Durians

A Durian TreeDurian Fruits On The Branches

Durian Flowers

The Malaysia durian is definately the best durian in the world. Any of the tour guides who can give good commentary about durian is for sure to amaze the tourists about the durian. This is because all the while the tourists will know more about Thailand durian than the Malaysia durian.

Difference Between Malaysia Durian And Thailand Durian

1. Size : The Thailand durian is definately much bigger than the Malaysia durian.
2. Availability : The Thailand durians can be exported because the Thai durian can be plucked before they are riped. The Malaysia durian can never be plucked because once the Malaysia durian is plucked, it will never ripe.
3. Flesh: The Thai durian usually looked drier than the Malaysia durian. Because the Malaysia durian is ripe on top of the tree, hence the Malaysia durian is much more jucier. When you eat the Thai durian, you will find that it is very fleshy but the Malaysia durian is thinner. However, the flavour is totally different.
4. Aroma : Once the Thailand durian is eaten, one will know that it has very mild flavour. The Malaysia durian aroma is so much more stronger. Hence, the Malaysian usually commented that when eating Thailand durian, its like eating the potatoes. Malaysia durian also gives some bitter taste to it. But very unfortunate that because most tourists tasted the Thailand durian, so they prefer the sweet taste durian.

How To Choose Durian?

1. Shake the fruit gently. When shaking the fruit, you will feel the internal fruit will move. This shows that the durian is just ripe. If it is not ripe, it will stick to the skin of the fruit. If it is too ripe, it will be too juicy that it will stick to the skin as well. So the best durian is those which you can feel that the internal fruit is moving when you give it a gentle shake.
2. Look at the 3 circles on the stem of the durian fruit. The first circle which is the inner most represents the seed of the durian. So, of course the smaller the circle the smaller the seed is. The distance between the second and the inner most circle should be large because this represents the thick flesh of the durian. The outer most circle should be closer to the second circle because this represent the thickness of the durian skin.
3. Smell. By smelling and practising it regularly, one will be expert in choosing a good durian.

Please remember that the Malaysians appreciate the durian just like any Chinese appreciates Chinese tea or the French appreciates the red wine. Hence, sometimes a small durian could fetch the price of RM100 per fruit. So, eating durian is a matter of appreciation the aroma just like tea or wine.

When eating durian, always use the hand to eat the durian. Some tourists are afraid to use the hand to eat because they are afraid that the aroma will stick on to the hand. There are 3 traditional techniques where one can choose to wash away the aroma on the hand. The first method is let the water flow through the thorny skin. Then use the water which flow through was the hand. The second method is to rub your fingers through the middle part of the skin and the third part is by holding on to a seed of the durian and wash hand. Any one of these method will definately was away the smell on the hand.

When eating durian, a lot of people do not eat much because it is believed that it will produced heat to the body. So, most of the people will eat mangosteen or herbal tea to cool the body. Actually, the traditional method that the Malaysians do to reduce the body heat after eating durian is by using the skin of the durian to contain pipe water. Then drink the water.

The price of the durian will depend on the species of the durian. So, the normal price of the durian is about RM10 per kilo, the average is about RM20 per kilo and the best is usually above RM30 per kilo.

Because of the uniqueness of the Malaysia durian, I will always tell the tourists if you never eat durian in Malaysia, I will presume that you have never visited Malaysia. It is definately a MUST for tourists to try out the Malaysia durian when they are here.

Bon Appetite...

Holland Tourists' China Visa Problem

On the 11th Aug 2009, I took a Guang Dong group from China. The group consists of 25 adults and 8 children. Among the the tourists, there are 2 tour members from Holland.

Their itinerary is that I pick them up from KLIA ( Kuala Lumpur International Airport ) and immediately transfer them to put up a night at Melaka. Then early in the morning we will tour the Melaka city tour. After the city tour, we will head for Singapore.

So, I have to send the tourists to Singapore for a night. This means that after sending off the group, I will have to spend a night at Johor Bahru with my driver. The next day then only we will receive the group again at 2pm from the Gelang Patah immigration point.

After picking them up, the group will directly go to Genting Highlands. Usually we will reach Genting Highlands very late at about 9pm as it is a very long journey from the check in point to Genting Highlands. I will be able to finish work by 11pm.

The next day again, early in the morning we will check out from the hotel and head towards Kuala Lumpur for the city tour.

The above mentioned itinerary is a new itinerary for the China Guang Dong group. This is again one of the most economic tour group for the tourists and that’s why this kind of itinerary is getting more popular.

So, when I am taking this group, the two tour members from Holland ( a father and his daughter ) came to tell me about the visa problem. The father told me that his daughter’s China visa has expired and asked me if it is possible to arrange the visa for his daughter.

It was a hectic tour and I told him it is not possible to arrange for the visa. So, after gone through the tour, we were heading to airport.

I told the receptionist that there are 2 foreigners from Holland in the China group. She checked the China visa for both the tourists. She found out that the visa expiry date for the daughter.

She told me according to the IATA regulations, it is not possible to arrange the embarkation card for the daughter. She said that if she issue the embarkation card to the tourist who does not have the China visa, the Holland tourist will not be able to go into China. Hence, she will be sent back again to Malaysia and the Malaysia airline will be penalize for her mistake. And for this mistake, she will receive a warning letter.

So, I told the father about this matter and they decided to buy the flight ticket to Hong Kong. While we were at the MAS office to purchase the ticket, the lady also did not want to issue the flight ticket to the Holland tourists. According to the MAS sales person, the Holland tourists must have an onward flight ticket, then only she can issue the Hong Kong flight ticket. So, finally the Holland tourist has no choice but to buy the return ticket for her daughter as well in order for his daughter to go into China from Hong Kong.

So, my point here is that this is a very great lesson for tour guides and a very good experience for me as well. It is very important that tour guides should know about the IATA regulations as well. So, the next time when your tourists do not have visa for the destination country, make sure that you know the procedure about it.

The Aborigines of Malaysia : The Orang Asli

THE road to Cameron Highlands is lined with thatched huts along the way. Those who aren’t aware that there are Orang Asli villages on the sides of the cliff, are puzzled by these normally empty huts. Sometimes, these huts are manned by people selling their produce. Cameron Highlands and its surrounding towns in Pahang are home to the largest community of “orang kita” in Malaysia. This is also the focus of the Tourism Ministry’s recent launch of its new programme – the Orang Asli Tourism Package.

To The Village

One of the many participants of this new tourism package is Strawberry Park Resort in Cameron Highlands. In fact, the resort has been organising tours to Orang Asli settlements for a while now.

Its day trip is perfect for those who want to have an idea of life in an Orang Asli village but for those with a little more time to spare, there are package options of up to four days to Taman Negara and Felda Residence Tekam.

As time is of the essence, we pick the Strawberry Park Resort package. We set out, in a 4-wheel drive, for the Pos Terisu settlement in the early morning.

The journey, over both smooth gravel roads and narrow dirt paths, is quite pleasurable, thanks to the crisp, cool air on our cheeks as we move into the valleys where the village is.

As there’s no telco coverage in the area, not having to worry about phones ringing allows us to sit back and enjoy the scenery, from the huge green leaves of cabbage farms to the multi-coloured flowers along the edge of the road as well as the towering mountain half enveloped in the morning mist.

Excited Reception

The trip also lets us to appreciate the small things in life, like the laughter of children that can be heard all the time in the village.

Our arrival in the jeep is announced by a lone child’s excited shout. Then, like ants drawn to sugar, other children magically appear from nowhere and soon, there’s a crowd around the vehicle.

They are followed by adults who emerge from their two-storey wooden houses, dressed in bright colours that cheer up the otherwise rustic-looking houses. Those seated under a tent, busy fanning charcoal pits, also pause momentarily to see what the fuss is before resuming the task at hand – getting two fires ready to cook a meal.

Touching Scenes

I’ve gathered quite a few fans in Pos Terisu... a group of small kids trail behind me as I move from one point to the other but always, they warily keep at arm’s length.

However, they lap up the attention from our group, happily posing for pictures – sometimes laughing, sometimes serious and sometimes seated on top of a huge cement water tunnel.

These are scenes that will tug at even the heart of the grouchy Grinch but, seeing as how my heart is not made of stone like his, I melt over and over again at the sight of the kids having fun, kicking at pools of water, running around in the rain, pulling each other down into the mud. You tend to get the bigger picture when surrounded by innocence like this, I think.

The Semai of Pos Terisu has prepared quite a feast for us. Not only do we get to taste the delicious charcoal-cooked food but we also get to watch them preparing the meal.

Big On Bamboo

While waiting for the meal to cook, we are treated to tapioca wrapped in banana leaves and baked. It is so delicious.

With the food comes entertainment. We watch the Orang Asli perform the sewang dance to the tune of chenten instruments, accompanied by a singer.

The chenten comprises two pieces of bamboo that are knocked against a piece of hard wood, in sequence. It starts with the piece in the player’s right hand that’s slightly shorter than the piece in the left hand. The rule of thumb is that the right hand moves twice for every move made by the left hand and the knocking rhythm is accompanied by singing.

Bamboo is very important to the community as it is used, not only as a musical instrument but also for cooking. For our lunch, rice, chicken and fish are prepared in bamboo tubes.

To prepare the rice, the grains are wrapped in dark green, thick “daun ler”. These packets are then stuffed into bamboo tubes that are placed on the fire. Meat is simply stuffed straight into the tubes. Cooked this way, the meat acquires a lovely smokey aroma.

The Simple Life

It’s amazing how something so simple and straightforward can provide food for thought, even many days later. The total experience of eating the piping hot meal in such rustic surroundings touches me so deeply that when the time comes for us to leave, I do so with a heavy heart.

Till today, more than anything else, I can still hear the laughter of the kids as they jostle to get their photos taken, time and time again.

Another thing I dearly miss is the clean, crisp air, especially in view of the current haze hanging over the city.

More than anything though, I find it hard to leave the spirit of togetherness that exists in the community, the sight of children being children without a care in the world and the feeling of simply being and not being inundated by unnecessary things and needs.

Royal Support

Now you too have a chance to immerse yourself in the culture and daily life of the Orang Asli, not just in Pahang but also in other States.

At the launch of the Orang Asli Tourism Package last month, the Tengku Mahkota of Pahang, Tengku Abdullah Sultan Ahmad Shah, welcomed such a product and expressed pride about the number of Orang Asli in the State.He advised the community not to mimic the rest of the world but rather, to take pride in its own traditions and to maintain its practices.

He also expressed hope that the programme will benefit everyone involved, especially tourists who, after seeing how the Orang Asli lived, can get tips on taking better care of their health.

Accompanied by his consort Tengku Puan Pahang, Tunku Azizah Aminah Maimunah Iskandariah Sultan Iskandar, he later visited the various Orang Asli booths with displays of handicrafts.

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My Comments:

As a tour guide, we should know every race culture and lifestyle. The orang asli is definately one of the Malaysia unique attraction but very unfortunately our government did very little to promote about them.

In my experience of tour guiding, I have never come across any travel agents took the trouble to include the orang asli village as a tourist spot to let the tourists understand more about the orang asli.

I should suggest that when tour guides took tour groups to the National museum, don't forget to go to Orang Asli exhibition hall to understand more about them. There is a display of some utensils and daily items used by the orang asli.

Chinese Marriage

Keeping traditional wedding alive

Modern one-stop wedding shops serve to keep old Chinese customs alive.

RED is regarded an auspicious colour for weddings but you’d be hardpressed to find Chinese couples dressed in the traditional red kwa (Chinese wedding attire) these days.

Many young Chinese couples have done away with old customs such as distributing pre-wedding gifts like ka lui pang (wedding biscuits) and the roasted suckling pig. At the wedding reception, many of the guests may be dressed in elegant little black dresses. The venue will more likely be a five-star hotel or even a garden party rather than a crowded and noisy Chinese restaurant.
At most, just to please the old folks, a tea ceremony would be held. In fact, much of the wedding paraphernalia and practices are passed down the generations, and along the way, much of the significance of why they exist in the first place, are forgotten.

Old custom: A traditional Chinese wedding requires a lot of effort and planning.

If you want to follow the old ways, a traditional Chinese wedding begins weeks before the actual day, from the meeting of the in-laws to the exchange of customary gifts, as well as the rituals to be followed leading up to the eve and on the wedding day, along with all the accessories that must be bought in preparation for the wedding.

It takes a lot of effort and planning, which may explain why some couples choose to do away with old customs. For those who want to adhere to tradition, there are shops like those along Petaling Street or Jalan Ipoh in Kuala Lumpur, for example, which stock up on Chinese wedding products. Unfortunately, not many of the shop operators are able to explain why such items are necessary.

It can also be an exhausting affair, traipsing from shop to shop to find the appropriate items. Some shops, however, have evolved with the times, becoming one-stop centres that provide wedding planning services, along with all the colourful red paraphernalia, in comfortable air-conditioned settings.

Winnie Wong showing life-size wooden red clogs and miniature clogs which are symbolic gifts during a Chinese wedding.

One such outlet is Cadeau Souvenirs located at The Atria Shopping Centre in Petaling Jaya, Selangor. Opened last December, the shop offers knick-knacks such as red paper cuttings, ang pows, keychain clogs, pillows and bedsheets, ceramic wedding dolls, gift baskets, and even incense paper and jossticks for ancestral worship.

What’s more encouraging is that proprietor Winnie Wong, an ex-wedding planner, is thoroughly familiar with Chinese customs and can explain the significance of the individual items. This way, you can decide for yourself what’s necessary and what should be relegated to the backwaters of history.

On the day of this interview, a Chinese woman walked in, desperate for Wong’s advice.
“My son is getting married to a Malay girl tomorrow and I need to buy prayer items to thank the house gods,” she confided in Wong. She left a satisfied customer as she got what she wanted, relieved that her last minute shopping was done.

A blushing bride arriving in a sedan chair. Such wedding dolls are favoured as a decorative item for the bridal chamber.

Two hours later, two women arrived with a little boy in tow.

“I’m accompanying my prospective daughter-in-law who is making early wedding plans because her parents are in Sarikei (Sarawak),” explained housewife Chan Yoke Pau, 57.
Music teacher Annie Wong, 28, had planned to get married during the school holidays but Chinese restaurants are fully booked up to this October. Hence, she set a date for next January.
The women enquired about tea sets and other necessary items including the red doorway cloth.
Chan admitted that she had forgotten what was required for a wedding. She wanted to keep the rites simple but was keen about observing certain rites.

A pair of ‘symbolic’ poultry to replace the live chicken usually given in a Chinese wedding.

“My mother-in-law broke a tea cup from a new tea set without my knowledge. To avoid any inauspicious implications, she replaced it with an entirely new tea set before the wedding. Later, I found parts of a broken tea cup under my bed,” recalled an amused Chan.

Wong explained that most wedding items should be provided by the bride since she gets a dowry. The tea set (char kwai) is a wedding must-have.

“It signifies that the bride is bringing luck into the groom’s household. Customarily, the tea ceremony is held to pay respects to the elders and has a connotation of water or sui which the Chinese take to mean luck,” she says.

Next comes a pair of bowls (yee sik woon in Cantonese) complete with spoons and chopsticks. This symbolises “a good livelihood” for the groom. Bowls with peony flowers, mandarin ducks or dragon and phoenix are popular choices. Annie also asked about gifts for the groom and was told to buy the red doorway banner, dragon-phoenix candles and 36 fruits.

“As your in-laws are outstation, it would be better to get the fruits in Sarawak closer to the day. Buy any seasonal fruits except the pear as the Chinese homonyn for pear, lei, is associated with divorce (lei fun),” advises Wong.

“For the roast pig and a pair of live chickens, you can substitute these with ang pow packets for the bride’s family so that they can buy these gifts themselves rather than lug them on the plane.”

Wong sells special ang pow packets with Chinese characters to denote what the token money is for, such as roast pig, poultry, wine and other gifts.

Wherever possible, she tries to convince young couples to uphold traditions.

During traditional Chinese weddings, the table lamp for the bridal chamber is also deemed compulsory. In the past, a kerosene lamp was used and it had to be kept continuously lit for three days and three nights. The flame is kept alive in the wish that this year is the wedding feast (hei chow) and next year, would be the full moon celebration (moon yit chow). The household is also kept brightly lit to activate the flow of qi (energy) for auspiciousness.

These days, however, modern couples can buy electrical table lamps for the bridal room to avoid possibly causing a fire.

Red wooden clogs were also very much a part of Chinese wedding paraphernalia as they were accompanied with the phrase poh poh koh sing (Cantonese, which translates loosely as “may every step be accompanied by prosperity”). Nowadays, these are represented in the form of keychain clogs or even fridge magnets, which are no more than clever marketing ploys to implore the young to observe old customs. Some miniature clogs even come with zodiac signs of the newlyweds. Some traditional Chinese parents insist on giving the Offspring Bucket (chee sin toong in Cantonese which comprises basin, mug, spitoon, tea tray and baby’s bathtub) as it symbolises blessing the couple with children.

From : The Star 29th July 2009

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MY POINT OF VIEW:

In my own opinion, it is very important as a tour guide in Malaysia, we should know the various racial marriage ceremony as Malaysia is a multi racial country. We should be able to give good commentary on the various stages of the marriage ceremony held for each race. Guests will be surprised on how knowledgeable we are.

In my experience as a trainer and also examiner, I usually encounter the tour guide or exam candidate is only well verse on his/her own race wedding ceremony. It is my hope that the tour guide will do more research on this topic.

My suggestion is that if we are invited for a wedding dinner or ceremonial, make an effort to attend on the various race wedding ceremony. I am sure when you are there, you will have a good participation and understanding of the whole wedding ceremony.

“My sister refused the Offspring Bucket during her marriage. Now in her 40s, she is still childless,” related a housewife in her 50s.
Other practices include sprinkling dried fruits and nuts on the bridal bed to bless the happy couple with many children and grandchildren.
The modern variation offers small pouches of prepacked fruits and nuts for this purpose, saving you the trouble of going to the dried foodstuff or sundry shop. Even live chickens (tai loh kai) can be substituted with a pair of fake ones!
In the past, a pair of chickens would be placed under the bridal bed. Then, every effort is being made to scare the chickens out. If the rooster comes out from under the bed, then a male offspring is predicted for the married couple. So far, no one can verify the accuracy of this prediction and plastic chickens won’t be much help in this department!
Traditionalists may insist on a “hairdressing ceremony” (seong tao), regarded as “a rite of passage” prior to the nuptial. This is usually carried out at midnight on the eve of the wedding by a woman (who has a living spouse) who has a happy family to denote auspiciousness.
Items for the ceremony include a ruler, a bunch of red threads and a mirror (plus a handkerchief for the bride’s side). The woman who combs the bride or bridegroom’s hair can also be his or her own mother (or any elder), if she fits the bill.
If the groom-to-be observes a hairdressing ceremony on the wedding day (after midnight), the bride-to-be must also perform this rite. If he chooses not to have this ceremony, the couple will drop this ceremony entirely.
The ritual marks the passing of a child into adulthood and is regarded as a must as it is symbolic of “offering prayers to Heaven, Earth and Mankind to ask for blessings for a lasting marriage.” Even so, such prayers are no guarantee that the marriage will last.
Many age old customs are no longer em-ployed in today’s modern Chinese weddings and Wong’s enterprise is one way to keep these practices alive. Even though many of the products offered in one-stop shops like hers seem like marketing gimmicks more than anything else, at least it’s one avenue where the next generation can incorporate old world customs into modern weddings.

From : The Star 29th July 2009

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Wedding taboos
By MAJORIE CHIEW
IN Western society, June weddings are popular. The practice was believed to be influenced by the Romans who favoured weddings on that month. Apparently, the month of June was dedicated to the observance of Juno, the Roman goddess of marriage.
Traditional Chinese on the other hand, don’t like holding weddings on the sixth lunar month because they believe that such weddings will not last. An old Chinese adage says that such marriage equates to “a half-year marriage” (poon nin chai in Cantonese).
Two other taboo months are the seventh lunar month (the Ghost Month) and the fourth lunar month (Qing Ming). Weddings are avoided during these inauspicious months owing to the belief of spirits roaming the earth.
During a wedding, the Chinese also have many superstitions and taboo practices.
According to Winnie Wong, proprietor of Cadeau Souvenirs, guests are not allowed to use hand fans on a hot day. It is taboo because it signifies the separation of the couple.
After the wedding banquet, it is taboo to say the words “see you again” to the newly-weds, as this would imply a second marriage.
On the wedding day, the bride is prohibited from wearing a dress with pockets as some Chinese deem it as “siphoning out the wealth luck from the bride’s home”.
When a wedding car passes another wedding car, it is said that both the new couple’s bliss can be eliminated. To save the situation, the tai kum chea (bridal chaperone) must promptly announce: “Nothing is taboo.”
When the bride enters the bridegroom’s house, she must not step on the threshold but walk across it. The bride should not to step on the bridegroom’s shoe as it signifies humiliating him.
Within the first four months after the wedding, the newly-weds are not allowed to attend any weddings and funerals. These days, the wedding couple is not supposed to attending such functions one month before and one month after their nuptial to avoid courting bad luck.

When Is The Best Time To Visit Malaysia???

Throughout my profession, I have been asked by tourists when is the BEST time to visit Malaysia...so here I would like to share with you with my own opinion when should be the best time to visit Malaysia.

First of all, before visiting Malaysia, one has to know what are the reasons or motives of visiting Malaysia. This is because the tourists can have various reasons for visiting Malaysia.

For those eco tourists enthusiasts, please be well aware that it is not suitable to visit Malaysia during the monsoon season. Malaysia's monsoon season is usually from November till February.

Even though Malaysia is well known for its wetness, but the monsoon season is the wettest of all. It rains so heavily that usually the north east of Malaysia ( Terengganu and Kelantan ) is flooded.

For those who are interested to go for diving, please be well aware that those islands at the north east of Malaysia, namely Pulau Redang, Pulau Perhentian, Pulau Kapas, Pulau Lang Tengah, etc. are closed due to the monsoon season.

Other than the monsoon season, any time is the best time to visit Malaysia.

But please don't misunderstand that during the monsoon season is not suitable to visit other parts of Malaysia. As I have mentioned, it depends on the reasons for you to visit Malaysia. If you are visitting Malaysia for the sake of enjoying Malaysia, then of course ANY TIME IS BEST TIME TO VISIT MALAYSIA.

But then, for the shopaholics and fruit connoisseurs, the best time to visit Malaysia is always during the month of July and August.

For the shopaholics, the annual Malaysia mega sales is held during this time. All shopping complexes throughout the country will organise crazy sales during this time of the year. Unbelievable prices for clothings, electronical products, etc can be bought.

As for the fruit lovers, it is the Malaysia fruit season of the year. Every where you go in Malaysia, you will bound into fruit stalls selling variety of local fruits. One of the best durian species, Mau San Wang ( in Mandarin, and if translated in English it means King cat of the hill ) is at its cheapest price during this time of the year. During the normal season, this durian price can fetch up to RM42.00 per kilo. But during the fruit season, its usually at RM18.00 per kilo. One can even buy mangosteen at RM10 for 3 kilograms.

As for divers, those who go for diving at the north east Malaysia reported that the whales and dolphins can be seen during this time of the year. Last month ( June ), when we went for our company trip to Langkawi, we saw a school of dolphins swimming around. This is indeed an unforgettable experience!!!

Tour Guide's Job Satisfaction And Achievements

As a tour guide, have you ever wonder what is your utmost job satisfaction?

When I posted some questions to my fellow tour guides, these are few of the reasons given by them.
1) When seeing that the tourists are happy.
2) The tourists are safe.
3) The tourists have a full knowledge of our country.
4) Spent every single cents they have in Malaysia.

But when I posted this question to the tourists, they will most likely said when I see that they are happy, I will be happy with my job.

After recieving a group of tourists, I will always inform them that it is my responsible and very important to see that they are happy coming into Malaysia and till the very last day of their departure, I will assure that they will be happily going back with great memory of Malaysia.

As a tour guide, we are not like any artists. Whenever an artist finished off his art, he can see it and appreciate it. So, as a tour guide what is our job achievements and satisfactions?

The job title for a tour guide will stick to the person for the whole life. There is no such thing as promotion of title.

The income of a tour guide has been stagnant for almost 10years. A tour guide's fee in Malaysia is only RM150 per day. But at times, we have to work more than 12hours a day.

So, what is the job satisfaction and achievements of a tour guide?

Recently, I recieved 2 emails from my tourists. The comments that they gave to me is of course my job satisfaction. One of the mail is the link as listed:

And here is a copy and pasted email from one of the tourists: http://www.randomthoughtz.com/2009/06/malaysia/

Dear Mr. Chua: I reteurned to Delhi on 21st June after a nice tour of Malayasia and Singapore. I am thankful to you for all your help and excellent guidance given to us during our trip. I was very pleased to notice how proud you are to be a citizen of Malayasia. I was very impreessed with your knowledge of Malayasian socail life, history and culture. Our visit to Malayasia, because of you help was the highlight of our tour. Because of the time spent with you I would like to visit Malayasia again. In case you happen to come to Delhi, please let me know. My Mobile No. is 9810502044. I live very close to New Del;hi Airport. I am planning a 4 week trip starting August 24 to Europe mainly to UK and Spain. Mr. and Mrs Lal join me to convey their thankfulness to you as well. With regards. B P Singh

As for me, whenever I recieved great gratitudes like this is my real achievements and accomplishments.

Towards the end of the tour, you as the tour guide will automatically know that you have done well with your job because from the facial expression of the tourists tells it all.

And of course, certain tourist like Mr. Singh will certainly give us some tokens as appreciation for our job well done...

Cost of Drink Driving Tourists To Other Places

Cost of drink driving tourists to other places

By K.P.WARAN

One of the main draws of Malaysia is its great food and beverage sector. But the country stands to lose tourists to neighbouring rivals if it does not relook the price structure, especially for alcoholic beverages.

MALAYSIA’S culinary attractions have long been a hot topic of discussion among locals and foreigners alike.

Ask Malaysians what they miss most when they are overseas and they will most likely reply “the food”. Ask foreigners what they enjoy most when they visit and they’ll also probably say: “the food”.

Statistics from Tourism Malaysia show that last year, tourists spent a whopping RM8.77bil on food and beverage, the third highest tourism sector to rake in the ringgit after accommodation and shopping. The F&B sector last year saw a 5.2% growth on the RM8.34bil spent in 2007, thanks largely to the culinary accomplishments of both local and foreign chefs.

Tourism Minister Datuk Dr Ng Yen Yen recently announced that a total of 20 million tourists are targeted to arrive this year, down from 22 million last year. One of her strategies to raise tourism revenue is to make them stay longer and spend more money here, including on food and beverage.

With the slowdown of the global economy and with the expected decrease in overseas visitors, the need to focus on tourists who are willing to spend more money in the country cannot be underscored.

Newly-appointed Tourism Malaysia chairman Datuk Dr Victor Wee Eng Lye is quick to admit that fine dining – involving both local cuisines and international fare – has a lot of potential for growth and the sector has always been one of the priority promotion areas. The former secretary-general of the ministry said activities involving promotion of the food and beverages sector has focused on the diversity of food available in Malaysia with its unique blend of ingredients, spices and tastes brought about by the “melting pot” of different ethnic groups in the country.

“While we aspire to be a major shopping hub, this programme runs hand-in-hand with the promotion of making dining and spa facilities premier attractions for tourists,” he said in an interview.

Wee admitted that one of the major complaints from food outlet operators is that while the price of food is reasonable and competitive in the region, the high prices of alcoholic beverages tend to be a put-off, since fine dining in the Western world is often accompanied by wine, whisky, beer and stout.

“Unfortunately, wine and beer have become a victim of the so-called sin tax here. It is important to see beyond this issue and look at the implications of higher taxes and look at ways to be competitive, especially when our neighbours have much to offer under this category,” he said.

Wee said during budget dialogues and proposals and recommendations submitted to the Treasury prior to a new budget, the issue of not raising taxes for alcoholic beverages is often stressed.

He said that apart from supporting events such as the Malaysian International Gourmet Festival, road shows involving celebrity chefs and food festivals hosted by hotels here, efforts to promote Malaysian food overseas in Britain, Australia, Japan, Hong Kong, Macao, Singapore and China were continuous, with the aim of bringing awareness of Malaysian cuisine and luring tourists here.

Deloitte Consulting Southeast Asia Sdn Bhd, which carried out a study in July last year called the “Economic and Social Impact Assessment for the beer industry in Malaysia” indicated that the excise duty on beer is the highest in Asia and second highest in the world after Norway.

The report also said beer consumption has been on a downward trend over the last 17 years, with consumers switching to drinks that are cheaper and of higher alcohol content.

The report added that surveys carried out in Malaysia among tourists showed that almost 50% of European tourists and at least one third of Asian tourists view beer and stout prices as expensive and concluded that it would be to the mutual interest of the Government and industry to maintain the current level of excise duty on beer and stout.

Guinness Anchor Berhad (GAB) managing director Charles Ireland said that while Malaysia offers exciting tourism products, lovely beaches, nature at its best, warm people and great dining experiences which are about the best in Asia, the high tax on alcoholic beverages has an effect on potential tourists.

He noted that between 1991 and 2006, excise duties on beer and stout have increased by a total of 169%, resulting in a 14% decline of the market.

“Those who have visited the region will come to realise that they can get more reasonably priced food and entertainment elsewhere and they also sub-consciously feel that Malaysia is not interested in Westerners who enjoy a beer after a hot day of sightseeing.”

“The taxes on alcoholic beverages here are so high that Malaysia is about five years ahead of other countries in the region. My suggestion is either we maintain current tax levels until the countries catch up with us or the authorities seriously consider restructuring the tax regime as has been done by some South-East Asian nations,” Ireland said.

Malaysian Association of Hotels vice president Ivo R. Nekvapil also believes that lower taxation on alcoholic beverages would help the F&B sector to be a drawcard for foreign tourists.He said that in order to offer competitive prices for tourists, fine dining outlets and hotels should also re-look their price structure since some of them charge three or four times what is charged by normal restaurants.

He added that in the hotel industry, 60% of the revenue is generated from accommodation, 40% comes from F&B and in some hotels the ratio is 50:50.

“Good food, good service and reasonable pricing can bring more tourists and locals into these eateries and this is crucial in these times of economic slowdown where people are tightening their belts,” he said.

> K.P. Waran, a former journalist, is now a training consultant.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------As a tour guide, I strongly oppose this opinion that the expensive alcoholic drink is chasing away other tourists to our neighbour country.

Yeah, certainly when the tourists found out that the alcoholic beverages is just as expensive as in Singapore, they accept it. Furthermore, after explaining to them that Malaysia is a Muslim country, they will definitely accept it.

In fact, just like tobacco, everyone knows that Singapore has one of the strictest law against tobacco. In Malaysia, due to our local regulations, the tourists are also not allowed to smoke in a lot of places. Do they complain about this or turn away from us? Certainly not at all. In fact, some of them really admire us and even told me that after visiting Singapore and Malaysia, they quit smoking. We are actually helping the tourists from all these sins!

The tourists come to Malaysia for other reasons : Our shopping paradise, diversity in culture and traditions, our greenery, etc.

There are so many reasons as to why the tourists come to our country. So, the pricey alcoholic beverage is definitely a very minor issue.

As for food, Malaysia is definitely a food paradise due to its multi ethnic background.

But then again it depends on the profile of the tourists. The Asian tourists, generally do not accept other food easily. For example, most of the Indian tourists are vegetarian. The Arabs will even bring their cooking utensils to cook their own meals in the hotel rooms.

Of course, if you ever ask any Malaysians, they will happily boast off what are the good food there in their hometown or where they are staying.

Shopping : Where is Cheaper? Singapore or Malaysia ?

When ever I am on tour, the tourists surely will ask me this big question : When shopping, which country is cheaper... Singapore or Malaysia ? What do you think?

Very unfortunately for the China tourists, because they will always go to Singapore first then only to Malaysia. So, most of the time, they will spend most of their money in Singapore. The Singapore tour guides will of course influence the China tourists to shop in Singapore. The poor China tourists ended up buying the wrong things which by right those items are cheaper and better quality in Malaysia.

Most of the China tourists are being influenced by the international famed Singapore as the shopping paradise. It is very unfortunate that some of them till this very day still do not know much about Malaysia.

As for the Indian tourists, they will ask the same question as well. But they are lucky because in their itinerary, they will usually arrive Malaysia first then only to Singapore.

The Indonesia tourists for sure know that it is definately cheaper to shop in Malaysia as they are our neighbour.

Now, the big question is why shop in Malaysia and why it is so much cheaper to shop in Malaysia? These are the following factors why it is cheaper to shop in Malaysia.

1) Depreciation of Malaysia Ringgit : During the 1997 financial crisis, the Malaysia currency, ringgit ( RM ) has depreciated terribly. Before the finacial crisis, 1 USD = RM2.50. After the financial crisis, the ringgit has depreciated to 1 USD = RM3.50. So, because of the ringgit depreciation of course it is definately cheaper to shop in Malaysia.

2) Duty Free : The Malaysian government took the advantage of the depreciated Ringgit and turn Malaysia a shopping paradise of South East Asia. The Malaysia government announced that there are about 30 items which are duty free for example : electronic products, jewelry, watches, cosmetic products, leather goods, etc.

3) Shopping Carnival : Due to the depreciated Ringgit, the Malaysia government also organised two shopping carnival in a year. The first shopping carnival is from the month of July to beginning of September. The second shopping carnival is from November till December.

4) Lowest Cost of Living : It has been reported in the newspaper that living cost in Kuala Lumpur has been the lowest compared to big cities in the world. Due to low rental cost, food and man power, the manufacturing cost will definately be much cheaper.

5) Production of Raw Materials : Malaysia has been the world's main manufacturer for a lot of raw materials like the palm oil, rubber, chocolate, tin, etc.

So, these are the main reasons why it is cheaper to shop in Malaysia. And as a proof, below is an article from the local newspaper, The Star.

Sources : The Star 13th Dec 2008.

JOHOR BAHARU: Singaporeans, despite facing some tough economic conditions back home, are still the big spenders in Malaysia.

Figures gleaned from the 2008 Malaysia Mega Sale Carnival statistics showed that Singaporeans spent the most with a whopping RM64.7mil in credit card transactions.

Indonesians are next with RM42.9mil and that is why Tourism Malaysia is confident that the Malaysia Savings Sale 2008, which began on Nov 29 and ends on Jan 4, will enjoy the same success, if not better.

Speaking at the Johor launch of the Malaysia Saving Sales 2008 at the Plaza Pelangi on Friday night, Datuk Idros Mohd, the chief executive officer of Pempena Sdn Bhd, the Shopping Malaysia arm of the Tourism Ministry, said that Singapore was still the country's No 1 market.

"There is no denying that we depend a lot on Singaporeans as far as tourist arrival figures are concerned. In fact, last year we welcomed an estimated 10.5 million Singaporeans. "In a way, the Malaysia Savings Sale 2008 is targetted primarily at the Singapore market and Johor Baru being the closest to the republic is our main focus."People say that during these tough economic climate, shopping is the last thing on their minds. But I see it as a blessing in disguise for Malaysian retailers. "Times are tough and consumers are more careful with their money. That's why it's so attractive for Singaporeans to make their short hop-over to Johor Baharu to shop because of the favourable exchange rate," he said.

The opening of the new Customs and Immigration Complex scheduled for Tuesday also means that Singaporeans will enjoy a smoother drive into the city, Idros added.

The Malaysia Savings Sale 2008 was first launched by Tourism Minister Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said at the Pavillion in Kuala Lumpur on Nov 29 and since then it had launches in Langkawi, Miri, Kota Kinabalu, Penang and now Johor Baru. - Bernama

Importance of Being Able To Speak Various Language

Since the month of May,2009, it has been very very low season for most China market tour guides. Previously, on average there will be about 30 groups coming into Malaysia via Singapore. But these days there are only about 5 China groups per day.

I was told that the China government started to impose strict regulations to all the travel agents in China. If there is any complaint from the chinese tourists, then the China travel agent will be black listed.

As for the China tour leaders, they are also strictly controlled as well. They have to deposit RMB40,000 and to ensure that there will be no complaints towards them. Or else their deposit will be forfeited.

Due to this reason, the China travel agents are very reluctant to market their tours to South East Asia.

Of course there are other reasons like the recession and also the H1N1 that made the China tourists reluctant to travel overseas as well.

I am one of the lucky tour guides for I am able to speak fluent English and Malay. As such, I am able to take the Indian and also the Indonesia tourists. I was told some of the China market tour guides can only lead a group a month.

As for last month, I lead a China group, an Indian group and also two Indonesia groups.

So, it is very important that as a tour guide, we must be able to speak various languages in order to survive.

Being able to lead various countries tourists is also an added advantage because I am able to know the habits, culture, likes and dislikes of the tourists.

Fake Ren Min Bi Notes Now In The Region

Thursday January 15, 2009

Sources : The Star

Fake renminbi notes now in the region

COUNTERFEIT renminbi currency notes have been found circulating in South-East Asia countries and Hong Kong, reported Sin Chew Daily.

The Central Bank of China had started investigation into the counterfeit notes and was expected to disclose its findings this week, it said.

The fake notes of 100 renminbi denomination were first found in Guangdong.

Subsequently, the fake notes with serial number of HD90 were found in Shanghai, Hunan, Guangxi and Szechuan.

Guangzhou police had also started investigation into the fake notes.

A local money changer was quoted as saying he would not exchange fake notes with customers.
He added that the fake notes originated from China, but it was not a serious matter in Malaysia.

___________________________________________________________________

From the STAR report, it is nothing to be surprised for there could be anything fake in China. So, one of the most difficult tasks faced by tourists guides is to have the trust in them.

Whenever I am on tour, I will need to always brain polish the China tourists that not all countries are like China where there are too many fake items in China.

I always tell them please do not bring their mentality and habits of China to our country Malaysia.

Just recently, the group which I took, I carelessly recieved a piece of fake twenty renminbi note. It seems that there are just too many fake renminbi in China and whenever we tour guides accept these notes, we have to be extra careful.

Rain Tree

Rain Tree

The Rain Tree, sometimes referred to as the Monkey Pod, is a native of tropical America. It is a much valued shade tree that has been in cultivation in most countries of the tropics since the 19th centrury. It is recorded that the rain tree was brought to Singapore in 1876.

The tree grows up to 25 m tall with widespread umbrella-shaped crown. The bark is fissured and chocolate colored whilst the trunk is slightly crooked. The leaves are 20-30 cm long, compound with 3-6 pairs of side stalks; 6-8 pairs of leaflets arise on each side stalk, which are small, (3x2 cm) and almost rhombic in shape.

The spreading branches and trunk usually support the growth of a wide epiphytes or parasites. This is possibly because the shallow grooved bark provides a suitable environment for the growth of the epiphytes roots.
It is not exactly sure how the rain tree derives its name. The leaflets usually close about one hour from sunset and open again at sunrise. The leaflets also go to sleep when the sky is overcast due to approaching rain. Its Malay name is Pokok Hujan-hujan or Pokok Pukul Lima. ( The Five O’clock Tree )

The rain tree is deciduous and once a year, it sheds its leaves. The tree bears numerous tiny pink flowers which are grouped together into small heads giving a fluffy appearance. These sweet scented flowers are, however, not conspicuous.

After the flowers fade away, fruits are formed. The fruit is long and straight, 15-25x1.5 cm, with many seeds which are separated by partitions; the seed measuring 1.5 cm long and is brown in color. The fruits contain a sticky, sweet but smelly pulp and are eaten by children in the West Indies. It is said that cattle eat these fruits readily. The Rain Tree is now a common sight as a roadside shade tree throughout the country. Cross cuts of the tree are used as table tops due to the excellent growth rings they display. The wood from the tree is light and soft and is little value.

The rain tree can easily found in most of the residential area and the most prominent ones are in the garden near the Mahkota Parade, Melaka and also the main entrance of the Botanical Garden, Penang.

New CIQ complex opens

JOHOR BARU: The new Sultan Iskandar Customs, Immigration and Quarantine (CIQ) complex will be fully operational tomorrow and replace the Causeway checkpoint in the city centre, which will be closed.

This means that all vehicles travelling to and from Singapore will have to use the new complex to get their passports stamped and Customs checks.

Ready for action: An aerial view of the new Sultan Iskandar Building (background), which houses the new Custom, Immigration and Quarantine complex in Johor Baru.

The RM1.3bil new complex, which has 76 lanes for cars and 100 for motorcycles, was partially operational on Dec 1 when vehicles from Singapore were diverted to the complex for a drive-through after completing their Immigration and Customs procedures at the Causeway checkpoint.

Starting tomorrow, all vehicles coming from Singapore must also use Touch ’n Go cards to pay toll as they enter Malaysia.

Previously, at the Causeway checkpoint, toll payments could be done with cash and Touch ’n Go cards.

Johor traffic police chief Supt T. Raveendran said full operations of the complex would start at 12.01am tomorrow and would involve all cars, buses, vans and motorcycles.

Lorries, however, would still use the Tanjung Puteri checkpoint.

Supt Raveendran said that at 11.45pm today, the existing Immigration counters in Jalan Tun Razak just before the Causeway would be closed.

All vehicles heading to Singapore between 11.45pm and midnight would be diverted to Jalan Sawmill behind the Johor Baru (central) police station, he added.

Vehicles would then have to go on either Jalan Pantai Lido or Jalan Wong Ah Fook to Jalan Tebrau and subsequently to Jalan Lingkaran Dalam to enter the Sultan Iskandar CIQ complex, he said.

After midnight, all vehicles should head directly to the Sultan Iskandar CIQ complex via Jalan Lingkaran Dalam.

The old Immigration checkpoint at the Causeway will be demolished after authorities are satisfied with the smooth flow of traffic at the new complex.

Engineer Darryl Chong, 32, who works in Singapore and used the new complex, said that he was concerned over the narrow roads at the new complex.

“The roads are very narrow for big vehicles,” he said.

He added that he was unsure whether larger vehicles would slow down the flow of traffic while trying to manoeuvre the winding roads.

Chong also noted the complex was fully covered.

Sources : The Star 15th Dec 2008

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Upon reading this news, I do not know whether to be happy or sad.

During Tun Dr Mahathir's era, he had planned a bigger and wider bridge to connect to Singapore. He is so determined to get this project done that he insisted that if Singapore did not agree, then he will continue on the project with a crooked bridge.

Alas, the leadership changed to Datuk Seri Abdullah Badawi. He is famous for being a softie leader that he decided to change Tun Dr Mahathir's plan and bow down to Singapore. The old bridge is not dismantled at all.

When I came to know of Datuk Seri Abdullah's decision, my heart really aches and I believe same goes to all the Johoreans.

How I wish these leaders will go to the CIQ at 5am in the morning to see how terible the jam is. I really pity those Malaysians who travell to work in Singapore every day. They have to wake up at 4am or even earlier just to cross the bridge.

This suffer is actually not felt by the Johoreans only. The China tourists who visited Malaysia suffered the worst. The China tourists come to Malaysia via Singapore and go back to China via Singapore as well. This is due to the cheap flight tickets.

So, lets say the flight of the China tourists is at 10am. The Singapore travel agent will arrange a tour bus to pick them at Woodlands at 7am. This is because 1 hour is needed for the travel time from Woodlands to the Changi airport. And it is also a regulations that all tour groups have to check in 2 hours before flight time. So, thats the reason why Singapore travel agent will arrange the tour bus at 7am.

As for the Malaysia part, the tour guides will definately have to arrange 3.30am morning call and 4.00am check out from the hotel. We must reach the CIQ latest by 4.30am because if we reach later then that, all the industrial buses arrived and this will create a terrible jam.

Due to these circumstances, usually the China tourists will reach Singapore at about 5am. The worst is that the China tourists will have to sleep in the Malaysian tourists bus and wait till 7am. This is because the Singapore bus driver will only fetch the China tourists at 7am.

So, from here you can understand that not only the China tourists suffer but the Malaysian tour guides and drivers have the same fate at all.

I am hoping with this new CIQ, everything will be smoother and faster so that we need not have to wake up so early in the morning.

S'poreans still big spenders in M’sia despite slowdown

While reading news from the website, I came across this article from the STAR which will benefit all fellow Malaysian tour guides.

I really hope that the Malaysian tour guides will print this article and show it as a proof to the tourists that WE in Malaysian definitely is the shopping paradise compare to Singapore.

The Singaporean tour guides will always bad mouthed about Malaysia to the China tourists. This is because the KIASU or KIASI country will always be the first destination. So the Singaporean tour guide will bad mouth about Malaysia and hope that the China tourists will spend and purchase more items in Singapore.

So, I hope with this article we can show to all foreign tourists that Malaysia is not only the TRULY ASIA country but we are also the TRULY SHOPPING PARADISE.

Below is the article which I get it from the STAR newspaper dated 13th Dec 2008.

JOHOR BAHARU: Singaporeans, despite facing some tough economic conditions back home, are still the big spenders in Malaysia.

Figures gleaned from the 2008 Malaysia Mega Sale Carnival statistics showed that Singaporeans spent the most with a whopping RM64.7mil in credit card transactions.

Indonesians are next with RM42.9mil and that is why Tourism Malaysia is confident that the Malaysia Savings Sale 2008, which began on Nov 29 and ends on Jan 4, will enjoy the same success, if not better.

Speaking at the Johor launch of the Malaysia Saving Sales 2008 at the Plaza Pelangi on Friday night, Datuk Idros Mohd, the chief executive officer of Pempena Sdn Bhd, the Shopping Malaysia arm of the Tourism Ministry, said that Singapore was still the country's No 1 market.

"There is no denying that we depend a lot on Singaporeans as far as tourist arrival figures are concerned. In fact, last year we welcomed an estimated 10.5 million Singaporeans. "In a way, the Malaysia Savings Sale 2008 is targetted primarily at the Singapore market and Johor Baru being the closest to the republic is our main focus.

"People say that during these tough economic climate, shopping is the last thing on their minds. But I see it as a blessing in disguise for Malaysian retailers. "Times are tough and consumers are more careful with their money. That's why it's so attractive for Singaporeans to make their short hop-over to Johor Baharu to shop because of the favourable exchange rate," he said.

The opening of the new Customs and Immigration Complex scheduled for Tuesday also means that Singaporeans will enjoy a smoother drive into the city, Idros added.

The Malaysia Savings Sale 2008 was first launched by Tourism Minister Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said at the Pavillion in Kuala Lumpur on Nov 29 and since then it had launches in Langkawi, Miri, Kota Kinabalu, Penang and now Johor Baru. - Bernama

Putrajaya Part 2

As I have mentioned in my previous blog, I really do not know and do not understand why there are still so many tour groups that do not have this tourists spot in their itinerary.

From time to time, I meet up with quite a few back packers while I am on my job as tour guide. They will usually ask me is there any other tourist spot nearby Kuala Lumpur worth for them to make a visit. I will always recommend them the Putrajaya.

But please bear in mind that the mode of transportation to Putrajaya is not easy. My recommendation is that the best way to go to Putrajaya is to use the ERL transit from the KL Sentral to Putrajaya station. Then from there on, you will be able to get the public bus.

Besides the Dataran Putra where usually you will find the most tourists ( this is the central of Putrajaya where the pink Putra Mosque and the Seri Perdana is located), there are still a lot of places worth for you to go for a stroll or visit.

1) The Botany Garden http://www.virtualmalaysia.com/destination/botanical%20garden.html

2) The Wetlands http://www.kuala-lumpur.ws/putrajaya/wetland.html

3) Taman Warisan http://www.virtualmalaysia.com/destination/taman%20warisan%20pertanian.html

4) Putrajaya Lake Cruise http://www.i-putra.com.my/minisite/leisure_cruise.htm ( This is definately a must when you pay a visit to the Dataran Putra. )


5) The Alamanda : The Shopping Centre of Putrajaya

Please take note that there is a newly built hotel in Putrajaya which is the Pullman Putrajaya Lakeside.

Thousand Apologies...

First and foremost I must apologise to all readers for being absent for such a long time. I was just too busy with my China tours.

Actually I really feel very lucky for during this bad season ( due to the bad economy, terrorists in Mumbai, India and the strikes in the Bangkok airport ), I can still take China groups non stop.

All my company tour groups are not affected by the Bangkok airport incidents because my company only deals with the Guang Dong agents. Most of the Guang Dong tourists will fly directly to Singapore first and then only to Malaysia. So, this is the reason why I am not badly affected.

Any way how, from now onwards, I will try my very best to update my tour blog from time to time. And of course, I really hope to hear some feed back or any questions pertaining to tours in Malaysia.

Thank You.

Putrajaya : The Administrative Centre of Malaysia Part I

Perdana Putra Complex (Prime Minister's Office) The Putra Mosque

Information on Putrajaya

Why Putrajaya?

In the 80’s during the administration of the former Prime Minister Malaysia Tun Dr. Mahathir Mohammed, he announced that the Vision of Malaysia to be a fully developed nation by the year 2020.

He felt that as a develop nation, we should have our very own administration centre and capital. A good example is the America where they have the Washington as the administrative centre and New York as the capital and the commercial Centre. So, he hoped that we should have our own administration centre that is Putrajaya and Kuala Lumpur as the commercial and capital of Malaysia.

He also reasoned out that most of the government offices in Malaysia are too far away from each other and in fact some of them are still using the old colonial buildings. Since Kuala Lumpur has developed into a big city, the traffic situation worsened. This will cause precious time wasted when one government department wanted to communicate and cooperate with another government department.

So, Dr Mahathir said if all the government departments are concentrated in a city itself, then a lot of precious time will be saved and all the government departments will have a better communication system. This will work towards the development of the Vision 2020.

Location of Putrajaya

Malaysia began casting around for a new Federal Administrative Centre away from Kuala Lumpur two decades ago. Various sites were identified and five were short-listed. After toying with setting up shop in the neighboring state of Pahang, Mahathir settled on the southern Prang Besar district of Selangor state in June 1993 and launched the project in 1995, naming it after and in memory of Malaysia's first prime minister, YTM Tunku Abdul Rahman Putra Al-Haj. This site was chose in view of its strategic location between Kuala Lumpur and Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA). A champion of billion-dollar construction projects, he tagged the capital's name with the suffix "jaya," which means "success." Putrajaya is conceived and planned for and by Malaysians and is one of two "intelligent" cities under the Multimedia Super Corridor (MSC) project, a 15-by-50 km (9-by-31 mi) technology zone. Malaysia has high hopes for its new federal capital interlinked with fiber optic cable and dotted with minarets.
Putrajaya is located about 30km south of Kuala Lumpur and about 30km north of the Kuala Lumpur International Airport. It is also located about 45km away from the biggest port of Malaysia, Port Kelang.

This means that no matter where one is located, it is very convenient for one to travel to Putrajaya.

Formerly the whole Putrajaya is a very big oil palm plantation and rubber estates.

Development of Putrajaya

Putrajaya Holdings Sdn Bhd is the master developer of Malaysia's administrative capital of Putrajaya, the largest urban development project in the country. The company was incorporated on 19 October 1995, with Petroliam Nasional Berhad (PETRONAS), the national oil company, and Khazanah Nasional Berhad, the federal government investment arm, as majority shareholders. The ownership structure has since changed and as at 3rd May 2007, PETRONAS via KLCC (Holdings) Sdn. Bhd. is the majority shareholders with 64.41%, while CIMB Group Nominees (Tempatan) Sdn. Bhd. (for and on behalf of Kumpulan Wang Amanah Negara -KWAN) has 20% stake and Khazanah Nasional Berhad ("Khazanah") has a 15.59%.
As master developer, Putrajaya Holdings works hand in hand with the city's local authority, Perbadanan Putrajaya, to implement the masterplan that envisages Putrajaya as A Garden City, An Intelligent City. To realise this, Putrajaya Holdings appointed as its project manager, KLCC Projeks Berhad, whose credentials include the Petronas Twin Towers. The company also entered joint venture partnerships with developers who have impressive track records to build a world-class city on a fast track basis.

Today, more than half of the 4,931-hectare development has been completed. They are mainly government buildings, housing, infrastructure, public utilities and aminities. The focus has now shifted to commercial development. Putrajaya Holdings has initiated a series of seed developments that have proven the commercial potential of the city, The returns from these investments have already started to roll in.

Master Plan

Putrajaya sits on a magnificent 4,581 hectare spread. Its Master Plan is designed along an axial tangent which runs from the northeast to southeast taking full advantage of the natural surroundings. Its undulating terrain treats visitors and residents to commanding vistas of the environment. About 40% of Putrajaya is natural. Lush greenery, botanical gardens are spread across the landscape enhanced by large bodies of water and wetlands. Five confluences meet at the north forming a main waterway which flows across the city area.

Putrajaya is divided into two major areas - Core Area and the Peripheral Area, where the separation is via a large lake.

CORE AREA - The Core Area of Putrajaya, which covers a total area of 1069 hectares, is divided into five precincts (namely the Government Precinct, Commercial Precinct, Civic & Cultural Precinct, Mixed Development Precinct, and Sports & Recreational Precinct) linked by a distinctive 4.2km long boulevard. The boulevard will form the spine of the Core Area and will stretch across the central island linking it with the rest of the city. The boulevard will be the main venue for national celebrations, festive and cultural events. The precincts are identified by their predominant economic activities.

PERIPHERAL AREA - Putrajaya's peripheral area comprises 15 precincts of various sizes. 12 of the 15 precincts make up the residential neighborhoods. The planning and design of Putrajaya's residential areas is intended to foster a sense of identity through the neighborhood focal points, landscaping and the treatment of the public realm. A total of 67,000 homes of varying ranges, sizes, types and densities have been planned for all income sectors. Residential living in Putrajaya will offer a new experience where nature and technology will work in harmony for the benefit of the community. Most precincts will have community and neighborhood centres, parks, places of worship and many other state-of-the-art public amenities. Among the facilities provided in the residential areas are schools, hospitals, shopping centres, mosques, multipurpose halls, learning centres and neighborhood parks.

Concept

Putrajaya was planned to embrace two major themes i.e. 'Garden City' and 'Intelligent City'. Reflecting the 'Garden City' concept, Putrajaya is sought to reflect the very best in city planning and landscape architectural ideas to realize a new vibrant city of tomorrow. Its strategic location in the middle of the Multimedia Super Corridor would bring the new frontier of computer technology and the Information Age into Putrajaya.

The planning of Putrajaya emphasizes the preservation of its eco-system while promoting an active, lively and caring society. The city is designed to provide opportunity for retreat from the pressures and stress of modern living.

Putrajaya is a planned city being built according to a series of comprehensive policies and guidelines for land use, transportation system, utilities, infrastructure, housing, public amenities, information technology, parks and gardens.

The Garden City concept incorporates the following features:

Layout

a formal axis punctuated with nodal features;
structuring of the Core Area into identifiable precincts;
a variety of informal and formal activity areas.

Landscaping

38 percent of the land earmarked as green areas
reforestation and enhancement of the natural landscape;
promoting local flora as a Malaysian landscape identity;
creating a network of open spaces.

Urban Form

designed to suit topography, local climate and cultural norms;
creation of interesting cityscape;
optimization of scenic panoramic views and spatial experiences;
incorporation of intelligent buildings and infrastructural features.

Vision and Philisophy

Putrajaya was created with the guidance of three simple ideologies:
Man and his Creator
Man and man
Man and nature

The concept is simple. Putrajaya is a city within a luscious garden, hinging on a balance of ideal qualities of living, working environment. Architecturally, Putrajaya will be an indigenous city with a modern look. Planned to the most minute detail, this intelligent garden city will enhance the goal of the nation in nurturing a caring and progressive society.

Construction Progress

Construction began in August of 1995 and it was touted as Malaysia's biggest real-estate project and one of South-East Asia's largest. Built during the 1997-98 Asian financial crisis and opened in 1999, Putrajaya has been criticized by the Malaysian opposition as an example of Mahathir's extravagant ways and an obsession with grandeur. It is expected to be completed in 2010. As the clock ticks, construction workers are pressing feverishly to complete the first phase of Malaysia's new capital by the first week of June 1999, when Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad and his government will uproot itself and move into the "garden city" utopia starting a gradual exodus of hundreds of thousands of civil servants. Only 10 percent of the building material will be imported and the entire project had been designed and constructed by Malaysian companies. Government departments, including Mahathir's office, have moved into Putrajaya under a plan to have all government employees working from and perhaps living there by mid-2002. Putrajaya will take another 15 years to complete. Most of the government is expected to move in by 2005.

Tour Guiding Experience

Most of the China tour groups will only visit to the Putrajaya on the second day of their itinerary.
Most of the Chinese tourists will be amazed, shocked and full with praises for this beautiful garden city. In fact, through my experience of guiding, quite a lot of them started to ask me on how to migrate to Malaysia after visiting this city. I will tell them that unfortunately that Malaysia has no migration policy. But its fortunate that we have the Malaysia My Second Home Program for those who are interested to stay in Malaysia for a long long time.

Most of the tourists will also tell me very frankly that by visiting this city, it has changed their perception towards this country, Malaysia. They will tell me very frankly that before they come to Malaysia, they tend to think that Malaysia belongs to poor nations just like any other South East Asia countries.

The View of The Putra Mosque And The Perdana Putra Complex From The Vision Bridge

Usually, I will take my group of tourists to the Vision Bridge for a photo stop. ( Even though in their itinerary they do not have such a spot ) I always believe that we as a tour guide, we should let the tourists see and understand as much as possible about our country Malaysia. From this bridge itself, the tourists will be able to have better photography session of the whole scenic Putrajaya. Here, one can have a very good photography of the Putrajaya residential area, the Selangor Sultan’s Palace, the Putra Mosque, the Prime Minister’s Department Office, the Monument ( in the shape of a rocket ) and various government departmental offices.

Then, usually I will proceed my journey to the Putrajaya Square and let my tourists to have about 45min of free and leisure time to walk around at the square. At the Square itself, the tourists can have a good view of the Prime Minister’s office, the Putra Mosque and the Square itself.

I suggest that it should be made compulsory that all travel agents list this spectacular and unique tourist spot in their itinerary of Kuala Lumpur tour package. It is very unfortunate that till today there are still a lot of travel agents neglected this very important touristic spot.

As for fellow tourists, please make sure that this is a must visit tourist spot for you because this place will definitely made your tour worth while and it will also portray the rich diverse culture and history of Malaysia.

Sources :

1) http://www.ppj.gov.my/

2) http://www.pjh.com.my/

3) http://www.kiat.net/putra/

Petronas Twin Tower ( KLCC )

The Petronas Twin Tower or better known as the KLCC among the locals is definately one of the most popular land mark in Kuala Lumpur.



Why Malaysia wanted to build such a magnificent building? This idea was first mooted by the previous Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohammad. Tun Dr Mahathir felt that a lot of foreigners still do not know much or understand about Malaysia. So, he was hoping that by building this magnificent building, it will enhance the popularity of this country Malaysia.



Tun Dr Mahathir also felt that previous logo for Malaysia which is the Sultan Abdul Samad Building is not suitable. This is because the building has foreign elements to it. So, he wanted to have a unique building which can portray Malaysia is a modern Islamic country.


As such, in the year 1990, Tun Dr Mahathir organised a competition to choose who can design the most unique building for Malaysia.

In this competition, the world famous Cesar Pelli & Associates was chosen and designed this unique building.

At the initial stage of the planning and building, it was not planned that this building is to be the tallest in the world.

In fact, construction was already well underway when one afternoon in 1994, in a meeting over tea, a question was casually put to Pelli by Dr Mahathir.

At the meeting, suddenly out of jovial mood the Prime Minister asked how many more metres would it take for the Petronas Twin Towers to get the "tallest building in the world" tag.

It was back to the drawing boards, and after some frantic mathematical recalculation, it was deemed doable.

Not by increasing the number of floors, however, but by raising the height of the pinnacles which were originally designed to be much flatter.

To test the viability, another wind tunnel study was carried out to ensure the building could withstand the added height and accompanying stress.


A bidding of was organised to choose who will be responsible to build the building. Finally, the Korean Samsung Engineering & Construction and Kukdong Engineering & Construction and the Japanese Hazama Corporation were chosen to build the building.

Both the construction companies are in charge of building each of the tower.

The Korean construction company Kukdong Engineering & Construction was chosen to build the skybridge.

The skybridge is located on the 41st and 42nd floor of the building.

The main purpose of the skybridge is a device during emergency where the tenants can use it to cross over during the evacuation purposes.

The skybridge is also open to the tourists on the 41st floor. However, only 1300 free tickets are available on first come first serve basis.

Visitors are only allowed for the 41st floor as the 42nd floor is only for the tenants of the building.

Most tourists are curious that how come this tallest building in the world can be built by using so many glass panels. This is because Malaysia is a very safe country. We do not have any natural disaster like earthquake, volcano, huricane in Malaysia. So, thats the reason why glass panels can be used.

During the construction process, a world record was broken as the cement was poured without stopping for 58 hours.

The Korean successfully completed its building in 1996 and the Japanese in the year 1997.

This was followed by Tun Dr Mahathir opened ceremony of this building in the year 1999 and he declared that this building is the world tallest building in the 20th century.

The twin tower is 451.9m height and it has 88 storeys.

Both towers are of equal height and dimension as this is one of the Islamic design element whereby it has to be simetry.

The twin tower consists of:

1) Tower One is mainly occupied by Petronas and its subsidiaries.
2) A number of companies have offices in Tower Two, including Accenture, Al Jazeera English, Carigali Hess Bloomberg, Boeing, IBM, Khazanah Nasional Berhad, McKinsey & Co, TCS, Krawler Networks, Microsoft, and Reuters.
3) KLCC Park :Spanning 17 acres below the building is the KLCC park with jogging and walking paths, a fountain with incorporated light show, wading pools, and a children's playground.
4) Suria KLCC is one of the largest shopping malls in Malaysia.
5) The Philharmonic Concert.

Within the vicinity of KLCC:

1) The Maxis building
2) The Esso building
3) The Aquaria
4) The Mandarin Oriental hotel
5) The Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre.

Tour Guides Attention Please...

Dear Fellow Tour Guides,

There have been reports that tour guides and drivers lost their money at the toilets at the R & R Gelang Patah and the Gelang Patah Immigration Centre.

Most of the male tour guides will hang the trousers on to the hanger. The thief will reach to the trousers because the hanger is too low.

Another incident happened is that the tour guide will leave the trousers on the flushing pot. The thief can reach through behind the wall.

There are also some female tour guides lost their money while in the toilet.

So becareful please...

Please Take Note...

Dear Readers...

I have just decided to make some changes to my blogs.

I find it very time consuming in order for me to post a new blog on the tourism topics as I want to give as much information as posible about the topic. This is because a lot of time wasted on the research.

As such, as from now onwards, I will try to finish up the topics which I used to give my commentary to my tourists first.

So, it is very important for the readers to take note that the readers have to make his/her own judgement on the information.

Of course, much care is taken in order to make sure that the information here is as accurate as posible.

I am very sure most tour guides will agree that there are a lot of mistakes and clashing facts in most of the tourists information books or in the net as well.

So, readers please read the information here by using own judgement.

Thank You.

Nine Emperor in Penang

Sources : The Star, Thursday October 9, 2008
A festival steeped in tradition
By LOOI SUE-CHERN wIth pix by EDDIE CHUAH & KT GOH


SOME traditions fade away when the younger generations have no interest in continuing the practices.

But when it comes to celebrating the Nine Emperor Gods (Kew Ong Yeah) Festival in Penang, traditions cannot be more alive.

This annual Taoist festival once again drew thousands of devotees from all over the state to pay homage to the deities at various temples and shrines as the nine-day celebration came to an end on Tuesday night.


A ceremonial sail boat, used during the Nine Emperor Gods (Kew Ong Yeah) festival in Penang, was set ablaze in the middle of the sea to send the deities back to heaven.
The weather throughout the celebration was also in keeping with tradition.

Penang, at least George Town, was drenched from day one of the festival on Sept 29 until it ended with the sending-off ceremony nine days later.

Tuesday’s showers began at about 6.30pm but ended some two hours later just as the procession was about to begin.

The floats and deities’ sedan chairs rolled out one by one into the streets as the mediums fell into a trance.


Mediums with cheeks skewered, taking part in a procession along Carnarvon Street.

At the Hong Kong Street Tow Boh Keong Temple, young people played a major role in the festivities as many were helping out with the rituals, carrying the wooden sedan chairs, steering the floats and managing the crowd.

Devotees not only brought their parents to the temple, but also their young children to teach them about the festival and the religious practices.

Hundreds of devotees, mostly dressed in white or yellow shirts, holding joss sticks and stalks of chrysanthemum, followed the processions of colourful neon lit decorated floats.


Tourists joining the locals to pay homage to the Nine Emperor Gods.

It was the same scenario at the other temples and shrines dedicated to the nine deities which organised their own processions.

Most of the floats were pulled along by devotees. Some devotees opted for a less tiring journey. They hopped into cars with rolled down window where they stuck out their joss sticks, the vehicles trailing behind devotees on foot.

Joining in the festivities were tourists who found the celebration fascinating and the dramatic scenes wonderful for their photo albums.

The processions were led by mediums ‘acting on behalf’ of the deities. Some of them were skewered in the cheeks while others cracked whips as they led the processions towards the Weld Quay seafront.

At the quay, ceremonial boat-shaped floats from the various temples were taken out to sea by sampan where the floats were later set on fire to symbolise the deities’ return to heaven.

According to Chinese mythology, the Nine Emperor Gods are believed to have the ability to cure ailments and confer luck, riches and long life.