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Sarawak |
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Written by asiamind
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Tuesday, 10 June 2008 |
Sarawak makes up the 2 states that is East Malaysia. It is the biggest state in the country located in Borneo island. the other Malaysian state here is Sabah, while Brunei and Kalimantan, which belongs to Indonesia too share the island. Sarawak, like its neighbour is famous for its tourism, oil and timber industries.
In terms of tourism, Sarawak houses islands, highlands, caves and seaside as major attractions. Its capital is in Kuching, which translated to mean Cat City is where most administration and commercial activities are focused. Other towns like Bintulu, Sibu, Sarikei and Miri are also filled with their own attractions.
The state consists of perhaps one of the most diversed ethnics in the country. The biggest group of people here are the Iban, which makes up about 30& of the population, while the Chinese and Malays make up about 26 and 23% respectively. Other groups here include the Bidayuh, the Melanau, the Kenyah, the Kayan, the Kelabits and many others. With such a diversified multi-ethnical environment, it is no surprise to see the richness in culture and traditions stemming from this state. Most of the ethnic groups here speak their own dialect although Malay is the official language, English can be heard everywhere.
Known as the ‘Land of the Hornbill’, Sarawak’s natural resources and national parks are one of their best attractions here. The Gunung Mulu National Park houses one of the biggest caves in the world, while one can see natural orangutans in places like Semengoh. Otherwise a visit to the native’s longhouses would be a great experience.
The Sarawak Cultural Village which is located not far from the capital Kuching is one of the best place to see how the various ethnic groups live. Here, one would be able to experience the daily lives of the people and can have a spectacular view of Mount Santubong.
Annual events like the Rainforest World Music Festival is a great event held in the states that often attracts musicians and artists from all over the world to come and perform during the 3 day event.
Tourists who come to Sarawak should take note of the various handicrafts available from the state that includes wood carvings, bead handicraft and floor mats. It is known that the pepper and chilly from Sarawak are better than those found in other states. |
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Last Updated ( Wednesday, 06 August 2008 )
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Pahang Attractions |
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Written by asiamind
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Tuesday, 10 June 2008 |
As Pahang is made up of predominantly rich natural resource, there are many locations by which one can visit the state based on the preferences. The beaches in around Pahang are located in around the eastern areas. Cherating would be the most famous beaches here. From Kuantan it will take a 1 hour’s drive to get to Cherating where one can find rows and rows of resorts and chalets for rent. For those who would to stay at Club Med, there is the Malaysian chapter located ehre as well. Nearer to the capital would be Balok and Teluk Chempedak which are also coastal towns that one can enjoy the seaside.
From the seaside, one can hop off to Tioman Island, which at one time was named as the most beautiful island in the world. The turtle-shaped island is one of the most celebrated islands in the country and is to be the most impressive around this area of the Peninsular.
For those who love nature, pay a visit to Malaysia’s oldest forest reserve at the Taman Negara National Park. In around the border of the national park is the Kenong Rimba Park, where one can find some rising limestone hills and lowland forests. While Taman Negara is the oldest national park in the country, the Endau-Rompin State Park hosues the world’s oldest rainforest. Known to be the natural habitat of the Sumatran Rhinoceroes, the forest here is dated to as old as 130 million years old.
For those who enjoy the more cooling and breezy air of the highlands, Pahang has 2 of the most visited highlands in the country. Genting Highlands, is one of the most visited parks. It houses the only casino in the country, roller coaster rides, hotels, restaurants, amusement parks and many attractions including international artist performances. Cameron Highlands is a more resort styled destination with golf courses and tea plantations in within the butterfly, cactus, flower and rose gardens for those who prefer to enjoy the cooling air. In Janda Baik, one can visit and enjoy the spectacular views and beauty of the valleys and ravines that are poised so majestically.
Located about 2 hours from the town of Temerloh, one could pay a visit to Tasik Bera which is a peaceful section where one can stay here to unwind and escape from the hustle and bustle of city life.
Other attractions here include the Kuala Gandah Elephant Santuary, the Gua Cheras, the Tekam Plantation Resort and the Jubli Perak Sultan Haji Ahmad Shah Agricultural Park in Kuantan. |
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Pahang Transportation |
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Written by asiamind
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Tuesday, 10 June 2008 |
To get to Pahang, one can choose the various transporation modes via the extensive network in the country. Most roads lead to Pahang, particularly the expressways.
The easiest way to get to Pahang is through its capital in Kuantan. From major towns like Kuala Lumpur, one could take the Karak Expressway. From neighbouring states like Kelantan, one could come by through Kota Bahru, Kuala Terengganu from Terengganu and Penang as well. from the south, one could come by through Johor Bahru while other states like Perak and Selangor too have their road connections here.
For those opting to take buses, long distance bus services are available that connects the major towns. From Kuala Lumpur, one could take buses from the Puduraya Bus Terminal or the Putra Bus Terminal that comes and goes into the capital of Kuantan along Jalan Besar and another to the Makmur Express Bus Terminal, located around Jalan Stadium located around the front area of the Darul Makmur Stadium.
To get to Genting Highlands, one can take dedicated bus services from Kuala Lumpur and Kuantan provided by the resort themselves. Otherwise one could charter a taxi from the major towns. The buses and taxis will normally bring one to the cable car station in the highlands where one can take the elevated vehicles to the top of the resort. From Kuantan, one can take connecting bus services to nearby resort town of Teluk Chempedak and Cherating. From here, one could also visit the highlands of Cameron and Genting as well.
There is no railway connection that comes into Kuantan, therefore if anyone would like to come by using the train, the nearest stop would be at Mentakab, a town located at the west around 120 kilometers away.
For those travelling by air, the state’s airport is located in Sultan Ahmad Shah Airport in Kuantan. There are connecting flights from Kuala Lumpur via the Kuala Lumpur International Airport. Malaysia Airlines commute to Kuantan from the KLIA airport while using the Low Cost Carrier Terminal is where budget airline Air Asia have daily flights here.
To get to Club Med, one would have to first get to Kuantan, from the capital, one can take connecting bus or taxi rides to Cherating beach. However, normally the tourist will have to inform Club Med where they will arrange for connecting transport to the resort.
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Pahang Accommodations |
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Written by asiamind
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Tuesday, 10 June 2008 |
There are many choices of accommodation one could find in around Pahang. For instance, in Genting Highlands alone, there are at least 6 hotels to choose from. The world’s biggest hotel is the First World Hotel with room rates going from RM115 per night while promotions start from RM88 per night. Theme Park Hotel starts from RM130 per night. 5 star hotels like Genting Hotel starts from RM245 per night, while Highlands Hotel starts from RM265 per night. a little bit lower down the descend would be the Awana Genting Highlands Golf and Country Resort that starts from RM220. Bookings can be made online or through local tourist offices in most major towns.
Over in Cameron Highlands, one can check into Equatorial Hill Resort Cameron Highlands that starts from RM238 per night. Iris House Hotel starts from RM116. The Lakehouse starts from RM390 per night, a common tourist destination, The Smoke House Hotel or more commonly known as Smokehouse Cameron goes from RM329 per night. the Casa Dela Rosa Hotel Cameron Highlands starts from RM168 per night and Cameron Highlands Resort a more costly place would start from RM600.
Over in Cherating, one could check in to the various hotels and resorts along the beach. The Suria Cherating Beach Resort starts from RM165 per night, Sanctuary Resort Cherating starts from RM195 and for RM205 one could check into the Impiana Resort Cherating. Holiday Villa Cherating starts from RM195 per night, while Residence Inn starts from RM170 per night. the Duta Villa Beach Resort starts from RM118 while a more high-end alternative would be to check into Eastern Pavilion Cherating that starts from RM725 per night. the Duta Sands Beach Resort starts from RM118
Pulau Tioman, with its large choice of resorts and beach side hotels, one can check out the premier Berjaya Tioman Beach Golf & Spa Resort that starts from RM450 per night. Tioman Beauty Resort starts from RM320 per night while the Salang Pusaka Resort Tioman is a cheaper alternative, starting from RM75 per night. the Panuba Inn Resort Tioman starts from RM100 per night while the Mukut Coral Resort Tioman starts from RM290 per night.
In the capital, Kuantan, one can check into the Hotel Seri Malaysia that starts from RM138. Shahzan Inn starts from RM165 per night while Vistana Hotel has rooms starting from RM207 per night. Citiview Hotel starts from RM165. The Grand Continental Hotel starts from RM170 per night, while MS Garden Hotel offers rooms starting from RM202 per night. |
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Pahang Food Guide |
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Written by asiamind
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Tuesday, 10 June 2008 |
There are many types of food found in around Pahang, the locals like to use the phrase ‘Moh Makan’ to depict “let’s eat” and the multi-ethnic people here would typically demonstrate the many types of food found in around here.
There really aren’t any trademark food from Pahang, unlike other states like Terengganu and Kelantan but one should take note that food from around here are typically spicy and unique as the locals have their own style in cooking and recipe.
Most likely be influenced by the Arabs, Indians and Chinese, the malay food are predominantly made up of the local recipes. It is believed that ingredients like coriander, cumin and ginger are mostly used to cook the dishes here through the Indian traders.
Kebabs can also be found here which are most likely be influenced by the Arabs. Local versions of the Kebab are cooked using ingredients like satay. There are also huge influence of culinary brought in by colonies like the British and the Dutch into the local dishes.
One could easily find food outlets and restaurants in around the state. When staying in the hotel, the cafes and lounges there would normally offer great local authentic food although the local shops are normally better places to find food. The fruits and herbs in the state are renowned. Kaffir lime, pandan, coconuts and lemon grass are all used as ingredients in their cooking.
Apart from that, there are many other accompanying dish like soy and fish sauces and shrimp paste which are normally used to eat with other cuisine. To staple food here is rice, and usually eaten with meat and vegetables, coriander and galangal are also used to add flavor to the already sumptuous dishes. White rice is typically tasteless and therefore it is taken with other dishes which would normally be spicy as the local prefer their food this way. It would take a while for the budding tourist to get used to the unique flavor and spices used to cooking these dishes.
Variants of rice her einclude the nasi himpit or also known as nasi kapit which is essentially a type of ketupat. Used sometimes as the alternative to ketupat, it is normally eaten with satay sauce. |
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