Thursday, February 17, 2011

Johor - Batu Pahat

Malaysian Travel Guide - Batu Pahat


Batu Pahat or Bandar Penggaram (which was what it was formerly known as) is a district in the state of Johor, Malaysia which lies south-east of Muar.The name , Batu Pahat originates from a chiselled rock well located at the mouth of Batu Pahat River, near a coastal village of Kampung Minyak Beku.The origin of this name can be traced back to a legend in the 15th century, when the invading Siamese troops were chiselling(known in malay as 'pahat') rocks (known in malays as 'batu') at a rocky spot in the coastal village of Kampung Minyak Beku, in hope to get fresh water during their retreat from being chased by the Melaka troops, being led by Tun Perak, the famous Bendahara (Prime Minister) of the Malacca Empire.Batu Pahat is known to be the textile capital of Malaysia.It produces 50% of the textile exported from Malaysia and there are about 300 garment and textile factories.Batu Pahat also has some of the largest rubber, oil palm, coconut and cocoa plantations in Johor.



Malaysian Travel Guide - Getting There


By Bus : Intercity buses from other towns and cities for instance Johor Bahru and other towns are available to travel to and from Batu Pahat. If you are coming from Singapore or from other parts of Malaysia , simply hop onto a bus travelling to one of the towns in Johor and then take another bus to Batu Pahat itself.Busses are also available leading directly to Batu Pahat

By Taxi : Intercity taxi are also available . Taxi's can also be taken from other states of Malaysia in order to reach Batu Pahat though it may be costly.

By Train : There is no local train station. The nearest train station is in the nearby town of Kluang.

By Car : it the North-South Expressway (PLUS) via Air Hitam/Yong Peng (if coming from the south) or Tangkak/Pagoh (if coming from the north) and follow the signs to Batu Pahat.



Malaysian Travel Guide - Places of Interest


Batu Pahat Well ( Perigi Batu Pahat )

You might be thinking to yourself ,'how can something so insignificant like a well be a place of interest?' . Well this is no ordinary well. It is believed that this well which is an ancient landmark was dug up in the 15th century by the Siamese Army in order to collect fresh water.Admiral Awi Di Chu led the army which camped in batu Pahat before attacking Malacca.Unfortunately , the admiral did not succeed in attacking Malacca.The Batu Pahat well is located at Minyak Beku Beach ( Pantai Minyak Beku ) which is roughly about 8km from Batu Pahat town.In order to get there , just follow the roadsigns which points to Minyak Beku.








Bulatan Simpang Rantai
This is actually a roundabout !! . This is a well known roundabout. Right in the middle of this roundabout lies a big tree.The roundabout is at the end of ther Air Hitam-Batu Pahat road. Yea , thats pretty much it about the roundabout (best include it as it may be interesting to some people).


Tua Pek Kong Temple, Segenting
The temple is a main sighting in Batu Pahat for tourists and locals alike.The main god of the temple is Da Bo Gong (大伯公, which is “Grand Uncle” in Chinese). There are also Ma Zu (妈祖, the goddess of the sea), Hai Long Wang (海龙王, the dragon king of the sea) and others to protect and bless the villagers and the fishermenMany Chinese folks believe that by touching the arapiama fish,it will bring good luck and fortune.













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Simply, every section in the book is there because "you asked for it." Well, not "you" really. But from real live questions. Questions from people who love travelling on the cheap and saving money to go travelling. A simple webpage was set up, and people like you visited it and left me their most pressing question on travelling on the cheap and saving money to go travelling.

Then I answered them!

Which means no fluff. Just the real answers you want to know.

Wednesday, February 16, 2011

Johor - Mersing

Malaysian Travel Guide - Mersing


Mersing town which is located on the east coast of the peninsular Malaysian which is roughly about 136 Kilometres north east of the state capital Johor Bahru.Mersing is best known by travellers and locals as the departure site to the numerous offshore islands of Johor.Once a sleepy fishing village, Mersing is now a busy coastal town.The town of Mersing should not be taken lightly as just a mere stopover for those wishing to board a ferry to their ideal island paradise.Infact,Mersing possesses a quiet charm that in many ways represents a fast disappearing small-town culture that once pervaded all of Malaysia.Mersing is an ideal travel location for travellers who wish to experience slow-paced life and natural surroundings.Travellers can have a glimpse on the remaining vestiges of traditional seaside Malay village life.You can visit Mersing year round. But it can be wet and windy in December and January. Beaches are best between March to October.


Malaysian Travel Guide - Getting there


By Bus : From Singapore, the cheapest way to Mersing is to first take a bus from from Queen Street Bus Terminal to Larkin terminal in Johor Bahru and finaly take another bus there to reach Mersing.The same thing applies if you are taking a bus from within Malaysia itself.Just take a bus from whereever you currently are directly to Johor Bahru and from there proceed to Mersing.

other means of transportation includes renting a car,taking a taxi and even cycling(best done during the summer months). Once in Mersing, you can navigate yourself easily by foot during the summer period. It is however advisable to travel by motor vehicle as there are many beaches to explore outside of Mersing town.


Malaysian Travel Guide - Places of Interest


Tua Pek Kong Temple



Located along Jalan Jemaluang , the Tua Pek Kong Temple which is also known as Hock Soon Temple is simply a remarkable sight.The temple is dedicated to Tua Pek Kong, the Taoist god of prosperity.

Sri Subramaniam Temple
Located a short distance from the Tua Pek Kong temple lies the Sri Subramaniam temple (a hindu temple).Both the temples are easily noticible not only because there is a huge MERSING sign above it but also because they are located near a roundabout .The temple is dedicated to the Hindu deity Subramaniam, who is also known as Lord Murugan.


Endau Rompin National Park
Endau Rompin National Park is located on the Johor-Pahang border.It is the second designated national park in Peninsular Malaysia.The Endau-Rompin State Park encompasses an area of 31,797 hectares and is about 130 million years old.Homed to a vast range of species of birds, mammals, frogs, insects and exotic varieties of orchids, herbs, medicinal plants and trees , Endau Rompin is truely a nature lover's paradise.


Pantai Penyabong
Pantai Penyabong which was originally known as Pantai Pasir Lanun (Pirate's Sand) is a beach in Endau, north of Mersing.Locals believe that pirates used to hide their loot in the sand.The beach, located about 36km from Mersing town, has many attractions and activities for visitors which includes boating, canoeing, fishing, camping and jungle trekking to the nearby forest.









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And it's not like any other ebook you've ever read on saving money on your vacations

Why?
Simply, every section in the book is there because "you asked for it." Well, not "you" really. But from real live questions. Questions from people who love travelling on the cheap and saving money to go travelling. A simple webpage was set up, and people like you visited it and left me their most pressing question on travelling on the cheap and saving money to go travelling.

Then I answered them!

Which means no fluff. Just the real answers you want to know.

Sunday, February 13, 2011

Johor - Johor Bahru (Part 2)

Malaysian Travel Guide - Places of Interest

There are alot of interesting sites to visit while you are at Johor Bahru. There are alot of historical sites, museums , famous buildings ,etc. Here are some interesting places you MUST visit while vacationing there



Sultan Abu Bakar State Mosque

This mosque was built between 1892 and 1900 under the direction of Sultan Abu Bakar (the 21st Sultan of Johor). It is currently the state mosque of Johor and is located along Jalan Skudai.The architecture of the mosque was largely based on the colonial English Victorian architecture and Moorish architecture elements, along with some minor Malay influence.Non-Muslim visitors are permitted entry, but must wear modest clothing and remove their shoes before entering.The Sultan Abu Bakar Mosque is known to be one of the most beautiful mosque in Malaysia.The mosque is opened to visitors from 10.00AM - 6.00PM , Saturday-Thursday (except during congregational prayers).It is closed to visitors on Fridays.




Johor Bahru Chinese Heritage Museum (known as 'Muzium Warisan Tiong-Hua Johor Bahru' in Malay)

Stepping into this Museum is like a step back through time about 160 years ago.thee museum is owned by the Johor Bahru Tiong Hua Association which is made up of 5 main Chinese dialect associations - Teochew, Hokkien, Cantonese, Hakka and Hainan. The Museum is open on Tuesday ~ Sunday from 9.00am to 5.00pm. There is a charge of RM3.00 for Adults and RM1.00 for Children, Students and Senior Citizens which is a very small price to place considering what the Museum has instored for visitors.Here , visitors will Learn the contribution of Ngee Heng society its relation to the royal family. Get to know also the economic, social and cultural heritage of the Chinese. Not to mention, how the Chinese fared through the colonial period, Japanese occupation, communist insurgency and finally to the birth of an independent Malaya. The Museum is located at Jalan Tan Hiok Nee.




Sultan Abu Bakar Royal Palace Museum

Completed in 1866 commisioned by His Royal Highness Sultan Abu Bakar , the Royal Abu Bakar Museum(which is also known as the Grand Palace or in Malay 'Istana Besar Johor') is an architectural wonder . The palace became the Royal Abu Bakar Museum in 1982, but today, it is still used for state ceremonies and official functions.The Grand Palace is located along Jalan Tun Doktor Ismail, 1.3km west of the Causeway. Housed within the museum are vast arrays of treasures, works of art, antiquities and furniture belonging to the Royal Family. The museum is open from Saturday through Thursday, from 9.00a.m. until 5.00p.m.



Sultan Ibrahim Building

It was formerly the state secretariat building of Johor .Today , the offices of the state secretariat have moved to Kota Iskandar.The Sultan Ibrahim Building was also the tallest building in Malaya during the pre-Merdeka era. It is located at Bukit Timbalan.This building is opened to the public from 8am to 5pm, Monday to Friday. It is closed on weekends and public holidays. Admission is free.




Johor Bahru Art Gallery (also known as 'Galeri Seni Johor' in Malay)

It is housed in a 2-storey white building built in 1910.The '2-storey white building' used to be a residential place known as the Dato’ Abdullah Jaafar building. The residence was once the official residencial place for Dato’ Abdullah Jaafar, who was the third Johor Chief Minister. The Johor Bahru Art Gallery displays mostly Malaysian modern paintings. Other exhibits include Islamic calligraphy, ceramics, ornate wooden window frames, traditional clothing, weapons, currency, etc. There is a cart with a thatched roof and a giant drum displayed outside the building. Admission is free and it is opened daily except on public holidays from 9.00AM-4.30PM.The Building is located at No. 144, Jalan Petrie, Kampung Bahru.




Arulmigu Sri Rajakaliamman Hindu Temple

The Arulmigu Sri Rajakaliamman is one of the oldest Hindu temples in Tebrau, Johor Bahru.However , this is not the only reason why it is an awesome place to visit.The other reason is that it is the irst glass Hindu temple in the world.The total cost of the temple is approximately three million ringgits.95 per cent of the temple’s walls, ceiling, domes and pillars have been aarulmigu-sri-raja-kaliamman-templedorned with over a million pieces of colourful glass imported from Thailand, Japan and Belgium.The temple is open for devotees from 7am to 10pm daily, while visiting hours for tourists are between 1pm and 5pm.




Roufo Old Chinese Temple

This temple was believed to be built in 1870 by Tan Hiok Nee , a famous local Teochew businessman.There are five deities in this temple which are Gan Tian Da Di, Hong Xian Da Di, Hua Guang Da Di, Zhao Da Yuan Shuai and Yuan Tian Shang Di.Two more deities, the Goddess of Mercy and the Weather God.Photography is forbidden in the museum and captions are mostly in Chinese only. Admission to the museum is free.It is located at Jalan Trus and it opens daily from 7.30am to 5.30pm.


  Other interesting sites to visit are :
  • Gurdwara Sahib Johor Bahru (located at 1B Jalan Trus 80000 )
  • Sri Raja Mariamman Hindu Temple (located at Jalan Ungku Puan)
  • War Memorial (known as'Tugu Peperangan' in Malay which is located at Jalan Abu Bakar)
  • Royal Mausoleum (known as 'Makam Diraja'in Malay which is located in a large Muslim cemetery enclosed by three roads - Jalan Mahmoodiah, Jalan Petri and Jalan Mariamah)
  • Tanjung Kupang Memorial (located at Jalan Kebun Teh)
and the list goes on and on....





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Simply, every section in the book is there because "you asked for it." Well, not "you" really. But from real live questions. Questions from people who love travelling on the cheap and saving money to go travelling. A simple webpage was set up, and people like you visited it and left me their most pressing question on travelling on the cheap and saving money to go travelling.

Then I answered them!

Which means no fluff. Just the real answers you want to know.

Thursday, February 10, 2011

Johor - Johor Bahru

Malaysian Travel Guide - Johor Bahru


Today , we visit Johor. There is no need for an introduction for this particular state as i have already said a little bit about it in my previous post (dated : 04/02/2011).So lets start our journey from the southernmost city of Johor (located near Singapore) which is non other than Johor Bahru ( the capital city of Johor ).With the aid of a map(thanks to google),we will be able to explore Johor better.




View Larger Map



Malaysian Travel Guide - Ways to Get to Johor Bahru


By Air : Senai International Airport (knowns as Lapangan Terbang Antarabangsa Sultan Ismail in Malay) is located about 28km northwest of Johor Bahru and having scheduled domestic services for passengers to both East and West Malaysia by Malaysia Airlines, Air Asia and Firefly although it is called "international".The "international" is used because it offers cargo services to foreign destinations. (http://www.senaiairport.com/)


By road FROM SINGAPORE : There are basically 2 land links which are The Causeway linking Malaysia & Singapore and the Second Link, has been built between western Singapore and Malaysia.

By road FROM OTHER PARTS OF MALAYSIA : You can easily get there using the North South Expressway (the toll highway which runs the length of Peninsular Malaysia). Those accessing the city can exit at Skudai, Kempas, Jalan Pasir Gudang or Johor Bahru exits. Another way is by using the Federal Route One (the main trunk roads which runs the length of Peninsular Malaysia's West Coast states).Federal Route Three or the East Coast Road also links JB with the East Coast towns of Kuantan, Kuala Terengganu and Kota Bharu via Kota Tinggi and Mersing. The West Coast's coastal road can be accessed from Pontian.


By train : MRT trains are available from any MRT stations in Singapore to Marsiling MRT station (North-South line) which is the nearest MRT station (about 1.5km or 15 min walk) to the Woodlands Checkpoint.

By Sea : A ferry link provides a new way to travel between Singapore and Malaysia. It operates daily between Changi Point near the Singapore International Airport and Tanjung Belungkor in Johor.

So that is pretty much it on how one can get there.You can always google the transportation services provided to known exact details on departure time , etc .


Malaysian Travel Guide - Things to do (Shopping/Food)


Upon arriving at Johor Bahru, there are tons of things one can do.Lets start with something fun . Shopping!! . There are alot of shopping malls located in Johor Bahru where you can shop till you drop. The variety of goods and the large numbers of shopping malls available makes Johor Bahru a shopping haven.Apart from that , the prices are very reasonable and can be discounted even more. You will be amazed if you happen to step into a shopping mall as it will be packed sometimes even barely being able to find a decent parking in the parking lots and barely being able to walk freely in the shopping malls .


As for the food in Johor Bahru, PLEASE DON'T GET ME STARTED! (and i won't as that is something you should try on your own,though i will include my favorites).Being a multicultural country , Malaysia has some of the best food choices around the world at extremely reasonable prices.There are a lot of travelers who travel all the way to Malaysia with the soul purpose of tasting local cuisines and dishes. My favorites includes  Mee Bandung,Nasi Briyani Gam,Asam Pedas Lada Hitam,Laksa Johor,Nasi Ambeng, Otak-otak and countless others(my list goes on and on but this is some of the popular dishes in which Johor is famous for).








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Or what about if you could save money on your flights. How would that feel if you could do this?

Imagine being able to stay in a resort instead of camping, or have money left in your pocket to spend on an indulgence. It truly is possible, but you need to know how.
That's what this brand new e-book could help you to do.
And it's not like any other ebook you've ever read on saving money on your vacations

Why?
Simply, every section in the book is there because "you asked for it." Well, not "you" really. But from real live questions. Questions from people who love travelling on the cheap and saving money to go travelling. A simple webpage was set up, and people like you visited it and left me their most pressing question on travelling on the cheap and saving money to go travelling.

Then I answered them!

Which means no fluff. Just the real answers you want to know.

Monday, February 7, 2011

Johor (Islands) - Desaru / Pulau Tinggi

Malaysian Travel Guide - Desaru

Finally , this will be the last post on  Johor's Islands . The two remaining islands that have yet to be discussed are non other than Desaru and Pulau Tinggi. After this post , i shall resume talking about Johor and its places to visit. I might not be able to write everything about Johor but i shall try my very best as i am trying to finish off as much as i can before my holidays are over and i am back being a student.. So without further adieu , the  Malaysian Travel Guide shall begin talking about Desaru.

Desaru is basically a long stretch of white sandy beach which stretches to approx 25km(15.5 miles) fringed with palm trees and causurina . It is located at the South-Eastern corner of Johor(refer to map included in previous post).Desaru is easily accessible via public transportation from Johor Bahru which is the capital of Johor, Kota Tinggi or Tanjung Belungkor. However if you are in Singapore and you wish to take a trip to Desaru , then you can easily do so by taking a ferry from Changi Point in Singapore to Tanjung Belungkur and finally to Desaru.There are many things one can do at Desaru . Water orientated activities includes swimming, water skiing, fishing,surfing,canoeing and catamaran sailing. Apart from that , you can also enjoy other activities such as jungle trekking , horseback riding , archery , taking part in go-kart race and  off-road activities.One thing you can definitely try is surfing. If wind is good, the waves are quite OK, and especially the lack of jellyfish and sharks makes it an attractive location for surfers. During December, January and first half of February (which is the monsoon season), the waves are almost constantly high, but do expect the water to be a little cold.The Desaru International Triathlon is held here annually.Nightlife is limited to the hotel bars which are rather quiet.This is because most visitors are Muslim. So yea, that's pretty much it for Desaru.

Malaysian Travel Guide - Pulau Tinggi

Last but not least on the list is Pulau Tinggi.Pulau Tinggi gets its name from a high hill rising 2,000 feet above sea level ("tinggi" is the malay word for high).The locals believe that one of the Malay's most famous mystical hero , Hang Tuah had stopped here in the early day while embarking on one of his many journeys.Locals believe that his spirit still guards the islands.The journey by boat to Tinggi Island takes approximately 45 minutes. The interior of the island is mostly covered with lowland Dipterocarp rain forest. It has fresh waters, fruits, rattan, timber and a sheltered harbor( which explains why it used to be a popular stopover point for traders in the ancient past).There is also an array of coral reefs which abound with prolific marine life.This island has the highest residential population among the east coast Johor islands, with the latest tally estimated at 448 people, from three village settlements.Journey by boat to Tinggi Island takes approximately 40 minutes. You need to drive to Johor Bahru and drive ahead until Kota Tinggi (approx. 1 hour) . Tanjung Leman's jetty is located at Kota Tinggi town (about 45 minutes from Kota Tinggi). Pulau Tinggi is renowned for its marine life and beautiful underwater flora. The whole island is a haven for nature lovers, adventure sports lovers, divers and snorkeling enthusiasts. If you are planning for a trip to the island, then make it a point to visit the island between April and June. These are the best months for diving in the clear and calm waters of the island.









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That's what this brand new e-book could help you to do.
And it's not like any other ebook you've ever read on saving money on your vacations

Why?
Simply, every section in the book is there because "you asked for it." Well, not "you" really. But from real live questions. Questions from people who love travelling on the cheap and saving money to go travelling. A simple webpage was set up, and people like you visited it and left me their most pressing question on travelling on the cheap and saving money to go travelling.

Then I answered them!

Which means no fluff. Just the real answers you want to know.

Sunday, February 6, 2011

Johor (Islands) - Teluk Ramunia and Tanjung Balau / Pulau Tengah / Pulau Rawa

Malaysian Travel Guide - Teluk Ramunia and Tanjung Balau


We are about halfway there in completing the islands around Johor.In today's segment , the Malaysian Travel Guide will talk about not 1 , not 2 but 3! islands which are Teluk Ramunia and Tanjung Balau,Pulau Tengah and Pulau Rawa.Once the Malaysian Travel Guide has completed talking about the islands , we shall proceed to Johor itself and then move on to the state of Malacca which is one of the most visited places in Malaysia due to its historical nature and being a world heritage site.Ok ok , lets not look too far into the future and resume with our topic for today which is the islands of Johor.Let us start with Teluk Ramunia and Tanjung Balau.

Teluk Ramunia and Tanjung Balau which is located about 10km north of Desaru (which shall be talked about later on) is another enjoyable site to visit.This tourist attraction is mainly due to the beauty of the beach there . There is a Fisherman Museum at Tanjung Balau which you can learn about Malaysia's traditional fishing methods.Visitors can also learn more about the type of fishes which are caught in this region.In the early days , Tanjung Ramunia was a renowned bauxite mining town in Malaysia.Today, Teluk Ramunia is an excelent picnic spot.Tanjung Ramunia is also an ideal location for kayaking, jet sking , diving and other activities.In tanjung Balau , you are able to life with the fisherman and feel how it is to go through thier daily lives.You will also be able to taste delicious local dishes while staying with them.

Malaysian Travel Guide - Pulau Tengah

Next on the list will be Pulau Tengah.Pulau Tengah is a small beach island located of the eastern coast of Johor.It is an hour away by boat from Mersing town..In the past,it was a famous vietnamesse refugee camp . Now , it has become a gazetted marine park and thus is a well known for its untouched and exotic beauty.The island is inhabited (apart from the workers from the resorts).July is the best month to visit Pulau Tengah.This island has lush green tropical forests and golden sandy beaches surrounded by crystal clear blue waters of the South China Sea.The waters of Pulau Tengah are teaming with different varieties of tropical fishes.The island is also a breeding ground of the Leatherback Turtles.This brings us back to why the month of July is an ideal month to visit this island paradise as it is the month where the Leatherback Turtles lay their eggs.Activities on the island includes snorkelling,swimming,diving,scuba diving,fishing and many others.Due to the presence of the forest on the island, visitors are also able to go for jungle trekking and jungle explorations where visitors are able to see exotic flora and fauna.Being a lowly inhabited island, there are not many food stalls or shops over here. However, one can find numerous resorts and hotels over here where one can put up during their visit to this beach island.Pulau Tengah is one of the most beautiful islands of Malaysia.

Malaysian Travel Guide - Pulau Rawa

Pulau Rawa will be the last island for today.Pulau Rawa which is located 16km(9.94miles) off the coast of Mersing.Pulau Rawa is famed for its white coral sand , tall palm trees and coral reefs with neon-coloured fish and other exotic marine life.Rawa island is definately an island paradise or a heaven on earth.Pulau Rawa is truly and unspoilt oasis of peace and tranquility.Apart form snorkelling in crystal clear waters, one can also take a 15min trek up the hill that overlooks the other side of the island which promises a beatiful sunrise.














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Or what about if you could save money on your flights. How would that feel if you could do this?

Imagine being able to stay in a resort instead of camping, or have money left in your pocket to spend on an indulgence. It truly is possible, but you need to know how.
That's what this brand new e-book could help you to do.
And it's not like any other ebook you've ever read on saving money on your vacations

Why?
Simply, every section in the book is there because "you asked for it." Well, not "you" really. But from real live questions. Questions from people who love travelling on the cheap and saving money to go travelling. A simple webpage was set up, and people like you visited it and left me their most pressing question on travelling on the cheap and saving money to go travelling.

Then I answered them!

Which means no fluff. Just the real answers you want to know.

Johor (Islands) - Pulau Pemanggil / Pulau Sibu

Malaysian Travel Guide – Pulau Pemanggil

There are a few more islands to cover up before I can begin talking about Johor itself and the awesome places to visit whilst you are there on your vacation. For now , the Malaysian Travel Guide shall give you a little bit more exposure on the remaining islands which are situated around Johor.

I shall start today off talking about Pulau Pemanggil which is another island that sits 45km (27.96miles) east of Mersing. Strangely enough , this island has a myth to it and this makes visiting there all the more better. Here is how it goes. See that big rock (though it looks more like a hill/mountain) , it is called Batu Buau “The Buau Rock” . Legends has it that centuries ago , a boat carrying an Indonesian family  came by these waters. One night , the father had a dream and the dream was beckoning him to settle in the island. The voice as was believed, belonged to the guardian (or the 'Penunggu' in traditional Malay folklore) of the island. Taking heed of the Guardian's advice, these first inhabitants steered off in the direction of the island and landed on the beach at the foot of the rock. They named their village, kampung Buau, after the Buau Rock. As the years went by, more Indonesians were invited to stay on the island(by the guardian) followed by a number of Malay folk arriving from Pulau Aur. Hence the name 'Pemanggil' or 'The Caller' was bestowed on the island. It is believed that Nenek Buau, the Guardian of the island lives somewhere on Batu Buau. Every year the “penghulu”(the village head) pays respect to this highly revered 'sentient being' by leaving an offering of polished rice and a payment of 1 sen at the top of the rock. Failing to do so, it is believed, would bring untold hardship to the island community.
Pulau Pemanggil is well known for deep-sea fishing and good hunting grounds for marlins and mackerels. It is also famed for the beauty and abundance of marine life within its crystal clear emerald waters and its endless stretches of white sandy beaches. Pulau Pemanggil is an ideal location for fishing and snorkeling .

Malaysian Travel Guide - Pulau Sibu

Pulau Sibu is located approximately 2 hours north of Johor Bahru on the Mersing road. The island has a shape like a triangular hour glass,which is about 6 kilometers long and less than one kilometer wide.Pulau Sibu is made up of several islands namely Sibu Besar Island, Sibu Tengah Island, Sibu Kukus Island and Sibu Hujung Island.Famous for its lush vegetation and scenery, visitors can expect an ambiance of relaxation. Activities include snorkeling, scuba diving, wind surfing, sailing and angling. Sibu Island is the perfect hideaway from the hactic city dwellers life. The north east corner of the island is renowned for its snorkeling activities as there is a good variety of coral and fish.However, this scuba diving in this area is rather shallow (30feet to 40 feet).The sea life is prolific and varied, from Nurse Sharks to Moray Eels, Bat Fish to Blue Spotted Sting Rays, Box Fish to Nudibranches and much, much more. Less usual sights such as Sea Horses, Leopard Sharks, Schooling Baracuda and Black Tip Reef Sharks can also be seen.













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Or what about if you could save money on your flights. How would that feel if you could do this?

Imagine being able to stay in a resort instead of camping, or have money left in your pocket to spend on an indulgence. It truly is possible, but you need to know how.
That's what this brand new e-book could help you to do.
And it's not like any other ebook you've ever read on saving money on your vacations

Why?
Simply, every section in the book is there because "you asked for it." Well, not "you" really. But from real live questions. Questions from people who love travelling on the cheap and saving money to go travelling. A simple webpage was set up, and people like you visited it and left me their most pressing question on travelling on the cheap and saving money to go travelling.

Then I answered them!

Which means no fluff. Just the real answers you want to know.

Saturday, February 5, 2011

Johor (Islands) - Pulau Besar / Pulau Hujong

Malaysian Travel Guide-Pulau Hujong

Now the Malaysian Travel Guide shall proceed with the next travel destination in Johor , Malaysia . It is none other than Pulau Hujong . Pulau Hujong is an island 12km (7.45miles) off Mersing covered with dense forest. Most travelers make a short stopover here whilst on their journey to Pulau Aur or Pulau Besar. Untainted by anything remotely resembling the outside world, it offers the exhausted island-hopper a chance to catch their breath, snatch forty winks on a hammock and basically live the beachcomber's life. There is nothing much on this island rather like a pit stop to relax . There are no accommodations on this island.

Malaysian Travel Guide - Pulau Besar

We shall now proceed to the next island which is Pulau Besar or Besar Island ( which was formerly known as Pulau Babi Besar).Pulau Babi Besar (directly translated as "Big Boars Island") was due to the numerous wild boars that roamed the island before man inhabited the place. Nowadays, there is not a single boar on the island and thus, the island was renamed as Besar Island. Pulau Besar is among a string of beautiful islands located on the South China Sea off the East Coast of Johor. The Island is about 13 km (8 miles) from Mersing and a boat ride to the island takes about half an hour. Pulau Besar is surrounded by crystal-clear azure waters that visitors can actually catch sight of the abundant reefs. To preserve the unspoiled marine life, the Government has made it as a marine park to protect around 60 species of marine life from any activities that can harm their natural habitats within 2 nautical miles around the island. There are about 7 or 8 small villages that are still populated by about 100 friendly dwellers mostly of whom are fishermen.

Pulau Besar is the ideal island for sun bathing, catching up on sleep, finishing that novel that's been kept by the bedside table for months gathering dust, a bit of island exploration, and just to immerse in the tranquility of the island's beauty. For those who are a little bit more energetic, the island hopping trips to Pulau Mensirip and Pulau Harimau for some snorkeling is definitely the icing on the cake. Pulau Harimau has a cavern which can be easily reached if you snorkel a short distance from the drop-off point at the beach. The ceiling of the cavern has fallen through and is a nice little private pool where you can sit and enjoy the sun warming your back and the cool water lapping your heated skin .Pulau Mensirip is a private island not too far from Pulau Harimau. It is deserted and a sign on the beach warns would be trespassers against alighting on the island. This tiny island belongs to the Johor royal family. But the snorkeling just off the beach is wonderful! Please note that these islands are not inhabited, so bring along some food and water.














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Imagine being able to save money on your accommodation. Wouldn't that be great?
Or what about if you could save money on your flights. How would that feel if you could do this?

Imagine being able to stay in a resort instead of camping, or have money left in your pocket to spend on an indulgence. It truly is possible, but you need to know how.
That's what this brand new e-book could help you to do.
And it's not like any other ebook you've ever read on saving money on your vacations

Why?
Simply, every section in the book is there because "you asked for it." Well, not "you" really. But from real live questions. Questions from people who love travelling on the cheap and saving money to go travelling. A simple webpage was set up, and people like you visited it and left me their most pressing question on travelling on the cheap and saving money to go travelling.

Then I answered them!

Which means no fluff. Just the real answers you want to know.

Johor (Islands) - Pulau Aur

Malaysian Travel Guide - Pulau Aur

I shall start off with Johor's Islands and Beaches. This is the list of islands and beaches located in Johor which the Malaysian Travel Guide came up with.
  • Pulau Aur
  • Pulau Hujong
  • Pulau Pemanggil
  • Desaru
  • Pulau Sibu
  • Pulau Tinggi
  • Pulau Besar
  • Teluk Ramunia and Tanjung Balau
  • Pulau Tengah
  • Pulau Rawa

The Malaysian Travel Guide shall begin with Pulau Aur. Pulau Aur is located offshore about 67km (39.7miles) east of Mersing and it is a well known tropical paradise with white sandy beaches and clear blue waters.The tropical waters of Malaysia offer some of the world's best scuba diving. This is a place endowed with some of the sport's best possibilities such as diving with whale sharks, hover around immense coral gardens and walls, or dive on ominous and hulking shipwrecks.


The population is spread along the coastline in small 'kampungs'(village) of four to six buildings. There are no roads or vehicles. The main industries of the island are fishing and supporting the few dive resorts on the island.  The island is surrounded by warm crystal clear seas teaming with undersea life.There is also a smaller island close by, Pulau Dayang, which is separated from Pulau Aur by a narrow channel of about 400m width at the narrowest point. Aur Island offers the clearest of waters and the most exciting dive sites in this part of the country as it is very far from the mainland of Peninsula Malaysia.

Malaysian Travel Guide - Things To Do

There are many things one can do at Pulau Aur but the most famous activity amongst travellers there is ofcourse scuba diving.Other activities include snorkeling and diving.If you are a fan of the ocean and ocean oriented activities the Malaysian Travel Guide highly recommends Pulau Aur.

If you are located in Singapore or Kuala Lumpur and you know not how to get there , i shall briefly explain how one can get to pulau aur . If you are coming from Sinagapore , drive through Johor Bahru(JB) until u reach Kota Tinggi which is approximately an hours drive from JB. Mersing town is another hour drive from Kota Tinggi and there take a boat in Mersing's jetty.There are lots of roadsings along the way so it is kinda impossible to get lost. If you are coming from Kuala Lumpur(KL), take the north/south highway form KL and exit at Air Hitam which is about two hours away.From there , drive to Kluang , than Kahand and finaly Mersing Town  (the journey should less than two hours).


   
  















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Description:

Imagine being able to save money on your accommodation. Wouldn't that be great?
Or what about if you could save money on your flights. How would that feel if you could do this?

Imagine being able to stay in a resort instead of camping, or have money left in your pocket to spend on an indulgence. It truly is possible, but you need to know how.
That's what this brand new e-book could help you to do.
And it's not like any other ebook you've ever read on saving money on your vacations

Why?
Simply, every section in the book is there because "you asked for it." Well, not "you" really. But from real live questions. Questions from people who love travelling on the cheap and saving money to go travelling. A simple webpage was set up, and people like you visited it and left me their most pressing question on travelling on the cheap and saving money to go travelling.

Then I answered them!

Which means no fluff. Just the real answers you want to know.

Friday, February 4, 2011

Johor - An Introduction

The Malaysian Travel Guide Overview on Johor

So i shall now start with the states in Malaysia. As i have already mentioned previously, there are a total of 13 states (and 3 other federal territories).So the questions is, where shall i begin. .hmmmm...I think I shall begin right at the bottom of peninsular Malaysia with the state of Johor which is above Singapore. Now the Malaysian Travel Guide shall tell you all there is to know about Johor.

Johor which is also known as Darul Ta'zim (which means Abode of Dignity) is one of the most developed states in Malaysia. Johor is the 5th largest state by land area and 3rd most populated state in Peninsular Malaysia. The highest point in Johor is Gunung Ledang which is also known as Mount Ophir . Johor which is situated closed to Singapore is linked to it via two road connections which the Johor-Singapore Causeway and the Malaysia-Singapore Second Link .Johor is a constitutional monarchy and was the first state in Malaysia to adopt the constitutional monarchy system via 'Undang-undang Tubuh Negeri Johor' (Johor State Constitution) which was written by Sultan Abu Bakar. The constitutional head of Johor is the Sultan and this hereditary position can only be held by a member of the Johor Royal Family, who is descended from Sultan Abu Bakar.The current Sultan of Johor is Tunku Ibrahim Ismail Ibni Almarhum Sultan Iskandar who was proclaimed as the new Sultan of Johor on the 23rd Jan 2010. I think I’m about done with the introduction of Johor. Now the Malaysian Travel Guide will show you places you can and have to visit if you ever get the chance to step into this state.



















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Description:

Imagine being able to save money on your accommodation. Wouldn't that be great?
Or what about if you could save money on your flights. How would that feel if you could do this?

Imagine being able to stay in a resort instead of camping, or have money left in your pocket to spend on an indulgence. It truly is possible, but you need to know how.
That's what this brand new e-book could help you to do.
And it's not like any other ebook you've ever read on saving money on your vacations

Why?
Simply, every section in the book is there because "you asked for it." Well, not "you" really. But from real live questions. Questions from people who love travelling on the cheap and saving money to go travelling. A simple webpage was set up, and people like you visited it and left me their most pressing question on travelling on the cheap and saving money to go travelling.

Then I answered them!

Which means no fluff. Just the real answers you want to know.

History of Malaysia Becoming a Multicultural Society

Malaysian Travel Guide's Short History of Malaysia

Now I shall tell you a little about the history of this country and how it came into being a Multicultural country. "A country without a memory is a country of madmen." quotes George Santayana (a philosopher).I shall agree to that quote but I will not drag too long on explaining the entire history as it will take ages and I might just bore you people to death (that way you might not even get a chance to go to Malaysia and that is definitely not what I want).For the entire history I might suggest you browse for a video of it in youtube as it might be much more interesting than just words. Now I shall begin telling you about the history.
Archaeologist and scientists have found archaeological evidence of human inhabitance in the Niah Caves in Sarawak about 40000 years ago while the earliest recorded inhabitant in the Malay Peninsula was found about 10000 years ago. Scholars believe the earliest settlers came overland from southern China and theses inhabitants are the ancestors of the 'orang asli' (indigenous people). Small Malayan kingdoms existed in the 2nd century A.D. when adventurers from India arrived and spread their influence. Around the 1400A.D.  a group of malay speaking migrants came to the Malayan Peninsular from a trading kingdom on the island of Sumatera known as the the Srivijaya kingdom. Their arrival here was mainly because of the strategic sea-lane location in which Malaysia was located. Led by a Sumatran prince called Parameswara , these newly arrived immigrants established a commercial kingdom known as Malacca(origins of the name shall be discussed once Malaysian Travel Guide discuss the state of Malacca) which is also known as Malacca today .

Malaysian Travel Guide Explanation on How Malaysia Finally Became a Multicultural Country

Europeans only arrived later on during the 1500's. In 1511 Malacca was captured by the Portuguese due to its strategic location on the map.The capture of Malacca was very important to the Portuguese as Malacca was one of the three key-points, with Goa and Hormuz, which gave Portugal the control over the main Asiatic trade routes. When the Dutch captured Malacca in 1641, the port was no longer and important trading center. However, it was the British, who after initially establishing bases at Singapore, Penang, Kuching and Jesselton, ultimately secured their hegemony across the territory that is now Malaysia.The colonial economy created by the British in the Malay Peninsula and Borneo brought about the immigration of foreign Chinese and Indian workers in order to meet the needs of the colonial economy. Preceding independence of the Federation of Malaya, a social contract was negotiated as the basis of a new society. The contract as reflected in the 1957 Malayan Constitution and the 1963 Malaysian Constitution states that the immigrant groups are granted citizenship, and Malays' special rights are guaranteed and thus Malaysia came into being a multicultural society.Thus concludes my brief history . The Malaysian Travel Guide strongly recommend that you watch a couple of videos to give you a clearer picture on the complete history as it will seriously help make your journey to the country a wholesome one.















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Description:

Imagine being able to save money on your accommodation. Wouldn't that be great?
Or what about if you could save money on your flights. How would that feel if you could do this?

Imagine being able to stay in a resort instead of camping, or have money left in your pocket to spend on an indulgence. It truly is possible, but you need to know how.
That's what this brand new e-book could help you to do.
And it's not like any other ebook you've ever read on saving money on your vacations

Why?
Simply, every section in the book is there because "you asked for it." Well, not "you" really. But from real live questions. Questions from people who love travelling on the cheap and saving money to go travelling. A simple webpage was set up, and people like you visited it and left me their most pressing question on travelling on the cheap and saving money to go travelling.

Then I answered them!

Which means no fluff. Just the real answers you want to know.

Wednesday, February 2, 2011

A Brief Introduction on Malaysia

Why  Malaysian Travel Guide Recommends Malaysia As Your Next Travel Destination?


Everything has a start and i think that i shall start of this blog by giving you readers a clear picture of Malaysia. I believe that by having a clear picture before visiting the country is very important in order for you to truly enjoy your stay there. Having been a Malaysian all my life , i shall now give you readers a brief understanding on where exactly Malaysia is located on the globe and a little background about the country itself . I shall thus call this little briefing of mine' The Malaysian Travel Guide briefing on Malaysia'. Please bear in mind that though this little briefing might/might not be boring , it is still important for you to truly understand what Malaysia really is before you decide to have a vacation there.

Malaysian Travel Guide Location of Malaysia

Malaysia as some of you might not have known is located somewhere in Southeast Asia just north of the equator.The country is considered to be the 67th largest country(by total land area).Land bordering countries to Malaysia includes Brunei , Indonesia and Thailand while maritime border countries includes Singapore and Indonesia. Malaysia lies in the south of Vietnam. The Federation of Malaysia consists of 13 states, and is divided into two parts where 11 states are located in West Malaysia (also known as Peninsular Malaysia) and the remaining 2 comprise East Malaysia, which is situated on the island of Borneo . Peninsular and East Malaysia are separated by 640 kilometers (400 miles) of the South China Sea. The exotic, tropical islands and lands of Malaysia contain some of the most beautiful beaches on the planet and a collection of unrivaled rain forests and national parks is one of the major reasons why Malaysian Travel Guide strongly suggests Malaysia as your next destined travel location.

Malaysian Travel Guide Introduction on Malaysia

Malaysia is well known for being a harmonious multicultural society which composes of the Malays which are the majority (about 54%) , Chinese (about 25%) , Indian (7.5%) and other groupings such as the Portuguese clan which are mainly in Malacca (which makes about 1.5%) and the indigenous peoples known as the 'Orang Asli'(about 12%).Hence there is also a profusion of faiths and religions such as Islam, Christianity, Buddhism, Taoism, Hinduism, Sikhism, etc. The reason why Malaysia came to be one of the world’s most profound multicultural society is due to the rich history (which i will later tell you about) this country has. Malaysia has a hot, humid climate (20-30ºC) that changes little throughout the year. The country's national language is Bahasa Malaysia, although within the respective ethnic groupings, Chinese and Tamil are spoken. However, English is also widespread, and is the language of the business community. Any food lover will be in heaven when they visit Malaysia . The country's racial mixture gives rise to a cuisine that is as diverse as it is delicious due to the fusion of flavours of food . This is what makes Malaysia one of the best vacation spot in the world and with the right malaysian travel guide, you can ensure that your little holiday will turn out to be one of the most remarkable life experience you have ever had .








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Description:

Imagine being able to save money on your accommodation. Wouldn't that be great?
Or what about if you could save money on your flights. How would that feel if you could do this?

Imagine being able to stay in a resort instead of camping, or have money left in your pocket to spend on an indulgence. It truly is possible, but you need to know how.
That's what this brand new e-book could help you to do.
And it's not like any other ebook you've ever read on saving money on your vacations

Why?
Simply, every section in the book is there because "you asked for it." Well, not "you" really. But from real live questions. Questions from people who love travelling on the cheap and saving money to go travelling. A simple webpage was set up, and people like you visited it and left me their most pressing question on travelling on the cheap and saving money to go travelling.

Then I answered them!

Which means no fluff. Just the real answers you want to know.