Malaysia's Unique Wildlife

Have you heard of Orangutans? Of Proboscis Monkeys or Tapirs?  What of bearded pigs? Now, if I have piqued your interest let me tell you that these exotic sounding creatures are resident in the many rainforests and jungle terrains of Malaysia and to quote an old adage ‘have to be seen to be believed’.

It is estimated that tropical paradise of Malaysia, is home to a vast repository of exotic fauna, which features approximately 210 species of mammals, 600 species of birds and 200 species of reptiles. Rare and unusual creatures like Malayan sun bears, tapirs, orangutans, proboscis monkeys, Bornean pygmy elephants, Sumatran rhinoceros, bearded pigs and more roam the lush forests of peninsula Malaysia and the island of Borneo. Unfortunately many of these creatures are considered ‘endangered’ and are now protected in sanctuaries and nature reserves, which are however accessible by the general public.

A guide for viewing some of Malaysia’s unique fauna

The Malayan Tapir

The Malaysian version of the tapir is believed to be the largest of its kind. This oddly shaped, snout-nosed mammal faces extinction and is protected within nature reserves like the Jerangu Forest Reserve (in Terengganu) and the Krau Wildlife Reserve in Pahang.

The Malayan Tiger

The Malayan tiger is respected as a symbol of bravery and strength throughout Malaysia. This magnificent beast, who like others of its kind faces extinction today, is known to be protected within Malaysia’s national parks like the Taman Negara, the Krau Wildlife Reserve, the Endau Rompin National Park and the Royal Belum State Park.

The Proboscis Monkey

This comical creature is native to Malaysia and is not found anywhere else in the world. While the females of the species are quite ordinary-looking, it’s the males that evoke guffaws with their funny appearance, as they sport oversized, dangling hooters, potbellies and flattop thatches of hair. As these primates are endemic to the island of Borneo, the best place for a viewing of these creatures the privately owned Labuk Bay Proboscis Monkey Sanctuary, near Kota Kinabalu.

The Orangutan

This fuzzy, red-haired large primate has legions of fans throughout the world. Unfortunately, over the years its population has dwindled considerably so that it is now protected in reserves like Sepilok Orang Utan Rehabilitation Centre in Sabah and at Pulau Orang Utan, in Perak. However, sightings of orangutans in the wild are still possible at the Kinabatangan Wildlife Sanctuary in Sabah or within Borneo’s Danum Valley Conservation Area.

 

 

 

A Shopaholics Dream- the 1Malaysia Year End Sale

Shopaholics of the world rejoice for the 1 Malaysia Year End Sale (1MYES) is back. Just in the time for holiday season, the shopping extravaganza invites shoppers to loosen their purse strings and refresh wardrobes, spruce up homes and pamper loved ones with gifts, all bought with the many rebates, bargains and promotions offered by the ultimate shopping carnival, the 1 Malaysia Year End Sale.

The 1Malaysia Year End Sale (1MYES) is an annual event organized by Tourism Malaysia, which also organizes other annual mega sales and shopping carnivals during the year, like the Malaysia Mega Sale Carnival and the 1Malaysia GP Sale. This holiday shopping bonanza is currently underway at every mall, market and shopping center in Malaysia, and if you want to snag the many awesome deals on offer do make sure you wing your way to Malaysia before the 5^th of January, 2014, the last day of this truly awesome sale.

Some highlights of this extravaganza include: -

The Central Market in Kuala Lumpur combines its 1 Malaysia Year End Sale along with its 125^th Anniversary Celebrations and offers bargains galore along with cultural performances and a food fair.

For more details do visit www.centralmarket.com.my

The Sungei Wan Plaza in Kuala Lumpur offers shopping promotions with attractive prizes like air tickets and a Christmas on Broadway musical spectacular to delight and enchant shoppers.

http://www.sungeiwang.com

Christmas promotions are also being offered at various other malls and shopping complexes around Kuala Lumpur, like Berjaya Times Square, Aeon Alpha Angle, Mid Valley Mega Mall, Suria KLCC, KL Festival City and many more.

However, these promotions and festivities are not limited to Kuala Lumpur alone for malls and shopping centers all over Malaysia are taking part in the event.

Do download the official 1 Malaysia Year End sale booklet from the website of Tourism Malaysia so that you can plan your shopping expeditions when you visit Malaysia during this grand extravaganza.

As the bargains beckon, you cannot afford to wait any longer, so why not unearth your largest suitcases and book your air tickets, to fly away to Malaysia, for the truly delightful 1Malaysia Year End Sale 2013.

 

Malaysian handcrafted souvenirs

The term souvenir is derived from a French term meaning memory or remembrance. Souvenirs are integral to a holiday, for they help us remember the wonderful times we have had at a particular destination. Most souvenirs take the form of kitschy t-shirts, post cards, fridge magnet and the lot, but in Malaysia, a country with a rich tradition of arts and crafts; souvenirs take the form of stunning handcrafted wares.

Popular and much coveted Malaysian handcrafted souvenirs include:

Batik and songket textile products

Malaysia is famed for the production of handcrafted batik and songket(a plush brocade-like fabric). Both these textiles are the product of art forms handed down through generations and are used to fashion apparel and various lifestyle products though songket, which is produced by hand weaving gold and silver threads, is much more exclusive and expensive as well.

Beadwork

Malaysia’s indigenous peoples like the Orang Ulu and Iban tribes are known to produce quality beadwork items like lampshades, collars and necklaces, which are much sought after.

Nyonya wares

Malaysia’s Peranakan people are not only known for their excellent culinary skills, but are also much admired skills like embroidery and glass beading. These skills are used to produce classic Nyonya wares like intricately beaded slippers, handbags, coin purses and phone covers and so on, which make for popular keepsakes from Penang and Melaka, destinations with substantial Peranakan populations. Also finding favor is the much embellished, sarong kebaya (skirt and blouse) attire traditionally sported by Peranakan womenfolk.

Silver ware and Pewter

Malaysia is a powerhouse of resources and is blessed with seemingly inexhaustible supply of materials like silver, pewter (an alloy of tin) and many others.  Some of these metals are used to make various home wares and lifestyle products much favored as keepsakes. Silverware products from Kelantan like fruit bowls, tea sets, ashtrays, brooches and bracelets are renowned for their intricate designs and excellent workmanship and are highly coveted.

 

 

Woodcarvings

Woodcarvings are popular throughout Malaysia but ornamental woodcarvings from the states of Kelantan and Terengganu are especially well known as they are used to adorn dagger handles and a variety of furniture items.

Pottery

Malaysian pottery items like vases, jars and water receptacles are handcrafted in states like Perak and Sarawak and are popular mementos as well.

Forest fiber items

Most of Malaysia is covered by dense rainforests. These green lungs provide a steady supply of forest fibers like rattan, bamboo, ribu-ribu, pandanus , mengkuang  and so forth. Local artists and indigenous people coil, intertwine, weave and plait these fibers to make functional and ornamental mats, bags, baskets and more, all popular souvenir items.

 

Malaysia: A favored destination for Emiratis

Malaysia in recent years has been consistently topping the charts as a choice destination for Muslim tourists. It’s hardly surprising, for as a predominantly Muslim country, Malaysia is especially well equipped to cater to the needs for Muslim tourists.

Listed below are some of Malaysia’s much appreciated facilities catering to requirements of tourists hailing from the Middle East and other Islamic countries.

Prayer halls and locales are easily available everywhere

In multi-ethnic, multi-cultural Malaysia, are not only mosques ubiquitous further, a prayer hall or a Surau can be found at every shopping mall, department store and airport. Additionally, most malls like Petaling Jaya’s Sunway Pyramid mall are also equipped with separate prayer halls for male and female visitors.

Easy availability of Halal food

The Malaysian government and the Department of the Islamic development of Malaysia ensure that halal food is easily available all over Malaysia. Moreover, restaurants, hotels, supermarkets and various other food production centers are regularly inspected and certified by government agencies. For a listing of hotels and restaurants serving halal products do visit -http://www.halal.gov.my/v3/index.php/en/list-of-hotel

Well-trained hospitality staff

Surveys have indicated that tourists from the Middle East tend to travel with their families in tow. This is largely due to customs and traditions of a region where women don’t really travel alone. The Malaysian hospitality industry is aware to this particularity and has responded by training staffs to be especially sensitive to the needs of the Middle Eastern visitor.  For instance, front desk staffs in Malaysian hotels and resorts are usually proficient in Arabic language and this greatly aids facilitates processes like speedy check-ins, a facility much appreciated by Arab tourists.

Further, it has also been noticed that tourists from the Middle East favor Western, Indian and Middle Eastern cuisines and the easy availability of these cuisines in various parts of Malaysia further enhances the appeal of Malaysia as a choice destination.

Numerous family-centric attractions

Muslim travelers usually enjoy traveling along with their families, Malaysia with its multitude of theme and amusement parks like Legoland, Sunway Lagoon, Berjaya Times Square, Resorts World Genting and many more is unsurprisingly a huge draw.

Safety

Last but not the least is the safety factor. Malaysia is viewed as a generally safe and stable country and thus regarded as an ideal locale for a Muslim traveler.

For more information for planning a trip do visit the website of the Islamic Tourist Center of Malaysia

 

 

 

 

 

 

Malaysia's Delightful Eats and Treats

Malaysia is renowned the world over for its hugely diverse, flavorful and culturally rich cuisine, which mirrors the colorful ethnic make-up of its society. Malay, Chinese and Indian influences are amply evident in native Malaysian fare.

However, aside from local foods, Western cuisine is easily available in Malaysia at all price-points. Popular western fast-food chains like McDonald’s, KFC, Pizza Hut, Popeye, A&W and others are very visible in various urban centers in Malaysia, so if you rather not experiment with local food and stick with the tried and tested global fast food brands you can easily do so while visiting Malaysia.

However, travel is a wonderful resource which helps broadens your outlook and when you travel you should try and sample the native culture; one way to do so is via the destination’s food offerings.  In Malaysia, you are truly spoiled for the country offers a smorgasbord of diverse foods that gastronomes can’t help but rave about. Further, if you are worried that these foods may not be halal, you can be rest assured for most food in Malaysia, a predominantly Muslim nation, is halal and is regularly inspected and certified by the authorities.

Based on the above listed are some food experiences you should sample whilst in Malaysia: -

Indulge in delicious Malaysian street food

The plethora of Malaysian street foods like Satay, Char Kuay Teow, Laksa, Nasi Kandar, Hokkien Mee and more offered at locales like Gurney Drive in Penang are renowned the world over. Similar experiences can be hand at spots like Jalan Alor in Kuala Lumpur and the city center streets of major cities like Kota Kinabalu.

Sample Baba-Nyonya cuisine

The Peranakans are known for their own unique culture and traditions and a style of cooking which is essentially a blend of Malay and Chinese cuisines. Popular Peranakan dishes include preparations like Asam Laksa, Popiahs(fresh spring rolls) and otak-otak (fish ,coconut milk, galangal and spice paste wrapped in banana leaf and steamed).

Delight in mouth-watering Mamak fare

The India population in Malaysia has largely originated from Southern India and is composed of both Hindus and Muslims, while the Indian Hindus brought along various vegetarian delicacies like thosai, idli, puri and more, the Indian Muslims contributed dishes like nasi  biryani, Roti Canai, Murtabak and more.