MALAYSIA IN CONFLICT 1941 - 1966
Come with us in a tour that crosses the Malayan peninsula. Our tour will give you a unique opportunity, with your experienced guide, to gain an insight into an outstanding nation with a rich background. With us you experience a trip of a lifetime in this vibrant multicultural community. The Malayan peninsula has seen dramatic events three times since 1941 between December 1941 and February 1942 when Commonwealth forces fought a losing battle against Japanese invaders that culminated in the fall of Singapore, during The Malayan Emergency from 1948 – 1960 and between 1963-66 several small scale Indonesian incursions took place. Our tours are tailored to take former service personnel, or their relatives, to visit the sites in which they served. We will visit the cities and countryside in exploring the story of how this country went from being a British colony to independence.
Your guide Brian Shaw (June tour) Robin Russell (November tour)
Dates
09 - 21 June 2013 + Singapore option 15 - 27 November 2013 + Singapore option
From
£3,549 per person
DAY ONE: LONDON – KUALA LUMPUR Depart London Heathrow for Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia on overnight. Accommodation: None Meals: None DAY TWO: LONDON – KUALA LUMPUR Arrive Kuala Lumpur International Airport. Transfer to hotel and check in. Optional Visit to Cheras Road Cemetery or free time. Lunch at own expense. At the time of the Japanese invasion of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur was the headquarters of the 3rd Indian Corps. As the Japanese moved down the peninsula a temporary prisoner-of-war camp was established at Pudu jail, to which Commonwealth serviceman were taken before being sent to Changi Camp on Singapore. Some of them died in this camp and were buried in the Cheras Road Cemetery. There are 148 Commonwealth burials of the 1939-1945 war here. Dinner in hotel included. Overnight in hotel. Accommodation: Parkroyal Hotel Kuala Lumpur Meals: D
DAY THREE: KUALA LUMPUR Breakfast in hotel. Enjoy a full day (8 hour) tour exploring the best of Kuala Lumpur. Spend your morning discovering bustling Chinatown, the Royal Palace, National Museum with lake gardens and the Craft Cultural Complex. After your buffet lunch at a local restaurant, view Malaysian suburban and rural lifestyle before learning about the art of Batik design at Gombak. The last stop is the spectacular limestone Batu Caves. Return to hotel before evening at Leisure. Dinner at own expense. Overnight in hotel. Accommodation: Parkroyal Hotel Kuala Lumpur Meals: B L DAY FOUR: MALACCA Breakfast in hotel. Full day tour to historic Malacca. Explore historic Malacca, the oldest trading port in Malaysia. Visit the ruins of the church on St. Paul's Hill with its panoramic views and take a stroll through Antique Row. You will have the opportunity to sample a local lunch before heading back to Kuala Lumpur via Seremban, former British garrison town. We may be able to visit Terendak
Military Cemetery, where some casualties of the 28th Commonwealth Division who died in the confrontation with Indonesia from 1963 until 1966 are buried, and the memorial to the Missing of the Malayan Emergency. Return to hotel before evening at Leisure. Dinner at own expense. Overnight in hotel Accommodation: Parkroyal Hotel Kuala Lumpur Meals: B L DAY FIVE: KUALA LUMPUR – CAMERON HIGHLANDS Breakfast in hotel and then check out of hotel. Early Departure from Kuala Lumpur to Tanah Rata. Travel via Slim River, where bitter fighting took place in January 1942. We begin the ascent at Tapah through mountain roads where you can view highland scenery, waterfalls, streams and giant tree ferns along the way. Lunch at own expense. Arrive mid-afternoon and check in to hotel. The Cameron Highlands, 1892m above sea level, was first discovered in by the British 1885. More itinerary on the following page
MALAYSIA IN CONFLICT 1941 - 1966 It was a weekend retreat to escape the heat in the lowlands. Today the unhurried pace of life unfolds into a myriad of exciting discoveries, jungle trekking, tranquil lakes, gurgling streams, captivating waterfalls, tea plantations, vegetable and fruit gardens, flower nurseries, handicraft centres and traditions that will charm you. Visit a tea plantation in the early evening. Overnight in Cameron Highlands.
Malaysia’s best-known and most-visited destination – is an alluring blend of Indian, Chinese and sundry influences. The island’s capital city, Georgetown – a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage Site – is dotted with atmospheric Chinese store fronts and imposing mansions. Local food remains one of its top draws, most notably the hawker fare. Arrive at hotel in the evening to check in. Free time. Dinner in hotel. Overnight in hotel.
Accommodation: Bala’s Holiday Chalet or similar Meals: B D
Accommodation: Holiday Inn Hotel Penang Meals: B D DAY EIGHT: PENANG
Breakfast in hotel and then check out of hotel. Morning free at own leisure and lunch at own expense. Check out of hotel for departure to Ipoh. Check in hotel and evening at own leisure. Dinner included. Overnight in hotel.
Breakfast in hotel followed by a Penang tour to include: Western Road Cemetery, Georgetown Penang – where 136 servicemen and dependants are cared for by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission Funicular train ride up Penang Hill an elevation of 833m above sea level, a cool hill retreat from the tropical heat below for panoramic views of the island from Penang Hill Tropical butterfly farm Botanical gardens Penang museum - highlights includes the underground military tunnels, intelligence & logistic centre, canon firing bay, medical infirmary You will be taken to an authentic banana leaf lunch at Georgetown and a brief stop at the Esplanade and Padang Kota Lama (also known as The Padang) before returning to hotel.
DAY SEVEN: IPOH – PENANG Early breakfast in hotel and then check out of hotel. 07:30 - Proceed to Batu Gajah Christian Cemetery attend Batu Gajah Annual Commemorative Ceremony. (June Tour only. November Tour will conduct an Act of Remembrance). In a peaceful corner of Batu Gajah lies an Anglican cemetery known as God’s Little Acre. It dates to 1891 and contains the remains of more than 600 persons many of whom were early pioneers in Perak. The cemetery saw a sharp increase in occupants during the Malayan Emergency (1948-1960). The first shots in this struggle were fired in Perak with the murder of three European planters on their respective estates by Communist Terrorists. 115 planters, miners, dependents, police and military personnel who lost their lives during the Emergency are buried here. Lunch at own expense in Ipoh. After lunch we drive to Taiping - a former British garrison town. The Taiping Christian Cemetery at Kamunting Road holds the graves of 186 Commonwealth servicemen and dependants. Later that afternoon we continue our journey north to Penang. Penang is
TWIN / DOUBLE ROOM
SRS*
09 – 21 June 2013
£3,629
£599
15 – 24 November 2013
£3,549
per person
per person
£599
Subject to currency fluctuation & confirmation at time of booking. Minimum tour number 10 passengers. Singapore Option (Price on application). *Single room supplement
INCLUDES
DAY SIX: CAMERON HIGHLANDS – IPOH
Accommodation: Impiana Hotel Ipoh Meals: B D
DATES
Evening at own leisure. Dinner in hotel. Accommodation: Holiday Inn, Penang Meals: B L D
• Flights in economy class London Heathrow to Kuala Lumpur and return • Transport throughout tour • Military historian and experienced guide throughout tour • 3 nights at the Parkroyal Hotel, Kuala Lumpur or similar • 1 night at the Bala’s Holiday Chalet or similar • 1 night at Impiana Hotel, Ipoh or similar • 2 nights at the Holiday Inn, Penang or similar • Breakfast daily • Meals where indicated in itinerary • Entries to activities show in itinerary • Dedicated tour webpage including details of accommodation and tour • Social media presentation including original film footage, images and historical background • Group forum with photo gallery where group members can ask your guide questions • Links through to in-depth research and a wealth of background information COSTS DO NOT INCLUDE
• Meals unless listed in itinerary DAY NINE: PENANG – KUALA LUMPUR Breakfast in hotel. Check out of hotel. Transfer by coach to Kuala Lumpur International Airport. Flight to LHR. Accommodation: None Meals: B DAY TEN Arrive UK.
• Beverages EXTRAS
We are pleased to arrange the following: (Subject to additional charges) • Transport from home town to London via train or flights • Pre or post tour accommodation in London TERMS & CONDITIONS • £100 Per Person deposit required to confirm booking • Final Payment 10 weeks prior to departure • Please see website for full Terms & Conditions
For enquiries or booking please contact:
tours@spiritofremembrance.com or call 01634 233785