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.

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*

Cherating - The End (Media Trip 2013)

After 2 awesome days in Cherating, we have to leave the quaint beach town back to the city. After breakfast and a tour around the hotel, we had to start packing and get ready to leave. To end this amazing media familiarisation trip to Cherating 2013, I just share some group photos.

In turtle sanctuary (via Fadzly)

Cherating - Little Bali (Media Trip 2013)

This trip to Little Bali was an impromptu one. With the end of the theme dinner party, the day was supposed to end as well but we were told that there will be a bus trip to Little Bali, an entertainment outlet we saw the other night while on fireflies cruise, if we were interested. Why not, I thought.

The banner that welcomes you

Little Bali is located along that same stretch of road that we have been frequented to these two days, where Hafiz's Cherating Activities and Limbong Art batik are at. While it looks nothing more than a simple shack along the Cherating River, it is the atmosphere the pub/bar boosts that will truly amaze you. Owned by local artist DJ Shah, Little Bali is the most hippy joint in East Coast.

Everything was still slow before 12

When we arrived, the resident house band was already alive and kicking, jamming tunes that for sure will quicken your heart rate. The singers were dancing to the music while serenading us, a feat I find difficult to do. The dance floor was perpetually empty except for one Malay uncle, twisting and turning to the beats nonstop. That uncle really appreciated music.

They gave an energetic performance that night

The beverages are rather limited with the standard carbonated drinks, fruit juices and hot coffees and teas while local beers and wines for alcoholic ones. Neither cocktails nor mocktails can be seen on the menu.

This uncle seriously can dance

Sway your hip left and right

By the time it hit midnight, the crowd began to expand. This is something quite common, according to the owner, especially on Thursday and Friday nights as the youngsters from Kemaman and Cherating as well as the foreigners from offshore oil plants would come over for a good night. Fridays and Saturdays in the East Coast are what Saturdays and Sundays are for West Coast.

Just look at the crowd after midnight

We just sank into the music and let it took hold of our bodies until we were mentally beaten. It was about 1 a.m. when Whitney Houston's "I Will Always Love You" was serenaded to us as parting gift. Now, that is the way to go out with a bang.

This trip is made possible thanks to the peoples of M-Mode Berhad, Santai Travel, Tourism Malaysia and the Legend Resort Cherating.

*TO BE CONTINUED*

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

Located at the Riverside Chalet, Little Bali opens daily with live band performances from 10 p.m. onwards on every Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays. Just a 30 minute trip from Kuantan and 15 minutes from Kemaman, Little Bali is the resident fun house along the coastal. For more information, visit their website or you can contact them at 019-9836536 or 013-9836536. You can also leave them an e-mail here.

Cherating - Pirate Theme Dinner (Media Trip 2013)

As mentioned in previous post, The Legend Resort Cherating can organize a theme dinner party for your crowd if you requested for one and on our second day, we did have one ourselves. Our party theme, Pirate!

Welcome to Pirates Night

Beautifully dressed in black

Unfortunately, not many of us came in full on costume, myself included. We just wore a T-shirt, a Pirate themed graphic, given to us by the resort. What to do? I'm not used to attending dinner party with an eye patch and a stuffed parrot on my shoulder. However, some of the friendly staffs did dress up, especially the emcee for the night who obviously had Captain Jack Sparrow as his role model.

Look at the Captain Sparrow look-alike

Pirates on loose

The party was by the beach and it was a definitely a change of environment after having our meals at the Coconut Grove Coffee House for breakfasts, lunches and dinner. The whole set-up was all-black, with polystyrene plates bearing skulls hanging around and miniature treasure boxes on dinner tables. The meal was buffet style as well as BBQ. Our entertainment consisted of the said emcee (he was a hoot!), the 3 Filipino singers and our local celebrity, Iqwal Hafiz. 

Some of the decorations

Fruits and pastries as desserts

Roasted lamb

Needless to say, it was a fun-filled night and after the group photo taking sessions, we were told that there'll be a trip to Little Bali, a local pub, to have a drink or two and enjoy live band performances, if we would like to follow. I was like, of course! 

*TO BE CONTINUED*

Cherating - Half Day Tour (Media Trip 2013)

A restful night was the prescription for the fatigue after the eventful first day and the next day began with new spark of energy. While we can't begin the day with sunrise (it was rather cloudy), at least we had ourselves some wonderful breakfast prepared for us by the Legend Resort Cherating to fuel the day. When everyone was done, off we began with the half-day tour.

Even without a sunrise view, morning by the beach is still beautiful

Cherating - Turtle Sanctuary (Media Trip 2013)

East coast of Peninsular Malaysia is famous for its beaches. In fact, so famous are they that even turtles choose these sandy beaches as their spots for laying eggs and one of them is the Cherating beach. During nesting seasons, female turtles would come ashore, usually at night, to lay eggs. They would first dig a deep, wide hole where their eggs will be placed in it before covering back the hole with sands. When all these are done, which usually takes more than 3 hours, they would leave their offspring to hatch, and later, to fend for themselves when they venture into open water.

Turtle Sanctuary in Cherating, Pahang

Such are some of the information you can obtain when you make a visit to the Pusat Penerangan dan Konservasi Penyu (Turtle Sanctuary) in Cherating, Pahang, one of the many programs prepared for us in this 3 days 2 nights Cherating media trip 2013. In the state of Pahang, this sanctuary is one of the two state government-endorsed centers (the other being in Tioman Island) where you can brush up your knowledge on these delicate creatures.

You can never guess such a simple kampong house is the center itself

We were amazed by the numbers of turtles under the care of the center when we toured around the facility. You can see both adult as well as babies turtles swimming around the pools, mingling among themselves. These endangered animals are well taken care of to protect them from becoming extinct. Besides turtles, the sanctuary also houses some terrapins, another sea creature widely sought after for traditional medical purposes.

Baby turtles swimming leisurely

The adults are in a separate pool so not to harm the babies

There is also an audio visual room where you can watch videos of these sea animals to learn more about them as well as how the sanctuary functions. There is no entrance fee but donations are much appreciated. For more information, you can call Mr. Haji Abdul Karim b. Mohd. Sham, the person-in-charge of this sanctuary at 019-9888646. 

This trip is made possible thanks to the peoples of M-Mode Berhad, Santai Travel, Tourism Malaysia and The Legend Resort Cherating. 

*TO BE CONTINUED*

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

The Turtle Sanctuary opens on Tuesdays to Sundays, from 9.00 a.m. to 4.30 p.m. and closes on Mondays and public holidays. The center does not open for night visits anymore as the state government no longer allow the operations to avoid disturbing the animals.