Pages

Friday, August 13, 2010

Malaysia Travel

Location – South East Asia
Capital – Kuala Lumpur
Best time to visit Malaysia – May to September
STD code - +60

Multicultural buffet and a dazzling example of regions tourism success, beguiling Malaysia trounces senses of the first time traveler. Populated by the coalesce of Malayas, Indians and Chinese, the region presents exotic mix of culture along with the huge variety of annual festivals as well as the interesting mixture of traditional cuisines, that makes it a strikingly colorful and fascinating place to visit. 

Malaysia is not only interesting, it is in fact one of the most enjoyable cities of the South East Asia. The remote tropical islands and endless list of white sandy beaches transfers you to the dreamland, while the magical tour to the world’s famous diving sites beneath warm coral seas awaits exploration.  Apart from that dazzling coastline along with the world’s oldest rain-forests - Orang utans, the city skyscrapers and vibrant temples and mosques, are enough to allure even the most outwore traveler.

Slice of Paradise

Attractions of Malaysia

Merdeka Square in Kuala Lumpur –
Merdeka Square in Kuala Lumpur has been a central point of many historical events. It is the same place where flag of Malaysia was first hoisted on August 31, 1957. For the purpose of knowledge it was hoisted on a 100 m high flagpole – tallest in the world.  The place holds great political and historical significance. It was once the cricket green and rugby field, property of Royal Selangor Club. It has now been converted into the shopping mall cum parking area, with a new field rested on top of it.

If you have enough time, scroll down some of the great complexes around including the Gothic style building of St. Mary's Anglican cathedral, National History Museum, the Memorial Library and many more.

Cheng Hoon Teng – Malacca –
Discover the interesting story of faith and perseverance. Visit Cheng Hoon Teng, the popular historical monument in Malaysia and a place of pilgrims- reaching here from all over the world. Built in the total area of 4600 m2,  Cheng Hoon is the most renowned centre of pilgrimage for Hoklo community. The temple is divided into one main prayer hall along with many small prayer halls, as per the principles of Feng Shui.

Bako National Park - Borneo –
Head to one of the legendary national park in Malaysia known as Bako National Park. Located in Sarawak on the island of Borneo, the park is petrified with the great floral and faunal asset. The fascinating rainforests inhabit variety animal species including long-tailed macaques, monitor lizards, palm civet cat, proboscis monkeys and many species of reptiles.

Batu Caves –
On the excursion trip from Kuala Lumpur, explore the ancient Batu caves, the natural scenic attraction and important pilgrimage destination in Malaysia. There is a temple inside the cave, which has been dedicated to Lord Murugan. You need to make lot of efforts to get to the caves. You are required to reach there through the stairs but the magnificent view of the caves is worth every moment of these efforts. The major attraction of the place is the huge statue of Lord Murugan ( 42.7 metres), It is the world’s largest statue of Lord Murugan.
 
Tourists Activities in Malaysia –

Trek in the high hills (Malaysia Trekking Tours) –
Malaysia offers excellent trekking options for tourists from easy walking excursions through the jungles and forests to the strenuous trekking tours to national parks in Malaysia. Penang Hill is one of the most popular scenic spot for trekking as it provides treks that are less challenging. But, if you an ardent trekker choose Mount Kinabulu as your trekking destination -the highest peak in Southeast Asia.

Not to Forget – Scuba Diving Experience -
Scuba diving in Malaysia is a big part of ultimate fun and majority of tourists have diving as a part of their itinerary. Some of the best diving sites in Malaysia are popular through out the world, where visibility beneath the sea is as good as 30 m which makes the experience of scuba diving truly enjoyable. Some of the best voted out diving sites in the country includes Borneo, Pulau Sipadan Island, and Mabul.

Bird watching Tours in Taman Negara –
The charm of leisurely picnics and birding at Taman Negara is all yours on the special sightseeing tour to Malaysia. Binoculars and books on birds are essential accompaniments, if you want to stalk Fishing eagle, masked finfoot, crested fireback pheasant, and blue throated bee-eater. Here you can spot more than 54% of the total bird species. So, birding tour to Malaysia is definitely not a bad idea.

Fishing and Angling -
If fishing is what you love doing, than River Sungai Tahan is right place for you. Catch kelah fish along with the other species of fresh water fishes. Best time for fishing in Malaysia lies between Feb to Aug.

Popular Cuisines of Malaysia –
Popular Delicacies – Satay, Nasi Lemak, Roti Canai, Nasi Dagang, Rojak, Char Kway Teow, Chicken Rice, Curry Laksa, A Steamboat, Rendang

Seafood – Prawn, Shrimp, Crab, Cuttlefish, Cockles, Octopus

Accommodation in Malaysia
-The Legend Hotel KL
-Tanjong Jara Resort
-Berjaya Penang Hotel
-Le Meridein Kota Kinabalu
-Hotel Casa dela Rosa
-Impiana KLCC Hotel and Spa
-Hotel Equatorial Melaka

How to reach Malaysia-

By Air - Malaysia Airlines – Takes approx 13 hours from London to Kuala Lumpur and approx 20 - 21hours from New York

Major Airports in Malaysia - Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KUL) (Sepang)
Kota Kinabalu (BKI)
Kuching (KCH)

Iceland Volcano Eyjafjallajokull


Iceland Volcano Eyjafjallajokull is one of the “island mountain glacier” of our world. Eyjafjallajokull is one of the smaller glaciers of Iceland, located to the north of Skogar and to the west of Mýrdalsjökull. 

There is a volcano located over the icecap of the glacier, at an elevation of 1, 666m(5, 466 ft). This volcano has a crater of 3 to 4 km in diameter. 

Apart from located in a glacier, another important feature of this volcano is that it is a dormant volcano. Most of its historical eruptions have been explosive. According to available data this has erupted in 920, 1612 and again 1821 to 1823. During the last glacial period from 1821 to 1823, eruption of this volcano has caused a glacial lake outburst.

 With the recent volcanic eruption on April 14, 2010,this Eyjafjallajokull volcano once again came into limelight. Till date, this volcano has erupted for twice.First on 20th March and second on 14th April. 

The Volcanic eruption of March was quite less powerful as compare to the eruption of 14th April. The eruption of 14th April was accompanied by earthquakes and has opened up a new vent. On both sides of Gígjökull, glacial flood has been occurred.

Eruption of March 20 has forced nearly 500 local people to evacuate the region whereas the eruption of 14th April was 10 to 20 times more powerful and has caused substantial disruption of air traffic in the entire Northern Europe region. About 45 people in Langidalur valley north of the Eyjafjallajökull glacier have been isolated by the eruption, and 800 people were evacuated from areas at risk of flooding.

Brisbane Festival, Australia


As the name reflects, Brisbane festival is one of the premiere festival of Australia. It is one of the prime attraction of Brisbane town and showcases the artistic skill of people of this town.

This annual festival of Brisbane town was developed by Queensland Government and Brisbane City Council in 1996 to cherish various art forms. The main source of inspiration behind the esteemed Brsibane festival is Brisbane's Warana Festival, which was first held in 1961. From 1996 to 2008, Brisbane festival was held as biennial festival.

Since that time, this festival was developed as one of the most highly respected and an acclaimed international art festival. But, in the year 2009, a twist came in the history of Brisbane festival. In that year, Brisbane festival merged with River festival and organized as Brisbane's annual festival. Currently, this festival operates under the direction of the board of Major Brisbane Festival Pty Ltd.


The annual Brisbane Festival is an amalgamation of theater, dance, music and conversation and visual art programs. These colorful programs are organized at various venues throughout the Brisbane city for three exciting weeks in the month of September. Some of these programs are free whereas some are ticketed. Both acclaimed international and Australian performers participates in these programs and shows their talent to nearly 1.5 million spectators from world wide.

This year's Brisbane Festival is going to held from 4 to 25 September. Similar to Brisbane festival of Australia, Tamil Nadu, the southernmost state of India too has some vibrant festivals which includes Natyanjali Dance Festival, Music and Dance Festival, Chennai etc.