Visit Malaysia Year 2014 - Air Adventure Flying Club, Subang

To support Visit Malaysia Year 2014, I will be writing on various tourist attractions in the country. Let us work together to bring in tourists to our lovely Malaysia.

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At one point in my childhood, I did consider becoming a pilot. Maybe it was the idea of roaming freely up in the air or the limitless feeling attached to the job. However, the dream didn't pan out for various reasons which was ancient news. 

Cessna-172

Yet, I had the opportunity to live out my childhood dream late last year through Air Adventure Flying Club, a private flying club where you can take flying lessons here and become an official pilot. While my session did not lead me to becoming a pilot, it did give me a chance of seeing the aerial view of Kuala Lumpur. 

Flying with Captain Godric

Manning a small Cessna-172 with supervision of a licensed pilot, we flew around the city and what a view. Everything looked like stacked up Lego toys. We got to see the terrible traffic the city is famous for and mind you, it was still early in the morning, 2 hours before lunch break. 

 

Aerial view of the city

The best moment, however, has to be when we flew right next to the twin tower. I have seen the national landmark up close but not from this angle and this height. That was truly priceless. 

Up close and personal with the twin tower

Captain Godric, the pilot I flew with, told me how much he loves his job. I can definitely relate to that.

Info Box

Air Adventure Flying Club,
Light Aircraft Hangar Site, Subang Airport, 47200 Subang.
Their office starts from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. but if you want to catch sunrise or sunset, you can arrange with them.
For more information about the flying lessons as well as the prices, click here.

Visit Malaysia Year 2014 - Pulau Ketam, Selangor

To support Visit Malaysia Year 2014, I will be writing on various tourist attractions in the country. Let us work together to bring in tourists to our lovely Malaysia.

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There are many beautiful islands in Malaysia but none is more interesting than Pulau Ketam. A charming little fishing village about 30 minutes ferry ride from Port Klang, the island offers no pristine beaches but plenty of characters.

Welcome to Pulau Ketam

The strong scent of the ocean welcomes you as you step off the ferry much like the greeting of a familiar face. The rustic feel of the island goes well with the lack of motorized vehicles in the island, a rule implemented here. The people on the island goes on with their days just by walking or bicycles. However, don't be surprise to find them walking past you. Even in a small island, they seem to be in constant rush.

Fishing boats dock by the jetty

The lifestyle here in Pulau Ketam is nothing but idlistic. There is nothing much to do other than lazily walking around the colourful streets, taking in the sights and sounds the market has to offer, watching the people tending their own businesses.

The colourful houses in Pulau Ketam

When it is time to feed your growling stomach, choose one of the many seafood restaurants along the main road. After all, this being a fishing village, it is not complete without seafood cuisines. After lunch, explore more of the island. Perhaps rent a bicycle and slowly cruise through the houses and its colourful facades.

That is pretty much what Pulau Ketam has to offer. It may not be much but it is an escape to the hectic lifestyle you are accustomed to in Kuala Lumpur. And a change of pace from city life is what doctor would prescribe for the weekend.

As the sun sets

Info Box

Pulau Ketam, Selangor.
The earliest ferry ride to Pulau Ketam is 8.45 a.m. while the last ferry to the island is 6.30 p.m. (on weekdays) and 7.10 p.m. (on weekends). From Pulau Ketam, the earliest ferry back to Port Klang jetty is 7.45 a.m. while the last ride is 5.30 p.m. (on weekdays) and 6.00 p.m. (on weekends).
Price for the ferry ride is RM 7.00 one way.

Visit Malaysia 2014 - Paradise Valley, Broga (#TSDayOut)

To support Visit Malaysia Year 2014, I will be writing on various tourist attractions in the country. Let us work together to bring in tourists to our lovely Malaysia.

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Paradise Valley, what an aptly named vacation resort. Surrounded by lush green of the nearby Broga Hill, sheltered under the blue sky, it does seem like an environmentalist's heaven. But we were here not to be up close with nature. That came in second. The primary reason we were here was to be challenged, both physically and mentally, as this resort is also a paradise for extreme sports junkies. Thanks to Tourism Selangor for organizing its amazing #TSDayOut (finally it has arrived), we got to experience some of these adventures for the first time.

Breakfast to start the day

We gathered in the headquarter of Tourism Selangor in Shah Alam very early in the morning before departing together to our destination. It took slightly more than an hour to reach Paradise Valley and after a simple breakfast, the adventure began. Before the adventures, a few simple stretching and warming up exercises, so not to strain the bodies.

Everyone gathered here before the start of the program

Instructor was showing how to fasten the equipments

Everyone was getting ready for flying fox

Then, we were split into 4 teams and 2 teams will be doing wall climbing while the other 2 teams will be doing flying fox before switching it up. This was to speed up the process. I was on the flying fox gang and this is something I do enjoy a lot. This time around, the slope is a bit steeper, making the gliding proces quicker and more adventurous. Your hands have to hold the harness so that the impact at the end of the ride will not be too sudden. In short, I loved it!

Visit Malaysia Year 2014 - Refreshing Springs Resort, Hulu Selangor

To support Visit Malaysia Year 2014, I will be writing on various tourist attractions in the country. Let us work together to bring in tourists to our lovely Malaysia.

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It was one adventurous stay after another. Our buses were too large to continue to the resort so we have to use the in-house vehicle. But cars, those are fine as I'd seen a few of them passing us by.

We arrived with style

We passed by many durian trees on our left and right, all bearing fruits ready to fall down. Isaac Newton would not have survive to develop the theory of gravity if he was here.

Durian trees are everywhere

Our arrivals were greeted with durian buffet and kedondong juice, another seasonal fruit grown here in this orchard turned recreational resort. Also known as ambarella, this refreshing juice is what you need after the all you can eat durians.

It looks like a peaceful neighbourhood than a resort

There are assorted living quarters here in Refreshing Springs Resort to cater various groups. Studios, chalets and terraces, just to name a few. The one I stayed in was a chalet, fit for a group of 8 persons. The bedrooms are comfortable and spacious, toilets are nothing but clean and enjoyable. Attached in the house are a living room and a kitchenette. It really felt like a home.

2 rooms in a chalet, each for 4 persons

Clean bathroom is what most people ask for

You do not have to worry about recreational activities for there are plenty for you to choose from. If you are into extreme sports, perhaps paintball and wall climbing are more to your tunes.

A round of paintball?

Or wall climbing?

Something more nature related? Well, how about fishing or bird watching? Perhaps you can try their hot spring which is the resort's main selling point.

Fishing pond

Hot spring

Breakfasts, lunches and dinners are all provided by the resort, buffet style. Simple dishes, really, but nonetheless, filling and delicious. After dinner, band performance by their staffs are definitely something to look out for as their musical instruments are all made out of recycled materials.

Guitars made from recycled materials

A soak in the hot spring. A good meal for the night. Durian for dessert. What a perfect way to end the night.

Refreshing Springs Resort is one of the resorts we stayed in during the Hulu Selangor media familiarisation trip organized by M-Mode Berhad, Santai Travel and Tourism Malaysia with supports from Majlis Daerah Hulu Selangor.

Info Box

Refreshing Springs Resort Sdn. Bhd.,
PT4049, Gumut Tambahan, Mukim Sungai Gumut, 44100 Kalumpang, Hulu Selangor, Selangor.
Room rate depends on season. For more information, please call Carol (019-3982988) or Grace (019-2401308). You can also refer to their website here.

Hotel Review - Teratak Riverview Resort

The journey to Teratak Riverview Resort was an adventure itself. Our buses were too big for the narrow road leading to the resort, leaving us no other option but to board on the lorries and trucks provided by them. For the outsiders, this whole scene definitely looks like smuggling of illegal immigrants, with us all standing at the back of the lorries and trucks. 

Teratak Riverview Resort

Humans and luggage were of little difference

It was a bumpy ride, to say the least. We constantly had to look out for branches and leaves in order not to get hit by them. Didn't I say it is an adventurous journey right from the start?

When we reached the resort, somehow, the air seemed much fresher. Maybe it was, what with the close proximity to the Selangor River and being surrounded by forest. It was definitely refreshing to be away from concrete jungle I'm used to.

Soaking in the river

Hulu Selangor - Pasu Batik in Felda Sungai Tengi

Deep in the unfamiliar part of Selangor, close to the state border shared with Perak, lies an unassuming house of one Puan Seri Rohani. This Malay woman, with her beaming smile, welcomed us into her spacious house and the first thing you will notice is the vast numbers of colourfully clothed potteries on full display.

Pasu batik on display

These potteries are known as pasu batik and Puan Seri Rohani has been in this business for decades. Literally translated as batik vase, this art form is a popular handicraft in Indonesia, especially Bali, and thanks to an artist who came over to this Malay settlement years back to teach the local housewives, Puan Seri Rohani has benefited from this art migration. Now with 5 other ladies working under her tutelage, her name has become synonym with pasu batik.

The first process, gluing the batik on the pot

Add in gold thread for beautification purposes

Frankly speaking, this is my first time coming across this handicraft. The production of one beautiful pasu batik requires nothing much that a labu sayong or clay pot, batik cloth, industrial glue, gold string and maybe lacquer to finish it off. However, it is the works itself that are the tedious part. Complete concentration and precise workmanship are a must to produce this handicraft. Depending on the sizes of the potteries, it takes at least 2 days to fully finish a small one. As for the prices, again, size dictates it with the smallest goes something like RM 75.

The final products

Here's a quick video of one of the workers beginning her making of pasu batik.

*TO BE CONTINUED*

Sharing is caring. A word of advice and a piece of information.

Felda Sungai Tengi is one of the few stops of the Hulu Selangor media familiarisation trip organized by M-Mode Berhad, Santai Travel and Tourism Malaysia with supports from Majlis Daerah Hulu Selangor. If you want to contact Puan Seri Rohani on pasu batik, call her at 019-5584766 or visit her house. Her housing address is 512, Felda Sungai Tengi, 44010 Kuala Kubu Bharu, Selangor.

#TSDayOut - Slackline KL

Often in the circus shows, there will be an act where the performers walk on a tight rope, elevated hundreds feet above ground level, with a long shaft to balance themselves while doing stunts. Audiences would go 'wow' and wonder whether it is easy to do that. Well, the answer to that question is hell no and I can attest to it for I had a taste of something similar called slacklining.

Helena Foo was giving introduction on slacklining

The idea behind slacklining is somewhat similar to tight rope, as in, you have to walk on a webbing (called slackline) anchored at two points. However, instead of it being taut, there is this bouncy quality to slackline. Just imagine yourself walking on a long, narrow trampoline or as described in the Slackline KL's website, "a giant rubber band".

It was a beautiful Saturday morning, the last day of the month, when I had my first #TSDayOut in Damai Extreme Park. This monthly outing, organized by Tourism Selangor, has been on my radar since I first heard of it but have no clue on how to get myself invited. Well, after the wonderful #TSBreakAway adventures, let just said I managed to get acquainted with these awesome peoples behind the state tourism board. The best part is that slacklining was actually 'discovered' by one of the Xplorers, Juan Lye (read about her first expose to slackline here).

Demonstrating how to lift yourself up on the line

If you think all this sounds easy and the idea of this being an extreme sport is preposterous, well, you have it all wrong. As you placed your first foot on the slackline, you began to feel shaky and unstable and this wobbliness best described slacklining as a whole. Using core strength, you then have to lift your other foot and put it on the webbing. When you successfully did that, your journey has only just began for you have to combat your way to the end of the line, constantly seeking balance to be by your side.

"Don't look down. Focus on an object in front of you and move forward," said Helena Foo, one of the Slackers with us on that day. Somehow, that was the mantra of the day. Our first attempt was an assisted one, going in pairs, with the one on the line holding the other for stability and support. Even so, it was not easy, as gravity kept pulling you down and balance wasn't much of a help.

Walking barefoot helps

After that, Helena began to increase the difficulties. From simply walking across the line to squatting down midway to pick up a ball (all these with supports from fellow #TSDayOut), to standing on both feet unassisted to walking without guidance to sitting cross-legged. It definitely was not going any easier. "If you are falling to the left side, use your right hand to balance back. If you lean towards the right side, frail your left hand." Another golden nugget of slackline.

Looks easy but it is not

Some seems to be born with balance at their grips, demonstrating perfect skills even though it was their first time doing it. Some managed to do it after much tries and practices. Some just failed miserably, like yours truly.

One of the few participants able to grasp the concept well

Much like anything in life, practices and patience are the key ingredients to slackline. No one was born with amazing sets of skills and Helena and her fellow Slackers definitely had their fair share of trials and failures to be at their current levels. Many of us had fun that day. Some even consider picking it up as a sport. As for me, I like how it challenges you to fight for balance, using every body parts to maintain upright.

Hakimi, another fellow Slacker, performing some stunts

As you get more confidence in your slacklining skill, you can venture into doing stunts and have the slackline being elevated higher. Just a simple Google search and you will find images of people doing slacklines in an unbelievable high, between two mountain peaks, bridges, and so on. That's an extreme sport for you.

Here's a quick video from my friend Khai who recorded Hakimi performing a stunt on slackline.

Thank you so much to Tourism Selangor for organizing this amazing #TSDayOut adventure and Slackline KL for showing us what slacklining is all about.

Sharing is caring. A word of advice and a piece of information.

Slackline KL is a Malaysia-based community and there is a weekly slackline session in Kiara Park every Saturdays open for public, free of charge. They will be having the last session of the year this 14 December 2013 before going for a well deserved break. So, do drop by on that day to find out more about Slackline KL and like their Facebook page to get the latest update.

Shah Alam - Arabic Calligraphy at Kompleks Taman Seni Islam Selangor

The young Malay girl was putting the final touch of the sentence, her concentration never once waver even when surrounded by photographers, all aiming to capture this moment at various angles. Her eyes kept looking on the calligraphy writing while her steady hand guiding the utensil along. 

Arabic scripts are first to be written in pencils for checking purposes. Once vetted and approved, the writings are traced in dark ink. If there is any mistakes made with ink, it is either lightly scraped off or a complete do-over. 

Below is a short video of Arabic calligraphy being done.

*TO BE CONTINUED*

Sharing is caring. A word of advice and a piece of information.

Kompleks Taman Seni Islam Selangor is the first stop of the Hulu Selangor media familiarisation trip organized by M-Mode Berhad, Santai Travel and Tourism Malaysia with supports from Majlis Daerah Hulu Selangor. Located at Persiaran Damai, Seksyen 10, Shah Alam, this complex open daily from 9.30 a.m. to 5.30 p.m. except on Mondays and public holidays. Do visit Kompleks Taman Seni Islam Selangor you want to find out more about Arabic calligraphy and their programs and galleries or visit their website.

Hulu Selangor - Overview (Media Trip 2013)

I just came back from a media familiarisation trip held from 27 to 29 November 2013 to Hulu Selangor organised my M-Mode Berhad, Santai Travel and Tourism Malaysia with supports from Majlis Daerah Hulu Selangor. This is my second adventure with the Sahabat Media Cuti-Cuti 1Malaysia and I have to say, it was simply wonderful. While the first was to Cherating, this time around, we went to explore the outskirt of Selangor, near the border to Perak.

If you are looking for natural retreat, Hulu Selangor is the place for you. Throughout these 3 days, we visited jungle and orchard, farm and insect world, garden city and city within a city. In short, we experienced all the best things the district has to offer. More will come for the trip but as the moment, just enjoy the photos.

The art of Jawi writing

Pasu batik, a local souvenir found in Felda Sungai Tengi

This is the view we got to see during our first night

Durian buffet all day long

Kuala Kubu Bharu which I was much fascinated

We ended the day at i-City, Shah Alam

*TO BE CONTINUED*

Hotel Review - Empire Hotel, Subang

In just another week time, the whole gang of #TSBreakAway will gather again for the award ceremony where the deserving winner will win the grand prize of RM 10,000. There are also CANON prize and a People's Choice Award where the public can cast their votes. Do vote for me, please? You can read my entries here.

Lobby

For the whole 5 days of the program, we stayed in Empire Hotel, Subang, a beautiful boutique hotel attached to the Empire Shopping Gallery. The entrance on the ground floor is just a small area for you to wait for the lifts (there are only two of them) to bring you up to the lobby at secondary floor. Receptionist area, in-house brasserie called Kitchen Art and meeting halls are all in this floor. Besides the aforementioned 2 lifts, there are another 2 extra lifts close to Kitchen Art, bringing in total of 4 lifts.

Where the ballrooms and meeting rooms are

Our room, located in the eighth floor, is very comfortable. The room is divided into 3 sections of sort, working area, bathroom and sleeping room. This is a quite a good planning especially if your room mate has works to be done. He can do so in the first section without disturbing you from sleeping. Wi-Fi is available inside the room.

Working area

Bedroom

Bathroom

Overall, I find the hotel quite a lovely place to stay in. The only con that I can think of is its food, especially buffet breakfast. The choices are the same every day, which is rather bland. If you were staying for a night, of course there is nothing wrong with it. But imagine us who stayed in the hotel for 5 days and having to eat the same breakfast throughout our stay. They should change it everyday to spice up the customers' appetites.

#TSBreakAway - Farewell

At the end of Shelah's show, she gave a searing rendition of Carrie Underwood's song, "See You Again". The chorus goes something like this:

"I will see you again, whoa,

This is not where it ends,

I will carry you with me, oh,

'Till I see you again."

That was the feeling all of us Xplorers were having as we bade each other farewells. It may be the end of #TSBreakAway but it was also the beginning of a lasting friendship for all of us.

Fellow #TSBreakAway Xplorers (photo by Ashraf Saharudin)

How did a bunch of peoples, strangers to one another 5 days ago, can form such a deep connection? That's the beauty of travelling.

#TSBreakAway is one of its kind, a pilot program initiated by Tourism Selangor to promote Selangor as a tourism destination while developing selected bloggers' writing and photography skills.