On the wishlist - Sarawak Regatta, Malaysia

Travel stories are not just about been there , done that experiences. They are also about those moments , those destinations, those events that are in your wishlist. I have a  bucket list and it is always overflowing. Besides Borneo, one of my "to dos" is to visit the Sarawak Regatta .

An annual rowing event that happens on the Sarawak River in Malaysia , this actually dates back to the 19th century. Historically it was a way of resolving conflicts between various tribes who took the sporting route to manage their differences.

Sarawak Regatta has already gone international with several Asian countries participating. In many ways, it reminds me of the Snake Boat Race in Alleppey, which is also in my bucket list. The boats themselves are fascinating, especially the dragon boats and the traditional long boats.

  I am also curious about pillow fights - an event that happens here . I am planning to attend the 2013 event, which happens around August - September. Are you going to be there ?

A Jaunt in Jonker Street - Malacca, Malaysia

Most of travelling is not just about sightseeing. I usually enjoy absorbing the sights and sounds of a city by hanging out in the main square or walking around the streets. One of my favourite streets in Malaysia is located in Malacca, the World Heritage Site. Jonker Street is a cultural melange , a fusion of art and architecture , of local crafts and curios and I could lose myself for hours here. One of the best ways to experience the cultural heritage is to take a journey down the ages in a trishaw or a beca and listen to the stories narrated by the locals as they drive you down these streets.

Pic Courtesy : Brian Jeffery Beggerly, Flickr.com

Some of the ancient buildings here , which have been restored , date back to the 17th century and they lend a distinct European flavour to the architecture styles. East meets West in these quaint streets, now thronged by tourists. Visit Jonker Walk on the main street where you are greeted by art galleries, antique furniture and curio shops that  beckon you but be prepared for some hectic bargaining. And while you are here, do not miss Heeran Street or the Millionaire's Row and the beautiful Peranakan Museum, which showcases the unique culture . Sample the local food here or sit in a cafe and watch life pass you by in this vibrant street.

Take a piece of Malaysia with you

Buy a wooden mask or a tribal blow pipe from Malaysia�s skilled and talented artisans. 

I have a fetish for souvenirs and I collect almost everything from trinkets to masks to handicrafts from every country I travel to.  Amongst the melange of several souvenirs on my shelf is a tiny elephant with pink feet and ears resting under a coconut tree with its arms folded behind its head. Made of pewter, an alloy of tin, aluminium and copper, the piece was aptly titled Rest and Relaxation. It is my first pewter piece from Royal Selangor and although I bought several others, this one is a personal favourite.

Shopping in Malaysia is a delight, if you are like me interested in local handicrafts.  I have picked up wooden masks and carvings, shadow puppets, colourful kites, hand woven fans, batik sarongs among several other souvenirs. I have been told that the Handicraft Market in Kota Kinabalu or the Jonker Street Night Market in Malacca are some of the best places to shop, but you can visit many markets and shops in and around Kuala Lumpur, Penang and Kelantan, among other cities.

 The joys of shopping in a market lies in the discovery of a unique product. Sometimes it can be a tribal blowpipe or an wooden ornate panel. It can be jewellery if you fancy pearls or just some interesting trinkets. Eventually it is all about carrying a bit of Malaysia with you as you return home. And the golden rule is that you can always bargain in any of these markets.

This is a post that was published recently in Travel Wire Asi. If you like this post and want more information on Malaysia, do visit Tourism Malaysia.

Malaysia - A slice of paradise awaits you

Imagine this for a moment.  The salts of the sea tickle your nostrils as your eyes take in the vast expanse of blue. The waves gently flow and ebb, caressing the shore. As you close your eyes, warm hands work their magic on your skin as your body relaxes and your mind lets all of its cares go. You are in Malaysia, in one of the luxury spas on a little island by the seashore having the holiday of your life. Now, this is what they call bliss.

Malaysian spas use a range of natural products. Pic: Four Seasons.

A slice of paradise greets you the moment you step into any spa in Malaysia. Almost every resort in this country offers you wellness at their fingertips. You can choose from a medley of treatments � Ayurvedic, Balinese, Thai , Chinese and the quintessential Malay . If you prefer western forms of treatment, then you can choose between Swedish and Hawaiian styles. The aromas will lighten the mood as you step into a world of luxury and beauty. Bathe yourself in spicy and fragrant oils or try hot stones therapy to heal yourself as the fingers stroke your muscles in a rhythm of their own. Pamper yourself with a massage or try out any of the organic treatments or smear yourself with beauty products, Malaysia will bring you back as a fresh and new you.


The spas are all located in exotic destinations. You can choose to lose yourself  in lush tropical rainforests or gaze for eternity at blue green oceans or chill in the cool environs of mountains. From exotic Langkawi to forested Penang to Pangor Laut, every destination in Malaysia will treat you to a world of wellness. Enjoy the pampering, cool yourself in a swimming pool and hydrate yourself with a tropical drink. Now that�s a perfect way to enjoy a holiday on a tropical island!

This is an article that I wrote for Travel Wire Asia. If you enjoyed this article and would like to find out more about travelling to Malaysia, please visit the Tourism Malaysia website

Five Great Places to Unwind in Malaysia

My husband always cribs that my travels are never about relaxation and unwinding. As a traveller and travel writer, sights and stories are forever in my mind. Although travel for me is not about ticking off lists, I am constantly on the look out for interesting tales and takes. In Malaysia, however I did find some time to chill. I have been to the country twice and although my last trip was quite some time ago, the memories are rather fresh.. So, here is a post that I wrote for Travel Wire Asia on how to chill in Malaysia . Sing with the birds, indulge in a spa , read my suggestions in this post.

 
If you like the article and if you would like to visit Malaysia, do visit Tourism Malaysia for more information. You can also post your queries here and I will be happy to help.

Souvenirs from Malaysia

My house is forever filled with souvenirs that I could probably run a shop. I am a collector and although I have a craze for trinkets, I would like to bring home with me something which reminds me of a country. Standing on my table is a tiny elephant with pink feet leaning against a coconut tree with its feet up. Aptly titled Rest and Relaxation, these souvenirs are one of the oldest in my collection and they were the first that I picked up from Royal Selangor. Made out of an alloy of tin, aluminium and copper called pewter, these figurines and beer mugs are rather exclusive to this part of the country.

Photo credit � Leo Fung, Creative Commons, Flickr
I picked up several others but my favourites include a beer mug which shows vignettes of Malaysia and a beautifully carved plate . Although souvenirs made of pewter are available almost everywhere, I would recommend a visit to Royal Selangor.The largest manufacturer of pewter products , Royal Selangor�s tryst with the alloy goes back to the 19th century .You can pick your choice from photo frames to tea sets, from souvenirs to figurines. The range and variety of tankards here is rather amazing. I am told that Royal Selangor actually created the world�s largest tankard made of pewter which stands at a height of almost 2 metres and has a capacity of more than 2.5 litres. Mine however is just a simple mug , but nevertheless cheers to you and hope you bring home your own little pewter souvenir . 

On the beaches of Penang in Malaysia

My first visit to Penang was almost 20 years ago, when I was an over-awed teenager, looking at the international shores with wide open eyes. After the heritage tour of George Town was over, I went to the beach and it was the first time that I explored water sports. One of my favourites then was the water scooter � a novelty at that time. I did not know swimming, but that did not deter me from heading out into the sea. I took the instructor along with me and we went visiting some lesser known fishing hamlets and he took me on a journey into an unexplored Malaysia. It was probably one of my first ever experiences of solo travel and I returned to see some worried faces on the beach, looking for me. Although the memory is pretty hazy, one of the first things that struck me is how safe Malaysia is as a destination. The instructor told me that I rode the scooter on a reckless speed, but he was around to ensure that I returned safe and sound. Many trips have been made in the last twenty years, but the first trip is always special .

Penang today offers several water sports activities for the adventurous traveller. There is snorkelling, parasailing among other activities and if you would like to chill and relax, then you must visit a fish spa. The sandy beaches are idyllic spots to just walk around or to soak in the atmosphere as some of the hamlets are less touristy and absolutely quiet. Amongst the beaches, visit Tanjung Bungah, Batu Ferringhi and Teluk Bahang.

My favourite parks in Malaysia

There are times when you want to run away from all the noise and clutter and lose yourself in a world of lush greenery . I would rather see tall trees than high rise buildings .I hang out very often in parks and green spaces when I travel and I did the same in Malaysia. So here is my list of three favourite parks in Malaysia.


Pic courtesy : Diane Yuri, Creative Commons, Flickr.com

The Kuala Lumpur Bird Park
Now, imagine a tropical rain forest right in the heart of the city with colourful avian beings flying around in a world of their own. The Kuala Lumpur Bird Park is an absolute haven for bird lovers like me who can spend hours just watching them. Almost 3000 birds call this free flight walk in aviary their home as they spread their wings wide in this 20.9 acres of land.

The Kuala Lumpur Butterfly Garden
I was 21 when I visited this beautiful lush butterfly garden and I fell in love with it instantly. A little secret tucked away in the city, this is the largest ever butterfly garden in the world. More than 5000 colourful wisps of wings flutter around in this verdant landscape as you can watch them feed, mate and live in their own habitat.


Pic courtesy : Goflashpacker, Creative Commons, Flickr.com

Pulau Payar Marine Park, Langkawi
From green to blue, from Kuala Lumpur to Langkawi, we make the journey from land to sea. Malaysia am told is planning to have about 50 marine parks, but this is one of the tourist�s favourites. While some of the uninhabited islands offer opportunities for diving, the park centre at Pulau Payar gives you a detailed information on the island. And while you are here, do not miss the hiking trails and check out the colourful reefs.

So which is your favourite park ?

Destination on my wishlist�Borneo, Malaysia

It has been almost a couple of years ago since I researched Borneo in detail and planned a week long holiday in the tropical rainforests. I had been invited to Singapore by their Tourism Board and had hoped to extend my trip to Malaysia. Unfortunately, the visa did not come in time and I had to shelve my Borneo plans. The irony is that it still remains in my wishlist. However, I have helped a few friends with my research and would like to share some of them with you.
Borneo is essentially a huge island and is a part of three main countries � Malaysia, Indonesia and Brunei. The rainforests here are some of the oldest in the world and I wanted to spend some time birding, besides spotting the orangutan and the proboscis monkey, which is endemic to Borneo. My trip to this biodiversity hotspot was planned for at least a week and I was hoping to spend some time in Sabah, one of the main territories of Malaysian Borneo , the other being Sarawak.

Photo credit � Thomas Brown, Creative Commons, Flickr.
I had kept Kota Kinabalu , the capital of Sabah as my base. If you are up to it, you can attempt a hike up the Mt.Kinabalu, the highest mountain in South East Asia or head straight to Sandakan, either by air or by road, depending on the time and money that you have.

Photo credit � Thomas Brown, Creative Commons, Flickr.
The places that I wanted to visit in Sadakan were the Sepilok Orangutan centre , the Gomantong caves and the Turtle Island. Sadakan is an interesting town in itself with loads of history and culture, but the rainforests are the main attraction here.

Photo courtesy � Franco Pecchio, Creative Commons, Flickr
A cruise or a safari down the Kinabantangan river is where I would like to be every morning and evening to spot wildlife and birds. Much of the tourist resorts are located in Sukau here. Other destinations in Sabah are Danum Valley and Tabin Wildlife Reserve to spot mammals as well. Borneo needs time, so do not be in a hurry to rush through your trip. I do hope that I will be able to visit this elusive island soon.

Visit Penang - the Pearl of the Orient in Malaysia

I am on a nostalgic journey these days , visiting and revisiting countries that I had been to in the distant past, like Malaysia for instance. My memories are however rather fresh . I visited Penang, the island state that takes its name from " the island of areca nut palm " , also referred to as the Pearl of the Orient.

It was the first time that I saw a colourful trishaw, in bright yellow, decked with colourful flowers . Born and bred in Chennai , rickshaws are not really new to me as we have used it as kids to go to schools and near by places. But what really fascinated me about these "beca" as they are called locally here is the way they are spruced up and decorated. And unlike the Indian counterparts , these are pedal powered and not pushed by people, who drag your weight along the roads. The trishaws form almost a part of the tourist attractions here and it is highly recommended to take a ride along George Town in one of these vibrant vehicles.

George Town, the capital is a World UNESCO site , named after the British King George 111. A fort was built by the British here in the 18th century when they set it up as a trading post for the British India Company, George Town is very much reminiscent of the colonial era. Another similarity that brought me back from Malaysia to my hometown is the very own Fort St George here, built by the British in Chennai when they found the settlement, Madras almost 400 years ago.

As you go for a ride around the old commercial centre in Malaysia, you can see warehouses and godowns that stretch to the sea. Take a walk by the ocean side or shop for curios in the many shops that line this area or just go for a ride in the trishaw listening to your rider narrate stories.

Batu Caves - Murugan and Iguanas in Malaysia

My earliest memory of Batu Caves was seeing a man carrying an iguana on his shoulder and walking down the 272 steps . I gasped in surprise and shock and it was my first sighting of the iguana. The towering statue of the Tamil God Muruga was standing in front of us . My second memory was that of the best ever masala dosa that I had ever eaten in all of Asia, excluding India of course.

Being an Indian and a Tamil, I wanted to head to Batu Caves, where millions of Tamils all over Asia converge for the Thaipoosam festival that falls in the month of January or February. A three day colourful festival, Thaipoosam usually starts with a procession where the deity is in a chariot and is taken around from the Mariamman temple in Chinatown to Batu caves. Thronged by tourists, locals and devotees, this festival is a must see if you happen to visit Malaysia around this time.

Photo courtesy - Auswandern Malaysia

But this limestone cave is not just a religious destination - it is a tourist destination for all adventure seekers who would love to do some rock climbing while exploring a dark and dingy cave with their stalactites and stalagmites.

Batu Caves , named after the River Batu and the adjacent village is a series of caves and cave temples that were once the home of ancient tribes. As you explore , the darkness blinds you and you get into a world of fruit bats who now nest here. The "Vel " shaped entrance gave it a religious significance as it became synonymous with the Tamil God, Muruga who is also worshipped as a warrior deity in parts of South India. But whether you are a tourist looking for a spiritual experience or a dash of adventure, do not miss Batu Caves on your next trip to Malaysia

Top 3 - Must dos in Langkawi Islands in Malaysia

You have not one but over an archipelago of 100 islands to choose from when you visit Langkawi. However if you are a traveller in a hurry, then ensure that you have at least experienced these interesting experiences.

Photo Credit - Andy Lawson, Flickr .

1. The Cable Car
Take the cable car up the mountains and rainforests to get some outstanding panoramic views of the islands. As you go up the ropeway, from the foothills of Gunung Machinchang, taking in the scenery, you can see cascading waterfalls surrounded by jungles . Atop is a curved pedestrian bridge called the Skybridge, almost 125 metres long . If you are the adventurous type, you can even trek up here.

2. Pulau Payar Marine Park
Go underwater to get a glimpse of Malaysia�s ancient marine life . The life under the sea will dazzle you with all the colours in this marine park. You can go snorkelling here as this is one of the best diving site. The park centre is a great way to get oriented here. There are reefs built here, some are manmade built with old boats and tyres. If you are not into diving, then there are several hiking trails around as well.

3.Crocodile Farm
Want to see a live version of Man versus the Wild, then visit the Crocodile Farm to see a confrontation of humans and crocodiles here.  All these crocodiles and of course, the men are however well trained . Walk around the farm and you can see a sea of crocodiles being fed. Besides various species, you can also see baby crocodiles in a pool of their own

What are your recommendations for Langkawi ?