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QATAR

a country rich in culture that will never cease to amaze you Thanks to its strategic location at the cross-roads of East and West, many airlines have stopovers at one of the world’s top 5 airports (according to 2018 Skytrax awards), the Hamad International Airport in Doha. While most passengers dread long layovers, in Qatar they have the perfect chance to explore the pearl of the Arabian Gulf. Whether they are vacationing or making a quick stopover on their way to a final destination, Qatar has something in store for everyone - from adventure seekers to luxury travellers.

There is an abundance of sights to see and things to do in Qatar. Step away from the city life with a desert adventure filled with activities that you can enjoy among the vast sand dunes, such as sand boarding and dune bashing. As the sun starts to set, you can unwind at campsites set up in the middle of the desert and drift off into a night of tranquillity as you stargaze by a bonfire.

Soak in the Qatari culture as you make your way to the iconic Souq Waqif. The traditional market is filled with alleys of shops – spices, fragrance, jewellery, fabrics and a large array of eateries for

you to explore. The Souq provides you with an authentic experience that leave you appreciating and understanding their deeply-rooted traditions and the unique Qatari architecture.

No trip to Qatar would be complete without paying a visit to the Museum of Islamic Art (MIA). Just the exterior of the Museum is breath-taking as it sits on the edge of the Corniche giving the illusion that it is floating on water, there is no surrounding buildings to obstruct the view of this beautiful structure. The MIA does not only showcase the large collection of Islamic art spanning 14 centuries of history but is also home to Alain Ducasse’s first restaurant in the Middle East offering an exquisite selection of fusion food with a perfect balance of both local and French flavours.

Qatar has a massive selection of world

class shopping malls. Each mall offers unique experiences with different entertainment choices and global luxury brands. Villagio Mall in Doha has even made it to Forbes Lists as one of the best malls in the world. Villagio gives you a taste of Venice with their indoor gondola ride, alongside detailed interior design to create an incredible shopping and entertainment experience for everyone.

Qatar takes luxury to a whole new level with their wide selection of prestigious five-star hotels that promise to indulge your every whim. Offerings include restaurants by world-famous chefs Gordon Ramsay, Nobu Matsuhisa, Gastón Acurio, Wolfgang Puck, Jean-Georges, Richard Sandoval and Masaharu Morimoto; all found in these lavish hotels that boast impeccable menus for a fine dining experience like no other.

is no strict dress code for either men or women in Qatar. The best guideline is simply to show respect for local culture by dressing appropriately in public places and confining beachwear to the beach. Female visitors, whether travelling alone or in a group experience no special restrictions of dress or behaviour in day-to-day life in Qatar.

» Language

The official language is Arabic. English is widely spoken and understood. A wide range of other languages are spoken within the hospitality industry.

Tips on visiting Qatar » Travelling Visa

Thanks to a host of visa facilitation measures, Qatar is now the most open country in the Middle East and 8th most open destination in the world. Visitors from all around the world can now enter Qatar either visa free, or by filling out simple online applications, depending on the passport they carry. Nationals of more than 80 countries including Singapore, Malaysia and Hong Kong are eligible for visa-free entry into the State of Qatar. For more information, please visit https://www. visitqatar.qa/

» Climate

Qatar has a desert climate with yearround sunshine, hot summers and mild winters. Mean monthly temperatures range from 17oC in January to 36 oC in July, sometimes reaching highs of 40 oC during the summer. Rain is infrequent, falling in

brief showers mainly in winter. Perfect months to enjoy outdoor activities in Qatar is between November to early April. During summer, one can enjoy numerous indoor recreation activities. Typically located inside shopping malls, these offer everything from ice skating rinks to arcade games, multiscreen movie theatres and amusement park-style rides, bounce houses and bowling alleys, karaoke and kid-friendly indoor playgrounds. Qatar also hosts a Summer Festival featuring great deals in hospitality, shopping & entertainment.

» Common Arabic phrases to learn:

» Money

Tel: +603-2143 8877 Email: feedback@applevacations.my

The monetary unit of Qatar is the riyal (abbreviated to QR or QAR). The exchange rate is fixed at US $1 = QAR 3.65. ATMs can be found in many locations and most shops and restaurants accept major credit cards.

» Dress Code

Qatar is an Islamic country however there

Ma’a as-salaama – This is a way of expressing farewell or goodbye.

Assalamualaikum – “Peace be upon you” a common Islamic greeting to greet someone humbly and formally.

Walaikum assalam – This is to response to the phrase above, which means, “And unto you peace”.

» For Tour Packages to Qatar, please contact the following Qatar Specialists: » Apple Vacations:

» Corporate Information Travel: Tel: +603 2091 9988 Email: travel@cit.travel

» Sedunia Travel:

Tel: +603-2142 0222 Email: contact@seduniatravel.com

Gaya Special Feature: National Museum of Qatar (NMoQ)

The New

National Museum of Qatar Now Open to the Public

Under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, the National Museum of Qatar (NMoQ) has now been opened to the public since 28 March 2019, welcoming the world to an unparalleled immersive experience housed in a new architectural masterpiece by Jean Nouvel.

The Museum’s winding, 1.5-kilometre gallery path is a journey through a series of unique, encompassing environments, each telling its part of the story of Qatar through a special combination of architectural space, music, poetry, oral histories, evocative aromas, archaeological and heritage objects, commissioned artworks, monumentally-scaled art films, and more. Together, the eleven permanent galleries take visitors from the formation of the Qatar peninsula millions of years ago to the nation’s exciting and diverse present. Giving voice to the nation’s rich heritage and culture and expressing the aspirations of its people, NMoQ will serve as a hub for discovery, creativity, and community engagement, providing diverse educational opportunities for Qatar and advancing the nation’s cultural vision on the global stage.

The spectacular 52,000-square-metre (560,000-square-foot) NMoQ embraces as its centrepiece the restored historic Palace of Sheikh Abdullah bin Jassim Al Thani (1880-1957), son of the founder of modern Qatar. A building that in former times was both the home of the Royal Family and the seat of government, it was subsequently the site of the original National Museum, but the historic Palace has now become the culminating exhibit in the sweeping succession of gallery experiences.

“The opening of the National Museum of Qatar is a source of immense pride for our country, and an exceptional moment for engaging with people from around the world. The extraordinary schedule of inaugural activities draws together outstanding artists, architects, thinkers, and cultural leaders from Qatar and the international community, vividly demonstrating how the National Museum of Qatar will always be a dynamic resource in its programs as well as its exhibitions. Culture connects people, and with this new museum we believe we have created an exceptional platform for dialogue,” said Her Excellency Sheikha Al Mayassa bint Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, Chairperson of Qatar Museums.

“After more than a decade of planning, we are deeply gratified to welcome the people of Qatar and our international visitors to this exciting, multi-layered, experiential museum. From the start, Qatar Museums and the National Museum team knew that we wanted to create a living experience for our people – a museum with a heart. We have created galleries full of movement, sound, and colour in order to engage our public fully, with their senses and emotions as well as their intellects, and have assembled creative and authentic content that is so rich that people will discover something new with each visit.

It is now time for the discoveries to begin,” stated Sheikha Amna bint Abdulaziz bin Jassim Al Thani, Director of the National Museum of Qatar.

In designing the building that makes these experiences possible, Jean Nouvel drew inspiration from the desert rose, a flower-like formation that occurs naturally in the Gulf region when minerals crystallise in the crumbly soil just below the surface of a shallow salt basin. Described by Nouvel as “the first architectural structure that nature itself creates,” the desert rose became the model for the Museum’s complex structure of large interlocking disks of different diameters and curvatures – some vertical and constituting supports, others horizontal and resting on other disks – which surround the historic Palace like a necklace. A central court, the Baraha, sits within the ring of galleries and serves as a gathering space for outdoor cultural events. On the outside, the Museum’s sand-coloured concrete harmonises with the desert environment, so that the building appears to grow out of the ground and be one with it. Inside, the structure of interlocking disks continues, creating an extraordinary variety of irregularly shaped volumes.

“To imagine a desert rose as a basis for design was a very advanced idea, even a utopian one. To construct a building with great curved disks, intersections, and cantilevered angles—the kind of shapes made by a desert rose—we had to meet enormous technical challenges. This building is at the cutting edge of technology, like Qatar itself. As a result, it is a

total object: an experience that is at once architectural, spatial, and sensory, with spaces inside that exist nowhere else,” added Nouvel.

The cantilevered disks, which provide natural shade, are among the elements of the design that have enabled NMoQ to become the first museum to receive both LEED Gold certification and a four-star sustainability rating from the Global Sustainability Assessment System.

The National Museum of Qatar was officially inaugurated

by His Highness the Amir, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, in an opening celebration attended by heads of state, dignitaries, and museum leaders from around the world on the evening of 27 March 2019.

Admission to NMoQ is charged at the entrance. General admission fees are QAR50 for adults, QAR25 for students and free for children under 16, Culture Pass Plus and Culture Pass Family Members, and visitors with disabilities. Tickets for Qatari Nationals, as well as residents of the State of Qatar, with a valid Qatar ID, are free of charge.

For more information, visit http://nmoq.org.qa/

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Contents ISSUE 14.2

Cover Illustration by Mohd Nor Adli Ahmad Jaffar

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

Departments

014. Editorial Jottings

Gaya Special Feature

012

002. QATAR Tourism 004. The New National Museum Of Qatar Now Open

To The Public 016. Qatar Airways Unveiling Seven New Upcoming

Destinations and its Enhanced Economy Class Product 018. Malaysia Airports Niaga Rebrands ERAMAN to

be Bigger, Better and Bolder 056. DoubleTree Resort by Hilton Penang Celebrates

First Anniversary 066. PADAT 074. With Sarawak More To Discover Campaign

2019/2020 Selected Sarawakian Destinations 092. Melaka: Revisited

Gaya Traveller

023. A Beginner’s Guide to Seoul

Gaya Dine & Café

032. Embarking on an Exquisite Epicurean Journey at Kogetsu

Gaya Tech

034. Huawei Mate 20 Pro, Just What Travellers Need

Gaya Interview

036. Mr Franck Loison, GM of Sofitel Kuala Lumpur Damansara 040. YB Datuk Rozman bin Datuk Haji Isli

- Connecting Labuan to the World 044. Mr Mahathir bin Abdul Hamid, Director of

Tourism, Culture and Arts, Labuan Corporation

- Putting Labuan on Travellers’ Maps -

Destinations

048. Treasuring Selangor’s Crafting Heritage 052. Will Travel for Food ETW8 - Eat Travel Write 8.0 058. Exploring Northern Part of Malaysia using Public Transport 062. Grand Kenyir 068. Getting My Dream Realised on Genting Dream 072. Ang ganda mo, Mindanao!

108. Dogheh Kito Teghojah Nismilan!

Hotels & Resorts 120.

122.

125.

128.

130.

Sunway Putra Hotel: Unmatched Convenience Alila Bangsar #DaretobeDifferent Shangri-La Hotel, Kuala Lumpur – Deluxe Staycation Personified Sleeping with de Art Becoming One with the Heritage at Casugria Boutique Residence

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Editorial Jottings

appeal as a leading value-for-money destination, particularly among travelling families and those who come to the country for meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions (MICE), because maintaining Malaysia’s tourism competitiveness in terms of pricing, especially in these uncertain times, is key.

014

As we reach the midpoint of 2019, there seems to be much uncertainty looming ahead, from the global economic slowdown and US-China trade war to the effects of climate change. On the homefront, the Malaysian government is getting ready to implement the international departure tax on travellers leaving the country by air (MYR20 to ASEAN countries and MYR40 to other countries), while at the same time having around six months to prepare for Visit Malaysia Year 2020. Reactions have been mixed; some parties say that in the beginning it would affect outbound travel but eventually normalise once travellers are accustomed to it, while others argue that it would affect Malaysia’s tourism performance in the long run. There is no denying that the imposition of the departure tax will increase the cost of travel, therefore it is the hope of all stakeholders that the government handles this issue wisely, be transparent in how the money collected is spent, and respond accordingly if the tax were to negatively affect Malaysia’s

But to us travel junkies, nothing will stop us travelling internationally, with or without the departure tax, notably within the ASEAN region. One such destination is Davao (page 72), which is the gateway to Mount Apo and the island of Mindanao. Another option is to take the cruise on Genting Dream (page 68) from Singapore to Phuket and back. Those who intend to travel further should consider Qatar (https://www.visitqatar.qa/), especially now that the cutting-edge Jean Novel-designed National Museum of Qatar (https://nmoq.org.qa/) has opened its doors. Otherwise, focusing on Malaysian destinations and attractions can be equally enriching too, for instance Selangor’s crafts (page 48) and bucolic Hulu Langat district (page 52); Northern Peninsular Malaysia by public transport (page 58); Kenyir Lake (page 62); Sarawak (page 74); Melaka (page 92); and Negeri Sembilan (page 108). For accommodations, travellers will find that Sunway Putra Hotel (page 120); Alila Bangsar (page 122); Shangri-La Hotel, Kuala Lumpur (page 125); Hotel de Art (page 128); and Casugria Boutique Residence Melaka (page 130) all possess their own characteristics that make for memorable stay.

Hope you will find the articles within this issue useful.

See you in the next issue, and may you remain safe wherever you are heading...

JUHAN KAMARUDDIN@JEREMY KHALIL

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Gaya Special Feature

Qatar Airways Unveiling Seven New Upcoming Destinations and its Enhanced Economy Class Product

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During the international tourism trade fair ITB Berlin held in March 2019, Qatar Airways revealed seven new destinations to be added to its global route network in 2019, in addition to unveiling a newly enhanced Economy Class product to hundreds of trade and industry representatives, including members of international media.

At a packed press conference on the opening day of ITB, Qatar Airways Group Chief Executive, His Excellency Mr. Akbar Al Baker, announced an array of forthcoming global destinations the airline will launch in 2019, including Lisbon, Portugal; Malta; Rabat, Morocco; Langkawi, Malaysia; Davao, Philippines; Izmir, Turkey and Mogadishu, Somalia.

“We have enjoyed a tremendously successful week in Berlin and are particularly excited to announce these many new additions to our global route network. These new European, Asian and African gateways will offer both our business and leisure travellers even greater choice and flexibility, and clearly

demonstrate that Qatar Airways is moving forward with its robust growth plans,” said His Excellency Mr. Akbar Al Baker.

During the fair, Qatar Airways revealed its new Economy Class experience, featuring a world-class seat with an innovative 19-degree recline system, additional legroom, dual trays, 13.3-inch 4 K widescreens and type ‘C’ fast charging USB port. The airline’s new in-flight dining experience ‘Quisine’ redefines Economy Class service, with all new retail-style tableware, a menu offering more choices, 25 per cent larger main courses, 20 per cent larger appetisers, and 50 per cent larger desserts.

“Qatar Airways passengers in Economy Class will now enjoy even greater meal choice as well as larger appetisers, main courses and desserts. Our new Economy Class experience revealed here in Berlin this week proves our commitment to offering the very finest experience to all of our passengers, no matter what class they are travelling in. We thank the many guests who visited our stand in Berlin, and we look forward to welcoming all passengers on board,” His Excellency Mr.

Akbar Al Baker added.

Qatar Airways’ new Economy Class proposition sees a significant increase in rotable, recyclable and biodegradable products and reduction in single-use plastic.

Economy Class passengers will also be able to enjoy improved connectivity, including up to 10 times faster broadband, and more than 4,000 entertainment options on Qatar Airways’ Oryx One in-flight entertainment system.

At ITB 2017, Qatar Airways launched its revolutionary Business Class seat, Qsuite, which features the world’s first-ever double bed in Business Class. Qsuite takes cabin innovation to a whole new level with its quad configuration, providing passengers even more choice, privacy and personalisation in their travel experience. Since its launch, Qsuite has won a host of awards, including the prestigious Skytrax awards in 2018 for ‘World’s Best Business Class’ and ‘Best Business Class Seat’. www.qatarairways.com

Malaysia Airports Niaga Rebrands ERAMAN to be Bigger, Better and Bolder Te x t & I m a g e s b y E R A M A N

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Malaysia Airports Niaga or better known as ERAMAN – the retail arm of Malaysia Airports Holdings Berhad – is taking bold steps to rebrand its duty free and duty paid retail stores, including its food and beverage outlets to be bigger and better. This is in line with the parent company’s Commercial Reset Strategy initiative that will see ERAMAN playing an integral role through an expansion in its outlet spaces by realigning its product categories and revamping its stores’ concept designs, on top of enhancing guest experience through experiential marketing and digitalisation.

The rebranding exercise for ERAMAN after 25 years in the business is aimed at enhancing ERAMAN’s brand presence and awareness amongst local and international travellers. This significant and strategic initiative intends to propel ERAMAN to become one of the most preferred airport travel retail and dutyfree player in Asia Pacific by offering complete shopping experience through excellent customer service.

Datuk Seri Michael Yam, chairman of ERAMAN commented that the organisation has seen significant growth over the years not only in terms of sales growth but also in terms of creating unique experiences in the world of airport duty free in Malaysia. Following this, ERAMAN is forging ahead this year to solidify its presence by refreshing the

brand.

He said the Perfumes and Cosmetics category is one of the growth drivers for ERAMAN and it saw commendable growth in 2018. “This was no doubt contributed by our many new initiatives last year. We had opened four dedicated monogram concept boutiques under the Perfumes and Cosmetics category in Kota Kinabalu International Airport: M.A.C, La Mer, Tom Ford and Jo Malone.

We also opened three new standalone Perfume and Cosmetics boutique stores by leading beauty houses M.A.C, Jo Malone and Gucci at Departure and Arrival Hall of KL International.

The Gucci boutique store is the first boutique store in South East Asia that has been introduced in the airport,” he added.

Other initiatives that had contributed to ERAMAN’s growth include the tactical campaign with Maybank Cards, which resulted in 45% year-on-year growth in the months of February and March 2018. Besides, the ERAMAN Shopping Extravaganza #25AmazingYears Contest launched in July 2018 offering prizes totalling MYR1.2 million also attracted over 200,000 entries from Malaysia, China, India, Singapore, Europe and India.

“The government is also supportive of such initiatives as airports are major gateways into our country – contributing

to a lasting first impression for foreign visitors. We already possess world-class infrastructure at our airports. On top of which, the variety in international and local retail brands offered at our airports are the envy of our regional counterparts. Further enhancements to duty-free stores, redesigning of brand awareness elements and engagement with travellers are strategic steps that will provide a quantum leap in making Malaysia a first-world country,” mentioned Datuk Kamarudin Jaffar, Malaysia’s Deputy Minister of Transport.

As part of the brand refresh initiative, visitors to ERAMAN outlets will notice the new and stylised logo in the letter ‘e’ that has been encapsulated within a hexagon representing a gift box with the ‘e’ forming a ‘ribbon’ as if holding the box with gift inside. Coloured in a vibrant purple palette, the design speaks to deliver its promise of excitement – that in every path a traveller takes, ERAMAN will be there to give them a warm welcome to make sure that no traveller leaves without a heartfelt gift for oneself or as a souvenir for loved ones.

Other changes include enhancements to the façade of all ERAMAN outlets and new modern designs for staff uniforms. ERAMAN is confident that the rebranding exercise will strengthen and build brand awareness through elements that are engaging, meaningful, easily recognisable and transferable to all its outlets encompassing both merchandising and food and beverage segments.

Operating in five international airports and one domestic airport in Malaysia, ERAMAN Duty Free outlets offer a wide range of world class and exclusive products such as chocolates, perfumes and cosmetics, liquor, fashion and accessories, including tobacco products that are sourced globally.

ESCAPE + EXPLORE + EXPERIENCE

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A Beginner’s Guide to SEOUL

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Malaysians are embracing the K-culture in a big way, from entertainment, to food, to fashion and of course the technology – we are all smitten by South Korea. For the record, we do not consider ourselves staunch followers of K-culture, but we do enjoy the occasional K-drama, love its fried chicken but still cannot tell the difference between BTS and Big Bang. Curiosity led us to South Korea; and we were pleasantly surprised with what this country has to offer.

SEOUL 024

Seoul, its capital city, is incredible, brimming with mouth-watering food, unique attractions and exciting shopping spots. The amount of things to do is endless, and unique experiences await you at every corner. We spent five days in lively Seoul, which is an ample time to have a quick taste of the city. It is one of the cities we do not mind returning, and we are sure that many who have stepped foot in Seoul would feel the same way.

Did you know that Malaysia ranked the seventh top source market for South Korea tourism arrivals in 2018? A quick observation amongst our friends confirms this. South Korea seems to be a popular choice of late.

Seoul is the fourth largest metropolitan area in Asia. With over 25.4 million people, the population of Seoul itself could match Malaysia’s population size. In comparison, Kuala Lumpur has only 1.78 million people spread over 94 kilometres squared.

That being said, getting around the city using the transportation networks can get a little bit tricky, but makes for an interesting travel experience nonetheless. Just be sure you have easy access to the internet!

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Seoul Tips » Signboards in English is Scarce Signboards and labels are mostly written in Hangul (Korean Alphabet).

Download apps that would help you with translation. We recommend Google Translate. However, most of the locals we came across do speak and understand English. » T-Money Card Similar to our Touch n Go, T-Money can be used to pay for all your bus, subway and even taxi rides. You can also pay for your convenient store purchases with T-Money. Cards can be purchased for KRW2,500 at convenience stores and stations. Do visit Korea Tourism Organisation Malaysia’s website (www. visitkorea.com.my) for information on

good deals. We managed to get our T-Money card for free because we took part in a quick survey on the website. » Pocket Wi-Fi Dare we say it - internet is a necessity when travelling in this country. While free Wi-Fi are aplenty, we have found that they are quite unreliable. Since Pocket Wi-Fi are increasingly popular among independent travellers now, travellers can get them easily at competitive rates. We recommend Roaming Man (Malaysia) for its price, connectivity and ease of transaction. » Wear comfortable shoes Seoul has many stairs and hills. This is a very important fact to remember. You will also do a lot of walking, so dress sensibly and comfortably.

» Taxi When your feet are starting to feel like jelly, taxi rides are heaven-sent. Since Seoul is a condensed metropolitan, taxi drivers may not necessarily know your destination. Be sure to have the address and telephone number handy whenever you hail a taxi. » Download navigation apps We recommend Naver and Kakao Map to help you find your way around Seoul and planning your day. » Rent Hanbok Gain free entry to the palaces in Seoul when you wear hanbok (Korean traditional dress). You can either book online or just walk into any of the rental shops available.

Seoul Icons You Must Visit » Namsan Tower / N Seoul Tower This communication and observation tower is the second highest point in Seoul. Apart from the sweeping views of Seoul, there are plenty of restaurants and shops here. Leaving your love locks (padlocks inscribed with the couples name with hopes of everlasting love) here seem to be the most popular things to do. We should warn you that the queue to get into the tower can get really long, so plan your visiting time wisely. » Cheonggyecheon Stream Take a stroll down this almost 11-kilometre long stream dotted with interesting things to see along the way. The Cheonggyecheon Stream is an urban renewal project. It starts from Cheonggyecheon Plaza and passes under 22 bridges before flowing into Han River. We went at night and it was a filled with food trucks and performers. Unlike Kuala Lumpur’s River of Life, you can actually touch the water and sit by it.

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» Dongdaemun Design Plaza (DDP) This is perhaps the most futuristic and iconic building in Seoul.

Designed by the renowned architect Zaha Hadid, do challenge yourself to look for a straight line in its archicture, because there is none! At night, thousands of LED roses light up and it surely is a sight to behold. DDP houses a museum, exhibition halls, and shops, among others. » Geongbokgung Palace A visit to Seoul will not be complete without visiting the palaces. Since time is limited, do pick Geongbokgung Palace, the main and biggest among the Five Grand Palaces. Do not miss the Royal Guard Changing Ceremony or the Gwanghwamun Gate Guard on Duty Performance – either one happens every hour between 10:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. daily except on Tuesdays. » Ewha Womans University This is hardly a tourist destination, but this university’s unique architecture has attracted many visitors to its grounds. The centrepiece of the university is its unique outdoor staircase and the glass-and-steel walls leading to the steps. » Starfield Library in COEX Mall Who would have thought having a library in the middle of a shopping mall could become an attraction? We are no bibliophiles, but the sight of bookshelves soaring two floors high got us excited! You are welcome to sit and browse freely because it is a public library after all. And along with that, the Golden Rule still applies: Be Quiet!

COEX Mall is also home to SMtown, which is SM Entertainment’s culture complex. There is a museum showcasing the company’s many artistes and merchandise shop. Definitely not to be missed if you are an ardent follower of K-Pop! » Nami Island Do allocate at least half a day for Nami Island. This man-made island is less than two hours away from Seoul. We took the one hour ride ITX train ride from Seoul (Yongsan Station) to Gapyeong Station and from there you can either take the shuttle bus or taxi to Naminara jetty. Entrance to Nami Island is KRW13,000 (about RM50) per adult, which includes a return ferry ride.

Nami Island is beautiful; endless rows of trees made the whole island enchanting with breathtaking views of nature. Every season promises a beautiful background for your holiday photos.

Muslims will be pleased to know that there is a musolla (prayer room) and halal certified restaurant here. There are also various types of accommodations available here should you wish to stay longer in this beautiful island.

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Shopping Areas in a Nutshell A visit to Seoul is definitely not complete without shopping! As an Asian capital of fashion, South Koreans are definitely known for their trendsetting dressing and personal care. There are too many malls and markets to list and suggest; and we personally did not manage to shop much. However, we have noticed that travellers should purchase Korean beauty products (face masks especially), bejewelled brooches, socks, k-pop merchandises, Bingrae banana uyu (milk) and sneakers (FILA is a favourite brand) as souvenirs.

Popular shopping spots include Namdaemun Market, Myeongdong, Insadong, Dongdaemun, and Ewha Womans University street. Daiso stores seem popular for cheap souvenirs.

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SAVOUR HALAL KOREAN FOOD! Alhamdulillah, there are plenty of halal restaurants serving Korean food in Seoul. These are locally owned and run restaurants that we managed to visit and enjoy their food thoroughly. » Murree Muslim Food Restaurant, Itaewon This restaurant is a short walk from Seoul Central Mosque. Due to its location, there are plenty of halal restaurants located on the same street.

What we had: Samgyetang (Ginseng chicken soup), Japchae (stir-fried glass noodles), and Bibimbap (steamed white rice topped with stir-fried meat, vegetables and fried egg).

Address: 140-6 Itaewon-dong, Yongsan-qu, Seoul 04407.

Tel: +82 23785 1436

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» Halal Kitchen This restaurant is run by a Korean Muslim man named Hassan Lee. There are only two items on the menu: Bulgogi Jeongol (Thinly sliced beef grilled on a stove top griddle) and Samgyetang (Ginseng chicken Soup).

What we had: Bulgogi Jeongol Address: 86-4 Samcheong-ro, Jongno, Seoul 03053.

Tel: +82 733 3106 » Kampungku This restaurants serves both Korean and Malaysian food at affordable prices.

Next door of the restaurant is Kampungku Mart, a supermarket selling halal products.

What we had: Fried chicken, Odeng (fishcake soup), Japchae (stirfried glass noodle) and Bibimbap (steamed white rice topped with stir-fried meat, vegetables and fried egg).

Address: 25, Toegye-ro 20-gil, Jung-gu Seoul 04629.

Tel: +82 2310 9249 » Asian Family Restaurant Dongmoon, Nami Island This is the only halal certified restaurant on Nami Island, but there are plenty of other food outlets offering Muslim-friendly items on their menu as well.

What we had: Jajangmyeon (noodles with black bean sauce), chicken Dakgalbi (spicy stir-fried chicken) and fried chicken.

Address: 1, Namisun-gil, Namsan-myeon.

Tel: +82 31580 8099

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Gaya Dine & Café

Embar king on an Exquisite Epicurean Journey at K

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Te x t b y S H A H I DA S A K E R I I m a g e s b y K A M I L A Z I M N A S I R

On a sunny Thursday lunchtime, my colleagues and I found our way to a quiet corner of The Saujana Hotel Kuala Lumpur that contains a gastronomic haven in the form of a Japanese restaurant styled in a traditional ryokan called Kogetsu.

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The restaurant was almost full when we arrived, filled with families, couples and business people; yet it remained relatively peaceful throughout our time there. Perhaps, that’s what you get when you put people in a tranquil environment; they become more relaxed. In fact, even the name suggests peacefulness because Kogetsu means the ‘reflection of the moon on the water’, which I reckoned was inspired by the huge body of water next to it.

The space is divided into three sections: a floor of open seatings, a couple of sushi bars and private rooms for guests who appreciate extra privacy. The design follows classic Japanese aesthetics such as clean lines, dark wooden frames with unassuming furniture and latticed doors, making the space welcoming and inviting. The windows here are large too, framing views of the beautiful lake complete with a water fountain, including the surrounding trees, in the effort to bring the outdoors in.

Kogetsu is anchored by Chef Taketoshi Minami, who has over 20 years of experience under his belt.

His extensive creations feature curated selection of fine Japanese delicacies that are impossible to devour in one single visit. There are à la carte options besides the set menus. For starter, try the Fuji Assorted Sushi Platter Combo (MYR 154++) that includes handmade sushi to honours the delicate flavours between the vinegared rice and seafood.

The combo comprises some of the best sushi from the menu, including sea urchin sushi, salmon sushi, yellow tail fish sushi, fatty tuna, tuna berry, and tuna

maki. The generous portions are also big enough to be shared among two persons.

Then, elevate your senses with the classic Hamachi Teriyaki (MYR 71++), which is grilled Yellowtail with sweet and savoury teriyaki sauce. The fish is commonly cured with salt to remove the smell, then marinated, and grilled a couple of times, resulting in a glazed soft flesh that goes well with a bowl of rice. Alternatively, tempura lovers can opt for the Tempura Moriawase (MYR 61++) that boasts assorted lightly battered seafood and vegetables.

We tempted our taste buds further by trying out some of the lunch sets available here. Personally, I consider the Makunouchi Bento set (MYR 74++) a wholesome meal, especially ideal for those who pressed for time, as it contains bits from the food pyramid such as Japanese pickles, vegetables, eggs, fish and rice. But if one prefers soba or udon instead, there is the equally delicious Chirashi Sushi Soba/ Udon set (MYR 70++). Other standouts include the immaculately presented Sashimi to Unagi Kabayaki Teishoku (MYR 86++), which is assorted fresh raw fish and grilled eel with teriyaki sauce set, as well as the Sushi and Sashimi Bento Set (MYR 90++) showcasing a selection of sushi, sashimi and various other delicacies.

All in all, I truly believe Kogetsu deserves to be respected for its quality, and Chef Taketoshi Minami’s culinary prowess reflects his uncanny devotion to his art. The restaurant is definitely a place where guests will want to revisit, be it great food or just simply to hide away from the hustle and bustle of the city. But don’t just take my word for it, try it for yourself…

Kogetsu restaurant opens every day from 12:00 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. Kogetsu Restaurant also serves ‘Weekend Brunch’ every Saturday and Sunday from 11.30 a.m. to 3.00 p.m.

For bookings, please visit www.saujanahotels.com/thesaujana-hotel/en/dining/kogetsu or call +6 03 7843 1234.

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Gaya Tech

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Huawei Mate 20 Pro, Just What Traveller s Need Te x t b y E D J U N A I D I | I m a g e s b y E D J U N A I D I & H UAW E I

I am so happy to say that the time for carrying super bulky DSLR cameras are a thing of the past. It used to be cumbersome for a travel writer like me to simultaneously carry both a heavy camera and notebook to jot down my experiences. That DSLR camera has now been replaced by a powerful device that fits in my hand and always ready to be used when I need it. All my travel experiences can be recorded in various formats – text, photos and videos.

Huawei Mate 20 Pro has transformed how I do my travelling, both for work and leisure.

This device is perfect for me, especially when it is equipped with Leica lenses and possesses capabilities to capture great photos in raw format with manual settings in its Pro Mode. The image quality can reach up to 40 megapixels.

Another advantage of having Huawei Mate 20 Pro is the fact that the image quality does not degrade as it changes from one focal length to another since the device readily has three focal lengths, hence removing the need to lug different lenses wherever I go.

The device’s ultra-wide lens is amazing at capturing landscapes, while the portrait lens captures human expressions excellently.

I can easily switch from scenery photography to portraiture at a slide in camera mode. Its three times (3x) telephoto lens produces quality image even though the shot is digitally zoomed, which is crucial when I am documenting my travels.

Huawei improves its cameras using artificial intelligence to capture sharp photos in low-light and at night without having to switch to Night Mode. I have tried capturing the Petronas Twin Towers at night and the images totally blew me away with its pixel-perfect quality.

overseas, I prefer to install the SIM card on the other slot so that I can use both my home SIM to receive calls and local SIM for data, which is a convenient for world travellers.

Another improvement to Huawei Mate 20 Pro that I find appealing is its fast charging feature: it charges my phone from 5% to 100% in less than 30 minutes, which is impressive.

Like most devices released last year, Huawei Mate 20 Pro is equipped with wireless charging too, but it comes with another feature that also charges other phones wirelessly, which comes handy when your travel buddies are in need of emergency power for their smartphones.

Built in a curved body with glass finishing on both rear and front, including cover-all 6.39-inch display, Huawei Mate 20 Pro is the best-looking smartphone to date. It also feels good in my grip with its sporty contour along its edges, giving the body a sleek and solid look. My unit comes in beautiful Twilight colour that is introduced and made famous by Huawei. It comes with pseudo-futuristic in-screen fingerprint scanner as well.

If looks are not enough, Huawei Mate 20 Pro is substantially packed with extensive features, ridiculously way ahead of other smartphones in similar range. This device’s 6GB RAM and powerhouse Kirin 980 processor (the first seven-nanometre chip on Android) ensure that speed is never compromised, allowing me to install more applications and perform multiple tasks at the same time.

Huawei Mate 20 Pro comes in two storage sizes, 128GB and 256GB; the latter comes only in Twilight colour. Those, like me, who love taking photos and videos thus requiring larger storage will be glad to know that this device is expandable to a maximum of 256GB with nanoSD slot, but I had to give up its dual SIM functionality. However, for me, if I were to travel

It is important for current and potential Huawei smartphone users to know that at press time, even though the United States of America President Donald Trump issued an executive order requiring US-based companies to restrict doing business with Huawei, the company assures that it will continue providing security updates and after sales services to all existing Huawei and Honor smartphone and tablet products that have been sold or still in stock globally.

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Gaya Interview

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Franck Loison GM of

Sofitel Kuala Lumpur Damansara

Mr Franck Loison, the General Manager (GM) of the 312-room Sofitel Kuala Lumpur Damansara, shares with Gaya Travel Magazine how the first Sofitel flagship in Malaysia is faring after being opened for almost two years.

“The hotel has now matured, so it is high time for us to position the hotel, the restaurants, the spa, and meeting, incentive, convention and exhibition (MICE) facilities, as well as obtaining awards and certifications. The hotel is now able to compete with the other hotels not only in Malaysia but worldwide,” claims Mr Loison. “We inspire to be the best hotel for business and leisure,” he declares.

Sofitel Kuala Lumpur Damansara simply oozes luxury and comfort. Strategically located in the prestigious neighbourhood of Damansara Heights, the hotel is easily accessible by public transport or car.

The hotel embodies a uniquely French experience in the form of sophisticated accommodations, an impressive food and beverage outlets, an award-winning spa, and state of the art MICE facilities. “Each Sofitel celebrates the chic style and flair for the culture that’s quintessential to French life with local elements,” says Mr Loison.

When it comes to MICE, the hotel offers state-of-the-art ballrooms and meeting rooms. Sofitel Kuala Lumpur Damansara is also popular for which the hotel seems “to get every two weeks” through its various wedding packages. It is also fast becoming the place for product launches like cosmetics, electronics, automobiles, winetasting and more. Mr Loison attributes this phenomenon to the ballroom’s unique shape and design, including the hotel’s convenient location.

Though the hotel mainly receives corporate and business-oriented travellers both local and international, it also welcomes staycationers from Kuala Lumpur (KL), surrounding areas and Singaporean who stay on Friday and Saturday nights; interestingly, the hotel’s swimming pool and spa are busy on those days.

“Malaysians and Singaporeans like to stay in hotels on weekends, and they represent a good market to tap into since the corporate market is quiet that time. Opening the weekends to staycationers compensates the reduction of corporate travellers at that juncture. The hotel is also family-friendly,” ensures Mr Loison. For special deals and packages, guests can visit https://www. sofitel-kualalumpur-damansara.com/.

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In terms of leadership style to manage a property like Sofitel Kuala Lumpur Damansara, Mr Loison confesses that anywhere he goes, he tries to adapt to the local culture.

“When you take on a new assignment, you have to start all over again from zero. You need to build your way from the ground up when you start working at a different property. Then you need to build the team around you and choose the right people – a mix of cultures like Chinese, Malay, and expatriates – who share the same vision and can perform and add the French touch. It takes time to build the team, to work together and understand each other,” ponders Mr Loison.

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With a highly experienced and strategic leader like Mr Loison at the helm, Sofitel Kuala Lumpur Damansara is bound to see its stature rises further as one of the preferred five-star accommodations in the city that is uniquely situated in the upmarket Damansara neighbourhood.

Interesting dining options According to Mr Loison, one of the strengths of Malaysia is its diversity, which is reflected in its culinary offerings that can be experienced at the hotel’s all-day dining outlet, Kwee Zeen. On top of that, the hotel’s French-Mediterranean inspired dinner-only outlet called Nizza serves dishes comprising prime steaks, a huge variety of fresh seafood items and more that can be found along the Mediterranean coasts of France, Spain and Italy that suit the Malaysian palate. “French people normally like to dine up to three hours for lunch or dinner, but the food at Nizza can be enjoyed in less than an hour, befitting the dining culture here,” claims Mr Loison. “Nizza is created for casual, semi-fine dining accompanied by a bar, a pool, chill out music, and show-live kitchen. The restaurant is also ideal for corporate dinners and functions to launch something too,” he continues.

As a purveyor of luxurious French hospitality, Sofitel Kuala Lumpur Damansara constantly explores avenues to promote French culture locally. “We recently supported the French Film Festival by providing accommodations for all artists involved in the festival. We also participated in the Gout de France month to promote French products and cuisine,” Mr Loison reports. Since Sofitel is a strong brand among the French market, the hotel attracts a great deal of interest and businesses from many French companies based in Kuala Lumpur and beyond.

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A UNIQUE BLEND OF FRENCH ELEGANCE AND MALAYSIAN CHARM IN THE BUSTLING CITY OF KUALA LUMPUR

SOFITEL KUALA LUMPUR DAMANSARA - NO. 6 JALAN DAMANLELA - BUKIT DAMANSARA - 50490 KUALA LUMPUR +6(0)3 2720 6688 - WWW.SOFITEL.COM/HA123

Gaya Interview

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YB Datuk Rozman bin Datuk Haji Isli

Connecting Labuan to the World As a Malaysian Member of Parliament representing Labuan, The Honourable Datuk Rozman bin Datuk Haji Isli truly understands the island in and out.

Approachable, charismatic, energetic and athletic, Datuk Rozman shares with Gaya Travel Magazine how he intends to take Labuan to greater heights.

Being the person who initiated the idea of elevating the perahu larai (traditional local sailboat) into a symbol of Labuan, Datuk Rozman recognises that from a tourism standpoint, the island is located in up-and-coming region that tourists are starting to take notice, especially when it is close to the state of Sabah, and its capital Kota Kinabalu is only around two hours and a half by automobile. Labuan has pristine nature and small islands surrounded by clear water, hence possessing the right ingredients to become a getaway destination on this side of the world.

For its tourism industry to progress further, under the leadership of Datuk Rozman, Labuan is resolved in addressing the challenges that it faces through strategic decisions and actions.

Labuan’s tourism potential In the last few years, the people of Labuan have started seeing tourism as an industry that brings great benefit. Previously, during the oil and gas boom, many entrepreneurs showed disinterest towards tourism since oil and gas proved more lucrative. However, due to the downturn faced by the industry of late, those who remain in Labuan began looking for new economic opportunities.

According to the Labuan Development Blueprint 2030 (Labuan Blueprint) issued by Labuan Corporation and Financial Centre, tourism is one of the newest industries that can propel the island forward. These days, many Labuan entrepreneurs have begun investing in tourism-related businesses, made evident by the existence of chalets dotting Labuan’s small islands. Some entrepreneurs also offer boats and facilities for sport fishing or angling to meet demand from locals and foreigners since Labuan’s waters are teeming with various types of fish. For these entrepreneurs to grow their businesses, they seek more tourists because the existing market is limited.

“My concern is when there is no significant increase in tourist numbers to patronise these businesses, the entrepreneurs might eventually flounder since they couldn’t increase the returns of their investment. These entrepreneurs have passion to run their businesses, but at the end of the day, bottomline matters. This is what I want the government to realise and ensure that the momentum in developing Labuan as a tourism destination is maintained and does not slow down, for example through disbursement of sufficient funds for large-scale events to be held on the island. These events must be continuously improved to attract more visitors so that the occupancy rate in Labuan does not fall precipitously,” says Datuk Rozman, addressing his concern.

Labuan, besides being a federal territory, is also the only dutyfree island on Borneo, which makes it unique. “Labuan is a

shopping haven that offer cheaper prices since the goods are duty-free; however, to polish it into an actual shopping haven, we need investors to set up shop here,” notes Datuk Rozman.

“We already managed to attract an investor who is planning to open a premium designer outlet that is under construction in Kiansam, close to Labuan International Golf Club, comprising 70 outlet stores, making it Malaysia’s first duty-free premium design outlet to be based on an island, and the first design outlet ever to open in Borneo. If Labuan is better connected to the region and the rest of the world, the outlet is bound to be successful not only among tourists but also locals from main urban centres in Borneo like Kota Kinabalu and Miri,” he adds.

Being a tropical island, Labuan is blessed with tranquil sceneries. Besides Tanjung Kubong, located in the northeast corner of the island that offers beautiful view, another site that holds potential is Kinabenuwa, which is Labuan’s largest river flanked by mangroves, the place where the Ministry of Water, Land and Resources created the water reservoir that can be converted into a wetland park. However, being a reservoir, public has limited access to it, so new ways should be explored to turn it into a tourism attraction.

“On top of that, I see that the nine-kilometre stretch of beaches beginning from the northern tip of the island (Tanjung Kubong) all the way to Sungai Miri, close to Universiti Malaysia Sabah campus, holds great potential. There are many villages dotting that stretch, therefore developing the entire stretch is impossible. We should instead preserve it as naturally as possible and only develop suitable pockets of land found along the way to set up beach front facilities. Beaches in Labuan are beautiful but ought to be supported by facilities for the comfort of visitors – some could host restaurants and resorts, chalets and souvenir shops. We should also introduce activities similar to those found on Pantai Chenang in Langkawi. In the future, it is ideal if the whole stretch can be linked up and served by a track reserved specifically for lowcarbon vehicles and personal mobility devices such as bicycles, skateboards and battery-operated buggies, which necessitates investment. The track could even be commercialised. To that end, government still needs to facilitate it,” Datuk Rozman elaborates.

Touching on wreck-diving in Labuan, Datuk Rozman claims that the island offers among the best in the region, based on feedback received from advanced divers who travel globally just for underwater wrecks. A couple of years ago, Tourism Malaysia organised a familiarisation trip to Labuan for 30 wreck divers from the United States of America, Europe, the Philippines, Japan, Taiwan, and Australia. Though visibility was low during their visit, the divers were still impressed with their wreck-diving experience. The water is generally clearer as divers head towards the north of the island while the southern part is murky due to silt.

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To attract tourists, Labuan does not have to compete with other more established island destinations like Langkawi, Phuket, Bali, and even Borneo, but instead complement them. “We need to ride on the richness of nature found in south Sabah as well such as rivers, beaches, proboscis monkeys, fireflies and mangroves that cover thousands of acres with bountiful sea and river produce like mangrove crabs and clams,” he opines.

Resolving the connectivity issue Although Labuan has good infrastructure, Datuk Rozman admits that it still faces constraints in connecting to the rest of the region. For Labuan to become a tourism hub that complements the other industries already established in Labuan such as oil and gas and international offshore finance, connectivity remains an issue.

“I strongly feel that there should be a bridge that directly links Labuan to Borneo mainland, especially Sabah so that connectivity can be significantly boosted. The bridge is expected to become a game changer that will transform Labuan’s position, making it closer to Kota Kinabalu and south Sabah. As a matter of fact, the latter could even become a hinterland for Labuan.

“The bridge is what Labuan needs right now. Government is still in the midst of planning the bridge to ensure its economic viability by carefully coming up with the right formula because building the bridge calls for participation

and funding from the private sector. The bridge must bring in large returns so that financing it is worthwhile,” emphasises Datuk Rozman.

“The bridge should be designed in such a way that it becomes a Labuan icon. The plan shows that it is best for it to be built on the eastern coast of the island facing the west coast of south Sabah, which has shallow beaches that go deep into the sea, making land reclamation easier and cost effective. Relating to this, Labuan is also looking into developing a new ecologically sustainable township linked to the bridge, complete with residential areas suitable for Malaysia My Second Home (MM2H) visa holders. A big portion of the township will be green and includes replanted mangrove forest, wetland, and lagoon. So far, Labuan manages to attract a small number of MM2H visa holders because there are not enough services and amenities that meet their expectations,” he continues.

Another way for Labuan to remain connected is by air. Labuan currently receives direct flights from Kuala Lumpur, Kota Kinabalu and Miri, which are all domestic. In truth, Labuan Airport is ready to serve international flights since it has both domestic and international halls, including a 2.8-kilometre runway that can accommodate Boeing 777 anytime. Though Labuan Airport is capable in servicing flights coming from outside Malaysia, it still has not yet received any, except for chartered flights, due to load factor. Labuan needs to have more direct flights linking it to other major cities in ASEAN, including cities in mainland China due to their market size.

It is estimated that there are 100 million outbound Chinese travellers every year, so Labuan needs to tap this market.

“We are now aggressively approaching airlines such as AirAsia, which is renowned for connecting various destinations throughout Asia, to upgrade Labuan into a hub that complements Kota Kinabalu. Once the bridge is ready, it could strategically connect both Labuan and Kota Kinabalu airports.

In the future, people could fly into Labuan, rent any kind of vehicle they desire, venture into Sabah by using the proposed bridge, then fly out from Kota Kinabalu Airport and vice versa,” foresees Datuk Rozman.

Future plan When asked about what he wants Labuan to become in the next two to three years, Datuk Rozman is determined to implement the mentioned projects to help Labuan improve.

“I am a strong advocate to the creation of the bridge that links the island to mainland Sabah because to me, the bridge is the missing link that will encourage more development. The land reclamation and creation of new township overlooking the coast of south Sabah will subsidise the bridge. This will be the main driver for Labuan’s tourism and economy. This area is also only five minutes from the airport. Those who stay on Sabah mainland could also access Labuan Airport easily,” reiterates Datuk Rozman.

With the bridge, he is confident that south Sabah would treat Labuan as the area’s urban centre, Labuan Airport as the area’s

international gateway, and Labuan port as the area’s container hub. South Sabah is also developing rapidly, particularly Sipitang, which is similar to Pengerang in Johor, considering it is established as the centre for oil and gas downstream sector. All of these factors spur economic growth, population growth and strengthen Labuan’s position as the provider of services and logistical needs to the area, simultaneously enhancing Labuan’s tourism industry.

“So for the next three years, to turn these plans into reality, it is imperative for us to attract investments, driven by the private sector. But for investors to come and be confident of Labuan, we first need to have a strong enough draw. I believe the reclaimed land and bridge are the answers that Labuan needs for future growth.

“According to the Labuan Blueprint, by 2030, the island would have reached its target of 150,000 population. And when the bridge is ready, it will also boost the population on south Sabah’s side, akin to how Seberang Perai is to Penang or Iskandar Malaysia is to Singapore. Sabah will receive the spillover effect since the land there is cheaper for expansion of industries, including tourism. All these will benefit the country and region in the long run. This boils down to why Labuan was given to the federal government in the first place, which is to bring great benefit to Sabah in particular, and Malaysia as a whole,” says Datuk Rozman, concluding the interview.

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Gaya Interview

Putting Labuan on Travellers’ Maps -

Mr Mahathir bin Abdul Hamid, Director of Tourism, Culture and Arts, Labuan Corporation

Currently the Director of Tourism, Culture and Arts for Labuan

Corporation, Mr Mahathir bin Abdul Hamid has been serving the 044

department for 15 years, long enough to render him as one of the few

personalities with credibility to talk about tourism in Labuan. Gaya Travel

Magazine recently sat down with him at Labuan Bird Park to find out more about what Labuan can offer to travellers and tourists.

Mr Mahathir purposely arranged the interview to be held at Labuan Bird

Park – which is directly owned by the Malaysian government and managed by the Department of Veterinary Services – because it is one of the things

that make Labuan unique. The park has been in existence for over 22 years, making it among the oldest man-made attractions on the island.

Besides conserving and breeding various types of birds, the park offers the opportunity for public to interact and even feed the birds, ranging from

the extinct Storm’s stork that is now less than 500 in the whole world, to

rhinocerous hornbill and the African crowned crane. Once the indigenous birds are matured, they are released back into the wild at nearby Bukit Kubong and Kinabenuwa Mangrove Ecology Park. The park not only

enhances travellers’ experience in Labuan but also enriches the island’s

biodiversity. In early May 2019, Malaysia’s Ministry of Federal Territories agreed to allocate MYR1 million for the park to achieve its full potential.

Apart from the bird park, Mr Mahathir explained that Labuan’s other charms are its beaches, islands and duty-free items, all of which attract Japanese, Korean, and Taiwanese tourists on top of locals and foreigners from other countries.

As a matter of fact, since 2017, the number of travellers from China, Korea, and Japan coming to Labuan has been rising to the point that China is now one of Labuan’s top three source markets, while Japan and Korea are in the top 10.

Interestingly, Koreans also come all the way to Labuan to play golf. The island receives Korean teenage students who participate in a six-week summer golf academy at the 18-hole Labuan International Golf Club for the third time. Labuan is selected as the venue for the academy because Sabah has already become too busy and Koreans prefer more exclusivity.

In terms of the domestic market, the island receives more local tourists from Sabah, Brunei and Sarawak due to historical and cultural links, including family ties. Many of them arrive in Labuan for work, visiting family and relatives, or studying.

Travellers from Peninsular Malaysia mainly come to Labuan for work or studying, including those who intend to make Labuan as their entry point to explore East Malaysia because they are not bound by immigration restriction unlike in Sabah or Sarawak (Peninsular Malaysians can continuously stay in Labuan with no restriction, but only up to three months in Sabah and Sarawak).

Mr Mahathir further shared that according to Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM) statistics, Labuan has one of the lowest crime rates in the country. On top of that, according

to the Department of National Unity and Integration, Labuan is declared as a zero ethnic conflict zone for five consecutive years, indicating that the residents in Labuan live harmoniously, making the destination even more safe and secure. The island is also touted as a healthy destination with low Air Pollution Index (API) because the ocean breeze generally sweeps away polluted air from the island, suitable for tourists who seek clean air to improve their respiratory health, also known as ‘lung washing tourism’.

Accessibility Mr Mahathir reminisced how Labuan Corporation, together with the Ministry of Federal Territories, successfully persuaded Malindo Air to fly directly to the island from Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA), on top of the existing services provided by Malaysia Airlines and AirAsia, thereby increasing the number of airlines flying directly into Labuan from Kuala Lumpur from two to three. Labuan can also be reached by ferry and small vessels that connect the island to several coastal cities in Sabah, Sarawak and Brunei.

“At the moment, air accessibility into Labuan can only be done through three domestic entry points: KLIA, Kota Kinabalu International Airport (KKIA) and Miri. We therefore thank Brunei International Airport for bringing in chartered flights from China because the Chinese tourists who came on these flights extend their visit to Labuan and Miri after touring Brunei. Travel packages that combine two different destinations such as Brunei and Labuan, as well as Kota Kinabalu and Labuan, are also already in place, ” Mr Mahathir revealed.

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After enjoying themselves in Labuan, travellers can take the ferry to Menumbok town on mainland Sabah, then continue upriver along Sungai Klias to witness proboscis monkeys and fireflies. Conversely, travellers could also proceed to Lawas, Limbang and Miri in Sarawak, then ascend to the highlands like Bario and Ba’kelalan to be immersed in the authentic Borneo way of life.

Accommodations “When it comes to accommodations, Labuan has enough rooms to cater to the number of travellers coming to the island, compared to before when the oil and gas industry boomed. These days, since the oil and gas industry retreated, there are now more rooms available,” noted Mr Mahathir.

To enrich travellers’ experience in Labuan, besides hotels, Mr Mahathir recommended for them to stay at any of the three villages on the island that are part of the Malaysian homestay programme: Kampung Sungai Labu, Kampung Bukit Kuda dan Kampung Patau-patau – each of these villages have their own distinct characteristics. Kampung Sungai Labu are for those who adore marvellous sunsets since it is located close to a beach; Kampung Bukit Kuda for agriculture since it is surrounded by orchards owned by the villagers and home to a several small scale or cottage industries; and Kampung Pataupatau Water Village, the only homestay in Malaysia that offers guests the chance to stay in abodes on stilts above water.

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The statistics provided by the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture Malaysia show that these homestays always receive guests every single month, even during Ramadan (Muslim fasting month), especially when it coincides with Labuan Matriculation College registration day. Those from Sabah and Sarawak who work in Labuan and unable to return to their hometowns to celebrate Harvest Festival would invite their families to come over to the island and stay at these homestays. At the end of the year, the homestays are booked by various ministries, government departments, and corporations for conferences, meetings, and family day. “We are tapping into the backpackers and youths to stay at these homestays too since these accommodations are budgetfriendly,” added Mr Mahathir.

Events Mr Mahathir informed us that Labuan organises three annual events that attract tourists to the island: Labuan International Sea Challenge (LISC), Borneo Art Festival, and Remembrance Day. LISC – which includes all sea-based sports activities based on requests by participants and not just limited to activities like angling and kayaking – attracted around 1,300 participants from 16 countries in 2019; many were repeat participants, while the rest were new. Most international participants join in the cross-channel swimming activity from Labuan main island to Papan Island and back. In 2019, the total number of participants partaking in cross-channel swimming was

185, which the Malaysian Book of Records recognised as the largest number of participation in Malaysia for cross-channel swimming thus far.

Borneo Arts Festival, which is normally held in September, has a steady following over the years and lines up various artistes to celebrate visual arts, performing arts, and handicrafts related to Borneo. All forms of visual arts showcased in the festival need to be injected with elements of Borneo; the same goes for handicrafts, which is supervised by Malaysian Handicraft Development Corporation (Kraftangan Malaysia) to assist the participating small and medium enterprises. As for the performing arts, the categories consist of traditional dance, fashion, gambus (traditional lute) and bermukun (a traditional quatrain battle to test contestants’ creative wit), which is unique and becomes one of the festival’s highlights. During bermukun, contestants are required to ‘sell’ (deliver) original quatrains in specific tunes while beating on drums to their opponents who need to ‘buy’ (reply or respond) by singing the quatrains out in the same tunes. Labuan Corporation collaborates with Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture; Kraftangan Malaysia; Tourism Malaysia; and Department of National Unity and Integration to turn this festival into reality.

Labuan Remembrance Day, which falls on the Sunday closest to 11 November every year, is a military ceremony that commemorates the fallen troops and surviving veterans from Australia, New Zealand and several Commonwealth countries’? The sentence should read ‘Labuan Remembrance Day, which falls on the Sunday closest to 11 November every year, is a military ceremony that commemorates the fallen troops and surviving veterans from Australia, New Zealand and several Commonwealth countries during World War II. This solemn and moving ceremony is typically joined by their family members, including Commonwealth High Commissioners, ambassadors and dignitaries, whose presence boost the event’s stature as testament to the role Labuan played in the history of World War. Labuan Corporation maintains good relations with the British, Australia and New Zealand high commissions, including the state government of Sarawak and the Japanese consulate. Meanwhile, Japanese tourists hold a separate memorial service at Peace Park in Layang-Layangan on a different day.

Conclusion When asked about his hope towards Labuan in the next few years, Mr Mahathir beamed. “It is my sincere hope that Labuan continues to garner more attention and better understood by domestic tourists who will generally know where Labuan is located so that they can come and experience a relaxing island getaway while indulging in duty-free shopping. As for international travellers, I hope they consider Labuan as one of the preferred destinations that offers tropical island serenity supported by well-placed infrastructure, with spectacular views of sunrise and sunset. I am certain that Labuan’s future in tourism is on the way up,” he concluded.

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Destinations

Treasuring Selangor’s Crafting Heritage Te x t b y S H A H I DA S A K E R I Images by MOHAMAD KAMIL AZIM MOHD NASIR

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In today’s era of mass production, handmade crafts hold a special place among those who value authenticity and creativity. They are unique and carry human touches that warm peoples’ hearts. Some even hold cultural importance that tie us to the deep-rooted legacies left by our forefathers.

Hence, in conjunction with ‘Kembara Kraf Selangor 8 - Indie Arts to the Fore’ familiarisation trip, Selangor State Economic Planning Unit collaborated with Gaya Travel Magazine in bringing selected members of media, bloggers and influencers to meet talented local artisans based in the state. Read on to find out who they are and how they contribute to the local creative industry.

Products We Discovered during Kembara Kraf Selangor 8 Seni Pelukis Kayu Pyrography – the technique of creating art by burning marks on wood or other materials using superhot metal stylus – is not commonly practiced in Malaysia. The process is arduous and requires technical prowess, eye for detail and extremely high patience, which bears impressive results. One may buy such piece of art from Mr. Maznan, one of the few avid pyrographers whose impressive works have been catching the attention of art lovers in the country and abroad. He recreates a variety of images ranging from landscapes, portraits, poems to anything that customers desire.

To achieve dimensional effects in his woodwork, Mr. Maznan burns the wood to different degrees according to the image that he had visualised. He adds that he can work with various kinds of wood to meet clients’ budget.

Since each type of wood burns differently, the end result for each artwork varies. Nevertheless, he assures that each of his creation is made with utmost quality. The prices of the artworks start at MYR70 per piece.

Contact details: Mr. Maznan: www.instagram.com/seni_pelukis_kayu / +6 011 2318 8519

Clockwise from top: One of the batik blocks used at Cherry Art Design; visitor can also learn on how to colour batik fabric in classes organised by either Cherry Art Design or Desa Alam Batik; the model of Fujiwara Tofu Shop as featured in Initial D film; and the pyrography artwork of the late P. Ramlee and Saloma by Mr. Maznan.

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Cherry Art Design & Desa Alam Batik Batik is often associated with the Peninsular Malaysia east coast states, but do you know that Selangor also owns creative talents who produce high-quality batik fabrics? Among them are Cherry Art Design and Desa Alam Batik.

Cherry Art Design by Mr. Hafiz Hassan specialises in batik block-printing, which is perhaps the oldest and most labour-intensive technique when designing the fabric. Blocks of various shapes and sizes are dipped in steaming hot mixture of beeswax, paraffin and resin, before they are pressed in an organised order on the chosen fabric laid on a table with a cool and damp plastic-covered foam cushion in between. The damp cushion helps the wax to quickly solidify when pressed on to the cloth laid above it. Once the patterns are complete, Mr. Hafiz will then colour them individually by hand. The process continues by soaking the fabric in sodium silicate solution for eight to twelve hours to preserve its colours. The final step involves washing the fabric in boiling water multiple times to remove the wax before it is hung to dry naturally.

Desa Alam Batik, alternatively, focuses on a much more modern approach: silkscreen printing technique using cold wax. Designs are created in the Adobe InDesign software, printed on a 46inch by 33-inch paper and transferred onto a silkscreen via exposure under light. This screen will then be placed on top of a chosen fabric. Next, the artist will pour a formulated mixture of wax on top of this screen and scoop it across the silkscreen with a squeegee, transferring the design to the surface of the fabric. The wax will be left to dry overnight before the artist continues with colouring and wax-removing processes as commonly practiced in batik-making.

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Both Cherry Art Design and Desa Alam Batik employ contemporary floral and geometrical motifs in their designs but can be custom-made should clients prefer unique patterns. The products are available for purchase via social media platforms and are usually sold between MYR100 to MYR500 per piece. However, the prices of certain premium products with intricate designs and higher quality materials reach thousands of ringgit. Cherry Art Design and Desa Alam Batik also hold classes for creative folks who are interested to learn batik-making.

Contact details: Cherry Art Design: www.instagram.com/cherryartdesign / +6 017 388 2704 Desa Alam Batik: www.facebook.com/desaalambatikofficial / +6 03 3358 4334 SamuraiDio Hobby Station As the saying goes: good things come in small packages. In the case of Mr. Shaiful Sharif ’s exquisite creations, the saying is downright accurate. Specialising in miniature dioramas, Mr. Shaiful Sharif creates small-scale scenography crafts complete with delicate miniature objects, focusing on the theme that revolve around cars. In fact, most of his clients are ardent Hot Wheels collectors who wish to display their collections in the most fashionable way – some even requested to have dioramas inspired from popular films such as the Fast & Furious franchise and Initial D. However, Mr. Shaiful’s exceptional skill is not limited to making scaled-down film-inspired sets because he also takes orders to create realistic building replicas. Ever think of having a mini version of your home or a favourite building in the world that holds significant sentimental value to you? Yes, he can do that too. During our visit, Mr. Shaiful was in the midst of finishing a replica of a traditional kampung house based on old pictures given by his client who grew up in that particular house. Today, the house sports a more modern look as it had undergone multiple renovations throughout the years. As a thoughtful gesture, the client would like to surprise his parents with a replica of the original home to remind them of the good old days. The prices for these dioramas start at MYR300 per piece.

Contact details: Mr. Shaiful Sharif (SamuraiDio Hobby Station): www.facebook.com/SamuraiDio / +6 019 301 7062

Sewing World Gallery A three times Guinness World Record holder, Sewing World Gallery is both a learning centre and a mini museum ideal for those who are interested in sewing and hand-sewn crafts made from fabrics. One can take the time admiring vast collection of products created using various creative sewing techniques like stitching and quilting, but the highlights are the world’s largest holdall bag and Malaysia’s longest sofa, both made from upcycled fabrics. The entrance into the gallery is free.

Alternatively, visitors can join the workshops facilitated by welltrained staff and learn how to make personalised crafts. These workshops last between five minutes to three hours, depending on the complexity of the crafts being made. On every second and fourth weekend of each month, the gallery organises the Tunku Azizah Handmade Market on the ground floor of Sky Park @ One City where visitors can go on a hunt for exquisite handmade fabric crafts by passionate local female artisans.

Top to bottom: The handmade products made of upcycled denim as shown in the Sewing World Gallery; and some of the products offered by Ms. Nazihah from Zurasa Food Industries.

Sewing World Gallery has been established since 2016, with ongoing support from the Association of Creative Sewing Art of Malaysia, Epal Handicraft Training Centre (EPAL), Koperasi Dagang Seni Malaysia, Mostwell Sdn Bhd, and Yayasan Inovatif Mostwell (YIM). Together, they aim to not only celebrate the rich colours and complex intricacies of hand-sewn crafts but also to assist the underprivileged improve their quality of life through skills and entrepreneurship. To date, they have trained up to 5,000 members at 15 various EPAL centres across the country.

Contact details: Facebook : Sewing World Gallery: www.facebook.com/ sewingworldgallery / +6 03 8068 5555 Operation hours: Daily from 11:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.

Zurasa Food Industries Malaysians are synonymous with spicy food like dried sambal (chili-based sauce or relish). It is not only delicious when eaten with a plate of steaming hot rice, but also enhances the flavours of bland staples like porridge and bread. Since it usually lasts long even in room temperature, many Malaysian travellers bring sambal when travelling overseas to save money and get a ‘kick’ out of their meals.

Too lazy to make the sambal yourself ? Just order from Zurasa Food Industries, whose owner, Ms. Nazihah, uses long-standing recipes from her Javanese grandmother to create a variety of dried sambal, including spicy potato (MYR14), serunding or coconut floss (MYR15) and the best-seller tempe kicap or fried fermented soy with sauce (MYR20). Since all of her products are homecooked, you are bound to find them comforting!

Contact details: Ms. Nazihah Mohamed: www.instagram.com/zurasafood / +6 012 304 6991

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Destinations

Will Travel for Food ETW8

Eat Travel Write 8.0 Te x t b y H A I FA H A S I M

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Images by KA M I L A Z I M & H A I FA H A S I M

Selangor State Economic Planning Unit (UPEN), in collaboration with Gaya Travel Magazine, organised The Eat.Travel.Write (ETW) programme for the eighth time to uncover more exciting flavours and enticing spots throughout Selangor with the theme “Will Travel for Food ETW8”. This time, UPEN and Gaya Travel Magazine brought a group of media representatives, bloggers and social media influencers to embark on a four-day and three-night culinary adventure around Hulu Langat district, located in south east Selangor bordering Kuala Lumpur and Negeri Sembilan.

During the entire media familiarisation trip, participants learned about and savoured unique Minang, Mandailing and Kerinci cuisines with the backdrop of Hulu Langat’s lush greenery and chilling river waters. We visited exciting tourism attractions and accumulated hands-on experience in preparing local dishes and delicacies that make the trip unforgettable! Here is a tummy-filling story of Eat.Travel.Write 8.0, a remarkably memorable and eye-opening culinary jaunt around Selangor that we hope you would follow soon…

EAT Selera Anggerik D’Nanding Nasi Padang Masakan Minang Originated from the land of Minangkabau, the rich flavours and spices of Minang cuisine have always been my personal favourite! The dishes have won the hearts of foodies all over the world to the point that you can easily find Minang restaurant easily in Selangor. Since this humble restaurant by the roadside at 11 ¼ Mile is a family affair (previously managed by the parents and now continued by the son), it gives diners the chance

to savour authentic home-cooked dishes such as Gulai Ayam (chicken cooked with coconut milk and mixture of spices), Daging Rendang (beef simmered with coconut milk and spices until dry) and more on daily basis from as early as 10:00 a.m. Other must try dishes are Ikan Pais (fish marinated in spices wrapped in banana leaf ) and Urat Keting (hock cooked with coconut milk and spices).

Customers are advised to come before 1:00 p.m., as the dishes would have already been cleaned if you were to arrive later!

Operation hours: Daily | 10:00 a.m. until finish (Lunch only) T: +6 012 927 1797 (Fadly Anas) Kuih Jongkong by Bulan Jongkong A Mandailing ethnic specialty, Kuih Jongkong is a sought-after traditional dessert during Ramadan (Muslim fasting month). It gets more interesting when you know that you can only find this sweet and wholesome dessert in Hulu Langat! During a personal kuih-making demonstration by Puan Bulan Jongkong on how to make the perfect Kuih Jongkong, I learned that this sweet dessert goes through a rather easy but intricate process in order to come up with the best! Start by mixing flour with pandan essence and water until it reaches the consistency of a thick paste. Then, take a spoonful and place it on a banana leaf before smothering it with coconut milk and palm sugar. Lastly, steam it for three to four minutes and voilà, the kuih is ready! But if prefer a little road trip, then drive up to Hulu Langat during Ramadan to get a taste of this yummy dessert first-hand!

T: +6 016 995 3979 (Bulan)

Clockwise: A variety of Minang dishes at Selera Anggerik D’Nanding; Kuih Jongkong made by Puan Bulan Jongkong; programme participants and guests of honour with The Honourable Datuk Abdul Rashid Asari, Chairman of Standing Committee on Culture and Tourism, Malay Civilisation and Heritage of Selangor during Eat.Travel.Write 8.0 opening dinner at Terra Pong Restaurant.

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Teratak Dusun D’Lui Overlooking the calm waters of Sungai Lui, the ETW8 participants indulged in the traditional cuisine of the Kerinci community at Teratak Dusun D’Lui. This homestay cum multipurpose venue surprisingly serves up delectable Kerinci cuisine! The star of Kerinci cuisine is Gulai Lemak Umbut Pisang with Ayam Kampung, which is banana stem and chicken cooked with coconut milk. It’s spicy gravy and wellcooked tender chicken was delicious and when paired with steaming hot rice, it becomes even more satisfying! Other delicious dishes we tried include Sambal Tempoyak Ikan Bilis (anchovies cooked with fermented durian and chilies) and Sambal Belacan made from pickled mackerel and Palembang leaves.

T: +6 017 601 5574 (Rogayah)

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Top: Gulai Lemak Umbut Pisang (middle) with other delectable Kerinci dishes at Teratak Dusun D’Lui Bottom: The flower Baba Balun Nyonya or Hibiscus Mutabilis

Masakan Kampung Asli Ikan Sungai True to its name, Masakan Kampung Asli (Ikan Sungai) serves up dishes based on river fish such as catfish caught within the rivers of Hulu Langat and cooked in authentic kampung style! Personally, I have always been a bit wary about eating river fish dishes due to its earthy smell if it is not carefully cooked, but those served at this restaurant are prepared well! We were spoiled for choice from the myriad of dishes that were accompanied by an assortment of sambal and ulam (traditional salad). Gulai Lemak Ikan Kelah (mahseer cooked with coconut milk and spices) is a must-have here because the moment it hits your tongue, you will know that the fish is fresh and well done! In short, this is the place to go when you’re in the mood for genuine kampung taste.

Operation hours: Daily | 11:00 a.m. till finish (Lunch only) T: +6 017 302 3938 (Yati) Terra Pong Restaurant (www.terrapong.com.my) Pronounced as terapung, the restaurant’s name is a play on the Malay word that means ‘floating’. This captivating restaurant, considered as the largest floating Thai restaurant in Malaysia, literally looks like it is floating on top of a huge pond with the mountain range as the backdrop. I was charmed by the beauty of the restaurant that gives off a rustic feel with its wooden structure and surrounding calm waters.

With an appetising Thai-inspired menu prepared by a Thai chef such as tom yam, sea bass cooked in three flavours, butter prawn, and stir-fried Chinese kale mixed with salted fish, the participants were extraordinarily well fed! The fragrant tom yam is definitely the most outstanding dish of all, which is a perfect combination of spicy and sour flavours with aroma that is sure to lure you to the dining table!

Operation hours: Daily | 12:00 p.m. – 12:00 a.m.

T: +6 03 9021 3399

EXPERIENCE Madu Kelulut Kasih Asli (Facebook Kelulut Kasih) Started with only 30 nests but now have grown to over 100 nests, the Kelulut Kasih stingless bee farm is making waves in the honey industry. Following an up close and personal tour of the farm together with the founder, Madam Faridah Khalid, the ETW participants were exposed to the process of extracting honey from kelulut (stingless bee). Different from the typical honey that is quintessentially sweet, the taste of honey from kelulut differs depending on the pollens they feed upon. According to Madam Faridah, the taste is heavily influenced by the flowers that the bees visited; for example, if the bees fed on mangosteen pollen, the honey produced will taste like mangosteen!

Operation hours: Saturday & Sunday | 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

T: +6 012 974 1379 / +6 019 964 4558 (Faridah) Herb Camp Sungai Congkak (Facebook Kem Herba Sungai Chongkak) Herbs are useful for many purposes such as medicine and food but how much do we know about them? To learn more about herbs, the participants were introduced to a gem of a place in Hulu Langat called Herb Camp Sungai Congkak.

The passionate brain behind the camp is Dr Mohd Noor, who lectures about the various types of herbs and fruits. The type I find most intriguing is Synsepalum dulcificum, simply called the Miracle Fruit, which makes any sour or tasteless fruit eaten afterwards turn sweet like honey! And yes, it was tested and proven by the ETW participants. Another plant that fascinated us is the beautiful flower called Bunga Baba Balun Nyonya, formally known as Hibiscus Mutabilis, which is white in the morning, then turns slightly pink at noon and completely becomes red by the evening!

T: +6 012 305 7161 / +6 012 902 5852 (Dr. Mohd Noor) Galeri Tok Siak at Bazar Karat (Facebook Pedagang Pusaka Jawi) Bazar Karat at Bangi Gateway Street Mall is a must-go for antique enthusiasts and we made our way to one of the stores, Galeri Tok Siak, a shop selling antique keris or traditional Malay dagger! A weapon that is synonymous to Malay culture, the keris is said to be made specifically for each individual, thus you can never find two keris the same!

According to the owner whom we affectionately called Tok Siak, the design and make of a keris vary according to a person’s status, so if you feel like you have any old keris lying around at home, go have it examined because it might reveal that you are of royal descent! Moreover, do not mistake old keris as junks because they could fetch thousands of ringgit.

It was an eye-opening experience to learn about keris because each keris is different, thus each has its own distinct story.

T: +6 018 224 9077 (Tok Siak Arrembauwi)

Top: Various selection of honey products at Kelulut Kasih Bottom: Keris collection at Galeri Tok Siak

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Gaya Special Feature: Double Tree Resort By Hilton Penang

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On 27 March 2019, DoubleTree Resort by Hilton Penang celebrated its first anniversary with much fanfare, having received over 120,000 travellers and holiday makers in the past year since its opening.

The evening saw over 300 guests, including the Chief Minister of Penang Yang Amat Berhormat (YAB) Chow Kon Yeow, and the State Exco for Penang Tourism Development, Arts, Culture and Heritage Yang Berhormat (YB) Yeoh Soon Hin, alongside other state tourism and government officials.

“Penang’s rich heritage and strong cultural presence has resulted in George Town being inscribed into UNESCO World Heritage List in 2008. As an exceptional example of a multicultural trading town in South East Asia forged from mercantile and civilisational exchanges of Malay, Chinese, Indian, and European influences, Penang is a modern and vibrant city that offers unique and colourful experiences centred around food, architecture, lifestyle, art and culture, and this is part of what makes Penang appealing to international and domestic visitors,” said YAB Chow during his speech.

“The Penang State Government continues to encourage new development of hotels on the island and welcome companies such as Cornerstone Partners Group who believe in the potential and promise of Penang, and who have invested over MYR100 million, over and above the cost of property acquisition,” he added.

The Chief Executive Officer of Cornerstone Partners Group Jason Chong is pleased in having to play a part in the development of Penang’s tourism and hospitality industry.

“The DoubleTree Resort by Hilton Penang is the showpiece of the Cornerstone Partners Group strategy focused on revitalising pre-owned buildings, matching unique hospitality products to distinctive locations, and developing synergistic cooperation with shareholders to capitalise on both their financial investment and their complementary attributes through our network,” claimed Chong.

“With the continuing success of the DoubleTree Resort

by Hilton Penang, we hope to show that this is a viable model for the hospitality industry, and we will be able to attract further investment and other iconic brands,” he continued.

Clockwise from Left: Hilton Malaysia Regional General Manager Jamie Mead giving his welcome remarks; The Chief Minister of Penang YAB Chow Kon Yeow presenting his speech, VIP guests posing with the cake marking DoubleTree Resort by Hilton Penang’s first anniversary; Guests enjoying the lavish buffet spread during DoubleTree Resort by Hilton Penang’s first anniversary celebration.

Hilton Malaysia Regional General Manager Jamie Mead expressed delight in working together with Cornerstone Partners Group in bringing the first DoubleTree Resort by Hilton in Asia to Penang. “The resort has been welcomed wholeheartedly by the community here, and we believe that our unique CARE, (which stands for) ‘Creating A Rewarding Experience’ standard of hospitality has added to the rich diversity of experiences available to visitors in Penang,” he beamed.

Being the first DoubleTree Resort by Hilton in Malaysia, the 316-room family-focused and full service DoubleTree Resort

by Hilton Penang is ideal for millennial families travelling with small and teenage children due to its connecting room option and direct access to Malaysia’s first teddy bear-themed museum called TeddyVille Museum. It also offers meetings and events facilities with a ballroom to accommodate up to 600 guests and three function spaces covering an area of more than 8,000 square feet in total.

Visit www.penangresort.doubletree.com for more information and booking.

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Destinations

Exploring Nor ther n Par t o f M a l ay s i a u s i n g P u b l i c Tr a n s p o r t Te x t & I m a g e s b y N A D J WA TA J U D I N A N D FA R I D A H D A H A L A N

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Gaya Travel team recently explored the northern part of Peninsular Malaysia by using only public transport for the ‘24 Hours Challenge’ contest organised by the Ministry of Transport (MOT) Malaysia in collaboration with Malaysia Airlines and Hotel Adya Chenang Langkawi.

By using public transport, “I have no car” is not an excuse anymore because you can now travel by bus, train or flight to anywhere in Malaysia. Follow us through these pages as we first travelled to Ipoh using the Electric Train Service (ETS) and then to Kuala Kedah before finally arriving at Langkawi by ferry. There are many interesting stops that you can do along the way that is bound to your journey memorable!

What to visit in IPOH, PERAK » Ipoh Railway Station A visit in Ipoh is not complete without taking a memorable picture of the Ipoh Railway Station. Completed in 1917, it used to be the main gateway to transport tin to far-flung places and now it serves as the state of Perak’s main railway station served by Malayan Railways’ (KTM) ETS service. As you arrive at the station, you will get to see the glimpse of the bygone era by admiring the station’s architecture designed by A.B Hubback, a British architect. You might notice that the station is almost similar to the one in Kuala Lumpur in terms of grandeur, which looks glamorous when you start playing tourist and take aesthetic pictures of it to wow your followers on Instagram! » Nasi Ganja Yong Suan Besides limestone hills and cave temples, Ipoh is renowned for its mouth-watering food scene! One dish that travellers should try is Nasi Ganja (a plate of steamed rice bathed in different types of curry accompanied

by other side dishes of your choice).

Loosely translated, the name literally means ‘marijuana rice’, but not because cannabis is involved in its preparation – the dish is called so because one taste of this dish could excite diners and make them clamour for more!

Just mention ‘Nasi Ganja’ to the taxi driver and he would know exactly where to take you; Yong Suan coffee shop is no stranger to anyone who has been to Ipoh. Bear in mind that it gets crowded during lunch hour but hey, table sharing is the norm in Malaysia!

Wolfing down this dish while being surrounded by walls covered in peeling paint that render its rustic charm is an experience not to be missed, and you are bound to return to this eatery for more of this dish! » Kinta River Front Also known as Ipoh Riverfront Park, this site allows visitors to engage in various recreational activities. There’s nothing more appealing than walking along a river front that is covered in greenery. The river is crossed by a bridge where various padlocks with sentimental messages can be found.

Although it is not the same as the one in Paris, it does feel good to leave something that symbolises your love towards someone (or even yourself ).

Coming here with children is also a great idea since the place is spacious for them to play around. We came here during the night and surprisingly it was lively! We rented bicycles and explored the riverside and night market. There are various types of bicycles that you can try such as family bicycle or tandem (twoperson or even three-person) bicycle, among others. » Gerbang Malam Night Market Located between the pre-war shophouses in Ipoh, Gerbang Malam night market opens every day from 6:00 p.m. until 2:00 a.m. You can get your hands on almost anything here such as apparels, telephone accessories and home decorations, including stalls and kopitiam (traditional coffee houses) serving local specialties. You could also find Ipoh-related souvenirs that are handcrafted by locals! Checking out this night market is a perfect ending to our Ipoh sojourn before continuing northwards.

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What to visit in LANGKAWI, KEDAH Langkawi is a major gateway destination and of course we have been there a few times. However, during this trip, it was the first time for us to reach there by ferry. After filling our stomachs at Alor Setar Breakfast Station (http://asbreakfaststation. blogspot.com/), we headed to Terminal Penumpang Kuala Kedah, the place where travellers catch the ferry to not only Langkawi but also Koh Lipe and Penang. The ferry service to Langkawi is operated by Langkawi Ferry Line Ventures Sdn Bhd. Travellers may opt to buy tickets online or at counters provided at this terminal. The daily ferry service starts from 7:00 a.m. until 7:00 p.m. You can book your tickets or check the ferry schedule on https:// www.langkawi-ferry.com/.

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We were glad that we chose this mode of transport. The ferry smoothly traversed the crystal waters that us left breathless. The two-hour boat ride was quiet, scenic and relaxing! By the time we arrived at Jetty Point Kuah, it was already at high noon, and we were looking forward to check into our hotel to freshen up. There is no problem for travellers to search for e-hailing service once they are in Kuah, Langkawi’s main town. Since there were six of us, we selected a van that could accommodate all of us. Our driver, Pak Alias, was very chatty during the whole ride. He explained the various legendary places we should visit while we were there.

Where to stay We were so lucky that our hotel, Hotel Adya Chenang Langkawi (https://www. facebook.com/Hotel-Adya-ChenangLangkawi-262798614424877/) is in

walking distance to popular tourist attractions such as Cenang Beach, Underwater World Langkawi, Laman Padi, Telaga Walk and more. The hotel’s breakfast and dinner buffets offer abundant options that emphasise on local fare. All of our diet plans went out of the window once we began to dig in.

Hotel Adya Chenang Langkawi also has attentive staff who would go out of their way to make guests comfortable.

Why we like it: The staff in this hotel are god sent! When one of our travelling companions was down with sickness, one of the hotel employees quickly helped by going to the convenient store located in the next building to procure the relevant medicine.

Where to shop Telaga Walk Chenang is an amazing spot to shop while letting the ocean breeze lightly caress your face. This beach town is lively at night with local and foreign tourists. The long stretch of road filled with souvenir shops and ecletic mix of cafés. Travellers looking for cultural and musical performances at night should check out the many beachfront restaurants. To catch our breath after a long walk, we relaxed by the beach with cool drinks in hand.

The sky was ablaze with red and orange hues at sunset. The islanders wowed us with fire breathing performance as well.

Our jaws dropped because most of the performers are still teenagers but are already skilful entertainers.

The Highlight of Our Trip Equipped with good camera, extra batteries and barely contained excitement, we journeyed along Sungai Kubang Badak. Our biogeotrail began from Kampung Sungai Badak jetty (fishermen jetty) at 12 noon. The boat operator briefed us about the existing

wildlife and mangrove jungle now listed by UNESCO. Our first stop was a pre-war kiln that was used to make charcoal over 150 years ago. We crawled inside the small triangle-shaped kiln and found that the wall was sparkling while listening to our tour guide’s engrossing tale about the kiln.

Meandering along the Siamese River is such a serene experience with sounds of nature at the background. Once we arrived at the next stop, we hiked for a bit up to Gua Pinang (Areca Cave) to witness interesting fossil collection and geo formation. Part of the walls at the entrance of the cave resemble the shape of elephant trunks, leaving us all in awe because these experiences were new to us! First time being in a cave, we discovered that is was dark that even the torchlight from our phones is not enough to shine our way. We truly felt small inside this majestic cave!

We then headed back to our boat and set out to the open sea to visit the unspoilt Dangli Island. Since we have never heard of the tiny island before, we didn’t expect anything much. But our smile grew bigger as the water around our boat became clearer. The island was truly untouched with crystal blue waters, making it such an underrated tourist spot! The aquatic life swam with glee; we even saw jellyfish and sea urchins in their natural habitat. We took some crackers with us and jumped off the boat. Instantly, all sorts of beautiful fish, including butterfly fish and damselfish, surrounded us for a bite! A truly out of this world feeling…

Do check out Kampung Sungai Badak Facebook page for updates or to book a tour: https://www.facebook.com/BoatTour-Sungai-Kubang-Badak-MangroveLangkawi-Geopark-697573993618078/

Clockwise from top: Traditional fishing boats moored at Kampung Sungai Badak Jetty; Sunrise chasers should catch the orange hues at dawn on the grounds of Masjid Zahir, Alor Setar; The majestic view of one of the untouched islands in Langkawi from our speed boat.

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Destinations

G r a n d Ke ny i r Te x t & I m a g e s b y M U H A M M A D H A S I F M O H D J E L A N I

“Kenyir Lake is therapeutic .”

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That sentence uttered by Malaysia’s legendary cartoonist Tok Ujang who also joined our three-day-two-night trip in Kenyir Lake truly sums up my experience in Kenyir. At times, my media friends and I sat down with him just to listen to his own stories regarding the destination. Being an avid angler, he has spent approximately 20 years going back and forth Kuala Lumpur and Kenyir Lake to fish and find inspiration for his masterpieces.

Instead of feeling bored, he finds peace in Kenyir.

My experience was made more unforgettable because I got to stay on a houseboat that brought my travelling companions and I right to the middle of the amazing Kenyir Lake, allowing us to truly indulge in the beauty of nature. Mind you, the mobile signal is rare, hence become the perfect excuse to forget about the hustle and bustle of the city, as well as letting yourself feel free.

To experience this houseboat, travellers may contact +6 019 988 7439 (Cikgu Shabri) or email to buyong.enterprise@yahoo.com.

Kenyir Lake at glance… » It is an artificial lake located in Hulu Terengganu covering an area of 38 thousand hectares. » Historically, the completion of Jenagor Dam in 1986 has submerged hills to become 340 islands across Kenyir Lake.

» The lake is surrounded by the world’s oldest rainforest with Tembat Forest Reserve on its north and Hulu Terengganu Forest Reserve on its south stretching to Taman Negara Pahang (National Park).

» Freshwater fishes such as toman (snakehead), lampam (barboides) and kelah (Malayan mahseer) are exceptionally abundant here.

Follow my journey as I experienced Kenyir Lake’s charming wonders…

hanging over the river, giving travellers the bird’s-eye view of the awe-inspiring waterfall as they cross.

Pokok Melunak Considered as one of the main attractions in Kenyir Lake, Pokok Melunak or Melunak tree is a type from the pentace family. The one in Tanjung Bewah, Kenyir Lake is said to be the biggest of its kind in Malaysia, with diameter equalling more than 20 adult hugs combined. Being 340 years old, the tree’s height is 100 metres. To reach here, travellers need to trek around 30 minutes from Tanjung Bewah Jetty.

Saok Waterfall Only 15 minutes by speedboat from Pengkalan Gawi Jetty, Saok Waterfall is another attraction that travellers should not miss. On one part, the ground is flatter and well-shaded with trees, suitable for people to set up picnic, while another part has steep rocks and boulders where water cascades through it, offering a suitable spot for extreme sports lovers.

Bewah Cave In 2009, Kenyir Lake made headlines, particularly Bewah Cave, after the discovery of the oldest prehistoric skeletal remains in Malaysia (16 thousand years old, to be exact), popularly known as Bewah Man. After analysis, the primitive skeleton – which has now been placed in Terengganu State Museum – is believed to have belonged to a teenage girl instead. Travellers may learn about the skeleton’s history and excavation process at a mini gallery near its entrance.

Apart from its historical value, Bewah Cave, which is the biggest cave in Kenyir Lake, is known to have fascinating formations of stalactites and stalagmites. The cave is also home to other indigenous creatures such as bats, cockroaches, crabs and spiders!

Kenyir Kelah Sanctuary Arguably Kenyir Lake’s most iconic attraction, this sanctuary is a breeding and nursery ground for kelah, deemed as the king of river fish. More than just feeding, travellers can get the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to frolic with hundreds of kelah simultaneously. They make you ticklish, obviously, but their gentle bite can be therapeutic.

To reach this place, travellers have to trek on an easy 1.75-kilometre trail. Fish pallets can be bought at MYR2 per pack. Fishing is strongly prohibited here and travellers are advised to always treat them gently like friends, except that they are small, possess fins and scales, and sometimes play rough.

Good to know: This sanctuary is closed from November to February due to monsoon cum breeding season.

Lasir Waterfall This approximately 150 metres waterfall is among the favourites in Kenyir Lake. Only 30 minutes by speedboat from Pengkalan Gawi Jetty, travellers need to walk for another 10 minutes to get here. It has a suspension bridge

Travellers who are up for water sports in Kenyir Lake such as high rope (water confident, waterfall abseiling, flying fox, water drop and river-crossing) can contact Go Nature Travel and Tours as they can provide professional guides and gears.

Contact them at +6 013 932 1321 or my.gonature@gmail.com.

Herbal Park Located on Sah Kecil Island, this garden has as many as 240 herb species, whereby three of them can be savoured for free: Tongkat Ali, Kacip Fatimah and Mahkota Dewa. Spanning over 15 hectares, travellers can walk around the area on their own or being led by a guide who is available upon request if they wish to learn in-depth about each and every herb available in the garden.

Orchid Garden Spread out across Hulu Selimbar Island, Hilir Selimbar Island and Belit Island, this garden has a myriad of orchid species, be it local, international or hybrid, all vibrantly blooming in various colours. Among the species are brassia maculata, vanda miss joaquim and Terengganu’s very own rarely-found orchid known as dendrobium roslii. This garden is also used as a hub for orchid gardening, conservation and research.

Kenyir Elephant Conservation Village (http://www.kecv.com.my/) Open to the public since 9 May 2014, this area is actually a sanctuary for 18 native elephants. They are rescued and brought here due to various reasons such as being orphaned, lost from their herd or caught by local villagers after raiding the crops and villages. There are 16 mahouts or elephant keepers here who are responsible in taking care of them.

Spanning 256 hectares, KECV is where travellers can interact with these gentle giants through riding, bathing and feeding activities. Among KECV’s aims are to ensure a healthy elephant population and reduce human-elephant conflict.

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Clockwise from top left : Melunak tree that is said to be the oldest in Malaysia; Cartoonist Ujang and the writer frolicking with kelah at Kenyir Kelah Sanctuary; Travellers can experience bathing with elephants at Kenyir Elephant Conservation Village; Experiencing houseboat in Kenyir is highly-recommended; Strolling around Chinatown in Kuala Terengganu is definitely an enriching experience; Delicious singgang dish at Singgang Budu Restaurant.

Along the way to Kenyir, why not stop by at Kuala Berang…

» Keropok Lekor Gaung

Since Kenyir is just less than 100 kilometres away from Kuala Terengganu, why not explore Terengganu’s capital city as well?

» Tengku Tengah Zaharah Mosque

» Warung Norazila

» Chinatown

A hi-tea in Terengganu is never complete without keropok lekor, a type of traditional fish stick made from fish, flour, salt and sugar. It is a snack that has become a Terengganu staple. At Keropok Lekor Gaung, travellers not only able to buy and taste the snack, but also see how it is produced.

Situated in Kuala Ibai, this mosque is said to be the first real floating mosque in Malaysia. Set on a five-acre land, this mosque looks stunning, especially during sunrise or sunset. The design is heavily influenced by the combination of Moorish and modern architectural styles. It can accommodate up to two thousand worshippers at any one time.

Nasi dagang is synonymous with Terengganu and it is usually eaten for breakfast, similar to nasi lemak. The menu comprises rice steamed in coconut milk, fish curry and pickled cucumber, onion and carrot. Among the popular eateries to savour this dish is Warung Norazila, located just a stone’s throw away from Tengku Tengah Zaharah Mosque.

This neighbourhood is recognised as among the earliest Chinese settlement in Southeast Asia. Though many of its 200-year-old buildings has been refurbished, it still captures the spirit of the bygone era through detailed planning and careful preservation. There are plenty of cafés, restaurants, mini markets and merchandise shops here. Many colourful murals can also be found, especially along the alleyways.

» Singgang Budu Restaurant (https://restaurant-singgang-budu.business.site/)

» Taman Tamadun Islam (TTI) River Cruise (https://www.tti.com.my/page/tti-river-cruise)

» Dapo Pata Uptown Kontena

And why not proceed to Kuala Nerus, which is just next door to Kuala Terengganu?

If nasi dagang is famous for breakfast in Terengganu, singgang, on the other hand, is the favourite for lunch. It is a humble, watery dish that requires less time and hassle to cook but remains delicious. Usually served with fish, the ingredients include turmeric, ginger, garlic, galangal and dried tamarind peel. If that is still undoable for you, then head to this restaurant to savour the authentic taste!

This is one of the services provided by TTI or Islamic Civilisation Park. The journey that takes around 45 minutes will bring travellers to stroll along the river, witnessing the past and present charms on its coastline such as Crystal Mosque, Terengganu State Museum and Pasar Payang.

The name is actually derived from the Malay words ‘dapur pantai’, which is translated as ‘beach kitchen’. As the name suggests, this atmospheric place is a favourite spot among families and youngsters’ due to the delectable offerings by over 20 eateries served out of shipping containers that have undergone adaptive reuse!

Bukit Maras Paragliding & Recreational Park (https://www.facebook.com/hikingmaras)

Developed as a potential venue for paragliding since 2017, Bukit Maras has now become a tourist spot for adventure seekers. A journey to the peak requires 45 minutes by foot and 20 minutes by four-wheel drive. Besides paragliding, other activities that can be carried out here are hiking, camping, night-walking, birdwatching, team-building and hammocking. Call +6 016 6217 227 for more information.

Gaya Travel Magazine extends our heartfelt gratitude to Tourism Malaysia and Central Terengganu Development Authority (KETENGAH) for making our writer’s trip to Terengganu a reality.

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Travellers’ exploration of Selangor is not complete if they do not visit the museums within the state that are run by Perbadanan Adat Melayu dan Warisan Negeri Selangor (Selangor Malay Customs and Heritage Corporation), simply known as PADAT, a statutory body under the Selangor state government that is responsible in developing, conserving and disseminating knowledge regarding Malay customs, Islamic civilisation and Selangor state heritage since 18 June 2009. Prior to that, PADAT used to be called Selangor Museums Board formed since 1975, which focused on exhibitions, research, publications and gathering collections for all museums in Selangor.

Check out the following museums managed

by PADAT to learn more about Selangor’s rich and colourful past that shaped it into Malaysia’s most developed state as it is known today and leave enriched and enlightened!

» Sultan Alam Shah Museum, Shah Alam Located in the heart of Shah Alam City, Sultan Alam Shah Museum is a state museum of Selangor that has opened since 1989. The museum was inaugurated by Sultan Salahuddin Abdul Aziz Shah Alhaj and was named after the 6th Sultan of Selangor, Sultan Hisamuddin Alam Shah Alhaj. The 135,000 square feet museum is the centre of the heritage of the state of Selangor and has almost 6,000 units of artefacts housed in four exhibition galleries: the historical gallery; the custom and heritage gallery; the natural heritage gallery; and the Islamic gallery. Besides, this museum is equipped with outstanding facilities such as conservation laboratories, auditorium, multipurpose hall and temporary exhibition gallery. The variety of interesting artefacts and exhibits found in this museum allows visitors to explore more about the history and development of the state of Selangor, and at the same time appreciate the beauty of its culture practiced among local communities.

Sultan Alam Shah Museum, Shah Alam Phone: +6 03 5519 0050 / 7604/ 2961 Fax: +6 03 5510 1799 Email: info@padat.gov.my Web: www.padat.gov.my Facebook: Perbadanan Adat Melayu dan Warisan Negeri Selangor

» Kuala Selangor Historical Museum Kuala Selangor Historical Museum is located at the top of Bukit Malawati, Kuala Selangor. The building was formerly an official residence of Kuala Selangor District Officer before it was converted into a museum in 2006. The museum compiles the history of Kuala Selangor, which used to be the state’s centre of administration because it was the place where the Sultanate of Selangor was first founded by Raja Lumu (Sultan Salehuddin) in 1766. The museum’s exhibits are divided into seven sections to chronologically explain the history of Kuala Selangor. Built on the site of Malawati Fort, visitors can also learn about the history of this site when it was still serving as the ancient capital of Selangor by studying certain spots scattered around the museum’s surroundings such as batu hampar (stone slab), seven wells, poisonous well, meriam penggawa (old cannon), lighthouse, tangga seratus (one hundred steps) and more.

Kuala Selangor District Historical Museum Phone: +6 03 3289 6115 / 7167 Fax: +6 03 3289 6115 Email: info@padat.gov.my Web: www.padat.gov.my Facebook: Muzium Daerah Kuala Selangor

» Sabak Bernam Agricultural and Fisheries Museum Sabak Bernam Agricultural and Fisheries Museum is located along Jalan Pasar Pekan, Sabak Bernam and has been operating since 2006.The museum aims at preserving the heritage and documenting information relating to the advent of agriculture and fishery in Sabak Bernam, which are the residents’ sources of livelihood. The museum comprises the main building and a replica of Rumah Warisan. Exhibitions at Rumah Warisan focus on the history of Sabak Bernam district such as its founding, notable leaders, old mosques and schools, including archaeological findings from Lembah Bernam’s excavation site. Visitors can also appreciate the district’s old way of life by analysing the architecture of the house, which follows the traditional local vernacular.

» Insitu Jugra Museum Insitu Jugra Museum situated at the foot of Bukit Jugra, Kuala Langat, is housed within an adaptive reuse building that once served as Jugra Old Police Station. The building underwent conservation process since 2002 and opened to the public beginning 2012. The museum has three exhibition galleries that display information concerning Kuala Langat, the history of Selangor Sultanate and the hidden gems found after excavating the area such as prison, courtroom, old wells and more.

Sabak Bernam Agricultural and Fisheries Museum Phone: +6 03 3216 5586 / 1225 Fax: +6 03 6216 5658 Email: info@padat.gov.my Web: www.padat.gov.my Facebook: Muzium Daerah Sabak Bernam

Insitu Jugra Museum Phone: +603-3103 0048 Fax: +603-3103 0048 Email: info@padat.gov.my Web: www.padat.gov.my Facebook: Istana Bandar & Muzium Insitu Jugra

» Istana Bandar, Kuala Langat Istana Bandar that was built in 1899 is a palace for the fifth Sultan of Selangor, Sultan Alaeddin Sulaiman Shah Ibni Almarhum Raja Muda Musa. Located in Kampung Bandar, Kuala Langat, the palace is also known as Istana 40 Bilik that once was the seat of Selangor administration after the capital was moved from Kuala Selangor to Jugra. The uniqueness of this palace lies in its architecture based on Sultan Alaeddin Sulaiman’s own ideas by following the Islamic architectural influences from India, Middle East and China. The main materials for the building structure consisted of brick and lime mortar, while the windows and doors are made from chengal wood.

This two-storey palace has 40 chambers, each determined for a specific purpose for example dining hall, royal guest room, and the royal family room, among others. The palace’s beauty remains until today even after the capital of Selangor was transferred to Kuala Lumpur and eventually to Shah Alam.

Istana Bandar, Kuala Langat Phone: +603-3120 1288 Email: info@padat.gov.my Web: www.padat.gov.my Facebook: Istana Bandar & Muzium Insitu Jugra

Destinations

G e t t i n g M y D r e a m R e a l i s e d o n

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Genting Dream Te x t & I m a g e s b y M U H A M M A D H A S I F M O H D J E L A N I

Cruising is the best option if you are looking for a more peaceful, laidback vacation. With just you, the ship and the sea, it can be an intimate experience for many a traveller. The moments will be even more unforgettable if the ship were to offer a myriad of things, ranging from spacious cabin and toothsome gastronomy to state-of-the-art facilities and world-class on-board entertainment.

Just like many of you, I too once dreamt of experiencing it all. But the thought of having to pay exorbitantly and the difficulty in finding halal or Muslim-friendly food made me push this dream to the bottom of my

bucket list. However, my recent opportunity to experience cruising on one of the Dream Cruises vessels for four days and three nights changed my mind – finding the right cruise ship that meets your expectations and budget is not that hard after all, especially when you choose Genting Dream!

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Genting Dream at a glance • It is the first of the three premium vessels of Dream Cruises.

• The ship’s current homeport is Singapore with Penang and Phuket as port-of-calls.

• The gross registered tonnage is 150,695 tons.

• It is 335 metres long and 40 metres wide.

• It has 18 decks.

• It can accommodate 3,352 passengers (lower berth).

• It has as many as 1,674 staterooms.

• The ship is manufactured by Weyer Werft, Germany.

• Every guest will be provided with an access card. It functions as on-board identity card, on-board charge card, gang way security pass and cabin key card.

• Safety drill is compulsory for all guests. The assembly station is stated on the access card.

Clockwise from Top Left: The spacious Balcony Stateroom; The performance during the Dream Night before the firework show; Some of the halal dishes served at The Lido; Open-air area at Zouk Beach Club where guests can experience Cinema at Sea.

The cabin Genting Dream offers eight types of cabin but among the popular ones, which I experienced, is the Balcony Stateroom.

It has one queen-sized bed and one single sofa bed. With a space of 20 square metres, the cabin can accommodate up to four persons (extra bed will be charged). The cabin is also equipped with facilities such as television, water heater, mini fridge, basic toiletries and hair dryer. But the feature that is most appealing is the private balcony where guests get to admire the breathtaking sea view and take in the sea breeze during the voyage.

Those with more cash to burn should stay at The Palace.

With the concept of ‘ship-within-a-ship’, The Palace boasts 140 suites where guests can luxuriate in VIP facilities such as swimming pool, spa, gym and dining outlets. To make your stay even grander, there is a personalised European-style butler service provided!

The food There are 19 restaurants and bars on Genting Dream, three of which are inclusive restaurants (The Lido, Dream Dining Room Upper & Dream Dining Room Lower). That being said, you are bound to be spoiled by so many choices available, ranging from Asian to international cuisines. For Muslim travellers, there is a Halal-certified section within The Lido and the menu changes daily so you can have a different taste every breakfast, lunch or dinner. 24-hour snacks are also available here.

Good to know Genting Dream is the only cruise in Asia to have Halal certification by the Department of Islamic Development Malaysia ( JAKIM).

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Clockwise from Top Left: For adventurous souls, ropes course is definitely worth a try; The Waterslide Park that is a must-experience for all guests; Celebratory atmosphere during the Dream Night; The view of the pool on the same level as the Waterslide Park.

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The facilities If you think swimming at the pool is a bit too mundane, wait until you experience the Waterslide Park on Deck 20, which is the highlight of this cruise and a must-do for every guest!

The experience is definitely unique. I mean, where else could you get the chance to whizz down waterslides on a moving ship in the middle of the ocean?

While it also has a large swimming pool on Deck 16, guests can also partake in various sports and recreational activities using the facilities such as sportsplex, mini-golf, rock climbing wall, ropes course, zipline, jogging track, children’s water park and more. On top of that, Little Dreamers Club caters to little and teenage guests, including an arcade where they can have absolute fun.

The ship has onboard beauty and wellness amenities too such as gymnasium at Crystal Life Fitness, Crystal Life Spa, Le Salon, The Gentlemen’s Barber and Crystal Life Asian Spa. For entertainment, guests should spectate live production shows such as China Got Talent and Some Like It Hot at Zodiac Theatre on Deck 7 (prior booking is needed). If you feel like partying, there is even Zouk Beach Club on Deck 17 and karaoke room on Deck 6. Firework shows on the third night is also provided and trust me, the experience is magical!

With that long list of facilities offered, it is hard to get bored on Genting Dream. If you are confused on what to do, the Dream Daily newsletter that is placed at your cabin door every morning might help.

Tip: Download Dream App on your phone from Google Play or App Store before boarding. You can utilise the app to chat cabin-to-cabin, book your seats for any shows onboard, view the Dream Daily and check your current spending.

Conclusion I totally recommend Genting Dream for travellers who seek a hassle-free and rewarding vacation. Since it offers Halalcertified food option, Muslim-travellers, in particular, can take pleasure in what the ship has to offer even further, besides the slew of on-board non-stop entertainment and exciting leisure options. Be it families, couples or solo travellers, Genting Dream suits all.

Travellers may contact POTO Travel and Tours should they want to experience Genting Dream through https://www.pototravel.com.my/ or +6 03 9200 6640.

Since you have to be in Singapore to board Genting Dream, how about visiting the following places to make your journey more meaningful? » Jewel Changi Airport

(https://www.jewelchangiairport.com/) Covering a total gross floor area of 134,000 metres, Jewel definitely cements Changi Airport’s reputation as the World’s Best Airport. The 40-metre tall Rain Vortex, located right in its centre, has already become the talk-of-the-town for holding the record as the world’s tallest indoor waterfall. Besides featuring world’s best brands in its retail arena, travellers can enjoy various attractions within Jewel such as Forest Valley, Canopy Park, Canopy Mazes, Discovery Slides and Sky Nets. Jewel also has early check-in facilities, Changi Lounge and YOTELAIR Hotel, which is the first in Asia.

» Wonderland Exhibition at Art Science Museum

(https://www.marinabaysands.com/museum/) Paying tribute to Lewis Carroll’s timeless masterpiece of Alice in Wonderland, travellers can personally witness how artists and filmmakers have portrayed the story throughout the century.

Interactive games, exhibitions and amazing theatrical sets will surely enchant adults and children alike.

» Floral Fantasy at Gardens by the Bay

(https://www.gardensbythebay.com.sg/) This new thematic attraction at Gardens by the Bay features

kaleidoscopic flowers, stunning artistry and forward-thinking technology to create an amazing experience for its visitors like never before. Travellers should also try the 4D ride as if they are flying over Gardens by the Bay while riding on the back of a dragonfly.

» Royz Et Vous (https://royzetvous.com.sg/)

Since 15 July 2014, this Royz Et Vous has been committed in getting its vision in place: to build a halal empire that specialises in coffee-making by serving some of Tanjong Pagar’s finest coffee, besides offering an array of delectable dishes such as smoked duck, seafood aglio olio, Havana chicken, brazen striploin, beef short ribs and lamb shank pie.

» The Dim Sum Place (http://www.thedimsumplace.sg/)

Mainly serving Cantonese dishes with some of them given a local twist, this Halal-certified restaurant is located on North Bridge Road. Among the favourites are deep fried fish skin with roasted salt and garlic, crystal shrimp dumpling, molten salted egg custard bun and boxing chicken.

» Days Hotel by Wyndham Singapore at Zhongshan Park

(https://dayshotelsingapore.com/) Only 15 minutes’ walk from Novena MRT station and six kilometres from Orchard Road and Marina Bay Sands complex (complimentary shuttle available), this hotel boasts 405 comfortable rooms in sky blue and warm orange hues. It also has a halal restaurant called 21 on Rajah serving Mediterranean and Singaporean dishes.

Gaya Travel Magazine extends our heartfelt gratitude to POTO Travel and Tours, Dream Cruises and Singapore Tourism Board for making our writer’s trip smooth sailing.

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Destinations

Ang ganda mo,

Mindanao!

Te x t b y A D E L A R O S L A N I m a g e s b y E D G A R A L A N Z E TA Y A P & Z U L H I L M I I B R A H I M

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To some people, travelling is all about seeing nice architecture, staying lavishly in private resorts, or watching beautiful cultural dances. But to me, travelling is all about mountains.

It has always been a dream of mine to hike every mountain all over the world and see the view from above. I’ve been hiking countless mountains before and for this trip, it was to summit Mount Apo, the highest peak in the Philippines, which

has been beckoning me for some time. I wondered why it is called Mount Apo,

which sounded masculine – it might be more fitting to call it Mount Lorraine or Mount Christine instead because of its sheer majesty that forms like a sleeping

beauty around the city of Davao. But let’s not get too deep into that because the

most important thing is the experience of being with nature. It was like being in

the movie “Everest” but in a rather small way, and without snow and avalanche, of course.

I love you from 9698 feet I flew on the national carrier Philippines Airlines. Since it was my first time to the Philippines, I figured it would be best to travel in the cosiest plane. There were 10 of us on this trip: two of us Malaysians and the rest were locals from Earth Explorers Travel and Tours team. The hike was shouldered

by Earth Explorers Travel and Tours, and it was really a huge help since there are a lot of procedures to be done before getting yourself into the Philippine’s woods. #earthexplorersph made full arrangements for us, from guide and meals to hiking gears and everything in between at affordable rates. Our climb was in March 2019 via Bansalan trail. We were supposed to use the other trail but due to El Nino, most of the trails were closed. We were actually the last 10 lucky climbers to summit Mount Apo, as right after we completed the climb, the trail officially closed.

For those who are in good physical condition, the climb is really just, as others have said, ‘one long trek’. The trek brought us through farmland, rainforest and big boulders that gave the trek dramatic contrasts. The challenge began right after we left the rainforest: a trail exposed to the sun that it felt like our heads were fried but windy at times until we reached the camp. Upon arrival, we pitched the tents and cramped inside due to extreme cold. The camp area was probably colder than the peak because we needed more layers of clothing to stay warm.

We peaked on the second day and reaching it felt like approaching heaven. The hike was like out of this world, with jungle terrain and clouds constantly drifting right towards us and engulfing us. We reached the highest point almost two hours after the first ray of the sun hit our eyes. We’ve had the best weather that day, with the sun on the horizon, clouds below us, cool breeze kissing our faces and the vast blue sky overhead. We saw chained berries along the trek, the same kind I saw when I hiked in Sweden! We also had breaks in the cloud to see more of the skies and sunrise, which was really good for the photographs.

Descending was way easier for us, passing through the forest of dense vegetation, grown trees, and streams. But it didn’t last long because we eventually reached the boulder side of the mountain where there are sulphur vents all around. This part of the trail gets too technical where one has to use both hands

and feet to negotiate the rocky terrain; when I say rocky, I mean boulders as big as a television set up to a size of a car.

That, accompanied by the unpleasant smell of sulphur around us, made the experience unforgiving.

Despite the rocky terrains, wet shoes, cold campsite and long trek up to Mount Apo, I truly loved every moment of it and was glad that I made it to the peak to tick one of the highest mountains in South East Asia! #WhenAdelaHikes #HikeWithZulH They know better #earthexplorersph got us to the peak, cooked us nice fresh fish and vegetables (not packaged food). They also transported us from Davao City to the foot of the mountain. We also had a great time socialising with them, talking about mountains in the world and how is it like to hike in Malaysia with Malaysian tigers!

They also helped us set all paperwork ahead of time that made clearance to climb a breeze. I definitely recommend Earth Explorers Travel & Tours service if you’re planning to explore the Philippines.

Facebook: Earth Explorers Travel & Tours Instagram: @earthexplorersph // #earthexplorersph // +63 088 881 9399 073

Take note! » The trail is confusing at some junctions, so it is necessary to have a mountain guide or someone familiar with the trek. » There are many options for making the trip with various pricing. » Bring as much water as you think you will need and more. » The best time to climb is from March to June (the Philippines’ summer season); avoid rainy season. » Some of the treks aren’t hard but take note that Mount Apo is hardly open due to El Nino and typhoons, so please check the weather before you hop on the plane!

field, the park also grows chrysanthemums, roses and various vegetables including lettuces, French beans, red radish, and Japanese cucumber, among others.

Tip: Be sure to don contrasting outfits and avoid wearing orange, yellow and green; otherwise, you wouldn’t be distinguished from the sunflowers. Best to dress in white with a huge straw hat. #WhenInSouthCotabato Lake Sebu’s seven falls could be the most picturesque scenery to be seen when you are zip lining. It offers views of different falls along one ride and back. As adventure goers, we looked forward to flying on this one-minute flying session that cost us around P350 each. You can choose to fly solo or tandem with your partner. It has two stops: the first is 45 seconds and the second is 25 seconds.

Clockwise: To catch the fish auctions in General Santos, we woke up as early as 5:00 a.m.; Donning my #KankenArt fable at the sunflower farm in Tupi; Flying without wings along South East Asia’s tallest zip line in South Cotabato.

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The Land of Smiles We had four recovery days after the hike and our Filipino friends showed us around using almost various public transport: tricycles, jeepney, habal-habal, van, and bus. It is definitely easy to get to places here. The tricycle is the most common way to get around, I would say. It’s also really affordable and accessible too! Just flag one down on the street, jump in and away you go! Filipinos are really friendly and you will find the communication medium here is stress-free since almost everyone speaks English. #WhenInGenSan We went to General Santos Fish Port as early as 4:00 a.m. in the morning to watch the fish auction! Huge tunas are brought in that time to be weighed for the fish bidders. They poked the flesh to see the quality of the meat and stamped their names on the fish they want to buy. Bidders are usually from big restaurants. This reminded me of the time when I was in Japan in 2017 when I watched my first fish auction.

Tip: When you’re in the tuna capital, be sure to taste all parts of the tuna prepared raw or cooked into soup, sisig (cooked with egg), grilled, and more. #WhenInTupi We headed to Tupi for Instagram-worthy photos at Blooming Petals Agri-Tourism Park, an instant tourist attraction since 2017 with an entrance fee of P50. It looks like the one in Thailand, but partitioned. Besides the popular sunflower

Seven falls zip line in South Cotabato is the tallest zip line in South East Asia and we did it!

Tip: Don’t miss the rainbows especially at the flight’s first stop. Strap your gadgets tight and don’t forget to push the record button!

#WhenInLakeSebu If you have time, plan your lunch and cruise around Lake Sebu. While cruising, experience the traditional dances and instruments on the 45 minutes boat cruise and try on all types of tilapia feast from; fried, sisig (cooked with egg), cabbages wrapped, and salads and steamed – all tilapias!

Tip: Swing by Sunrise Garden Lake Resort to catch sunrise over Lake Seloton, which has lotuses blooming all over. #WhenInKoronadal You should not miss savouring catfish when you’re in Koronadal because the town is popular with it. Simply make your way to any restaurant in town to experience a totally affordable all-catfish slap-up meal ranging from fried, soup, curry and even caramelised! #WhenInDavao So we’re back to Davao City for our final days before flying back home. The city is huge and it is one of the largest cities in the world in terms of land area. You can travel for three to four hours yet still within Davao city. We headed to Malagos Garden Resort (MGR) for a two-night stay and to actually eat in, stay in and do everything at the resort.

#RediscoverMalagos I find staying at MGR was peaceful and the much-needed rest after all the leg work. Everyone at the resort is hospitable and friendly. We had the chance to stay and experience all activities in less than 72hours. Special thanks to Edgar and Jaydee for making the arrangements. Trust me, you would actually need more than three days here; or perhaps a week, maybe? The longer you stay, the better.

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Participate in feeding the birds, milking the goats and touring the butterfly sanctuary. Do take photos with the birds at only P50.

Make your own chocolate at the chocolate museum & be your own chocolate master.

Tour around the chocolate farm and learn about how to break cocoa pods, then ferment, dry and sort the good beans. MGR makes the finest chocolate in Davao!

Do not go back until you indulge in chocolate spa. We had the chance to try the chocolate facial, shoulder and feet spa. It was worth it, the facial spa was really comforting, and they were using all kinds of chocolates and fruits for the massage sessions. We were even greeted with a cup of hot chocolate before the sessions.

Watch the bird show. It carries valuable messages for human beings.

Bring back chocolate bars at only P500. It’s a must.

Bring the elderly, children and even babies; the resort is suitable for all ages!

They know better Instagram: @MalagosDavao // @MalagosChocolate Find them using #RediscoverMalagos #MalagosGardenResort

Is it safe to travel in the Philippines?

It´s totally safe to travel in the Philippines and we have never heard about travellers having problems when exploring the country. The worst risk in the Philippines is that you would feel heartbroken to leave it! Because you see, #ItsSoMuchFunInThePhilippines!

Stay connected with everyone at home while you’re travelling with Roaming Man Travel WiFi (www.roamingman.my).

With its fast and broad coverage, you will not miss any single moments to share with everyone! #RoamingmanMY

Top: Great beans produced at Malagos Garden Resort, which makes the finest chocolate in Davao Bottom: Lunch at Lake Sebu with various kinds of amazing tilapia dishes

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Gaya Special Feature: Sarawak More to Discover Campaign 2019

Sarawak More to Discover Campaign 2019/2020 Selected Sarawakian Destinations Te x t b y G AYA T R AV E L M AG A Z I N E C O N T R I B U T O R S I m a g e s b y S A R AWA K T O U R I S M B O A R D , D I N E S H K U M A R , G A YA T R AV E L M AG A Z I N E CO N T RI B U TO RS, G AYA T RAV EL M AG A Z I N E P H O TO G RA P H Y U N I T

Sarawak is the largest Malaysian state, covering 37.5% of the country’s land area but has the population of less than three million. From pristine underwater marine life, the rich heritage and wilderness to modern city landscape, Sarawak is a potpourri of experiences appreciated by travellers from all over the world.

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The state is home to 28 ethnic groups, each with its own distinct language, culture and lifestyle. The Dayaks (which group Ibans, Bidayuhs and Orang Ulus) form the major ethnic group with nearly 44% of the total population based on 2014 census. The Malays and the Chinese are the second and third largest groups, comprising 24.4% and 24.2% of the state population respectively – the former generally live in cities while the latter mainly concentrate along the coast. On the same note, The Melanaus make up 6.7% of the population. Travellers who come to Sarawak would have their hearts flutter with fascination and enchantment when interacting with the multi-ethnic communities living harmoniously with each other in this blessed state.

Sarawakians practice various faiths such as Christianity, Islam, Chinese folk religion (a fusion of Buddism, Taoism, Confucianism and ancestor worship), Baha’i and animism. Many natives, for instance the Dayaks, converted to Christianity yet still hold onto their traditions, particularly when it comes to marriage ceremonies, including harvest and ancestral festivals like Gawai Dayak and Gawai Antu. With its richness in diversity and culture, including natural wonders, Sarawak definitely has more for travellers to discover.

Thus, in conjunction with Sarawak More to Discover Campaign 2019 / 2020, check out the following pages containing a compilation of selected articles on Sarawakian destinations, which we hope would spur you to visit this fascinating Land of the Hornbills.

Kuching: The Door to Borneo’ Te x t b y S H A H I DA S A K E R I Imeges by G AYA T RAV EL M AG A Z I N E PHOTOGRAPHY UNIT

Kuching is a beautiful city, proudly boasting a harmonious blend of colonial influences with a unique Borneo identity evidenced through architecture, food, lifestyle and languages of its natives. Here, English is widely spoken by locals besides Sarawak Malay and other ethnic tongues.

In fact, most Kuchingites speak at least two other languages besides their mother tongue. These people have been living harmoniously and easily assimilated with other cultures without losing their identity – a lovely way of life that makes Gaya Travel team members personally find Kuching inspiring.

To really understand what Kuching is all about, we recommend travellers to consider the following experiences: » Find peace at Homestay Kampung Melayu Tebakang (Facebook: Homestay Kampung Tebakang Melayu) Unlike an ordinary holiday, a stay at a traditional village like Kampung Melayu Tebakang will whisk travellers off to an oasis of tranquillity and

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rustic charm. There are 19 homes that participate in this village’s homestay programme, each charging at the starting rate of around MYR100 per night. At Kampung Melayu Tebakang, travellers’ day will be filled with various village activities such as touring the village, cruising along Batang Kayan river, learning how to cook traditional delicacies like ‘Kek Jantung Pisang’ (banana bud-shaped cake) claimed to be the original ‘kek lapis’ (Sarawak layer cake), participating in a traditional Malay wedding ceremony, and plucking fruits if in season.

Tel.: +6 082 874 263 / +6 019 834 3182 (Encik Pathe bin Abdul Rahman)

» Immerse in Bidayuh lifestyle at Homestay Kampung Mongkos (www.right.sarawak.gov.my/ Homestay/Kampung_Mongkos/ introduction.shtml) Located near the Mongkos River, approximately an hour and a half drive from the Kuching city, there is a traditional longhouse resided by the Bidayuh tribe, which is one of the many indigenous groups living in Borneo.

Unlike the Penan tribe, who still hunt and move to a different location after a few days, the Bidayuh are settlers who traditionally live in a communal longhouse in the form of a wooden structure built on stilts with a row of separate family rooms. Everytime the Bidayuh tribe expands, extra rooms can be easily added, making the house

lengthier, hence the name longhouse.

When arriving at the longhouse as important visitors, old shaman would typically perform a ritual called mipis, believed to chase away evil spirits from harming the residents and guests, followed by residents welcoming the guests.

At this homestay, travellers can appreciate traditional Bidayuh dances such as Langgi Sidandut, Langgi Perang and Langgi Empujon, whereby each one of them are inspired from folktales.

As Langgi Aruh is performed, guests are invited to join by stepping across bamboos to a fast rhythm without getting their feet trapped between them – the dance’s deceptively simple steps could become challenging. The best time to visit the longhouse is on the 1st of June during Gawai or Harvest festival. Rooms are available from MYR60 each per night.

Tel: +6 013 576 4003 078

» Explore Bako National Park (www.bakonationalpark.com) Kuching also offers unlimited opportunities for outdoor enthusiasts as it is the land where the endangered proboscis monkeys, orangutans and elusive hornbill can be found. Travellers

can visit Borneo’s tropical rainforests by exploring the national parks within Sarawak, one of them being Bako National Park, located 40 kilometres from Kuching and a mere 45 minutes’ drive to get to Bako National Park jetty, the jump off point to beautiful rock formations, wildlife, hiking trails and breathtaking scenery. The park is only accessible by boat, therefore travellers need to take a half an hour ride from the mouth of Bako River into the South China Sea, then coast along the Telok Assam beach, where the park headquarters is located. Along the way, travellers will get to enjoy taking in the stunning tropical environment and the iconic sea stacks. The fare for oneway boat ride is MYR15 per person for locals and MYR20 per person for foreigners.

Tel: +6 017 885 7798 / E-mail: pbptnbsarawak@gmail.com » Learn about Sarawak ethnic groups at Sarawak Cultural Village (www.scv.com.my) Sarawak Cultural Village basically embodies the essence of Sarawak by presenting the multiracial communities and their rich heritage all in one place.

That’s why every itinerary to Kuching would not be complete without a

visit here. This living museum is set up to showcase and educate visitors on Sarawak’s major racial groups by enacting their respective lifestyles through food, dance, handicrafts and even favourite pastimes within the replica of their traditional houses.

Interestingly, these individuals who enact the lifestyle are actually authentic village residents who represent their tribe and provide real information on their culture, tribe’s history as told by their ancestors and way of life.

There are also cultural shows being staged daily at 11:30 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. for tourists’ enjoyment.

Travellers are recommended to try the village’s culinary offerings that feature Sarawak’s fine ethnic cuisine ranging from MYR35 to MYR48 per person. The entrance fee to the village is MYR60 per adult and MYR30 per child. Sarawak Cultural Village is also the venue for the internationally acclaimed Rainforest World Music Festival held annually, attracting thousands of music lovers and festival goers from around the world to listen to the best of world music.

Tel: +6 082 846 411 » Participate in team-building activities at Sumiran Eco-camp (Facebook: Sumiran Ecofarm) A day at the Sumiran Eco-Camp is filled with energy and fun, besides helping to create stronger bond. The Sumiran Eco-camp is a training camp suitable for developing life-skills and doing outdoor activities including flying fox, jungle-trekking, kayaking, futsal and outdoor zumba, including playing futsal while donning batik sarong, which leaves everybody in stitches. The camp could also organise a bonfire and stargazing session.

Tel: +6 010 979 2061 / +6 012 881 1952 / +6 082 645 591 /E-mail: sumiran.ecofarm@facebook.com This article first appeared in Gaya Travel Magazine Issue 10.4.

Exploring

Central Sarawak Te x t b y S H A H I DA S A K E R I Imeges by G AYA T RAV EL M AG A Z I N E P H O TO G RA P H Y U N I T & S A R AWA K T O U R I S M B O A R D

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Sibu. Mukah. Bintulu. Although these three towns may have not reach the metropolitan standard like Kuching and Miri just yet, they still have an endless amount of charms on their own that never fail to attract the travellers to visit. Sibu is the gateway to the hinterland of Malaysia’s longest river, the mighty Rejang. Mukah on the other hand is popular for Melanau culture while Bintulu, thanks to oil and gas industry, is on its way to become Sarawak’s next major city. In this issue, Gaya Travel lets readers appreciate in-depth the cross-cultural experiences as we unveil Central Sarawak’s exceptional legacies.

Where to go in Sibu:

» Malaysia Pepper Board (www.mpb.gov.my/mpb2/index.php/en) Sarawak is always popular as the top provider of pepper within and outside of the country. The proof ? Malaysia Pepper Board is the governmental body that controls and monitors this commodity, which is exported to Asia Pacific and the ASEAN region, including Europe. One of the board’s units, which is situated in Sibu, supports the ever growing industry by providing dry and wet processing services. The unit also buys pepper from local farmers at competitive prices and offers assistance in terms of input, infrastructure and guidance. The board hopes that more farmers will be involved in the pepper industry to boost local economy. Travellers can contact the board to arrange for a guided tour to see how Sarawak pepper is processed and packed for export. After the tour, travellers can purchase processed pepper products sold at the unit.

T: +6 084 211 059 » Ng Sian Hap Earthenware Factory Sdn Bhd (Facebook: Ng Sian Hap Earthenware Factory Sdn Bhd) Sibu is also famous for fine quality pottery. The town features many pottery manufacturers that offer different kinds of ceramic products designed in either traditional or contemporary style. One such place is Ng Sian Hap

Earthenware Factory Sdn. Bhd., which has been in business for over 70 years. The The founder of the factory started from a humble beginning. Due to his determination, his pottery business expanded from Pulau Kerto to Kg. Bakut, Tuaran, Tawau, Keningau and Miri in the spam of two generations.

The factory now produces and sells various products such as flower pots, vases, sculptures and coin banks for as low as MYR3 to hundreds of ringgit per piece. Travellers could also watch the pottery sculpting process at the factory, which requires precision and patience.

T: +6 084 213 633 » Sibu Central Market (www.sarawaktourism.com/attraction/sibu-central-market) Sibu Central Market is the best place for travellers to observe daily life. This place, which is huge, where native merchants from Sibu and nearby areas gather under one roof, selling various items. Located on Channel Road opposite the Express Boat Passenger Terminal, this market has two floors to accommodate different purposes. Travellers can expect to encounter the well-known sago worm along with traditional delicacies like celorot (cone shaped snack made from glutinous rice) and the organic Bario rice. Despite being a tourist magnet, the prices at Sibu Central Market remains reasonable. Plus, the locals are warm and friendly, making it so easy to mingle and ask questions about local culture and products available. The market opens from 5:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. » Homestay Rumah Panjang Bawang Assan (www.right.sarawak.gov.my/Homestay/Rumah_Bawang_ Assan/introduction.shtml) Claimed to have existed since 18th century, this homestay perfectly portrays the evolution occurred in the place as it features not only traditional longhouses but also modern ones.

They even have a wireless internet connection there. This place is dominated by the Iban community, one of the major ethnics in Sarawak. Since most of the residents there are able

to speak in English, communication will not be a problem at all.

Homestay Rumah Panjang Bawang Assan is a project developed by the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture, offering many kind of activities like experiencing a cruise from town to Bawang Assan, watching pua kumbu weaving demonstration, making products from bemban, fishing fresh water prawn, learning to use blowpipe and donning colourful Iban costumes. To date, there are 15 houses licensed to join the programme. It is also said that the programme is wellreceived by travellers all the way from England, Australia, Spain and China. To get to Homestay Rumah Panjang Bawang Assan, visitors can take a taxi for MYR50 or wait for a van outside Sibu Central Market for merely MYR2.

When visiting the longhouse, travellers might get the chance to witness the miring ritual performed by the chief of the longhouse together with five assistants. It started with the chief reciting a long mantra to invoke the divine while holding a rooster. Then, his assistants prepare meals consisted of boiled egg, tuak (rice-fermented drink), anchovy, renai (a popcorn-like type of food made from rice) and local snack, to be served to the divine. The purpose behind this ritual is to seek divine blessing and excellent life throughout the year.

Try to catch the graceful Ngajat dance and feast upon an Iban signature dish called manok pansoh, which is a chicken cooked in bamboo along with lemongrass, tapioca leaves and mushroom.

T: +6 014 582 8105 / +6 017 785 9029 (Marcathy) Jason Bakery for kompia There is no better way of absorbing a new culture other than savouring local gastronomy; in Sibu, be sure to taste the bagel-like kompia, which was created by the Foochow people in China during World War II as a dry and long-lasting food, essential during times of war. Made from flour topped with sesame seeds and then baked in a traditional oven, kompia

is either stuffed with meat or not, but the former is claimed to taste richer. Today, being Sibu’s favourite treat, kompia has progressed and now filled with strawberry jam, butter, red bean and kaya, much to the the younger generation’s liking.

T: +6 016 869 5000

Where to go in Mukah:

» Lamin Dana (www.lamindana.com) Built in 1999, Lamin Dana (literally means ‘traditional house’ in Melanau dialect) is not only a bed and breakfast cum living museum full of Melanau elements, but also surrounded by the natural habitat of mud skippers, blue crabs and fireflies. The history revolves around the place is also intriguing.

When visiting this place, take the chance to savour ambuyat, also known as linut (a sticky porridge-like type of food made from sago flour). Ambuyat / linut used to be Melanau’s main source of food. However, due to rapid modernisation, it is now served only during tea or supper. This dish is best eaten with spicy sambal belacan (spicy shrimp paste).

Another dish that travellers should try is umai (fish salad), a dish that is well-accepted throughout Sarawak, not only among Melanau people. Umai is simply Sarawak’s version of sushi. Made fresh using mackerel or black pomfret mixed with onions, chillies, salt and lime juice, the preparation of umai does not require cooking at all. All you need to do is to just let the raw fish meat marinate along with other ingredients until it turns white. People can grab this spicy and tangy dish at local restaurants or Mukah’s fish market.

Interested travellers may choose one of the four packages available: 3D2N Lamin Dana Cultural Tour; 2D1N Lamin Dana Mangrove Tour; 3D2N Kaul Festival Tour; or Lamin Dana Day Tour.

T: +6 019 849 5962 (Mrs. Diana Rose)

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» Pusat Memproses Kuih Asli to savour Kuih Sepit (https://www.facebook.com/ pg/menarikdimukahdandalat/ photos/?tab=album&album_ id=1620665101580680) Sarawak’s kuih sepit (love letters snack) is very different from the one in the Peninsular as it is made of pure coconut milk, thus possesses creamier taste. Other ingredients include sago flour, sugar, egg and sesame seeds. At Pusat Memproses Kuih Asli (Local Biscuits Production Centre), we were able to witness the production of this crispy kuih sepit from the scratch. The preparation is quite similar to making a pancake, except that the layer of the batter smeared on the pan is thinner.

Then, it was rolled up with a chopstick before cut into small pieces. In a day, the centre produces approximately 35 kilograms of kuih sepit, sold for RM75 per 5kg to the agents. Thanks to the Agricultural Department’s support, the centre’s kuih sepit has won the hearts of Malaysians, Singaporeans and Bruneians. Besides kuih sepit, the centre also sells other traditional delicacies like kuih batang buruk and kuih jala.

Pusat Pemprosesan Tebaloi Unit Peladang to taste Tebaloi Considered as a traditional Sarawak snack, tebaloi cookies has a thin crispy layer with a hint of smoky taste.

Its ingredients include sago flour, grated coconut, sugar and eggs. Pusat Pemprosesan Tebaloi Kampung Judan allows visitors to learn about tebaloi-

making process, which begins by mixing the ingredients to become dough, then spreading a thin layer of the dough onto banana leaf, baking the dough either on open fire or in a modern oven, letting it cool on a cooling rack, snipping the tebaloi sheet into smaller squares, baking it over again and finally pressing it with an iron-like tool (phew!). The owner also claims that the recipe used there is a family recipe that has been inherited from one generation to another. If the original flavour is not tempting enough, travellers should try other flavours such as chocolate, pandan, strawberry and even cencaluk (fermented small shrimps or krill). The centre is open for business from 6:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

Getting there and away From Sibu, Mukah is only accessible by road. The express bus service runs between 6:30 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. costing MYR15.30 per passenger.

Estimated travelling time between the two towns is three hours. On the other hand, more options are available for travelling between Bintulu and Mukah. Travellers seeking backpackers’ experience may use the bus services for the price of MYR20, taking approximately four hours one way. Those who prefer a less hassle trip should opt for MASwings to fly from Mukah to Bintulu for a much shorter time but at much higher price.

Where to go in Bintulu:

» Pasar Utama Bintulu Like Sibu Central Market, Pasar Utama Bintulu (Bintulu Main Market) is definitely a hit among locals and travellers. The market carries items like fruits, belacan (shrimp paste), cencaluk (fermented shrimps), fresh seafood (including little sharks), vegetables, local delicacies and souvenirs. This is the place where travellers can test their bargaining skill to get items at the best price. There is even a saying that every traveller landed in Bintulu should try Bintulu’s belacan and cencaluk, claimed

to be phenomenal.

Where to stay in Central Sarawak?

» Paramount Hotel (www. paramounthotelsibu.com) is a smart choice for travellers due to its strategic location in the heart of Sibu, surrounded by shopping centres, bazaars and banks. It offers 95 chic rooms categorised as Standard, Standard Extra, Superior, Deluxe, Junior Suite, Family Suite, Executive Suite and Paramount Suite, all at reasonable rates.

Besides having business amenities like meeting rooms, the hotel also includes a hair salon specially for its guests.

T: +6 084 331 122 In Mukah, travellers should opt for Kingwood Resort (www.kingwoodresort.com.my), which has two branches: one located exactly in Mukah town, while the other is on the coast facing South China Sea. For a quiet peaceful getaway, we totally recommend our readers to stay at the latter because the atmosphere there is serene. The resort also comes complete with tennis court.

T: +6 084 873 888 Dubbed as one of the best business centres in Bintulu, the Parkcity Everly Hotel (teg-hotels.com/b/parkcityeverly-bintulu) is no doubt a place for classy professionals or guests who simply have refined taste. The hotel offers 228 elegant rooms and offers an extensive range of secretarial services and meeting rooms namely the Madaline, Christine, Louisa and Isobel, along with other useful equipment.

The fact that it is also located near to attractions like Tanjung Batu Beach, Taman Tumbina and Similajau National Park makes it perfect for travellers who intend to explore Bintulu.

T: +6 086 318 888 This article first appeared in Gaya Travel Magazine Issue 8.5.

Trekking The Heritage Of Bario

Te x t b y

ED JUNAIDI ABU BAKAR

I m e g e s b y D I S H E N K U M A R & S A R AWA K TOURISM BOARD

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Forty minutes after leaving Miri Airport on MASWings DHC-6 Twin Otter, we approach Kelabit Highlands. Still sleepy from the Kuala Lumpur-to-Miri morning flight earlier, I peek from the aircraft window and witness the great aerial view of Batang Baram (Baram River), Malaysia’s second longest river that originates from Kelabit Highlands and home to many Orang Ulu tribes, including Kayan, Kenyah, Berawan, and the shy and semi-nomadic Penan.

Along this fascinating river is the world’s second largest cave passage listed as UNESCO World Heritage Site: Gunung Mulu National Park, and the lesserknown Loagan Bunut National Park.

But we were not heading to Mulu. Our intended destination is actually Bario, famous for its rice, pineapple and – as we discover during this trip – the best instant curry noodle in Malaysia.

During this trip, we stay at Bario Asal Lembaa longhouse settlement.

Bario is made up of a vast highland plateau that lies 1,000 metres above sea-level in the north-eastern corner of Sarawak and is home to a number of small indigenous villages. Surrounded by mountains, cultural sites, agricultural landscape and tropical rainforest, Bario is undeniably one of the most beautiful rural locations in Malaysia that deserves conservation and protection.

The indigenous community that has been living in Bario for over 4,000 years is called Kelabit, whose members today face challenges like rampant modernisation and deforestation. Over the years, about 65% of the younger population have migrated due to lack of facilities and jobs in Bario. Today, it is estimated that slightly more than 1,000 Kelabit people remain in Bario.

Kelabit tribes, like others in Borneo, are close-knit. Each Kelabit tribe dwell in a traditional longhouse. These days,

the longhouse has been modernised yet still retains its cultural functions and aspects. Many such longhouses have to be rebuilt several times due to disasters, especially fire. Since the longhouse is in a remote location in the highlands and inaccessible for the fire brigade to reach it, Volvo assisted the community by equipping the longhouses, including the eco-shelters situated along the 25-kilometre Bario ancestral jungle trail, with fire-fighting system. As a matter of fact, all are also equipped with such facility The Kelabit longhouse is impressively stands on many strong pillars, raised four metres above ground and walled by rough wooden planks or bamboo that are joined together using rattan seams. The roof of the longhouse is high and made of thick thatch.

In my observation, many parts of the longhouse these days have been replaced with zinc, plywood and cement. Traditionally, the stairs were

for over two thousand years. The trail and Batu Lawi, therefore, are steep in legend and myth.

The trail, however, is not for beginners.

Even skilled and experienced hikers would find it challenging having to hike along hilly terrains, cross rivers, get stuck in muddy pathways and climb steep mountain slopes. Some parts of the trail are merely soft soil and can be unsuspectingly dangerous.

made from chopped logs but nowadays the staircases are made of thick wooden planks or bricks and cement.

The Kelabit longhouse is distinctive compared to the longhouses belonging to the other indigenous communities in Sarawak. The differences can be seen in the layout of the building, which comprises a shared long hall as the tribe’s main public space called tawa; rooms for each family to stay; and another long hall at the back of the rooms called dalim; a family area; and a kitchen. Dalim is usually smoky because there is a hearth at the back of each room. For Kelabit people, the hearth is very important as the family’s gathering place, thus dominating the layout of the building due to its significance.

The longhouse where we stay, Bario Asal Lembaa, is an important settlement in Bario as it has been recognised as the oldest longhouse since the times when Kelabits settled

in the area. Although touches of modernisation can be seen, this longhouse maintains most of its traditional characteristics. During most nights in Bario, my fellow media travelling companions and I gather around the hearth to enjoy Bario coffee and local delicacies like the dried buffalo meat strips and delicious fresh fruits like pineapples and mangoes!

On the second day of our stay in Bario, we hike up to one of the five ecoshelters along the Kelabit ancestral trail to check out how an eco-shelter sponsored by Volvo Trucks looks like.

The eco-shelters are built not only for tourists but also for the Penans and Kelabits who commute along this 25-kilometre ancestral trail leading deeper into the thick rainforest along hilly terrain to a place called Batu Lawi, a twin-peaked mountain in the Kelabit Highlands. Batu Lawi is sacred to both Penans and Kelabits; these tribes have been commuting on foot along the trail

When the locals say that the 25-kilometre trail is a three-day hike for them, it actually means six to seven days of a hike for the rest of us! Before we begin hiking to the eco-shelter, locals say that it takes four hours to get there, but we end up doing seven hours one way!

We started off in high spirits but falter along the way as the trail becomes more and more challenging. It first passes by village houses, farms and paddy fields but then it gets harder when we enter the forest. We made it to the ecoshelter number 2 (the closest shelter to the village) after seven exhausting hours.

The eco-shelters, although funded by Volvo Trucks, were actually built by the Kelabits and Penans. All building materials were brought in on foot.

No trees were cut down to build the shelters and most of the logs used were bought from outside Bario and carried into the jungle on foot.

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their own transportation. To move around, bicycles can be rented from any of the community service providers.

Take note that Waze too does not work in Bario. Travellers should download offline maps via Google Map before flying to Bario.

Last but not least: do not go into the jungle alone.

Getting to Bario

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These shelters are basic. Each of them is erected four metres above ground with basic toilet and basic shower room.

Most of them are also equipped with a simple rainwater harvesting system – those without the system use water from a nearby source. There are literally zero amenities being placed inside the shelters but enough to protect hikers who stay the night from wild animals.

We were told that there is a plan to bring in more amenities to facilitate hikers who need to rest there. If travellers plan to hike the trail and stay the night, bring along a sleeping bag and enough amenities to stay clean and comfortable.

Personally, I find the trail challenging.

However, if a traveller can plan the hike properly, it would be a great experience to hike into the thick rainforest jungle of the Kelabit Highlands. I totally recommend Mr Julian from Bario Asal Lembaa to guide through the jungle because he is one of the most experienced, knowledgeable and remarkably patient man to get anyone through the challenging ancestral trail.

Perhaps, we push ourselves too hard to get to the eco-shelter because we did not have much time and we had to

complete the hike in a day. Travellers with more time should stay a night at one of the shelters before heading back to Bario village.

Bario is not just about hiking along the ancestral trail. Other activities that can be done here are village sightseeing, hiking to the waterfall, freshwater fishing trips, watching wildlife and nature, mountain biking, kayaking and boat riding, camping, farming and working in the paddy field. Please check the activity’s level of difficulty first before doing. For event goers, there are two main events in Bario that make the destination worth visiting: Bario Trail Run (www.bariotrailrun.com) in September and Bario Food & Cultural Festival called Nukenen Festival (www.sarawaktourism.com/event/pestanukenen-bario-food-cultural-festival), typically in July or August.

Reminders

There is virtually no ATM machine in Bario. Internet connection and telecommunication is poor. The Internet can be accessed at the community hall and internet centre only. Neither Grab or e-hailing services nor taxis or buses are available. Travellers need to arrange

• Unless you prefer driving on a four-wheel drive (4WD) through the rainforest that would typically take 10 to 14 hours to reach Bario, the only other way to get there is to fly on a small Twin Otter plane from Miri, operated by MASWings, Malaysia Airlines’ rural flight service. A direct flight from Miri to Bario takes about 40 to 50 minutes, depending on weather, which might be unpredictable in the highlands, causing delays and cancellations. Travellers are advised to prepare for last-minute changes and eventualities.

• The maximum capacity for an 18-seater Twin Otter plane is 10KG for check-in baggage and 5kg for hand carry. A fee of RM1 per kg is chargeable for each extra kilogram; please travel light to avoid unnecessary charges.

• Travellers can fly to Miri from Kuala Lumpur or other domestic destinations in Malaysia using Malaysia Airlines, AirAsia or Firefly.

For ground arrangement enquiries, contact Mr Julian at +6 011 2508 1114 or browse Visit Bario Instagram page or Bario Reality Tourism Facebook page. You can also get in touch with Bario Highlands Guide Council via barioguide@gmail.com.

Check out barioexperience.com too for more information.

This article first appeared in Gaya Travel Magazine Issue 13.3.

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The Hidden Jewel Of

Mulu UNESCO World Heritage Site Te x t b y FA R A H N A D I A H

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to the plants of Mulu. There are many different trails open for leisure walking in Mulu, the free ones being Kenyalang Loop, Paku Waterfall and Paku Valley Walk.

After the walk, you may try the Mulu Canopy Skywalk, suspended 20 metres above the forest floor. It is built among the lush treetops with a tranquil river streaming underneath, providing a panoramic view of the different types of trees that occupy Mulu and surrounding area. It is also the best place to see macaques, hornbills, flying lizards, squirrels, insects and a range of rainforest birds that frequent Mulu Canopy Skywalk to eat figs. The 1.5-kilometre journey to the Canopy Skywalk takes about 30 minutes from Mulu Headquarters.

I m e g e s b y S A R AWA K T O U R I S M B O A R D

Among the famous trekking trails in Gunung Mulu National Park are the Mulu Pinnacles and the Mulu Summit.

Situated on the island of Borneo, Gunung Mulu National Park is listed as UNESCO World Heritage Site since November 2000. The significance of Gunung Mulu National Park is undeniable as it satisfies not just one, but all four requirements for it to be qualified as a world heritage site.

Mulu Pinnacles

Gunung Mulu National Park’s concentration of caves, including its geomorphic and structural characteristics, provides better understanding of the history of Mother Nature and opportunities for ecological studies. Mulu also has outstanding scenic values, ranging from jagged limestone pinnacles to humongous caves to deep gorges and hidden valleys.

Rainforest Experience Being the largest national park in Sarawak, Gunung Mulu National Park covers 544 square kilometres of primary rainforest. Rich in bio-diversity, a diverse range of flora and fauna species are recorded in Gunung Mulu National Park.

Among others, 111 species and 20 genera for palms, 1,700 species of liveworts and mosses, 28 species of bats, 270 species of birds, 20,000 species of invertebrates, 55 species of reptiles and 48 species of fish. Of the 29 endemic Borneo bird species, 26 have been recorded in the park area. Eight of Borneo’s hornbill can be found in Mulu.

For maximum rainforest experience, one can walk along the plankwalk and admire the plants, some of which are endemic to Mulu. Even for a novice like me, the presence of informative signage along the Botany Loop provides insights

Those who are physically fit may challenge themselves by climbing up to the viewpoint on the unique karst rock formation known as Mulu Pinnacles. Standing at 45 metres high, these limestone needles cling to the side of Gunung Api, forming a forest of razor-edged limestone surrounded by lush vegetation. The trek includes a steep ascend and scaling a 90-degree steel staircase to a small viewpoint overlooking the Mulu Pinnacles.

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The journey to Mulu Pinnacles begins with one- to two-hour boat ride along Melinau River from Mulu Headquarters, followed by another 7.8 kilometres of trekking to reach Camp 5 by passing through suspended bridges and streams with spectacular views of the limestone landscape. Camp 5 serves as the base camp for the hike to Mulu Pinnacles. While the journey to Camp 5 is breathtakingly laid-back, the hike up to the Mulu Pinnacles is one of the toughest in Mulu.

staircase. Thick sole hiking boots are definitely recommended.

Although the trail from Camp 5 to the Mulu Pinnacles viewpoint is approximately 2.4 kilometres, it rises 1,200 metres above sea level. The trail becomes difficult as the trees grow thinner. Limestone debris, stones, rocks, stone cracks and chunks of mini limestone needles scatter the trail. At an elevation of approximately 800 metres, the trail climbs steeply ahead using steel

Mulu Summit

Once you reach the viewpoint, your effort is rewarded with the spectacular panorama of the Mulu Pinnacles.

Just about 300 metres away stands a forest of limestone needles, boulders and sparse vegetation. The earlier you descend, the better because if it gets rainy, the rocky surfaces on the trail get slippery, exposing you to unnecessary risks.

If you find climbing up to the viewpoint to see Mulu Pinnacles is not satisfying enough, there is an organised trek to the summit of Gunung Mulu, which is 2,376 metres high. The four days and three nights trek is the toughest, which follows the first discovered route along the south-west ridge in 1920s.

To embark on this journey, one must be physically fit as it involves way too many steep ascends.

The trail to the Mulu Summit involves trekking through the lush primary rainforest, traversing through rivers and climbing jagged rocks. As you walk through the jungle, sounds of shrieking cicadas and chirping birds make the environment lively and welcoming. At dusk, one can stay overnight at one of the spartan huts provided at main camp areas.

Although there is no viewpoint at the Mulu Summit, the views of Melinau Gorge, Gunung Api and Gunung Benarat along the journey are enough to give you the wow moments. The sunset view near the summit is exceptionally splendid.

The Splendour of Mulu Caves Interestingly, many caves in Gunung Mulu National Park remain unexplored.

In it lies the world’s largest natural chamber within a cave that measures 600 metres long, 415 metres wide and 80 metres high. According to BBC’s Planet Earth, the Sarawak Chamber can fit up to 40 Boeing 747 aircrafts lined up nose to tail. You can also find the longest cave in Asia in the form of Clearwater Cave System. Due to the alluvial history of the Melinau river, cave passages developed at many levels.

Deer Cave is the world’s largest natural cave passage, measuring between 120 and 150 metres in diameter.

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Be informed that travellers are not permitted to enter any of the caves within Gunung Mulu National Park without a Licensed Park Guide. Daily tours are available to all four show caves that have concrete pathways and artificial lighting. The four show caves of Mulu are Deer Cave, Lang Cave, Wind Cave and Clearwater Cave.

As you walk inside Deer Cave, just imagine the force of water required to shape the boulders and scalloped walls of the cave. Streaming water from the cave roof continuously enlarge the shape and size of the cave, thanks to the heavy rain that Gunung Mulu National Park receives all year round.

The path inside Deer Cave continues to wind deeper into blackness before a green oasis bathed in sunlight emerges.

The green oasis is known as Garden of Eden and the 30-metre column of water gushing to the river is known as Adam and Eve’s Showers. If you are standing at the right spot in Deer Cave, pause and look at the cave entrance: you will notice the side profile of Abraham Lincoln’s face.

Lang Cave is situated adjacent to the Deer Cave. Although small in size compared to the other show caves,

Lang Cave has impressive stalagmites and stalactites formation. Sprouting from the cave surface are cave worms that look like strings of cotton candy.

At dusk, you will hear the squeaking noise that comes from within the cave, a clear sign that the bats are preparing to go out to forage for food.

Every evening, the visitors to Gunung Mulu National Park flock to the observatory deck near Deer Cave and Lang Cave to watch the famous exodus of the bats. The wait might be long but it pays off when millions of wrinkled lip bats flying in spiral formation in the sky.

The travel time taken for each group of bats depends on its size.

Unlike Deer Cave and Lang Cave, Wind Cave and Clearwater Cave require a boat transfer to reach them.

The visitors will be transported using long boats through Melinau River.

The journey provides a glimpse into the life of the people who live around Mulu, especially the Penan sub-ethnic.

Occasionally, you will be able to see women and children taking bath and doing laundry by the riverside or men laying their fishing net or traps to put food on the table.

The name Wind Cave is derived from the breeze one might feel when walking inside the wind cave. Some of the formations are basic limestone, stalactites and stalagmites. Do not forget to look up at the ‘scalloping’, which are round dents on the rock that look like rippled pattern. It was caused by water that flowed through it since time immemorial.

The Clearwater Cave System, which lies mainly under the western margins of Gunung Api between the Melinau Gorge and Wind Cave, is believed to be the largest interconnected cave system in the world by volume. The total length of the Clearwater Cave system at present is 197.08 kilometres.

Upon arriving at the Clearwater Cave,

one will notice the clearwater river where visitors may engage in swimming activities.

Besides show caves, you can also arrange for adventure caving inside Mulu’s wild caves, where there is no plankwalk and artificial lighting.

Adventure caving requires you to walk in pitch black darkness with headlamps and do technical climbing using ropes.

The intermediate level caves are Racer Cave, Lagang Cave and Drunken Forest Cave, while the advanced level caves are the Clearwater Connection and the Sarawak Chamber.

Getting to Mulu The easiest way to go to Mulu is via Miri. Malaysian Airlines’ subsidiary, MASWings, operates scheduled services from Miri, Kuching, Kota Kinabalu to Mulu using 72-seater ATR72 aircraft.

Where to Stay in Mulu?

The accommodation within the Mulu World Heritage Area is located at the park headquarters. There is a wide range of accommodations available to suit your budget: garden bungalow rooms (from RM262 per night), longhouse rooms (from RM220 per night) and large fan cooled dormitory with 20 beds (from RM43 per night). For high end travellers, there is Mulu Marriott Resort & Spa (www.mulumarriott.com).

For classic backpackers, there are many guesthouses to choose from outside the park headquarters.

After two visits to Gunung Mulu National Park, there are still more to explore. If you have not heard of Mulu, then it is time for you to include it in your bucket list!

For more info, visit www.mulunationalpark.com.

This article first appeared in Gaya Travel Magazine Issue 9.5.

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Gaya Special Feature: MELAKA

MELAKA : Revisited

Melaka is one of the smallest states in Malaysia, yet it recorded 14.7 million tourist arrivals in 2018 alone, remarkably high despite its size. And it’s easy to understand why – Melaka is competitive, progressive and at times aggressive in constantly making the state on top of travellers’ mind. It incessantly charms travellers, both domestic and international, with a myriad of offerings ranging from the UNESCO-certified World Heritage Site, well-preserved monuments, mouthwatering delicacies, and a melting pot of cultures that shape the vibrant state into what it is today.

So, in conjunction with Visit Melaka Year 2019, we present all ‘top must-visits’ in the list below for travellers to easily map out their next rendezvous at this historic city.

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Left to Right: Mock wedding demonstration at Kampung Chitty; Jonker Walk.

TO EXPLORE

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» Jonker Walk Start the discovery in Melaka by strolling down Jalan Hang Jebat, or more popularly known as Jonker Walk, a street in Melaka’s Chinatown. Situated in the heart of Melaka’s historical area, Jonker Walk is the best place to experience exquisite hawker food, old historical buildings, antiques and charmingly festive atmosphere. Pre-war shophouses that date back to the 17th century – once inhabited by wealthy Chinese Peranakan families – flank both sides of Jonker Walk. But unlike Petaling Street in Kuala Lumpur, the night market in Jonker Walk only opens during weekends (beginning from 6:00 p.m. until midnight), flooded by vintage items, local delicacies like the delicious Chicken Rice Ball and unique type of ice popsicle called ais krim goyang that costs only MYR1 each. » Harmony Street The street flanked between old shophouses near Jonker Walk has a few names like Jalan Tukang Besi, Jalan Tokong and Jalan Tukang Emas, but the more popular one is Jalan Harmoni (Harmony Street). Literally, the street is a testament to Melaka’s multicultural existence because there four places of worship located along that street: Kampung Kling Mosque, Sri Poyyatha Vinayagar Moorthi Temple, Cheng Hoon Teng Temple and Xiang Lin Si Temple. Truth to be told, all the places of worship, except the newer Xiang Lin Si Temple, has stood here not just for years, but centuries! » Encore Melaka (https://encore-melaka.com/) Located at Impression City, Encore Melaka is fast becoming a must-visit new attraction in Melaka. Boasting as many as 200 local performers, Encore Melaka showcases six centuries

of Melaka history through a 75-minute theatrical production using state-of-the-art equipment, including Southeast Asia’s first 360° rotating audience platform. The production consists of seven scenes that proudly portray the multicultural uniqueness and inclusiveness of Melaka. » Baba & Nyonya Heritage Museum (http://babanyonyamuseum.com/) The Chinese Peranakan community, referred to as Baba for the males and Nyonya for the females, are synonymous with the identity of Melaka since the 16th century, when Chinese traders intermarried, assimilated into local culture and started practicing unique customs. To learn more about this fascinating community, one may head to the Baba & Nyonya Heritage Museum on Tun Tan Cheng Lock Street.

This family-home-turned-museum features original artefacts and lavish furnishing, including a unique staircase made of solid chengal wood (Neobalanocarpus) with intricate goldleaf carvings underneath the staircase, said to be the first seen in South East Asia. There are eight scheduled English tours daily, but it is best to book your slot well in advance as they can get full pretty quickly. » Straits Chinese Jewellery Museum (http://www.straitschinesejewellerymuseum.com/) The Straits Chinese Jewellery Museum, believed to be the only jewellery museum of its kind in South East Asia, is owned by a Baba named Peter Soon Seng Mah who also owns the Peranakan Mansion inj Penang. Currently, there are 400 pieces of jewellery being exhibited to the public, worth millions of ringgit.

Image by Straits Chinese Jewellery Museum

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Clockwise from Top Left: Baba & Nyonya Heritage Museum; Temple Street Lim Trading; Hang Tuah Centre; Gee’s Original; Straits Chinese Jewellery Museum.

» Kampung Morten Kampung Morten is an enclave located right in the middle of town that still maintains a charmingly traditional Malay riverine village atmosphere despite being surrounded by modernity and concrete. Named after J.F. Morten, a British Land Commissioner, Kampung Morten was built in the early 1920s, and today comprises 85 homes, including 52 traditional Melaka dwellings. One of the attractions at Kampung Morten is Villa Sentosa, Kampung Morten’s oldest traditional Malay house that is open to the public as a private living museum with intriguing displays. The house itself is an architectural gem, with an open courtyard, 14 windows, and intricately carved air vents that keep the interior cool, even during a hot day.

on Kristang and displays historical artefacts.

» Kampung Chitty & Chitty Museum (+6 06 282 6526) The Chitty men came to Melaka in the 15th century from Tamil Nadu to trade spices and merchandises from India.

Some of them decided to stay in Melaka and married local women of various ethnicities like Malays and Javanese, giving birth to a new breed called Indian Peranakan or Chitty.

The inter-marriage between ethnicities and strong local assimilation is the reason why the Chitty developed a culture similar to the Malays. Interestingly, Chitty people speak in Malay language rather than Tamil and it is not uncommon to see Chitty women in kebayas and sarongs. However, these people are mainly Hindus. Today, there are only about 1,000 true Chitty people left in Malaysia. Those who are interested to know more about the Chitty community are advised to visit the Chitty Museum located on Jalan Gajah Berang. The museum exhibits every aspect of Chitty community from history, attire, culture, food to religious affairs. It opens every Wednesday to Sunday from 9:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. The admission fee is RM2 per adult and RM1 per child.

» Temple Street Lim Trading Mr. Lim Tian Seng is an award-winning beaded shoemaker.

With 30 years of experience, Mr. Lim’s skill is translated into exquisite creations that come in four designs: open toed, criss-cross, covered toe and modern single strap. He uses imported beads from Japan and Europe on his shoes, which he stresses that the beads are individually sewn on the base to make the shoes last longer. A piece of beaded shoe takes three days to three weeks to finish, depending on the complexity of the design. The prices of his beaded shoes start at MYR220 onwards. His store is located on Jalan Tokong.

» Portuguese Settlement The Portuguese were the first Europeans to arrive in South East Asia and conquered Melaka in 1511. Though they lost control of Melaka to the Dutch in 17th century, the community remains to this day. In 1930, 11 hectares of land in Pasir Ujong were given to the Portuguese community called Kristang with the purpose of building a settlement for scattered Portuguese descendants, thus creating a haven for their heritage and culture. The community of Kristang, up until today, still speak the language called Kristao and are devout Catholic followers.

Though it may look empty during the day, the Portuguese Settlement comes alive at night, especially during Christmas when the settlement is decorated with colourful lightings, big Christmas tree and ornaments. Festa San Pedro (Feast of Saint Peter, the fishermen’s patron saint) is also celebrated annually every 29 June, when visitors can listen to the community singing Kristang folk songs and watch dancers perform in colourful costumes. Visitors to the area can also come across several restaurants that offer delicious Portuguese delicacies, bars and small museum that provides information

» Gee’s Original (https://www.facebook.com/geesoriginalmelaka/) Finding this little shop could be quite challenging due to its hidden location and humble facade. But once discovered, one would be impressed by Gee’s hand-painted clogs featuring colourful Baba and Nyonya motifs and quirky face series. Gee has over 16 years of experience in the business, and all of his clogs come in limited editions, priced at MYR50 to MYR230 per pair. So next time when you are on Second Cross Street ( Jalan Hang Kasturi), be sure to stop by and help yourself to a pair. Just look for the hanging clogs on the outside door and you are bound to be in the right location.

» Hang Tuah Centre (+6 06 282 6526) Hang Tuah Centre consists of six components – the main pavilion and five smaller galleries, each exhibiting various kinds of historical information and displays. But to us, the main attraction here is the interactive silat lesson by two historical figures, Hang Tuah and Hang Jebat, presented creatively using an illusory technique called ‘Pepper’s Ghost’.

Some may argue that the story of Hang Tuah is merely a local myth, but Perbadanan Muzium Melaka (PERZIM), the organisation that administers the centre, conducted a thorough research on Hang Tuah to ensure that all information showcased in the centre are historically accurate.

Hang Tuah Centre opens every day from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. » Balai Adat Perkampungan Hang Tuah (+6 06 292 6340 / +6 06 286 0453) This site offers interesting activities to educate visitors about Malay culture; one of them is to attend a traditional Malay mock-wedding. Visitors are invited to participate not just as guests but also as the bride and groom, which means they get to dress up in stylish traditional Malay garments. The feast continues with makan beradat where the bride and groom, including the guests, are served with Malay dishes and cakes while being entertained by graceful dance performances such as zapin and dondang sayang. Visitors can also learn to play folk games such as chapteh, congkak, batu Seremban and lompat getah here.

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» Demang Abdul Ghani Gallery (http://www.perzim.gov.my/en/) This traditional house was built by Penghulu Abdul Majid, a highly respected and wealthy chief whose ancestors were from Palembang, Indonesia. Over the years, it has served many purposes including as an administrative centre of the village where many meetings were held to discuss community affairs.

The Melaka State Government, through Melaka Museums Corporation, had restored this colourful traditional house and converted into Demang Abdul Ghani Gallery to preserve the heritage of Old Melaka. » Melaka Craft Centre (+6 06 253 1500) Operating since 2013, the Melaka Craft Centre has been actively involved in promoting local crafts, conducting developmental research and carrying out conservation efforts, all for the sake of preserving Melaka’s art heritage. Visitors get to see extensive displays of traditional handicrafts such as batik and buy them if they are interested. For those who wish to have a more interactive experience, classes are also available upon request. The centre opens only on weekdays from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Admission is free.

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» The Shore Toy Museum (http://toymuseum.theshoremelaka.com/) Many visitors to the museum will experience a flood of old memories because this is where the 80s and 90s babies find their favourite childhood toys. The museum’s impressive collection features as many as 10,000 toys ranging from antiques, games, dolls, plush toys, miniature aircrafts, vintage cars, figurines to even TV show- and movie-inspired scale miniatures (Super Mario, SailorMoon, Doraemon and Slamdunk). Fans of Star Wars will also become excited to see the special zone inspired by this epic movie series, filled with life-sized Stormtroopers and Darth Vader. But if you are a Marvel geek like us, be prepared to be blown away by the sights of life-sized characters like Spider-Man, Captain America, Hulk, Thor and Iron Man – and even Iron Man’s Hall of Armours that make an excellent background for photo op! » Melaka River Cruise (http://melakarivercruise.my/) This is a brilliant way to get to know Melaka at a leisurely pace, preferably during sunset. Departing from Muara Jetty, next to Quayside Heritage Centre and close to the Maritime Museum, the cruise transports sightseers up and down past historic buildings, old warehouses, interesting mangrove stands, churches, traditional villages and hip cafes. Travellers can begin their Melaka River Cruise from two different jetties, The Muara Jetty and Taman Rempah Jetty. Tickets are priced at MYR25 per adult (MyKad holders) and MYR15 for children (MyKid holders).

Clockwise from Top Left: Malacca Butterfly & Reptile Sanctuary; The Mini Malaysia and Mini ASEAN Cultural Village; Melaka River Cruise; and The Shore Toy Museum.

» The Mini Malaysia and Mini ASEAN Cultural Village (+6 06 232 1331/+6 06 232 1351) Located in Ayer Keroh, the village was developed with the intention of cultivating interest and knowledge among visitors about the history, cultural heritage and architectural characteristics in every state of Malaysia. The traditional houses – each representing a state in Malaysia – comes complete with interior decor that represent the arts and crafts of that state. The village also organises various activities such as traditional games and cultural performances by its own resident performers. » Eco Bike Tour (http://www.melakaonbike.com/) After seeing Melaka’s historical sights, tasted local food and experienced the city, travellers can further enrich their experience by heading to Jalan Tiang Dua for ‘Melaka on Bike’, an eco-activity that allows travellers to explore Melaka’s countryside and rural parts. Travellers who intend to join this will choose their own mountain bike and will be lent a cycling helmet for safety purposes. They will then be taken on a three-hour bike ride, mainly off road. Along the trail, travellers will find traditional Malaysian houses, orchard filled with fruits, and wild flora and fauna, such as leaf snake. It is a great way to explore the other side of Melaka in a healthier way. » Melaka Bird Park (+6 06 234 9333) Melaka Bird Park is the first open aviary bird park in Melaka and the only bird park in the world to have the largest collection of Malaysian bird species. It is also home to species

from other regions such as South America, Asia, Australia and Africa. One interesting feature of Melaka Bird Park is the skywalk. At the height of 12 metres and length of 108 metres, visitors will get the chance to witness the birds as close as possible as the fly overhead. » Malacca Butterfly & Reptile Sanctuary (http://www.butterflyreptile.com/) The Malacca Butterfly and Reptile Sanctuary initially began as a haven for butterflies, but then extended to house various forms of reptiles. It is the home to over 20 species of butterfly such as the Black and White Helen, the Malayan Birdwing, and the protected species Rajah Brooke, all fluttering freely in the lushly landscaped butterfly conservatory. There are also other parts of the sanctuary that visitors can explore such as Crocodile Village, Snake Garden, Bird Aviary, Lizard Territory, Emu Ranch, Bugs Kingdom, Tarantula Cave, Larva Centre, Pupae House, Giant Snapping Turtle and Koi Garden. » Melaka Tropical Fruit Farm (http://www.melakatropical.com/) Officially launched in 2005, Melaka Tropical Fruit Farm aims to provide a hands-on educational experience on agriculture to its visitors, besides offering various recreational activities ranging from kayaking, cycling, fishing and a mini zoo tour.

However, the centre is not limited to daily outing but also suitable for team-building programmes and corporate events since it has facilities like chalets, hostels, multipurpose halls, a surau and a cafe. The peak time here is during fruit season ( July till August) when visitors get to savour fresh tropical fruits directly from the farm.

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TO EAT

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» Bistro Year 1673 (+6 06 288 1673) Formerly known as the ‘Atlas Ice Building’, Bistro 1673 is one of the oldest buildings in Melaka built during Dutch rule; in fact, it may be the first building built by brick in Melaka. It nestles strategically in the middle of the busy Jonker Street and features al fresco dining concept that serves a wide variety of fusion menu to the customers.

At night, from 8:00 p.m. onwards, there is also live music performance in Evergreen to Indie Pop genres to entertain diners. » Siew Tin’s Nyonya Kitchen (http://www.nyonyakitchen.my/) Fans of Peranakan cuisine should check out Siew Tin’s Nyonya Kitchen (7, Jalan Hang Lekir, 75200 Melaka) that serves classic halal Peranakan fare with homecooked taste. The restaurant’s flavourful fish with coconut milk and pineapple, ayam pongteh (bean paste chicken) and dry curry chicken come highly recommended. It opens from 11:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. on weekdays but closes an hour late during weekends. » Kocik Kitchen (https://www.facebook.com/ kocikkitchen/) +6016 929 6605 Another famous Peranakan restaurant is Kocik Kitchen. Menus like chicken pongteh, assam fish and otak-otak are especially good here while the desserts like Nyonya cendol and sago gula Melaka is also worth trying.

Image by The Daily Fix Cafe

» Ikan Bakar Parameswara (+6 06 261 6106) Located in Umbai, a district in Melaka, Ikan Bakar Parameswara is a famous restaurant that serves delicious seafood dishes for instance grilled fish, steamed fish, battered fried squid and more to accompany nasi lemak (rice steamed in coconut milk and served with spicy anchovies). Besides seafood, it also offers beautiful panoramic view of sunset.

Top from left: Asam pedas; sago gula Melaka; and Peranakan cuisine: chicken pongteh.

Middle from left: Daily Fix Cafe’s signature: local pandan pancake; durian cendol; Jonker 88 laksa; and Jonker 88 ais kacang.

Bottom from left: Peranakan Cuisine: Black Nut (buah keluak) Chicken; Siew Tin’s Nyonya Kitchen Halal Peranakan Cuisine offerings; and rojak sotong.

» Daily Fix Cafe (https://www.facebook.com/ thedailyfixcafe) For more comfort food, we suggest travellers swing by Daily Fix Cafe on Jalan Hang Jebat, which sells Pandan Gula Melaka pancake that is now popular among young locals. Filled with delicious gula Melaka (palm sugar), battered then deep-fried, the people at Daily Fix Cafe aim to make an unashamedly lavish old fashion pancake treat. The cafe is spacious and cosily decorated, and opens daily from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. » Jonker 88 (https://www.facebook.com/jonker88) Best for its cendol (iced sweet dessert filled with worm-like green rice flour jelly, coconut milk and palm sugar syrup), Baba Laksa and Nyonya Asam Laksa, Jonker 88 is strategically located on Jalan Hang Jebat, a few minutes away from Jonker Street. Thus, if travellers are thinking of where to find some good cendol to beat the heat, this place is among the highlyrecommended ones. » Durian Cendol at San Shu Gong (https://www.sanshugong.com.my/en/) +6 06 286 8262 San Shu Gong on Jonker Street offers a little more than what most cendol shops offer: durian cendol! The taste of this king of fruit racks up the flavour of the cendol a few notches, making it another ‘must-taste’ when in Melaka. There is also a shop on the first floor selling Baba Nyonya delicacies. » Warung Hijau Rojak Sotong (https://www.facebook.com/ WarongHijauRojakSotong) The name ‘Warung Hijau’ actually means ‘green stall’ since the place is painted in green, while ‘Rojak Sotong’ simply refers to what this humble stall is famous for, rojak, which is traditional fruits and vegetables dish served with huge squids. It is now largely popular thanks to social media but the taste remains good.

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TO STAY » Timez Modern Heritage Hotel Melaka (http://www.timezhotel.com/) Amongst the centuries-old buildings in Jonker Street, stands a more prominent edifice painted in white that houses a modern heritage hotel named Timez Melaka. Though the hotel sports a modern-looking exterior, it does feel as if time stood still when you step inside because it captures the spirit of the bygone eras. Each of its 15 rooms are exclusively designed according to one of the five cultures that define Melaka: Chinese, Peranakan, Portuguese, Dutch and British. » Casugria Boutique Residence Melaka (https://www.casugriamelaka.com/) Built in 1810 during the Dutch rule in Melaka, Casugria is a well-preserved heritage gem that has now been converted into a quaint and homely boutique residence. The name is derived from the Portuguese phrase ‘Casa Susegadu Alegria’, which means House of Contentment and Happiness. Staying true to its meaning, guests can expect authentic Malaccan hospitality from the host and his family members.

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» The Nest House (http://nesthouse.com.my/) With whitewashed walls and a beautiful jasmine tree in the small courtyard, this gorgeous 10-room hideout exudes an air of calm and tranquillity. A smattering of a few carefully chosen ornaments and unique pieces of furniture from Harry Rogers Living and Cut Deco also suggest that everything had been carefully curated and sourced. We especially love the building-high ventilation block feature walls that let breeze flow freely into the property; the wall also works as aweinspiring Instagram-worthy background, too! » Liu Men Melaka (https://www.preferencehotels.com/en-us/Liu-Men) Liu Men Melaka is a perfect harmony of East and West, a celebration of 1930s colonial Art Deco influences accentuated by distinctive Eastern twist identified in the Chinese Peranakan culture. It features 30 charming rooms within a renovated pre-war shophouse and has two food and beverage outlets on site that serve classic fusion menus. » Quayside Hotel (https://www.quaysidehotel.com.my/) What once was a normal 100-year-old custom warehouse by the Melaka River, the building now is fully renovated, refurbished and upgraded elegantly into a three-star boutique hotel with 39 rooms. Located in the heart of the tourist hub, travellers who choose to stay at the Quayside Hotel are within walking distance to everything, such as Jonker Street, Stadthuys Museum and more. The hotel boasts an industrial theme with eight categories of comfortable rooms; choose a room that comes with a balcony to admire the beautiful river view at night.

» Casa del Rio (https://casadelrio-melaka.com/) Literally means “Home by the River”, the grand yet intimate and homely 66-room Mediterranean-inspired Casa del Rio located close to UNESCO World Heritage Site alludes to the destination’s coloured history of being colonised by European powers like the Portuguese, Dutch and then the British, while at the same time maintaining its distinct identity by taking in various Asian influences like the Malay, Chinese, Indian and Arabic due to Melaka’s position as an ancient trading post.

This deluxe bolthole is characterised by solid wood furnishing, wrought iron, and earthen ochre-terracotta-yellow-magenta colour scheme covering the stucco-finished walls, made soft by dashes of vibrant colours from the ubiquitous tiles, upholstery and bursts of bougainvillea on the property’s patios. » DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Melaka (https://doubletree3.hilton.com/en/index.html) DoubleTree by Hilton Melaka is located in Hatten City, only minutes away from Melaka’s major tourism attractions. It is directly linked to the latest skyscraper in town, Elements Mall, which makes a convenient choice when it comes to shopping, dining or even watching movies! There are 273 spacious guestrooms with breathtaking views; guests can choose to have the view of either the Straits of Malacca or the city. For guests with children, there is also a children’s club on site. » Philea Resort & Spa, Ayer Keroh, Melaka (https://www.phileahotel.com.my/melaka/index/index.aspx) The winner of the ‘Excellent Award for Landscape Design and Planning’ by Institute of Landscape Architects Malaysia (ILAM), one can expect stunning ambience. The resort utilises recycled materials to build the structures and furniture made from pine logs. The resort’s layout is specifically designed to resemble a village with beautiful panoramic views, including man-made waterfall to elevate the surroundings’ ambience, making it ideal as a hideaway destination. More than 3,000 trees are also planted within the resort for conservation. The resort offers three types of rooms to suit different tastes: Pavilion Room, Philea Suite and Royal Villa. » The Settlement Hotel (https://thesettlementhotel.com/) Located adjacent to the Portuguese Settlement on Jalan Ujong Pasir, The Settlement Hotel is surely built to impress.

With its 45 tastefully decorated rooms and four separate traditional-style villas, the boutique hotel aims to give its visitors a good introduction to Melaka’s history and culture throughout their stay. The hotel is recommended for travellers who seek a quiet luxurious getaway without the need to travel far.

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 Hatten Hotel (https://www.hattenhotel.com/) Located in the heart of Melaka city, Hatten Hotel offers 704 modern deluxe suites for travellers who long for modern and comfortable accommodation. It is also a convenient base for travellers to explore Melaka since the hotel is strategically located next to Dataran Pahlawan and close to many places of interest. Hatten Hotel also has interesting dining venues such as Chatterz and Alto Sky Lounge, each with its own uniqueness and specialties to suit travellers’ palates.

Clockwise From left: Philea Resort & Spa; Timez Modern Heritage Hotel Melaka; Kampung Morten; The Nest House Melaka and Liu Men Melaka .

Âť Homestay Kampung Morten (+6 012 229 0848) For budget conscious travellers, homestays are slightly cheaper but nonetheless an interesting option. They also offer a better opportunity to immerse in local culture. The rates are between MYR79 and MYR99 per person per night but exclude breakfast.

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Destinations

Dogheh Kito TeghojahNismilan!

Te x t b y H A I FA H A S I M & FA R I DA H DA H A L A N Images by KAMIL AZIM

Negeri Sembilan, the land of rich culture and unique traditions united by nine charming districts is no stranger to many Malaysians. To promote the charms of this beautiful state to the public, Negeri Sembilan Tourism Board, also known as Lembaga Pelancongan Negeri Sembilan (LPNS), collaborated with Gaya Travel Magazine in organising a media familiarisation trip participated by selected media representatives, bloggers and social media influencers.

A whirlwind of fun and enchanting jaunt to Seremban, Kuala Pilah and Port Dickson, participants were introduced to many Negeri Sembilan gems such as authentic Negori dishes, thrilling activities and riveting cultural performances.

On top of that, the royal town of Seri Menanti, which is located 70 kilometres away from Kuala Lumpur, boasts captivating touristic spots and scrumptious culinary experience perfect for city dwellers who long for a short staycation filled with local flair!

We had so much fun that we would definitely sign up on the trip to Negeri Sembilan again! Here is the story of the dazzling and colourful Negeri Sembilan we experienced during the four-day and three-night trip.

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VISIT Tuanku Ja’afar Royal Gallery (www.facebook.com/gdtjns) Built to commemorate the legacy of His Royal Highness Almarhum Tuanku Ja’afar ibni Almarhum Tuanku Abdul Rahman, the gallery exhibits the life of the monarch from his younger days in school to the time of his rule.

Upon entering the gallery, be in awe of the massive painting of Istano Basa Pagaruyung, the defining point in the early makings of Negeri Sembilan. The gallery spans three floors for visitors to admire the esteemed monarch’s strong leadership and his personal collection of trophies that showcased his talent in sports such as golf and cricket. Do you know that Tuanku Ja’afar is also a talented artist? He often made time to paint during the Holy Month of Ramadan and you will get to see a few of his beautiful paintings at the gallery!

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Top: A beautiful portrait of His Royal Highness Almarhum Tuanku Ja’afar with his cricket bat Bottom:Try to touch the sky with the extreme swing at Kg JKIN Extreme Park

Operation Hours: Tuesday – Sunday | 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 pm.

Entrance Fee | MYR10 (50% discount for students, senior citizens & disabled) T: +6 06 761 9102 Kg JKIN Extreme Park (www.facebook.com/atvkgjkin) For extreme sports buffs out there, you might fancy Kg JKIN Extreme Park with all of the dirty gritty outdoor sports it offers! Surrounded by lush tall trees and sounds of nature, you can ride through the mud on ATVs, speed through the trees on flying fox and touch the sky with the extreme swing! If you prefer to tone down the adrenaline rush, go for a guided hike up Bukit Putus or do rubber tapping.

Besides its variety of thrilling activities, this place also offers the chance to be closer to nature by opting to stay in its tree house or go camping at the designated campsites. So pack your best sports attire and immerse yourself in nature at Kg JKIN Extreme Park in Seremban.

Operation Hours: Daily | 8:30 a.m. – 5:20 p.m.

T: +6 011 2089 3883 ( Julie)

NS Dairy Farm (www.facebook.com/NS-Dairy-Farm-425561510943091) With a massive 120 acres of land, Juasseh Agro Park at NS Dairy Farm is offering so much more than just dairy products.

Managed by Dato’ Mohd Nor Abdul Wahid and Datin Khaidar Khairuddin who are fondly known as Pak Lang and Mak Lang respectively, you can tour around the farm to get an educational insight about how milk is produced, from the type of cow breed to the diet so that they can produce the highest quality of fresh milk. The best part of it all, you get to drink fresh milk that comes in six delicious flavours: original, chocolate, strawberry, corn, yam and date. Other than that, the farm also offers a farm stay (with air-conditioning in all rooms) for team building or events. You can also try sports activities such as monkey walk, hiking and flying fox!

Operation Hours: Daily | 9:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.

T: +6 019 321 7652 (Datin Khaidar) Teluk Kemang Observatory (https://bctkpd.com/) The universe has always been a captivating topic for me because of its infinite possibilities and getting a peek of this infinite space literally send me over the moon! At this observatory, realise your childhood dreams of looking directly at the sun and watching the moon and stars with the assistance of telescopes. A suitable place to learn about our universe with educational guides, this beautiful observatory overlooking the sea also house the largest telescope (24 inches) in Malaysia. In line with the observatory’s tagline “365 days for Astronomy”, you can come to admire the beauty of the universe every single day!

Operation Hours: Daily (including Public Holidays) | 3:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. & 10:30 p.m. – 12:00 midnight T: +6 06 648 7888 Pd Ostrich & Pets Show Farm (www.facebook.com/pdostrichshowfarm) Do you know ostriches can run up to 70 kilometres per hour, making them the second fastest animal on earth? And the best part about PD Ostrich Farm is you can try outrunning these flightless birds by racing with them! Win or lose, you’ll get a certificate of participation. But if you’re not up for that challenge, snap photos with the ostriches or tour around the farm to explore the other interesting attractions: Cat Park, Herbal Oasis, Dinosaurs in the Jungle, Extreme Jungle Park, Seashell Museum, and PD Dream World Upside Down & 3D art gallery!

Operation hours: Daily | 9:30 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.

Entrance Fee | MYR15 (Adult) MYR10 (Child) T: +6 06 662 7496

Alive 3D Art Gallery (www.facebook.com/alive3dartgallery) Infuse a little fun into your photos at this quirky threedimensional (3D) art gallery! With interesting installations and eye-catching paintings, this gallery is far from your textbook definition of an art gallery. Designed to trick the eyes, you are encouraged to pose a certain way to become one with the whimsical paintings! However, if you are in the dark about how to fit yourself into the installations, there are photo guides to assist you. Also, the gallery pinpoints the exact angle from where the photo needs to be taken to get the perfect ‘real-life’ shot. An engaging and interactive gallery, you are sure to come out with your smartphone memory full of peculiarly delightful photos!

Operation Hours: Daily | 11:00 a.m. – 10:00 p.m.

Entrance Fee | MYR25 (Adult) MYR20 (children, senior citizens, disabled) T: +6 06 651 5400 Colours Of Malaysia, JKKN Negeri Sembilan (www.facebook.com/JKKN-NegeriSembilan-114549831910802) Aiming to preserve the diverse cultures in Malaysia through arts, Jabatan Kebudayaan dan Kesenian Negara Negeri Sembilan presents a stupendous set of performances that reflect the absolute beauty of multicultural Malaysia with an enchanting hour-long medley of Malay, Chinese, Indian and Borneo traditional dances. Witness the charms of Malaysia’s diversity with the beautiful musical sounds of Cak Lempong, the Malay Bongai Hitam Manih dance, the Chinese Yun Nan Hua Deng fan dance, the Indian Koyil Kolattam dance and more. By the end of the show, you will definitely appreciate the wonders of Malaysia as a multicultural potpourri!

Operation Hours: Tuesday & Saturday | 11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

T: +6 013 628 9700 (Salbiah) X-Park Sendayan (www.xparkmalaysia.com) Ever dream of becoming a race car driver? Well, you can almost fulfil that dream at X-Park Sendayan with its sixlap go-kart race with friends! With an array of fun-packed activities, you can easily spend the whole day here by testing your focus on archery, feeling your adrenaline rush when playing motocross and paintball, or even conquer your fear of heights via wall climbing and flying fox. Our experience here was nothing short of amazing that we even lost track of time.

T: +6 017 447 3913

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EAT

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Makan Berselo at Muzium Negeri Sembilan (www.lmns.ns.gov.my/en) Malaysia is blessed to have various races, tribes, religions and cultural background, all reflected through the differing dining etiquettes. To learn about how the Malays traditionally dine, travellers should try Makan Berselo at Muzium Negeri Sembilan. It is common for Malays to sit cross-legged on mats laid down on the floor during a feast. Dishes of food – typically rice accompanied by three or four side dishes – are presented at the same time on a square piece of cloth. The dishes are normally spicy such as gulai lado api ayam (chicken cooked in spicy yellow curry), sambal gesek (spicy condiments) and sambal ikan sembilang (spicy catfish). Before eating, travellers would first wash their hands using ketor (a jug filled with water and big bowl).

Our foreign travel companions found the traditional experience memorably unique. Makan Berselo has four packages ranging between MYR12 and MYR25 per person. Those who like spicy food and wish to experience traditional Malay dining should this experience this!

T : +6 06 763 1149 Benteng Walk Seremban (www.facebook.com/Benteng-WalkSeremban-2129985643950455) Malaysians love their night market. It is the place to source for a wide range of snacks, beverages, toys and apparels.

Benteng Walk is a typical Malaysian night market on a long stretch of Jalan Dato Abdul Rahman in Seremban.

Locals who are tired of cooking usually get their meals here. As soon as travellers step onto this street, the aroma of street food fills their nostrils. Feast your taste buds with Benteng Coconut Rice (Nasi Lemak Benteng), fried eel (Belut Goreng) and tauhu bergedil (deep fried potato patty), all at affordable prices. Travellers can munch on hot snacks on the spot since the night market have seating areas in front of Bazaar MAINS. Stuff your cheeks while relishing in street

performances by talented locals.

T : +6 017 652 2494 ADWA Char Kuey Teow (www.facebook.com/seleghonegori) Kuey Teow is undoubtedly one of Malaysia’s most favourite street food.

Some people prefer their Kuey Teow dry, some like them generously covered in gravy. Thank God, most of our travel companions love the latter, which made our next eating adventure even more pleasurable. Adwa Char Kuey Teow has charms of its own – their version of Char Kuey Teow is darker and wetter with burnt taste and couples of prawns plus a giant squid on top. Every bite of the smooth Kuey Teow has just the right taste with fresh seafood to give it more flavour. Adwa Char Kuey Teow distinguishes themselves by incorporating two types of soya sauce that make their gravy extra special.

Oh, even writing about this made me salivate!

T : +6 017 344 3913

The Street Crab & Lala Restaurant This Chinese seafood restaurant is the place to have fresh seafood in Seremban.

Diners can choose a wide range of selection of seafood cooked in different styles. We savoured stir-fried garlic clam with curry leaf, sweet and sour crab and black pepper with fresh milk cheesy crab.

Most mums would say that cooking crabs are a challenge because it is no fun to wrestle with live crabs but the chefs here made it look effortless. The crab meat is sweet since only fresh crabs are used. The restaurant certainly lives up to expectations since we cleaned our plates.

Another trademark of Chinese delicacy here is the Cantonese style noodles (noodles covered with egg-based slimy sauce). This restaurant is highly rated in Seremban and always busy so make sure you make a reservation before arriving!

Operation Hours Daily | 12:00 p.m. – 12:00 midnight T : +6 012 236 3213

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Clockwise from Top Left: Experience feeding ostriches at PD Ostrich & Pets Show Farm; An array of delicious fresh milk that comes in six flavours at NS Dairy Farm; Capture quirky and fun photos at 3D Art Gallery; Savour an appetizing Sweet & Sour Crab at The Street Crab & Lala Restaurant.

STAY Klana Resort Seremban (www.klana-resort.com.my) Situated within the capital of Negeri Sembilan, Klana Resort Seremban is great for a family staycation. The gorgeous resort combines local lifestyle with tranquillity surrounded by trees and a large lagoon-style pool. Klana Resort Seremban is ideal for adventurous teambuilding programme, corporate events or even family day. The resort has spacious rooms and a great view of lush tropical greenery. We gasped when we looked at the view from our Premium Room in Main Tower: the scenery of trees and the lights reflected from the lagoon are simply mesmerising! Klana Resort Seremban provides all sorts of games for all to enjoy, including darts, carrom, snooker and congkak (a count-andcapture board game of Malay origin).

T : +6 06 766 7888 Tasik Villa International Resort (www.tasikvilla.com.my) This intimate 5 star resort is iconic to Port Dickson, being only a short drive

away from Kuala Lumpur and featuring personal swimming pool within its charming water chalets and villas. All of its 220 guestrooms possess luxurious and stylish character, making it one of the most picturesque resorts in Port Dickson. What makes the resort more special is that guests can take a dip in their private jacuzzi on the balcony inside the Deluxe with Jacuzzi rooms while enjoying the scenery. Nights at Tasik Villa International Resort is also never dull. We advise that guests relax at the balcony of their rooms and enjoy the musical fountain show at 9:00 p.m. daily. Every staff is attentive, helpful and polite. At the lobby, the concierge and tour desk are ready to assist you, and you can always hitch a ride on the everreliable buggy whenever you don’t feel like walking. You can also treat yourself to a great massage at Thai Odyssey Massage. Not too far away from the resort are Alive 3D Art Gallery, Teluk Kemang Observatory and PD Ostrich & Pets Farm to name a few places of interest that travellers can visit.

T : +6 06 644 8888

Homestay D’Pelanduk Best (www.facebook.com/ homestaytelokpelandok) For those who love kampung stay should give Homestay D’Pelanduk Best a shot!

This well maintained traditional wooden kampung homestay overlooking the sea is both peaceful and pleasant. Relax and take a break from typical hotels or resorts and appreciate the traditional activities that Pak Mistam, the owner of the homestay, has lined up for you.

For craft lovers, take part in the basket weaving activity, a handy hobby that can brighten up your home. Another ancient art to try out is mencanting batik on a white cloth using canting (pen-like copper tool filled with hot wax) whereby the wax will be trickling from the tiny spout at the end of it to trace the batik patterns. Your hand needs to be steady as you do swirling motions.

T : +6 013 6206 708 (Mistam)

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Follow these 3 simple steps to Win an Exclusive 3 Days/2 Nights Vacation!

1. Answer all questions correctly.

2. Don’t forget to complete your personal details such as name, passport/identification number, address and phone number.

3. Send it to contest@gayatravel.com.my

Sofitel Kuala Lumpur Damansara

www.sofitel-kualalumpur-damansara.com 1. How many deluxe meeting rooms are there at Sofitel Kuala Lumpur Damansara?

2. What is the signature dish served at the hotel’s Wan Chun Ting restaurant?

3. Name three award-winning treatments that are available at the hotel’s spa.

4. I love to stay at Sofitel Kuala Lumpur Damansara because...

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Le Meridien Putrajaya

www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/kuldm-le-meridienputrajaya 1. What is the name of the mall that is connected to Le Meridien Putrajaya?

2. What are the room categories available at Le Meridien Putrajaya?

3. Name two facilities that are available at Le Meridien Putrajaya.

4. I love to stay at Le Meridien Putrajaya because...

TERMS & CONDITIONS | The reader can only e-mail the answers regarding the hotel of choice in the quiz within the particular issue only once.

Competition is open to all readers who are 18 years old and above. The prize is not transferable and can not be exchanged with cash. Judges’ decision is final.

The best entrant with the best answer will be deemed winner. Closing date of the competition is 31st July 2019.

Lexis ® Hibiscus Port Dickson www.lexishibiscuspd.com 1.

2.

3.

4.

Name three fun indoor activities that guests can enjoy at Lexis® Hibiscus Port Dickson?

What is the name of the Chinese restaurant at Lexis® Hibiscus Port Dickson?

How many overwater villas are there at Lexis® Hibiscus Port Dickson?

I love to stay at Lexis® Hibiscus Port Dickson because...

Mövenpick Resort & Spa Jimbaran Bali

www.movenpick.com/en/asia/indonesia/bali/jimbaran-bali 1.

2.

3.

4.

What is the name of the spa at Mövenpick Resort & Spa Jimbaran Bali?

What is the name of the resort’s restaurant that is inspired from the famous park in New York City?

Name five benefits that guests will get by participating in Movenpick Family programmes.

I love to stay at Mövenpick Resort & Spa Jimbaran Bali because…

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Shangri-La Hotel, Kuala Lumpur

www.shangri-la.com/kualalumpur/shangrila 1.

2.

3.

4.

New World Petaling Jaya Hotel

petalingjaya.newworldhotels.com/en 1.

2.

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4.

What are the three exclusive benefits that guests will receive by booking directly on the hotel’s website?

What is the name of the hotel’s restaurant that take inspiration from the fun and flavour of Malaysia’s lively street food markets?

What are the three places of interest that are close to New World Petaling Jaya Hotel?

I love to stay at New World Petaling Jaya Hotel because…

How many luxurious rooms and suites are there at Shangri-La Hotel, Kuala Lumpur?

What are the four special dishes created by Chef Takeshita at the hotel’s Zipangu Restaurant?

What is the name of the hotel’s French restaurant that offers gastronomic French dining with a twist?

I love to stay at Shangri-La Hotel, Kuala Lumpur because…

Hotels & Resorts

Sunway Putra Hotel: Unmatched Convenience Te x t b y J U H A N K A M A R U D D I N I m a g e s b y S U N WA Y P U T R A H O T E L

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Being merely 45 minutes’ drive away from Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA), Sunway Putra Hotel is a 35-storey, 650-room, family-friendly, value-for-money five-star hotel that forms part of the Sunway Putra integrated mixed-use development that seamlessly combines the hotel with the award-winning eight-storey Sunway Putra Mall and an office tower.

Putra World Trade Centre (PWTC) – one of the most established convention and exhibition venues in Kuala Lumpur – is linked to the hotel via a pedestrian linkbridge. The city’s major transport nodes are within easy reach from the hotel, making it an ideal base for business and leisure travellers. On top of that, the hotel’s free scheduled shuttle service connects guests to various landmarks and attractions around Kuala Lumpur like Petronas Twin Towers, Kuala Lumpur Tower, Bukit Bintang, and Aquaria KLCC. With its enviable location and remarkable access, ‘ultimate convenience’ should be the hotel’s other name.

After the completion of a MYR123 million refurbishment programme back in 2016, Sunway Putra Hotel proudly showcases its new look and welcomes guests to a refreshed experience. On arrival, guests are ushered to the 9th floor where the hotel’s sprawling main lobby is situated, featuring a dramatic atrium dome with natural light flooding in through the prism-like skylight, creating memorable atmosphere for a private and elevated checkin and arrival experience. Once checked in, guests can easily log on to the hotel’s fast Wi-Fi connectivity.

Functional rooms Sunway Putra Hotel features nine room types (Superior, Deluxe, Family, Club, Family Studio, Junior Suites and Club Suites, 2 Bedroom Suites and Premier Suite) that are all fitted with conveniences such as complimentary Wi-Fi, LED Smart TV, electronic safe, and mini fridge, including coffee- and tea-making facilities for an efficient stay in Kuala Lumpur.

The rooms at Sunway Putra Hotel are generally bright and uncluttered through the use of light-weight furniture, rendering them airy and welcoming. They come with clean lines and characterised by soothing colours and hues that are easy on the eyes to promote relaxation.

The material used for the room’s fixtures, cladding and flooring are practical and durable, meant for easy and long-term maintenance, something that many Malaysian developers should emulate and apply onto their residential developments, irrespective of cost, because those materials help to enhance the quality of living.

One of our team members stayed in a Deluxe Room, which is smartly upholstered in white and blue colour scheme. The room generously provides five plug points, with one of them being multi-standard for foreign travellers’ convenience. Another team member stayed in room number 2510 on 25th floor, which is interestingly spacious and embellished in white, beige, and reenergising light orange. It also comes with a balcony that overlooks the city’s breathtaking skyline.

Though it is indeed worthwhile to simply stay at any of Sunway Putra Hotel’s rooms because of the comfort and convenience they provide, we recommend that guests choose to stay on Club Floor to enjoy extensive benefits that include personalised check-in and check-out, late check-out until 4.00pm (subject to availability) and complimentary local calls.

Another advantage of putting up at Sunway Putra Hotel’s Club Floor is the entry to the purposefully-designed 272-square metre Club Lounge on level 34, which comprises fully-equipped lounge, dining and boardroom spaces for added comfort and privacy since Club Floor guests can come to the lounge in the mornings to have their breakfast in exclusivity, enjoy free-flowing nonalcoholic beverages throughout the day, and on-the-house cocktails in the evenings. Club Lounge is also the best place for guests to catch the glimpse of the city’s major icons such as Petronas Twin Towers (KLCC), Kuala Lumpur Tower and the exclusively leafy neighbourhood of Bukit Tunku.

Coffee House is also well known for its legendary Fish Head Curry dish served with two plates of steamed white rice and vegetables that diners can order any day of the week between 11:00 a.m. until around 9:30 p.m. Diners could also choose any of the outlet’s a la carte options such as Classic Soft Crab Salad, Creamy Seafood Tomato Spaghetti, Classic Pan Seared Salmon, Fish Lemon Butter Sauce, Lamb Keema with Naan Bread, Moroccan Lamb Wrap, Confit Chicken Breast & Avocado Sandwich and Scallop Fried Rice. On weekends, this outlet showcases delectable high tea buffet from 12:00 p.m. until 4:00 p.m. Coffee House has Kid’s Menu too, including a children’s corner so that parents can comfortably dine while monitoring their children playing in a safe environment.

Adjacent to the Coffee House is The Atrium Lounge, which presents its signature English or Malay afternoon tea sets every day from 2:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m., including a wide selection of coffee, cakes and pastries.

On the same note, Japanese cuisine lovers should head to the restaurant called Gen on Level 10 for authentic Japanese menu that ranges from teppanyaki to buffet offerings that are apparently popular for lunch and dinner. Diners should try one of the restaurant’s signatures, which is the satiating grilled saba (mackerel). Many of Gen’s expansive windows run along the curved main dining area, rewarding diners with sweeping and captivating views of Kuala Lumpur’s iconic skyline that is increasingly recognised globally. Do take note that Gen closes every Monday.

Reliable facilities Leisure facilities in Sunway Putra Hotel includes a 24-hour fitness centre, an outdoor swimming pool with an attached children’s pool and a hot tub overlooking the city. The hotel also offers free scheduled shuttle service to KLCC and Bukit Bintang area specifically for guests.

Extensive food and beverage selection We are surprised to find that the food and beverages served at Sunway Putra Hotel are notably appetising yet underrated. The hotel’s all-day dining outlet located on 9th floor – modestly called ‘Coffee House’ – serves local and international fare through its buffets and a la carte menus.

During breakfast, Coffee House lays out an extensive spread that include Chinese, Malay, vegetarian and Western fare, besides usual staples like bread, cereal and fruits. We love the outlet’s flavourful and lip-smacking Malaysian fried noodles served during breakfast, which guests should not miss.

For meetings, incentives, conventions and exhibitions (MICE), Sunway Putra Hotel offers 15 spacious function rooms, including the meeting venue located on 35th floor of the hotel called Meet-On-35, supported by highly competent staff. The hotel also possesses a flexible Grand Ballroom that can be divided into separate sections using mobile wall system and accommodate up to 1,200 persons in a theatre-style setting, or 800 persons in a banquet-style seating, ideal for prestigious events and banquets. With such facilities, Sunway Putra Hotel garnered the ASEAN MICE Venue Standard Award conferred by ASEAN Tourism Forum in January 2018.

For room reservations and enquiries, please call +6 03 4040 9988 or email to spkl.reservations@sunwayhotels. com or book directly at https://putra.sunwayhotels.com.

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Hotels & Resorts

Alila Bangsar #DaretobeDifferent Te x t b y J U H A N K A M A R U D D I N Images by ALILA HOTELS AND RESORTS

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Alila Bangsar, being Alila Hotels and Resorts’ first entry into Malaysia, has been much anticipated by discerning travellers and proponents of tasteful luxury in the country. This hotel – which has just been opened under a year – is a contemporary urban retreat, a combination of worldclass sumptuous functionality that meets assiduous Eastern flair, accents, and sensibilities. Alila, which means “Surprise” in Sanskrit, suitably describes the refreshing character of its properties and guests’ reaction as they step into them.

Strategically accessible The choice for the hotel’s location is intentional because it is in line with Alila Hotels and Resorts’ own strategy to be ‘surprisingly different’. Occupying the top floors of a mixed-use development known as The Establishment and elevated above one of the most vibrant and cosmopolitan districts in Kuala Lumpur (KL), Alila Bangsar celebrates Alila Hotel and Resorts’ signature charms and well on its way to become a destination in its own right. Since the brand represents innovative design and hospitality set in unique locales, it is only natural for the hotel to open the hotel in Bangsar, a vivacious and colourful area full of character and remarkably accessible via public and private transport. As a matter of fact, guests who stay at Alila Bangsar can conveniently walk up to the RapidKL light rail transit (LRT) station connected to the hotel via a link bridge to reach the city’s transport hub, KL Sentral, or KL’s other popular landmarks, attractions and neighbourhoods.

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A unique bolthole The property seems to have been designed for the purpose of sheltering and protecting guests from the cacophony and humdrum of urbanity.

Neutral, muted, earthen and soothing tones are employed throughout the hotel to evoke tranquillity and encourage guests to return to their centre. The entire hotel is imbued with South East Asian archipelagic exoticism expressed in an understated manner as a tribute to Alila’s roots and brand essence. There are many nooks that invite guests to contemplate and meditate, which guests may find therapeutic and even monastic. Those who feel their senses are constantly being assaulted will find Alila Bangsar’s interiors palliative. On top of attracting those who are desperately in need of respite from the daily grind, the hotel is a haven for lovers of minimalism, wabi-sabi and Zen-inspired aesthetics through its clean lines, spaciousness and utilisation of materials that age well.

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To check in, guests need to take the fast and impressively smooth elevators that whisk them from the ground floor up to the lobby on level 41, which also happens to be where the inspiring restaurant Entier and alluring 20th century cocktail lounge and bar Pacific Standard are situated. Guests will also be able to locate the hotel’s incredibly inviting swimming pool with natural light where they can unwind amidst tropical-style landscaping, luxurious loungers with city views and smart gym overlooking the city skyline from level 40. The hotel’s public areas are designed with triple-height ceiling that let in more natural light to brighten up the interiors and uplift guests’ mood.

After checking in, as guests step out of the elevator on their respective floors to head to their rooms, they will be greeted by a cosy space aptly called ‘Alila Living Room’ where they can frolic and treat it like, well, their own living room complete with local

titbits and free-flowing refreshments like coffee, juices and drinking water throughout the day, all prepared by dedicated butlers. It also means that gregarious guests could use the space to socialise and make new friends, deemed as an added value by today’s travellers, particularly among millennials.

Meticulously designed by internationally renowned duo Lyndon Neri & Rossana Hu, the hotel’s 143 guestrooms balance privacy and streams of natural light with rooftop views of the surrounding neighbourhood.

The rooms come with double-height ceiling and extra large king-sized beds for more restful slumber. The wooden accessories inside the room such as waste bins, trays, tissue box, vanity stool, and bedside box elicit a particularly intimate and unique sense of place, reminding guests that they are currently staying at a reputable property within South East Asia. At the same time, the bathroom sports granite flooring while its walls are cladded with clinical white tiles as an assurance of the hotel’s uncompromising level of hygiene.

When it comes to dining, guests should head to the avant-garde French restaurant Entier (http://www. entierfrenchdining.com/) for simple yet fulfilling breakfast spread and casual yet polished dining for the rest of the day.

Helmed by Chef Masashi Hirouchi who was the Chef at the two Michelinstarred L’Atelier de Joël Robuchon in London for five years, the dishes served during lunch and dinner innovatively infuses internationally-inspired menu and techniques with fresh, local and organically grown ingredients. Among the signature dishes that guests are recommended to try are the flavourful Sawara Fish (pan-seared mackerel fillet plated with sauce and puree with subtle yet invigorating hint of stink bean) and the gratifying whole Maine lobster.

Another restaurant worth trying out is Botanica + Co (https://www.botanica. com.my/restaurant/), which serves up

wholesome international and Asian fare in generous portions.

Sustainability is key Alila Bangsar is big on sustainability, which is one of the pillars of Alila Hotels and Resorts, hence the hotel strikes a chord with travellers who are environmentally-savvy. For instance, you will find the bathing amenities like shampoo, conditioner and bath gel all contained in refillable containers with pump dispensers to eliminate the usage of single use plastic bottles that need to be discarded once their contents are finished, as normally practiced by many accommodation providers. The customary drinking water that hotels normally provide in the rooms for guests are filled in bottles made from glass instead of plastic to conscientiously reduce waste.

On the same note, the hotel also implements IPTV technology, whereby guests can obtain information regarding the destination and facilities, as well as ordering room service, simply from their in-room television sets to limit the use of paper. A Press Reader app will be made available soon too so that guests can read magazines and newspapers directly from a mobile phone or tablet, including e-check-in via iPad and paperless invoicing.

Conclusion Alila Bangsar is a boutique property that could even be classified as a unique urban sanctuary that sets its own terms. As one of the few bastions of refined, uncluttered chic ever to be found in Kuala Lumpur that dares to be different, sophisticated travellers at home and abroad are bound to be surprised and smitten by the hotel’s quiet elegance, discreet finesse and unpretentiousness with sustainability at its core.

For more information, please visit https:// www.alilahotels.com/bangsar and https:// www.alilahotels.com/.

Hotels & Resorts

Shangri-La Hotel, Kuala Lumpur Deluxe Staycation Personified Te x t b y J U H A N K A M A R U D D I N Images by SHANGRI-LA HOTEL, KUALA LUMPUR

Grand, opulent and glamorous, the multiple award-winning Shangri-La Hotel, Kuala Lumpur is undeniably an institution that transcends time. Just because the hotel has been opened since 20 April 1985 doesn’t mean it has lost its shine and become irrelevant; on the contrary, this 662-room hotel has been evolving with the times and continues to remain as one of the preferred hotels in the city.

Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts, particularly Shangri-La Hotel, Kuala Lumpur, benefits from its excellent track record in providing upscale hospitality to international travellers and understanding their needs and wants, especially among the more matured, established and discerning set. Despite fierce competition from other hotels, the Shangri-La brand continues to hold a leading position as the provider of exquisite and rare accommodations

found throughout Asia and worldwide.

Due to its stature, the hotel is still the choice among the great, the good, the aspiring, the successful and the well-heeled. Shangri-La Hotel, Kuala Lumpur is sought by those who are familiar with its long-standing service culture and top-notch offerings that easily rival any other world-class property. Though the hotel has long remained as one of the leading hotels for business and corporate travellers whenever they are in the city, including fastidious gourmands, it does not intend to rest on its laurels. As a matter of fact, in the long term, Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts as a group intends to further grow its leisure segment, especially when it comes to familyfriendly staycations, following the successful business model implemented in Shangri-La Hotel, Singapore.

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adjustable volume, just in case guests do not want to miss anything that is currently being aired. On top of that, each Horizon Club (Executive Premier) room and suite comes with a Nespresso machine, which should delight coffeeholics.

Horizon Club Lounge, an example of true Malaysian hospitality If travellers wish to savour amped-up Malaysian hospitality, they should stay at the Horizon Club rooms located on levels 20 to 23 so that they can access the hotel’s Horizon Club Lounge on level 1. This impressive non-smoking space – opens daily from 6:00 a.m. until 11:00 p.m. – is one of the best club lounges in the city, designed as a great place to unwind for hours on end. With such cushy ambience, free-flowing drinks and snacks, it is not hard to see why the space attracts many who want to wind down in an exclusive environment likened to a sumptuous yet homely living room, which is perfect for respite after a long day. No doubt, Horizon Club Lounge is now one of Gaya Travel Magazine’s favourite spots in the hotel.

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Staycation deluxe Gaya Travel Magazine team had a fantastic three-day and two-night restful staycation at Shangri-La Hotel, Kuala Lumpur, which we utterly enjoyed to the point that we didn’t even bother to venture out, even though the hotel is just five minutes’ walk to the Petronas Twin Towers and a 10-minute walk to major shopping districts.

As guests stepped into the lobby to check in, they would have instantly spotted the remarkably expansive area comprising the water feature at the base of a monumental sculpture enveloping the central pillar, the hotel’s reception, concierge, and plush lobby lounge overlooking a verdant courtyard.

Although the hotel’s current look has been the same for a good number of years, the interiors are immaculately maintained. The space is replete with Malaysian-inspired motifs and elements like the resplendent songket (woven fabric using gold and/or silver thread) incorporated onto the staff uniform to give the hotel a strong sense of place. The check-in process is quick and hassle free, so does getting to the room because the hotel has eight speedy elevators that have no problem servicing all in-house guests efficiently even when the hotel is full.

The hotel has the biggest inventory in the city and spacious room size. Most of the rooms, which are on average 40 metres squared, are embellished with warm and soothing shades of red, orange, gold, and walnut brown. One handy feature that we consider a plus but not typically implemented among the other more contemporary competing properties is that the sound from the television is piped into the bathroom with

Dining at the Horizon Club Lounge makes guests feel truly privileged. It lays out a breakfast spread larger than normally served by other club lounges in other properties. On top of the ordinary egg-based dishes, gourmands should try the lounge’s signature omelette rendang (three-egg omelette filled with beef rendang) and Nyonya laksa (noodles served with prawn dumpling and boiled eggs, all immersed in gratifyingly thick coconut curry broth). It is no wonder that the lounge is hardly quiet since early morning. Same goes during afternoon tea, which is served between 5:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m., when the spread includes lip-smacking delicacies, including satay.

The Horizon Club Lounge is staffed by enthusiastic employees who never fail to cheerfully greet guests like old friends, remember their names and make them feel at home.

When we were there, we overheard that the staff quickly asked whether the hotel’s repeat guests prefer to have the beverage that they enjoyed during their last stay again, making guests feel valued for being lavished such attention.

The bond between the guests and staff reminded us of the intro song to a popular 80’s American comedy series called Cheers, which has a line in the chorus that states “because you want to be where everybody knows your name” – the lounge definitely captures that spirit.

Families are welcome at the lounge, but they need to control their children’s behaviour if they intend to occupy the chairs, sofas and tables at the main area. Alternatively, families can also opt to use the lounge’s family room equipped with high chairs and television that switches on to cartoons as a way to keep their children entertained.

Fabulous facilities Shangri-La knows how to create memorable moments revolving around good food that comes in abundance. The hotel’s all-day dining outlet, Lemon Garden, is exceptionally busy on Friday and Saturday nights, popularly known as Seafood Dinner Buffet Nights when guests are spoilt for choice with the type of scrumptious seafood and seafoodbased dishes served at the buffet. It is obvious that Lemon Garden is one of the go-to dining spots in Kuala Lumpur; though the whole atmosphere during those nights is boisterous and crowded, it is hardly off-putting, probably due to the outlet’s layout and flow that cleverly disperses diners to different sections and lines. Lemon Garden is also busy during breakfast due to its jaw-dropping array that leaves

guests amazed and sated.

Another outlet to try out is Shang Palace, the hotel’s popular Chinese restaurant that is meant to be enjoyed with the whole family. Even the smallest portion served at this restaurant is generous enough to share for two persons. We settled for the satisfying lotus root dish that bursts with umami flavour, and then finished off our meal with the refreshing lemongrass jelly topped with lime sorbet and a slice of strawberry for dessert, all washed down with the fragrant chrysanthemum tea.

To burn off the accumulated the calories, guests can sweat it out at the hotel’s well-equipped Health Club or swim a few laps at the swimming pool on Level 2. Those in need of rejuvenation and pampering should head to The Spa and request for the relaxing Aroma Bliss treatment, which is popular among in-house guests alongside the uplifting Shang Touch, so be sure to make prior reservation to avoid disappointment. All spa treatments are dispensed by skilful staff who have years of practice.

Conclusion With unwavering high standards of genuine, heartfelt service delivered by highly attentive staff, including memorable dining, well maintained rooms and reliable facilities, ShangriLa Hotel, Kuala Lumpur is definitely the family-friendly staycation destination that wary urbanites seek. Staying at this hotel might just make you fall in love with what the ShangriLa brand stands for, which is to deliver exceptional five-star stay experience injected with heavy dose of indigenous hospitality that keeps you and your family coming back… https://www.shangri-la.com/kualalumpur/shangrila/

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Hotels & Resorts

Sleeping with de Art Te x t b y S H A H I DA S A K E R I Images by HOTEL DE ART & KAMIL AZIM

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Budget hotels in Malaysia have come a very long way from their earlier days. Standards are now higher, perhaps due to an industrywide trend that aims to accommodate travellers who are increasingly sophisticated and constantly searching for accommodations that are not only walletfriendly but also in line with their tastes and expectations via the internet and social media platforms. Is the hotel designed nicely? Can I get free Wi-Fi? How about the location – is it convenient? These are just some of the questions that guests would normally ask before booking, and fortunately, Hotel de Art offers the right answers.

Billing itself as ‘Malaysia’s first art-themed hotel’, Hotel de Art strives to create not only comfortable but also whimsical spaces for guests to stay. The rooms in all of Hotel de Art’s branches found throughout Shah Alam (i-City, Section 7, Section 9 and Section 19) and Subang Jaya (USJ 21) are as Instagram-friendly as they can get. Millennials would certainly appreciate these rooms, including families with young children.

Interestingly, Hotel de Art would never see the light of day if its founder didn’t take a leap of faith, boldly quitting her job as a medical practitioner to become a hotelier. Dr. Jenny Liow, a certified doctor, was flipping through design magazines when she stumbled upon a ‘Letter to Editor’ section, where one of the readers was looking for a themed hotel in Malaysia.

Needless to say, she was curious too. A quick research led to a discovery that options for art-themed boutique hotels were limited at that time, and this was in 2009. She then prepared the business plan, presented it to her parents (who are entrepreneurs themselves), and eventually, Hotel de Art was born.

Staying true to its creative DNA, Hotel de Art features five different concepts across its chain: classic wallpapers in Section 7; wonderland in i-City; 3D art in Section 19; ‘Hope and Imagination’ in Section 9; and finally English garden in USJ 21 – all promising cool designs, a nod to the rooms being distinctively unique from one to another. And of all these outlets, the one in i-City takes a step further by supporting budding young local artists; the eye-catching walls are handpainted by the students from UNISEL (Art and Design) and UiTM (Fine Art). It also has one function room on site that can easily accommodate up to 150 people.

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Gaya Travel team stayed in USJ 21 branch, where the hotel is within shouting distance to a myriad of restaurants and cafes such as MyExpresso Café and AMPM Café, including the Main Place Mall where affordable shopping experience is only a few steps away. This branch is strategically located close to USJ 21 light rail transit station too, offering guests the option to travel using public transport.

The hotel branch’s central room with a big artificial tree in the centre, acts as an all-in-one reception cum common space where guests can lounge at the heart of the hotel. We couldn’t help but noticed that the space smells lovely, a nod to the branch’s English garden concept. The colourful flower murals that adorn the public areas are extended into the rooms; we stayed in a spacious Art Family Deluxe room type with a beautiful floral motif on the ceiling that makes the room dreamier and surreally pleasing when stared. The room also comes with two absolutely comfortable queen beds, en-suite bathroom with hot shower, 40” LCD tv with selected satellite channels, a writing desk and coffee-making facilities.

So far, Hotel de Art has been receiving positive feedback

ever since its opening; in fact, it also won various awards throughout the years, the latest being the Gold recipient for the ‘Creative and Innovative Boutique Hotel’ category during the Malaysia Tourism Council Gold Awards 2018. But the journey for Hotel de Art doesn’t seem to be slowing any time soon, as Dr. Jenny Liow revealed that plans for new branches are already on the way.

For more information on Hotel de Art or to make direct booking, please visit www.hoteldeart.com.my. Rooms are priced between MYR78 to MYR228 per night.

Hotels & Resorts

Becoming One with the Heritage at

Casugria Boutique Residence Te x t & I m a g e s b y M U H A M M A D H A S I F M O H D J E L A N I

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Like most travellers, I always want to enjoy the destination to the maximum, making sure every minute is well spent by visiting and experiencing as many attractions on my bucket list. It would be super nice if I can do something extra special like staying at a heritage building that is strategically located such as the accommodation I recently experienced on my trip to the historical city of Melaka, Casugria Boutique Residence (Casugria).

The name is actually a combination of the Portuguese words Casa Susegadu Alegria, which mean ‘House of Contentment and Happiness’. True to its name, this boutique guesthouse provides an authentic Malaccan experience and hospitality, given the fact that its owner and his family are living here as well. Thus, travellers can expect to learn not only about this heritage charm, but a brief history of Melaka and its vibrant communities.

Furthermore, Casugria is merely 10 to 15 minutes away by car to Melaka’s UNESCO World Heritage Site.

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An ode to dazzling heritage The property’s emblematic main house, believed to be built in 1810, used to be belonged to an influential Dutchman, said to be the acting governor of Melaka around 1641 until 1824 when Melaka was under Dutch rule. Though it once belonged to a Dutch, the builder was a local man who evidently left his mark in the form of beautiful Malay carvings at the top of this building. European tiles, on the other hand, can still be seen on the floor, indicating its intimate and colourful past as proof of architectural assimilation that had been happening in Melaka throughout the ages.

While the main building is painted in striking yellow, this bed-and-breakfast only makes four rooms available that are categorised as Garden Chalet, Pool Chalet, Family Studio and Family Garden Chalet. The rooms come with free Wi-Fi connectivity, air-conditioner, hot shower, hair dryer, cable TV, parking space and daily breakfast.

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Convenient and thoughtful As guests step into this property, they are assured of being welcomed in a tranquil, homely setting despite being located right in middle of town. This heritage gem is surrounded by a verdant tropical garden with coconut trees and colourful flowers, which add more reasons for guests to fall in love with this private guesthouse even more. Besides, each room is mindfully furnished with high-quality soundproof doors so that guests can enjoy their much-earned respite indoors without being disturbed by outside noise. Security-wise, the property is equipped with 24-hour surveillance cameras.

One spot that tend to grow on guests is the open and airy Dining Pavilion that also doubles up as a Living Room where they can have breakfast and high tea. Snacks, tea and coffee sachets are also available at any time. This area is suited not just for relaxing but also socialising with your travelling companions or other guests, including the friendly owner Sam and his family members.

Guests are also allowed to bring your own ingredients and cook at the Dining Pavilion since gas stove and cutleries are provided. If you wish to grill and barbecue, the equipment can be arranged and refrigerator can be shared at no extra cost.

Guests need to be mindful that the Dining Pavilion is a pork-free space to ensure other guests’ peace of mind when dining here.

Casugria also has a swimming pool that is non-chemical. To maintain the pool’s cleanliness and safety, salt is used as its sanitising agent instead.

Conclusion Casugria is Melaka’s best kept secret that is remarkably memorable. This property best suits travellers who seek an accommodation that is beyond average and more authentically local-centric, making their experience in Melaka simply enriching and marvellous.

For more information and online booking, visit https://www.casugriamelaka.com/.