Categories
Tourism Malaysia

ROUGHING IT OUT AT KENABOI FOREST RESERVE


Kenaboi Forest Reserve is located in the district of Jelebu, Negeri Sembilan, which is about 85 km from Kuala Lumpur. Standing at 1,462 meters, Gunung Besar Hantu, which is the highest peak in Negeri Sembilan, is situated in this forest reserve along with its highest waterfall, known as Lata Kijang (Deer Waterfall). In 2008, the state government declared an area of 9,420 hectares of the Kenaboi Forest Reserve as a State Wildlife Park but was later renamed Kenaboi State Park.

This is the kind of destination that is certainly a little more challenging than your usual eco-destination, but if I may say so, one that is totally worth the effort.


Kenaboi State Park
Our journey from Kuala Lumpur took about two hours to reach Kampung Chennah in Jelebu, Negeri Sembilan. Far from the hustle and bustle of the city, the change of scenery was very welcoming as we were surrounded by greenery. The journey would have been pleasant if we didn’t have to go through a narrow and long serpentine road, which was a bit challenging for those suffering from motion sickness.

We had to switch to a four-wheel-drive (4WD) at Kampung Chennah as we got ready to go off-road, which meant a rougher ride ahead. It turned out to be fun when we had to go through the Orang Asli (aborigines) villages, where friendly children welcomed us with their friendly smiles and enthusiastic waving. After that, the road kept getting narrower and narrower until we reached our base camp near a small stream.

The soothing sounds of the running stream and the sounds of birds chirping somewhere above, and the smell of clean moist air, as well as the cool temperature were a lethal combination as we could get addicted to it.

Every one of us couldn’t wait to take part in the various activities that the state park had to offer. First, we went tubing in the lazy river for 1.2 kilometers. The river was gentle enough for us to float lazily while day-dreaming about our life but in some parts of the river we had to manoeuvre through bubbling rapids and huge rocks, which made our tubing experience a little bit more exhilarating.

From the river, we moved up to the tree top for a flying fox activity, which was a short distance but nothing short of fun and thrilling. It was definitely an exhilarating and unique aerial journey.

Some of us opted for another adrenaline rush activity, which was abseiling down a small cliff. I was told that the cliff was quite slippery and it was quite challenging to manoeuvre through a huge fallen tree that was blocking their path. And at the end of the cliff, they could just let go and jump down to the cool stream below.

Lata Kijang (Deer Waterfall)
We continued our journey with a visit to the highest waterfall in Negeri Sembilan, Lata Kijang. It took us about 30 minutes to reach this 93-meter waterfall by a four-wheel-drive. It was such a bumpy ride that some of us felt like throwing up.

On the way to the waterfall, we stopped at an ideal spot to check out the hornbill nest on top of a really tall tree. Unfortunately, the hornbill was not at its nest but the surrounding view was really fantastic.

We continued our journey to the waterfall but this time around, the journey was really smooth because the road was tarred. Once we arrived there, the view of the statuesque waterfall really took our breath away. The sounds and sights of the cascading waterfall brought peace to our mind after such a hectic journey and activities. Apart from enjoying the view, there’s nothing much to do at the waterfall except taking a selfie. After that, we returned to the base camp for a
much needed rest.

Jeram Berungut
Our second day mission was to find the “Malaysian Lord of the Rings”, which was the hidden gem at the Kenaboi State Park. Jeram Berungut is flanked by 40-meter high rocky cliffs covered in green moss, thus creating a river canyon that is so breathtaking. It was such a surreal experience. The fantasy-like surroundings that we needed to pass to get to the cool and clear water of Jeram Berungut really made us feel like we were in the “Lord of the Rings” movie.

People always said that difficult roads often lead to beautiful destinations and we can assure you that in the case of Jeram Berungut, it’s all true. The journey tested not just our fitness but also our patience. No wonder it was called Berungut, which means grumbling because you’d find yourself grumbling throughout the tough journey.

The journey started with a 15-minute jungle trekking, which was easy peasy but then the nightmare began. Well, you have to give us the benefit of the doubt because this was our first river trekking. The effort to find our footing on the slippery rocky river floor for 45 minutes made us feel like no river canyon was worth the torture, but it was all forgotten once we saw the stunning view and the cool and crystal clear waters that looked inviting. Some of us couldn’t wait to jump right in but some just let their eyes slowly take in the quiet beauty around them.

We may return to Kuala Lumpur black and blue from the many tumbles we took while crossing the river, but for that kind of wonderful nature, we wouldn’t mind returning to this river canyon again and again.

Contact Person

Juliana Yahya
District Forestry Office
Negeri Sembilan Utara
71600, Kuala Klawang Jelebu
Negeri Sembilan
Tel: 06-6136500
Mobile: 012-7056551

Categories
Travel to Melaka

HANG TUAH COMMERCIAL CENTRE DEVELOPMENT

Hang Tuah Commercial Centre, Catalyst For Melaka’s Inland Development

By Fadzli Ramli

MELAKA, April 9 (Bernama) — After the successful development of Melaka Raya, Kota Laksamana, Pulau Melaka and Klebang on reclaimed land, the state government will now move forward to undertake inland development such as the Hang Tuah Commercial Centre.

Chief Minister Datuk Seri Idris Haron said the centre would require an investment of between RM400 million and RM500 million for the first phase of its development.

The centre which would be sprawled across Jalan Hang Tuah, Jalan Tun Ali, Pengkalan Rama, Kampung Morten to Melaka Sentral would comprise a hypermarket, transportation hub, tourist attractions, residences and institutions of higher learning.

“The state executive council meeting has agreed in principle to the development of the commercial centre in a move to balance reclaimed land and inland development in the state,” he told Bernama here Saturday.

He said the focus of the inland development was to raise the socio-economic status of the people in the area.

“The centre will also focus on academic development. Right now, Universiti Teknologi MARA and Universiti Teknikal Malaysia Melaka have their campuses here,” he said, adding that eight developmental projects over 40.5 hectares is expected to be ready in five years.

Idris said two projects which would be the pillars of the commercial centre are the reconstruction of the Hang Tuah Hall and the construction of the Melaka Foundation building.

He said the existing two-storey Hang Tuah Hall will be rebuilt into an eight-storey building. It will continue to house a library but the clock tower within would be upgraded into the main landmark in the commercial centre.

The 25-storey Melaka Foundation building, to be completed in three years costing RM120million, will houses offices and a 252-room hotel that would generate income for the foundation.

Idris said the state government also planned to redevelop buildings which had no more historic value within the Hang Tuah Commercial Centre

“The affected buildings will be refurbished to look attractive so as to be able to generate economic activities in the area,” he said, adding that traffic congestion, the drug menace and prostitution will become a thing of the past.

— BERNAMA

Categories
Tourism Malaysia

Government Urged To Build National Tourism Institution

Government Urged To Build National Tourism Institution

TEMERLOH, June 18 (Bernama) — The Pahang Tourism and Culture committee has urged the federal government to build a national tourism institution to educate and produce skilled manpower in order to boost the sector.

Its chairman, Datuk Seri Mohd Sharkar Shamsuddin said the tourism sector was the largest contributor to the national economy and it should be managed in a professional manner, especially in highlighting quality products to tourists.

“This institution should have a uniform curriculum to train individuals who are directly involved in the tourism industry. They will not only be trained as ‘little ambassadors’ of the country in terms of speech, dress, manners and culture, but also in the Malaysian culinary arts and food,” he told reporters here today.

A certificate from the institution will be recognised as a ‘licence’ to open a new homestay or work with any employer in the tourism industry in the country, he added.

Mohd Sharkar, who is also Lanchang assemblyman, said the state government was willing to offer suitable land for building the institution.

“Pahang has various natural attractions such as beaches, mountains, lakes, waterfalls, hills and secondary forest which can be highlighted to attract domestic and foreign tourists.

“The many world-class tourist destinations available in the country will not benefit the economy if it is not utilised properly,” he said.

News Source — BERNAMA

http://www.bernama.com/bernama/v8/newsindex.php?id=1145480

Categories
Cuisine in Melaka

MELAKA TARGETS 14 MILLION VISITORS IN 2013

Melaka records 6.8 mil tourist arrivals, confident of 14 mil target

Posted on 1 October 2013 – 04:28pm
Last updated on 1 October 2013 – 04:57pm

MELAKA (Oct 1, 2013): Melaka has recorded 6.8 million domestic and foreign tourist arrivals during the first six months of this year, from 6.7 million in the corresponding period last year, Chief Minister Datuk Idris Haron told the State Assembly today.

He said the state was targeting new markets, like the Middle East and Africa, with efforts being made to attract more tourists from the affected countries to come to Melaka.

“The (state) government is confident of achieving this year’s target of 14 million tourist arrivals, compared with 13.7 million last year,” he said in his motion of thanks on the speech by the Yang Dipertua Negeri of Melaka, Tun Mohd Khalil Yaakob when opening the Melaka State Assembly sitting.

He called on all quarters to play their role to achieve the target and not to politicise issues, like the case on the closing of Jonker Walk which was aimed to reduce traffic congestion in the area.

Idris said efforts were also being made by the state government to attract more investors and negotiations were in progress with giant companies, like Microsoft and Guardian, to get them to invest in Melaka.

The state government is also discussing with a company from Spain to build a renewable energy plant, involving investment of RM2 billion, he added.

Bernama

Categories
Cuisine in Melaka

MELAKA NEW FERRIS WHEEL AT PULAU MELAKA

RM20 million Ferris wheel for Pulau Melaka

Eddie Beck | August 26, 2013

Touted as the 13th tallest in the world, the Malaysian Eye is set to be the main attraction in a new RM50 million tourist complex shaping up on the once abandoned man-made island.

MALACCA: The Malaysian Eye, a 103-metre Ferris wheel touted as the 13th tallest in the world, is to be the centrepiece attraction in a new tourist complex shaping up in Pulau Melaka.

The state government has invested about RM1 billion to redevelop the once abandoned man-made island and is hoping the RM40-RM50 million tourist complex will help boost the property market.

Costing RM20 million, the Malaysian Eye is expected to be operational in the first quarter of next year. It will have 48 capsules taking 288 passengers on a 20-minute round trip.

Each passenger is expected to pay RM20 per round trip and in the first year of operation, the company expects to ferry approximately 1.2 million passengers.

Sited on a five-acre prime site in Pulau Melaka, the entire complex which will house retail and entertainment complex, food outlets and a 28-storey hotel with 300 rooms.

“A definite tourist attraction will be a chocolate factory,” said Bernard Siow, the CEO of The Eye Sdn Bhd.
“Piling work is now completed. The company will be calling for tenders to build other areas of the complex. The components of the ferris wheel have arrived and they will be assembled in stages.”