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Tourism Malaysia

EXPLORE THE DIVERSITY OF THE SOUTHERN REGION THROUGH HOMESTAYS

One of the best ways to get to know the real Malaysia is to
live in a homestay in a traditional village or kampung. To think that homestay
in Malaysia was originally started by a local lady known as Mak Long Teh back
in the 1970s at a village called Kampung Cherating Lama in Pahang. She
nonchalantly opened her home to the long staying drifters and provided them
with breakfast, dinner and a space to sleep. Her motto was probably “Mi Casa Su
Casa”.

This time around we will take you all the way to the southern region of the Peninsular Malaysia to show you how diverse the community are at these three neighbouring states in terms of livelihood, culture and tradition.

Kampung Pachitan, Negeri Sembilan
This village of about 1,000 population in Negeri Sembilan is said to have been pioneered by the Javanese from East Java, Indonesia, who came to settle here in the 1920s as paddy farmers. Later, palm and rubber plantations were opened when water sources for paddy ran dry. These plantations now become a tourist attraction as visitors learn more about crop-growing through hands-on experience.

This
village of about 1,000 population in Negeri Sembilan is said to have been
pioneered by the Javanese from East Java, Indonesia, who came to settle here in
the 1920s as paddy farmers. Later, palm and rubber plantations were opened when
water sources for paddy ran dry. These plantations now become a tourist
attraction as visitors learn more about crop-growing through hands-on
experience.

The
scenery in the area is dominated by large tracts of these crop plantations but
the nearby beach holds many attractions as well. It’s a favourite spot to go
fishing on the jetty or just sit by the beach to collect shellfish for a later
meal. One can also opt to canoe along the mangrove area and do a spot of
birdwatching.

What’s
unique here is the Javanese culture and traditions that still remain strong and
is manifested in the language spoken, the food, music and games. For example,
visitors to Kampung Pachitan will certainly get a taste of Nasi Ambeng (a meal
consisting of steamed white rice served with chicken in soy sauce and beef
stewed for hours in thick gravy and other condiments), pecal (a local salad
served with peanut sauce), and tempe goreng (fried fermented soy beans) and
such.

It recently received an ASEAN Tourism Award in the Homestay category.

Homestay Kampung Pachitan
No.37, Taman Nuri Fasa 1,
Jalan Besar Chuah,
71960 Chuah, Port Dickson,
Negeri Sembilan.
Contact person: Mr. Ahmad Nadzri, Tel : 019 385 9793
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PachitanMalaysia/

Homestay Lonek, Negeri Sembilan

This village is simply picture perfect with timber dwellings sitting on wide and well-trimmed lawns and the scenery of paddy fields stretching out as far as the eye can see. The folks who live here take great pride in their culture and heritage.

They speak with a strong Negeri Sembilan accent, and will introduce you to typical Negeri Sembilan cuisine, the famous one being daging salai masak lemak cili api, which is smoked beef cooked in a gravy of coconut milk, turmeric and chilies.

Traditional folk games are very much alive here and visitors
will learn the Malaysian version of hoop rolling using bicycle wheel rims,
bowling with coconuts and tobogganing on palm fronds.

If you don’t mind getting mud on your feet (and hands, face
and hair), you can try out the local pastime of “mengocak ikan” or grasping for
fish in the paddy fields.

Homestay Kampung Lonek
No. 10, Kampung Lonek,
72200 Batu Kikir,
Negeri Sembilan.
Contact person: Ms. Hajah Nor Asiah bt Haron, Tel : 06-498 1078 / 012 691 5482
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/homestaylonek/

Homestay Rawa, Negeri Sembilan

Fresh from winning the ASEAN Tourism Award 2019 in the Homestay category, Homestay Rawa has something unique to offer to visitors…horses! Horseriding is a great way to appreciate the beauty of this village. Saddle up and ride through bountiful fruit orchards, acres of rubber plantations and hillsides where you can appreciate a breathtaking view.

During fruiting season, there are plentiful fruits to keep you sated. From mangosteens and durians to rambutans and langsat. These tropical fruits grow abundantly in this village and are a joy to the palate.

For those who love cooking, the ladies of the village would be all too happy to share their secret recipes for their typical sweetcakes such as godok golumang which are fist-sized banana fritters coated in caramelized brown sugar and kuih bahulu (a light and fluffy sponge cake with a crispy outer layer, similar to the French madeleines) traditionally cooked over charcoal fire in brass moulds.

Homestay Rawa
Lot 23, Lorong KRU 10,
Kampung Rawa Hilir
71750 Lenggeng
Negeri Sembilan
Contact person: Ms. Saadiah Othman, Tel: 019 354 4472
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/asequine1/

Homestay Kg. Alai, Melaka

Melaka is not only known for its historical values but also for its beautiful traditional Malay houses. Homestay Kg. Alai, located about 8km from Bandar Melaka is full of beautiful Melaka houses with all kind of unique characteristics.

Apart from admiring the unique architechture of the traditional houses, there are plenty of activities that can be done here, including traditional games, cultural performances, village tour and fishing at the near Crystal Bay Beach. On top of that, you also get to learn about Dondang Sayang (a love ballad that conveys affectionate feelings of love and provide advice on moral issues) with the popular Seri Warisan Baru Alai Dondang Sayang group led by Tuan Hj. Mohd. Isa, established since 2011.

Staying at this homestay will also give you the opportunity to learn how to cook Melaka’s traditional cuisines and snacks such as Melaka’s famous asam pedas (a hot and sour dish), onde-onde (a ball-shaped snack stuffed with palm sugar and coated with shredded coconut) and making inang-inang (glutinous rice crackers) from scratch.

Making onde-onde. Pix courtesy of GTN

Homestay Kampung Alai
KM 7.6, Jalan Hj. Said,
Kampung Alai,
75460 Melaka
Contact person: Mr. AkramuddinHj. Abdul Aziz, Tel: +6 016 666 6649
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=msPuGZpIE3U

Pix courtesy of Tourism Johor

Homestay Kampung Parit Tengah, Johor

While in Johor, why dont you stay at Kampung Parit Tengah, the recipient of the 2nd ASEAN Homestay Standard Award in 2017. That is reason enough to stay but imagine yourself arriving at the village and being greeted by the villagers with their traditional gambus (an Arabic stringed lute) performance combined with the reverberation of the kompang (traditional Malay handheld percussion).

Make yourself part of the community by participating in their daily activities such as palm weaving, rubber tapping, harvesting pineapples and corn, as well as catching prawns by the river. Catching prawns by the riverside is considered the village’s trademark and you can also learn how to cook your “catch of the day” local-style.

Getuk ubi. Pix courtesy of peachpurple

At Kampung Parit Tengah, their usual menu comprise traditional Javanese delicacies such as getuk ubi (pounded tapioca cake) with shredded coconut and sambal goreng Jawa.

Homestay Kg. Parit Tengah
No. 26 Kg. Parit Tengah,
Mukim 12 Rengit,
83100 Batu Pahat, Johor.
Contact person: Mr. Sukran Arifin, Tel: 019-7666400
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pg/Homestay-Parit-Tengah

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Malaysia Travel Guide

SPIRIT OF THE HORNBILLS AT RWMF 2019

KUCHING: For the first time ever, Spirit of the Hornbills will bring their vibrant, unique cultural dance to this year Rainforest World Music Festival.

It is a dance academy that teaches Dayak traditional dance, through their unique passion and enthusiasm in dancing, headed by Chief Siti Habibah and Apriyadi as Vice Chief.

The main purpose Spirit of The Hornbill is to conserve Central Kalimantan art and culture to the next future generation.

Siti Habibah and Apriyadi started to teach Dayak traditional dance at an elementary school in Palangka Raya.  This has grown into an intensive training academy where they now teach the younger generation this cultural art form, as their main activities is dance class and music class.

Spirit Of The Hornbill is founded on 19th January 2013 at Palangka Raya, Central Kalimantan Province, Indonesia and supported by David Metcalf, a professional photographer from New Zealand, their dream is to conserve Central Kalimantan art and culture for future generations.

The Rainforest in the city (RITC) takes place from July 2 – 11 at Kuching Amphitheatre from 8.00pm till 11.00pm daily, hosted by Ministry of Tourism, Arts, Culture, Youth and Sports Sarawak, in collaboration with Sarawak Tourism Board. It is Free and open for public.

The Rainforest World Music Festival takes place from July 12-14 at the Sarawak Cultural Village and is organised by the Sarawak Tourism Board, endorsed by Tourism Malaysia and is supported by the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture, Youth Sports Sarawak.

RWMF2019 SPIRIT OF THE HORNBILLS

For further information on tickets, festival activities and logistics, please log on to https://rwmf.net/

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Malaysia Travel Guide

Kuching Awarded “World Craft City” Status

Kuching Awarded “World Craft City” Status

Kuching has been awarded the status “World Craft City” by the World Crafts Council.

Karim and others having a look at the AHPADA-WEFT Forum poster’s during the launching of conferment on Kuching City for Craft by World Craft Council at Old Court House, Kuching. Photo Credit: New Sarawak Tribune

The city has the reputation of being the hub and gateway to the crafts of the indigenous tribes of Sarawak and entire Borneo. These crafts are testaments to the wealth and diversity of their traditions and cultures in the forms of textiles, fibres, ceramics and wood.

Tourism, Arts, Culture, Youth and Sports Minister Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah said the state has many other sub-ethnics groups. These are what make Sarawak a great place to discover for tourists, and therefore it has won the heart of the judges to declare Kuching as City for Crafts.

“I was also informed that the city has been conferred as the World Crafts Council-City for Crafts thereby joining the ranks of other Crafts Cities around the world in countries such as India, Indonesia, China, Thailand, Iran and twenty other cities the world over,” Karim said at the launch of conferment on Kuching as city for crafts.

Continue reading here:
Kuching to be Promoted as ‘craft paradise’, says Karim; by New Sarawak Tribune.

 

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Malaysia Travel Guide

Kuching Awarded “World Craft City” Status by the World Crafts Council.

Kuching Awarded “World Craft City” Status by the World Crafts Council.

Kuching has been awarded the status “World Craft City” by the World Crafts Council.

Karim and others having a look at the AHPADA-WEFT Forum poster’s during the launching of conferment on Kuching City for Craft by World Craft Council at Old Court House, Kuching. Photo Credit: New Sarawak Tribune

The city has the reputation of being the hub and gateway to the crafts of the indigenous tribes of Sarawak and entire Borneo. These crafts are testaments to the wealth and diversity of their traditions and cultures in the forms of textiles, fibres, ceramics and wood.

Tourism, Arts, Culture, Youth and Sports Minister Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah said the state has many other sub-ethnics groups. These are what make Sarawak a great place to discover for tourists, and therefore it has won the heart of the judges to declare Kuching as City for Crafts.

“I was also informed that the city has been conferred as the World Crafts Council-City for Crafts thereby joining the ranks of other Crafts Cities around the world in countries such as India, Indonesia, China, Thailand, Iran and twenty other cities the world over,” Karim said at the launch of conferment on Kuching as city for crafts.

Continue reading here:
Kuching to be Promoted as ‘craft paradise’, says Karim; by New Sarawak Tribune.

 

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Tourism Malaysia

IN CHOCOLATE HEAVEN

A long, long time ago, the Mayans were believed to have first discovered cocoa, which they considered as a sacred treat. Nowadays, chocolates are still considered precious delights. They certainly make wonderful treats during festive seasons and who would ever say no to a chocolate souvenir! Yup, chocolates are some of the popular things tourists buy as souvenirs to bring home. Malaysia certainly has its own home-grown chocolate brands, but besides that, while you are here in Malaysia, why not indulge in something more chocolate-y? Perhaps a tea-time treat at a chocolate café…or a tour of a chocolate factory?

Malaysian chocolate flavours

Typically, you can always count on the standard flavours of chocolates such as white, milk and dark (with various percentages of cocoa). The chocolate experience is a bit novel in Malaysia, though, as Malaysian chocolatiers have taken chocolate-making a step further by infusing local flavours into their creations.

For instance, you find many chocolate brands in local shops, with unique flavours that you cannot find elsewhere. Try mango chocolates…or for those who love the King of Fruits, there are many durian chocolate selections…these are popular flavours among tourists. How about Gula Melaka chocolates and Teh Tarik chocolates? Well, we leave it to you to taste!

Here are some Malaysia-brand chocolates you may wish to bring home as souvenirs, which can be easily found in most supermarkets and shopping malls: Beryl’s, Camior, Daiana, Fidani, Hoko, Vochelle and many more.

Chocolate Cafés

Chocolate cafes are booming fast, almost overtaking those trendy cafes and their coffees! Well, it’s a blessing for all chocolate lovers, then. If you want to really savour your chocolate indulgence, make a visit to MyTown Shopping Centre in Cheras, where you will find chocolate decadence at The Dark Gallery (https://thedarkgallery.com). Reading the menu list itself will make you drool, but if you are overwhelmed by the choices, it’s wise to go with the tasting platter that combines their best chocolate pastries, ice creams and hot chocolates.

The pretty décor of Nayuta Chocolatasia (http://www.nayuta.com.my), meanwhile, will remind you very much of the Far East. The café, located within Isetan Japan Store in Bukit Bintang, Kuala Lumpur, prides itself in the high quality of cacao beans cultivated right here in the Southeast Asian region, namely Vietnam, the Philippines, Indonesia and of course, Malaysia. They call themselves the “chocolate label produced by Asian people to suit the Asian taste palate” for milky, caramel-infused and soft textured chocolate. Spend an afternoon here to sample their delicate 8g bonbons with typical Asian ganache such as lime, pineapple and yuzu, or delight in a huge bar of chocolate with cashew nuts, dried mango and caramelised coconuts. With all that sweetness in your mouth and the artful décor, you will want to daintily sip that cup of hot chocolate!

Chocolate Museum

Looking for more? Apart from the trendy cafes, some established chocolate manufacturers have also introduced a specialty concept-store known as the chocolate museum.

One of these chocolate museums that the public can visit for free is the Chocolate Museum by Fidani (www.chocolatemuseum.my)   at Kota Damansara. Apart from the boutique shop selling more than 100 chocolate brands, the premise is well-equipped with a large gallery full of informative facts and displays about the art and science of chocolate-making. Learn about the history of cacao beans, the farming process and how it is transformed from bean to bar. They also have a live-kitchen demo by a chef on the makings of chocolates.

Another worth-visiting museum is the Beryl’s Chocolate Museum (www.berylschocolate.com.my), about 20 kilometres from the city centre. The museum is well-laid out with informative chocolate displays on history, chocolate facts and more. You’ll also be able to purchase all sorts of chocolate flavours from the Beryl’s brand.

Chocolate Cupid

For the serious chocolate lover, head over to the heart of Bangsar, where the Chocolate Concierge (www.chocconcierge.com) will be most happy to match you with the right chocolate that you’ve been craving for, selected from their large selection of chocolate flavours and recipes. And if your chocolate urge is still not satisfied, they’ll even custom-make the chocolate for you, of course, with a low minimum order. With passion-driven care for chocolates and bean origin, Chocolate Concierge is mighty serious about their bean-to-bar process, and it’s no surprise that they’ve been featured in the Michelin food guide as a rising chocolatier. Try the soft filling chocolate morsels with hints of cappuccino, strawberry, or wasabi, and their hand piped truffles. Or for something truly local, go for the freshly-made Pahang Origin Dark chocolate with cocoa nibs.