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<strong>Escapy</strong><br />
Escape Into A World Of Travel And Adventure<br />
<strong>Beats</strong> & History<br />
Selangor & Malacca<br />
Kuda Kepang<br />
Dancing With Spirits<br />
Sky Mirror<br />
A Place Of Wonder<br />
Bull Power<br />
A Traditional Vehicle<br />
<strong>The</strong> Village Games<br />
Spending Time At A Village<br />
Butterflies & More<br />
Malacca Buttefly & Reptile<br />
Sanctuary<br />
z<br />
<strong>The</strong> Kabin<br />
Swipe Right<br />
To Left To<br />
Read<br />
Lots More Inside<br />
1
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From <strong>The</strong> Chief’s Table<br />
Dear friends,<br />
Welcome to another issue of <strong>Escapy</strong>, your travel pocket magazine or “Pockezine”;<br />
your magazine that is designed to be read on mobile devices.<br />
Hitting the road (sea, or skies too) is a fantastic way to open up one’s mind as<br />
one sees and experience different countries and cultures within these countries.<br />
Doing so allows one to appreciate one’s life as well as others better. We<br />
get to see how people from other countries live, the traditions they hold on to,<br />
their beliefs, etc.<br />
Traveling with an open mind without prejudice allows the people we visit in<br />
different countries to welcome us with open arms. Take for example visiting a<br />
village in Malacca (one of the articles featured in this issue) allows one to feel<br />
the warmth and hospitality of the people that call the village home. With that<br />
one get to experience the village better and make new friends in the process.<br />
Travel and travel somemore. Don’t stop traveling. After all, the world is our<br />
oyster.<br />
Happy reading and I hope you enjoy this issue. I wish you safe travels.<br />
Cheers,<br />
Phil Foo<br />
Editor In Chief
5<br />
Stone-Mashe<br />
For All Your Office Needs<br />
Stone-Mashe Sdn. Bhd.<br />
L-1-2, Pusat Perdagangan Kuchai,<br />
No. 2, Jalan 1/127,<br />
Off Jalan Kuchai Lama,<br />
58200 Kuala Lumpur.<br />
Contact: 016 202 2635<br />
Email: ann@stone-mashe.com
Contents Click To Go Directly To Article<br />
<strong>Beats</strong> Of Selangor<br />
Part 2<br />
Page: 8<br />
Kuala Selangor<br />
& Bird Photography<br />
For Beginners<br />
Page:58<br />
Malacca Butterfly<br />
and Reptile<br />
Sanctuary<br />
Page: 110<br />
Dancing With<br />
Spirits;<br />
Kuda Kepang<br />
Page: 150<br />
Sembunyi Spa<br />
@ Cyberview<br />
Resort And Spa<br />
Page: 198<br />
Coleman Instant<br />
Shelter<br />
Page: 220<br />
Merrell Men’s All<br />
Out Blaze Sieve<br />
In Case You Didn’t<br />
Know Melaka<br />
March <strong>2017</strong><br />
Page: 36<br />
A Collection Of<br />
Cool Cars<br />
Page:70<br />
Carting Around On<br />
Bull Power<br />
Page: 124<br />
<strong>The</strong> Kabin<br />
Escape Completely<br />
Page: 168<br />
Coleman®<br />
DuraRest Airbeds<br />
Page: 204<br />
Coleman<br />
WeatherTec<br />
System<br />
Page: 222<br />
Abu Garcia<br />
LAYERED HOODIE<br />
A Magical Place<br />
In <strong>The</strong> Middle Of<br />
Nowhere<br />
Page: 46<br />
Experience Village<br />
Life<br />
Page: 94<br />
Travel New<br />
Zealand; Stay In<br />
the Deep South<br />
Page: 134<br />
<strong>The</strong> Verandah<br />
Restaurant<br />
Page: 180<br />
<strong>The</strong> Asia Urban<br />
Youth Assembly<br />
(AUYA) <strong>2017</strong><br />
Page: 214<br />
Oakley® Flak<br />
2.0 XL Polarized<br />
Sunglasses<br />
Page: 224<br />
Abu Garcia<br />
SUN GUARD<br />
Page: 225<br />
Page: 228<br />
Page: 230<br />
To return to this page from the articles, click on this tab<br />
Contents Page located at end page of all articles.<br />
7
Travel Digest<br />
<strong>Escapy</strong><br />
<strong>Beats</strong> Of<br />
Selangor<br />
A Journey<br />
Through Cultures<br />
Via Music And<br />
Dances<br />
Fact:<br />
Music & dances<br />
provides an<br />
insight into<br />
cultures.<br />
#RentakSelangor<br />
Part II
9<br />
^ Kompang Kadaro showing us some beats.<br />
Every culture have things that defines them such as<br />
arts, architecture, music, etc. giving them a voice or an<br />
identity that makes them unique in some ways and in<br />
some ways show closeness or resemblance to other<br />
cultures; perhaps of where roots begin or meet. It is by<br />
understanding cultures that we can get a better understanding<br />
and appreciation of each other.
^ A kuda kepang dance demonstration.<br />
Recently on a program called <strong>The</strong> <strong>Beats</strong> Of Selangor<br />
2 (Rentak Selangor 2) organized by Gaya Travel,<br />
Selangor State Economic Development Planning Department<br />
(UPEN), & Tourism Selangor, we had the<br />
opportunity to explore the diversity of cultures of some<br />
of the various ethnic groups that call Selangor home<br />
through music and dances.
11<br />
^ Bonang, one of the instruments in the gamelan ensemble.<br />
First we went to Kuala Selangor to a place called<br />
<strong>The</strong> Kabin where we stayed and enjoyed traditional<br />
cultural performances with roots heading all<br />
the way back to Indonesia. <strong>The</strong>y are gamelan and<br />
wayang kulit performances by Seni Budaya Warisan<br />
Gamelan & Wayang Kulit from Pasir Panjang<br />
in Sekinchan, Selangor. Another performance is<br />
the kompang performance by kompang percussion<br />
group called Kompang Kadaro from Pasir Panjang<br />
too.
Gamelan<br />
^ A gamelan ensemble<br />
Gamelan hails from Java and Bali in Indonesia brought<br />
over by migrants long ago when they migrated to Malaysia.<br />
This traditional form of music is made up mostly<br />
of percussive instruments such as gong, khendang<br />
or gendang, bonang, xylophones, flutes, etc.
13<br />
^ Gamelan musicians in action.<br />
<strong>The</strong> gamelan is said to be created by Sang Hyang<br />
Guru back in 167 (c. AD 230). He ruled as king of<br />
all Java from a palace on the Maendra mountain in<br />
Medang Kamulan (now Mount Lawu). He invented<br />
the gamelan ensemble to summon the gods and to<br />
send messages to the gods.
^ Musicians playing the xylaphones.
15<br />
^ Musician playing the khendang.<br />
<strong>The</strong>se days the gamelan ensemble is played to accompany<br />
dances as well as certain performances<br />
such as Wayang Kulit or shadow play; giving it the<br />
percussive background music as the performer tells<br />
a story using flat puppets.
Wayang Kulit<br />
^ Some of the wayang kulit characters.<br />
Wayang kulit is a form of shadow puppetry where a<br />
puppet master (called Tuk or Tok Dalang, in Malaysia)<br />
performs various scenes using flat puppets creating<br />
stories from behind a white cloth using a light<br />
source to create shadows on the screen. <strong>The</strong>se traditional<br />
performance is found deep in Javanese and<br />
Balinese cultures in Indonesia.
^ Wayang kulit characters.<br />
17
^ More flat puppets for wayang kulit.<br />
Wayang kulit was first called wayang where these<br />
puppets would perform on stage very much like<br />
a puppet show. It was adopted by the Hindus to<br />
spread their religion, mostly telling stories from the<br />
Mahabharata or the Ramayana.
19<br />
Later when Islam begin spreading in Indonesia, the<br />
puppets depicting gods in human form was prohibited.<br />
However, an allowance was made to allow the<br />
play of puppets to be done in shadow and thus the<br />
term “wayang kulit” started being used.<br />
Wayang kulit was brought over to Malaysia mainly<br />
by Javanese migrants that migrated over from Java<br />
many years ago. <strong>The</strong>se days wayang kulit is performed<br />
during special occasions and events.
Kompang Java Or Kompang Tiga<br />
^ A kompang Java or kompang tiga group called Kompang<br />
Kadaro.<br />
Another form of music brought over by the Javanese<br />
community into Malaysia is the Kompang Java or Kompang<br />
Tiga of which translates to “Three Kompangs.”<br />
Kompangs are single-sided handheld framed drums<br />
that were brought over to Java in Indonesia, and to<br />
Malaysia by Arab merchants and Indian Muslim traders.
21<br />
^ Kompangs.<br />
Kompangs are made using a round circular wooden<br />
frame made of hard wood from jackfruit trees. <strong>The</strong><br />
head of the kompang is made of female goat hide,<br />
buffalo hide, or cow hide; secured to the wooden<br />
frame with metal tacks.
^ Kompang with built-in cymbals.
23<br />
^ Kompang Kadaro in action.<br />
Kompang groups are usually made of three musicians<br />
each playing a rhythmic part of different tones<br />
amongst the three forming a rhythmic beat. Kompang<br />
Java or Kompang Tiga uses three sets of the<br />
said three musicians to form three different rhythmic<br />
parts, creating a more complex rhythm.
Off To Sungai Besar<br />
^ Paddy fields offer a nice landscape.<br />
For the next performance we headed to the paddy<br />
fields of Sungai Besar, at a place called Homestay<br />
Kampung Hj Dorani. This traditional kampung<br />
style (village style) homestay is surrounded<br />
by paddy fields that makes for a beautiful relaxing<br />
landscape. Here we got to experience a spine<br />
chilling cultural performance called Kuda Kepang.
25<br />
Kuda Kepang<br />
^ A kuda kepang dance demonstration.<br />
<strong>The</strong> Javanese people from Java in Indonesia has<br />
for a long time migrated over to Malaysia bringing<br />
along with them their cultures and one of them is<br />
the Kuda Kepang performance; a ritualistic dance<br />
involving spirits of deities possessing its performers<br />
who dance around with flat bamboo weaved wooden<br />
horses, to traditional beats. This performance is<br />
usually performed on special occasions.
^ <strong>The</strong> Malaysian version of a Beetle’s Album cover.<br />
Guess which one...<br />
Kuda Kepang is a performance that draws the attention<br />
of viewers into a mysterious realm where<br />
performers do things that are humanly impossible<br />
with the help of spirits such as eating fire burning<br />
coal, glass, etc., and not having issues with being<br />
hit on the head with a coconut (that exploded<br />
upon impact) that was thrown to a height of some<br />
two to three stories high.
27<br />
^ Some of my friends with the mask of animals and deities<br />
used during the kuda kepang performance.<br />
<strong>The</strong> Kuda Kepang performance begins with a shaman<br />
doing some form of ritual together with the dancers,<br />
burning incense and “bathing” in the smoke as<br />
the shaman recites some verses. <strong>The</strong> performance<br />
then continues with a dance where the dancers and<br />
their wooden horses gallop about in a circle. A man<br />
with a whip controls the dance by cracking the whip<br />
to change the moves.
^ A kuda kepang performer that uses a whip to control<br />
the performance.<br />
As the dance progresses these dancers go into a<br />
trance with spirits of deities and animals taking<br />
control of them. <strong>The</strong>y then start to mimic the animals<br />
and deities that have possessed them. <strong>The</strong><br />
performance continues until the shaman removes<br />
all spirits and send them back to their realm before<br />
closing the door between our world and theirs.<br />
<strong>The</strong> performance can go on for hours.
29<br />
^ Kuda kepang demonstration.<br />
This demonstration was done during the day and<br />
all appeared normal. But at night, the real performance<br />
in the middle of paddy fields is something<br />
paranormal and downright bone chilling.<br />
Checkout full article in this issue...
Lion Dance<br />
^ A lion head used during lion dance performances.<br />
<strong>The</strong> final performance that we got to experience<br />
on this program is a lion dance performance that<br />
comes from China, brought over by the Chinese<br />
that migrated to Malaysia a long time ago. We visited<br />
the world famous lion dance master, Master<br />
Siow who has 47 troupes around the world including<br />
Indonesia, Africa, etc.
31<br />
^ <strong>The</strong> eye of a black lion.<br />
Lion dance in Malaysia uses the performing styles<br />
from the South of China, also called the Southern<br />
lion. <strong>The</strong> performance tells various stories from funny<br />
stories to stories dating back to the many dynasties<br />
in China.
^ Master Siow demonstrates drumming.
33<br />
^ A lion going airborne defying gravty.<br />
Lion dance performances uses various lions of various<br />
colours that perform stunts, funny antics, etc.<br />
to the accompaniment of drums and cymbals. <strong>The</strong>y<br />
dance according to the rhythm played by the musicians.<br />
<strong>The</strong>y dance on the ground, run on poles,<br />
take flight from pole to pole, and sometimes “eat”<br />
cabbage or oranges; bringing good luck to all.
^ Kuda kepang riders riding into the sunset.<br />
All in all the <strong>Beats</strong> of Selangor 2 program was an<br />
entraining and educational program that highlights<br />
some of the cultures that have for many years<br />
settled down in Selangor, Malaysia. It is good that<br />
these cultures and traditions are kept alive for all,<br />
especially the future generations of Malaysians. Kudos<br />
to Gaya Travel, Selangor State Economic Development<br />
Planning Department (UPEN), & Tourism<br />
Selangor for organizing this event.
Contents Page<br />
35
Travel Digest<br />
<strong>Escapy</strong><br />
#ICYDK<br />
Melaka<br />
In Case You<br />
Didn’t Know<br />
Melaka March<br />
<strong>2017</strong><br />
Fact:<br />
Malacca city is a<br />
UNESCO World<br />
Heritage site.
37<br />
^ Historical Christ Church at the Red Square.<br />
In Case You Didn’t Know Melaka (#ICYDKMelaka)<br />
March <strong>2017</strong> is a program organized by Gaya Travel,<br />
Tourism Melaka, and the Malacca state government to<br />
highlight the various attractions in the historical city of<br />
Malacca; a UNESCO world heritage city.
Village Life<br />
^ A tour of Kampung Balik Bukit (Balik Bukit Village).<br />
<strong>The</strong> attractions in Malacca are plenty and in this<br />
program we spent some time in a village called<br />
Kampung Balik Bukit, the birth place of the bullock<br />
cart in Malacca. Here we visited the bullock<br />
cart workshop, watched “village games,” indulged<br />
in local delicacies such as “asam pedas” dishes<br />
(spicy tamarind and chilli dishes), etc.<br />
More in this issue...
39<br />
Hang Tuah Centre<br />
^ A mock traditional Malay wedding.<br />
We visited the Hang Tuah Centre where we experienced<br />
local traditional customs such as a local Malay<br />
wedding (mock wedding), participated in traditional<br />
games, visited a traditional Malacca house,<br />
and the Hang Tuah well.<br />
Note: Hang Tuah is a legendary warrior whom together<br />
with four friends protected the Malacca royal<br />
family back in the day.
Melaka River Cruise<br />
^ A night scene of the Casa Del Mar Resort in Malacca.<br />
One “must do” activity is to go on the Melaka River<br />
Cruise. This time round we cruised the river at<br />
night seeing a different atmosphere of the sites<br />
of which consisted of various historical sites, villages,<br />
riverside buildings, etc.
http://www.theasianpublisher.com/magazine/escapy/issues/2016/11-nov/mobile/index.html#8<br />
41<br />
^ <strong>The</strong> Venice of the east; Malacca.<br />
A cruise during the day will allow for better photography<br />
and it is recommended as ample light is available.<br />
For a more unique scene I recommend going<br />
for the sunset cruise where warmer lights make for<br />
lovely sunset photos.<br />
To read more about the Malacca River Cruise click<br />
here to go to a previous issue.<br />
To Article
Malacca Butterfly & Reptile<br />
Sanctuary<br />
^ A beautiful butterfly at rest.<br />
<strong>The</strong> Malacca Butterfly & Reptile Sanctuary is a<br />
good place to visit. <strong>The</strong>re are butterflies, reptiles,<br />
insects, and birds that call the sanctuary home.<br />
<strong>The</strong> Malacca Butterfly & Reptile Sanctuary is managed<br />
by experts that look into the conservation,<br />
especially of butterflies.<br />
Checkout article in this issue...
43<br />
A Walk In <strong>The</strong> Historical<br />
City<br />
^ <strong>The</strong> A Famosa, Portuguese fort at night.<br />
Malacca, being a UNESCO heritage city; it is a<br />
must for visitors to visit the historical sites such as<br />
St. Pauls hill, St. Paul’s Church, A Famosa fort, the<br />
Stadthuys or Red Square, the various museums<br />
such as the maritime museum (replica of the Flor<br />
do Mar Portuguese carrack ship), etc.
^ An old train head / engine on display at the foot of St.<br />
Paul’s Hill
http://www.theasianpublisher.com/magazine/escapy/issues/2016/11-nov/mobile/index.html<br />
^ Hatten Hotel Melaka; our home during our trip. Lovely<br />
suites.<br />
Malacca has lots of history to share and attractions<br />
to offer. More attraction are available in an earlier<br />
issue of <strong>Escapy</strong> from an earlier “In Case You Didn’t<br />
Know Melaka (#ICYDKMelaka)” program that was<br />
done back in 2016. Click below to go to issue.<br />
To <strong>Issue</strong><br />
Contents Page<br />
45
Travel Guide<br />
<strong>Escapy</strong><br />
Sky<br />
Mirror<br />
A Magical<br />
Place In <strong>The</strong><br />
Middle Of<br />
Nowhere<br />
Interesting:<br />
Take A Photo of<br />
nothingness all<br />
around.
47<br />
^ <strong>The</strong> island is there. See if you can spot it.<br />
<strong>The</strong> sea hides all sorts of things from sunken treasures,<br />
wrecked whips, to old sunken civilizations.<br />
One other thing that the sea hides out of sight are<br />
islands. Some islands are always visible while some<br />
appear only during low tides. This place called Sky<br />
Mirror is one of such islands.
Sasaran<br />
^ This boat took us to Sky Mirror.<br />
To get to Sky Mirror we had to first get to a jetty<br />
in Sasaran. This jetty is by a river called Sungai<br />
Buluh River, a fantastic place to see and photograph<br />
birds. From here we took a speed boat on a<br />
journey that took us some 40 minutes to a place<br />
unseen while on the boat.
49<br />
^ Group photo at Sky Mirror.<br />
In the middle of nowhere whilst still floating on the<br />
sea our boat stopped and we were told that we have<br />
arrived. in about a minute the boatman parked the<br />
boat and we jumped out on a piece of land made<br />
up of very fine sand. To other folks arriving we must<br />
look like people walking on water.
Habitat Of Sea Creatures<br />
^ <strong>The</strong>re is the big one, and there is a little one - sea snails.<br />
This piece of land in the middle of the sea is a habitat<br />
to a few sea creatures especially sea snails.<br />
Not just any sea snails but jumping sea snails.<br />
<strong>The</strong>se little sea snails look like colourful pearls<br />
reflecting sunlight. <strong>The</strong>y have the ability to jump<br />
in order to escape predators.
51<br />
^ A big blue swimmer crab resting in the sand.<br />
Other sea creatures include crabs. I saw a big blue<br />
swimmer sand crab and lots of sand bubbler crabs<br />
that call this place home. Other denizens of the sea<br />
found here include various types of hermit crabs,<br />
squid, and cuttlefish (saw lots of cuttlefish eggs).
^ A cluster of squid eggs.
^ A cluster of cuttlefish eggs.<br />
53
^ Lots of sand bubbler crabs.
^ A hermit crab hiding in its shell.<br />
55
Photography<br />
^ Magical photography.<br />
Sky Mirror got its name because it allows for some<br />
really special photography effects; as if one is flying<br />
in the sky, and that I think is how this place<br />
got the name Sky Mirror. This is due to the reflections<br />
on the water as well as the nothingness in<br />
the background except for the sky. Sky mirror is<br />
the Salar de Uyuni (Bolivia) of Malaysia.
More Information<br />
^ Some friends taking off. Photo by: Sky Mirror Tour & Travel.<br />
Sky Mirror Tour & Travel Sdb Bhd<br />
15, Jalan Yu 1, 45800 Pekan Sasaran,<br />
Kuala Selangor, Selangor, Malaysia.<br />
Tel: +6019 266 6665 (YM Lim)<br />
Email: skymirrortour@gmail.com<br />
Website: https://www.facebook.com/skymirrortour/<br />
Contents Page<br />
57
Travel Guide<br />
Philemon Foo<br />
Shooting<br />
Birds<br />
Kuala Selangor<br />
& Bird<br />
Photography<br />
For Beginners<br />
Interesting:<br />
One don’t need<br />
high-end equipment<br />
to shoot<br />
birds here.
Photographers will have a field day in Kuala Selangor<br />
no matter what type of photography you<br />
enjoy. One type of photography to do here without<br />
spending a bomb on high powered lenses is<br />
bird photography. Kuala Selangor is a good place<br />
to shoot birds for both professional bird photographers<br />
as well as those who are starting out.<br />
59
^ A seabird hanging out on the transom of a boat.<br />
While professional bird photographers will have a<br />
field day here, beginners will find this place a good<br />
place to start. One just needs to make one’s way<br />
to the Sungai Buluh River in Sasaran, Kuala Selangor.
61<br />
Shooting From Land<br />
^ <strong>The</strong> jetty by the Sungai Buloh River.<br />
Here at the jetty in Sungai Buloh River one can start<br />
photographing birds from the shell laden banks of<br />
the river. <strong>The</strong>re are wooden jetties where one can<br />
shoot from but be extra careful should you decide<br />
to shoot there as these jetties are rickety wooden<br />
jetties, and can get slippery.
^ A heron standing on an upside down bucket.<br />
Lots of birds fly about the river passing along its<br />
banks. Birds such as herons, egrets, eagles, kingfishers,<br />
and various other seabirds fly about here.<br />
<strong>The</strong>y even perch on tree stumps, trees, and walk<br />
along the banks. <strong>The</strong>re is a community of herons<br />
that live on a few trees slightly further in.
63<br />
Shooting From A Boat<br />
^ A seabird following our boat.<br />
My preferred choice is to shoot from a boat. <strong>The</strong>re<br />
are boat trips that take visitors to a place called Sky<br />
Mirror (very interesting place) and as one journeys<br />
there, one gets lots of bird photo shooting opportunities<br />
from herons that walk about the banks to sea<br />
birds that sometimes follow the boats.
^ A great blue heron looking for fish at the river mouth.<br />
Of course shooting on a boat can get tricky especially<br />
with the waves hit against the boat causing<br />
the boat to rock. Steady hands and good “sea legs”<br />
will come in handy. Using huge L lenses here will<br />
be difficult and lighter more manageable telephoto<br />
lenses is recommended.
65<br />
Equipment<br />
^ Checkout this punk of a bird.<br />
Well, a good telephoto zoom lens is recommended.<br />
Of course the higher the zoom and faster the lens<br />
the better. Here one can start with a 70-250mm lens<br />
(low budget lens) but choose to shoot with good<br />
lighting; perhaps nearing noon onwards. Yes, harsh<br />
lighting can be an issue but one can play with one’s<br />
camera settings to get the best possible shot; also<br />
manage one’s shooting angle.
My Tools<br />
I took all my bird shots using my trusty workhorse;<br />
Canon 700D accompanied with a Tamron 70-<br />
300mm f/4-5.6 Di VC USD lens which did a decent<br />
job on this trip of mine. I shot on land as well as on<br />
a rocking boat.
67<br />
Things To Note<br />
^ Splashes of seawater & cameras do not go together<br />
well.<br />
Should one decide to shoot from a boat one must<br />
be extra careful since water can and will splash into<br />
the boat getting your equipment and you wet. Seawater<br />
and electronics do not go well together. Keep<br />
your camera in a waterproof bag when the boat is<br />
on the go (cruising speed).
^ Ever saw a similar shot in a National Geographic<br />
magazine? Shot taken at the Sungai Buloh River<br />
mouth.<br />
Another thing to note is that when water gets into<br />
the boat, the deck becomes slippery and I have<br />
seen many a person slip and fall during many fishing<br />
trips. <strong>The</strong>se photographing trips are no different.<br />
One thing I always tell people is to leave their<br />
Crocs sandals at home and wear rubber shoes on<br />
boat trips. Crocs get really slippery, especially the<br />
fake ones.
More Information<br />
Address:<br />
Jetty Kebun Kerang Sungai Buluh, Sungai Buluh<br />
Jeram, 45600 Jeram, Selangor, Malaysia.<br />
Google Maps Coordinates: 3.255925, 101.302882<br />
Google Maps<br />
Contents Page<br />
69
Travel Guide<br />
Philemon Foo<br />
National<br />
Automobile<br />
Museum<br />
Sepang<br />
A Collection<br />
Of Cool Cars<br />
Fact:<br />
Malaysia does<br />
indeed make<br />
cool cars.<br />
Buforis are<br />
made in...
71<br />
^ Checkout the air intake of this car. This is made in<br />
Malaysia.<br />
For car lovers, the National Automobile Museum<br />
at the Sepang International Circuit is worth a visit.<br />
<strong>The</strong> National Automobile Museum may not be a<br />
large automobile museum but it showcases some<br />
worthy collections. It also traces back the history of<br />
the Malaysian automobile efforts being Proton and<br />
Perodua.
An Interesting Collection<br />
I love cars but I have not heard of the Brush Mobile.<br />
Have you? <strong>The</strong> Brush Mobile is not a vehicle created<br />
for cleaning streets or sweeping floors. It is an actual<br />
car made by the Brush Electrical Engineering Company<br />
in Loughborough, Leicestershire in England.<br />
This is one of the interesting cars here.
^ <strong>The</strong> front of the Brush Mobile.<br />
73
^ A karosene headlight of the Brush Mobile.
^ <strong>The</strong> front grill of the Brush Mobile.<br />
75
^ <strong>The</strong> cabin of the Brush Mobile.
^ <strong>The</strong> horn of the Brush Mobile.<br />
77
^ Checkout the wheels on the Brush Mobile.
Alvis<br />
^ A beautiful Alvis Firefly Tourer.<br />
Another interesting collection is an Alvis Firefly<br />
Tourer that was made in Coventry, England (don’t<br />
tell me you’ve not heard of this too, come on) by<br />
the Alvis Car and Engineering Company Ltd. back<br />
in 1932 to 1935 with sales numbers said to be 871<br />
sold.<br />
Note: <strong>The</strong> explanation board at the museum says 1934<br />
but our research shows 1932 (H&H United Kingdom).<br />
79
^ Side profile of the Alvis Firefly Tourer.<br />
<strong>The</strong> Alvis Car and Engineering Company Ltd was later<br />
bought by Rover, that got bought over by British Leyland,<br />
and after sailing through quite a few troubled<br />
seas and name changes; is now owned by SAIC Motor<br />
Corporation Limited of China.
^ <strong>The</strong> Alvis Firefly Tourer as seen from the front.<br />
81
Jaguar D-Type<br />
^ <strong>The</strong> beautiful Jaguar D-Type<br />
Of course a car that makes a car collection worth<br />
checking out is the Jaguar D-Type, a revolutionary<br />
car during its time (1954) that was built to race. It had<br />
aerodynamic superiority over many of its rivals beating<br />
the Ferrari’s maximum speed of 160.1 mph on the<br />
Mulsanne Straight during the 1954 24 hours Le Mans<br />
race, with a maximum speed of 172.8mph. Still, Ferrari<br />
won that year as the D-Type had fuel starvation<br />
issues.
83<br />
^ <strong>The</strong> D-Type and its sexy curves.<br />
<strong>The</strong> Jaguar D-Type returned in 1955 with a longer<br />
nose and modification to its engines, this time running<br />
with larger valves. To cut a long story short,<br />
the Jaguar D-Types won that year and continued to<br />
win in the 1956 and 1957 Le Mans races. <strong>The</strong> D-<br />
Type won other races too.
^ <strong>The</strong> front of the D-Type.
85<br />
Other Cars<br />
^ A lovely looking MG TD.<br />
Other cars at the National Automobile Museum in<br />
Sepang are an Austin Healey, an old Ford Speedster<br />
that was built on the Ford Model T chassis (pronounced<br />
cha see and not cha sees), a MG TD, a<br />
MG TC, various Buforis (proudly Malaysian made),<br />
a few Proton and Perodua cars, Jaguh bikes, etc.
^ <strong>The</strong> very cool Ford Speedster.
^ Side shot of the Ford Speedster.<br />
87
^ Simple basic cockpit.
^ A beautiful Bufori - built in Malaysia.<br />
89
^ Another beautiful Bufori
91<br />
Worth A Visit<br />
^ A lovely Bufori TD2000.<br />
Should you visit the Sepang International Circuit or<br />
should you land at the Sepang International Airport,<br />
do pay the National Automobile Museum in Sepang<br />
a visit especially if you love cars. Admission is free.<br />
All the more reason to visit.
^ <strong>The</strong> cockpit of the Bufori TD2000.
^ Front shot of the Bufori TD2000<br />
Address:<br />
National Automobile Museum, Litar Antarabangsa<br />
Sepang, Jalan Pekeliling, 64000 Sepang, Selangor,<br />
64000, Malaysia.<br />
Google Maps: https://goo.gl/maps/t8VTsxNJ3uL2<br />
Phone: +60 3-8787 4759<br />
Hours: 9am to 6pm<br />
Open daily<br />
Contents Page<br />
93
Travel Guide<br />
<strong>Escapy</strong><br />
Experience Village Life<br />
With homestays mushrooming, travellers will be able<br />
to experience what it is like living in a village. Of course<br />
these homestays are managed by independent owners,<br />
many of whom have no training in hospitality; so they do<br />
their best to treat you well and thus they treat you like<br />
family.
I recently had an opportunity to spend time at a village<br />
in Malacca together with a group of friends who<br />
are from the media too during a program called In Case<br />
You Didn’t Know Melaka (#ICYDKMelaka). This village<br />
is called Kampung Balik Bukit or Balik Bukit Village. Our<br />
visit coincided with a program that was going on here<br />
done between a university and the village folks; some<br />
form of village games or sports. So, What’s there to do?<br />
95
Bullock Cart Rides<br />
One thing to do here is to go on a bullock cart ride<br />
around the village taking in the sights and sounds.<br />
Kampung Balik Bukit is after all the birth place of the<br />
bullock cart in Malacca. A bullock cart ride certainly<br />
is one unique experience and I am lucky to ride in<br />
an authentic one.<br />
Do read the article on bullock cart rides in this issue<br />
for more information.
97<br />
Visit <strong>The</strong> Bullock Cart<br />
Bullock carts used to be built here in good numbers during<br />
its heyday but orders have since dropped. <strong>The</strong>se<br />
days the workshops does mainly repair and maintenance<br />
work on bullock carts. We visited this workshop<br />
and got a better understanding of how they are built, the<br />
parts that are used (main parts), and also got to meet<br />
some of the bulls.
Horse Riding<br />
^ Riding horses is lots of fun and can be done here.<br />
Apart from riding in a bullock cart, there are horses<br />
here too. I love horses and having owned one before<br />
I was drawn to them like magnet to metal. Horse riding<br />
and horse cart riding are available here by Batrisya<br />
Stable & Riding Centre. <strong>The</strong>y offer horse riding<br />
lessons too.
99<br />
Contact<br />
Batrisya Stable & Riding Centre<br />
Encik (Mr) Samsudin<br />
Contact: 019-7563341 / 012-7653341
Buffalo Rides<br />
^ One of the buffalos at the village waiting to be rode.<br />
During the “kampung games” or village games I was<br />
offered to ride a buffalo. I declined as I had my photography<br />
equipment with me and we had an event<br />
to cover right after this visit at the village and didn’t<br />
want to look like Buffalo Bill or the Sundance Kid.<br />
Also, not a good time to be staying in a hospital<br />
should the buffalo decide to go crazy.
101<br />
^ A buffalo rider in action.<br />
Anyway, I got to see the local village folks climb<br />
onto buffalos and ride around in the mud. Yes, the<br />
rides were in the mud. <strong>The</strong>re was also this one guy<br />
who tried getting onto one of the buffalos but it kept<br />
running away. When the buffalo ran he fell into the<br />
mud. Still, he managed to get on after about 5 minutes<br />
of trying and countless time falling. It was funny<br />
to watch.
Village Games<br />
^ Kds playing in mud... normal in the village.<br />
When we arrived the games had already started.<br />
Muddied participant were all over the place. <strong>The</strong>re<br />
was a mud race (sprint) in a pool of mud going on.<br />
Folks were running in mud to see who would reach<br />
the finish line first.
103<br />
^ Ready for the ”palm leave race.”<br />
<strong>The</strong>n came the “palm leave race,” a race where<br />
adults tow children who are sitting on palm leaves<br />
to the finish line; running on mud. One adult pulling<br />
one child on a bunch of coconut leaves sprinting<br />
across a muddy pool the size of maybe half a football<br />
field. From the looks of the faces of the participants<br />
they were having lots of fun.
^ Champion duck catcher from a local university.<br />
Another funny game that got me clicking away on<br />
my camera was the duck catching race. Three ducks<br />
were released at one end of the muddy pool. Participants<br />
gathered at the opposite end and at the blow<br />
of the whistle, these participants ran after the ducks.<br />
<strong>The</strong> team with the most ducks caught won. <strong>The</strong> university<br />
team did very well here catching most of the<br />
ducks.
105<br />
^ Fun in the mud... Tug of war.<br />
Other games included a tug of war where the village<br />
folks proved too hard to beat. <strong>The</strong>re was also<br />
a football match in the muddy pool, a funny match<br />
to watch as the football does not roll far in muddy<br />
waters.
^ Football action.<br />
Participants were really having lots of fun in the<br />
mud and at the end of the games, the village team<br />
emerged victorious over the university team. <strong>The</strong><br />
prizes were given out by the Chief Minister of Malacca,<br />
Datuk Seri Ir. Idris Haron.
107<br />
Savouring Local Delicacies<br />
^ Asam pedas fish, a very delicious dish.<br />
No village experience in complete without savouring<br />
some of the local delights. Here we got to indulge<br />
our taste buds, filling our tummies with tasty<br />
curry dishes, fried chicken, etc. But personally I enjoyed<br />
the dessert most. We were served with chilli<br />
fried popiah (spring rolls) that were delicious.
^ Village games announcers and referees.<br />
One way you to could experience village life is to<br />
stay at one of the villages that offers homestays in<br />
Malacca. Most homestays will offer activities such<br />
as traditional games, a visit to certain attractions<br />
or places within the village such as fruit orchards,<br />
farms, etc. In this case one gets to ride horses and<br />
bullock carts.<br />
*In Case You Didn’t Know Melaka (#ICYDKMelaka)<br />
was organized by Gaya Travel & Tourism Melaka.
Contents Page 109<br />
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Travel Guide<br />
Philemon Foo<br />
Malacca Butterfly and<br />
Reptile Sanctuary<br />
For those who love butterflies and reptiles, the Malacca<br />
Butterfly and Reptile Sanctuary is a place not to be<br />
missed. <strong>The</strong> Malacca Butterfly and Reptile Sanctuary<br />
first opened its doors to the public on the 1st of February<br />
1991 covering some 11 acres of jungle land.
111<br />
^ This here is one mean looking grasshopper.<br />
When they first started, they only showcased butterflies.<br />
<strong>The</strong>y have since become a sanctuary for reptiles such<br />
as snakes and crocodiles, birds, and insects like the rhinoceros<br />
beetles, various species of grasshoppers and<br />
stick insects.
Reptile Walk<br />
^ Always smiling, always happy... I hope.<br />
At the reptile walk one will see snakes, frogs, iguanas,<br />
etc. One reptile that is uniquely cute is the smiling<br />
frog. Yes, this frog has a face that is always smiling.<br />
<strong>The</strong>se frogs are tree frogs. <strong>The</strong>y look fat and<br />
can grow to about 5 inches in length.
113<br />
^ A big crocodile relaxing.<br />
But amongst all the reptiles, one that has always<br />
gotten my attention are the crocodiles (and alligators<br />
too). <strong>The</strong>se close relatives of the dinosaurs are<br />
fearsome predators and I like watching them. <strong>The</strong><br />
Malacca Butterfly and Reptile Sanctuary allows visitors<br />
to observe them from a safe area.
Birds<br />
^ <strong>The</strong> southern crowned pigeon.<br />
I like birds and I love photographing them. <strong>The</strong>re<br />
are lots of birds here from a white peacock to various<br />
types of parrots or macaws to pigeons. One of<br />
the birds that caught my attention was this “crazy<br />
haired” pigeon known as the southern crowned pigoen<br />
(Goura Scheepmakeri). It has this trojan like<br />
crown on its head.
115<br />
^ Me learning what a pirate captain feels like... haha.<br />
During my visit I had the opportunity to befriend a<br />
blue and yellow macaw, and got to feel what it is<br />
like being a pirate with a bird sitting on one’s shoulder.<br />
This friendly and very trained macaw leaned its<br />
head on mine and posed for the camera. I was telepathically<br />
sending it one very important message;<br />
“don’t poop now big birdie.”
Insects And Beetles<br />
^ Huge mural of whales on the wall.<br />
<strong>The</strong> insects section here is not big but the insects<br />
are big and healthy. <strong>The</strong>re are large stick insects,<br />
a few cool gangster looking grasshoppers, and of<br />
course butterflies and moths. Amongst them the<br />
coolest looking ones are the big rhinoceros beetles;<br />
well, to me at least. <strong>The</strong> look menacing and tough.
117<br />
Home Of Butterflies<br />
^ A butterfly posing for the camera.<br />
This title may very well be true in the not so far<br />
away future. One thing I learnt during my visit here<br />
is that butterflies are a stickler to certain flowers.<br />
This means that a certain species of butterfly will<br />
only feed from one type of flower. <strong>The</strong>y will not feed<br />
on other types of flowers.
^ A great eggfly butterfly sitting on a leaf.<br />
Having such feeding habits poses one problem.<br />
When we remove certain plants and flowers, the butterflies<br />
lose their food source at that particular area.<br />
When that happens they have to fly further in search<br />
of their one and only type of flower before they die.
119<br />
^ A paper kite butterfly.<br />
As more and more forests are being cleared to make<br />
way for development, certain species of butterflies<br />
will go extinct (some already have) without a food<br />
source to support them. One species in particular<br />
is the Paper Kite Butterfly (Ideo leuconoe) of which<br />
are now really low in numbers out in the wild.
^ A paper kite butterfly feeding on artificial nectar.<br />
Before one starts shooting down the idea of artificially<br />
feeding these beautiful butterflies perhaps one<br />
should know that some of these butterflies will not<br />
make it out in the wild due to a lack of food sources<br />
and their only chance of survival is here at the Malacca<br />
Butterfly and Reptile Sanctuary.
121<br />
^ <strong>The</strong> Rajah Brooke; Malaysia’s national butterfly.<br />
<strong>The</strong> Malacca Butterfly and Reptile Sanctuary is<br />
home to 20 different species of butterflies, including<br />
the Black and White Helen (Papilio nephelus), Malayan<br />
Birdwing (Troides), and the Rajah Brooke’s<br />
Birdwing of which is the Malaysian National Butterfly.
Most Memorable<br />
^ One of my butterflies.<br />
To me the most memorable part of the trip was to<br />
bring home or adopt two butterfly pupas. I took my<br />
two little ones home and secured them to one of<br />
my plants. After about 4 days they hatched and out<br />
came 2 butterflies known as the great eggfly (Hypolimnas<br />
bolina); a male and a female. Now I can say<br />
that I have helped put more butterflies in my garden<br />
and surrounding gardens.
Additional Information<br />
Address:<br />
Malacca Butterfly & Reptile Sanctuary<br />
(Taman Rama-rama & Reptilia Melaka)<br />
Education Department<br />
Lebuh Ayer Keroh,<br />
75450 Melaka, Malaysia.<br />
GPS location is at N2.299988,E102.312412<br />
Contact: +606 232 0033<br />
Email: antenna@butterflyreptile.com<br />
Open Daily<br />
Operating hours: 8.30am to 5.30pm<br />
Entrance fees: Adult RM22.00* per person<br />
Child (3 - 12 years old) RM16.00*<br />
per person<br />
Contents Page<br />
123
Travel Guide<br />
Philemon Foo<br />
Carting Around On Bull<br />
Power<br />
I wished this article is about a tour of a place in a Lamborghini,<br />
the exotic sports car with a bull emblem but<br />
unfortunately it is not. It is in fact better in many ways<br />
except for speed. We are talking real bull power (not<br />
horse power).
125<br />
^ Heavily decorated trishaws on the streets of Malacca.<br />
While touring a place is usually done on motorized<br />
vehicles likes cars, busses, trams, bikes, and bicycles<br />
(still in the group); this time I had the opportunity<br />
to go on a bull powered cart also known as a<br />
bullock cart.
Going Obsolete<br />
^ A bullock cart being prepared for the ride.<br />
One of the dying attractions in Malacca is the bullock<br />
cart ride. <strong>The</strong>y are being overtaken by other<br />
rides such as the trishaws with their fancy lighting<br />
and decor. However, there are still bullock cart rides<br />
available and we rode on one at a village called<br />
Kampung Balik Bukit (Balik Bukit Village), known as<br />
the birth place of the bullock cart in Malacca.
127<br />
Bullock Cart Builder<br />
^ A part of the bullock cart.<br />
It is in this village that bullock carts were once built<br />
back in its heyday. Encik (or Mr) Samsudin the owner<br />
of the bullock cart factory has since saw a stop<br />
in people wanting to build bullock carts. Now his<br />
factory does mainly repair works on current bullock<br />
carts.
Slow & Steady<br />
^ A traditional bullock cart.<br />
When it comes to bullock cart rides; speed does<br />
not come to mind. A slow and steady pace makes<br />
this ride enjoyable. We were taken for a scenic ride<br />
around the village taking in the village scene on a<br />
tranquil evening. When we rode passed houses with<br />
children playing outside, they (children) ran after the<br />
cart and one even jumped on and followed us on our<br />
ride.
129<br />
Choose Wisely<br />
^ <strong>The</strong> bullock cart that I chose.<br />
<strong>The</strong>re are two types of bullock carts that offers<br />
rides. One is the more beautiful looking traditional<br />
cart of which is smaller in size but has a “Minangkabau”<br />
styled roof that looks lovely, and has traditional<br />
wooden wheels with a steel band holding it in<br />
place.
^ A more open bullock cart.<br />
<strong>The</strong> other type is a simple wooden cart that looks<br />
slightly bigger but without a roof, and uses a modern<br />
rubber tyre (lorry tyre). It may not look as nice as the<br />
earlier one but give it some thought. Now, amongst<br />
the two carts, which would you choose to ride on?
131<br />
^ Walking along the trail at Granite Island.<br />
I chose to go on the nicer looking traditional one,<br />
the one with the nice roof and traditional wheels.<br />
With close to zero absorption (no absorbers) my<br />
bones were loosen after the very bumpy ride on the<br />
village’s granite road. <strong>The</strong> ride was better on tarred<br />
road. Perhaps the one with the rubber tyres would<br />
have been a more comfortable choice. So, Which<br />
did you choose?
^ A bullock cart with rubber wheels.
Additional Information<br />
Should you want to ride in a bullock cart in Malacca,<br />
give Encik Samsudin a call at:<br />
Batrisya Stable & Riding Centre<br />
Contact: 019-7563341 / 012-7653341<br />
Note: En. Samsudin also offers horse riding and<br />
horse riding lessons.<br />
Contents Page<br />
133
Travel Guide<br />
Sue Farley<br />
Stay In the Deep South<br />
^ Lake Moeraki Lodge - penguins.<br />
In keeping with the gigantic peaks of the Southern Alps,<br />
the dense green softness of the South Westland rainforest,<br />
the flashing white surf breaking on a rocky coastal<br />
shore and the edgy blueness of the southern lakes on a<br />
sunny day, the lodges and resorts of the deep south of<br />
New Zealand cover all the options.
135<br />
^ Lake Moeraki Lodge.<br />
Within a week I visited four very different places- from<br />
an eco-friendly wilderness lodge just north of Haast, to a<br />
hotel perched high above the Shotover River, a central<br />
city hotel in Christchurch, and a golf resort near Queenstown<br />
that has hosted many big names.
Lake Moeraki Wilderness Lodge<br />
^ Lake Moeraki Lodge - more penguins.<br />
It had started raining further north at Franz Josef<br />
and carried on relentlessly as we drove down<br />
through the thick wet rainforest this World Heritage<br />
Area is acclaimed for. Arriving at the lodge, with its<br />
huge open fire roaring in the main lounge and the<br />
gentle flicker of low wattage lights in the rooms,<br />
gave me a chance to relax and catch up with the<br />
surroundings.
137<br />
Lake Moeraki Wilderness Lodge is spread along the<br />
northern bank of the Moeraki River just a short way<br />
from where it leaves the lake of the same name.<br />
Surrounded by 1,000 year old kahikatea and rimu<br />
trees, and straddling geologically significant layers<br />
of prehistoric sedimentary rocks, the local environment<br />
is world-class. A short 45 minute walk out to<br />
the coast at Monro Beach highlights this to perfection.<br />
With 28 guest rooms numbers are usually such<br />
that a stay at the lodge is an intimate experience.<br />
Guests eat together in the Riverside Restaurant<br />
and the cuisine is all fresh, mainly local produce<br />
from the West Coast and Otago. <strong>The</strong> wine list reflects<br />
Frank’s love of wine with a 90% New Zealand<br />
showing. A special touch is the small hydro scheme<br />
on the river out front that provides all the power<br />
used at the lodge.
^ Lake Moeraki Lodge - accommodation.<br />
Moving south the next morning, the drive through<br />
Haast and over the Haast Pass to Wanaka is one of<br />
the best - a primeval area of high peaks divided by<br />
deep valleys filled with plunging waterfalls and dark<br />
green beech forest.<br />
Link:<br />
http://wildernessnewzealand.com/lake-moeraki-wilderness-lodge-main/
139<br />
Nugget Point Hotel<br />
Just out of Queenstown, the setting at Nugget Point<br />
is commanding, at the very least. <strong>The</strong> hotel sits high<br />
above the Shotover River, tourist jet boats just a<br />
mere wake of weaving white water far below, as the<br />
eye is carried high above to the soaring crags of the<br />
surrounding ranges. It is also close to a huge range<br />
of extreme and mountain sports with the bungy<br />
bridges, jet boat rivers, ski fields and parapenting<br />
bluffs nearby.<br />
Describing themselves as ‘mid-range’ on the luxury<br />
hotel scale, Nugget Point’s guests come from<br />
around the world. With a spectacular setting and<br />
stunning views, it will get you close to all the action<br />
in the Queenstown area and within a day trip of Milford<br />
Sound – one of New Zealand’s great natural<br />
treasures.
Millbrook Resort<br />
^ Millbrook Golf Spa & Resort, Queenstown.<br />
Built in an imposing style of part resort, part ownyour-own<br />
condo retreat, Millbrook is an excellent<br />
place to base your self while in the Queenstown<br />
area. It’s far enough from town that you’re away<br />
from the tourists and parking hassles, but close<br />
enough that you can jump in the car and drive there<br />
for dinner.
141<br />
^ Millbrook villa accommodation.<br />
Villas can be rented singly, or joined together for<br />
a more substantial party, and the on-site restaurant<br />
and café, the golf course, swimming pool, spa<br />
and gym provide all the entertainment for an active<br />
break away.
^ Millbrook Golf course.<br />
Millbrook has a 27 hole championship golf course,<br />
and hosted the NZ Open this year. It also has an<br />
excellent gym, a very pampering day spa, long lap<br />
pool and a stunning view out to the surrounding<br />
mountains and ski areas.<br />
Link:<br />
http://wildernessnewzealand.com/mill-brook-golf-spa-resort-main/
^ Millbrook Golf course with the villas.<br />
143
<strong>The</strong> George<br />
^ <strong>The</strong> George, Christchurch.<br />
A central city hotel may seem an odd place to add<br />
to a round-up of unique southern accommodations,<br />
but as I travelled around I invariably found that people<br />
I met in the various places had stayed there.<br />
<strong>The</strong> George provides the ideal place to stopover in<br />
Christchurch before or after a long flight, or before<br />
heading off to the mountains or the lakes or a trip on<br />
the TranzAlpine train.
145<br />
^ <strong>The</strong> George, lobby.<br />
Two of the reasons for <strong>The</strong> George’s popularity sit<br />
right under the roof - the Pescatore Restaurant and<br />
the 50 On the Park Café. Both regularly win awards<br />
for their cuisine and presentation.
^ <strong>The</strong> George, accomodation.<br />
Some rooms have a view over the Avon River,<br />
which ambles gently by out the window. Suites are<br />
nice enough to live in forever.Soft shades of vanilla,<br />
beige and lime create a light airy atmosphere and<br />
the golden lilies on the glass tables top it off nicely.
147<br />
^ <strong>The</strong> George, lounge area.<br />
Staff at <strong>The</strong> George go to great lengths to make<br />
their hotel something far removed from the bigger<br />
city hotels designed to take coaches full of package<br />
travellers. If you’ve got to stay in the city, this place<br />
is pretty good.<br />
Link:<br />
http://wildernessnewzealand.com/the-george-main/<br />
© Sue Farley <strong>2017</strong><br />
Photos belong to property owners.
Explore New Zealand in<br />
Style and Comfort<br />
with<br />
Wilderness New Zealand<br />
HIKING - FISHING - CRUISES - SPA RETREATS -<br />
GOLF TOURS - FARM STAYS – LUXURY LODGES<br />
WE’LL ARRANGE YOUR ENTIRE TRIP OR<br />
JUST A SINGLE LODGE STAY<br />
www.newzealandfishinglodges.co.nz<br />
email sue@nztravelbrokers.co.nz
Contents Page 149<br />
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What An Experience<br />
Philemon Foo<br />
Dancing With Spirits<br />
Kuda Kepang<br />
It was a dark and quiet night. We were seated in a<br />
large circle on cemented ground somewhere in the paddy<br />
fields of Sungai Besar in Selangor, Malaysia. In front<br />
of us lay flat wooden horses awaiting their dance partners<br />
to pick them up and get the show going.
151<br />
^ <strong>The</strong> beats from these khendangs can be quite hypnotic.<br />
It wasn’t long before the sounds of “dings” and “dongs”<br />
started filling the warm air of this tropical Malaysian<br />
night; sounds created by the musicians or rather percussionists<br />
hitting on their musical instruments, marking<br />
the start of the performance that we have been patiently<br />
waiting for.
^ Bathing in the smoke of incense.<br />
Shortly after, out came the leader of the troupe, a<br />
shaman who started doing some rituals to open the<br />
doors between our world and that of the spirits. Suddenly<br />
the warm air turned cool with temperatures<br />
slowly dropping and the dancers picked up the flat<br />
wooden horses starting off the show.
153<br />
^ Horses and dancers dancing to the beats<br />
Holding their flat wooden horses against their bodies<br />
they danced in circles following the lead of a<br />
princess that rides on a white flat wooden horse.<br />
Along with these dancers are three friends from our<br />
group who volunteered to take part in the dance not<br />
knowing what was to come.
^ A dancer with the mask of a princess.<br />
As the dance progressed a few dancers wearing<br />
scary looking mask depicting various animals, a<br />
princess, a clown, and two persons in a tiger suit<br />
took to the floor and started following the circling<br />
dancers to the beat of the percussionists. In my<br />
head I was combining the rhythm of the gongs and<br />
khendangs (traditional musical percussion instruments)<br />
to Guns And Roses’ Sweet Child Of Mine<br />
and having quite a laugh doing so.
155<br />
^ When the masks used during the dance looks like this<br />
you know things are about to get weird.<br />
Suddenly a few of the dancers gave out loud<br />
screams, dropped their flat wooden horses and<br />
masks on the ground. <strong>The</strong> air went from cool to<br />
cold in matter of milliseconds and it was now that<br />
the performance took a nightmarish turn. Dancers<br />
started acting out the roles of their mask and horses<br />
having taken on the personalities of their dancing<br />
tools.
It is all just a performance right? A show put on for<br />
us, the media folks who so wanted to learn about<br />
the Javanese culture and traditional dances brought<br />
over by Javanese folks decades ago; right? I will let<br />
you think so for now as I go on.<br />
Things got really weird as some of the possessed<br />
dancers started doing things that humans usually<br />
do not do. One of the boy dancers started biting<br />
the husk off an unopened coconut the way a monkey<br />
does. Another dancer started slithering on the<br />
ground like a snake. Those who took on the personalities<br />
of the horses continued galloping in circles;<br />
strangely all of them in perfect rhythm.
157<br />
Not long later things took to a slightly violent turn.<br />
Someone then reassured us that as long as we<br />
do not go into the circle we will be okay. <strong>The</strong> shaman<br />
had created an unseen fence in front of us<br />
surrounding the dancers and the spirits ensuring<br />
that the spirits will not be able to cross over it. Feeling<br />
reassured we continue watching the show while<br />
some of us went around shooting photos.<br />
If you are thinking that nothing worse could possibly<br />
happen, well, wrong. Suddenly the shaman<br />
who was trying to contain the spirits by removing<br />
them from some of the possessed who have gone<br />
a little too weird, gave out a scream too. Just what<br />
we needed. <strong>The</strong> one who is supposedly in control<br />
is now himself possessed and in a trance.<br />
Now, dancers in their animalistic personalities started<br />
breaking out of the circle and they started “running”<br />
up trees. Two of them actually; one a tiger and<br />
the other; a bird (the shaman). <strong>The</strong>re goes the assurance<br />
of the unseen safety fence. I quickly shot<br />
as many photos as I could from below taking precaution<br />
just in case they started throwing coconuts<br />
at us.
^ <strong>The</strong> shaman on top of a coconut tree.<br />
Without any unforeseen incidents the shaman came<br />
down from the tree and still had the ability to contain<br />
the spirits although in a trance like state. He<br />
managed to remove a few spirits before being possessed<br />
by another spirit, this time an elephant.<br />
Makes “perfect” sense. Here’s why. He tried removing<br />
the spirit of a tiger from one of the dancers and<br />
failed. A stronger animal that would have a chance<br />
against the tiger would be an elephant.
159<br />
Even in his elephant state he failed to remove the spirit of<br />
the tiger despite trying a few times. At this stage most of<br />
the possessed dancers have had the animal spirit in them<br />
removed by the shaman and returned to their seats. But<br />
as the show continued a few more dancers who were not<br />
performing tonight got possessed too and started going<br />
all weird.<br />
It has been well over two and a half hours now since<br />
the show started. This also means that our three media<br />
friends who volunteered to take part in the dance must<br />
be tired. Either that or they were too afraid to stop. <strong>The</strong>y<br />
too could be possessed. Lucky for them someone went<br />
up to them (yes, after two and a half hours) to ask if they<br />
would like to stop. <strong>The</strong> first two happily said yes and returned<br />
to their places outside the magical circle.<br />
If you think this cannot get anymore weird, again you are<br />
wrong. Our other friend who was dancing looked different<br />
in a scary way. As the person went up to him to ask him<br />
if he wanted to stop, he replied nothing. He was quieter<br />
than a mouse. He just went on dancing in the same circle<br />
he has been doing for the past two and a half hours. <strong>The</strong><br />
person then tried to take the flat wooden horse from him<br />
but he scarily looked at the person and pulled the horse<br />
back and continued on his way. <strong>The</strong> person gave up and<br />
returned to what he was earlier doing. Still think that this<br />
is just a show? I, myself don’t think so anymore.
^ <strong>The</strong> shaman being possessed.<br />
Anyway, the shaman went round in his elephant<br />
state eating plants and digging holes as if searching<br />
for something. He then walked to a bridge, dug<br />
out some rocks and found a hole. He marked it<br />
with chalk and when back into the circle. <strong>The</strong>re he<br />
started screaming some more before picking up hot<br />
burning coals and eating them. He then went back<br />
to the tiger possessed man to try to remove the tiger<br />
spirit. Yet again he failed.
161<br />
This time the tiger possessed man picked up a coconut<br />
and started to bite the husk off while walking<br />
in a circle. He then threw it up in the air some<br />
two to three storeys high and continued his walk. I<br />
watched the coconut being affected by gravity, fall<br />
back down and hit him (tiger possessed man) right<br />
on the head and burst into pieces. No, not his head<br />
but the coconut. He then picked up a piece of the<br />
coconut and started eating it.<br />
Oh yes, what I forgot to include in this article is the<br />
use of a whip to control the dance and the dancers.<br />
<strong>The</strong> whip was used to change the dance movement<br />
of the dancers during the dance and to contained<br />
the possessed as the shaman did his thing to remove<br />
the spirits.<br />
<strong>The</strong> person who tried to stop our media friend from<br />
dancing earlier returned with this same whip and hit<br />
him lightly (I hope) on the arm twice and suddenly<br />
the expression on his (media friend) face changed.<br />
He dropped the flat wooden horse and with a blank<br />
face slowly walked out of the circle and sat under<br />
the coconut tree. Phew! Safe at last.
^ Like an elephant the shaman gets ready to capture the<br />
head of the dancer possessed by the spirit of a tiger.<br />
Back to the Shaman and the tiger possessed man...<br />
things have gone on way too long and the fight between<br />
the Shaman and the spirit of the tiger that<br />
has possessed the dancer got more intense. For the<br />
many years that he has been messing with these<br />
spirits perhaps they have gotten bored of him and<br />
decided not to leave. But at long last the shaman<br />
succeeded and the dancer collapsed to the floor motionless,<br />
tired from the ordeal.
163<br />
^ <strong>The</strong> shaman doing some form pf prayer or...<br />
But who would remove the spirit from the shaman?<br />
How will this end? Questions and more questions.<br />
Just when we thought that the only issue now is<br />
with the shaman, he (shaman) gave out another<br />
scream pointing in the direction of the coconut tree.<br />
Unfinished business perhaps. He then gestured in<br />
a hostile manner for someone (or something) to<br />
come to him as if asking for a fight. Puzzled, the<br />
crowd looked towards the coconut tree and slowly<br />
without any expression on his face, our earlier possessed<br />
media friend walked towards the shaman.
^ <strong>The</strong> shaman sending spirirts back to their world.<br />
<strong>The</strong> shaman gave out another scream and then<br />
grabbed the head of our media friend with one hand<br />
while pointing to the sky with the other. He gave out<br />
one more scream and our media friend collapsed to<br />
the ground. At last the spirit has left him leaving him<br />
exhausted and without energy.
165<br />
^ <strong>The</strong> shaman lying on the ground hugging the drum.<br />
<strong>The</strong> shaman then walked towards a drum and stood<br />
on it. He yet again gave one very loud scream pointing<br />
to the sky before collapsing to the ground hugging<br />
the drum like a bolster. Another person and<br />
his daughter then went to him, picked him up, and<br />
helped him stand before walking him back to a chair<br />
where he sat and recuperated.
Information On Kuda Kepang<br />
^ <strong>The</strong> shaman and his assistant fighting a possessed dancer.<br />
Kuda Kepang is a Javanese traditional ritual type<br />
dance that used to be performed during the paddy<br />
harvesting season. Spirits of various deities are<br />
called in to possess the dancers or performers.<br />
This dance is performed during certain events and<br />
functions these days. Dancers and performers are<br />
known to not only eat hot burning coal but broken<br />
glass too. <strong>The</strong>re have also been instances where<br />
performers climb onto the roof top of houses and ran<br />
on them.
^ Sending one more spirit back to its world.<br />
<strong>The</strong> kuda kepang dance will only end when all the<br />
spirits that were summoned to possess the dancers<br />
have returned to their realm and door between their<br />
world and ours closed. Sometimes these performance<br />
go on for many hours when more and more<br />
spirit possessions happen to either other dancers<br />
from the troupe or visiting troupes. Nevertheless, it<br />
is a performance worth watching.<br />
Contents Page<br />
167
Rooms<br />
Philemon Foo<br />
<strong>The</strong> Kabin<br />
Escape<br />
Completely<br />
Interesting:<br />
A secluded artsy<br />
and nicely styled<br />
abode
169<br />
^Welcome to <strong>The</strong> Kabin.<br />
Ever wanted to stay in a hotel or a resort that<br />
is completely out of the norm? Brick and mortar<br />
buildings, as well as wood; have been the norm for<br />
hotels and resorts for many years. Not long ago<br />
we started seeing hotels and resorts being made<br />
of other things such as cargo containers used normally<br />
for shipping. <strong>The</strong> Kabin in Kuala Selangor is<br />
one such place.
Out Of <strong>The</strong> Norm<br />
^ Looks pretty cool.<br />
Although using containers as rooms for people to<br />
sleep in is nothing new, it is not often that hotels, resorts,<br />
or even inns use them. <strong>The</strong> first one stayed in<br />
was at a place in Perak where I used to go fishing at.<br />
But when it comes to making container hotels look<br />
good and stylish; <strong>The</strong> Kabin has certainly succeeded.
171<br />
Good Sense<br />
^ A mural at our Kabin that enhances the looks of the place.<br />
Building hotels and resorts is not a cheap endeavour,<br />
but using refurbished shipping containers certainly<br />
brings the cost down. <strong>The</strong>re is more. It make<br />
sense too. Think about the environment. What happens<br />
to old shipping containers? <strong>The</strong>y get discarded,<br />
left to rot somewhere not seen by many. What<br />
a waste.
^ <strong>The</strong> containers do have windows. Round windows like<br />
those on ships.<br />
Refurbishing and repurposing them is one way that<br />
is both good for business and for the environment.<br />
<strong>The</strong> Kabin has done just so creating a lovely, artsy,<br />
looking abode for travellers who want to experience<br />
a different type of accommodation.
173<br />
Looks Good<br />
<strong>The</strong> Kabin does look good. While shipping containers<br />
may not look all that big on the outside, I was<br />
surprised to see that our container or “Kabin” actually<br />
fitted four persons quite comfortably. Yes, the<br />
walking spaces may be a little small but overall it<br />
is comfortable. We had four single beds, shelves,<br />
drawers, etc. Oh yes, there is also a built-in toilet.
^ Our container sleeps four.
175<br />
A Swimming Mixture Pool<br />
Antique furnitures.<br />
<strong>The</strong> Kabin does have a swimming pool. Wait, two<br />
pools of which are lovely places to relax especially<br />
when the sun is hot. <strong>The</strong>re is a wading pool for kids<br />
and a large pool for adults. It may not be an Olympic<br />
size pool but is certainly is big enough to do a<br />
few good laps.
Cafe<br />
Worried about what to eat? worry not. <strong>The</strong> Kabin does<br />
have its own cafe where one can have sandwiches,<br />
ice cream, cold drinks, coffee and tea, etc. <strong>The</strong>y can<br />
also do barbeque with advanced notice. <strong>The</strong>re are<br />
places to eat nearby should one not feel like dining at<br />
the resort.<br />
Other Facilities<br />
For those who like to sing <strong>The</strong> Kabin does have a karaoke<br />
room that will allow singers & “singers” to exercise<br />
their vocal “muscles.” <strong>The</strong>re are also meeting and<br />
function rooms, bicycles for rent, games room, and<br />
stand up paddling boards and kayaks.
177<br />
Book A Stay?<br />
Should you be fishing off Kuala Selangor or visiting the<br />
attractions around the area such as Malawati Hill (historical<br />
fort), fire fly watching, eagle watching, photography,<br />
a visit to Sky Mirror, etc. <strong>The</strong> Kabin certainly is a<br />
place to consider staying at. Oh, for anglers, there is a<br />
beach that is walking distance from <strong>The</strong> Kabin.<br />
One thing to note though is that the container rooms<br />
(being made of metal) get really hot in the afternoon.<br />
<strong>The</strong>y take a long time to cool down even with the airconditioning<br />
running full blast.
Information<br />
Address:<br />
<strong>The</strong> Kabin, Lot 2984 Jalan Jati, Pantai Remis, 45800<br />
Jeram, Kuala Selangor, Malaysia.<br />
Contact: +60176783825 / +603-3264 0578<br />
Email: info@thekabin.com.my<br />
Website: http://thekabin.com.my/<br />
GPS COORDINATE : 3.195990, 101.307795
Contents Page 179<br />
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Foodies<br />
Philemon Foo<br />
<strong>The</strong><br />
Verandah<br />
Restaurant<br />
@Cyberview<br />
Resort &<br />
Spa<br />
Interesting:<br />
An adventure of<br />
the taste buds.
181<br />
^ <strong>The</strong> Verandah Restaurant<br />
Human beings are creatures of habit. We tend<br />
to eat at the few places that we like eating at and<br />
before you know it, you’re there almost every day.<br />
I have a few eating places that I go to on a rotation<br />
basis but then again it is habitual for me to do so.<br />
Sometimes it is good to break out of that loop and<br />
go dine somewhere else. We decided to go to the<br />
Cyberview Resort And Spa.
A Preview Of What’s<br />
To Come<br />
At the Cyberview Resort And Spa we attended a dinner,<br />
not just any dinner but a preview dinner of what would<br />
be served during the month of Ramadan for iftar. As we<br />
made our way towards the restaurant I could smell satay<br />
and meat being barbequed. That kicked started my<br />
digestive system and it wasn’t long before a gear shift<br />
took place seeing me speeding towards the buffet.
183<br />
A Dizzying Array<br />
^ Lots of stalls here with more inside the restaurant.<br />
Seeing the array of food being offered, I immediately<br />
noticed one issue. <strong>The</strong>re are lots of food but I only have<br />
one stomach with limited capacity. You see, Chef Imran<br />
and his team prepared 222 food items for the dinner (of<br />
which will also be offered during the month of Ramadan).<br />
That is a lot of food to savour.
Food Adventure<br />
I started my food journey with sushi before making my<br />
way to the various curries, and then took a break right<br />
after satay. <strong>The</strong> food was delicious. I wanted to go for a<br />
second round of gulai kawah but decided to hold back<br />
(it took a lot of will power) as there are more to savour.
^ Just look at all these delicious curry dishes...<br />
185
^ Yummy grilled lamb.<br />
After the short break I headed for the barbeque and filled<br />
up on charcoal grilled lamb and prawns. Whilst eating<br />
my delightful pieces of lamb a friend brought some icecream<br />
over and pointed out that this is a “must try.” My<br />
brains short circuited. Before finishing my main course,<br />
I attacked the ice-cream counter. Who wouldn’t when<br />
the ice-cream is rendang chicken flavoured.
187<br />
Rendang Chicken Ice-Cream<br />
^ Rendang chicken ice-cream on the right. See the bits of<br />
chilli and chicken?<br />
Yes, you read this right. At first I too thought that I heard<br />
it wrong. I asked again what the flavour was and again<br />
I was told “rendang chicken ice-cream.” This ice-cream<br />
is a little spicy with tiny bits of chicken meat marinated<br />
with rendang, in it. <strong>The</strong> first scoop was the “getting used<br />
to” while the second scoop was where I enjoyed it.
More Main Courses<br />
^ Indian cuisine.<br />
I was already somewhat full by now but I just had to go<br />
on one more round of food adventuring. I wanted to go<br />
for more satay but then I saw fried kuay teow (a broader<br />
flat type of rice noodles). I weighed my options since I<br />
need room for dessert; and fried kuay teow won the bid.
189<br />
^ <strong>The</strong> simple but very delicious fried kuay teow.<br />
<strong>The</strong> fried kuay teow tasted really good. It was cooked<br />
just nice. Not too salty but really tasty. A bit spicy but not<br />
too much. what I love about fried kuay teow is the cockles.<br />
Without them no fried kuay teow is worth eating. I<br />
enjoyed every strand of it despite feeling full.
Using My Spare Tank<br />
^ <strong>The</strong> very lovely tiramisu cake.<br />
With so many delightful desserts tempting my sweet<br />
tooth I had no choice but to go on. I enjoyed lovely durian<br />
rolls (durian is my favourite fruit) which was really<br />
good. I enjoyed various palm dates (I love dates) . I had<br />
a few slices of cakes and tarts too. I love the strawberry<br />
tarts, crème Brulee, but the one I liked best is the blueberry<br />
cheese cake... or is it the tiramisu cake... both.
^ Very yummy blueberry cheese cake.<br />
191
^ If you enjoy strawberries, you will love these tarts.
^ Five varieties of palm dates. Oooh... lovely.<br />
193
^ My kiddo went gaga over these cupcakes.
^ Lollies for the kids.<br />
195
So Much More<br />
^ Ahhh.... chocolate fountain.<br />
<strong>The</strong>re are so much more food that I have not tried. Well,<br />
every stomach has a limit. I had to stop or risk humiliation<br />
being wheeled out in a wheelbarrow. It is impossible<br />
to lose weight with such delicious meals on offer. I<br />
am certain that I have gained a few kilos after this meal<br />
but it was all worth it. When time comes I’ll hit the gym.
Information<br />
All these sumptuous delights will be available again<br />
during the month of Ramadan. So, do book yourself<br />
a table now.<br />
Prices (adult): RM138.00 (weekdays)<br />
RM100.00 (weekends)<br />
For enquiry call +603 8312 7091 or 7092<br />
Address:<br />
<strong>The</strong> Lodge, Persiaran Multimedia, Cyber 7<br />
63000 Cyberjaya<br />
Selangor, Malaysia<br />
GPS Coordinate<br />
Latitude: N 2 55.440<br />
Longitude: E 101 40.020<br />
Contents Page<br />
197
Rejuvenate<br />
<strong>Escapy</strong>
199<br />
^ Ingredients used to balance the Ying and Yang.<br />
Need a break from the hustle and bustle of city<br />
living? Feel like you need to be pampered? Sembunyi<br />
Spa at the Cyberview Resort & Spa in Cyberjaya<br />
offers de-stressing massages, relaxing baths, and<br />
rejuvenating treatments that takes you to a place<br />
that is stress free; a different realm perhaps where<br />
the stress and pressure of running the “rat race” or<br />
managing businesses are all forgotten for a while.
^ A lap pool at the Sembunyi Spa.<br />
Sembunyi Spa is a spa inspired by Indo-Malay and Sino<br />
culture rich in heritage traditions of the region. Sembunyi<br />
Spa is set within lush greenery and calming waters;<br />
a hidden gem within Cyberjaya. <strong>The</strong> place is beautiful<br />
with a relaxing and luxurious atmosphere.
201<br />
^ A Jacuzzi at the Sembunyi Spa.<br />
One can enjoy a lovely Jacuzzi; a lovely place to relax<br />
at, a cold plunge pool, steam and sauna rooms to melt<br />
the stress away, and a lap pool to swim in. <strong>The</strong>re are<br />
luxurious massage rooms for individual guests as well<br />
as couples.
^ Why not come here for a massage?
Information<br />
Sembunyi Spa is certainly a piece of heaven on earth.<br />
<strong>The</strong> Lodge, Persiaran Multimedia, Cyber 7<br />
63000 Cyberjaya, Selangor, Malaysia.<br />
Tel: (603) 8312 7000<br />
Email: hotline@cyberviewresort.com<br />
GPS Coordinate<br />
Latitude: N 2 55.440<br />
Longitude: E 101 40.020<br />
Contents Page<br />
203
Note: Products in this section may have not been tested by <strong>The</strong> Asian Angler magazine<br />
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205
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lasting support that amps up blanket fort<br />
sleepovers and can make out-of-town visitors<br />
feel like red-carpet guests.
207<br />
Features<br />
Twin size bed for 1 person, fits standard twin size<br />
sheets.<br />
Supports up to 136 kg.<br />
Ideal for use indoor as extra bed for visiting family or<br />
friends, travel trip and or outdoor camping.
47% more puncture-resistant, 25% stronger and 45%<br />
lighter than a standard Coleman® airbed of the same<br />
size.<br />
DuraRest bonded fabric surface is more durable<br />
and soft to the touch.<br />
Double-high (38 cm height) keeps you away from the<br />
cold, hard ground.
209<br />
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6gNrIp8oRrs<br />
Inflate/deflate easily with air pump (sold separately).<br />
Wrap ‘N’ Roll built-in storage system – just fold,<br />
roll and store in 3 simple steps.<br />
ComfortStrong coil system - provides better support<br />
for all-night comfort.<br />
Support Lock - reinforced construction lets you enjoy<br />
a more stable sleeping surface.
AirTight® SYSTEM - Factory tested to be leak free,<br />
ensuring firmness all night long
DOUBLE LOCK VALVE - Locks air in two ways,<br />
making inflation and deflation easy and simple<br />
211
PUNCTURE RESISTANT - Heavy duty PVC provides<br />
a pure elastic product that’s more resistant<br />
to punctures
Contents Page<br />
213<br />
Specifications<br />
1 person airbed<br />
Weight support: Up to 136 kg/300 lbs<br />
Dimension (Inflated): Approx. 190 (L) X 101 (W) X<br />
38 (H) cm<br />
Dimension (Packed): Approx. 36 (L) x 33 (W) × 15<br />
(H) cm<br />
Product Weight: Approximately 2.7 kg<br />
Material : PVC<br />
Made in China<br />
1 year manufacturing warranty
Evets<br />
<strong>Escapy</strong><br />
<strong>The</strong> Asia Urban Youth<br />
Assembly (AUYA) <strong>2017</strong><br />
Youths are the future of every country and their views<br />
help shape the countries that they live in. That said, it<br />
is good for the youths of the world to come together an<br />
share their ideas and plans that can help make for a<br />
better world. That brings us to the Asia Urban Youth Assembly<br />
(AUYA) <strong>2017</strong> that was held recently in Malacca.
215<br />
^ Mariko Sato, UN-Habitat Chief(Bangkok).<br />
<strong>The</strong> Asia Urban Youth Assembly (AUYA) <strong>2017</strong> is an international<br />
conference that brought together youth delegates<br />
from 34 countries to discuss on significant issues<br />
that are affecting the world; urban agenda of the United<br />
Nation (UN) Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) that<br />
were agreed upon at the Habitat III Cities Conference in<br />
Quito, Ecuador (October 2016).
This is the first time Malacca hosted AUYA in collaboration<br />
the Ministry of Youth and Sports, Melaka Historic<br />
City Council, UN Habitat, and UN Youth And World Assembly<br />
Of Youth (WAY). <strong>The</strong> theme of this conference<br />
here in Malacca is “Youth Roles Towards New Urban<br />
Agenda – Taking Action For Innovative, Socially Minded,<br />
Green Cities.”<br />
Topics discussed by the participants include managing<br />
of the problems that cities commonly faced, ethics about<br />
doing what is right for and by all urban citizens, ethical<br />
approach to leadership, ethical approach to planning<br />
and economic development, sustainability and citizen<br />
engagement, effective response to global issues such<br />
as climate change, tackling social and economic issues<br />
in cities, etc.<br />
<strong>The</strong> participants involved in this assembly are from Bangladesh,<br />
Belize, Canada, China, Colombia, Czech Republic,<br />
Ethiopia, Ghana, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia,<br />
Iraq, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Korea, Macedonia, Maldives,<br />
Morocco, Nepal, Nigeria, Pakistan, Philippines, Rwanda,<br />
Somalia, Tanzania, Thailand, Trinidad and Tobago,<br />
Turkey, UAE, Uganda, United States, Zambia, Zimbabwe<br />
and Malaysia.
217<br />
^ YAB Datuk Seri Ir. Idris Haron, the Chief Minister of Melaka.<br />
Holding this assembly here is good as Malacca is a good<br />
example of the successful implementation of such initiatives.<br />
One very good example is the successful rehabilitation<br />
of the Melaka River that has turned a once filthy and<br />
dead river into a beautiful river of life that now draws in<br />
tourists and is now a very successful tourism product.<br />
According to the Chief Minister of Malacca YAB Datuk Seri<br />
Ir. Idris Haron, the aim for Malacca is to become resilient<br />
and to manage its natural resources well, becoming a self<br />
sustainable state, and to promote low carbon growth of<br />
which in return will help the state to remain competitive<br />
and enhances the liveability of all its residents.
Its plans includes a green city of which will also benefits<br />
tourism. This plan covers water management, renewable<br />
energy and energy efficiency, green transportation,<br />
zero waste, urban forestry and agriculture, as well as<br />
cultural heritage.<br />
As of current, Malacca city has deployed two electric<br />
buses that covers the World Heritage Zone. Forty more<br />
electric buses are in the pipeline pending approval for<br />
a request made and hopefully it will become a reality<br />
soon.<br />
An initiative to transform nine state government buildings<br />
into energy efficient buildings is underway with<br />
the completion of the first phase of the Putra Specialist<br />
Hospital Melaka Building that brought about monthly<br />
savings of RM100,000 to RM150,000. <strong>The</strong> second<br />
phase is underway and is expected to see completion at<br />
the end of <strong>2017</strong>. It is hoped that the completion of both<br />
these phases will bring down electricity cost by some<br />
RM3.5million per year.<br />
Note: This project started in 2013 with the support and<br />
cooperation of the Danish government.
Other Projects<br />
Smart Grid Pilot Project that will help control the daily<br />
maximum demand of electricity with smarter load management<br />
that is hoped to optimize the generation of<br />
electricity during the peak periods.<br />
<strong>The</strong> Recycling of Solid Waste of which encourages waste<br />
separation, a program that has been ongoing since 1st<br />
September2015 with the aim of increasing recycling rate<br />
by 20 percent come 2020. <strong>The</strong> use of polystyrene and<br />
plastic bags are also banned in Malacca.<br />
Energy saving Smart LED Street Lights are currently<br />
being retrofitted onto 120,000 units of street lights enabling<br />
a significant reduction of energy using an internet<br />
connected smart control system.<br />
Melaka World Solar Valley, a new township in the pipelines<br />
that focuses on the development of solar technology.<br />
Contents Page<br />
219
Goodies<br />
<strong>Escapy</strong><br />
Coleman Instant Shelter<br />
Most outdoor shelters provide shelter from one thing -<br />
the sun. Coleman Shelters provide protection from the sun,<br />
the wind and the rain with our exclusive WindStrong System.<br />
This wind-tested technology combines vented canopies,<br />
shock-corded poles, patent-pending hubs and Guy lines to<br />
ensure your Coleman Shelter is strong, sturdy and secure.<br />
Next time you need outdoor shelter, count on Coleman<br />
quality to provide you with more than just shade. Check out<br />
Coleman Instant Shelters.<br />
<strong>The</strong> patented Instant Canopy frame sets up in less than 60<br />
seconds, leaving you more time for having fun. If you like to<br />
be outside and not spend a lot of time setting up your equipment,<br />
you’ll appreciate the Instant Canopies easy set-up.<br />
Website: http://coleman.com.my/<br />
Note: May not be available in certain markets.
Contents Page<br />
221<br />
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qEvqeMVcmwg&list=PL-pdWfDP5zNrSMg8bZlgm3XKnJXhUXe-J&index=105
Goodies<br />
<strong>Escapy</strong><br />
Coleman WeatherTec System<br />
Keeps You Dry<br />
Our tent is the most important piece of equipment of<br />
your camping trip. <strong>The</strong> tent is your home away from home.<br />
Campers have many choices in selecting a tent or shelter<br />
that will meet a variety of needs. Tents are offered in cabins,<br />
domes and other geometric shapes that provide many<br />
storage and comfort options. Choose a tent that meets<br />
your outdoor recreation needs for protection, comfort, size,<br />
weight and features. By choosing carefully, you are laying<br />
a strong foundation for years of enjoyable camping experiences.<br />
Website: http://coleman.com.my/<br />
Note: May not be available in certain market<br />
.
PDF Readers: Click Link To Watch Video<br />
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2B3UcsC-k68<br />
Website: http://coleman.com.my/<br />
Note: May not be available in certain market<br />
.<br />
Contents Page<br />
223
http://www.oakley.com/en/mens/sunglasses/sport-sunglasses/flak-2-0-xl-polarized/product/W0OO9295XLP/?skuCode=OO9188-08&categoryCode=m0203<br />
Contents Page<br />
Goodies<br />
<strong>Escapy</strong><br />
Oakley® Flak 2.0 XL<br />
Polarized Sunglasses<br />
Oakley engineering takes performance to the next level<br />
and brings style along for the ride. Flak 2.0 offers a standard<br />
size frame with enhanced lens coverage, and every millimeter<br />
of the lens is optimized with High Definition Optics®<br />
in a ruggedly durable yet lightweight design. Designed to<br />
push your limits with patented XYZ Optics® for razor sharp<br />
clarity and secure grip of Unobtanium®<br />
http://www.oakley.com/en/mens/sunglasses/<br />
sport-sunglasses/flak-2-0-xl-polarized/product/<br />
W0OO9295XLP/?skuCode=OO9188-08&categoryCode=m0203<br />
Note: May not be available in certain markets
225<br />
Goodies<br />
<strong>Escapy</strong><br />
Merrell Men’s All Out Blaze Sieve<br />
Intense overland missions require both speed and hiking<br />
performance. Add in stream crossings, and you need this<br />
water-ready, agile hiking shoe. Its open designed, watershedding<br />
upper hugs your foot to an aggressive, responsive<br />
trail platform made to flex naturally and connect to terrain,<br />
while protecting underfoot.
Freatures<br />
UPPER/LINING<br />
• Waxy waterproof leather fabric upper<br />
• Lycra neoprene stretch collar for easy on and off<br />
• M Select FRESH antimicrobial agents reduce shoe odor
Contents Page<br />
227<br />
MIDSOLE/OUTSOLE<br />
• UniFly midsole connects you to the trail, protects you<br />
from the terrain<br />
• 3 mm lug depth<br />
• TC5+Vibram outsole<br />
• Weight: 1lb 5oz<br />
http://www.merrell.com/US/en/all-out-blaze-sieve/17573M.html<br />
Note: May not be available in certain markets
Goodies<br />
<strong>Escapy</strong><br />
LAYERED HOODIE 2<br />
• Layered hoodie made from different materials combined<br />
with different thickness to maximize comfort level and<br />
funtionality when wearing it<br />
• Cool piece of neck guard with Snow Camo print to give<br />
wearer full protection from the hot and cold weather
Contents Page<br />
229<br />
• Fast drying material absorb and disperse moisture<br />
quickly for a dry and comfortable wear<br />
• UV Protection fabric (UPF 40)<br />
• Material with deodorant function – reduction / neutralized<br />
odor function<br />
• Finger hole cut out on sleeve with silicone dot for antislip<br />
grip<br />
Colours:<br />
Size:<br />
Grey, Green, Snow Camo<br />
M, L, XL<br />
Materials<br />
Body:<br />
Sleeve:<br />
Neck Guard:<br />
.<br />
100% Polyester<br />
86% Nylon, 14% Polyurethane<br />
100% Polyester<br />
For more information please visit Pure Fishing at:<br />
www.purefishingmalaysia.com
Goodies<br />
<strong>Escapy</strong><br />
MONOGRAM NECK SUN<br />
GUARD<br />
• A versatile neck piece that can be worn in various ways<br />
• UV Protection (UPF 30)<br />
• Sweat Absorbent in comfortable and stretchable material<br />
• Quick drying for best comfort<br />
• <strong>The</strong>rmal Protection from heat and cold alike<br />
• Seamless design
Contents Page<br />
231<br />
Colours:<br />
Sizes:<br />
Material:<br />
Charcoal, Navy, Black<br />
Free size<br />
100% Polyester<br />
.<br />
For more information please visit Pure Fishing at:<br />
www.purefishingmalaysia.com
Welcome To<br />
<strong>The</strong> Asian Publisher<br />
<strong>The</strong> Free Mobile Magazine People<br />
Do Checkout Our Other Titles<br />
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Contents Page