LANGKAWI, KEDAH

                                   WELCOME TO LANGKAWI  ISLAND!!

• Langkawi has a lingering legend woven into its history. Ask anyone on the island about the tragic story of a beautiful young lady named Mahsuri, and you'll hear a tale of love, jealousy and a curse that was placed upon the island by her for seven generations.

• Other popular destinations are the Field of Burnt Rice, Hot Springs, Telaga Tujuh (The Seven Wells) and the Beach of Black Sand. Boat tours are organised to Tasik Dayang Bunting (Lake of the Pregnant Maiden), Gua Cerita (Cave of Stories) and Gua Langsir (Curtain Cave).

• For a more intimate time with nature, go trekking through the pristine rainforest that covers most of Langkawi, or go on a boat tour of the mangroves. There are also opportunities to go for a dive, or play a round of golf at some of the 5-star resorts. Langkawi also has an underwater world, with an underground tunnel that runs through a giant aquarium, that has received rave reviews.

• How to getting here? 

1)By Ferry

Ferries usually leave the port of Kuala Kedah on the mainland on the hour from 7am to 6pm. The ride lasts 1.5 hours. There are also ferry services from the mainland port of Kuala Perlis and the Thai port of Satun, both 45 minutes from Langkawi.

2)By Air

Both Malaysia Airlines and AirAsia have twice daily flights to Langkawi from Kuala Lumpur which land at Langkawi International Airport. There are also direct flights from Penang and Singapore.

• Who To Contact? :

            Langkawi Tourist Information Centre

            Phone: +604-966 7789/955 7155

                                                                                             SOURCES BY: www.tourism.gov.my

Elephant Sanctuary, Kuala Gandah, Pahang

Lanchang is a small village where you can find an elephant sanctuary named Kuala Gandah Elephant Conservation Centre or the Elephant Orphanage Sanctuary. The elephant sanctuary was established in 1989 within the Krau Wildlife Reserve, and is managed by the Malaysian Department of Wildlife and National Parks. Here many orphaned elephants are raised and given shelter. Not long after tourists found out about the elephant shelter the town quickly evolved into a popular tourist attraction. Kuala Gandah (Lanchang) is probably the best place on Peninsular Malaysia to come face to face with an elephant.

Kuala Gandah is located within the protected Krau Wildlife Reserve and is a couple of hours drive from Kuala Lumpur. Visitors are to arrive from 12:30pm onwards. On arrival you have to register at the Visitor Registration Office and sign a waiver of liability for any accidents. You are then given a donation form to complete. There is no entrance fee to the Centre but a (generous) donation is strongly encouraged. Although the Centre is funded by the Malaysian Government's Department of Wildlife and National Parks, donations are welcome to finance the upgrading of facilities. With around 20 elephants in residence, each eating 50-100 kilos of food per day you can imagine it costs a lot to keep the place going.

The elephants are paraded onto a kind of stage and introduced to the visitors. Some elephants demonstrate how they can carry things with their trunks and obey basic commands.

Next it is feeding time. The elephants line up and happily allow visitors to pop great chunks of papaya and cucumber into their mouths.

During weekends the center gets quite crowded with coach loads of students, foreign tour groups and locals who arrive in private transport. 

Opening hours

9am - 4.45pm

address:   Kuala Gandah, Lanchang, 

                 Pahang, 28500, Lanchang, 

   Pahang, Malaysia.

              

       Tel: +60 9-279 0391

Gunung Mulu National Park, Sarawak

Gunung Mulu National Park, situated in the Malaysian State of Sarawak on the island of Borneo, is outstanding both for its high biodiversity and for its karst features. The park is dominated by Gunung Mulu, a 2,376 m-high sandstone pinnacle and the property is the most studied tropical karst area in the world. The geological Melinau Formation contains a remarkable concentration of caves, revealing a geological history of over more than 1.5 million years.

The most studied tropical karst area in the world. The 52.864-ha park contains seventeen vegetation zones, exhibiting some 3,500 species of vascular plants. Its palm species are exceptionally rich, with 109 species in twenty genera noted. The park is dominated by Gunung Mulu, a 2,377 m-high sandstone pinnacle. At least 295 km of explored caves provide a spectacular sight and are home to millions of cave Swiftlets and bats. The Sarawak Chamber, 600 m by 415 m and 80 m high, is the largest known cave chamber in the world.

The Pinnacles Summit Trek is usually done as a 3 day / 2 night trek although it is possible to do it as a 2 day / 1 night trek. The first stage is a 1-2 hour boat trip along the River Melinau to Kuala Berar. If the water level is low, the boat has to be pushed over rocky sections so the trips takes longer. Base Camp 5 is relatively easy 7.8 km walk from Kuala Berar, following flat jungle terrain and taking 2-3 hours. Camp 5 is situated near the Melinau Gorge which separates Mount Benarat from Gunung Api. There is -style hostel accommodation at the camp, and cooking facilities. The Melinau River in front of Camp 5 is crystal clear and ideal for a swim after the trek from Long Berar.

Sungai Moroli, Kampung Luanti, Sabah - Fish Massage

Fancy something more unique than your average spa? Then head on to Kampung Luanti, Ranau for a fish massaging session!

 In the Local KadazanDusun dialect, ‘tagal’ means ‘no fishing’, and the main purpose of the ‘tagal’ is to preserve the environment as well as the ecosystem to benefit the future generation. ‘Ikan Pelian’ or Malaysian Mahseer comes from the family of Cyprinidae. These fishes are specifically trained by the villagers to perform the healing massage activities.

 The fish massage is deemed to have a curative effect on those who suffers from psoriasis. Come to Kampung Luanti for regular fish massages and you will enjoy smoother and suppler skin - just like a baby’s bottom.

 If the idea of fishes nibbling off your dead skin doesn’t thrill you, try other activities such as jungle trekking and camping. Should you intend to stay longer, Kampung Luanti is also equipped with a homestay programme to make visitors feel at home every time.

HOW TO GET THERE?

It takes about 2 hours and 30 minutes by road to Ranau from Kota Kinabalu. You can get a taxi or you could rent a car and drive to Ranau.

Admission Fee

Entrance Fee	Status	Tariff
Within Ranau (Local)	Adult >18 yrs	RM 3.00
	Children <18 yrs	RM 1.00
Outstation (Local)	Adult >18 yrs	RM5.00
	Children <18 yrs	RM 2.00
International	Adult/ Children	RM 10.00

sources : http://www.sabahtourism.com/destination/tagal-

sungai-moroli-kampung-luanti-fishmassage

Marine Paradise at Tioman Island, Pahang

A marine paradise surrounds Tioman Island or "Pulau Tioman" of Pahang, an alluring island which lies about 56 km off the south-eastern coastline of Peninsular Malaysia.It is the largest island in Pahang and in fact is the largest off-shore island in the east coast of Peninsular Malaysia. It is about 39km long and 12 km wide with a total land area of 133.6 sq km.In size this Pahang island is the third largest island in Peninsula Malaysia behind Penang and Langkawi. As comparison, Langkawi Island (largest island in Peninsular Malaysia) is about 478.5 sq km in size, which is three and a half times larger than Tioman Island.

Did you know?The Tioman Island belonged originally to the state of Johore, Malaysia?
It became part of Pahang on 1st September 1868, when Temenggong Abu Bakar of Johore signed an agreement with Sultan Wan Ahmad of Pahang giving the island and a few other islands around there to Pahang. This Agreement was witnessed by the British Governor of the Straits Settlements, Sir Harry Ord.

THE ORIGIN OF THE ISLAND'S NAME

It is said that the name "Tioman" comes from a "tiong" (mynah) bird owned by an old man on the island. This bird was quite special, with ability to imitate the language of the village folks and had a beautiful voice.

And it became the favorite of the Island folks who always meet and gather at the old man’s house to listen to the bird’s singing and antics.

But, as all living things, one day the "tiong" bird died. The old man really felt sad and depressed. Everytime the village folks meet him, he would say, "Tiong man sudah mati" (meaning "my tiong bird is dead").

P.S. – "man" is short for "teman" (friend), which in local Pahang dialect is "I" or "me" or "mine", and collectively "ours").

As a mark of respect, the folks dedicated the island to the bird referring it as "Pulau tiong man" (or "our tiong Island"). It later became "Pulau Tioman" by foreigners, who are unfamiliar with the soft and almost inaudible nasal "ng" sound spoken in the local dialect.

LEGENDS OF THE DRAGONS

The origin of the Island is shrouded with intriguing legends of dragons - the sometimes respected and sometimes dreaded creature of ancient times.

A common version of Tioman’s origin says that it is the final resting place of a magical dragon princess who whilst flying from China to her beloved prince in Singapore, sought solitude and solace in the crystal clear waters of the South China Sea.

Feeling enchanted and intriguingly charmed by the natural beauty of the place and the underwater world, she decided to stay there forever. She eventually turned herself into an island and in gratitude for the beautiful resting place, she promised Mother Nature that she would extend her kindness and comfort to all and sundry, especially travelers and fishermen who seek shelter in the island.

Tioman Island is accessible from either Mersing (Johor) or Tanjung Gemok (Pahang) by fast boats and ferry services. Tanjung Gemok jetty near Rompin is situated 150 km south of Kuantan and about 60 km from Mersing. The fast air-conditioned ferry takes about an hour and a half to reach Tioman Island from Tanjung Gemok, while it takes about 2 hours if from Mersing.

Sekayu Waterfall, Terengganu

Located in the state of Terengganu. Kuala Berang synonym with Terengganu people that were called the “Town under lake” because of the Kenyir damp and Kenyir Lake is above the town, the archeologist and other expert predict if the damp broken, the entire state of Terengganu will drown. This town also have an connection to a muslim history in Malaysia, this is place where resident found a stone that written in arab language, the archeologist believe the stone is a benchmark to theory of islam religion arrival in Malaysia. This stone is found at Tara River, Tara Village, Kuala Berang. Focuses on one of the main attraction, The Sekayu Waterfall, is located within the Sekayu Recreational Forest in Kuala Berang It was established in 1974 and officially launched in 1985 by minister of Terengganu at that time. Located about 56 km from Kuala Terengganu and 20 km from the Kuala Berang town. To come here, it’s not difficult as you imagine, because, as a  tourist, tourist must follow the direction or the sign board provided, to Kuala Berang only and just turn left at the intersection before enter the Kuala Berang town. There are buses and taxis regularly plying the main road to Kuala Berang and from there you can easily get a bus or taxi to Sekayu Waterfall.

Maps of Sekayu Waterfall

 Through the old stories of the old people from the Sekayu village, Sekayu is origin or the short form from the words of “Serai Kayu”and the words lasted until now, “Serai Kayu” is the name of tree that grows everywhere at the areas. It also being as ingredient in cooking especialy as “kerabu” in “nasi kerabu”,it being used cause of the sweet accent from it leave. Sekayu Waterfall is categorized in Ecotourism elements, because the places was spot around the forest with there are consisting many of nature environment of flora and fauna.

                                                                         Chalets that available at Sekayu Waterfall

The surrounding hills also provide a very beautiful and charming for frolicking in its cool water while hearing the sound of the gentle water rushing down the slope. Many people including me claims that the river here is the most crystal clear in whole Terengganu as you can clearly see your foot even though you are standing almost 1 meter in the water The crystal clear and cold water that flow from the Sekayu and Tersat river and the beauty of the mother nature all around its will conjure a sense of peace and tranquility, and more to natural attraction. 

                                                                    large and beautiful vertical fall with seven 

                                                                                           cascades water fall

The long climatic seasonality at the Sekayu Waterfall is very important to the amount of the tourist visits to the place because, if the wet season come around at November to December, the amount of the tourist drop suddenly, cause of the phenomena “Kepala Air” or “River Storm” that come from the top of the damp, that will overflow on the wet season because the damp cannot hold enough water on that season and this phenomena can danger the tourist life. So, the long climatic season was a very advance tools to tourist to extend or to come over and over to this place because the facilities, attraction places, and the activities that the tourist can do there are the main factor of the total tourist come there every year.

Warning signboard at the places

At the Sekayu Waterfall there are agricultural landscapes were built to add more scenic beauty to the place such as wood landscape, and human made pool that contains fish and lotus float on the pool to assure the beauty of the landscape, and also Herbs Garden and Orchid garden near the pool that consist almost all herbs plants at the garden.

Landscape

Garden available

Parking space that were provide by management

Gua Kelam, Perlis (Kelam Cave)

Location

Gua Kelam (Kelam Cave) located about 33 km north of Kangar, the capital of Perlis state, near to a small town called Kaki Bukit (Foot Hill). It shares the border with Nakawan Range of Thailand.

Overview

One of the most unique caves in Malaysia as it's a 370-metre long limestone cave where it's famous for its 'cave walk'. It's among the favorites cave for the adventure seekers. You will enter from one end of the cave and come out at a different location. The only path in is via a wooden suspension bridge measuring 8 ft wide walkway. The hollow limestone path is believed to be the idea of an Englishman that converted this cave as a method of transporting tin from a mine near the stream entrance of Kaki Bukit. Today the walk path is brightly illuminated, where you can still find remnants of time mine operation inside. The sound of squeaking bat and dripping water from the stalactites may be soothing for some and spooky for others!

After a hard day work in the cave, you can drop by the Wang Kelian Sunday Market to quench your thirst; fill your stomach and get some souvenirs home too. The market itself has many segments, selling variety of goods including food, textile, handmade jewelry and others. Since Perlis located just at the Thai border, you can see there are a lot of Thais selling their local handmade goods. Hotel in Perlis is not luxurious, but suffice to have a comfortable rest.

Transport

Take the North South Expressway and exist Jitra Selatan. Then get onto Kodiang and Kangar (highway K3). Bus is available from Kuala Perlis to Kangar. From Kangar, drive north ahead to Kaki Bukit and look out for Gua Kelam signage.

Location Info

Address: Kaki Bukit, Perlis, Malaysia

Office Number : +604 976 5966

Opening : 09:00 hrs - 18:00 hrs

Admission : MYR1.00 (Adults) / MYR0.50 (Child)

Suitable for an adventurous tourist who love nature :)

sources : http://attractionsinmalaysia.com/

Fraser's Hill, Pahang

Fraser's Hill is a highland resort destination located between the mountains of Pahang, which is located about two hours from Kuala Lumpur. Locally known as Bukit Fraser, this cooling is a popular vacation spot for the activities of nature and calm climate, attracting not only local residents escape the city heat, but tourists from Singapore and other international locations.

There is the beauty of Fraser Hill’s. It was around the green, forest, cool and fresh air. It gives the "peace of mind" and also cool and refreshing weather throughout the year.

Since Fraser Hill was established by British, it was built with a number of British design chalets and hotels. Therefore this will improve the image of the British in Fraser's Hill can bring people the image of 'Little Britain' as an attraction for tourists to visit this place. This can let people who have traveled to Britain to get a taste, and those who never went to Britain to get a sense of how Britain.

Visitors and tourists can visit Fraser's Hill throughout the year, but expect the occasional heavy mist and rain most times. As high in the mountains, cold and moisture are the main features of the climate in these parts. Generally, the months that have at least the rain falls between April and September, during the lapsed during the monsoon season. This will be the best time to go, but the weather is still unpredictable. It is also recommended to go during peak season, which is the month with no major public or school holidays, to enjoy cheap accommodation in hotels and smaller crowds. The temperature usually ranges between 22°C to 28°C during the day and 16°C to 20°C at night, with more rain, cool environment and foggy. Lots of attraction at Fraser Hill such as nature trails, golfing, bird watching, international bird race, horse riding at the paddock, archery, Allan's Water, blow pipe and top spinning.

Puncak Inn Hotel

Bird watching activities

History of Fraser Hill

Golfing area

Allan's Water

How to get there??

sources : http://www.fraserhill.info/index.htm