Posts Tagged ‘coast’

Traditional Malay Experience

Tuesday, June 1st, 2010

Malaysia offers diverse, cosmopolitan cities as well as unspoiled tropical getaways. The Tanjong Jara Resort reflects both Malay tradition and culture.

The signature welcome drink at the Tanjong Jara Resort is roselle, which is derived from the petals of a herbal flower called asumpaya. This was the first taste of Malaysia’s refreshing hospitality. After the flight to the country’s capital Kuala Lumpur, it is a 45 minute flight into Terengganu’s small airport.
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Sarawak Travel Guide

Tuesday, June 1st, 2010

Described as Asia’s best kept secret, Sarawak is the largest state in Malaysia, and also its richest and most varied. It is situated on the island of Borneo, and along with Sabah, makes up East Malaysia, which is separated from Peninsula Malaysia by the South China Sea.

Like her neighbour, Sarawak is equally celebrated for its natural beauty and diversity. This diversity extends to its rich cultural heritage and its preservation of traditional lifestyles. Sarawak’s numerous Dayak tribes still live in longhouses – these are whole village populations living in one structure, with separate rooms opening on to a communal veranda. This communal spirit is extended to visitors who are invited to stay overnight.
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Tioman Island

Tuesday, June 1st, 2010

Pulau Tioman is the biggest and most impressive island on the East Coast of Peninsular Malaysia. This turtle-shaped island was also one of the first to become famous, when it was the setting for the film South Pacific. This is the island that masqueraded as the Bali Hai in the movie, and today sun-seekers continue to throng the island to experience its mystical beauty. As a result, Pulau Tioman gets close to 200,000 visitors per year, and this really puts a strain on the island, making it the quintessential Paradise Lost.

The island of Pulau Tioman is 20 km from north to south, and about 11 km at its widest. Although many parts of it has been exploited, it is still a breathtakingly beautiful island, especially on a clear, sunny day, when the sea appears crystal clear. Most of the villages and resorts of Pulau Tioman are on the west coast of the island. The main one is Kampung Tekek, or simply Tekek, on the west coast facing Air Batang bay, and Juara on the west coast. Other villages include Kampung Salang, Kampung Panuba, Kampung Air Batang, Kampung Paya, Kampung Genting, Kampung Nipah, Kampung Mukuh and Kampung Asah.
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Pangkor’s Laut

Tuesday, June 1st, 2010

Malay, Chinese, Indian and Thai traditions, along with Ayurvedic techniques, are the focus of this Asian resort’s spa treatments.
From the corner of a drowsy eye, one can sight a hornbill, a peacock, even an occasional harmless Princess Tree snake or two as one’s warm, oiled body is massaged with pockets of soft rice heated in an herbal milk broth. A visitor who can instantly conjure this image has already enjoyed the Navarakizhi treatment at Spa Village, the four-acre indoor and alfresco sanctuary to the healing arts located on the private island of Pangkor Laut, three miles off the western coast of Malaysia.

Spa Village is part of the 300-acre island’s only habitable area, Pangkor Laut Resort, which is otherwise entirely surrounded by one of the world’s last remaining unspoiled rainforests and, farther out, by the Straits of Malacca. Lumut, the mainland city across from Pangkor Laut, offers regular ferry rides to the island. Visitors can berth either at the Lumut International Yacht Club, a full-service base with 40 berths and repair service, or at moorings two miles upriver from the yacht club.
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