Categories
Tourism Malaysia

TOP HOTELS IN MALAYSIA THAT TRANSPORT YOU TO A DIFFERENT WORLD

Holidays are a way to get away from the routine and
familiar. That’s why when we travel, we sometimes catch ourselves doing things
we wouldn’t normally do back home. We’re more adventurous, aren’t we, when we’re
on the road travelling. There’s a change of scenery, we’re surrounded by
strange cultures, the food is different, etc. In such an environment, we find
ourselves opening up to new experiences – we try the local food, we get out of
our comfort zone and speak to the locals, we participate in their traditions,
and more.

A romantic holiday at Colmar Tropicale, oui?

Similarly, when we check ourselves into a hotel, wouldn’t it
be nice to be surrounded by a fresh change of scene? Of course, the standard
hotels have all the comforts we could ever want, but how about passing up on
that spick and span hotel experience and jump in to a whole new “hotel”
environment?

Kids will just love to be kids at Legoland Hotel

Thematic hotels abound in Malaysia and it’s a great way to get out of our comfort zone to try something new. For kids, surely they would love the Legoland Hotel in Johor to relive their love for these iconic play bricks. Or how about Jen Hotel, also in Johor, where we hear you can check into a Hello Kitty-inspired room? Feeling a little bit French? Colmar Tropicale transports you to a Parisienne holiday in the tropics!

Love the Sanrio characters? Check into this cute Hello Kitty room at Jen Hotel!

Well, read on to see our top picks of unusual and themed accommodations that will definitely give you a fresh take on your holiday in Malaysia!

Tiarasa Escapes, Janda Baik, Pahang

Tiarasa Escapes is glamping extraordinaire for folks who want to be near nature but have issues with creepy crawlies. Rest assured that this property will put you up in exclusive tented villas surrounded by thick rainforest in the hills of Pahang…and pamper you while you are there with in-room comforts such as free-standing bathtubs, luxurious bedspreads and comfortable pillows.

Think of picnics by the bubbling brook, evening campfires to roast your marshmallows, stargazings at night, moonlight cinemas and morning walks amid the cool highland mist. Here’s where you can be the luxe-version of your Indiana Jones!

The Prestige Hotel, Penang

If you love a little magic in your life, then book a room at The Prestige Hotel in Penang’s UNESCO World Heritage enclave, but don’t mistake it as simply another Victorian heritage hotel.

Light, space and lines create unique optical illusions at Victorian-styled The Prestige

So inspired was the designer of the hotel, Colin Seah of Ministry of Design, with Christopher Nolan’s 2006 film, “The Prestige” about rival magicians in the Victorian era, that he introduced elements of optical illusion throughout the property. Take for instance the “levitating” bed that seems to float in the middle of the room, hidden doors that lead to pantries, and the piece-de-resistance of the room — the custom-designed shower and wardrobe enclosure, supposedly harking back to Houdini’s escape box!

Through subtle and clever use of light and space, geometric lines and repeated patterns, the designer leads guests to experience a little magic during their stay, so that nothing is ever quite what it seems!

Hard Rock Hotel, Desaru Coast, Johor

Fancy yourself a rockstar? Then, you’ll dig staying at the newly-opened Hard Rock Hotel in Desaru Coast, Johor. The international brand of property is renowned for its rockin’ hospitality. Check into their Rock Star Suite for some top-class Hollywood star treatment — enjoy in-room plush Sleep Like a Rock bedding, Bose sound system, and even a 15-ball American City ARAMITH 7 ft Pool Table. Pair that up with a personal concierge to meet your every whim and fancy, and you’ll have a rocking good time for sure!

Get ready to rock your holiday at Hard Rock Hotel Desaru Coast

Don’t forget to explore the hotel’s Memorabilia Gallery to get you that bit closer to the rich and famous of Hollywood. On display are some of the greatest rock memorabilia, whether you’re a rocker who loves The Rolling Stones or a Rihanna fangirl!

Tanjong Jara Resort, Dungun, Terengganu

If you’re an urban dweller used to braving traffic jams and air pollution, why not retire to the east coast countryside of Malaysia and enjoy a change of pace in life? Get a room at Tanjong Jara Resort and enjoy the tranquility of this property, inspired by 17th century Malay palaces with a layout that makes you feel like you are in a typical Malay village.

Enjoy the tranquil east coast village lifestyle at the luxurious Tanjong Jara Resort

The genuine countryside charm is so authentic, even the staff that serve you are actually drawn from the local villages, who truly embody the gentle Malay art of service and hospitality. Sleep in luxuriously-appointed wooden villas, wake up to a traditional Malay breakfast, stroll along the beautiful beach, and enjoy local folk games in the afternoons. If that’s not enough, indulge in traditional beauty treatments at their Spa Village — there’s one couple’s treatment that last half a day where we hear you’ll be treated like Kings and Queens!

The Culvert, Kuching, Sarawak

Who would ever think that refurbished concrete culverts would make a cosy hotel room…well, the owners of The Culvert thought it would be unique to transform these huge cylinders of concrete and galvanised steel into rooms, and so they did! Don’t worry, you’ll still get to sleep in comfortable beds, have access to en-suite baths and even soak yourself in the free-standing bath tubs! Download Crack Softwares

Beautiful sunset view at The Culvert in Kuching

On a patch of land nestled in the dense flora and undergrowth of Santubong, Kuching is this dreamy and relaxing resort that will melt away your stress. Enjoy views of the iconic Mount Santubong in the background, and frolic in the private beach nearby. Outfitted with eco-friendly room designs and an array of facilities offering adventure and relaxation, this Kuching hotel resort promises to take you on a cultural journey of Sarawak’s rainforests and rejuvenate your weary soul.

Categories
Tourism Malaysia

TOP HOTELS IN MALAYSIA THAT TRANSPORT YOU TO A DIFFERENT WORLD

Holidays are a way to get away from the routine and
familiar. That’s why when we travel, we sometimes catch ourselves doing things
we wouldn’t normally do back home. We’re more adventurous, aren’t we, when we’re
on the road travelling. There’s a change of scenery, we’re surrounded by
strange cultures, the food is different, etc. In such an environment, we find
ourselves opening up to new experiences – we try the local food, we get out of
our comfort zone and speak to the locals, we participate in their traditions,
and more.

A romantic holiday at Colmar Tropicale, oui?

Similarly, when we check ourselves into a hotel, wouldn’t it
be nice to be surrounded by a fresh change of scene? Of course, the standard
hotels have all the comforts we could ever want, but how about passing up on
that spick and span hotel experience and jump in to a whole new “hotel”
environment?

Kids will just love to be kids at Legoland Hotel

Thematic hotels abound in Malaysia and it’s a great way to get out of our comfort zone to try something new. For kids, surely they would love the Legoland Hotel in Johor to relive their love for these iconic play bricks. Or how about Jen Hotel, also in Johor, where we hear you can check into a Hello Kitty-inspired room? Feeling a little bit French? Colmar Tropicale transports you to a Parisienne holiday in the tropics!

Love the Sanrio characters? Check into this cute Hello Kitty room at Jen Hotel!

Well, read on to see our top picks of unusual and themed accommodations that will definitely give you a fresh take on your holiday in Malaysia!

Tiarasa Escapes, Janda Baik, Pahang

Tiarasa Escapes is glamping extraordinaire for folks who want to be near nature but have issues with creepy crawlies. Rest assured that this property will put you up in exclusive tented villas surrounded by thick rainforest in the hills of Pahang…and pamper you while you are there with in-room comforts such as free-standing bathtubs, luxurious bedspreads and comfortable pillows.

Think of picnics by the bubbling brook, evening campfires to roast your marshmallows, stargazings at night, moonlight cinemas and morning walks amid the cool highland mist. Here’s where you can be the luxe-version of your Indiana Jones!

The Prestige Hotel, Penang

If you love a little magic in your life, then book a room at The Prestige Hotel in Penang’s UNESCO World Heritage enclave, but don’t mistake it as simply another Victorian heritage hotel.

Light, space and lines create unique optical illusions at Victorian-styled The Prestige

So inspired was the designer of the hotel, Colin Seah of Ministry of Design, with Christopher Nolan’s 2006 film, “The Prestige” about rival magicians in the Victorian era, that he introduced elements of optical illusion throughout the property. Take for instance the “levitating” bed that seems to float in the middle of the room, hidden doors that lead to pantries, and the piece-de-resistance of the room — the custom-designed shower and wardrobe enclosure, supposedly harking back to Houdini’s escape box!

Through subtle and clever use of light and space, geometric lines and repeated patterns, the designer leads guests to experience a little magic during their stay, so that nothing is ever quite what it seems!

Hard Rock Hotel, Desaru Coast, Johor

Fancy yourself a rockstar? Then, you’ll dig staying at the newly-opened Hard Rock Hotel in Desaru Coast, Johor. The international brand of property is renowned for its rockin’ hospitality. Check into their Rock Star Suite for some top-class Hollywood star treatment — enjoy in-room plush Sleep Like a Rock bedding, Bose sound system, and even a 15-ball American City ARAMITH 7 ft Pool Table. Pair that up with a personal concierge to meet your every whim and fancy, and you’ll have a rocking good time for sure!

Get ready to rock your holiday at Hard Rock Hotel Desaru Coast

Don’t forget to explore the hotel’s Memorabilia Gallery to get you that bit closer to the rich and famous of Hollywood. On display are some of the greatest rock memorabilia, whether you’re a rocker who loves The Rolling Stones or a Rihanna fangirl!

Tanjong Jara Resort, Dungun, Terengganu

If you’re an urban dweller used to braving traffic jams and air pollution, why not retire to the east coast countryside of Malaysia and enjoy a change of pace in life? Get a room at Tanjong Jara Resort and enjoy the tranquility of this property, inspired by 17th century Malay palaces with a layout that makes you feel like you are in a typical Malay village.

Enjoy the tranquil east coast village lifestyle at the luxurious Tanjong Jara Resort

The genuine countryside charm is so authentic, even the staff that serve you are actually drawn from the local villages, who truly embody the gentle Malay art of service and hospitality. Sleep in luxuriously-appointed wooden villas, wake up to a traditional Malay breakfast, stroll along the beautiful beach, and enjoy local folk games in the afternoons. If that’s not enough, indulge in traditional beauty treatments at their Spa Village — there’s one couple’s treatment that last half a day where we hear you’ll be treated like Kings and Queens!

The Culvert, Kuching, Sarawak

Who would ever think that refurbished concrete culverts would make a cosy hotel room…well, the owners of The Culvert thought it would be unique to transform these huge cylinders of concrete and galvanised steel into rooms, and so they did! Don’t worry, you’ll still get to sleep in comfortable beds, have access to en-suite baths and even soak yourself in the free-standing bath tubs!

Beautiful sunset view at The Culvert in Kuching

On a patch of land nestled in the dense flora and undergrowth of Santubong, Kuching is this dreamy and relaxing resort that will melt away your stress. Enjoy views of the iconic Mount Santubong in the background, and frolic in the private beach nearby. Outfitted with eco-friendly room designs and an array of facilities offering adventure and relaxation, this Kuching hotel resort promises to take you on a cultural journey of Sarawak’s rainforests and rejuvenate your weary soul.

Categories
Tourism Malaysia

A festival like no other

SINGING IN THE RAIN..FOREST WORLD MUSIC FESTIVAL

Let’s just say that there was absolutely no way we were going into our Taming Borneo adventure and miss the highly anticipated Rainforest World Music Festival (RWMF). If you’re a music enthusiast there’s no doubt you’ve heard about it. But if you haven’t, trust us, you’re going to want to read the rest of this entry, seriously.

Truth be told, we really didn’t know what to expect. Okay, we kinda did, but only from second hand experiences; reading travel blogs or hearing stories from our friends.

The only 3 things we were sure of were;

  • It’s an annual 3-day music festival, hosted by the Sarawak Tourism Board, at the Sarawak Cultural Village in Kuching.
  • It brings international acts together with local indigenous acts to celebrate the diversity of music in the heart of the Bornean jungle.
  • It’s a totally awesome festival you have to go to #YOLO

To sum it up in a nutshell, RWMF, gives you a perfect blend of cultural and contemporary musical performances, chilled festival vibes, good local food, an all-around great crowd and ambiance to party away the weekend. But we’ll delve further into the details below.

Putting the full extent of our experience into words is just not possible, you’ll have to watch our video series to find out how lit this festival really is!

THE DEETS OF THE BEATS

The RWMF is usually held annually in the mid months of June, July or August (this year August) in the Sarawak Cultural Village, at the base of Mount Santubong, Kuching, Sarawak.

At its’ inception, RWMF was established in 1998 and drew a crowd of only 300 people. But now, it draws an annual crowd of about 20,000 a year, making RWMF a front runner in local and international music calendars!

The festival usually features approximately 20 local and international bands over the course of the weekend. The performances range from traditional, world fusion and contemporary music. Invited performers are specially curated by organizers to give audiences the musical ambiance in accordance to the creative direction of the festival.

RWMF has a format of afternoon workshops; promoting engagement between performers and attendees, while the main concerts are held at night, under the star speckled sky of the Bornean Rainforest.

Go crazy, no one will judge you!

Go crazy, no one will judge you!

Lastly, fun fact, if you’re an environmentalist, the RWMF also has a record for raising environmental awareness with its recycling initiatives, tree planting campaigns, and providing shuttle buses for festival goers to reduce carbon emission in the air. #winning

TRACES OF THE TRANCE

The festival runs on a world class level of operation, operating on tight scheduling and strict regulations, it still manages to hold energetic performances and engaging afternoon workshops. It was really easy for us to warm up to the energy of the music and the crowd.

picture3

The afternoon workshops have got to be the highlight of our experience. We participated in a drum circle and enjoyed a workshop called “The Breath of Life” showcasing delicate sounds of wind instruments in music. When the festival promises a “smashing weekend in the Bornean rainforest”, they deliver.

Besides the eargasmic performances, we had the pleasure to explore the village with vendors scattered around selling local dishes, art and traditional handicrafts. Of course, being the foodies we are, we treated ourselves to a variety of food and beverages sold at the festival grounds.

You won’t believe who we met at the Sapeh booth!

You won’t believe who we met at the Sapeh booth!

Overall, the festival definitely lives up to the hype and definitely sets the bar high for other festivals around!

A night to remember

A night to remember

THE OTHER FESTIVALS AROUND

If your schedule prohibits you from attending RWMF, don’t worry there are plenty of other great events that travellers look out for throughout the year in Sarawak. Here’s a few we find interesting:

The Borneo International Kite Festival

Borneo International Kite Festival is held in the town of Bintulu.  The huge windy open space of the Old Bintulu Airport that faces the South China Sea provides ideal conditions for consistent flight of a vast selection of colourful kites. The sky would be colourfully lit as thousands of colourful kites are flown at the festival, with the latest number being 2,500 diamond kites. The festival also holds a record in the Malaysia Book of Records for forming the longest arch kite tunnel of 500 metres.

You can expect 400 kiters from 25 countries participating in this festival with cultural and artiste performances being held in the evening.

Sarawak International Dragon Boat Regatta

This event is participated by nearly 70 countries around the world with over 50 million participants in Asia alone, particularly from China and Southeast Asia.  It was also adopted as part of the ASEAN Games 2010 in Guangzhou, China.

The Dragon Boat Race continues to be an important event in the tourism calendar of countries involved in dragon boat races around the world.  The event in Sarawak attracts global participation and promotes local tourism, thereby increasing tourist arrivals.

Borneo Jazz

Another highly anticipated music festival, the Borneo Jazz Festival is one of the longest running Jazz festivals in the region. There will be two nights of four performances each by regionally and internationally recognised jazz musicians.


If you have more questions regarding our Taming Borneo adventure, please do leave a comment in the comment section below, or start a discussion; tell us your personal Taming Borneo experience!

Also do follow along our adventure on our social media platforms:

Instagram: @MyTourismChannel or #tamingborneo  

Catch up on the latest episodes by clicking on the thumbnails below:

Sarawak : EP1

Sarawak : EP1

Episode

Sarawak : EP2

Episode 3

Sarawak : EP3

Sarawak : EP4

Sarawak : EP4

Sarawak : EP5

Sarawak : EP5

Sarawak : EP6

Sarawak : EP6

Categories
Tourism Malaysia

Rainforest World Music Festival

Rainforest World Music Festival

It was a blast!

Wonderful music, entertaining crowd, vibrant activities and much more at the recent 14th Rainforest World Music Festival (RWMF) in Sarawak held from 8 – 10 July.

Organised by the Sarawak Tourism Board, the RWMF is held at the Sarawak Cultural Village (SCV), a beautiful 17 acres setting by the Santubong Peninsula with the gorgeous backdrop of the famous Mount Santubong, it is a 45 minutes’ journey from Kuching city, the capital of Sarawak.

SCV, a living museum showcasing several ethnic communities of Sarawak, is ideal with its breathtaking vistas at the foothills of Mount Santubong, tranquil lake, gorgeous flora, well-maintained walkways and especially an upgraded venue for the music festival.

It is the perfect setting for the Rainforest World Music festival, listed as one of the top 25 Best International Festivals by renowned world music magazine, Songlines. This makes the RWMF on par with international music festivals such as the WOMADA Adelaide, Australia; Chicago World Music Festival, USA; Forde Folk Festival, Norway and the Essaouira Gnawa World Music Festival held in Morocco.

The music festival was tailored to showcase a diverse range of music genres, with acts from local and international groups such as Agungbeat from Sabah, Malaysia, Startijen from France, Pacific Curls from New Zealand, Mamak Khadem from Iran, The Blue Canyon Boys from USA, Lisa Haley Zydecats from USA, The Shin from Georgia, Eastern Europe, Ikswew from Canada, Frigg from Finland and Malick Pathe Sow from Senegal.

Other groups that performed were Victor Valdez Trio from Mexico, Duoud from Tunisia/Algeria, Ilgi from Latvia, Kissmet from India/UK, Paddy Keenan Trio from Ireland, Leweton Women’s Water Music from Vanuatu, Joaquin Daz from Dominican Republic, Kamernga from Australia, Kamafei from Italy, Kenge Kenge from Kenya and Warsaw Village Band from Poland.

The eclectic mix of musicians created beautiful music that resonated throughout SCV during the concert performances and workshops.

The workshops were musical sessions by the various groups held at several venues at SCV such as at the Iban longhouse, Dewan Lagenda, Theatre and Lakeside. It showcased groups coming together in a performance through jamming sessions, where audiences could interact up close with the performers.

An area surrounding the lake was also designated to showcase local food, souvenirs such as T-shirts, key chains, bangles as well as locally made handicrafts. There were even stalls set up for those wishing to get tattoos adorned with local motifs. The laid-back setting was a hit with revellers to the RWMF.

Near the entrance of the Sarawak Cultural Village was also a booth selling RWMF official merchandise which was a hit with music-goers who thronged the stalls after each musical performance to get copies of CDs, T-shirts and souvenir books of groups that performed at the event.

Many were seen buying CDs of the groups, and rushing to the workshops to get signatures from their favourite groups, as well as a portrait or two.
The diversity of the festival, with its musicians and instruments used culminated in an energetic concert where music-lovers from all ages converged by the foothills of Mount Santubong to listen to the musical performances by the bands.

Performances started from 7.00 pm onwards till midnight. The first night, the musical festival kicked off with a local favourite, Masters of the Sape from Malaysia that performed on the side stage.

The main performance of the night started with Agungbeat a group of women gamelan players from Sabah, performing their music to a raptured audience. Other groups performing on the first night were Iskwew (Canada), Kamerunga (Australia), Victor Valdez (Mexico), Kamafei (Italy) and Frigg (Finland).

It was the second night that a group from New Zealand, Pacific Curls, performing on the second stage captured the audience’s attention with their vibrant and lively music. With traditional Maori musical instruments accompanying their music, Kim Halliday, Sarah Beattie and Ora Barlow, delighted the audience with music evoking Pacific rhythms.

Their music, interspersed with jazz, Scottish tunes, resounding vocals and songs in a mixture of Maori and English had the audience on their feet and swaying to the beat. The surprising energy of the trio further escalated into frenzy and got the crowd raving to the free-spirited beats. The most surprising revelation was that Sarah Beattie, playing the violin, is pregnant and due in October but she was playing the musical instrument like there was no tomorrow! Such was the energy of this amazing and talented group from New Zealand.

During the final night of the RWMF, an thrilling performance came from the Kenyan group calling themselves Kenge Kenge Orutu System with their traditional Kenyan music and stage antics, they rocked the stage.

As guardians and masters of ancient tradition, the Kenge Kenge performed the Opogore, a song which harks back to their musical roots, Luo music, first popularised in the 1960s. They use benga, a handmade musical instrument akin to the guitar to produce music that is both refreshing and foreign to the local ears. Despite the language barrier, the group managed to get the crowd dancing frenetically with their upbeat tunes.

The highlight of the event surely must be Kissmet, the spellbinding group rocking SCV with their fusion of Bhangra and rock music effortlessly. Their infectious music captured the audience that gyrated wildly to the beat of the music. Singing both in English and Punjabi, followed by the beats of the bhangra music, audiences joined in the action. They definitely shocked with their colourful costumes and turban, but mesmerised with their infectious rhythms.

This incredible musical show culminated in a grand finale, where all the groups performed on the stage. This brought many music lovers to dance wildly to the beats. Though it was an exhausting night, it certainly is one of the best performances the festival has seen.

The Rainforest World Music Festival running for over 10 years now, is not an event to be missed. It has firmly put Sarawak on the world tourism map and elevated the status of the festival as an internationally acclaimed music festival.

Enjoy this article?

Consider subscribing to our rss feed!