Top 25 Experience #6: Heritage trails and Hawker food - George Town, Penang.

Now its come the top experience number six. a long way to go until its 25. :)

And number six goes to Penang. 

Penang, food capital of Malaysia. But it’s not just steaming woks that draw the visitors in. George Town is a cultural beacon all on its own, reflected in its UNESCO World Heritage Site title.

Awarded the prestigious title of UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2008, the lively capital of Penang has over 200 years of history and cultural heritage under its belt. Well-preserved colonial buildings and historical architecture draw in the art buffs, while traditional trades, handed down from generation to generation, ensure that age-old culture remains intact. George Town is also renowned for its mouth-watering food, attracting steady streams of foodies from around the world to its warm shores.

Must Do

Go on one of the city's heritage trails either on foot or via trishaw

Plunge into a glorious gastronomic journey sampling the many hawker's delights such as char kuey teow and prawn noodles

(picture and source: Tourism Malaysia)

Event Promo: Festival Orang Asli 7th & 8th June, 2014

This festival highlights the uniqueness of everyday life in various ethnic groupsof Aboriginal (Orang Asli) in Peninsular Malaysia which are highlighted through artistic activities such as dance and music, cooking demonstrations, traditional medicines, making crafts such as masks and sculptures, baskets, mats and animal traps and also variety of exhibition relating with Aboriginal communities.

So why not we learn more about Malaysia Aboriginal at Muzium Negara this coming 7th and 8th June 2014?

Event Promo: Dikir Barat Competition, Putrajaya.

Hey. Want to watch Dikir Barat? Or wan to join the competition? :)

Dikir barat is a musical form, native to the Malay Peninsula, that involves singing in groups—often in a competitive setting. Dikir barat may be performed either with percussion instrumental accompaniment, or with no instruments at all. The dance is similar to Endang Dance except with more clappings. The origins of dikir barat are not clear; it is found in both Thailand and Malaysia, and today the Malaysian government actively promotes it as an important part of Malaysian national culture.

Dikir barat is typically performed by groups of ten to fifteen members, though there is no actual set size,even in competitive environments. A group usually sits cross-leggedon a platform, sometimes surrounded by the audience. Where the dikir barat is performed competitively, the two competing groups will both be on the stage at the same time.

In a typical dikir barat performance, the group will perform two segments. The first is led by the tok juara who is often the person in charge of the musical training of the group. This first segment usually contains the more complex musical arrangements, and will likely feature the awok-awok (chorus) singing in unison with the tok juara, as well as responsorial segments of singing, similar to what the tukang karut does with the awok-awok, later in the performance. Though musically more complex than what will follow, the first segment is seen as the "low-key" segment of the performance.

if you are around Putrajaya on 24th May, come and see the Competitition of Dikir Barat which will be held in Presint 9 Field.

P.s: Thecompetition is still open for those interested to join the competition. Pleas contact Encik Sulhie at 0133000035 for more information about the competition.

Gunung Stong State Park

Okay lets get away from Top 25 experience for a while. Lets talk About Gunung Stong, a wonderful mountain area recreation located in Kelantan..

Let see.

Gunung Stong State Park (GSSP) is a forested area, totaling 21,950ha with several prominent mountain peaks. The area is of outstanding beauty and is home to one of the highest waterfalls in Malaysia, the seven-tiered Jelawang Waterfall.

The rugged landscape of GSSP offers many exciting adventures for anyone who loves nature and the great outdoors. GSSP not only has important eco-tourism values but also serves as a significant conservation area with rich flora and fauna diversity.

Animals such as the Asian elephant, seladang, great argus pheasant, Malayan tiger, serow and tapir are known to roam the forest in Stong. With the assistance of a qualified and knowledgeable trekking guide, your exploration of GSSP will be made more meaningful as interesting aspects about the biodiversity of the area are pointed out.

The Bogo Rock Shelter, a cave- like formation, is a suitable resting point on the way to the summit of Gunung Stong, which can be reached within four hours of trekking. Meanwhile, Gunung Ayam, the highest peak in the area at 1,504m, is an ideal spot to catch beautiful sunrises and sunsets. 

A campsite is available for overnight stays. Visit the breathtaking 225 million-year- old limestone caves at Dabong that house several bat species and rare flora, including an endemic balsam.

(picture and info: credit to Tourism malaysia)

Top 25 Experience #5: Entertainment that never Stops - Genting Higlands, Pahang

Visible from Kuala Lumpur as a bright light atop a faraway hill, Genting Highlands beckons visitors with its cool climate, theme parks, casino, and nightly live performances.

Perched on top of Ulu Kali Mountain at some 1,800m above sea level, Genting Highlands is a one-stop hill resort with hotels, theme parks, a casino and a number of entertainment, dining and retail options. Its cool climate and close proximity to Kuala Lumpur – approximately an hour's drive – make it a popular highland getaway among city folks.

Note: Genting Outdoor Theme Park closed from 1st September 2013 for 3 years to make way for the world’s first Twentieth Century Fox Theme Park. Other rides and attractions located in First World Indoor Theme Park, SnowWorld, Sky Venture, Genting Bowl, Vision City and Funtasy World Video Games Park will remain opened as usual. For more information visit http://www.rwgenting.com or contact them at +603-2718 1118

Kolo Mee - 'A Sarawak Favourite, Any Time Of Day!'

Let’s talk about probably the most well-known signature dish in Sarawak this time: Kolo Mee.

One of the best things about Sarawak is the culinaryawesomeness in Sarawak. Sarawak often lends its own unique twist to traditional Malay, Chinese, Local ethnics and even Indonesian food.

The allure of this dish lies in its simplicity. Kolo Mee is one of the most popular, readily available (locally) wholesome meal for the locals and visitors alike. It is a substitute staple food for rice. Today, Kolo Mee is available in every nook and corner of Sarawak.

picture credit: google

This delightful combination of flash-boiled noodles, is served with some crushed garlic and shallots, delightfully minced beef, pork (non-halal) or chicken. To Muslims, please make sure you did not choose the pork Kolo Mee, :'(

Although the springy noodles resemble instant noodles, they are actually egg noodles. Some people might confuse this dish with Wantan Mee, but while the Wantan Mee is drenched in dark soy sauce and served with soup, kolo mee is only lightly drizzled with fish sauce, shallots and a dash of MSG (monosodium glutamate).

Although MSG has a bad name in the community, used in the right quantity it actually enhances the flavour present in the dish. This is one ingredient where using more does not mean it further enhances your dish, however, it may cause adverse side effects.

Due to its widespread popularity, the kolo mee has been a favourite during all times of the day, be it breakfast, lunch, dinner and even supper. This makes it perfect for you to have it anytime of the day.

This mouth-watering delight is a Sarawak original and best-taken piping hot. You have not savoured Sarawak until you have tasted Kolo Mee.

Event Promo: Kenduri Rakyat Suku Kaum Sungai

You must ever heard the beautiful of the women from ethnic Orang Sungai, Sabah.... want to meet them by yourself? Lets head to the program Merakyatkan Seni Budaya: Kenduri Rakyat Suku Kaum Sungai which will be held on 27th April 2014, Sunday from 8.00 a.m at Kampung Pitas, Sabah.

If you are at Sabah right now, why not join the program and see their beautiful culture and experience it by yourself?

Some activities which is going to be held on the day includes, Traditional Sports Contest, Wedding Manifest of Ethnic Sungai, Exhibition of Tools and Traditional Cuisine of Sungai Ethnics, Cultural Performance, and Kenduri Rakyat.

So, lets join the crowd!! :)