mark smith exhibition guide malaysia

A trip to the factory area ensues. Upon our arrival, we are presented with chilled drinks from little pewter cups. We are then taken around the demonstration stations where pewter smiths show us the various processes involved in the making of some of the goods, including how a particular surface pattern is achieved and how a smooth, shiny finish is obtained.
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southeast asia tour packages, Meenakshi Temple

southeast asia tour packages, Meenakshi Temple  one of the most ancient in temple complexes, is the signature of Indian architecture. Located in Madurai in southern India, it is a stupendous complex, a great work of structural engineering.

Architecture in Indian Cup
Sri Meenakshi Temple, the masterpiece of Indian architecture, is one of the largest and most ancient temple complexes in India. The crowning glory of Madurai, the city of nectar, it is a stupefying structure, the treasure trove of Indian culture and ethos.

Synopsis

Country	India
State	Tamil Nadu
Location	Madurai
Known For	Skyscraping gopurams
Best Time To Visit	October to March/ April to May
Best Moment To Visit	Dusk
Architectural Style	Indian

Why to Visit

• Included in Travel Wonders List by the Hillman Wonders.
• Above 10,000 tourists visit the temple every day. On Fridays, the number reaches to 25,000.
• One of the finest specimen of Indian art.

Fine Points of The Meenakshi Temple

• Marvellous view of temple at dusk. Golden sky behind the majestic temple towers. It is idyllic!
• Incredible level of artistic sophistication- 'the Temple hosts stupendous 33 million carvings.'
• "Hall of a Thousand Pillars", is as great a work of structural engineering as it is of art.
• One of the most sacred sites for Hindus.
• Fifty metres high gopurams abundantly adorned from base to roof with flamboyant designs.
• The Temple, as large as a dozen football fields, houses a myriad of fascinating small temples and corridors.

The Temple
Lord Sundareshvara (Shiva), the Hindu deity of cosmic dance, and his consort Meenakshi are the reigning deities of this magnificent temple. The temple is unique for it dedicates dual shrines for the God and the Goddess.

Within its huge embrace, the temple hosts several attractions. They are as follows.

Gopurams
This majestic temple complex, stretching itself over an area of six hectares, has twelve gopurams, ranging in height from 45 to 50 metres. The southern gopuram, foremost among them, is remarkable for its harmony of structure. Nine stories high, it adorned with the stone carvings of Hindu gods and goddesses, painted in brilliant colors.

Dancing Nataraja
The image of Dancing Natraj is a well-renowned piece of art. Lord Shiva, the Indian God known for his cosmic dance, is also described as Lord Nataraja. ('Nata' referes to dance and 'Raja' to the king). The figure of Natraj represents the Hindu concept that human life emanates from five basic elements which are wind, earth, fire, water and space.

Meenakshi Nayakkar Mandapam
This spacious hall is thronged by more than hundred pillars, which are carved with the images of a peculiar animal. Miracles of Lord Shiva, and the story of Meenakshi's birth and her life as the princess of Madurai, have been depicted on the pillars. The land holder in side the mandapam has thousand plus lamps, which are illuminated during festivals.

Potramariakulam
An ancient stepped reservoir surrounded by pillored corridors, it is used by devotees to take bath. Stories abound that the meetings of Tamil Sangam, the ancient congregation of Tamil poets- were held in the area around the tank. was the meeting place of the Tamil Sangam- the ancient academy of Tamil poets.

Oonjal Mandapam
Situated on the western side of the Potramariakulam tank, it is adorned by 28 pillars, which displays sculptures related to Hindu mythology.

The Thousand Pillar Mandapam
This matchless monument of the Dravidian art is adorned by 985 beautiful columns. It also houses a museum, which showcases priceless idols, drawing, photographs etc.

Vasantha Mandapam (Pudhu Mandapam)
The mandapam is famed for Vasanthosavam, the Spring festival, celebrated in Vaikasi (April-May). The pillars embellishing the mandapam depict exquisite sculptures of Lord Shiva and his consort Meenakshi.

Temple Festivals
The Temple acts as a stage for several colorful festivals. Most prominent among them are Meenakshi Kalyanam and Teppam.

Meenakshi Kalyanam

The marriage festival of Lord Sundareshwar (Shiva) and Goddess Meenakshi, the reigning deities of the Temple, Meenakshi Kalyanam is the foremost event held in the temple premises. Celebrated annually in the month of April- May, the festival is known for the grand car procession of the God and the Goddess.

Conventional instrumental music, fand and beautifully embellished umbrellas are the integral part of the festival. Scenes from mythology are enacted, deriving huge applause from thousand of devotees, who assemble to celebrate the occasion.

Teppam
Teppam festival, also known as the annual Float Festival, is a grand event when the idols of Lord Sundareswara and Goddess Meenakshi are taken for a floating trip on the Mariamman Teppakkulam Tank. For several days they sail over the waters of the tank, on an illuminated raft adorned with flowers, and then, they are taken back to the Temple.

Architecture
Superb specimen of South Indian temple architecture, the Temple hosts stupendous 33 million carvings. The temple complex is embraced by a surrounding wall, with the two sanctums for Lord Sundareshwara and Goddess Meenakshi standing in the centre.

The prime sanctums are encircled by a number of smaller shrines and grand pillared halls. The highly impressive gopurams or towers rise from solid granite bases exquisitely carved with images of gods and goddesses, depictions of legendary stories and mythological figures.

The Legend of Meenakshi
As Hindu mythology holds, Meenakshi, a princess, was born with fish-shaped eyes and fishy smell. Holy men suggested that when she would meet her future husband, her fishy smell would vanish and her fish-shaped eyes would transform into beauty.

The prediction came true when she met Lord Shiva, who was destined to be her husband. Eight days later, she married him in Madurai. Lord Shiva took the form of Lord Sundareshwara or the Lord of Beauty. From the day, the Lord and the Goddess made Madurai their residence.

Concise History
The structure which stands today has its origins in the twelfth to the eighteenth centuries. Originally the temple was erected by Kulasekara Pandya, but the Nayaks, who governed Madurai between the 16th to the 18th century, deserve the real credit for making it. The marks of their magnificent impression are obvious in the Meenakshi Temple.

Travel Tips
Remember that it is a religious place. So maintain decorum.

How To Reach Sri Meenakshi Temple, Madurai
From the bus stand and railway station, buses, taxis, auto rickshaws and cycle rickshaws are available to reach the temple. From airport too, which lies at the distance of ten kilometres from the city, taxis and auto rickshaws are available for the site.

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southeast asia tour packages, South East Asia Tour

Singapore - Malaysia - Thailand
(12 Nights / 13 Days) 


 Day 01 : Arrive Singapore
As we arrive to this world famous metropolis, we are warmly greeted and transferred to our hotel. The drive from the airport is in itself the beginning of the wonderful experiences we will have with people, culture and scenery. Overnight Copthorn Orchid, Singapore

Day 02 : Singapore
Morning tour of Singapore will include a drive through the very interesting and busy Orchard Street followed by a tour of Indiatown, the Arabtown and the Chinatown showing a multicultural background of Singaporeans. We take a glimpse at the world famous Raffel Hotel. Afternoon is at leisure to explore Singapore and take advantage of the bargains in the duty free city-state.

Day 03 : Singapore/Tampin/Malacca (Train)
Early morning we are transferred to the railway station for the 8:00 AM departure for an interesting three hours train ride to Tampin (train timing subject to change). Enjoy the rural scenery as the train passes through villages and plantations. As we arrive our local guide meets us and we proceed to Malacca. We tour the historic sites: Cheng Hoon Teng Temple, the oldest functioning Chinese temple in Malaysia (under renovation, we will see the front of it), Kampung Kling Mosque, Jonker Street (Antique Row), Baba & Nyonya Museum, Stadhuy’s Building, Malacca Clock Tower, Christ Church and the famous Porta de Santiago.

Day 04 : Malacca/Kuala Lumpur
Depart by 8:30 AM for Kuala Lumpur. Upon arrival tour capital city of Malaysia: a photo stop at the King’s Palace, National Mosque & Railway Station, National Monument, Independence Square, Sultan Abdul, photo stops at the famous Samad building and the Selangor Club, St Mary’s Church and the world tallest free-standing flagpole. Continue to visit the Seri Mahamariaman Temple and the colourful Chinatown for bargain hunting. We culminate the city tour with a visit to the tallest Communication Tower in South East Asia for a panoramic view of the City. Overnight Ming Court, Kuala Lumpur (2 nights)

Day 05 : Kuala Lumpur
Morning tour of the Countryside where we visit the Ambassadors Road, a pewter factory, (Malaysia is one of the biggest producer of tin), Batu Caves, (except during Thaipusam in January), the sacred cave temple for the Hindus and a batik factory. Balance of the day at leisure to discover the good bargains, cafes and restaurants of Kuala Lumpur.

Day 06 : Kuala Lumpur/Cameron Highlands
Morning we depart for the Cameron Highland, which is located at 1542 meters above sea level and famed for its tea plantations and cool temperatures. En route, we visit a basket weaving cottage industry, Lata Iskandar Waterfall and a native settlement. Balance of the day at leisure to enjoy the cool, crisp air of the Cameron Highlands. Overnight Strawberry Park, Cameron Highlands (1 night)


Morning tour of the Cameron Highlands including the tea plantation, tea factory, market place and the famous butterfly farm. Afternoon, we depart for Penang visiting the Sam Poh Tong Cave Temple in Ipoh, the Ubudiah Mosque, Iskandariah Palace and Istana Kenangan. We cross over to Penang using the fifth longest bridge in the world. Overnight Bayview Beach Resort, Penang(2 nights)

Day 08 : Penang
Morning is our tour of this interesting town and beach resort which includes the 3rd longest Reclining Buddha in the world, next is the Botanical Gardens which offers lush green surroundings with a wide variety of tropical plants and bird life. Visit the Kek Lok Si Temple built in 1904, the most beautiful and largest Buddha Temple Complex in South East Asia and is known as the Temple of 1000 Buddhas and Fort Cornwallis where Captain Francis Light first landed. Continue to the old part of Georgetown where the Khoo Kong Si Clan House is located. Enjoy a breezy trishaw ride. Late evening, you can explore the nightlife along Batu Ferringhi- the Penang style.

Day 09 : Penang/Butterworth/Thailand (Train)
Morning we are transferred to Butterworth to board the international train to Bangkok, departing at 14:12 Hrs. Using the comfortable 2nd Class sleeping berth, we cross the southern Thailand Peninsula arriving Bangkok, the capital city the next day. Overnight on the Train (1 night)

Day 10 : Arrive Bangkok
Afternoon is at leisure. Evening we take an interesting cruise on the River Chao Phraya. This journey is the most pleasant way to discover the many riches of the city and pass through historical and religious monuments including the Royal Barges which houses exquisite carvings of mythical figures. Overnight Amari Atrium, Bangkok (3 nights)

Day 11 : Bangkok
Morning we take a tour of the “city of smiles” and visit the magnificent Grand Palace followed by the Emerald Buddha Temple and the popular Wat Pho – the reclining Buddha. We drive around the city and witness the everyday activities of the people residing along the banks of the Chao Phraya, the mighty “River of Kings”. Afternoon is free for taking optional tours.

Day 12 : Bangkok
Bangkok Day at leisure. Bangkok is probably the world’s best shopping paradise and you would need the time for bargain hunting.

Day 13 : Depart Bangkok
After an interesting overland journey through these three countries, we bid farewell as we are transferred to the airport for our departure flight.

Interested ? Contact us

Note: The above tour can be customized as per individual requirement & budget.

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malaysia travel guide - Destinations Featured Destinations

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Kuala Lumpur Batu Caves Tour malaysia guide

Believe it or not, some of Malaysia’s most iconic attractions lie in the outskirts of Kuala Lumpur. The city may have its wealth of mega-structures, sprawling shopping malls and nocturnal hotspots, but travel a few miles away from the capital and you will find some pretty fascinating attractions that are as inspiring as they are unique.
Batu Caves and Royal Selangor Pewter are two such attractions. Put simply, there is nothing quite like them. Located approximately half an hour’s drive from Kuala Lumpur, these world-renowned points of interest are never short of visitors, no matter what the season.

The Royal Selangor Visitor Centre

Our first stop is the Royal Selangor Visitor Centre in Setapak. Known the world over for its fine pewter products, Royal Selangor is the world’s largest pewter company and has been around since 1885. Consisting of three main areas – the gallery, the factory and the retail space – the visitor centre enables you to learn more about the history of this precious national commodity as well as how pewter goods are made.



A giant pewter tankard greets us at the entrance beside the pool. Named by the Guinness Book of World Records as the World’s Largest Pewter Tankard in 1987, it weighs at 1557kg and stands at 1987mm tall. A tour guide has been assigned to our group to take us through the exhibits and displays in the gallery, starting with the Heritage Zone. Old black-and-white photographs documenting the beginnings of Royal Selangor adorn the walls near the main entrance. Further inside is a mini-museum showcasing various traditional pewter mining and pewter making tools as well as archaic pewter-based goods such as ancient currencies made in the shape of animals and antique pewter wares.
 
We move along to the Experiential Zone, where visitors get to experience this versatile alloy in various ways: by touch and sight in the Hall of Finishes, by sound in the Chamber of Chimes, and by scientific facts in the Science of Pewter. Also featured in this zone are the giant numbers 1885, with each number covered in varying pewter finishes, and the traditional Yong Koon’s touchmark Yu He Zu Xi (Jade Peace Pure Tin), which was used by Yong Koon and his brothers in the late 19th century to mark their products.

We move on to the final part of the exhibition gallery, which is the Contemporary Zone. Here, a monumental replica of the Petronas Twin Towers made of 7,062 pewter tankards takes centre stage. There is also the charming Wall of Hands, featuring the pewter handprints of Royal Selangor’s staff, marking their fifth year with the company.

A trip to the factory area ensues. Upon our arrival, we are presented with chilled drinks from little pewter cups. We are then taken around the demonstration stations where pewter smiths show us the various processes involved in the making of some of the goods, including how a particular surface pattern is achieved and how a smooth, shiny finish is obtained.





We are then taken to the most exciting part of our tour, which is the School of Hard Knocks. Guided by an experienced pewter smith, we turn a plain piece of pewter disc into a simple bowl personalised with our names marked at the bottom, using a few simple tools. Taking approximately half an hour, we get to keep the handmade bowl and the apron, as well as a certificate to mark our ‘graduation’ from the School of Hard Knocks.


Our final visit takes us to the retail area of the visitor centre. Featuring 18,000sqf of retail space, it is filled with a wonderful collection of exclusive Royal Selangor gift items and souvenirs, as well as some collections from its sister companies, Selberan and Comyns. We make a pit stop at the adjoining café for some refreshments before continuing our journey to the tour’s next destination.

The Batik Centre

We stop by at a local batik centre en route to Batu Caves. Upon entrance, we are shown a batik-painting method called ‘canting’, where motifs of plants and flowers are hand-drawn onto a piece of plain white silk or cotton using a canting pen filled with candle wax.
Our guide then demonstrates the various ways to wear a batik sarong, which includes as beachwear and fashion accessory. We then walk around the shop admiring the batik items on sale – scarves, clothing, paintings, accessories and decorative ornaments – before heading out for our journey to the tour’s final destination – the Batu Caves.

The Magnificent Batu Caves

The highlight of the tour is the legendary Batu Caves in Gombak. A popular place of worship for Hindu devotees in the country, it is all made up of a series of limestone caves said to be over 400 million years old.
It is already drizzling by the time we arrive. The massive golden statue of Lord Muruga - the tallest in the world - guarding the entrance of the main cave glints ethereally against the cloudy sky. The temple grounds are filled with fat pigeons, but no signs of monkeys anywhere, which is quite odd as the caves are well-known for their long-tailed inhabitants. Two cave temples, Art Gallery Cave and Museum Cave, also are contained in the main complex, as well as a Tamil school, a few souvenir shops and several vegetarian restaurants serving South Indian cuisine.
To the left of the main complex is a 50-foot Hanuman statue marking the entrance of Ramayana Cave. The well-lit cave features depictions of the chronicles of Lord Rama and his loyal monkey aide, Hanuman, along its walls. As you walk deeper into the cave, don’t be alarmed if you feel as if you are moving along the intestine of a giant demon.

The Temple Cave can be seen high up in the distance from the ground. To reach the main cave, one has to climb 272 steps up the steep slopes. Being rather unfit, we have to stop a few times along the way, panting and gasping for air. On the way up is the entrance to the Dark Cave, which is well-known for its amazing rock formations formed over thousands of years.
When we finally reach the top, the sight that greets us makes the exerting climb well worth the effort (and pain). The biggest of all the caves, the Temple Cave is characterised by a cathedral-like cavity with a vaulted roof that reaches 100m high from the cave’s floor. There are several temples and shrines within the cave, making Temple Cave the focal point for the Thaipusam celebrations in Malaysia, with thousands of devotees climbing up the steps every year carrying kavadi and all sorts of offerings. The air is significantly cooler inside the cave; you’d be forgiven for thinking that it is fitted with an air-conditioning system.

As we make our descent from the mouth of the cave – significantly easier than the ascent – we marvel at the breathtaking vista spread out before us. Even though our legs feel like jelly by the end of it, it has been an exciting day for us all - starting the tour off with a man-made wonder and ending it with a natural one.

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malaysia travel : Mount Kinabalu

malaysia travel : Mount Kinabalu

Mount Kinabalu Introduction
Mount Kinabalu is the tallest mountain between New Guinea and the Himalayas and reigns over an astonishing variety of scenery. While the lower reaches of the mountain serve as a botany fanatic’s dream, it is the upper reaches that captured the hearts and imaginations of climbers. Mount Kinabalu is known to be one of the most accessible peak and no specialized mountain climbing skills are required to ascend it. Thousands of tourists visit Kinabalu National Park every year with the intention of reaching the summit (number of visitors at park headquarters now hovers around 200,000 per year).

the upper reaches that captured the hearts and imaginations of climbers

Most people take 3 days 2 nights to ascend and descend Mount Kinabalu, although it is doable in 2 days 1 night. The 8 kilometers ascend starts from the Timpohon Gate near park headquarters (1800m) at least before 11am, then another estimated 6 hours to reach the rest point Laban Rata (3273m). An overnight stay at one of the guest houses at Laban Rata is required if you intend to see the sun rise at Mount Kinabalu summit – you depart next morning at around 2am and it will take another 3 to 4 hours to reach the summit. Climbers then descend back to Laban Rata for breakfast before making their way down to the park headquarters by mid afternoon.
The distribution of flora on the mountain is a classic example of altitude and temperature-related zonation. From the warm lowland rainforests to the near-freezing alpine conditions at the summit, each zone is characterised by a quite different assemblage of plant species.
The best time to come to Mount Kinabalu is during the dry season from February to April, when walking and climbing is much more enjoyable. The temperature ranges from a comfortable 20-25 degrees Celsius at the main park to something approaching freezing near the top (depending on the weather).
What to Bring
1. Good Boots: Bring boots with good ankle support. Make sure they fit properly and are broken-in enough to ensure they are comfortable, because well-fitting boots can make the difference between an entertaining and a painful trip. Waterproof is a plus. Make sure it has good grip! Do not wear sneakers since they don’t support your ankles like boots do. The number one injury hikers face is twisted or broken ankles especially on during descend.

If packing space permits, pack in an open-toed sandals for your descending trip. It will be easier for the descend trip without pressing your toes against your boots all the time! Use it after Laban Rita and only if the ground is NOT slippery.

2. Water bottle: You can refill it on each shelter along the trail (rain water). I suggest reusing the plastic bottled water bottles; they’re a good size and very lightweight when empty.
3. Torchlight: Head-mounted is ideal for the night climb to the summit, as most of the time you have to hold the rope in the dark.
4. Personal First Aid

• Panadol / Paracetomol
• First aid kit with moleskin and bandages designed to cover blisters
• Sunscreen lotion
• Energy snacks: Trail mix or dried fruits are recommended but anything with high carbohydrate and low sugar will do. Also avoid snacks with a lot of salt as salt makes you thirsty.
• Bug Repellent

5. Plastic Bags: To hold your rubbish / keep clothes dry
6. Spare batteries: For torch light and camera
7. Smaller Bag / Waist Pouch: For the night climb
8. Waterproof jacket / Raincoat
The technical difficulty of the final summit stretch and the temperature at the top came as a surprise to most of the climbers on our trip, and few were prepared. The climb is not considered difficult in good conditions, but can rapidly become treacherous if the weather deteriorates. Mountain weather is notoriously volatile, as is tropical weather, and the two together pose a real threat to the safety of climbers and should never be underestimated. Make sure you have proper clothing prepared for the morning climb.
2 different sets of clothes for the Day climb, and Night climb.

Night Climb:
• Warm, lightweight jumper
• Warm, lightweight pants
• Woolen socks
• Beanie/woolen hat
• Gloves: To protect from cold and rope burn

Day Climb: It will usually be warm and sunny during the day climb, so lightweight clothing (t-shirts and Bermudas) is sufficient.

From the store at Laban Rata you can rent the following items:
• Sleeping Bag @ RM10 each;
• Jackets @ RM10 each (limited numbers of these);
• Blanket @ RM10 each;
• Towels @ RM5 each;
• Torch lights @ RM15 each (with battery) or RM5 without battery;
The Cost
Entrance Fees:

Malaysians – Adult RM3, Below 18 RM1Non-Malaysians – Adult RM15, Below 18 RM10

Compulsory Guide:

(Timpohon Gate / Peak / Timpohon Gate)1-3 Climbers RM704-6 Climbers RM747-8 Climbers RM80

(Timpohon / Peak / Mesilau Trail)1-3 Climbers – RM80.00 per trip4-6 Climbers – RM86.00 per trip7-8 Climbers – RM92.00 per trip

(Mesilau Trail / Peak / Mesilau Trail)1-3 Climbers – RM84.00 per trip4-6 Climbers – RM90.00 per trip7-8 Climbers – RM100.00 per trip

Climbing permit: This will be checked at both Laban Rata and the Sayat-Sayat hut.

Malaysians: Adult RM30, Below 18 RM12Non – Malaysians: Adult RM100, Below 18 RM40

Insurance: RM7
Day Climb to Laban Rata

Climbers are issued with permits after paying for their guide, their insurance and their climbing fee. The permit, which is individually numbered with your day of departure, must be carried on the trail for the duration of the climb. Most climbers will start their climbing at 8.00am from Timpohon Gate. After a short registration at the gate, you will be surprised that the short first section of the rough gravel and sand track leads down, not up, across small gully to join the main flank of the mountain, and past the little trickle of Carson’s falls, named after the first Park Warden.
From here the trail rises steadily as a series of rough, uneven steps, right up to the overnight huts at Laban Rata (3,272 meters/10,735 feet). One of the most appealing aspects of the trail is the regular appearance of rest huts every kilometer or so. Each shelter has a toilet and untreated mountain water source to refill your drink bottle.
At a height of about 2600 m. is the region which abounds with pitcher plants. Pitcher plants are carnivorous plants whose prey-trapping mechanism features a deep cavity filled with liquid known as a pitfall trap. Once an insect fell in, it is impossible for them to get out. As they drown and dissolve in the liquid, the nutrients are absorbed by the plant.
The average time taken to reach Laban Rata is about four or five hours.
Laban Rata

Laban Rata, the name of the most comfortable hostel on the mountain and also unofficially the name of everybody’s rest stop for the night, is located at 3272 meters. It has 52 dormitory style bunk beds with a common bathroom, heated showers and room heaters, conveniently located in the same building as the restaurant. It also has two private units the first of which can sleep 4 (2 x twin and 1 x double bed) or 2 (1 double bed). Both the private units have attached bathrooms and heated rooms and showers and is still in the same building.
• Dormitory bunks @ RM 69 per person per night;
• 4 pax unit @ RM 300 for the unit per night;
• 2 pax unit @ RM 180 for the unit per night;
Another 10 minutes walk further up from Laban Rata is the Gunting Lagandan Hut, a second dormitory style accommodation. Featuring 60 beds at RM 46 per person per night, it’s usually the next option when Laban Rata is full. It has basic cooking facilities (as Laban Rata has the only restaurant) and a common bathroom, which now feature hot water. The rooms, however, are still not heated.
Two additional units, further away from Laban Rata than just quick walk, is the Panar Laban Hut and the Waras Hut. Each able to sleep up to 8 people on dormitory style bunk beds, it has basic cooking facilities with common bathrooms. The water is not heated, as are the rooms. The rate is also RM46 per person per night.
The dining room at Laban Rata is quite a pleasant place to unwind from the walk. Tea and coffee is available, as well as a range of soft drinks, alcoholic drinks, chocolate and snacks. There’s also a ‘post office’ where trekkers can write and send postcards from high altitude! Drinks and snacks are more expensive than you’d expect to pay elsewhere in Sabah, but keep in mind that all the supplies at Laban Rata have to be carried up by porters.
Dinner is available from the early evening onwards. A range of four or five dishes is served, buffet-style, and it’s amazing how much food you can eat after expending so much energy during the day. Malaysian and Western dishes are offered, so everyone will be able to find something to satisfy their hunger.
If you are susceptible to mountain sickness, you may feel some headache, nausea, muscle ache and giddiness just before dinner time. You can take some medication to relieve the symptoms before you go to sleep.
In addition to the restaurant, there is also a reception area/check-in for your accommodation, as well as a souvenir/supply shop for if you still don’t have everything you need. There’s also limited facilities for excess luggage you deem unnecessary for your final stretch to the summit.
Night Climb to Low’s Peak

The next phase of climb will begin at about 3.00am, when you are woken for an early breakfast (at least a hot drink is advisable). You do not have to bring your alarm clock, as the noise of other climbers and guides will definitely wake you up. The restaurant is open at that time, but you can have you own hot drinks at your own hostel.
Above Laban Rata, the trail continues as a series of wooden ladders, fashioned out tree roots and branches. This is where a good torchlight is essential – as most of the time you have to hold something for stability, it is best if you have a headlight.
It would take about 1 – 2 hours to reach Sayat-Sayat. This is the highest mountain hut at 3810 meters (12,500 feet). Climbers will have their permits, registrations checked and given a whistle for safety here. This is also the last point to refill water, and to answer nature’s call. Beyond this point, there’s not even a small bush to hide you doing your nature’s call! You will now head up to the Summit of Mount Kinabalu, Low’s Peak.
The gradient after Sayat-Sayat can become incredibly steep and can be quite tricky and treacherous in parts, there are some places where the trail can be as steep as 70° angle! Always stay close to the rope so that you will not get lost.
The actual terrain is flat underfoot, but it is common to see climber bent almost double at the waist to keep their balance. There are parts when you’ll need to grab the rope, which is bolted into the rockface at regular intervals, to help you up short sections. It will take up to an hour and a half to get from Sayat-Sayat to Low’s Peak. Even before you reach the top of Low’s Peak, the views in all directions are incredible – St John’s Peak to the west, the Donkey’s Ears to the east and the distinctive South Peak to the south make up incredible scenery. The view of the surrounding peaks is magnificent. By 6.00am, you will be able to see most of the peak very clearly.
Panoramic Mount Kinabalu

Descent

On the way down, don’t run down the summit slabs. Several people break a limb doing this every year, when they get to a bit where it steepens and find that they are unable to stop…
At first, the downhill walk from Low’s Peak is blessed relief to your weary legs. However, as most seasoned trekkers know, it’s often harder to walk downhill for long periods than it is to climb uphill and Mount Kinabalu is no exception. When climbing down, you are exhausted and most of you weight will fall on both of your thighs, knees and the ball of your foot. Be very careful. Most of the accidents happen during the descent.
The descent to Laban Rata will take about two hours and it can be quite dangerous in places. Again, take your guide’s advice about where to walk and how to approach some of the more dangerous steep sections. Take some breakfast at Laban Rata and relax for a while, pack your gear and head on down. Stop and drink water regularly and eat high-energy snacks as it will get warmish on the way down and you need to remain hydrated.
If you start climbing down at 10.00am, you will arrive at Timpohon Gate at about 1.00pm. There will be a bus waiting for you there to pick you up and send you to the Kinabalu Park HQ office where you will register with park authorities that you’ve completed the climb. You can also purchase your certificate (RM10) for climbing the mountain: a colour version for those who reach Low’s Peak, and a black and white version for those who reach Sayat-Sayat.

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malaysia travel : Genting Highlands

If you are looking to spend some quiet time to relax, this may not be the ideal vacation location especially during peak season where Genting Highlands can get really chaotic with the influx of tourists from Singapore. Long queues are a common sight at hotel lobbies, and don’t expect good customer services.
Apart from the casino, Genting also houses an outdoor and indoor theme parks as well as a wet park. Its First World Plaza is the place to go for shopping and dining. There are also few hotels at the resort, ranging from budget to five star hotels – Genting (5 star), Highlands (5 star), Resort (4 star), First World (3 star) and Theme Park (3 star).
The furnishing of most hotels are pretty old and worn out. In fact, most of the rooms require renovations if they are to keep up with times (don’t be misled by the photographs of the hotel rooms shown on the websites!), hotel rooms are also unheated and can get chilly at night, especially during rainy days.

What to see and do

Theme Parks
For families with children visiting Genting Highlands can be lots of fun. There is a wide selection of outdoor and indoor theme parks. For water lovers, there’s a choice between an indoor splash pool with warm water, or an outdoor water park.
The outdoor theme park features more than 20 classic rides suitable for the entire family, such as the double loop Corkscrew, Rolling Thunder Mine Train, Cyclone and Flying Dragon. Other more gentle rides such as the monorail, mini train, Tea Cup and Flying Jumbo are suitable for small children.
The sparkling, new First World Plaza indoor theme park is the home for six theme areas from around the world each featuring unique rides — France (Champs Elysee), England (London), Italy (Venice), America (Times Square and Universal Walk), Switzerland (Swiss Alps) and Malaysia (Genting Walk).
The First World Plaza also boasts the Genting Sky Venture, the only free fall skydiving simulator in Asia.
Opening Hours
Outdoor Park: Weekdays – 10am to 6pm , Weekends – 8am to 8pm
Indoor Park and First World Plaza rides: Daily 8am to 12midnight.
More information about ticketing can be found at the Genting Highlands website, there are often discount promotions for purchasing the Theme park passes online.

Casinos
The casinos in Genting Highlands offer a host of exciting international games, among the popular of which are: Roulette, Baccarat, Blackjack and Carribean Stud Poker. There are also countless of jackpot machines, , but many if most require signing up with Genting’s WorldCard system if you want to withdraw any winnings.
Entry requirements: 21 years of age (irrespective of nationality and race) and a non-Muslim (if you are a Malaysian citizen)
Dress code: Long sleeve Batik Shirt or long sleeve shirt with tie
Where to stay

Theme Park hotel
Being one of the pioneer hotels in Genting Highlands with over 20 yrs of history, you can expect Theme Park Hotel to be pretty rundown. Although renovations had been carried out a couple of times, but still the Theme Park Hotel doesn’t meet anything near to nice. The Family Suite in the Theme Park Hotel is probably the best value for money.
For more savings, try booking the rooms via Genting Highlands website where extra discounts are often offered. The good thing about Theme Park Hotel is that it is located right next to the outdoor theme park but it is quite a distance from the coach depot which is located next to First World Hotel. For those who frequent the casinos, Theme Park hotel is also the furthest from it.

First World Hotel
With more than 6,100 “well-furnished� rooms, First World hotel is recognised as the largest hotel in the world by The Guinness World Records. What is not listed in the record book is the size of the rooms; TINY is the only word to describe them. The rooms are not sound proof and it can get quite noisy due to the proximity of theme parks and shopping areas. However all these are tolerable if you are not planning to spend too much time in the room.
There’s 2 different “towers” in First World Hotel, the OLD tower and the NEW tower. Always insist on getting the rooms in the NEW tower. Although the rooms are still quite small, but the differences between the OLD and NEW tower is world apart! ( For Singaporeans : Never book through an agent in Singapore as they will issue rooms to the old tower. If you already have a Genting green world card, just call the Singapore hotline and booked thru there, ask for the NEW tower. )
Adjoining the hotel lies First World Plaza with approximately half a million square feet of shopping, food outlets and entertainment space. Among the facilities at the Plaza are – The Starworld Casino, an indoor theme park, theater hall, restaurants, shops, internet cafés and food courts.
Resort Hotel Genting Higlands
Resort Hotel has 838-rooms which adjoin the Genting Hotel. The rooms are very run down, at best 3 star grade. There’s no mini bar or any complimentary drinking water offered.
From the comments:
By Lang on May 7, 2008
Resort hotel recently underwent a makeover.. the rooms are much better now..and toilet spacious and clean..they even installed nice shower heads
Genting Hotel
The only 5 star rating hotel at Genting Highlands, but don’t be fooled by the official ratings. Most visitors will be disappointed by the state of the room in general considering that you are paying for a 5 star room price. Although there’s a heated swimming pool, you won’t find any swimmers due to the “cleanlinessâ€� of it.
Awana Genting Highlands Golf & Country Resort
Getting to the central Genting entertainment area was a hassle, having to wait and queue for a bus to get to the cable car only to queue some more. Getting back to the hotel was at an non-negotiable price by taxi. It was the same price I had paid to get to Awana from KL city-centre. Probably would have been smarter to take the taxi back to KL rather than back to Awana.
The night I spent there cost more than most of the hotels up in Genting highlands. It was not the ideal golf resort it made itself out to be. The decor resembled and old ski lodge from the 1980′s. As a matter of fact it did smell much like the an old bookstore…. it had a musky feel to it all.
Hotel Seri Malaysia Genting Highlands
Located in Gohtong Jaya, Hotel Seri Malaysia Genting Highlands is a little bit out of the way from the actions in Genting Highlands but it offers tranquility within its quiet and cool surrounding. There’s shuttle service to go to the peak of Genting Highlands and the Skyway station is also close by.
Hotel Gohtong Jaya
Another small hotel located in Gohtong Jaya, away from the hustle and bustle of where the action is at the peak of Genting Higlands.
Eating and Dining

As Genting is a highlands resort, food is generally overpriced and mediocre. Local, Western and fast food (Mc Donalds, KFC, Burger King and Mary Brown) is widely available. Most restaurants are halal to cater for the large number of Muslim visitors.
Coffee Terrace: Coffee Terrace is manage by the Genting Hotel and specialised in local dishes that are served for breakfast until supper time. You can either go for its buffet spread or order the food ala carte. Its Hainanese Chicken Rice is said to be the best chicken rice that you can find in Genting Highlands. Its Indian-style Fish Head Curry is also worth to try.
Canteen Station Highland: This 24 hour food outlet is known as Kanteen Stesyen Highland (Canteen Station Highland) which is located beside Theme Park Hotel. The canteen caters mainly to employees of the resort and bus and taxi drivers plying the routes between Genting Highlands Resort and other cities. Many visitors and tourists can be seen patronising the canteen as well.Local food and delicacies such as nasi lemak, roti canai, kueh, fried noodles and selected mixed vegetables rice are available in the canteen. The Canteen Station Highland is probably the place for the cheapest food at Genting Highlands!
Penang Food Village (Theme Park Hotel): This restaurant would be unremarkable anywhere else in Malaysia, but in Genting it’s a notch above the competition: prices are reasonable (most mains under RM10), there are no crowds or clouds of smoke, and the food is tasty. Try the lor mee (noodles in black gravy).
The Olive: Located at the Lobby Floor of Genting Hotel, the Restaurant exudes a modern, arty design with a casual, welcoming feel in its ‘olive’ colours and warm lighting. Offering Continental cuisine served in a trendy yet elegant ambiance, the food features textures, flavours and styles in a blend of classical recipes with contemporary ingredients and tastes. There are choices of the best cuts of meat, seafood, salads, pizzas, delicious desserts, fine wines and more. Juicy, succulent Wagyu Beef is the house specialty. The promise of a gastronomic adventure awaits.
Starbucks and Coffeebean can be found at Genting Highlands, but often will be crowded especially at night time.
How to get here

Genting Skyway
Genting Skyway connects Genting Highlands with the skyway station in Gohtong Jaya town. Covering a distance of 3.8km, it is South East Asia longest skyway system and also the world’s fastest skyway (at the maximum speed of 6 metres per second, the 3.38 kilometres journey up the mountain peak takes only 11 minutes).
Passengers will disembark at the smart and impressive Genting Skyway Station at Gohtong Jaya. Bus and car parking facilities are readily available. The ultra-efficient station will allow hotel and luggage check-in procedures to be completed at the station itself. Visitors need only sit back and enjoy a leisurely ride up to the holiday resort without having to go through further hassles of checking-in formalities while at hotels.
Fare: RM4.00 one way, RM7.00 return

By bus
Genting Express Bus is a conveneint and economical way to travel to Genting. The buses leave from various locations in KL to Gohtong Jaya as follows:
Puduraya – Gohtong Jaya Skyway station

GENTING EXPRESS BUS SERVICE Ticketing Office: Counter No.43, Ground Floor, Puduraya Bus Station, Kuala Lumpur Opening Hours: 7am – 7pm (Monday – Sunday) Tel: (603) 2072 6863

KL Sentral Station – Gohtong Jaya Skyway station

GENTING EXPRESS BUS SERVICE Genting counter at Level 2, KL Sentral Station

Hentian Duta – Gohtong Jaya Skyway station
Terminal PUTRA LRT Gombak – Gohtong Jaya Skyway station

GENTING EXPRESS BUS SERVICE Ticketing Office: Ticketing Counter, Terminal Putra LRT Gombak. Opening Hours: 7.30am – 7pm Monday – Saturday. 8.30am – 7pm on Sunday Tel: (012) 2369 611

All buses take around one hour and cost RM8.30-8.50 one way. From the skyway station, its a mere 11 minutes journey by the Genting Skyway to Genting Highland. However, if the skyway system is closed for maintenance, all buses will go straight to Genting Highland. Buses departing after 8 PM head directly to the resort.
If you do not want to take the cable car:
Go to TITIWANGSA station in Kuala Lumpur, head for the PEKELILING bus terminal visible from the train station. Board the maroon red Genting Bus (depart every 1/2 hr till bout 10 or 11 at night. fare is RM5.60 per person) which will take you all the way to First World Hotel bus terminal (estimated 1 hour bus ride).

GENTING EXPRESS BUS SERVICE 6.30am 7.00am 7.45am 8.30am 9.00am 9.30am 10.00am 10.30am 11.00am 11.30am 12.00nn and every ½ hour until 9.00pm

Transtar also operates one daily bus direct from Singapore (S$68/57 one-way from/to Singapore).

By Car
It will take approximately 45 minutes to reach Genting Highlands – City of Entertainment if you start your journey from Kuala Lumpur Karak Highway. You can drive up either along Kurak Highway or the Batang Kali Road.
From South:

1. At Sungai Besi Toll, proceed straight, keep left, enter exit to Cheras heading up the flyover. 2. Follow Cheras direction, go straight. 3. Pass by Makro on your left, go straight. 4. Follow Ampang direction 5. Pass by Ampang, go straight and you will pass Zoo Negara and Melawati (on your right). 6. Go straight, follow Kuantan direction. 7. Exit Kuantan flyover. Go up the flyover and join Karak Highway. 8. After the Karak Toll, proceed on till you pass the Genting Sempah tunnel. Exit to Genting Highlands after the tunnel.

From North:

1. From Ipoh (North-South Highway), exit to Rawang Interchange. Proceed to Rawang Town. 2. Pass Rawang, Sungai Choh and Serendah Towns. 3. Next town is Batang Kali. Turn right to Genting Highlands (Signboard shown) 4. At the next T-junction, turn left to join road to Genting Highlands. 5. Afyer about 10-15 minutes, you will see Genting Skyway Station on your right. Proceed and follow directions to Awana and Genting Highlands.

Toll Charges from Singapore to Genting Highlands:
Malaysia causeway RM2.60
Enter N-S highway at Skudai toll , exit at Sungai Besi – RM41.90
From KL, go on till Karak highway – RM5.00
Total one way : RM49.50

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