Sunday 27 July 2014

Selamat Hari Raya Aidilfitri


Thursday 24 July 2014

Glamourous camping adventure awaits

Glamourous camping adventure awaits

LOVE the idea of camping but not really a fan of roughing it out in the jungle?

Or are you looking for a quick romantic escape to Nature far away from technology?

Then look no further than Penang’s upcoming new attraction — a “glamping” resort.

Glamping, or “glamorous camping”, is the first of its kind concept to be introduced in the country.

Taking its name from the surroundings, the resort to be called Boulder Valley Glamping Resort by Amazing Discovery, is set to be built on a 8.9ha valley in Teluk Bahang.

The eco-resort would be designed to maintain the environmental characteristics of the site, including the biological and geological settings of the place.

The structure of the resort would be built on stilts to minimise disturbances to the natural habitat, vegetation, waterways and ground.

The project by Treasure Orchard Bhd is expected to be completed within two years and cost about RM7 million.

Project executive director Lee Woon Poo said the project would be undertaken with an environment-sensitive design approach, combining unique experiences for guests.

“Our main objective is to create an authentic eco-resort that maintains the environmental characteristics of the site, including the biological and geological factors of the place.

“Guests can enjoy unique experiences and basic amenities, a 1km buggy truck, tree-top restaurants, 100m long suspended bridge, bird-watching decks and tailored services,” she said.


The resort will be built among the natural setting of the valley with minimal impact on the flora and fauna.

~News courtesy of New Straits Times~

Wednesday 16 July 2014

George Town Festival returns

George Town Festival returns

GEORGE Town Festival (GTF) 2014 is back for its sixth run, with a more dazzling array of international and local performances, exhibitions and creative events.

From Aug 1 to 31, GTF 2014 will host a packed month of free exhibitions, street celebrations, dance and drama performances.

The performances housed in quirky venues, includes world-class ticketed events from Europe, Korea, India, Japan and Singapore, for as little as RM20.

The festival launches its month of events on Aug 1, with a show-stopping, festival-bespoke spectacle, Circus circus with Japanese dance sensation, Wrecking Crew Orchestra, performing alongside acrobatics acts from Finland, Thailand, and China.

The unprecedented contemporary circus is among the many highlights of the festival which includes world-famous choreographer Sidi Larbi Cherkoui’s cutting edge duet, Play, which will see him taking the stage with queen of Indian Kuchipudi dance, Shantala Shivalingappa.

The spellbinding meeting of East and West, modern and traditional is followed by the virtuoso solo dance performances by a British dance star, Aakash Odedra, whose explosive repertoire of modern choreography is sure to blaze a dazzling solo path.

Not to forget Indian Impresario, Roysten Abel, who brings the Asian premiere of his astounding multi-sensory show, The Kitchen, a powerful theatrical work melding music, drama and cooking in one monumental performances.

The festival’s closing day street celebration, V & A Project, will also feature award-winning Sydney-based dance troupe, Shaun Parker & Company, performing a free, open-air performance of trolleys, in which ballet, flashmob and parkour meet in an adrenaline-filled dance.

Also a must-see is the showcase of Penang’s diverse culture reflected in a lineup which includes programmes focusing on Malay-Javanese dance, Kuda Kepang; Jawi-Peranakan boria, Eurasian food and music as well as a series of exhibition and concerts staged in Penang’s classic kopitiam.

For details, call 04-2616308 or visit www.georgetownfestival.com.

~News courtesy of New Straits Times~

Tuesday 8 July 2014

Have bicycle will travel on Penang island

Have bicycle will travel on Penang island

CYCLING is fast becoming a favourite mode of touring the state capital of Penang.

Tourists, domestic and foreign, as well as local residents have taken up cycling to visit the many tourist attractions around town.

The craze for cycling has also spurred the setting up of many bicycle-for-rent outlets.

Rental rates are also affordable. Depending on the type of bicycle, it is usually between RM10 and RM30 per three or four hours.

The bicycles come in various types like the tandem bike, classic bicycle, city bicycle and mountain bike.

The tandems come with two seats, while the classic types are those considered as vintage two-wheelers and the city types are the regular bicycles.

One enterprising bicycle-for-rent operator is H.A. Malik Al-Habsy.

The 19-year-old started with a modest fleet of five city bicycles three years ago.

Today, Malik has 29 bicycles of various types to suit the needs of his clients.

“I got the idea of starting the bicycle rental service after I found many tourists flocking to the numerous street art spots in town.

“Then, most visitors would walk to these places.

“With a little bit of publicity, many tourists came to rent my bicycles to get around town,” he said.

Malik said tandem bikes were popular, especially among couples.

He has big plans to expand his fleet of bicycles to cater to rising demand from tourists.

Another bicycle-for-rent operator, Khairudin Mustafa, 65, said mountain bikes were popular with clients at his outlet in Lebuh Acheh.

He said these bicycles used for sport are considered more powerful than the regular bicycles, and were much sought-after by foreign tourists.

“Besides visiting the various tourist spots here, these tourists would often cycle all the way to Batu Ferringhi.

“Sometimes, they would leave the bicycles there. That’s why I charge them slightly higher,” he said.

Khairudin, a pensioner, said business had been good, especially on weekends when there were fewer motorists on the road.

Tourist Ada Ingenerf said she preferred cycling to getting around on foot while touring the many tourist spots here.

“I use this mode of transport back home and I am glad that there are many bicycle-rental shops here.

“Cycling is a convenient way to get around. It’s cheap and healthy too,” said the 25-year-old German lass.

Another bicycle enthusiast, Nor Zulaikha Abu Hassan, 19, said she and her friends from Perak enjoyed their urban tour on the non-motorised two-wheelers.

“It is enjoyable and fun getting around town on bicycles.

“However, I wish there were more bicycle lanes for cyclists here,” she said.


Teenagers enjoying the sights and sounds on Lebuh Armenian in the heritage enclave of George Town.

~News courtesy of New Straits Times~