LEGOLAND MALAYSIA

LEGOLAND Malaysia is the first LEGOLAND Park in Asia. It is the ultimate LEGO experience for fans of all ages, with a particular focus on families with children from the ages of 2 to 12. The family theme park has more than 40 interactive rides, shows and attractions. It offers a full day of adventure, education and fun. The 15,000 LEGO models found throughout the Park are created out of 50 million LEGO bricks. It contains the most popular rides and attractions from LEGOLAND Parks around the world, but everything is tailor-made for the local environment. The Park’s three restaurants, four food stands and 11 food carts cater to local tastes.

LEGOLAND Malaysia has seven themed areas covering 76 acres - the same area as 50 full-size football pitches. The LEGOLAND experience starts at The Beginning, the entrance area to the Park and home to the largest LEGO shop in Asia, The Big Shop. It stocks 2,000 different LEGO and LEGOLAND products, and has more LEGO toy sets under one roof than anywhere else in the region. At The Brick Shop, LEGO fans can customise their own creations with hundreds of LEGO elements and accessories. Designed for LEGO fans of all ages, Imagination is where creativity knows no bounds. At the Build and Test Centre, LEGO inventors can bring their imaginations to life. The Kid’s Power Tower challenges everyone to prove their strength by hauling themselves upwards to gain a beautiful view over the Park, and young engine drivers can enjoy a gentle train journey on the life-size DUPLO Express.

LEGO Technic is home to high speed rides for the brave and exciting LEGO  workshops for aspiring designers. The highlight is taking a test drive on Project X, a wild roller coaster with a steep switchback track. Aquazone Wave Racers offers a thrilling wave surf where those watching can trigger water bursts to splash the riders. Children wanting to dry off can then head to LEGO Mindstorms, which encourages budding robot designers to build the future. At the centre of the Park, the miniature world of Miniland recreates famous Asian landmarks on a scale of 1:20 using more than 30 million LEGO bricks. It turns children into giants as they stroll through famous scenes from different countries, including the Petronas Twin Towers, the Merlion Statue and the Taj Mahal. Some of the LEGO models are animated, so visitors can bring LEGO figures, trains and airplanes to life at the touch of a button.

Malaysia’s is the largest Miniland ever built for a new LEGOLAND Park. The project took more than three years to complete. Legends come to life in LEGO Kingdoms. From deep inside the royal castle, The Dragon roller coaster takes riders through the twists and turns of the Middle Ages on a fire-breathing dragon. The Dragon’s Apprentice offers younger guests the same excitement on a baby dragon’s back, while children are free to explore a multilevel treetop playground in The Forestman’s Hideout. Land of Adventure is a journey into the forgotten worlds of Pharaohs and dinosaurs. Dino Island is a daring boat trip to an ancient temple, where LEGO dinosaurs still roam and there’s only one way down.

Everyone can join the laser-blasting hunt for hidden treasure in Lost Kingdom, while Beetle Bounce launches children up and down a 15 foot tower, nearly touching the gigantic LEGO beetles above with every bounce. Children really take control in LEGO City.  The Driving School offers children a unique chance to drive on a true-to-life traffic circuit to qualify for their very own driver's license. Would-be captains can take the wheel of their very own battery powered boat at the Boating School, while families can race each other to put out the faux “fire” in Rescue Academy.

 LEGOLAND Malaysia is served by a number of direct services from bus terminals in the surrounding area. Buses operate every day from JB Sentral, Larkin, Gelang Patah and Johor Premium Outlets (JPO). A dedicated service leaves Larkin for LEGOLAND every thirty minutes during peak times. So next vacation when you visit Malaysia, Legoland should top your list for must-see places.

Top spas of Malaysia

 Take a luxurious break from your daily routine as you pamper yourself with some of the best healing and spa treatments in Malaysia. Set amidst the lush settings with the backdrop of the rainforest or overlooking the sea, these spas offer the finest healing therapies from across the world. You can opt for age-old Javanese treatments, traditional Chinese Shiatsu, ancient Indian Ayurvedic practices and other healing treatments and procedures native to Malaysia.

Some of the must-visit spas in Malaysia include:

Spa Village-Visit the internationally acclaimed, award-winning Spa Village for some of the most sophisticated spa treatments, combined with indigenous healing practices. A must-experience is its one-of-a-kind Sensory Room, designed to heighten and soothe the senses.

Sembunyi Spa-Unwind at this spa, nestled among tropical gardens, with its traditional Asian-style body treatments.  Indulge yourself in the various facial, massage as well as the Jacuzzi, steam room and sauna.

Banjaran Spa-Escape to this high-end, luxury hot springs retreat and get set for a sublime experience. Book into a luxury villa and let the many exotic services and treatments leave you pleasurably pampered. Detoxify and rejuvenate with its thermal steam caves, meditation caves and geothermal hot springs, all set in pristine natural surroundings.  Enjoy the healthy but high-on-taste cuisine at the in-house specialty restaurant, Pomelo.  Extend the good times by dipping into your own plunge pool, relaxing in the outdoor Jacuzzi and availing the special butler services.

CHI, the Spa at Shangri-la's Tanjung Aru Resort & Spa-Feel your vital life force – your Chi – flow freely through your body as expert techniques help release your energy blockages. Soak up the positive vibrations here with a relaxing body massage or hydrotherapy, and meditate or exercise at your own private yoga pavilion overlooking the sea. Luxuriate in the outdoor rain shower, available at selected villas only.

Borneo Spa- De-stress yourself at this award-winning spa with the best of healing therapies drawn from both Western and Oriental philosophies. Make sure you try the signature treatments, all administered with the spa’s private label of pure essential oils. Book into any of the fourteen therapy rooms; these come equipped with their own private showers, health bar, Jacuzzi, sauna and steam bath facilities. You could also elevate your experience by booking into one of the sea-facing rustic cabanas for a soothing alfresco massage. 

Mandara Spa- An experience in itself, this spa, touted as one of Asia's most beautiful tropical rainforest spas, is set above a secluded cove with its own beach. Try their innovative interpretations of classic Asian beauty and body care therapies in the luxurious atmosphere of exotic villas, opening out into the tropical rainforest.

So are you ready for this luxurious break in Malaysia?

Street food in Malaysia

Malaysian cuisine covers a wide, unique spectrum, thanks to the melting pot of cultures that make up its population. Malays, Thais, Chinese, Indians and a host of other ethnic groups from near and far have brought their specialities to the table, and the result is a country that is a foodie’s delight.

Malaysian food has evolved over the centuries, influenced by the people passing through or settling there, and has been adapted over time to create exotic new flavours. Curry powder, spices, mint, tamarind, fish stock, coconut milk, peanut sauce and other local ingredients give the dishes their unique Malaysian taste. Each state in Malaysia has something different to offer and, with the assortment of exotic fruits and vegetables available all year round, the menu is simply never-ending.

In Kuala Lumpur, you can indulge in any cuisine from any part of the globe, all of which is mouth-wateringly delicious. One of the restaurants you must visit here is the Bijan Restaurant in Jalan Ceylon. The menu blends traditional recipes with fresh innovations, offering a variety that spans forgotten favorites as well as intriguing new textures, along with a flavor-enhancing wine list. Recommended dishes include Masak Lemak Ikan, Ikan Panggang, Rendang Daging, Durian Cheesecake and homemade ice cream in local flavours.

In Petaling Jaya, Selangor, you can find all sorts of Asian and Western restaurants – Indian, Thai, Japanese, Chinese, Taiwanese, Korean, Hong Kong, Italian, Halal and more. Head for the Indian-influenced Mamak restaurants, where you can indulge in Roti Canai, Murtabak, Nasi Biryani, even Tandoori Chicken, while watching soccer matches. Good places to dine include Damai Plaza, Jalan Gaya and Sri Selera Food Court. Don’t miss out on the seafood in Borneo Island too.

When in Sarawak, it’s time to experiment a little with the exotic fare available here. You should try the Sarawak Laska – noodles served with tangy, aromatic soup; Mee Kolok - handmade noodles tossed with meats in oil and vinegar; Manok Pansoh – a chicken and ginger dish cooked in a bamboo log and Bird’s Nest Soup – the highly prized Chinese delicacy which is said to have medicinal properties, available at upmarket restaurants.

Ipoh’s Chinese mixed with local flavours is so good that people drive in from distant places to enjoy the delicacies. Order the Bean Sprouts Chicken - chicken meat, chicken innards and bean sprouts boiled and served with soy sauce and sesame oil, which you can savor at Onn Kee and Lou Wong Restaurants, located at the junction of Yau Tet Shin Street and Osbourne Street. Try the Salted Chicken or Yim Kok Kai – whole chickens wrapped in ‘oil paper’ and baked in large woks filled with heated salt – at Aun Kheng Lim Restaurant on Theatre Street. The white coffee of Ipoh is legendary, and is a must-have with condensed milk at coffee shops like Nam Heong Restaurant, located opposite the Kinta Heights flats in Ipoh's old town.

Malacca is home to delicious Baba Nyonya food, which is usually served in quaint cafes and traditional shophouses, as well as Portuguese-Eurasian cuisine. Seafood is popular, and you might risk the fiery "devil curries". The favourites here are Satay Celup – skewered seafood cooked in peanut sauce, Cinacaluk – fermented shrimp relish, Lemang – glutinous rice cooked in bamboo, sold on the side of the road to Telok Mas, Ikan Bakar – fresh caught grilled fish and crustaceans which you’ll find at Umbai, Pernu or Serkam, Kuih Udang – a popular tea time dish available at Alor Gajah Town, and Jalan Alor – stingray and grilled chicken wings. Jonker Street serves up some of the best cuisines in town; the most popular eateries are the Geographer Café and Jonker Dessert, known for its delicious Baba Nyonya delicacies.

To truly experience this feast, make sure you take time off to indulge in its spread of delectable cuisines only in Malaysia.  

Top 10 unusual things to do in Malaysia

Whenever a tourist lands in an exotic foreign location, he is usually armed with a detailed plan of action. More often than not, these include the usual clichés that most friends, family and other acquaintances suggest. However, there are locations and activities unknown to most tourists that are sure to give you a dose of adrenaline rush. Below is a list of unusual things you should try as soon as you set your foot in Malaysia. 

1.   Homestay

Intruding into someone else’s residence may not seem like the best idea, but when in Malaysia, it just may. Malaysian home stays allow tourists to pitch tent in a kampong or a traditional Malay village. Rustic charm at its best – Guaranteed.

2.   Attend a mock wedding

If you always wondered what goes on during a Malaysian wedding, then here is your answer. Malaysians are kind enough to stage an entire wedding for you, just so that you get a peek into their culture and lifestyle. Most villages give tourists a chance to experience this mock wedding where all the rituals are elaborately performed for the pleasure of the audience.

3.   Turtles nesting

It’s a well-known fact that turtles lay their eggs on the beach and then head out to the ocean leaving their young ones to fend for themselves. Witness the interesting spectacle at Cherating where the incoming tide brings in hundreds to turtles to the beach where they make way for their next generation.

4.   Horse riding

Enjoy horsing around? Savour the adventure of horse riding in Malaysia. These sturdy Malaysian horses are more than happy to let you explore the tropical beaches, dense rainforests and glorious highlands, without major fuss.. Every visitor with a penchant for equestrian sports will find his fill here.

5.   Explore a cave

In most fairytales, most of the treasure is hidden deep in the heart of some cave, where an unsuspecting wanderer stumbles upon it and lives happily ever after. Who knows what you may find here as you explore similarly winding caves in Malaysia! One adventure you don’t want to miss!

6.   Experience a Malaysian massage

Malaysia is synonymous with relaxing massages. Let the experts work on your nerves and feel your worries melt away as you take in the aromas of the oils and enjoy a magical massage in Malaysia. Allow the jamu preparation, a mixture of local herbs and natural sweeteners, take over and make your worries a thing of the past.

7.   Gift a Rafflessia

Nothing says it like flowers. Especially if it is the largest follower found on our planet! The largest flower in the world, the Rafflesia, is found in Malaysia and in full bloom the flower can reach the diameter of over 100 centimeters. Not many are lucky to witness this massive flower. Want to be one?

8.   Feed an Elephant

Elephants, the largest land mammals, may be an imposing sight to behold! At the National Elephant Conservation Centre in Pahang, you can literally get one step closer to them and try feeding these majestic creatures. Try it!

9.   Underwater post office

We’ve heard of snail mail, e-mail and what not? Chuck the usual and send mails that first make a detour to the bottom of the ocean. Catch a glimpse of the famous Underwater Post Office in Malaysia where divers seal your mail in a waterproof vacuum bag and post it underwater.

10. Take a helicopter ride

It is always lonely at the top (other than for your helicopter pilot) and the view is to kill for! Get an aerial view of KL and the surrounding areas with a helicopter ride. Not meant for people with the fear of flying/heights/pure exhilaration.

One experience better than the other is waiting for you in Malaysia. However, the question of essence is ‘ARE YOU’? 

Top 5 rainforests in Malaysia

Love Nature? Is your perfect vacation all about getting in touch with nature? Do you want to spend your holidays away from the hustle bustle of the city?  If yes, then we have a perfect vacation plan for you!

Malaysia has one of the most diverse wildlife in the world, covering about 20% of world's animal species, and includes some of the most bio-diverse areas on the planet. Whether you are planning a family vacation or you are planning a reunion with your buddies, Malaysia is your destination! To make it easier for you to choose, we have come up our top 5 recommendations for you. So what are you waiting for? Go explore!

Taman Negara

The oldest rainforest in the world, Taman Negara boasts of plant life that has flourished for over 20,000 years. This rainforest also has opportunities to canoe, explore caves, fish, camp and swim. Plus, it also has another feather in its cap – the world’s longest canopy walkway.

Kenong Rimba Park

Walking through this pristine tropical lowland forest is an experience in itself. You can discover limestone caves, enjoy a quick shower under a waterfall, trek, camp and even rock climb. The clear waters and vibrant fauna means you have plenty to explore while you are here.

Penang National Park

It’s a whole new world out there at the Penang National Park. This mixed tropical rainforest has well marked trails, a turtle sanctuary , campsites with good facilities and opportunities to spot some rare species of flora and fauna. There’s also a meromicitc lake here which forms when two bodies of water do not mix. Don’t miss this!

Endau-Rompin National Park

If they were to make an ad about rainforests, this is where they would shoot it. The Endau-Rompin National Park is endowed with a scenic landscape peppered with lowland forests, steep ridges and sandstone plateaus. All this is nestled amidst the sounds of the animals and cascading waterfalls. Surely, this is paradise on earth.

Loagan Bunut National Park

A virgin rainforest, Loagan Bunut National Park’s beauty is untouched by commercial and human activities. A quiet area, this rainforest is home to the local Berawan people and a host of exotic bird species. There’s also animal life to explore here. Head here for some quiet time.