Tag: ramadan

Eastin Hotel at Waterfront of Queensbay, Penang Island

Post author By melakatour
Post date August 28, 2013

Eastin Hotel Penang (N5.33657 E100.30635) is located along the Tun Dr Lim Chong Eu Highway in Sungai Nibong, Penang Island. The area is really convenience because the huge Queensbay Shopping Mall is just sitting next to it, and I also noticed there’s a 24 hours convenience shop behind the hotel.

“Eastin Hotel Penang in Penang, Malaysia proves that not all accommodations are created equal. While other business hotels give you just the usual offerings, we make sure we bring our service a notch higher. That’s why at our hotel, located along the waterfront of Queensbay, you get to indulge in top-caliber enjoyments, whether you’re holding corporate affairs or celebrating personal milestones. Indeed, we are the perfect example of what a business hotel should be: a place that addresses every aspect of your comfort and convenience. This is what sets us above the rest.” from Eastin Hotel, Penang.

We (me and Robin) were in Penang for 2 days 1 night foods hunting trip. Once we stepped into the lobby, we were greeted by their friendly smiles from the door till the front counter. The reception area is spacious and be able to cater more peoples during the peak hour.
Our checking process was fast and simple…

Thanks to the warm hospitality from Ms Selene Yeap – Assistant Marketing Communications Manager and her colleague. She introduced us the area surround with her professionalism and her ‘trademark smile’.

The Lounge is at the left side of the reception counter…

They have a live band performance during the evening session…if you are visit on the Ladies night every Wednesday, the lady will get a free Margarita or Daiquiri who accompanied by a guy, beside this…the Buy 3 Free 1 House Wine is available daily from 6pm – 11pm.

And on the right side is the restaurant – Swez Brasserie where the hotel guests having their breakfast, lunch and dinner.

“Take part in their culinary adventure into a world of diverse dining with an assortment of distinctive German, Japanese, Mexican, Thai and many other exotic cuisines from around the globe.“

Lunch with Vegetarian Corner (Mon- Fri), Hi-Tea with Kids Corner (Sat, Sun and Public Holiday) and Semi Buffet Dinner (Sun – Thu).

The Swez Brasserie are having a Mid-Autumn Mooncake Festival from 12th Aug – 9th Sep 2013. You can buy the delightful mooncakes in their custom designed gift box with your favorite flavors from pure lotus with double yolk to precious black.

If you are looking for place to celebrate your children birthday party,
they have a Birthday Bash Package where you can enjoy the delectable
selection of scrumptious food while having a delightful time with their
tailor-made, fun filled games.

There’s a GYM SPA beside the swimming pool for guest to relaxing themselves.

On the level 2 3, there are total of 6 function rooms and 3 boardrooms.
As for meeting and seminars, they provided 2 packages (or more) to their clients, and the facilities are :-
* 2 multi-purpose function rooms and 3 boardrooms
* Innovative cuisine and flexible menus for coffee breaks
* Wi-Fi Internet Access
* Audio-visual conferencing services available
* Writing materials, flipchart and whiteboard
* Flexible and mobile platform
* LCD projector with screen
* Customized signage
* Pre-event publicity via Eastin websites, banners and digital signage

As for the weddings, banquets celebrations, the function room can accommodate up to 650 banquets. And they provided all the necessary included the complimentary stay and others.
For booking and enquiries, please contact their Sales and Marketing Team at +604-6121111 or email info.pg@eastin.com

We stayed in the Eastin Deluxe room – 56-square meter (total of 33 rooms), which is a suite room. Let me show you the photos below…

The bathroom has a glass where you can see each other from the bedroom, well…there’s a curtain in between…

The room has a magnificent view from the windows, the Pulau Jerejak is clearly appeared. The Queensbay Mall is situated at the right side from the room’s window…

The room was spacious and it has another small bathroom beside the living hall area. We were satisfied with the room included the amenities services.

Let me show other types of rooms in Eastin Hotel Penang…

Deluxe room (Hillview Seaview with total of 234 rooms)

Both type of the rooms above having same configuration of the bathroom.

SOHO Duplex room (total of 12 rooms) – it has a mezzanine floor where the bedroom located.

The Friendly Suite room (only 1 room available) also has the same configuration except one extra bed at the living area and more hand support in the bathroom, let me show you the bathroom…

The bathroom of the Friendly Suite room…
I’m impressed where the hotel provide this room for the less effort peoples, the called OKU (Orang Kurang Upaya) in local.

Beside the photos above, The Eastin Hotel Penang also has Club Deluxe room (hillview seaview with total of 47 rooms) and the Family Duplex Suite (only 1 room).

The Guest Room Amenities Services
* Complimentary Wi-Fi internet access
* LCD TV including CNN channel
* In-room safe
* Mini-bar
* Coffee/tea making facilities with kettle
* Private bathroom with shower area
* Hair dryer and shaving mirror
* Writing desk with speaker telephone
* Complimentary daily local newspaper
* Individual-controlled air-conditioning
* IDD telephone with voicemail
* Iron and ironing board
* Adjustable reading lights
* Complimentary bottled water

Executive Floor Benefits
* Choice of either :
     – International breakfast at the Executive Lounge (level 14th) from 7am – 10.30am
     – Buffet breakfast at Swez Brasserie from 6am – 10.30am
* Pre-dinner cocktails at the Executive Lounge from 5pm – 7pm.
* Promotions on the hotel facilities :
     – 10% off at all food and beverage outlets on food and non-alcoholics drinks
     – 10% off laundry services
     – 15% off business centre facilities
     – 15% off IDD and mobile number calls
* Complimentary beverages – fruit juice, soft drinks, coffee and tea served thoughout the day at the Executive Lounge from 10.30am – 10pm.
* Complimentary pressing of 1 suit per stay
* Complementary daily local newspaper
* Complimentary incoming and outgoing faxes
* Complimentary local calls (area code : 04, except mobile phone numbers)
* Complimentary Wi-Fi Internet access
* Complimentary mini-bar

After a short while rest in the afternoon, we join their Ramadan buffet dinner in the evening at Swez Brasserie.

The buffet dinner was Full of varieties! The Chef introduced us their Nice beef bones – Gear Box.

After looking at so many foods around, I chose mine…

The buffet dinner was nice and satisfied. We were overloaded again! 🙂

The staffs here were really friendly and we felt comfort with their smile, it was a Nice stayed with the Eastin Hotel Penang, I will dropby again if I’m happen to be around at that area.

Wonderful Malaysia

Hari Raya Puasa (Hari Raya Aidilfitri)

Post author By melakatour
Post date August 2, 2013

The Muslim community in Malaysia and all over the world celebrate Hari Raya Aidilfitri, or also known as Hari Raya Puasa, to conclude the Ramadan holy month of fasting. Hari Raya Aidilfitri is regarded as a merry celebration as it marks a person’s triumph and success on discipline and self-resistance which symbolizes refinement and rebirth.

It is necessary for Muslims to fast during the month of Ramadan, where they have to maintain their self-resistance in satisfying their basic needs and urges between sunrise till sunset. They abstain from food and drinks, as well as from smoking and sexual relations. It is also important that they keep their minds pure and not harbor any ill thoughts or intentions during this holy month.

The fasting doesn’t deter the celebrants from making preparations to welcome Hari Raya Aidilfitri. The excitement builds up way before the first day, where families start to shop for new clothes, delicacies and goodies and furnish their home with new furniture and decoration weeks. Brightly-colored lights, in the common hues of green, yellow and gold, can be seen adorning the mosques and the offices of government agencies.

When the new moon is seen on the evening of the last day of Ramadan, the fasting period comes to an end. Such sightings are made by religious officials at various hilltops throughout the country and when the crescent moon is seen, the following day marks the first day of Hari Raya Aidilfitri.

On the morning of Hari Raya, the men perform prayers at the mosque while children ask for forgiveness from their parents. The little ones will also be given ‘duit raya’ or gifts of money in small green packets. While the first three days of Hari Raya are usually reserved for catching up with the family, many families hold open houses throughout the month where friends and neighbors of other races are invited to share conversation, laughter and a variety of cookies, candy and traditional delicacies.

hari-raya-aidilfitri-1

Ketupat is one of the must-haves at Hari Raya. It is served together with beef rending (beef cooked with coconut milk and malay spices) together with satay (skewered grilled meat). Other delicious delicates are such as lemang (glutinous rice cooked in bamboo tubes), serunding (dry coconut fried with chilli) and curry chicken.

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hari-raya-aidilfitri-3

In Malaysia, the first two days are regarded as public holidays but most will take a week off for this celebration. Those working in the cities will return to their hometowns (balik kampung) and reunite with their parents, relatives and old friends in the celebration of Hari Raya Aidilfitri, leaving the cities quiet and empty during the festive season (usually there are very good airline deals in the weeks/months before the Balik Kampung period). Although the cities start to be populated again at the end of the week, the celebration doesn’t end there as one month of Hari Raya Aidilfitri celebrations follow a month of fasting. People continue visiting each other’s homes and throwing open houses until the festivities approaches its end 30 days later. It isn’t often that festivities last for a month long, so take the opportunity to catch up with friends and family while indulging in the various delicacies!

Tagging:
Fasting, Hari Raya, Hari Raya Aidilfitri, Hari Raya Puasa, Holy month, Islamic, Malaysia, Muslim, Ramadan, Ramadhan

Buying glasses in Malaysia

Post author By melakatour
Post date September 10, 2012
No Comments on Buying glasses in Malaysia

Last summer I decided to buy a new pair of glasses. First I thought of buying sunglasses (prescription glasses), but later I flew back to the Netherlands with not only a new pair of sunglasses but also a pair of new regular glasses.

Buying glasses in Malaysia at Insight Optical

In the end we bought glasses at two different stores within Pavilion KL. Both shops are part of two large and well-known chains: Insight and Better Vision. You can find Better Vision on the third floor at the right side (from the entrance). You can find Insight on the ground floor, diagonally ‘under’ the main entrance. You can ask someone at the information counter when you can’t find it; or check out the floor directory.

Better Vision was the first shop that we entered. A kind employee immediately came to tell us that we would get a large reduction in price, a positive incentive. I decided to buy Ray Ban sunglasses with prescription glasses. I couldn’t choose from all available models, but only from models that would ‘fit’ lenses. Fortunately there were enough models to pick from. Although the glasses would normally be ready in two days, it took a little longer in our case because of Aidil Fitri (the end of the Ramadan – a national holiday) was celebrated on that day. I could pick up my glasses after three days. I finally paid RM620 for the Ray Bans.

The next day we accidentally walked through Pavilion again when we saw another shop: Insight Optical. They had a large range of Tag Heuer glasses; and exactly the glasses I tried on a few years ago. This time I couldn’t resist ordering these glasses. It took two days as well here. This Tag Heuer contained great lenses (from Tag Heuer itself); titanium, UV protection, transition and anti-dazzle. I paid RM2200 for these glasses. This seems like a lot of money, but in Europe you pay at least double for these glasses.

In the end I had two very great deals at Better Vision and at Insight. In both cases we could negotiate well about a revised final price. The eye test were of very good quality (I had the test at both shops with the same results), the service was also perfect. I was called by both shops when I could pick up my glasses. I was not yet experienced in buying glasses in Malaysia, but it worked out perfectly (my girlfriend also bought two beautiful pair of glasses there). The range is much larger than in Europe and the prices are much cheaper compared to Europe. Here are some tips for buying prescription glasses in Malaysia:

When buying several glasses, you get a large discount.
Take the delivery time into account (min one day, max five days).
Make sure you stay in Malaysia for some time, so that you can go back if something is wrong.
Go to a trusted optician (and ask for extensive eye tests first).
Leave your hotel name and room number (or local phone number), so they can contact you as soon as the glasses are ready.
Let the employee call the factory to be confirmed that the glasses can be picked up within x days.
Find out in advance if coupons are available with extra discount for the frame (you can often find them in brochures).
During the special sale months (usually the megasale around August and around December) prices are often much lower.
Lenses are also cheap, so you could chose to only get new glasses in your existing glasses.
Many brands of sunglasses can be fitted with prescription lenses, always check up front.

Tagging:
Bargain, Buying products, Glasses, Kuala Lumpur, Lenses, Megasale, Optician, Sales, Sunglasses

Can I visit Malaysia during Ramadan?

Post author By melakatour
Post date August 30, 2012
No Comments on Can I visit Malaysia during Ramadan?

Ramadan is known around the world as the Muslim month of fasting, during which Muslims refrain from eating and drinking (among others) from dawn until sunset.

In 2012 Ramadan started in Malaysia on the 21st of July and lasts until Hari Raya Puasa that marks the end of Ramadan and is celebrated by a 2 day National Holiday (19th and 20th of August 2012).

You would probably think that Ramadan is all about not eating, but in Malaysia it actually is still about eating, but contrary to normal days it is not possible 24/7.

During Ramadan travelers may experience the days to be a bit dull and less vibrant, especially in local areas. You have to keep in mind that to some it is quite difficult to go on with their daily lives without any food or drinks. People still work, do business and exercise, but they can only eat before sunrise and after sunset.

We clearly notice that people have to get adjusted to not eating during the day. During the first days of Ramadan we usually encounter people that are grumpy or plain frustrated. This especially goes for traffic, the amount of accidents are always much higher during Ramadan.

In bigger cities like Kuala Lumpur and Georgetown you will hardly notice anything different, mainly because the percentage of Muslims is much lower over there. For example residents of Chinese origin will still eat during the days, so travelers should be on the lookout for Chinese restaurants in order to enjoy a nice local lunch. In almost every popular tourist spot in Malaysia you can easily get a meal during the day. The same goes for the eateries within modern shopping malls, here too business is as usual (albeit rather quiet during the day in some areas).

In other cities and more local areas Ramadan is clearly visible. For example, in states like Kelantan, Kedah and Kuala Terengganu, shops and restaurants often stay closed during the days. Only around noon do they open, in order to be able to sell food to the people. This food is not eaten on the spot, but everything is bought for later that day, as people can only start eating after sundown.

We once visited Kota Bharu and Kuala Terengganu during Ramadan, and experienced a special atmosphere. During the day both cities seemed deserted, but at night it pleasantly came back to live again. Travelers have no reasons to stay away from these areas during Ramadan. Though days might be quiet and perhaps less vibrant, the nights absolutely make up for it.

Another amazing example of Ramadan we experienced was in the city of Kuantan. Here we were strolling down the streets in the city center and suddenly we noticed a food court that was full with people, but everybody was quiet. What struck us odd was that all had a hot dinner plate on the table in front of them, but nobody was eating. Then the prayer started and soon after everybody started eating, and the food court made that typical buzzing sound again.

During Ramadan all major hotels and restaurants have a special Ramadan Buffet. Here you can eat as much as you want for a fixed price. Often the best hotels are competing with each other on which one has the best Ramadan Dinner Buffet. Locals (even non-muslims) bring their whole families to these restaurants to ‘break the fast’ (also known as berbuka puasa or iftar).

ramadan malaysia buffet

It is also customary to invite people over for a intimate dinner at home. It is not uncommon that travelers are invited by locals, as Ramadan is also about doing good things for others. Welcoming foreigners into their houses is a good example of friendliness towards others.

ramadan malaysia open house

An open house is usually done the first few days of Hari Raya Aidilfitri (after the end of Ramadan), but sometimes you even get invited for an open house weeks after Aidilfitri. We’ve been invited to many ‘open houses’ ourselves over the years and it’s safe to say that if you decline an invitation you are missing out on a wonderful cultural experience.

Every day during Ramadan you can witness local Ramadan Bazaars. Here you can buy food, groceries, fruits and snacks. Some snacks are typically sold during Ramadan, often very sweet. Food at the Bazaar is usually very cheap. We sometimes get our food there too, and for RM25 (which equals to about €6) you have a dinner table full of dishes and snacks. Ramadan Bazaars usually start around 4.30pm and close at 7.30pm.

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ramadan bazaar malaysia 4

Typical dishes you can buy at the Bazaar are fried chicken wings and legs, char kway teow, roti murtabak, rendang, satay, ketupat and much more. Popular snacks are kuih lapis (in several colors), kuih dadar, ondeh ondeh, cucur, caramel jelly cake and of course dodol. No Bazaar is complete without a sugar cane juice vendor. The great thing is that everything is prepared fresh on the spot.

ramadan bazaar malaysia 5

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ramadan bazaar malaysia snacks 1

So to get back at the main question, can I visit Malaysia during Ramadan, the answer is a wholehearted ‘yes’. The Holy month of Ramadan is a special month with many cultural highlights. Travelers are able to experience this up close when they are in Malaysia during this time, and we are certain that they will love it!

Tags Eid al-Fitr, EUR, food, food court, Georgetown, Hari Raya Puasa, Kuala Lumpur, Kuala Terengganu, Kuantan, Malaysia, national holiday, ramadan, Ramadan Bazaars

All Malaysia Info

Win Sunway Lagoon tickets

Post author By melakatour
Post date August 30, 2012
No Comments on Win Sunway Lagoon tickets

We’re giving away 10 pairs of Sunway Lagoon All Parks tickets in a very simple contest to highlight Sunway Resort City’s fantastic Hari Raya Showlights.

Visit Sunway Resort City (SRC) anytime during the Ramadan/Raya season and you’ll notice their fantastic Hari Raya Showlights which you can’t help but admire.

In a bid to make sure you visit SRC, the ingenious folk at Sunway have come up with some rewarding, shall we say, gestures.

Part of Sunway Resort City’s Hari Raya Showlights.

Here’s one for you Foursquare users: They’re making your quest for Foursquare Mayorship (naturally on their premises) a tad more competitive than usual, complete with prizes up for grabs. Oh, and it’s also to welcome the month of Ramadan, and to spread the cheer of the coming Raya celebrations.

All you need to do to win yourself some awesome goodies in Sunway’s Check-in @ C’hara Raya Contest is to check in regularly on Foursquare and make yourself the Mayor of the Sunway Rainforest Fountain. (Terms and conditions apply.)

There’s also a daily give-away called Spot the Showlights, if you’re feeling ultra competitive.

We’re giving away some goodies too!

To spread the joy even further, Sunway has provided allMalaysia.info with 20x Sunway Lagoon All Parks tickets worth RM100 each to give away, and we’ve decided to give them to you in pairs, so we’re looking at 10 winners.

To put yourself in the running to win a pair of these tickets, you’ll need to follow these steps:

1) Log in to your Facebook account.
2) Visit the allMalaysia.info Facebook Fan Page and ‘Like‘ it (if you haven’t already).
3) Visit the Sunway World Club Facebook Fan Page and ‘Like‘ it.
4) And tell us why you ought to win these tickets in not more than 30 words, all as a comment here (Connect with G+, Twitter or Facebook).

Best 10 ‘comments’ here, submitted before Aug 20, win the tickets. Best of luck!

NOTE: Given the encouraging response to this contest, we have decided to increase the number of winners by five.

So congratulations to the 15 winners. Do enjoy your time at Sunway Lagoon!

WINNERS:

Raswan Kaur (http://www.facebook.com/kaur8)
Leon Leo (http://www.facebook.com/leon.leo.3956690)
Anne Leong (http://www.facebook.com/anne.leong.528)
U-May (ngumay@hotmail.com)
Nilaasini Rajagopal (http://www.facebook.com/nilaasini)
Mei Yun (http://www.facebook.com/mei.yun1)
Yap Hyejin (http://www.facebook.com/hyejin.shinhwa)
Herbert Low (http://www.facebook.com/HerbertDrifter)
Wallace Ooi (http://www.facebook.com/wallace.ooi)
Sheela A/P M. Unnikrishnan (sheela.jayaraj@gmail.com)
Ahmad Daud Abdul Manan (http://www.facebook.com/ahmaddaud.abdulmanan)
Tan Swee Wan (sweewan@gmail.com)
Nicholas Sim (http://www.facebook.com/nicholas.sim.315)
Nian Nian Avel (http://www.facebook.com/paulinenian)
WeeLing Yee (lin200326@gmail.com)

Winners are advised to collect their tickets at Level 7, Menara Star, No. 15, Jalan 16/11, Section 16, Phileo Damansara, 46350 Petaling Jaya, Selangor Darul Ehsan, before Sept 15, 2012

Please note that you can send a representative to collect on your behalf. If you (or your representative) are unable to collect the tickets before the stated date above, please inform us beforehand. Otherwise we will proceed to give away the remaining tickets. Decision is final. No correspondence will be entertained.

For enquiries contact 03-7967 1388 ext 11118.

Tags 03-7967 1388 ext 11118, Ahmad Daud Abdul Manan, Anne Leong, Facebook, Hari Raya Showlights, Herbert Low, Leon Leo, Mayor, Mei Yun, Nicholas Sim, NOTE, ramadan, representative, Sunway Resort City, Tan Swee Wan, Twitter, Wallace Ooi, WINNERS

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We’re giving away some goodies too!

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