I'm bringing you a sure treat for your eyes this time!
Wishing a very good day to all!
" MALAYSIA - The vibrant city mixed with races such as Malay, Indian, Chinese and other groups living together."
* Country - The Federation of Malaysia comprises of Peninsular Malaysia, and the states of Sabah and Sarawak on the island of Borneo.
* Location - Situated between 2º and 7º to the North of the Equator line. Its the Asia's Southernmost tip.
* Captial - Kuala Lampur (Called as KL among the local people) is city of majestic skyscrappers.
* Languages - (Bahasa Melayu)Malay is the national language in use, but English is widely spoken. The ethnic groups also converse in the various languages like Tamil.
* Religion - Islam is the official religion of the country.
PETRONAS TOWER(TWIN TOWER OF MALAYSIA)
The Petronas Twin Towers (also known as the Petronas Towers or just Twin Towers), in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia are twin towers and were the world's tallest buildings before being surpassed by Taipei 101.
However, They were the world's tallest buildings from 1998 to 2004.
KL TOWER
The Kuala Lumpur Tower (officially known as Menara Kuala Lumpur; referred later as KL Tower) is a tall tower located in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia and was built in 1995. It is used for communication purposes and features an antenna that reaches 421 m (1,381 ft), which currently makes it the fifth tallest freestanding tower in the world. The roof of the pod is at 335 m (1,099 ft). The rest of the tower below has a stairwell and an elevator to reach the upper area, which also contains a revolving restaurant, providing diners a beautiful view of the city. Races are organised yearly where participants race up the stairs to the top.
PUTRAJAYA, Malaysia
Putrajaya(meaning victorious son in Sanskrit), is a planned city, located south of Kuala Lumpur, that serves as the federal administrative centre of Malaysia. The seat of government was shifted in 1999 from Kuala Lumpur due to the overcrowding and congestion there.
PM's OFFICE
'CONVENTION CENTER'
'VIEW OF PUTRAJAYA FROM CONVENTION CENTER'
'MONUMENT AT PERBADANAN, PUTRAJAYA'
Named after the first Malaysian Prime Minister, Tunku Abdul Rahman Putra the city is situated within the Multimedia Super Corridor, beside the also newly developed Cyberjaya. The development started in 1995 and today major landmarks are completed and the population is expected to grow in the relatively new city.
'PLANNED ARTISTIC LAMP POSTS & STREETS IN PUTRAJAYA'
Nevertheless, Kuala Lumpur remains as Malaysia's national capital and also as the commercial and financial centre. Putrajaya was the brainchild of a former Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohammad who was in power then. In 2001, Putrajaya was made a Federal Territory, increasing the number of federal territories to three. Kuala Lumpur and Labuan are the other two.
'MODERN ARCHITECTURISTIC BRIDGES'
'A FAMOUS MOSQUE FRONT OF PM's OFFICE'
'DELICOUS FISH HEAD CURRY AND SHRIMP DELIGHTS IN PUTRAJAYA RESTAURANT'
This is a excellent planned city! The heart of Malaysia lies calm here in Putrajaya! YEs, all the government offices are situated here, including the PM's Office. Still under construction are more government department buildings.
Various modern and artisitic bridges and fountains make this calm place a land of modern beauty!
A must see place for a tour to Malaysia!
BATU CAVES, MALAYSIA
* Batu Caves is a limestone hill, which has a series of caves and cave temples, located in Gombak district, 13 kilometres (8.1 mi) north of Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. * It takes its name from the Sungai Batu or Batu River, which flows past the hill. Batu Caves is also the name of the nearby village.
* The cave is one of the most popular Hindu shrines outside India, dedicated to Lord Murugan. It is the focal point of Hindu festival of Thaipusam in Malaysia which attracts over 1.5 million pilgrims yearly, making it one of the largest annual gatherings anywhere in the world.
GENTING HIGHLANDS
'GENTING HIGHLANDS RESORTS, CASINO'
Genting Highlands (About 1850m above sea level) is a mountain peak within the Titiwangsa Mountains on the border between the states of Pahang and Selangor of Malaysia and is home to a famous mountain resort by the same name which can be reached by car from Kuala Lumpur in one hour. It is also accessible by the world's fastest and South East Asia's longest cable car called Genting Skyway (3.38km).
Genting Highlands is popular for its theme park and Casino.
'GENTING SKYWAY, CABLE CAR'
* Its called as the Las Vegas of Malaysia, dubbed the "City of Entertainment" as it is the only legal land-based casino in Malaysia, run by Resorts World Bhd, a sub-company of Genting Group.
* The resort, Genting Highlands Resort, also features many hotels owned by Genting subsidiaries including Awana Genting, First World Hotel, Genting Hotel, Highlands Hotel, Resort Hotel and Theme Park Hotel. Facilities in this resort include two theme parks, a Ripley's Believe It or Not! Museum, a wind-turbine sky diving simulator, golf courses and shopping malls.
* In 2006, 2007, and 2008, Guinness World Records listed the First World Hotel as the world's largest hotel with a total of 6,118 rooms.
ZOO NEGARA, MALAYSIA
Zoo Negara (literally National Zoo in Malay) is a major zoological park in Malaysia located on 120 acres (0.49 km2) of land in Ulu Klang, near Taman Melawati on the north-east of Kuala Lumpur. It was officially opened on November 14, 1963. The park is managed by a non-governmental organization known as the Malaysian Zoological Society.
A high percentage of the animals here are local; therefore, a visit to Zoo Negara will be informative for tourists keen to know more about the indigenous animal life in Malaysia.
LANGKAWI:
* Langkawi, officially known as Langkawi, the Jewel of Kedah. It is an archipelago of 99 islands (an extra 5 temporary islands are revealed at low tide) in the Andaman Sea, some 30 km off the mainland coast of northwestern Malaysia. The islands are a part of the state of Kedah, which is adjacent to the Thai border.
* Langkawi is a duty-free island.
Beaches in Langkawi:
Langkawi’s beaches are simply some of Malaysia’s best. From the sandy bays to the sweeping coastlines, the island’s beaches are renowned among locals, beach-bummers and revellers from across the world.
* Pantai Cenang - The most popular beach in Langkawi is carpeted by fine, white grains of sand that doesn’t stick to you – this is the hallmark of a good beach. Delightful coconut trees and elegant casuarinas line the 2 km (1.2 miles) stretch of sand with resorts and chalets mushrooming in between.
* Pantai Pasir Hitam - As the name means ‘Black Sand’, this is an unusual beach with a strange colouration. The sand is mixed in white and black shades, giving the illusion of pollution. On the contrary, the rich tin and mineral deposits (iron ore) in the area wash up on the shore constantly, creating that false notion.
* Datai Bay - Hidden by a tropical rainforest, the Datai Bay offers an exclusive retreat for the rich and famous. Some of the country’s most expensive resorts are located here. The secluded beach in the bay offers gorgeous sights, including a view of Thailand’s coast-line on a clear day. Besides beaching yourself, you can also explore the surrounding tropical rainforest and admire the gems of Malaysia’s natural heritage.
Langkawi WaterFall:
Langkawi has a few waterfalls that offer a scenic and peaceful location for a picnic or simple relaxation. However, these waterfalls tend to be quite shallow and slow-moving during the dry seasons. When there’s rain, however, the waterfalls will begin bursting with life once again. The best time to see these waterfalls in their element is during the rainy season at the year-end.
Some waterfalls are Air Terjun Temurun, Telaga Tujuh Waterfalls and Durian Perangin Falls.
Astonishing attractions:
* Langkawi Sky bridge:
Suspended at 700 meters above sea level the unique curved pedestrian bridge spans 125 meters across a scary chasm. Views are spectacular offering a panorama over the landscape, the Andaman Sea, offshore islands and beyond...neighboring Thailand.
Unlike straight bridges where you can see from the starting point, Langkawi Sky Bridge has been curved to provide different perspectives over the land and sea. Convenient triangular platforms located along the curved bridge provide rest areas so you can sit and appreciate both the beauty of nature and an incredible feat of engineering.
* Eagle Square:
Visitors arriving at the Kuah Jetty will notice a giant red eagle statue permanently suspended in mid-flight. That marks the location of the Kuah Jetty Eagle Square; a mini park filled with scenic ponds, bridges, covered terraces, restaurants and barrel vaults made of bricks. The square is a great place to take a stroll with friends and family as the sea breeze gently caresses your face.
* Langkawi Underwater world:
The Underwater World Langkawi is an innovative marine aquarium which houses 5,000 types of aquatic life and some mammal and reptile species. A trip here will definitely enlighten you on the beauty of Malaysia’s flora and fauna both on land and sea. There is also a 3-D theatre which showcases documentaries on marine life for visitors.
* Langkawi Snake Sanctuary
Located in Kampung Tok Senik, the establishment houses a wide variety of local and international snakes. From the majestic King Cobra to the docile Boa Constrictor, the Snake Sanctuary is a fascinating place to visit.
MALACCA
Location: Malacca, a historical city is located on the West Coast of Peninsular Malaysia facing the Straits of Malacca, about 147 kilometres from Kuala Lumpur between the states of Negeri Sembilan and Johor.
Strong History: Malacca was founded by a fleeing prince from Sumatra in 14th century, it developed into a major trading port for ships from India and China. As the Melaka Sultanate flourished, the Portuguese conquered Malacca in 1511. Later the Dutch took over in 1641 until much later the British empire ruled Malacca. The state finally obtained independence with the then "Malaya states" in 1957. Today, one will find many remnants of the glorious past dated back more than 500 years ago.
Glimpses of some historical places in Malacca for you,
1. St. Paul's Church:
* A replica of the Melaka Sultanate palace was reconstructed at the foot of St. Paul's Hill. The design is based on the description of the palace from the sixteenth-century 'Malay Annals,' or 'Sejarah Melayu.' It is the only building of its kind in Malaysia, and it provides a rare glimpse of the ancient Malay kingdom that once flourished here.
* On top of St. Paul's Hill is the St. Paul's Church, once the prayer house of the Portuguese Catholics, then turned into burial ground for their noble dead by the Dutch. The tombstones have Latin and Portuguese inscriptions on them. St. Francis Xavier was buried here in 1553 before his body was moved to Goa in India.
2. A'Famosa:
After the Portuguese captured Melaka, they built a fortress to defend themselves. The fortress, called A'Famosa suffered severe destruction during the Dutch invasion. What's left today is just the entrance walls, still well preserved till today.
3. Kampung Keling Mosque:
This is one of the oldest in the country (17th century). It's a blend of Sumatran and Western architecture with a 3 tier pyramid roof, a touch of Hindu influence perhaps. The carved wooden ceiling is supported by elegant Corinthian-styled columns.
4. Cheng Hoon Teng temple:
Another well preserved building, the Cheng Hoon Teng temple was constructed in 1645 and is believed to be the oldest Chinese temple in the country. The eaves of the temple are decorated with Mythological figures and animation made from broken glass and porcelain. Besides the figures, the wood carvings and lacquer work are almost breath-taking.
Beaches of Malacca:
There are three beautiful beaches in Malacca,
* Tanjung Bidara - Its about 35 kilometers from the town of Malacca, the beach is ideal for swimming, water-skiing, and canoeing.
* Pantai Kundur - a small fishing village, is approximately 17 kilometers from Malacca. This beach is a popular spot for swimming and picnicking, and for its graceful form of night-fishing.
* Tanjung Keling - is the nearest beach from town, about 10 kilometers away. It has a stretch of sandy beaches set within a coconut palm grove. Activities include picnicking, swimming and canoeing. There are many "Grill Fish" stalls along the beach which offers fresh sea food for the visitors.
VISHNU TEMPLE in Malacca!
Must Eat in Malacca:
Baba-Nonya Food in every restaurants served with rich coconut milk.
PENANG:
Penang, is a state in Malaysia, located on the northwest coast of Peninsular Malaysia by the Strait of Malacca. Penang is the second smallest state in Malaysia after Perlis, and the eighth most populous. A resident of Penang is colloquially known as a Penangite.
MALAY FOOD:
* Malay cooking incorporates ingredients such as lemon grass, pandan (screwpine) leaves, and kaffir lime leaves. Fresh herbs, such as daun kemangi (a type of basil), daun kesum (polygonum or laksa leaf), nutmeg, kunyit (turmeric) and bunga kantan (wild ginger buds) are often used. Traditional spices such as cumin and coriander are used in conjunction with Indian and Chinese spices such as pepper, cardamom, star anise and fenugreek.
* Seasonings play an important role in Malay cooking as they often enhance the food taste and flavors. Many of the seasonings are not dried spices but are fresh ingredients such as fresh turmeric, galangal, fresh chili paste, onions, and garlic. A combination of fresh seasonings and dried spices are normally pounded together to make a fine paste and cooked in oil. Fresh coconut milk is often added.
* Rice is the staple diet in any Malay meal. It is often served for breakfast, lunch, dinner, and supper too.
* Fish is popular in Malay cooking, as with other seafood such as shrimps and cuttlefish. Beef and mutton are very popular choices but never pork as it is against their religious beliefs to eat pork. The other popular white meat is chicken.
* Dessert consists of Roti jala(lacy pancake) is an ideal accompaniment to any dish with lots of rich gravy and is often served during special occasions. It is made from a mixture of plain flour and eggs, with a pinch of turmeric powder and butter. Desserts are a must for any Malay meal. Easily available at most local restaurants and roadside stalls.
ROTI JALA:
Here's the recipe for you from www.rasamalaysia.com
Ingredients:
1. 1 3/4 cup all purpose flour (1/2 lb)
2. 1 1/2 cup low fat milk
3. 1/2 cup water
4. 1 egg
5. 1/2 teaspoon salt
6. 3/4 teaspoon turmeric powder
7. 1/2 tablespoon oil Ghee or butter (to grease the pan)
How to make this?
1. Sieve the flour and set aside.
2. In a big bowl, mix all the ingredients well together (except the oil) and strain the batter.
3. Add in 1/2 tablespoon of oil and set aside.
4. Heat up a pan with medium heat and grease it with some butter or ghee.
5. Pour some batter into the mold and transfer the mold to the pan.
6. As the batter flows through the holes of the mold, make circular rounds around the pan to form the netty patterns.
7. After the top is set and done or when the bottom turns light brown, transfer the Roti Jala out and fold it into triangle shape.
Arrange a few Roti Jala on a serving plate and add some curry chicken on the side and serve immediately.
MALAY CHICKEN SATAY:
MALAYSIAN SATAY
Ingredients:
1. 1 lb. meat- chicken, beef or pork
2. 2 cloves of garlic
3. 1 cup shallots
4. 1 teaspoon coriander seeds
5. 1 teaspoon cumin seeds
6. 1/4 inch piece turmeric root
7. 1 teaspoon salt
8. 1 tablespoon sugar
9. 1/4 cup evaporated milk
10. 1 tablespoon cooking oil
11. about 35 bamboo sticks
How to make this:
1. Cut meat into small thin pieces.
2. Grind together until very fine: shallots, garlic, coriander seeds, cumin seeds and turmeric.
3. Combine ground spices with salt & sugar.
4. Season meat with the ground spices and let marinate.
5. When you are ready to grill soak the bamboo sticks in water so they won't burn, skewer the meat with the sticks, don't overcrowd.
6. Grill satay sticks over a charcoal fire (barbecue grill), basting occasionally with evaporated milk combined with oil. Or, for the brush, use the head of lemon grass, smash and flatten to resemble a brush.
Delicious Satay done.
Recipe from June Chua: http://asiancuisine.suite101.com/article.cfm/malaysiansatayrecipe
2. Malaysian Mee Goreng Fried Noodles (Indo-Malay Style):
Hello Friends,
Ingredients:
1. Cooking Oil
2. 2 cloves garlic (chopped)
3. 3 tablespoons of chili paste or to taste (recipe below)
4. 1 lb of Yellow Noodles (rinsed)
5. 3 pieces of dried bean curds (cut into pieces)
6. 1 potato (boiled, peeled, and sliced)
7. 2 eggs
8. 4 squids (cleaned and cut into rings)
9. A handful of bean sprouts
10. 1 stalk of spring onion (cut into small pieces for garnishing purposes)
11. 2 red chilies (sliced for garnishing purposes)
12. 1 lime (cut into wedges)
Sauces:
1. 2 tablespoon of soy sauce
2. 2 tablespoon of dark soy sauce or kecap manis
3. 3 tablespoon of tomato ketchup
4. Sugar and salt to taste
Chilli Paste:
Blend 10 dried red chilies in a food processor. Add some water and some oil to blend well. Heat the wok and “tumis” (stir fry) the paste until the oil separates from paste. Set aside.
How to make this:
1. Heat the wok and pour in the cooking oil. Add garlic, 3 tablespoons of chili paste, sliced potatoes, bean curb pieces, and squids. Stir fry until fragrant.
2. Add yellow noodles and sauces and continue stirring. Set the noodles to the side of the wok.
3. Add some cooking oil and then crack the eggs. Scramble the eggs and mix in with the noodles.
4. Add in the beansprouts and quick stir for another 1 minute.
Serve hot and garnish with chopped spring onions and sliced red chilies. Squeeze some lime juice over the noodles before eating.
Recipe and pictures adopted from http://www.Asiancuisine.com, http://rasamalaysia.com, google, yahoo.
Other Famous Malay Delights:
1. Nasi Dagang:
The dish is made by cooking rice and glutinous rice together, to which coconut cream is added once it is cooked. Nasi Dagang is eaten with its own specially made side dishes of tuna fish curry and a light vegetable pickle.
2. Keropok Lekor:
A popular and the most visible fried snack in Terengganu, the keropok is made of fish meat, ground to a paste, and mixed with sago. Coming in two main different forms, the long chewy ones are called 'lekor', while the thin, crispy ones are called 'keping'. Keropok is best eaten hot with its special chilli dip.
3. Ayam Goreng:
This is a popular chicken dish. Simply meaning fried chicken, this dish is prepared by first marinating the chicken with various spices like turmeric and curry powder. It is then deep fried in hot oil and served.
4. Laksam:
A delightful yet simple dish, the laksam is akin to the western pasta dish. Like the latter, it has both the flour dough and the gravy that goes with it. However, unlike the pasta, laksam is made using both wheat and rice flours, and the dough is steamed instead of boiled. Laksam's gravy is made of fish meat, which is boiled, pureed, and later mixed with coconut milk.
5. Pulut Lepa:
Made of glutinous rice and fish, this snack food is prepared over a barbecue. Boiled fish meat is mixed with sliced onions, and dried chilies and coconut. The mixture is cooked until it is dry. This is then used as a filling for the glutinous rice rolls. Wrappings of banana leaf cover the food before it is cooked over the fire.
6. Rendang:
A meat dish that is prepared with coconut milk, chilies, onions and other condiments. Eaten with rice, the tasty tender meat is a delectable dish, a must at most Malay functions.
7. Ketupat Sotong:
A popular tea-time dish, it features squids stuffed with glutinous rice, bathed in a sea of cooked thick coconut milk. The stuffing is first soaked in coconut milk for an hour and a half before it is stuffed into the squids. Little skewers of coconut leaf rib holds the stuffing in place.
Picture and info: yahoo, google images, Allmalaysia.com, Wikipedia
Mmmm... A Beautiful City with Skyscrapers, surrounded by so many scenic islands and highlands with theme parks, Delicious spicy Fish and Chicken coconut delighs... what else do you need for a pleasant adventurous trip???!! Come on..!
Hope i'v given you a visual tour, start your real trip today!
