Perlis - the northernmost tip of Malaysia!

At the northern end of the country that borders Malaysia and Thailand is the small state called Perlis.
Like its sister state, Kedah, most people don't come to Perlis because it's too far and with the assumption there's nothing to do there.
Perlis is a perfect getaway from the citylife, and it's not as boring as you think it is.
Here are some places you can visit:
(picture courtesy of www.cuti.com.my)
Arau
A small little town from the main city, Arau is a small town where you can get to by bus. There're some shophouses along the area,
but walk a little further and you will see Istana Arau, the Royal Palace. Of course, if you must know, Arau is the royal capital of Perlis so
don't be fooled by its small size. If you've think you've seen it all, walk a little further on and you will find the Royal Mosque, which is
very close to the Palace. You can enjoy the morning market in Arau, and there's public transportation at Arau to get around Alor Star,
to Langkawi and to Kuala Perlis with ease. Before you hit town, you will see tons of paddy fields and beautiful greenery. The architecture
from long ago still remains in the shophouses so if you're planning to sightsee, this little quiet town is one stop.

Snake and Reptile Farm
Being the only snake farm in Malaysia, one must at least drop by Perlis to see this place. North of Kangar, situated within the Bukit
Bintang Forest Reserve near Batu Pahat River, this research facility is designed to develop serums for snakebites, while researching
the habits of the creatures as well as letting people appreciate the beauty of this creatures. More than 20 species of snakes can
be found there, as well as crocodiles, monitor lizards, spiders, tortoises and much more. If you have interest in the cold-blooded
creatures, go ahead and take a peek at the farms. If you're lucky, you can have a photo taken with the main attractions themselves.
(picture courtesy of www.cuti.com.my)

Melati Lake
Located north of Kangar lies the recreational man-made park called Melati Lake. It's a huge park that encircles a large lake, with natural
wetlands and forestry. There's tons of activities to be done here. If you like family activities, you can have a picnic or try the water sports
in the lakes. Have a stroll down its lovely greenery. If you feel like doing some quiet fishing, here's also a great place to do so. Observing
wildlife is also a big attraction here. Children can have fun at the playground that's provided within the park.
(picture courtesy of www.cuti.com.my)

Gua Kelam
Located at Kaki Bukit lies a 370-metre long limestone cave which happens to be one of the main attractions in Perlis. There's a
famous saying around there that goes "Di Kaki Bukit, Ada Gua Kelam" which literally translates as "At a foothill, there's a dark cave".
You walk along a suspension bridge the whole journey through the caves, as you learn more about the cave and its unique features.
There's a stream that flows through the cave which you can later have a dip when you reach the end of it. This cave was discovered
by a resident Englishman who thought that this was a wonderful route for tin ore transportation, and thus Gua Kelam became what it is.
If you're feeling adventurous and want to know what it's like to be a miner from those days, then take a walk in Gua Kelam and
discover the mysteries within that dark route.
(picture courtesy of prince photography, www.flickr.com)

There's Just Something About Kedah

Well, before I start droning on about the wonderful sights and sounds of Kedah, I feel it appropriate to give a little introduction to the state.
Located in the northwestern region of Malaysia, Kedah is the largest grower of paddy in Malaysia, hence its nickname 'The Rice Bowl".
Its royal seat and capital city is Alor Setar and it borders the Thai provinces of Yala and Songkhla. With just over 1.8 million citizens,
it's not exactly what you call big. It's population is a roughly even mix of the 3 major ethnic groups of Malaysia, with a few Thais here and
there and, over the years, the cultures of these four groups have mixed.

Many people do not venture to the Northern States as it is quite far and have the perception that it's a going to be a farmer's country
with nothing much to see. Don't be fooled. Kedah is one of the country's best kept secret.
Here are a few places to see if you ever decide to drop by this beautiful state!

Mount Jerai
Located between the borders of Kuala Muda and Yan, lies Kedah's Peak. She has always been written in history as the landmark for
sea farers to the country. According to a folklore, there's a big rock in the form of a ship that exists at its peak which the
locals call "Batu Kapal". The rock used to be once a ship that belonged to the great Maharaja Merong Mahawangsa which was
cursed by Sang Kelambai while the Maharaja tried to land his ship in Pulau Serai, which is what they used to call Mt. Jerai.

Mt. Jerai is famous for its lush greenery and a big attraction to those who enjoy nature. The variety of flora and fauna is abundant,
and this is a perfect getaway from city for those who prefer a quiet time in the mountains. At the peak, you can find
the Museum of Forestry to learn more about its information and artefacts.There're rooms and bungalows that
are catered to the needs for tourists and hikers, so you never have to worry about looking for shelter in the mountains if you have
forgotten to pack a tent with you! Not far from there lies the famous Alur Naga waterfalls, which is said that once a great dragon
lived behind the caves and was often seen bathing in the pools.It's a great place for sight-seeing, hiking, picnics and camping, so if you
feel like enjoying the rich beauty of Kedah's forests, Mount Jerai is the place for you. (picture courtesy of www.cuti.com.my)

Langkawi Island
An archipelago of 99 islands, the Jewel of Kedah is probably one of main attractions.You can do so much in Langkawi like watching
eagles, visiting Mahsuri's tomb, visiting the ports and aquariums, and having fun in the beach. But the most exciting thing to do in
Langkawi is island-hopping. There are so many islands around Langkawi you can visit. Among the very famous ones are Pulau Singa,
Pulau Payar, Pulau Cenang and Pulau Dayang Bunting. At Pulau Payar, snorkeling and scuba diving is a must as it is famous for
its corals, which researchers tend to visit from time to time to check on it. As for Pulau Dayang Bunting, you can spot its shape from
afar as it looks like a pregnant woman lying down on her back. In the middle of the island lies a large lake, which many tourists come
to have a swim and enjoy. Pulau Singa happens to be an island filled with animals that you can pet and ride on, which is a big hit
especially with children. There's also Pulau Beras Basah, a private island which you can actually hop on along the way. This island,
which I have heard countless of times from my sister and have witnessed it myself, that you know you're reaching the island when
you see that the sea has changed from emerald green into a rich sapphire blue. I kid you not. This island is one of the best kept secrets
in the country, in my opinion. The beaches are sandy white and the shallow waters are a cerulean blue; so clear you can see your
feet in the water. Never slip a chance to have a visit at the place when you have a chance. Aside from the islands, Pulau Langkawi is the
only other place you can get duty-free items from so this is one heavenly place when it comes to buying imported things.
(picture courtesy of www.goway.com)

Lembah Bujang
Malacca's not the only place that's rich with historical qualities. Situated near Merbok, between Mount Jerai and Muda River,
boasts the richest archaeological area in the whole Malaysia. This is one of the most exciting places for geologists, historians
and adventurers as this place is one of the longest standing places in the country, and has been like this way before Parameswara
discovered Malacca! Known as 'Dragon Valley', this is the place where the great kingdoms of Langkasuka and Kadaram once reigned.
The proof of their existence can be found in the archaeological museum, but its longest living proofs are the ancient tombs called candis,
which represented the impact of Hinduism and Buddhism in the country. Till today, Lembah Bujang remains a mystery as there is much
yet to understand about its history. Rumor has it that there's gold within Muda River so if you're feeling plucky, you can try your luck
to find some. Walking on Lembah Bujang feels like walking to another side of the world as the earth is slightly tilted there so don't be
alarmed if you think you're seeing things in a tilted angle.
(picture courtesy of www.asiaexplorers.com)

Alor Setar
The heart of the state, Alor Star is a city caught between its historical beauty and modernization. One can say that Alor Star is one
of the most beautiful and lively cities to have existed. You can visit a lot of places by foot or by bus, which isn't too expensive.
There are buildings filled with rich Malay designs such as the Balai Besar and the Balai Nobat, which is near the beautiful Masjid Zahir,
the State High Court and the State Art Gallery which is just a stone throw's away. If you want to grab some delectable tidbits or
a gift, never fear, there's Pekan Rabu. It's a huge market that's opened everyday that houses many stalls and restaurants.
Take a trip to Wat Nikrodharam, one of the biggest temple made in gold that supports both Theravada and Mahayana Buddhist traditions.
Rich in Thai elements and minor Chinese motifs, the shrine is one of the most beautiful places to sightsee if you ever choose to
walk through its ginormous doorway. Standing tall in the heart of Alor Star is the Alor Star Tower. One must take the time to go up
once and see the whole of Alor Star through telescopes provided there. If you feel hungry, never fear: There's a wonderful hotel nearby
which hosts very delicious food at an affordable price called Hotel Samila, which is rich with the 1970s feel mixed with Thai art.
Alor Star is abundant with tasty affordable meals, so you can expect to live a Hobbit's way of life when visiting this city.
(picture courtesy of www.asiaexplorers.com)

~Terengganu~

Kenyir Lake

Located approximately 55 km from Kuala Terengganu, the Kenyir Lake is reputed to be one of the largest and most fascinating man-made lake in the world with over 340 islands and covering an area of 369 sq km, it is also Malaysia's largest rock-filled hydroelectric dam. Surrounded by a lush tropical jungle, the Kenyir Lake is a popular and ideal retreat for nature lovers, anglers, photo, enthusiasts and fun seekers. Some of the activities which could be carried out here are fishing, swimming, canoeing, boating and jungle trekking. A wide variety of fresh water fish such as 'baung', 'toman', 'kelisa' and 'lampam' are thriving abundantly in the lake.


Perhentian Island
Situated 21 km of the coast of Terengganu, Pulau Perhentian consists of two islands which are Pulau Perhentian Kecil and Pulau Perhentian Besar. These lush and exotic tropical islands boast some of the most picturesque beaches revered by sunbathers. Blessed with an abundant supply of fresh water, these islands have been a stopover point for fishermen as well as migratory birds. The journey to Pulau Perhentian takes about 1 1/2 hours by boat from Kuala Besut.



Redang Island

Pulau Redang is the largest island of Redang archipelago off the coast of Terengganu and the centre of marine park. The park is arguable to be amongst the best diving sports in the world where marine life is protected and souvenir hunters are liable to prosecution. The crystal clear waters makes it ideal for swimming, snorkeling and scuba diving. Other sports such as boating, wind surfing, sailing, jungle trekking and golfing are also available. Pulau Redang is located 50 km from the coast and takes about 2 hours boat ride from the village of Merang. Other islands in the group are Pulau Pinang, Pulau Ekor Tebu, Pulau Kerengga Besar, Pulau Kerengga Kecil, Pulau Paku Besar, Pulau Paku Kecil and Pulau Lima.


Rantau Abang Beach

Rantau Abang, 60 km south of Kuala Terengganu, is one of the six Beaches in the world where giant leatherback turtles come ashore to lay their eggs from the month of May to September. These giant turtles, up to 2.5m in length and sometimes weighing more than 375 kg is indeed a phenomenal sight to behold.



Waterfront

Visitors to the Waterfront of Kuala Terengganu will be in awe of and fascinated by the hustle and bustle of activities taking place there. Stroll down the Waterfront and watch fishmongers haggling for the price of fish and other seafood, or take a boat ride to one of the many beautiful surrounding islands. Another appealing alternative is to take a passenger boat to Seberang Takir, where the most incredible view of the South China Sea can be seen.

Selangor

Kampung Kuantan Fireflies, Selangor is a major tourist attraction of Selangor that has attracted thousands of tourists from all across the globe and have literally amazed them. The Kampung Kuantan Fireflies in Selangor is known to the locals and to the international tourists as well for its legacy of the fireflies which twinkles in dark among the mangrove tree species, berembang. The very sight of the place is very unique that leaves the visitors captivated with its glow. The nature’s wonder, Kampung Kuantan Fireflies, Selangor is a truly marvelous sight to visit during your next visit to Selangor in Malaysia.
The Kampung Kuantan Fireflies, Selangor is located in an agricultural village, 9 kilometers from the Kuala Selangor town. The village’s fortune shine with the incandescent glow of fireflies which were found in the village as it turned out to be one of the famed international tourist destinations in Selangor. The tour down the river in a sampan or a boat takes the visitors to one of the mysteries of nature in Selangor which reveals that the place is an ideal habitat for the fireflies. These habitats are commonly known as the "hinggapan" or the fireflies locations which offers the ideal conditions for the flies to breed and sustain. Moreover, the Kampung Kuantan Fireflies, Selangor is claimed to be the only second place in the world to hold the mysteries of fireflies. The habitat is perfected by the presence of the Berembang Tree" or 'Sonneratia Caselaris', its scientific name. This tree grows wildly and is mostly found in the banks of Sungai Selangor. The tree needs a damp and swampy land which is ideally provided by the region. The fireflies too have the ideal situation in growing fast with the Berembang Tree.
The spectacle of the glowing fireflies in the dark makes an illuminating hue in the environment that is simply awesome. The glow attracts the tourists and it is truly a wonderful experience to witness the phenomena.
The Kampung Kuantan Fireflies, Selangor can be reached from Klang in air-conditioned buses which usually take 20 minutes. It is a pleasant drive that takes the tourists through the rubber and palm oil plantations.
The Mines Wonderland, Selangor has developed fast as a major tourist attraction of Selangor. The state of Selangor attracts loads of tourists with its innumerable attractions and the Mines Wonderland, Selangor is one of them that bring in the true spirit of the place to the visitors. The Mines Wonderland covers an imposing area of 80 hectares making it one of the largest entertainment zones in the world. The huge 80 hectare playground is filled with many natural and man made wonders which adds variety to life in Mines. The visitors can enjoy a host of facilities that features a snow house, a dazzling laser show and numerous activities on the lake that includes the best of water sports as well.
The beginning of the Mines Wonderland in Selangor was quite humble a it started just as a 80ha tin mine lake. The lake was transformed into a huge playground with water being added as an important element of the park. With gradual passage of time water became the central theme of the park. Water connects the park to the various other elements of Mines Resort City like the Showroom (MINES), Malaysian International Exhibition, the Palace of the Golden Horses and Mine Shopping Fair.
The Mines Wonderland, Selangor offers the excitement of country's first Snow House where one can witness the grandeur of the Aqua Laser show. The show is a special attraction of the [ark which makes a great sight. The waltzing, region's most spectacular fountain, is another great attraction of the park which follows the precision of perfect timing.
The guests can look forward to enjoy a host of other activities as well which includes Water skiing and wakeboarding. The sun lovers and the beach freaks can embark on a great time at the artificial beach with white sands. The specialty of the beach lies in the fact that it is also the first man made beach of the country which makes it more exciting. The beach is particularly popular among the tourists irrespective of their age.



Sunway Pyramid, Selangor is one of the most renowned Selangor Tourist Attractions. The state of Selangor is frequented by lots of travelers who come here from different parts of the globe. The place has got plenty of tourist attractions which must be visited by all the travelers. The presence of very good transport facilities makes the trip to Selangor even more memorable and comfortable. Sunway Pyramid, Selangor is a must visit place for all the travelers coming here.
The Sunway Pyramid in Selangor is a mall and the most unique feature of the entire structure is the pyramid which is done in Egyptian style. There is a lion which is standing at the entrance as the guard. The entire statue is very eye catching. The rest of the property is embellished with hieroglyphics decorating facades, plenty of Pharonic statuaries and has got a monumental style.
The place will surely excite all the shopaholics since here they will get a wide range of merchandise. There are local brands and international brands as well. There are over 350 shopping outlets found here and the visitors will surely have a great shopping experience at Sunway Pyramid, Selangor. The visitors will get a variety of fashionable accessories, timepieces, shoes, gifts, videos, jewelry, souvenirs, books, leather goods, music, pharmacies, a one stop IT center and electrical products as well.
Here the travelers will get a variety of shopping options and that also under one roof, which is quite convenient. There are many spots for the entertainment of the visitors as well. After shopping the visitors can go for a movie in the Cineplex that is located there. The visitors will get plenty of dining options in the mall. So after a tiring shopping experience one can check out any of the food outlets. The cafes located here are also very nice and cozy.
The trip to the mall will remain incomplete if the travelers fail to visit the various branded shops present in the mall. The trip to Selangor will remain incomplete if the tourists do not visit the Sunway Pyramid in Selangor.



Enjoy the best of artwork and the delicious seafood at Carey Island, Selangor. The island has developed fast as a major tourist attraction of Selangor. The place is visited by thousands every year to have a slice of great taste in Malaysia. The place has earned international repute with its huge base of great artworks which is exemplified by the indigenous Mah Meri which is pronounced as Mak Miri. Carey Island, Selangor has truly become an international destination with its elements.
The Mah Meri carves out the wooden masks that are designed in a special pattern followed by the locals in crafting the mask. The masks are crafted by the local community of Orang Asli in the island who are specialist in carving the uncanny mask out of the woods. The Mah Meri are the inhabitants of the Carey Island and have acquired the art from hierarchy. The Carey Island in Selangor is located 40 kilometers off the capital city of Kuala Lumpur in the Selangor region the island lays in the southern part. The existence of the Orang Asli art complements the fact that Malaysia still hold on to its cultural roots tight even being one of the most developed state in the world. As a matter of fact, it is at times considered that the Orang Asli were the original inhabitants of Malaysia.
The Carey Island also serves the best of the seafood to the tourists making the visit a truly tasteful experience. The guests can get the best of the seafood from the fresh catch of the island and the recipes followed to cook the food are exclusive and truly sumptuous.
Coming back to the artworks, the island is literally unmatched. The wooden masks reflect the significance of various natural elements of the environment. The magnificence of the masks has earned an international repute for itself. The concepts and the ideas created by the artisans are supposedly bestowed on the artists by the spirits and the souls of the ancestors.


Shah Alam Lake, Selangor is one of the most popular among Selangor Tourist Attractions. The Shah Alam Lake, Selangor is one of the best places to be in during the course of Selangor Travel. The Shah Alam Lake, Selangor is an ideal place for the travelers who want to relax and spend their leisure time.
The Shah Alam Lake, Selangor has evolved as one of the exotic tourist destinations of Selangor in Malaysia and is the ideal retreat for a leisurely evening. The Shah Alam Lake, Selangor is also referred to as the green lung of the capital city of Shah Alam because of its environmental importance. The tourists or the local people who visit the Shah Alam Lake, Selangor gets adequate space for breathing and enjoy themselves amidst its serene ambience.
The Shah Alam Lake, Selangor is situated in the residential area of the Klang valley. The residents or the local people of this area are frequent visitors to this place and it remains mostly full during the weekends and the evenings. The Shah Alam Lake, Selangor is not a natural lake but an artificial one. The lake is one of the best places to be in the city of Shah Alam for an evening with ones beloved or a family get together. The Shah Alam Lake, Selangor has been categorized into three sections by the authorities and comprises of East, West and Central. The Shah Alam Lake, Selangor is encompassed by beautiful gardens and the rippling waters of the lake reflect the sunlight and look all the more gorgeous.
The Shah Alam Lake, Selangor offers the visitors with scope of adequate entertainment and recreation. The lake has various opportunities of entertainment like a water theme park and a floating restaurant. The lake also has footpath with adequate walking space for the tourists. The lake is also a very special place for children as they can engage themselves in sports and games in the playgrounds. The Shah Alam Lake, Selangor is also a venue for exciting events like International Boat Show and International Orchid Exhibition.