The Road to Old Terengganu
Anis Ramli takes a road-trip on one of the earliest-built highways in Malaysia to discover the old-world charm of Terengganu...
The deep seas off Terengganu may be rich in oil and gas reserves, making the east coast state among the region's leaders in the oil, gas and petrochemical industry, but some argue that its real treasures are all found on the mainland.
With a documented history reaching as far back as the 2nd century, Terengganu certainly has accumulated a wealth of heritage influenced by the Langkasuka and Srivijaya kingdoms it was part of, and the Majapahit, Khmer and Chinese empires it traded with. Despite modern developments, the old Terengganu still remains - and the best way to explore it? Via Federal Route 3 - approaching a hundred years old, but still one of Malaysia's most scenic highways.
Malaysia Export Exhibition Centre
Did you know that there is a permanent display promoting local products and services from over 500 Malaysian companies?
The Malaysia Export Exhibition Centre (MEEC) at Menara MATRADE in Kuala Lumpur is the place for trade visitors to obtain more information on Malaysian local products for export.
1Malaysia Contemporary Art Tourism Festival
Vibrant colours leap out from the painting, embellishing the walls with a unique style of Malaysian contemporary art.
Malaysian art scene has steadily gained acclaimed recognition with the emergence of unique painting styles, catapulting Malaysia's artists to international prominence.
Gaining momentum as an art tourism destination, Malaysia is slowly but surely entering the international art foray with a yearly three-month long campaign held from July to September under the aptly titled, ' 1Malaysia Contemporary Art Tourism Festival'.
Entering its third year, the festival, aims to establish Malaysia as a hub for contemporary art in the region by showcasing the works of local artists. The collaboration of art galleries, museums, state governments, embassies and educational institutions, NGOs and the private sector is also helping to promote the event extensively.
1Malaysia International Shoe Festival
I love shoes!
Be-ribboned tied in cute bows, stilettos, chic sandals, jazzy platforms, comfortable pumps or even a sexy pair of boots, or two… oh, you’ll be spoiled for choice at this year’s shoe festival.
Especially with the launch of the 3rd Malaysia International Shoe Festival at Putra World Trade Centre, Kuala Lumpur. The event is held from 30 March till 1 April, 2012 starting at 10.30 am till 8.30 pm.
Striking Oil And Spilling Attractions
A lone oil well sits atop Bukit Telaga Minyak in Miri, Sarawak, an icon of the city’s present-day tourist attraction and an important landmark that sparked Malaysia’s entire history in oil and gas. Ironically, it almost never got built if not for the perseverance of a young college dropout from England.
Choosing cadetship over completing his studies at Jesus College, Cambridge, had brought Charles Hose to Borneo in 1886, where he subsequently played an instrumental role in shaping the geographical landscape and history of Miri.
Apparently, it took some 20 years – with many obstacles in between – for Hose to convince various parties of the treasures that lay beneath their feet. Hose, who became Resident of Baram (a district near Miri) in 1890, when he was only 27, had even put up a proposal for oil explorations in Miri; it was, however, rejected by a British consultant geologist on the grounds of rural Miri’s poor logistics at the time.
A day-trip to Melaka
Click! Click! Click! …
Standing excitedly in front of Porta De Santiago, Timothy Woo snapped away with his camera.
He and three of his friends, from the United States, went on a one-day trip to Melaka recently.
“We were asking around for a destination that we could go on a day-trip from Kuala Lumpur, and everyone suggested Melaka,” said Timothy Woo, of Boston, Massachusetts.
Dinos Alive!
Apatosaurus (pronounced ah-PAT-uh-SAWR-us).
This long –necked quadrupedal dinosaur, which lived during the late Jurassic period, is one of many dinosaurs now roaming the Pusat Sains Negara, located at Bukit Kiara, Kuala Lumpur. An exhibition highlighting these amazing creatures, titled ‘Dinos Alive’ is currently on display until 31 May, 2011.
Pinang Peranakan Mansion
Opulent Chinese mother-of pearl dining table graces the massive hallway. Tiles inlaid with small, brownish chintz decks the accompanying living room.
Richly woven tapestry adorns the walls; pictures of a wealthy Baba-Nyonya couple, the Penang Peranakans, hang demurely alongside.
The scent of antique, wooden teak lingers in the air.
Royal Selangor Pewter
‘It is World War II. Bombs fall as hungry villagers raided warehouses for food.
Amidst the mayhem, a villager named Ah Ham spotted a melon-shaped teapot on the ground. As he bent to pick it up, he heard a piece of shrapnel whizz just above his head. The melon teapot had saved his life!
For many years, the teapot was Ah Ham’s constant companion. He used the teapot daily and often entertained his guests with his wartime story and his miraculous brush with death.
The Islamic Arts Museum Malaysia
The smooth jawi script, intricately carved with the words ‘Tengku Khazijah binti Seri Maharaja Sultan Abdul Jalil, Riau 1127 (Hijrah)’, shone brightly in the glass case. The words were inscribed onto a silver tray, replete with small motifs.
It must have once been an important household item, used by a royal family. Present in the early days of the Riau Sultanate, it would have been used to carry delicious cooked food, and warm drinks for family members, friends and guests.
Other exhibits include a magnificent war helmet, inlaid with precious stones and made using bronze. It is from Iran dating back to the 18th to 19th century AD. There is also a pectoral plate made of silver inlaid with precious carnelian and turquoise stones from Bukhara, Uzbekistan from 19th century AD.