layeu in Iboih. Alternatively, travellers who are too lazy to snorkel (like the Gaya Travel Magazine Editor-in-Chief ) can instead ride on a glass-bottomed boat to witness underwater life in dry comfort.

Conclusion It is time that travellers discover the gems of Banda Aceh and Pulau Weh, which are still under many international travellers’ radar. Aceh is a safe and alcohol-free destination that offers delicious world-class coffee, Acehnese cultural performances, friendly locals who share stories about the tsunami, family-friendly attractions, serene tropical greenery, fantastic sea views, relaxing beaches and rich underwater marine life. Banda Aceh’s and Pulau Weh’s down-to-earth and value-for-money characteristics are bound to charm travellers, especially those who seek unpretentious, unadulterated, grounded getaway.

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Top: Watching the underwater scenery from the glass-bottomed boat at Pulau Rubiah Bottom: Snorkelling amongst fishes at Pulau Rubiah

Destinations: In Brief

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From 19 until 21 September 2017, Tourism Malaysia’s Package Development Division collaborated with Malaysia’s foremost tertiary institution Universiti Malaya to introduce an edutourism package called UM Tropical Camp made available at Universiti Malaya Field Research Centre in Ulu Gombak. During this highly educational and fun-filled camp, travellers get to experience the Rimba Ilmu Guided Walk, interact with Peninsular Malaysia’s aboriginal people, learn about local flora and fauna, and partake in adrenaline-pumping activities.

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Rimba Ilmu Guided Walk Rimba Ilmu is a tropical botanical garden with an area of 80 hectares located within the Universiti Malaya campus. Formerly a rubber estate, Rimba Ilmu was established in 1974. It is now estimated to be home to some 1,700 species of plants.

Rimba Ilmu was initially used as a learning destination, but in 1997, it started to be open to the public and received a new building. As a botanical garden, Rimba Ilmu is different than the other public parks because it is landscaped not just as a garden but more of a rainforest. However, the park is still considered ‘young’ since most of the planted trees have yet to reach maximum growth. A definite must-visit for the enthusiasts of parks and gardens, including nature.

Sewang Originally, this dance is an ancient ritual by the Peninsular Malaysia aboriginals as a way to treat patients. Sewang is a ritual practiced by the Orang Asli for healing purposes.

Travellers will have the opportunity to watch and engage in this mock activity along with an indigenous tribe, while learning about the purpose of sewang and aboriginal culture.

Sumpit Sumpit means blowpipe in native language, which is a traditional weapon used for hunting. During this activity, participants are taught to use the sumpit and learn its significance among the aboriginal people, and even go on a hunt using it.

Ecological Plotting This activity refers to the practice of determining the plant density in a given area. Travellers can learn how to calculate the plant sizes using diameter at chest height. Ecological plotting is a method used by scientists to determine the status of a given forest by measuring the circumference of trees. This method is also used to determine whether the forest is primary or secondary.

Handicrafts of the Orang Asli The Peninsular Malaysia aboriginal community called Orang Asli is rich with culture and unique craftsmanship that is high in functionally as well as aesthetic value. Using materials from the forest, travellers can learn the ways on how the functional crafts such as fish traps, bags and containers are made – they could even try their hands in making them step by step under the guidance of the Orang Asli.

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Stream Sampling & Frogging This activity reveals the method of sampling the river to determine water quality. Stream sampling is one way of identifying small fauna as river bioindicator such as frogs. When following this interestingly educational session, travellers are taught the techniques on how to catch frogs and at the same time develop awareness on the importance of these amphibians to the ecosystem, including how to make the distinction between toads and frogs.

Mist Net & Pitfall Trap Mist net is a bird and bat trap. Pitfall trap is a trap for animals that crawl on the forest floor like insects, mainly used for ecological studies. Animals that enter a pitfall trap are unlikely to escape. During the camp, travellers get the opportunity to collect and research the animals they are interested in based on what is obtained from the mist net and pitfall trap.

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Archery War This activity works as a medium for the public to learn traditional archery in game format. It encourages cohesive teamwork among travellers and to foster the development of tactical planning, skills and decisions. This activity also helps to sharpen their intuitive ability and concentration. This activity is also suitable for corporate team-building, including meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions (MICE).

Zipline & Abseiling In this activity, travellers get to increase their confidence by overcoming fear. This experience helps individuals muster their own self-sufficiency and independence. Besides training the mind to perform tasks under stressful condition, this activity also enhances hand and eye coordination at the same time.

For more information, refer to umcares.um.edu.my/um-tropical-camp/tropical-eco-camp or contact Muhammad Khairul Anuar B Senin at +6 03 7967 7360 or anuar_89@um.edu.my.

Gaya Special Feature: Cooking Demonstration by Ibu Dhian

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Togetherness, Unity,

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and over 300 years

Legacy Te x t b y

SHAHIDA SAKERI

Images by ZARIF IKMAL

On 17 August 1945, the Republic of Indonesia declared its independence from the Netherlands after almost 350 years of rule. This declaration, initiated by Soekarno and Hatta, was made with the approval of the Japanese, who occupied the country since 1941 until a formal surrender to the British. However, the Dutch returned to reassert their control over the country with the help of the British, who at that time controlled neighbouring Malaysia and most of Borneo island. This time around, the Dutch ruled for only another four years until they finally ceded to Indonesian sovereignty on 27 December 1949, the date that is generally known as Indonesia’s National Revolution Day. The Dutch colonisation left deep imprints on parts of Indonesian life. Cultural assimilation was inevitable due to the Dutch’s lengthy presence, its influence seeped into some aspects of local daily life, including Indonesian cuisine, which has a few dishes that borrow European techniques and ingredients.

This year, as the country commemorates its 72nd anniversary of independence, the Embassy of the Republic of Indonesia – represented by Ibu Dhian Prihandini, the wife of the current Indonesian Deputy Ambassador to Malaysia – celebrated this special occasion through culinary diplomacy that not only highlights the country’s rich history but also embraces an element that adds colour to the Indonesia identity, which is the Dutch influence.

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Ibu Dhian – who originated from Solo, Indonesia – conducted an intimate cooking demonstration at her residence in front of 20 participants from Club Yummy Mommy. The session lasted for two hours, centring on Ibu Dhian’s expertise, Solo dishes, particularly Kue Mento and Selat Solo, which are respectively traditionally Indonesian and Dutch-inspired.

Kue Mento is a savoury steamed cake, which has flavour that varies from one Indonesian province to another. But Selat Solo, on the other hand, is a form of Dutch salad with Javanese twist made from a variety of vegetables, braised beef tenderloin and mustard served in savoury soup.

“The dishes that we cook today, especially Selat Solo, are not something that the locals eat daily, as they are only cooked on special occasions. They are celebratory meals. But that is not all; these dishes also reflect our roots and how we stand proud behind our history,” Ibu Dhian explained.

The cooking demonstration was one of the efforts made by Ibu Dhian and Club Yummy Mommy to foster togetherness and nationalism while creating important social link amongst the communities of Indonesian ladies in Malaysia.

“I want to do programmes that will be beneficial to the participants; something that will uplift them while indirectly lead them to contribute positively to the community and the country,” added Ibu Dhian.

Such programmes are not strange to Club Yummy Mommy with its aim to support ladies, particularly mothers, and encourage productivity among them.

The club, moreover, offers opportunity to its members a break from their domestic routines through various programmes such as cooking classes, motivational talks and even parenting workshops.

“In the club, we encourage our members to be active and supportive towards each other. Knowing that we are away

from our homeland, get-togethers such as this with fellow Indonesian women here give us a sense of unity. It bonds us all together,” said Shantee Muzaffar, the Founder of Club Yummy Mommy who is an Indonesian staying in Malaysia for the past four years.

The cooking demonstration was also supported by Wardah Cosmetics, which is the first halal-certified skincare and make-up brand in the world, hailing all the way from Indonesia. The brand is now available in Malaysia through Watson’s, a major health and beauty retailer, offering a range of best-sellers like the DD Cream and the Long Lasting Lipstick.

The Embassy of the Republic of Indonesia also held an annual celebration in the morning of the Independence Day with an official flag raising ceremony at the premise, followed by a festive reception at night.

Hotels & Resorts

Established 10 years ago, One World Hotel is celebrating its tenth year anniversary in 2017.

Besides locals and Singaporeans, this 438-room hotel strongly attracts travellers from the Asia Pacific and West Asian regions. One World Hotel is also a member of an exclusive collection of the world’s most unique independent hotels called WORLDHOTELS that has 450 affiliate properties in more than 250 destinations and 65 countries worldwide. Since the popular 1 Utama Shopping Centre is conveniently attached to the hotel, guests might have the sense of being coddled within a convenient self-contained bubble because their luxurious accommodation comes together with anything that they might need all under one roof.

One World Hotel is increasingly becoming more accessible with the opening of the new Bandar Utama mass rapid transit (MRT) halt located within 10 minutes’ walk from the hotel lobby. The halt is also directly linked to another hotel currently being constructed by the same owner of One World Hotel. Gaya Travel Magazine also learned that the owner is extending 1 Utama’s floor space at the same time by building an annex called 1 Utama E that houses the AirRider (indoor skydiving facility) and Flowrider (indoor surfing facility) beginning December 2017. 1 Utama E will be the piece that conjoins the shopping centre and the MRT halt. Once completed, the entire complex consisting One World Hotel, 1 Utama, 1 Utama New Wing, 1 Utama E, and the spanking new hotel, would surely attract more guests and footfalls, turning it into a major family-friendly and shopping destination at this side of Klang Valley. And all of these are happening on top of the fact that there are already two express coach services conveniently linking the hotel and shopping centre directly to Singapore: First Coach, which

One World Hotel

A c c e s s i b l e To p - N o t c h S t ayca t i on D e s t i n a t i on Te x t b y J U H A N KA M A R U D D I N Images by ONE WORLD HOTEL

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terminates at One World Hotel’s lower ground floor; and Aeroline, which stops at 1 Utama New Wing.

Top-notch staycation One World Hotel completed its full refurbishment around two years ago. Though the hotel in general is grand and represents 21st century opulence to befit its five-star rating, it also crafts cleverly intimate and personal spaces that are smart, elegant and equipped with technological advancements such as fibre optic lighting, remote-controlled curtains and robotic massage chairs at certain rooms and spaces to help soothe away tensions on guests’ major muscle groups. The hotel also possesses enviably comprehensive meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions (MICE) facilities with over 5,000 metres squared of function areas, so much so that the hotel garnered the award as the World’s Leading Meeting & Conference Hotel for three consecutive years during the prestigious World Travel Awards 2014, 2015 and 2016 respectively.

Guests, particularly business executives and important people, are recommended to check themselves in the rooms that grant them access to the Peridot Club Lounge on 19th Floor, which has the said massage chair, just in case guests require them after a long day. Every hotel staff seems to know your name when you stay in one of those rooms. At the lounge, guests are entitled to enjoy continental breakfast in exclusivity from 6:30 a.m. until 10:30 a.m. and daily evening cocktails and hors d’oeuvres from 5:30 p.m. until 7:00 p.m., all for two persons.

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Speaking of the Peridot Club Lounge, the space is remarkably tony and plush yet homely and inviting. Guests are sure to find the space ideal for unwinding, collecting their thoughts and completing their desk-bound work in peace. It was also here that I had the opportunity to chow down a bowl of an upliftingly spicy prawn noodles, which perked me up well.

Those who are entitled or able to splurge more should choose the suite accommodations, particularly the Executive Suite, because apart from premium spaciousness, the suite also has dining and living areas, additional toilet, two television sets (one in the living area and another in the bedroom), all of the expected up-tothe-minute furnishings and amenities, including guests’ own massage chair that.

Gastronomy Guests who have access to the Peridot Club Lounge have the choice of having their breakfast here if they do not feel like travelling down to Cinnamon Coffee House on Concourse Level that works up extensive arrays of sumptuous breakfast delights encompassing local, Japanese and Western fare. Though the breakfast spread at Peridot Club Lounge is lesser, it is no less exquisite since it dishes out selected lip-smack-

ing and comforting options like halibut cooked in olive crust with mushrooms and herb oil and minute steak with cauliflower and thyme juice alongside only-prepared-when-ordered refreshing and fresh concoctions such as the healthy detox juice comprising the mix of green apple, celery and bitter gourd that help to activate guests’ digestive system.

From Fridays to Sundays, Cinnamon Coffee House – with its ambience fit for the gathering of family and friends – vends the delectable Weekend High Tea (MYR88 nett per person) from 12:30 p.m. until 4:00 p.m. Based on Gaya Travel Magazine’s observations, many guests and walk-in diners are taking advantage of the satiatingly abundant comestibles laid out for their dining pleasure. Those who are not yet in the know are sure to head straight to the Weekend High Tea at Cinnamon Coffee House once they realise what they have been missing.

The other food and beverage outlet that guests should try out is the pork-free Zuan Yuan Chinese Restaurant, situated on the same level as the hotel lobby.

The restaurant’s menu for dinner leans more towards seafood that includes sumptuous dishes like steamed cod and scallops with vegetables. Diners should culminate their meals with the restaurant’s much acclaimed desserts such as lemongrass jelly and longan with ginseng filled inside fresh coconut, ginseng root with peach jelly that are also inside coconut, and dried longan with snow lotus seed. Durian lovers should order the durian trio consisting durian spring roll, durian pancake and ice-cream to end their dinner on a high note. Diners who found the night still young after their fill at Zuan Yuan could simply adjourn to the adjacent Sphere Lounge for night cap and live music.

Besides dinner, Zuan Yuan also serves up dim sum (bite-sized portion of food served in small steamer baskets or dishes) for lunch during week-

days starting from 12:00 p.m. and for brunch during weekends starting from 9:00 a.m. Guests are recommended to try out the restaurant’s mouth-watering siew mai (traditional Chinese dumplings), especially the succulent fish dumplings, and have them washed down with refreshing chrysanthemum tea.

Wellness When staying at One World Hotel, guests are recommended to undergo the signature spa treatments dispensed by one of the four well trained and experienced masseuses at sanctuary@ one (www.sanctuaryatone.com), located on the same level as the hotel’s pool and spacious fitness centre. This spa, which highlights Asian style massages, is incredibly popular during weekends so guests need to make reservation if they wish to come between Friday and Saturday – during other days, they could simply walk in. One of the most popular massages provided by the spa is the deeply relaxing and reinvigorating aroma massage (MYR223 nett per person for 60 minutes), making it one of the best pick-me-up experiences available at the hotel (other than the detox juice and massage chair at the Peridot Club Lounge, of course).

Conclusion Gaya Travel Magazine loves One World Hotel’s straightforward, fussfree, upscale, upmarket and family-friendly nature, which makes it ideal not just for corporate and foreign travellers, but also affluent local and regional travellers seeking staycation destinations equipped with contemporary state-of-the-art conveniences. It is obvious that the hotel is slated for more roaring times to come. www.oneworldhotel.com.my

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Hotels & Resorts

Aloft KL Sentral

C r a cki n g the Mi l l ennial Co d e Te x t b y S H A H I DA S A KERI Images by ALOF T

KL SENTRAL

When guests step into Aloft Kuala Lumpur (KL) Sentral, they might notice this little sister of W Hotel pumps high octane and vivaciousness indicating youthfulness and excitement, yet at the same time practical and convenient in nature – it possesses all necessary characteristics loved by cool travellers, especially millennials.

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As part of a defining component of Marriott International that contributes to the brand’s vivaciousness and vibrancy since it also possesses W Hotel’s genes, the Aloft brand primarily focusses on three core elements that are cutting edge but do not break the bank to remain desirable: design, technology and music.

And Aloft KL Sentral melds these elements exceptionally well.

The hotel sits adjacent to Kuala Lumpur’s major transport hub and gateway, KL Sentral, which includes access to exciting attractions within the city. Nu Sentral Shopping Mall is also an immediate earshot away.

A quick walk outside of the hotel, moreover, leads guests to Brickfields – the city’s very own Little India – with plenty of historical and cultural attractions if they wish to explore ‘like a local’.

My stay at Aloft KL Sentral coin-

cided with the hectic Kuala Lumpur Ready-to-wear Fashion Week.

Thanks to the hotel’s central location, I found it easy to travel to and from Pavilion Kuala Lumpur where the shows were held and take a breather in between. The hotel itself, in fact, is one of the chicest in Klang Valley.

Upon arrival, I was greeted by a smiling lady behind a circular reception counter that looks almost like a DJ booth. The lobby feels modern and sleek with clean lines, white floors and shiny metal columns. Not far from the reception counter are the social spaces with colourful comfortable couches on one side and an Xbox and charging pods on the other.

The rest of the hotel is trendy no doubt, but never at the expanse of comfort. My Urban Room, for example, is equally sleek and features loft-like decor with soaring eleven-foot ceiling. The large window makes the room feel bright and

spacious, cleverly paired with the surrounding muted grey walls and innovative space-saving touches like hidden cupboard that stores iron facilities and torchlight. Aloft KL Sentral creates a local sense of place inside the room with the use of a cheeky Malaysian-inspired artwork by a local artist, placed above the hotel’s signature platform bed.

Other thoughtful additions include a recycle bin, a JBL Stereo, a striking pink bean bag, complimentary mini bar (only for Urban Rooms and Suites) and the ultimate guide book to eating and drinking according to Time Out KL. The view is amazing, too, affording a splendid panorama of the city’s skyscrapers including the brand’s sister hotels namely Le Meridien and The St. Regis KL. When it is time to sleep, the push of a button triggers the motorised blackout shades to cover the window.

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The tasteful bathroom – which is stocked with exclusive Bliss Spa products – sports a contemporary look with ash grey floors, purple wall tiles and an oversized showerhead. The bathroom’s semi-open cabinet is also huge, enough to store my hand-carry sized luggage with plenty more space at the bottom for several pairs of shoes. The sliding full-length mirrored cabinet door also makes it effortless to check head-to-toe outfit before leaving the room.

Moreover, I love the fact that the room is designed with the digital generation in mind. Strategically-located power plugs at the bedsides are convenient for me to charge my multiple devices at once and within reach. The room is also equipped with a unique plug-and-play connectivity solution that connects most electronic devices to the 42” flat-screen LCD TV, making it easier for me to watch my media content on a bigger screen. Interestingly, the technology component of Aloft brand doesn’t end there. Members of Starwood’s Preferred Guest Program can take advantage of SPG Keyless app, which allows tech-savvy guests use their mobile phones as keys to their rooms.

Additionally, in a world where social media is shaping society, Aloft KL Sentral is fostering a sense of shared community by encouraging guests to upload their favourite memories at the hotel onto their social media platforms. These tagged images will then be featured on the hotel’s very own version of ‘Wall of Fame’, also known as the ‘Social Media Wall’, located at the lobby floor towards the WXYZ Bar. Speaking of the bar, I realised that WXYZ Bar becomes a focal point come weekends. Weary locals and travellers sit to enjoy handcrafted seasonal cocktails, mocktails and conversation here. Open mic session also happens at the bar on some Friday nights, while aspiring home-grown talents perform on every other Friday nights. And as a music lover myself, I was enthralled to find out about the Project Aloft Star,

whereby Aloft brand collaborates with MTV Asia to search for emerging singer-songwriters throughout Greater China (Mainland China, Hong Kong, Macau, Taiwan) and South East Asia (Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia).

Like-minded guests who love music might also be interested to try catching the glimpse of these aspiring stars if they were to perform at certain Aloft properties in Asia, including Aloft KL Sentral.

Guests who are particular with food will find Aloft KL Sentral’s myriad of food options appealing. Start with the hotel’s halal-certified all-day dining restaurant, Nook, which mimics the hotels’ energy with futuristic design featuring private pods, Rafflesia art and dazzling lighting designed by Raimond Puts. The restaurant serves a fantastic combination of local and international fares, with favourites that include Sarawak Laksa, Nook’s Luscious Beef, Lamb Shank Masala and Zaki’s Curry Udang Nenas. The breakfast spread is extensive, too.

On Sunday morning, I decided to go to Nook at 9:45 a.m. – almost close to the end of breakfast time – to witness how the dining outlet staff would perform during that juncture under increasing pressure to start clearing the space while at the same time meeting guests’ last-minute demands. Mind you, the crowd on weekends could seem never-ending. The verdict? The staff managed the entire situation impressively well. With a cup of coffee in hand, I saw the staff remaining composed and professional when attending to guests no matter how busy they were. Guests were swiftly whisked to their seats and tables were cleared speedily as soon as they finished.

For a change of atmosphere, guests should also dine at the Tiki-themed Mai Bar on the rooftop. During one afternoon meal, my friend and I savoured a grilled seafood feast comprising succulent tiger prawns, mussels, squids and seabass fillets. They were all delicious, fresh and perfectly grilled,

impressing my dining companion, who is a budding chef too. The platter paired well with the flavourful roasted pear salad should you want to go light for your lunch. But if you want to go all out, there are always abundant options of pizzas and pastas to choose from the menu.

One night after the show, I came back to the hotel quite late and was feeling rather famished. Fortunately, there is Re:fuel., a fuss-free food station at the lobby that opens 24/7 for non-stop eating and imbibing. The menu is designed to provide quick bites like gourmet sandwiches and pastries on-the-go even during the wee hours. An extension to this outlet is the first hotel food truck in Malaysia called Re:fuel on Wheels, affectionately called R.O.W., which serves comfort food like nasi lemak, fried noodle, chicken rice, pulled beef burger and spaghetti bolognaise. The truck is located right next to the entrance to the lobby; however, the food truck only opens on weekdays from 7:00 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. and 11:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., catering to the crowd from the nearby offices.

During the day, guests may jump into or lounge around the rooftop infinity pool while taking in the panoramic view of the city’s skyline.

Alternatively, health conscious guests can get their fitness fix at re:charge, the hotel’s 24/7 fitness centre equipped with stationary bikes, treadmills and elliptical machines from Life Fitness.

So all in all, was I satisfied with my stay at Aloft KL Sentral? Definitely. The hotel performs extraordinarily well in every aspect – be it location, service, style, facilities and soul. But above all, it affects the way how you feel. Life is good here and I can imagine myself staying at the hotel in lengthy duration.

It definitely has my vote as the best hotel for millennials in the city due to its digital convenience and fun character. www.aloftkualalumpursentral.com

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Hotels & Resorts

Village Hotels: Mirrors of Tradition and Pride Te x t b y S H A H I DA S A KERI Images by VILLAGE HOTELS

In a world where travel is no longer just about escaping the mundane but rather to further enhance our quality of life and make us more enriched, today’s travellers are becoming more demanding than ever. They seek true connection with the destination, be it through the activities they do, the food they eat or even the place they stay. Imagine waking up in a country that gives you a strong sense of place – it adds more meaning to the trip, doesn’t it? And that is what the Village Hotels by Far East Hospitality have in spades.

The idea behind the Village Hotels brand is to deliver local and integrated experiences for its guests, by promoting and advocating the cultural essence of the neighbourhoods where its properties are present through its facilities, decor and overall experience. But how far does the brand go to celebrate the neighbourhood’s cultural tapestry and local history? I was looking for the answer to that question when I recently stayed at Village Hotel Katong and Village Hotel Albert Court, Singapore.

Village Hotel Katong Strategically situated in Katong district – a neighbourhood populated by the Peranakans – Village Hotel Katong is arguably one of the finest examples that demonstrates the brand’s philosophy. The location itself makes the trip to Singapore worthwhile; the area is rich with intriguing stories, emblazoned with rows of beautiful and colourful pre-war two-storey shophouses, which a century or so ago, would have been surrounded by coconut plantations and weekend mansions for wealthy city dwellers. Today, both locals and travellers come to this neighbourhood for a taste of old traditions and slower pace lifestyle – but more on this later.

Village Hotel Katong embraces the idiosyncratic sense of place by incorporating the core Peranakan elements into the design. The property’s 230 rooms, for example, are styled with intricate motifs and ceramic tiles that are commonly seen in Peranakan houses, but not overly used to the extent that guests would find them overwhelming. I find this smart combination of subtlety and heritage creates an incredibly inviting and relaxing environment, albeit feminine and soft.

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My Peranakan Club Room is an instant favourite, chicly designed in calming shades of turquoise, light beige and pure white. The open-plan layout works well for me too, with the bathtub sitting next to the huge and oh so comfy bed while the shower and toilet tucked behind a mirrored screen to ensure privacy. Other amenities include a 46” LED television set with cable channels, plenty of power sockets, unlimited Wi-Fi, iron and ironing board, a hairdryer and tea/coffee making facilities. Staying at the Peranakan Club Room grant guests access to the exclusive Peranakan Lounge that serves up daily breakfast from 7:00 a.m. until 10:00 a.m. and evening cocktails from 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m.

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In respect to having local touches throughout the property, Village Hotel Katong also uses Peranakan-inspired artwork created by children aged five to 12 from the heART Studio – a local private art studio that encourages and nurtures creativity among children though art – to adorn all of the hotel’s 55 Club Rooms, while paintings by the studio’s teachers take centre stage at the hotel’s lift lobbies on levels 5 to 12.

But, what is a hotel stay experience without culinary pleasures? To make the most of the hotel’s offerings, guests should dine at the halal-certified all-day dining and buffet restaurant, Katong Kitchen, which prides itself in showcasing traditional Peranakan favourites and delicacies such as Laksa, Satay and Ayam Buah Keluak. On top of those, the restaurant also offers Macanese, Asian, Local Chinese and Western delights to suit the palate of all diners. The Seafood Station was a hit when I was there for dinner, but I’d say the extensive selection of desserts ranging from traditional kuehs and pastries also made me ecstatic.

Another route for meaningful travel is to create social experiences whereby guests can meet and interact with local residents. I made way to the Artiste Residency (www. kimchoo.com) not far from the hotel. This place is owned by Edmond Wong’s family who have been feeding Singapore with authentic traditional Peranakan kuehs (snacks) for generations under the popular brand ‘Kim Choo Nyonya’.

Edmond’s mother, Mrs. Helen Lim, taught me how to make the nine-layer kueh and ondeh-ondeh, both personal favourites of mine since childhood. It was here that I learned about how to consume the nine-layer kueh based on traditional Peranakan belief regarding longevity: you are supposed to eat the kueh layer by layer as if you are enjoying life at a steady pace; the longer it takes for you to finish it, the longer your life span. Eating the whole kueh all at once, on the other hand, may result in shorter life span – some believe this story to be a little too superstitious, but to me, it is no less intriguing.

For guests who are keen towards history, I suggest they head to the Eurasian Heritage Centre located a mere 10 minutes’ walk away from the hotel. Katong has long been considered as Singapore’s major Eurasian enclave and at this centre, travellers can learn more about this community through visual displays and guide’s commentaries. I found the visit here to be refreshingly educational because I was able

to understand how the Eurasian community endured since the time when the Europeans (Portuguese, Dutch, British, others) first came to Singapore until today, including when they were persecuted during the Japanese Occupation. After World War II, some Eurasians prefer to remain in Singapore, while the rest moved to Australia rather than going back to freezing Europe because besides being warmer, they found Australia more welcoming.

Village Hotel Katong also provides hourly complimentary shuttle service to its surrounding attractions, including Big Splash at East Coast Park and Parkway Parade. And if those are not enough to fill the itinerary, guests should embark on a food trail journey around Katong, for instance breakfast at Heaven Wang and lunch at 328 Katong Laksa.

Village Hotel Albert Court Made up of restored pre-war shophouses, Village Hotel Albert Court still holds all of its original charm. Guests would feel like stars in period dramas when they find themselves surrounded by the hotel’s beautiful courtyard, marble floors, traditional Indian and Straits Chinese facade, and opulent ambience filled with history. To me, every inch of this property’s lobby oozes romance and nostalgia. In fact, the hotel even has its own signature scent made from several blended herbs to intentionally create a soothing and welcoming environment.

Village Hotel Albert Court has been inviting guests for over 20 years now, with multiple refurbishment exercises done over the years to remain as a top-notch accommodation. Despite being located in one of Singapore’s prime districts – Rochor – I love how the hotel hides itself from the main streets, so guests would feel as if they are staying in an intimate, romantic refuge from the bustle outside. There are 220 rooms altogether, each designed with a dab of Indian and Chinese Straits mix with richly coloured walls and dark wood furniture.

The Albert Cafe serves a huge array of local and international delights, while the cosy Shish Mahal on level one offers a good range of Indian fare. The hotel’s gymnasium and two four-seater Jacuzzis set on the hotel’s fourth floor offer respite for travel-weary guests.

Stepping out, guests could walk along one of Singapore’s oldest thoroughfares, Serangoon Road, to find cultural gems before arriving at the buzzing Little India area. Bugis Street market, Singapore Art Museum and major shopping centres like Bugis Junction and Bugis+ are also nearby. I suggest that guests make use of the handy smartphone (available at both Village Hotel Katong and Village Hotel Albert Court) provided in the guestrooms while roaming the streets because it allows guests to make free local calls, access the comprehensive Singapore city guide, obtain unlimited mobile internet connectivity and exclusive discounts. Free international calls to selected countries are also possible; however, it is best that guests first check with the hotel staff.

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*** Indeed, Village Hotel Katong and Village Hotel Albert Court have embraced the artistic heritage of the neighbourhoods they occupy, while not forsaking modern conveniences. All travellers should consider staying at both properties whenever they are in Singapore to learn how to eat like a local, explore like a local and definitely play like a local, while learning about Singapore’s colourful history and communities at the same time. *Club room and suite guests who book directly through stayfareast.com will enjoy privileges under the Far More Perks deal, which include a complimentary two-hour airport lounge access, Club Lounge access, early check-in or late check-out time and two pieces of laundry. For more information about the offers by Far East Hospitality, visit www.stayfareast.com/en.

Hotels & Resorts

Bhainsrorgarh Fort

A Magnificent Heritage Stay in

The Heart

of

Rajasthan

Te x t & I m a g e s b y M O H D S H A H R I L FAW Z Y

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On my second visit to India, I ventured to Rajasthan, the northern part of the country to search for unique experiences. After a nearly four-hour drive from Jaipur, the driver Nawal told me that we have arrived in Kota. When I looked through the window, the sparkling Chambal river accompanied with a stunning sunset gradient came into my view. A further few metres away was the Bhainsrorgarh fort standing majestically, dramatically perching on top of the 200-foot rocky ridge, awaiting me to uncover its hidden treasures.

Situated in south-west of Kota and nestling between the Chambal and Bamani rivers, Bhainsrorgarh is an ancient fort that holds significant history of the kingdom of Mewar. This fort was built in 1740s by Rawat (Lord) Lal Singh. It initially served as a fortified outpost. These days, it is reincarnated as a royal heritage hotel owned

by Rawat Shiv Charan Singh, the current Rawat of Bhainsrorgarh.

In line with the royal family’s efforts in bringing back history from the brink of being forgotten, this fort is now converted into an accommodation that is no less palatial, luring guests with its oldworld charms, unrivalled ambiance, obliging staff and spectacular views, making it ideal for epicureans and heritage lovers to unwind while indulging in rural Rajasthan’s romantic atmosphere of times gone by.

Since 2006, various parts of the fort have been gradually restored and began to receive local and international guests. This fort boasts nine rooms comprising five suites and four deluxe rooms that still retain the charm of Bhainsrorgarh’s glorious years. The thing I like about this property is that each room exudes its own charisma through its distinctive room layout, furnishings and, of course, the view. My personal favourite would be the Bhainsrorgarh Suite that has the largest balcony overlooking the river, including Edwardian-inspired furniture and spacious bathroom. The feeling of staying in this suite was incomparable and undisputedly breathtaking.

Interestingly, I was told by the staff that one of the suites in Bhainsrorgarh Fort used to be the bedroom of Rawat Shiv Charan Singh for over 50 years, but now it is available exclusively for guests to experience sleeping like a royal. It is quite uncommon for royal families to allow their private quarters be utilised by outsiders; in the case of Bhainsrorgarh Fort, this is done with the hope that the public will appreciate the Mewari heritage and splendour even more.

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Several windows around the hallway are cladded with stained glass, letting the sunlight to stream in while creating magical effect. I sensed a warm connection with the residing royal family as I strolled along the spaces between the suites and encountered game trophies, old photographs of the royal family and the owner’s personal collections.

If you wish to sample authentic Rajasthani cuisine, Bhainsrorgarh Fort is definitely the place for you. The meals served here are exceptionally gratifying, prepared using recipes handed down from previous generations. I sampled an assortment of dishes throughout my stay and I was elated from the strong taste and aroma of traditional herbs, further cementing my love towards Indian cuisine. At Bhainsrorgarh Fort, there are various dining options for guests to enjoy their meal, either in the room or on the roof terrace with the scenic view of the river, which is highly recommended.

Guests should also grab the chance to experience the touch of royal family hospitality during their stay. According to Hemendra Singh, the younger son of the owner, a plus point when staying in this property is the fact that guests obtain the opportunity to interact with the host. He added that they usually are able to gauge the type of guests who would be interested in spending time with them. On top of that, the members of staff are warm, eager and aim to please. Most of them are locals from the nearby villages and fluent in English.

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during your stay at Bhainsrorgarh Fort. If you are lucky, you would get to experience sunset safari drives to Bhil villages led by Hemendra or his brother to learn about local lifestyle.

Other activities include a boat safari cruise along the serene Chambal River with the remarkable Rajasthani landscape at the background and stopping by on an island within the river for a picnic.

My stay in Bhainsrorgarh Fort was undoubtedly one of the unforgettable experiences I have ever had. Never in my life have I imagined sleeping in a fort that served for military purposes in the past. If you are a type of traveller who are into something unique, like me, do consider staying at Bhainsrorgarh Fort hospitality when being in Kota, Rajasthan – trust me, you are bound to become all the more enriched and better off, giving you the feel just like royalty‌ Bhainsrorgarh Fort Hotel The Palace Bhainsrorgarh, Kota, Rajasthan 323304, India Booking: bhainsrorgarh@gmail.com or info@bhainsrorgarh.com www.bhainsrorgarh.com

Travel Anecdotes

Fahmi Esmail

Mohd Zulfahmi Esmail, better known as Fahmi, broke into the Malaysian entertainment scene when he entered TV3’s Mentor 132

Legend singing competition and reality show in 2014 as the protégé for the award winning composer Ajai. The Air Asia flight attendant took a long break from work and even obtained green light and support from the airline’s supremo Tony Fernandes to pursue his dream in becoming a singer. Fahmi eventually made it to the semifinals and released his first single, Halang, composed and produced by Ajai. Besides singing, Fahmi also dabbles in TV hosting and modelling for commercials.

Te x t & I m a g e s b y FA H M I E S M A I L

Fahmi Esmail on Travels

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My favourite destination(s): Phuket and Boracay I love: Bangkok because everything is cheap, like a shopping paradise I always pack: Light clothes, a pair of shoes, charger and toiletries I usually travel with: My bestfriend/travel buddy My dream holiday: New Zealand My most unforgettable holiday experience: Iran Traveling tips: Get enough rest before the day of travelling Malaysia is special becauseit is a multi-racial country.

My favourite Malaysian spot: Perhentian Island My most treasured item bought / found during my travels: Starbucks destination tumblers

Fahmi Esmail in 30 seconds

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Morning person or night person?

Depends on how late or early i go to bed the day before; but I think I am a morning person.

Black or white?

Black Sing or dance?

Definitely sing Back to nature or city slicker?

Nature Drive or be driven (public transportation included)?

To be driven of course but I drive myself if I have no choice Land or water?

Water The glass is half full or half empty?

I would directly say the glass is half full Eat to live or live to eat?

Eat to live so that I could enjoy more food