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Tourism Malaysia

Mengkabong Water Village

“It is a quaint yet picturesque village with smiling friendly kampung folks. But not exactly the luxury kind of tour. Perfect for those who wished to get in touch with their roots for those kampung b/grf ppl. Nevertheless, a nice destination”  

“It is a quaint yet picturesque village with smiling friendly kampung folks. But not exactly the luxury kind of tour. Perfect for those who wished to get in touch with their roots for those kampung b/grf ppl. Nevertheless, a nice destination. “  
by Lisa

“Mengkabong Villages is a nice village in Sabah. full of mangrove trees and open to South China Sea. Great landscape.”  

“Man, diz place is cool!!!! y’all better go 2 diz place if u want a place 4 holiday! “  
by tourist

Categories
Tourism Malaysia

Deer and Ostrich Breeding Centre, Sungkai Wildlife Reserve

“This place is much better than the one in KL. The mouse deers are easier to find.”  
by imran

“Bilangan rusa di zoo Taiping semakin berkurangan. Di sini terdapat lebih 7 jenis rusa dan pelbagai jenis burung. Ini merupakan tempat paling sesuai membuat kajian.”  
by wati

“Sebenarnya..kalau anda ke sini, banyak lagi haiwan2 lain yg boleh dilihat ..berbaloi utk dikunjungi”  
by iWan

“Sekiranya anda tidak berkesempatan untuk melihat rusa-rusa ini di Sungkai, anda boleh berkunjung ke Taman Kancil di Kuala Lumpur. “  
by shoana

“The ultimate aim of this centre is to release breeding stock of these animals back into their native environments to naturally increase wild populations is a good idea and we all support this plan (Project). Sungkai is a suitable place for breeding,they has a temperate weather or climate and this solitary species prefers the woodland margins to more open medows and grasslands. Deer are less hardy than wild sheep and goats. Most species prefer to live in forests rather than on the high pastures,though they visit the meadows when there is plenty of grazing and the weather is warm.”  
by makcikjamilah

Categories
Tourism Malaysia

Labuan

Labuan

Labuan, a triangular shaped island with six smaller islands, is located 10 km off the coastal waters of Sabah.

The Federal Territory of Labuan comprises Labuan Island (75 km²) and six other smaller islands  which are Pulau Burung, Pulau Daat, Pulau Kuraman, Pulau Papan, Pulau Rusukan Kecil, and Pulau Rusukan Besar.

Facing the South China Sea, Labuan is situated south-west of Sabah and to the north of Brunei Bay. One can visibly see nearby Sabah and Brunei which is accessible via ferry service.

It is one of three federal territories in Malaysia. The others are Kuala Lumpur and Putrajaya, located in Peninsular Malaysia. Labuan is recognised as an international offshore financial and business centre.

It is said that Labuan is derived from the Malay word used at the time, labuhan, which means port.

Offering a host of amenities, Labuan has become a popular island for tourists foreign and local. It boasts world-class resorts, sandy beaches, duty-free shopping, wreck-diving, golfing as well as several important World War II Memorials.

These are some of the iconic Labuan attractions to consider visiting when in Labuan:

  1. United Nation Beach

This 9 km stretch of beach is along Batu Manikar Beach to Sungai Miri. It is nicknamed the UN’08 Beach as it had received the ‘Clean Beach Award from the United Nations Environment Program’ through the 2nd COBSEA Marine Litter Workshop and Clean-Up campaign held in 2008.

The award is given in recognition of the cleanliness of the beach, which is well-deserved as every morning municipal council workers are seen cleaning the beach of debris.

Along this stretch of beach, is also the Pancur Hitam Beach, with a beautifully landscaped park extending directly to the sandy beaches. There is also Layang-Layangan Beach, a popular hang-out of Labuan folk during weekends.

  1. Islands and Marine Park

Labuan is surrounded by small islands which are Pulau Rusukan Besar, Pulau Rusukan Kecil Island, Pulau Kuraman, Pulau Burung, Pulau Papan and Pulau Daat. Popular among these is Pulau Papan (Papan Island) catering to tourists and visitors with facilities such as campsites, chalets, and will thrill adventure seekers on an exciting adventure throughout the island.

There is also the Labuan Marine Park, situated 2 km to the south of Labuan Island. The islands of Pulau Kuraman, Pulau Rusukan Kecil and Pulau Rusukan Besar make up the marine park.

Here, visitors can enjoy walks on long stretches of sandy beaches, reel atoll, mangrove as well as several wrecks in the area. Surrounded by coral reefs and marine life, teeming with colourful sea creatures, the marine park is a haven for divers as well as other water sports activities.

  1. Diving Sites

There are several World War II and post-war shipwrecks around the waters of Labuan. There is the Australian wreck, the Blue Water wreck, the Cement wreck as well as the American wreck. Diving expeditions can be arranged with hotels, resorts and tour operators to these sites with the American wreck lying 21 meters under water (located 24 km from Labuan), the Australian wreck lies 21 meters under water (locate d 23 km from Labuan) while the Cement wreck lies to east of Kuraman islands with a depth of up to 30 meters, and the Blue Wreck is 34 km away from the Labuan coast.

  1. Water Village

 

Kampung Patau Patau, or Patau Patau water village in Labuan is a large village built on water. These wooden houses hark back to the water villages reminiscent in Brunei. Today, these villages have been upgraded to accommodate modern facilities in tandem with today’s living standards. There are also homestay facilities where visitors can revel in the rich historical culture of the water villages.

 

  1. Mystery Chimney

The chimney, located at Tanjung Kubong is an artefact from Labuan’s coal mining days (1847 -1920). This 106 feet tower, made from bricks imported from England was to have been used as a chimney. However, there are no traces of smoke or burning at the chimney. However, neaby coal mines suggest that this would have been used a chimney. There is also a museum housed in the information centre adjacent to the chimney.

  1. World War II Memorial

Located along Jalan Tanjung Batu, the cemetery, also known as the World War II Memorial, was constructed and is maintained by the Commonwealth Graves Commission. It honours men of the Australian land and air forces, as well as the local forces, who died valiantly during operations for the recovery of Borneo. Some were prisoners of war in Borneo or the Philippines. The Australian government later officiated at the World War II Memorial grounds in Labuan in June, 1953.

  1. Peace Park

Built as a memorial to honour fallen war heroes in Borneo during World War II, the Peace Park is located at Kampung Layang-Layangan. The memorial is surrounded by landscaped gardens, pavilions and was built by the Japanese as a symbol of peace and close ties between Malaysia and Japan. Situated at a tranquil spot near Surrender Point, where the handover signing ceremony of the peace treaty took place it serves a reminder to future generations to appreciate peace, as its writing etched on the stone situated at the entrance of the Park, ‘Peace is the best’.

There’s something for everyone here on the island of Labuan, and if you’re planning on a visit, there are flights available from Kuala Lumpur, Kota Kinabalu (Sabah), Kuching and Miri (Sarawak) to Labuan. It is a 20 –minute boat ride from Menumbok, a small fishing town on the mainland of Sabah. Labuan is also connected via high-speed, air-conditioned ferries that travel daily from Sabah, Sarawak and Brunei Darussalam.

For further information:

Labuan Tourist Information Centre, Lot 4260, Jalan Dewan / Jalan Berjaya, 87007, Labuan, Wilayah Persekutuan Labuan

Phone: +6087-423 445
Fax: +6087-423 446
Email: mtpblbu@tourism.gov.my

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Categories
Tourism Malaysia

Q’Sound Band

October 11, 2011 at 12:00 pm

Jazz lovers who missed the opportunity to catch Q’Sound Band performing at Dewan Filharmonik Petronas January this year, here is your chance to catch them perform again! Q’Sound Band will once again grace the halls of Dewan Filharmonik Petronas come 12th October 2011 for a one-night performance only.

QSound Band

QSound Band

This new and upcoming band comprises of internationally acclaimed performers from all over the world. Q’Sound Band has performed in many countries such as China, the United States, Japan, Indonesia, Italy, United Kingdom and Greece. The band’s music is deeply influenced by Latin Rhythms, Orchestral Music, Hip Hop and RB. This band prides itself in its versatile approach to music. The members of the group comes together to create art for listeners who are looking for something more in music. They will be back again to perform at Dewan Filharmonik Petronas together with their leader, Marques Young.

Q’Sound will once again perform under the MPO Happy Hour section this 12th October 2011. The performance is scheduled at 6.30 pm. Tickets are priced at RM 30 for all seats and patrons of the performance will have to observe the hall’s dress code, which is smart casual. For more information, please log on to Dewan Filharmonik Petronas’ website here.

Photo (c) Dewan Filharmonik Petronas

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Categories
Tourism Malaysia

Weissbrau @ Straits Quay Penang

October 11, 2011 at 3:00 pm

What could be better for a person who enjoys beer with his friends than unwinding after a long day of work at a place like Weissbrau? The answer is easy, enjoying the waterfront view and sea breeze with your favourite beer at Weissbrau Penang. Weissbrau Penang is located at the north wing of Straits Quay, one of Penang’s trendiest malls. Its location fronting the marina offers its patrons one of the best views of the Straits Quay waterfront, especially during the evening and night.

The relaxing seating arrangement for Weissbrau Penang promises a casual evening of enjoyment

While the outlet in Kuala Lumpur has a more fast tempo atmosphere, patrons here will be able to experience a relaxed dining experience. The restaurant is well laid out, and can seat around 50 comfortably without anyone feeling cramped. There are the traditional long stools for those who want to hang out at the bar area, while long tables are just perfect for large gatherings or family outings.

The expansive and comfortable interior of the restaurant offers privacy even during peak hours

So okay, they are not traditional bar stools, but they sure are a lot more comfortable

And for those who love the sea breeze and al fresco dining will not be disappointed by the lounge area that fronts the marina. Cosy low seats under a long canopy run all along the promenade alongside the restaurant form little alcoves of privacy where patrons can wine and dine the night away.

The cosy atmosphere along the promenade offers patrons the opportunity to unwind as they dine

Being Weissbrau’s second outlet, and the only in the northern region, the restaurant offers the entire range of Master Chef Pascal Schnyder’s dishes, including the mouthwatering pork burgers, my favourite being the humble but absolutely delicious Bavarian Bacon Cheese, gourmet sausages – what German restaurant is complete without them, salads and soups, great German fare, like the traditional schnitzel, pork knuckles and ribs, as well as a wide range of European delights.

One of Weissbrau’s pork rib main dishes, served with sauerkraut and rosti

Let us not forget the Alsatian Flammkuchen. This really interesting dish might be mistaken for a pizza, but it is actually a German traditional dish. Made of a thin crepe, it is topped with an assortment of toppings – mushroom, bacon, honey ham and parma ham among others – and topped off with some sour cream, roasted onions.

A variation to suit Asian tastes, the Chili Sausage packs a spicy kick

Like any good introduction, Weissbrau not only presents the traditional favourites to its customers, but also improvises to cater to Asian tastes. The result of this adaptation are dishes like the Chili Sausage, a spicier version for those find subtler flavours a bit of a bore, the Jagerschnitzel and the Caprese Schnitzel, the former served with mushroom sauce and the latter topped with tomato, basil and mozzarella. The original Schnitzel is a large, and by that I mean, large, piece of breaded porkloin deepfried to perfection. The traditional way of serving the Schnitzel is as is, and in Weissbrau’s outlets, with a slice of lemon. Those who are unfamiliar with German fare might find the traditional Schnitzel a bit dry due to the region’s favoured practice of using dipping sauces.

The traditional German porkchop, the schnitzel

Traditional version or not, Weissbrau’s schnitzels are a treat for those who enjoy pork and definitely worth the money. But in all honesty, everything at Weissbrau always is.

Weissbrau Penang also carries an extensive selection of beer, including local favourites Carlsberg and Hoegaarden. But what sets Weissbrau apart from the rest would be the availability of specialty beers, including Schneider Weisse’s line of wheat beer. A nice selection of wine and other liquors are also available for those who want a different drink.

Weissbrau offers a wide selection of alcoholic and non alcoholic beverages

No matter what your favourite drink may be, a night at Weissbrau Penang is definitely recommended if you are in search of a great place to dine whenever you are at the Pearl of the Orient!

An evening out at Weissbrau Penang is an experience we recommend

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