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Thursday, October 27, 2016

Top 10 things to do in Ipoh

In conjunction with Perak is being chosen as one of the must visit place in 2017 by Lonely Planet. (If i you wasn't aware about it, you may read it here) and also coincide with Visit Perak 2017, i have compiled the top 10 things to do in the most vibrant cultural city of Ipoh the state capital of Perak, Malaysia.

1. Ipoh Mural Arts Trail (Street arts)




All the mural arts was drawn by Ernest Zacharevic. The name sounds familiar? Yes of course, he is the one who also drew all the mural arts in Georgetown, Penang. Back to Ipoh'version. All the seven arts is located within the old compound of Ipoh. Thanks to Ipoh-City.com they have created the trail so that you can spot all of them. (I can only found three actually. So bad.)

 

2. Oldtown White Coffee (Cafe/Coffee)
AddressNo. 3, Jalan Tun Sambanthan, 31650 Ipoh, Perak, Malaysia

Like one quote i heard before, if you haven't visited Malacca you haven't visited Malaysia. Which i think this second one deserve the same thing. If you didn't try the original oldtown white coffee in Ipoh, well you are not here yet. The famous chain of Old Town White Coffee is of course is originated from Ipoh! Yeah oldtown beb Ipoh mali! 


3. Nasi Ganja (Food/Eatery)
Address4, Jalan Yang Kalsom, Taman Jubilee, 30300 Ipoh, Perak, Malaysia



Long Q, People are queuing up!


Well im not sure why they name it nasi ganja but locals said it is quite addictive, that's why they came up with that name. (GANJA=drugs=addictive) well, i'm quite addicted to some other things but drugs is far from that. So i give it a try (not ganja, but nasi ganja). It is basically same like nasi kandar in penang (special mention: line cleaqq's really addictive) which serves you a plain rice, fried chicken and curry (i don't really know how to explain thoroughly, if u ate nasi kandar before then u know lah). If is quite similar, so u must try.

4. Yasmin at Kong Heng (Gallery/Museum)
Address89-91, Old Block Apartments, Jalan Sultan Yussuf, 30000 Ipoh, Perak, Malaysia


I am a big fan of the late Yasmin Ahmad, i watched all her movies and TV commercials (especially the one that she made for Petronas). 

WHAT IS 'YASMIN AT KONG HENG', REALLY?
This place will not be an archive of relics or a deceased person’s things.
You won't see many elaborate physical displays accompanied by plaques like in a typical museum.
What it *will* be is a House Of Inspiration: of things, people and philosophies that inspired Yasmin Ahmad’s work. It is a living, breathing legacy with content that evolves or changes over months and years.

One of the questions she was frequently asked is “Where do you get ideas for your commercials?” Here, we aim to reveal the simple truth behind Yasmin’s genius and let the visitor see life through her eyes

5. Lepak Plan B (Cafe)


A nice place to chill out and have some coffee after walking around ipoh. You can feel the scene as you were taken back to old time. (and it hipster sorta café)

6. Ipoh Heritage Walk


Thailand - Burma Death Railway

Birch Clock Tower

Ipoh Heritage Walk is a leisurely stroll around the compact and historic old town area of Ipoh. The walk is about 4 miles long but you can extend or shorten it depending on your energy levels. In just over 130 years Ipoh transformed itself from a sleepy Malay village to the bustling metropolis it is today, the fourth largest city in Malaysia with a population of over 700,000.

7. Goodbye Boys #throwback

Some of the film scenes were shot in Ipoh, particularly St. Michael's Institution. (Left: screenshot from Goodbye Boys)

Don't tell me that you guys haven't watch this movie? Goodbye Boys is a simple journey with complicated realizations. Set in 1990, Malaysia, it is about a gang of pimply guys with raging hormones, undecided ambitions and formative identities. They set out on a grueling 5-day journey through the Kinta Valley – once the richest tin deposit in the world, now an abandoned plain - that changes friendships and selves. You can watch the trailer here.

8. Pasar Karat Memory Lane @ Pasar Loken 
Address: Jalan Lim Boh Seng, Ipoh, Perak, Malaysia

Pasar Karat Memory Lane, better known as Pasar Loken by the locals, located behind the shopping complex near The Store. Loken open as early as 7 am to 3 pm. Most visitors came here return with not empty-handed, there is so many antique thingy!

9. Hangout by the town padang



After had some coffee in the nearby oldtown coffee shop, why don't you just sit back, relax and enjoy at the big town padang where you can see kids playing football and sometimes rugby. It is entertaining and fun to watch.


10. Sekeping kong heng
Address74, Jalan Bandar Timah, 30000 Ipoh, Perak, Malaysia


This is not a sponsored post alright, but maybe you should give a try. Stay for a night enjoy the building. The owner keep the original structure. Sekeping Kong Heng, in the charming old town of Ipoh, is the latest addition to the Sekeping family of retreats. It is located in a 3 storey neo-classical building which also houses a famous coffee shop of the same name on the ground floor that serves great coffee and the best local dishes in town.

If i have missed something out, please note that this is my personal opinion. Jangan Marah ye. nanti cepat tua. =) 

Tuesday, October 25, 2016

Lonely Planet includes Perak in Top 10 'must visit' regions in 2017

Ipoh Mural Art Trail

IPOH: Perak has been listed as among the Top 10 'must visit' regions next year, according to world-famous Lonely Planet. 

Lonely Planet, the world's largest travel guide book publisher, recently published its annual Best in Travel list, and Malaysia's Silver State got a nod. 

Perak is ranked number 9 after Choquequirao (Peru), Taranaki (New Zealand), The Azores (Portugal), North Wales (United Kingdom), South Australia, Ayse´n (Chile), The Tuamotus (French Polynesia) and Coastal Georgia, USA. 

The Skellig Ring, Ireland was ranked number 10. 

State Tourism, Arts, Culture, Multimedia and Communications exco Datuk Nolee Ashilin Mohammed Radzi said it was an honour for the state and would be a boost for Visit Perak Year in 2017. 

"This will especially help our promotion efforts globally to draw more visitors. Among the plus points listed by Lonely Planet include Ipoh's uniqueness as a heritage and historical site. Its classic and vintage cafes are also touted as major draws. 

"On the nature front, Perak is also known for its Royal Belum National Park and Pangkor Island," she said. 

She said the recognition would be used to further promote the state to attract more domestic and foreign tourists. 

"A lot can still be done in preparation for Visit Perak Year 2017 including improving cleanliness and environmental sustainability to ensure that they can be used as elements to draw tourists." 

Ipoh was previously ranked 6 in Lonely Planet's list of 'must visit' cities. 

Meanwhile, Lonely Planet, in its list of Top 10 countries, ranked Canada followed by Colombia, Finland, Dominica, Nepal, Bermuda, Mongolia, Oman, Myanmar and Ethiopia as the best. 

Bordeaux in France tops its list for the best cities to be visited next year, followed by Cape Town, South Africa; Los Angeles, United States; Me´rida, Mexico; Ohrid, Macedonia; Pistoia, Italy; Seoul, South Korea; Lisbon, Portugal; Moscow, Russia and Portland, Oregon, United States.

Image: Craig Ansibin
News credit to: New Straits Times

Saturday, October 22, 2016

KL Butterfly Park - the most underrated park/garden in Kuala Lumpur

A few weeks back, I went to KL Butterfly Park. At first i was a bit skeptical (typical Malaysian) on how this place well-being (especially maintenance). Eventually i pushed myself to visit (with a very low expectation. Well, i didn't expect anything at all). 

I walked under the hot sunny day from the Kuala Lumpur Old Station, it takes about 15 minutes to reach and I am quite surprised that along the way to the park, the sidewalk is pretty damn good and safe too. 



I actually walk through Jalan Cenderasari and it is less than 1 km. 

Upon arrival, I purchased the entrance ticket (RM 11.00 for Malaysian Adult). It is cheap compared to other Butterfly Parks outside Malaysia, then the staff will guide you through the small alley at the back and once I entered, I am quite amazed! Really. It is full of flying butters! (hah) and do you know that KL Butterfly Park is the largest butterfly garden in the world? I mean i myself did know that, but from what i saw it is huge. Below are some of the introductions about this place.

The entrance

Kuala Lumpur Butterfly Park is a veritable secret paradise where butterflies actually dance nonchalantly in clumps of fern amidst scented beautiful flowers and flowering vines.
From the words of the internationally renowned programme- Discovery Channel ,
in an interview and broadcasted to over 200 million viewers worldwide, it says “of all the butterfly parks in the world, none can compare with this one”. 
This is the largest butterfly garden in the world spanning over 80,000 sq ft of landscaped garden with over 5,000 live butterflies, exotic plants, butterfly-host plants and ferns. Other attractions are Japanese koi fish, fresh water turtles, live insects and a museum with a large collection of butterflies and insects from around the world.
As a photographer myself, I am over joyful to see so many kinds of butterfly roaming around freely, I can spend hours inside (literally).

Can you imagine this place? It's huge and green too! Best place to play tapuk-tapuk (hide and seek) :p

I have Eden Garden vibe here. Maybe i if i look hard enough i can find Eve here. They really take a very good care of the garden, I saw no rubbish or any broken things around (If you are Malaysian, then you know what I talked about.) Oh but one thing in particular that is happening everywhere, the poorly maintained toilet/washroom. 

Put that aside, please enjoy some of my photographs, the rest you can look on my photography blog HERE















Not convinced yet? Come on, people from all over the world come here just to see this, we have to support our local attraction.

I spend almost three hours in the park alone. ALONE! Sound crazy, but time does fly really fast. See how amazed i am? They also have a gallery where you can see the how they process of metamorphosis happen, a mini display of small insects that is can be found mainly in tropical jungle, a cafe and a souvenir shop.

So what is the verdict? I definitely recommend you guys to visit, especially those Lepidotera / Lepidoterist (a person who is studying about butterflies). A this place also good to bring your kids it an edutainment and fun! Do not worry about the hot weather it is covered and quite chill (maybe because during my visit it was after the rain).

 The sidewalk is safe and well-maintained.


 You won't get lost as signboards is everywhere. If you do, ask local they are helpful

 I actually bought Soya drinks twice at this stall (first, on my way to the park and again on my way back. Can't help myself as it is very nice.

RM 2.00 per cup. Whenever i had my soya drinks i always ordered with palm sugar (gula melaka)

Hope you guys enjoy my posting. If you have notice my blog has been inconsistently update, it is due to my time constraints, I barely have any time to update.

I also have created instagram account and facebook page dedicated for this blog. Please do follow.

Some information that you might need. Not advance booking needed.

Address
Kuala Lumpur Butterfly Park,
Jalan Cenderasari,
Taman Tasik Perdana,
Kuala Lumpur,
50480 Malaysia.
   
Tel:  603-26934799
        603-26934907
Fax: 603-26937066
Email: info@klbutterflypark.com
   
Opening Hours
Open daily from 9:00am - 6:00 p.m.
   
Admission Fee
Adult                         : RM 22
Children (2-11 years) : RM 11
Video Camera           : RM 4
Note: Tripods are not allowed in the park

 Malaysian Citizen
Adult (MyKad)        : RM 11
Child (MyKid) 2-11 yrs : RM 6
Family of Malaysian Citizen
(2 Adults + 3 Children) : RM 34
Note: Identification needed 


Travel Blog Mention

Kuaby - Kuala Lumpur Butterfly Park Travel Guide
For more additional info, you can check Wayne's blog about KL Butterfly Park with a comprehensive, much details about this park. Go and check it out!


Friday, October 21, 2016

MALAYSIA 2017 - PUBLIC HOLIDAY (9 long weekends)


I bet most of you guys have already plan for next year vacation. One of the main reason we are so blessed to be Malaysian is we have so many public holidays.

Most of us is working 9-5 and 5 days a week (some is 6 days a week) so to make a good travel planning is to choose the long weekends so that we can save some of our leave for next trip.

14 National Public Holidays:
  1. Chinese New Year – January 28 (Saturday)
  2. Chinese New Year 2nd Day – January 29 (Sunday)
  3. Labour Day – May 1 (Monday)
  4. Vesak Day – May 10 (Wednesday)
  5. Yang Dipertuan Agong’s Birthday – June 3 (Saturday)
  6. Hari Raya Puasa – June 25 (Sunday)*
  7. Hari Raya Puasa 2nd Day – June 26 (Monday)*
  8. National Day – August 31 (Thursday)
  9. Hari Raya Haji – September 1 (Friday)*
  10. Malaysia Day – September 16 (Saturday)
  11. Awal Muharram (Maal Hijrah) – September 21 (Thursday)
  12. Deepavali – October 19 (Thursday)*
  13. Prophet Muhammad’s Birthday (Maulidur Rasul) – December 1 (Friday)
  14. Christmas – December 25 (Monday)
* Subject to change

Please find below tentative of long weekends.



In 2017, we have a total of 14 public holidays and are blessed to have 6 official long weekends:
  1. Chinese New Year Jan 28 2017 – Jan 30 2017 (Saturday to Monday)
  2. Labour Day Apr 29 2017 – May 1 2017 (Saturday to Monday)
  3. Hari Raya Puasa Jun 24 2017 – Jun 26 2017 (Saturday to Monday)*
  4. National Day & Hari Raya Haji Aug 31 2017 – Sep 3 2017 (Thursday to Sunday)*
  5. Prophet Muhammad’s Birthday (Maulidur Rasul) Dec 1 2017 – Dec 3 2017 (Friday to Sunday)
  6. Christmas Dec 23 2017 – Dec 25 2017 (Saturday to Monday)
But there are 3 public holidays falling on the mid-week:
  1. Vesak Day – May 10 (Wednesday)
  2. Awal Muharram (Maal Hijrah) – September 21 (Thursday)
  3. Deepavali – October 19 (Thursday)*
So, plan your awesome 2017 trips now!

Thank you to tripzilla for compiling the dates for us!

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