Renting a Vehicle for Holiday? To Rent or Not to Rent?

I’ve been asked what are the things to consider when want to rent a car for holiday. Well, actually there are numerous of things to look out for and I didn’t have a short answer for this question. Finally, I figure that there are few most fundamental elements to consider on before going into a car rental deal.

1. Can you drive in that country?
Yes. The most fundamental question is whether you can drive in that country (where you tend to rent the car). Check whether your driving license is valid for driving in that country. Different countries have different rules. Some countries need a valid international license before you can actually drive there. Some doesn’t, they will need the driver to have a translation done on their driving license to local language or English. So check this out with the car rental operator or authorities.

Once you pass through the driving license part, next you’ll need to look at your capabilities of driving in that country. First check on the driving direction of the country. Next are the road conditions. It is very important we know about the road conditions before we even decide to rent or not to rent. For example driving on snow, driving on deserted roads, driving long distant, etc. Whether it is safe for foreigner to drive? Can you drive safely? These are the question you should ask.

Driving age. Different country and car rental operator has different rules on the valid driving age. Check with the local authorities on the driving age limit (if any). And check with the car rental operator what’s their rules on driving age. Sometimes, their barred rental to young or senior driver, or sometimes, they required additional insurance or surcharges.

After you pass through all these and still stick to the decision to rent a car and drive on your own. Next you should look at your budget.

2. Budget. Budget. Budget.
Hiring a car can be very expensive you are not careful with it. I wouldn’t discuss very lengthy on the items to watch out when considering a car rental deal. I’ll cover more basic elements when come to car rental.

Ask yourself what is your budget in renting a car. This will help you in determine the model of car to rent. To choose the model of the car, look at your need (e.g group size, luggage space, what’s the purpose of the car- carrying goods/ going to off beaten track/ normal traveling) and then look at the models available and compare the rate of rental.

Don’t forget to calculate your fuel cost into your budget planning. The price of gasoline varies in different country. Some country have fixed rate, some fluctuates. It is better to find out these information before you decide to drive on your own.

The model of the car and the cc of the car would mean different fuel consumptions. Another thing to consider is the year made of the car and how well the car is maintain. Sometimes, a beat up car has very high fuel (gasoline and gear oil) consumption.

And when you drive a car, you’ll need to calculate the parking fees and toll fees into your budget.

3. Itinerary
Why I put itinerary as one of the fundamental elements in deciding whether to rent a vehicle? Firstly, many car rental operators have minimum rental days. For example, you only want to stay in the city for 2 days and flying to another destination, most probably you’ll be paying high rental charges (usually the longer you rent, the cheaper the rate) or unable to get any rental. Another case is that you need to travel from destination A to destination B, so you would like to pickup the rental vehicle in destination A and return it in destination B. This usually come with a surcharge called relocation fee or inter-state drop off fee. Normally, you’ll get waiver on the fee if your rental is long (at least more than 3 to 4 days).

One should also find out the travel time from one location to another. Plan you driving time well, this will ensure you’ll have a safe and comfortable travel. Take note on the weather, road conditions, break time, map / navigator (or to consider get a GPS system). If you are planning to travel long distant, best to time your travel, avoid over long driving hours or rushing. It is also good to have additional driver(s), so that you can switch among drivers.

For me, these 1-2-3 steps are the most fundamental elements to consider about when deciding to rent or not to rent. I hope that these information is helpful. And if you need any advice about car rental, I welcome you to write to me. Hope my few years experience in the car rental industry will able to assist you.

P/S: In my coming blog, I’ll write about the general terms that one should watch out when choosing a car rental deal. Stay tune.

Susan Boyle Rocks

I want to admit that I’m outdated. Yet I want to say that Susan Boyle really rocks! Surfing on the net aimlessly, I came into this you tube clip on Britains Got Talent the first round Susan Boyle sang on the stage. A normal lady with an “aunty” look, what she wanna perform?

I hope that she’s not the lady version of William Hung. When she sang, I jaws dropped. She’s incredible! If I haven’t watched the clip, I would never believe that it is sang by a 47 woman like her. Angelic voice and the way she perform it is simply stunning. Wow!! I feel in love with her voice, her talent and courage to stand on the stage and show her talent. I salute you, Susan Boyle. Susan Boleh!

I dunno who to incorporate video into this blog (pai she la). Anyone interested to watch her performance, please click to this link. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9lp0IWv8QZY

The Urban Tarzan

Day in and out, we are busily rushing with our routines. All we face with are works, traffics, computers and the gloomy news. Want to get away from the busy urban life, for a little escape? Longing to get closer to the nature and add some spice into your life with a little adrenaline rush?

Be an urban Tarzan. Test your agility and face your fears with series of aerial obstacle challenges in the air. And you can get this experience by participate the Skytrex Adventure in a forest reserve located only about 30 mins from town. Yup, the Skytrex Adventure Park inside the Taman Pertanian Bukit Cahaya, Shah Alam offers such thrills.

What’s unique about this park is that the agricultural park and farms are inside a tropical rainforest. You only need to pay RM 3 (adult) or RM 1 (children) to enter this park which covers 817 hectares of land. The Skytrex Adventure Park is 3km away from the entrance of the park. A shutter bus to the adventure park departs from the bicycle rental shop every 10 minutes before each booking slot.

The adventure park operates on weekend and public holiday. For weekdays, they cater to pre-booking made for group with a minimum of 25 pax. This adventure park open to anyone young and old, so long that you meet the health and fitness requirements. They have 3 different adventures challenges for one to try on. The challenges are – Little Adventure, Big Thrill and Extreme Challenges.

Little adventure is the easiest among the three challenges. It is specially designed for children, however, adults who want to join in the fun are welcome too. Big thrill have 23 challenges, ranging from easy to difficult. The challenge ends with a 100m long high speed flying fox. And for those who like bigger excitement the extreme challenge is the choice. A total of 21 extreme challenges with some platforms build at the height of 22m from ground. S person must reach at least 16 years old and reach the height of 1.5m to qualify for the challenge. They recommend the person to have upper body strength and experienced their Big Thrill. Rates range from RM 25 to RM 40 per person depending on the challenge you choose and the age group you fall into.

Below is my personal experience of Big Thrill Challenge.
I rode the Skytrex shuttle bus to the adventure park. The park is in the middle of a rain forest. I could see the trees are high into the air (unable to the summit of the trees). Also saw some platforms, cables for the challenges, some young kids enjoying the challenges excitedly gliding over the pond to the platform located at another side.

I started to feel some excitement within me after I got off the bus. Me and my group walk towards the reception area to checked in ourselves for the challenge. All of us were to hand in the health declaration and indemnity form. They provide lockers for us to keep anything we don’t want to bring for the challenge. So long the items you bring with are not dangling dangerously and the person is comfortable with, they will allow you to bring along. Oh… how can I missed out the chance to take some good shoots, so I bring my camera long, I hanged it on my neck safely. I also bought a pair of glove (optional item) at RM3 to prevent my hand from any injuries. If you don’t mind to use recycle ones, you can also try your luck at the glove recycling bin.

Once cleared from the registration, we headed towards the gear up platform to equip ourselves with the harness. They hand in the harness to us but sadly they didn’t have the official briefing on how to wear the harness. Most of us try to figure it out ourselves, but got it wrong and waited for the instructors there to help us re-wearing the harness or adjust it to perfection.

Afterwards, all are to head towards the training ground. A lady instructor introduced us to the harness we are wearing. She guided us to check on the equipment, explained on it’s functions and the correct way to use the gear. She then demonstrated to us the way to handle the challenge on the training ground. And it is compulsory for each of us to complete the circuit of the training to familiarize with the activity and ability to handle the equipment in compliance with the safety standard.

Though the training ground trial is short and the height is low, I have few moments of hesitations on doing the challenges. I climbed on the platform, done the walking on the plank up in the air, performed a fly to catch the net and did a crawl up the net like a spiderwoman and finally did another flying landing on the ground. Phew! That was fun and it certainly needs some good strength to go through the challenges.

Since I am the first few who completed and passed through the training, the instructor called us to start the big thrill track while the rest waited to pass through the training. A friend and I headed to the starting point of the challenge. However, there weren’t any staff or instructor at the starting point, we inform the instructor at the training ground and she called someone to assist us. Maybe, it is because lunch time that instructor came running with a lunchbox in his hand and kept telling us it’s ok to start and ran off to else where. We waited few minutes still there weren’t anyone. The first challenge is a climb up to the tree. I don’t know the exact height, it roughly as tall as 3 to 4 storey building. I thought maybe someone would have waited us in the second challenge point up there where we could see. So I decided to start the track.

Yikes! The 90 degrees stair up the wood platform up at the tree weren’t as easy as it seems to be. Half way up the stairs, I already feel my stamina running low, I shouted out to my friend, “I’m tired.” Friends who were waiting at the ground encouraged me to move on. How can I stop at the beginning? I took a deep breathe and push myself up. I used my hand to pull myself up and leg to push upwards. Finally, I arrived at the platform. I’m relieved to accomplish the first challenge. I waited for my friend to climbed up the platform. Next, I proceed with the next challenge. Walk on a net bridge to another platform. I couldn’t see where’s the next platform is as there are trees that block the view. After finished crossing the net, still nobody was sighted. A bit annoyed at the bad service yet I’m excited to challenge the next adventure. To cross a zig zag plank.

Whoa! It is not easy to balance myself on the narrow zig zag plank. I pulled harder at the carbina to balance myself. Though the track wasn’t long, but I feel it is endless. My friend was asking me something behind, but I couldn’t concentrate what she said and kept silent. Focusing on my steps.


After a hard struggle on the zig zag, I finally arrived at the platform! I put up a smile and asked my friend what she was saying. I rest at the platform for a few minutes while wait for my friend to join me.

I couldn’t remember the sequence of the nest few challenges. But all are equally exciting and fun at the same time. The only setback was nobody at our track until I completed about ½ of the challenge.

Air hopping with the help of the ropes.

I'm getting ready to swing over to the big net at the opposite platform.

Finally I swung to the other side. Catch on to the net and perform a spider climb to the platform.

On our track to the end of the challenge, we saw few chicken exit for those who unable to take on the challenge. There also some short-cut paths to skip through a challenge with a simple flying fox.

About 2 hours later, I finally complete the track with a high speed 100m “wild revenge” down to the finishing platform. I’m tired, thirsty, sweaty, ecstatic and satisfy to be able to arrived at the finish point. Both of us rush to the reception counter and brought ourselves a can of cold 100 plus (isotonic drink). Ah… so cooling and refreshing. This trip is worth while.

It would be better if there were more staff stationed at the platform giving us advice and encouragement. I chatted with one of the staff stationed near to the end of the track, he mentioned that it not suppose to be this way. But some staff actually went for lunch break without informing their superior. So my advice is don’t take session near to lunch hour to avoid encountering the same scenario like us. Another piece of advice is that don’t go on too large a group. Like our group was 26 pax. Some participant had actually waited a long time before it is their turn. And due to safety reason, each platform can only hold 3 people and one must wait until the participant in front of you completed a challenge before you start. So those at the back wasted quite some time waiting. Especially if the person in front is having hard time to initiate for complete the challenge. Well, my recommendation is organize small group of about 10 to 15 and not more than that. But please don’t tell the organizer because you read my blog so you organize small group. They won’t like the idea. Ideally, their group size is 15-20 pax.

We retried our items, can got back to the finish point and cheered for those at the back of the line. Finally after 6 hours at the adventure park, all participants at our group completed their track. All were smiling and laughing, sharing their own experience. All of us eagerly want to get out from the Bukit Cahaya park and have our lunch/dinner. Very very hungry after all it’s already 4.30pm. And we had our breakfast at 8 something in the morning. Yahoo! Finally we can have our meal. We climbed into our cars and started the hunt for good food!!

Gold Leaf Village Restaurant @ Klang

After watching Astro’s TV programme, Taste of Jason by Ah Xian, we decided to try out the seafood restaurant in Klang. We clicked into his website http://www.axian788.com/, confirmed on the operating hours and location. We drove all the way to The Gold Leaf Village Restaurant, Klang.

We arrived at about 6pm and the ground floor was already full. So we seated at the first floor instead.

We’ve order the “Jiu Pai” Steam Fish.

Well... so sorry this photo is taken after we started to eat part of it. Also this dish is highly recommended by Axian, but I think it is rather normal. Yes, can’t deny that the fish is fresh, but other than that there wasn’t anything special. We also ordered another spicy fish head, but I’ll classify it as normal as well.

This is red wine chicken. I like this very much. You can smell the aroma of red wine when you taste the chicken or the sauce. Although the chicken seems to be fried before the gravy is pour on it, the meat inside is still juicy and tender.

And what I like best is the deep fried kangkung with sotong. The kangkung tastes like tempura, all crispy. It is very hard to believe that one can fry waterly kangkung into such crispy state. They also put special made gravy for the tempura kangkung and sotong. The gravy carries fragrance of peanut, which makes a nice blend with the kangkung and sotong.

Address: 45, Jalan 1, Kaw 16, Jalan Batu 3 Lama, Berkely Town Centre, 41300 Klang.
Business Hour: 10am -3pm & 5.30pm-10pm
Tel: 03-3342 2239

Additional Info: Be there early. If not you’ll be given a number like the bank does and you gotta wait for your turn.

Taman Pertanian Bukit Cahaya, Shah Alam

At least a decade had past since my last visit to the Taman Pertanian Bukit Cahaya (Malaysia Agricultural Park) at Shah Alam. I could recall the glory time of this park during my childhood time. There were hanging bridge, four seasons house (a building that replicate Spring, Summer, Autumn and Winter. The house showcases and allows visitors to see and experience the different season. As a young kid then, I always wanted to see the Winter at the Bukit Cahaya. That’s the only place that snow in Malaysia. So cool!) and it is a fun place to cycle as well.

Those days has gone. Taman Petanian gets less and less promotion as a place of attraction and recreation. I almost forgetten about this place until a friend of mine organized a skytrex adventure. And this Skytrex Adventure Park is inside Taman Pertanian. I’m excited to experience my first skytrex activities and to re-visit this long forgotten place.

About 30 mins drive from town we arrived at the park. To my amazement, the park’s car park bay was quite full. We paid RM 1 parking fee (per entry basis). We walk a short distant from the car park bay to the main entrance of the park where the ticket counter are. My jaw dropped as I saw the crowd at the entrance area. Many young locals and family are queuing up for the tickets. Not bad! I thought many people have forgotten this place as it has minima effort on promoting this place to the public.

Photo: At the entrance of the park

I took my time to survey around looking for information about this park while queuing for the entrance ticket. I found out that the entrance fee is RM 3 for adult, RM 1 for children age between 6 and 11 (and FOC for children below 6) and senior citizen above 55 years. The park is open everyday except Monday. However, if a public holiday falls on Monday, the park is open. And I couldn’t believe that the 4 season temperature house is still around. And one could go in by paying RM 3 for an adult and RM 1 for a child (age between 4 and 11). If you would like to spend a night at the park, they have chalet and camp site as accommodation options. The rates of the accommodation ranging from RM 5 to RM 100. They also have few dedicated sites for outdoor functions.

Oh boy, I couldn’t wait to see what’s inside. Finally, we got our tickets and we got inside the park. Once we entered, I saw a food outlet and bicycle rental facilities. The hut for bicycle rental for packed with people who are keen to ride and explore the park. I wish I got the time to take a ride as well. But, we gotta proceed to the Skytrex Adventure Park located somewhere in this Agricultural Park in less than 30 minutes time. I need to catch the bus dedicated to ferry all the Skytrex participants to the adventure park in font of this small hut. So, I put the idea of riding the bicycle off.

Photo: People waiting to get their bicycle at the bicycle rental shop.

Photo: A random shot at the park

A friend of mine got a map of the park from the staff at the entrance and found out that this park has certainly evolved into a better and larger state than a decade ago. It has more farms area introducing the variety agricultures of Malaysia, 2 dam areas, a place for kayak, flying fox facilities, rabbit farm, birds park, outlook tower, cultural village and orchids garden, etc. The park covers an 817 hectares land. Although, there are many semi open air type of buses ferrying visitors to different place of this park, I didn’t explore the park due to the time constrain. I just took a short walk nearby the entrance and return to hut to catch the bus to the Skytex Adventure Park.

Well, what’s this Skytrex thingy? Actually it is adventure activities that take the participants from tree to tree via series of aerial obstacles in the air. I’ll save the Skytrex experience of mine in the next blog.

Guys and gals, getting excited to visit this park? Well, I think it is worth the entrance ticket. You can get close to the nature, learn about the agricultures of Malaysia, picnic, experience the adventure (or see someone doing it), fishing, cycling, jungle trekking and so much more. It is place that suits for family outings. Bring along the insect repellent if you are very sensitive to mosquitoes. The only set back that I found out is that most of the signage I saw was only written in Bahasa Malaysia. Do ask for an English version of the map from the counter / entrance area is you need to.

Ok, here’s the information for those interest to go to the park.
Address: Taman Pertanian Malaysia, Bukit Cahaya Seri Alam, 40000 Shah Alam, Selangor.
Tel: 603- 5510 7048

Map:

Addicted!!

I remembered about 3 years back I entered a training and it requires the participants to switch off (yes, I do mean switch off) their mobile during the 5 days training. (Of course, re-switching on the phone during breaks and after the training hours are allowed). Yet, I found myself very reluctant to switch it off. I do not often get calls via my mobile. And I have taken my days off from work for the training (it doesn’t matter much if my colleagues unable to get me during the training.) I’ve plan my work well before taking the leaves. And there weren’t anything special happening during that period of time. Still I am reluctant to switch the mobile off. And I felt terribly uncomfortable to switch it off! And this exercise told me that I am addicted to mobile phones. I am a slave of the technology!

During that training, I found that many more people faced the same addiction as I am. Some are even addicted to the extend that they simply couldn’t switch it off at all. They quietly turn to silent and vibrate mode.

It is true that we cannot survive turning the phone off for few hours a day? Imagine the time we are without our mobile. Life goes on. Yeah, maybe once awhile when we need to make calls and the public phones were not working (due to vandalism. What a shame!)

I got my mobile during my college time. A pre-paid phone sponsored by my brother. I tagged my brother’s car to go home most of the days. Usually he made calls to me when he arrived outside my college gate or informed me about late pickups. And majority of the time, I didn’t pickup his call or I picked it up after few times of calls and worse, I forgot to turn it on or it is in silent mode. He used to scold me because I didn’t pickup the calls. And complains about wasting money to sponsor me the phone :P

I recalled one evening I sitting at the canteen area, reading on the book. Suddenly I heard my brother voice, angrily asking, “Where is your phone?” I looked at him, I knew must have missed his call again. Feeling guilty, I quickly dig into my bag and found the phone. I took a look on the phone. Yikes! 8 missed calls!! No wonder he is angry. He told me he started to make his first call ½ earlier. And I just didn’t realize it at all.

And I continue to miss out calls to my mobile even after I graduated from college and into working world. Now that I rarely left my mobile 3 metres away from me. Switching on my phone the first time I wake up. Plus, overly sensitive to mobile ringing tones. I categorized myself as the paranoid mobile user. Sometimes, when I go shopping (or where in places that is noisy) and I heard tones my mobile ringing. I would quickly press my hand to my bag where my mobile place, sensing whether any vibrate on my mobile. Checking and make sure I didn’t miss any calls. Oh no! I’m a slave of the technology which supposed to bring convenient to me. How can this happen?

Many people say that mobile phones are intruding into their privacy. People can find them anywhere, anytime as long as you hold you mobile, especially with the roaming and locater (like friend finder function) technology available cheaply. Yet, in what position we are to blame? We as the users are not responsible over the usage. We become overly addicted and relying on the technology. Yes, no more slaving to my mobile phone! Be a master of the technology. Be responsible and a smart user of the technology.

Kopitiam, Coffee, Toast & Kaya

Looking for a place to yum cha (have tea)? Or simply want to have some local snacks to munch on? Personally, I like to go this particular café as the foods and the ambiance are both satisfactory.

This café is call K3K (桂三記) located at Damansara Perdana. It is originated from Kuala Lipis (but they never mentioned of having outlet in Kuala Lipis).


This is a photo taken from the inside of the café. Nostalgic and homely decorations.

What’s good? My recommendations are their K3K coffee drinks (I don’t drink coffee, but many friends who like coffee give thumb up for their coffee.), toast, nasi lemak and kaya.

I like their toast. Yummy! Especially those with serve with their specially made kaya. Shown in photo is the K3K super 3 in 1 toast, where inside they put the kaya, jam and peanut butter. Toast til golden brown, crunchy, sweet. Each toast is cut into bite size.

Their yau char kuai (油條) also very nice. It is unlike the normal yau char kuai we can get outside. It is less oily, smaller in size and they serve it with kaya. You can either dip with kaya or their coffee.

This one is the curry puff, but it is not a normal curry puff. It is a Giant curry puff that is 8 inches long. You can share it with 2 to 4 person. RM 3.30 per piece.

They also have many type of kuih that goes with coffee and tea. Like the “ang ku”, roti kok, “man tou bao”, cream crackers, home made ketupat, etc.

This is one of their special drinks. The milk cincau – Cincau in evaporated milk and some gula Melaka (I suppose). If you don’t like less sweet, don’t stir too much as the sugarly content is at the bottom of the glass. The cincau is finely cut, so it is each to suck with your straw.

If you want to have something more filling, they also have the nasi lemak, penghulu fried chicken + rice (quite nice, I tried this before), tom yam, spahagetti and so on.

Branches: Subang Jaya, Klang
Type: Café, halal
My rating: 3 stars (out of 5 stars)

Introductory to Malaysia Foods

One of the great attractions while traveling in Malaysia is food. Local cuisines are divided into many types. Food preparations are creative as a result of the multi racial and cultural legacy.

Local cuisine can be mainly divided into Malay, Chinese, Indian, Nyonya and Portuguese food. And each type of the local cuisine has many sub-categories depending on the cooking variations. For example, in Malay cuisine, it has Kelantanese, Johorean style, etc. For Chinese food it can be sub-categorised as cooking with Teow Chew influence, Penang style, Hakka cuisine, Hokkien cuisine and many more.

Recent years, the fusion food trend is getting more popular. These fusion food restaurants / cafés offer local and international food. It offers better variations to the increasingly demanding food taste of the Malaysian.

For food lover, I strongly recommend that you to visit Penang, Kuala Lumpur, Malacca and Johor for your food adventure. Each state has different reasons why it worth your gastronomy urges to visit.

Penang food is ever popular. No matter which part of Malaysia you are visiting, it is common that you’ll find Penangese foods around. Of course, nothing is better than having the Penang food in Penang itself. No matter whether you like spicy foods, local snacks or dessert, you’ll find that Penang just has the right type of foods to satisfy your needs. Those categorized as the top most delicious and celebrated foods include the Penang laksa, Har Mee (Prawn noodle), Rojak Penang (a type of local fruit salad) and Chendol (cold dessert drinks). There are simply too many great foods available in Penang, you gotta try it out yourself and tell me your dining experience.

If you do not have enough time to visit all the places in Malaysia to taste the foods, Kuala Lumpur (KL) is the place to be. Being the capital of Malaysia, KL is resided by people from all other states of Malaysia. Thus, best foods from their hometown are brought to KL. That’s why KL is a where all the good foods gathers. And no matter what time of the day, good food is always just around the corner. Johor is another state where famous delicacies around Malaysia meet.

Unique Nyonya and Portuguese foods are famous in the historical and cultural rich Malacca. Baba and Nyonya, the Peranakan (Strait Born Chinese) cooking is famous for the various usage and blend of spices. Their foods are mostly spicy hot and full of aromatic scent. Nyonya kuih (pastries) are also famous delicacies in Malacca. Similar to the Peranakan cookings, Portuguese cuisine is another must try dishes in Malacca. Their famous dishes include the Devil Curry (cook with beef or chicken), Garing-garing (a type of fried snack) and cucumber & pineapple salad.

If you are less adventure about foods and would like to have something you are more familiar with? No worries, in the gastronomy heaven like Malaysia, you can find almost any type of eating outlets. Thai, Korean, Japanese, Western, Middle Eastern and Vietnamese food and dining outlets are common in Malaysia, especially in the city areas. Not quite satisfied yet? You can also opt for fast food. Here, we have local fast food chain, western fast food chain, Korean fast food, etc. From burgers, wafers, pizzas, sandwiches, sushi, fish and chips to fried chicken. Fast food outlets are widely available. Some of these fast food outlets even operate on a 24/7 basis.
Regarding the place to dine, one can choose to dine at five star hotels, restaurants, fast food chains, cafés, food courts, hawker centres, food kiosks / stands to road side stalls. The price is relatively affordable. Enjoying the local authentic food and dining experience is a must during visit to Malaysia. I’ll write more about foods that you shouldn’t missed out during your visit to Malaysia in other write-ups.

Another unique dining experience you shouldn’t miss is to dine at a mamak outlet. Mamak actually means Indian Muslim. Here, people refer the stalls man by the Indian Muslim selling halal Indian and Malay fusion foods as Mamak. Going to Mamak is part of the Malaysian culture. The food is delicious, affordable and acceptable by all races of Malaysia. Thus, Malaysian chooses Mamak as the hang out place. We can just order a drink (teh tarik, teh limau, limau ice, milo shake, kopi) and chit chat with friends. The friendly Mamak will always welcome you. You can sit and chat as long as you wish to. If you are hungry, they have the roti canai (grill fried pancake), nasi kandar (rice with various dishes to choose from), nasi goreng (fried rice, Mamak style of course) and much more to choose from. Although nowadays there are generally 2 types of Mamak store. One is the most common road side Mamak food stalls, another is the modern Mamak restaurant. Most Malaysian refer going for a tea (usually to hang out and chit chat) as “yum cha”. So don’t forget to “yum cha” at Mamak.

Trend of “yum cha” is getting more popular in recent years. Kopitiam (meaning coffee shop) type of café is mushrooming in Malaysia. Usually, these café offer a fusion of local cuisines, good ambiance and wi-fi (wireless internet) facilities. The operation hours of these outlets mostly are extended to 10pm or 11pm. And that’s a just glimpse about food in Malaysia. Malaysia is a country that full of great foods. A must go place for food lover / adventure. I am sure the interesting potpourri of foods in Malaysia will give many surprises and satisfaction to your taste bud!

Shop til you drop

Save plenty of room in your suitcase! Malaysia offer abundance of tempting one stop shopping centres/ malls, boutique, day and night markets & bazaar to satisfy your buying needs.

Kuala Lumpur and Petaling Jaya
Kuala Lumpur is definitely the paradise for the shopping lovers. Best place to hunt for latest fashion items, branded goods and technological gadgets. Where’s the best place to shop? Well, it is much depends on what are the items that you are looking for and what type of shopping experience you want. I’ll provide a list of the shopping area with a brief of what’s one can expect of.

· Suria KLCC. Commonly known as KLCC by the local. It is located at Jalan Ampang, conveniently connected by public transports. It is famous for its up market merchandise. Will find many luxury and branded boutiques and outlets inside this mall. Besides, you can visit the Petronas Twin Tower just neighboring the Suria shopping centre. Also connected to the building is the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre, Aquaria (Aquarium Centre) and hotel.

· Bukit Bintang Area. I would say this is “The Place” for ultimate shopping experience. Modern shopping complexes, entertainment outlets, f&b outlets, international hotels making Bukit Bintang the hottest shopping area in Malaysia. Sungei Wang Plaza - famous for latest fashions & accessories outlets, also a good place to look for souvenirs. Lot 10, Pavillion & Starhill – you can find mid range to exclusive designer items in these three malls. Imbi Plaza – Malaysia first and largest digital mall. Computers, notebooks, computer peripherals, latest mobile and IT gadgets outlets gather in this mall. Don’t forget to bargain price. Berjaya Times Square – one stop shopping mall with an indoor theme park. Don’t forget the many individual shopping outlets along Jalan Bukit Bintang. And if you are tired of walking and shopping, try out the reflexology services around the area. Night at Bukit Bintang is even livelier with the many f&b and entertainment outlets available at the famous “Bintang Walk”. Enjoy and cup of coffee or have a beer to unwind after a day of shopping.

· Mid Valley Megamall. Another one stop shopping centre in KL. I suggest you go visit this mall whenever it is near to any festive celebration (that Malaysians celebrate). Why? Malaysia malls like to decorate accordance to the festive. So each time there’s a festival coming up, all the participating malls will decorate accordance to the theme. This particular mall gets numerous best decorated mall in Malaysia. Well, it is a good place to shop, watch a movie, dine in, enjoy the ornaments and decorations and know a little about the festivals celebrated by Malaysians.

· One Utama Shopping Mall, also known as 1U. Another shopping mall that bags many of the best decorated rewards. Mid range shopping merchandise. A live studio inside in mall. There’s also a small rainforest built in the mall.

(sometimes, lion dance performance can be seen at activities held by the shopping malls.)

· Mutiara Damansara Area. I would say these shopping malls are mainly cater to the residents staying nearby. Yet, I love this place because all the malls are so conveniently connected to each other and one can get anything needed from this area. So what’s in the area? There are shopping malls The Curve and Ikano, two mega lifestyle / furniture store – Ikea and Courts mammoth (you can get almost any household items just shop in these two store), a Cineplex – Cineleisure (cinema and bowling centre) and a Hypermarket Tesco.

· Central Market also known as Pasar Seni. Apart from all those modern shopping, this is a place where craft, painting and souvenirs are aplenty. So, you mustn’t missed this place if you wanted to look for local craft and art pieces. A formerly wet market has converted into air-conditioned shopping bazaar. It attracts many tourists to visit the place everyday. Across Central Market is “Goldsmiths Row”. Gold, jewellery, diamonds and jades are sold in the jewellery shops.

· Petaling Street Area, the Chinatown of KL. You can find lots of shops and stalls offering handbags, clothes, shoes, accessories, textiles, replicas, watches, leather goods. Bargaining is a must when you shop here. Foodstuff, fruits and herbs also easily available here. The place gets more crowded during evening and night.

· Masjid India Area. Famous for textile business.

· Ain’t enough? No worries, there are heaps of area to shop in KL. Go to a day / night market where the locals go. Famous night market – Cheras, Taman Connought. Duty Free shopping at KLIA airport and there are also some duty free shop around the town. Buy batik and pewters (famous pewter’s makers -Royal Selangor and Tumasek) as souvenirs. Night life and fashion lover, Bangsar area is another good choice.

Malacca
Good place to buy souvenir. Attention to antiques lovers and collectors, Malacca is the right place to look for the antique pieces. Woodcraft and antique (or replica of antique) furniture is available at Malacca. Germstones, porcelain, silverware, batik, trinkets, baju kebaya specialty store, art, craft and handicraft pieces are among the items hot on Malacca shopping lists. Where can you shopo? Jonker Street (antiques, woodcrafts, silverware), Jalan Tun Tan Cheng Lock, bazaar at Stadhuys and Jalan Laksamana (galleries).

Johor
Similar to KL, Johor especially Johor Bahru has many modern shopping malls and complexes. Night time, Danga Bay is another area worth visting with many stores selling fashion items and souvenirs.

Langkawi
Langkawi is famous for duty free shopping. Many stalls and stores selling clothes, crafts and souvenirs around the jetty/ town (Kuah) area. Another shopping point is the Oriental Village at Burau Bay. This place provides unique shopping experience and cable car access to local tourist attraction.

Penang
For me, Penang is always related to food. Many people will shop for foodstuff at Penang. Unique local produce include nutmeg and nutmeg’s products, prawn pastes, durians (branded durians) & durian products. Gurney Plaza, Gurney Drive (hawkers food stall and other merchandise stalls starts business on the evening), Komtar, night market at Batu Ferringhi area.

East Coast – Kuantan, Terengganu & Kelantan
Here, shopping malls and complexes are very much less compare to other states. However, they are famous for local handicraft products. Terengganu is well known for silk and songket products. Visit the Sutera Semai Centre (silk weaving centre). And if you are visiting Kelantan, lookout for silk, batik and wood craft products. Central Market of Kota Bahru is a good place for shopping the local products.

Not many official sites will recommend shopping in Kuantan. Besides, I don’t think they want to write on what’s Kuantan famous for. But if you ask me, I’ll tell you it’s the fish products. Usually local tourist like us will buy the dried anchovies, salted fish (ask the best quality salted fish in Malaysia. Try it out!) and the satay fish (a type of snack).

Sabah
Recent years, the commercial and shopping area are catching up especially in Kota Kinabalu town area. The 1Borneo is one of the famous newly open mall in Kota Kinabalu. And don’t forget to visit the Philippinos Market along the waterfront of KK town. Knick-knacks, fashion accessories (especially pearl is famous), crafts are widely available.

Sarawak
Very little shopping compare to West Malaysia. However, cheap garments, toys and fashion accessories are easily available at souvenir shops around town. In Sarawak there are many pepper plantation, so high quality pepper and peppers products are abundant here. And for many Asian, they will also like to buy the bird nest products which are famous in both Sabah and Sarawak. Oh… don’t forget to try the sagu products (foodstuff).

Of course, Malaysia has much more to offer than what I can write here. And I’m sure you’ll have bounty items on your way back. Shop all you can and share with me your shopping experience.