Best Cabin Staff Again! Well Done Malaysia Airline!

Malaysia Airlines won the World’s Best Cabin Staff award at the World Airlines Award 2007 taking the top position in this 11 month survey, conducted between August 2006 and June 2007, in a closely contested survey between the final top 3 airlines.

The worldwide survey data for this Cabin Staff award involved more than 3 million respondents representing over 90 different passenger nationalities. Passengers nominated airlines in the 2007 Best Cabin Staff Awards, based upon a wide variety of service quality attributes for cabin staff, including assistance during boarding, enthusiasm, sincerity, courtesy, and consistency of quality among staff.

Skytrax Research of London, UK is an independent organization with 18 years specialist experience in airline research. The survey results are published on the web page World Airline Survey - Cabin Staff Awards

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7 simple tips on travelling to Malaysia

For first time travelers to Malaysia there are several tips that will make your holiday less stressful and infinitely more enjoyable, such as:

1. Check Health Warnings
Before leaving for Malaysia visit your family doctor to check health warnings for the area you intend to visit. If you intend to do any hiking or rainforest walks then you will need to start taking malaria tablets around a week before your departure. Your family doctor will be able to advise of any other precautions or medications that you need.

2. Airport Transfers
By far the easiest and cheapest way to get from the airport into the capital is via the KLIA Express (airport express train). The train is very modern with video screens showing points of interest and things to do in Malaysia while you enjoy a comfortable ride into Kuala Lumpur in around 35 minutes. Using a bus or taxi transfer will normally take around one hour by comparison and cost a little more. An added convenience when using the KLIA Express to connect with a departing flight is the facility to book your luggage onto your flight from the central train station in Kuala Lumpur (providing you do this at least 2.5 hours before your flight).

3. Taxi Fares
Always ask how much the fare will be to get to your destination before getting into the taxi. Taxi fares in Malaysia are for the most part quite reasonable however at times a naive traveler can be easy pickings, especially on a return trip from an outlying area so be sure to ask for the cost of the fare beforehand and if it seems too high then you can usually find another taxi to get a better deal. The exception to this however is during peak hours in Kuala Lumpur when you will pay more because of traffic delays. Your hotel concierge can advise you on what the busiest traffic times are likely to be. Planning your movements around the capital outside of these times will save you money if you're on a tight budget.

4. Don't drink the tap water
To reduce your chances of having your holiday ruined by tummy upsets it is wise not to consume the local tap water. During your stay keep these points in mind:
1) Clean your teeth and toothbrush with bottled water.
2) Remember to specify "No Ice" when ordering cocktails or mixer drinks. (Many of the more up-market resorts and hotels have ice that has been made using filtered or bottled water which is perfectly safe, however if you wish to be extra cautious then it is safer to forgo the ice).

5. Buy personal items from a supermarket
Make purchases of personal care items such as sunscreen, toothpaste or bottled water from a local supermarket instead of the resort or hotel where you are staying. Although the prices of these items may not seem too expensive you will normally find a supermarket or small convenience store somewhere close to the resort where these items are up to a third of the price that you will pay at the resort. Any money you save on these purchases can be used for souvenir shopping instead.

6. Restaurants
When you're staying in regional areas and choosing somewhere to eat keep in mind that you are no longer in a western country. Malaysia is a relatively poor country which is more evident in outlying areas than it is in the capital. While in your home country a restaurant in a run down looking building could indicate a possible health risk this is not the case in regional areas of Malaysia as many of the buildings are old because of the general poverty of the population. The best guide for choosing a restaurant is if the local people are happy eating there it is a good indication that the food is safe.

7. Keep valuables concealed
Always keep wallets, purses, mobile phones etc in your pockets or backpack to avoid the attention of pickpockets, especially in larger cities. Although not a major problem any large population has its share of thieving so it is best to keep your valuables secure. It is also wise to carry your backpack on the front of your body in certain areas such as the china town markets in Kuala Lumpur where it can be quite crowded giving pickpockets a chance to access valuables within the outer compartments of a backpack.

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Carcosa Seri Negara - Back to Colonial times

Set just 10 minutes from the center of Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, in sprawling parklands surrounded by ancient jungles, Carcosa Seri Negara Hotel was built expressly for Sir Frank Swettenham, then the British advisor to the Sultan of Perak.

Two separate mansions make up this finely appointed hotel. The interiors are impeccably decorated with antique Victorian furniture and accented with local hand loomed rugs and batik artwork. The resulting atmosphere is British, with hints of the rich cultures that make up Malaysia. Staying at Carcosa is a chance to step back to the time of British Colonialism, when even in uncharted and exotic lands none of the comforts of home were ever left behind.

Guests at Carcosa are greeted by luxury at every turn, from the marble bath fixtures with gold-plated accessories, to the rich furnishings, to the impressive views of rolling parkland and the lights of Kuala Lumpur.

The service is of the highest level available, and includes a personal butler. Enjoy fine dining at one of three restaurants; whether you prefer exquisite French food, classic Malaysian cuisine, or High Tea, you will find something to suit your tastes. Lounge by the pool for some relaxation, or take some sport on the tennis court or at two world-class golf courses.

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More low cost flights to Malaysia

For less than RM10, passengers can fly from Australia to Malaysia come early September when low-cost carriers AirAsia X and Jetstar begin their separate operations.

AirAsia X, the country’s first long-haul budget airline, is expected to start its first flight between here and an Australian east-coast city on Sept 8. Richard Branson has just took a stake in FAX recently.

Insiders said the Malaysian Airline is expected to start its promotional one-way fare at RM9.90.

A day later on Sept 9, Jetstar - the low-cost subsidiary of Qantas - will start its operations from here to Sydney.

For starters, Jetstar is offering fares from RM88 for one-way travel in September and February. This does not include taxes and surcharges, which come to a total of RM409.50.

More information here.

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Kiwi legend, Eric Rush is visiting Malaysia

New Zealand rugby legend Eric Rush will be in Malaysia to officiate the Guinness Jonah Jones Rugby Seven's tournament at the Royal Selangor Club (RSC) in Bukit Kiara from Aug 18-19.

Rush, arguably one of the greatest sevens players, will be making his appearance at the tournament to support rugby and also to meet fans.

His presence would definitely make the two-day tournament more exciting and interesting, he added. He won't be playing in the tournament but he will be here to support rugby and also to meet his fans.

More detail at The Star

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Kek Lok Si Temple, Penang

Penang holds the record of having the largest Buddhist Temple, constructed in 1893, with a vast expanse of built-up area spread over a 12-hectare piece of land on a rocky incline. This is the most-visited and most-photographed Kek Lok Si or Temple of Supreme Bliss, located on a hillock in Ayer Itam, about 20 minutes’ drive from George Town.

The most magnificent building in Kek Lok Si is Pagoda of Rama VI or Pagoda of 10,000 Buddhas. The foundation stone of the pagoda was laid by the Thai monarch himself. The pagoda has a Chinese-influenced octagonal base, middle tiers of Thai architecture and a Burmese-styled crown.

Within the temple complex is a 30-metre bronze statue of Guan Yin, numerous prayer halls, a library of Buddhist scriptures and sutras and hostel blocks. There are also sacred ponds, numerous landscaped gardens, a souvenir shop and a vegetarian restaurant.

While it is a must for devotees, visitors – both locals and foreigners – shouldn’t miss visiting the temple for its sheer size and architectural beauty.

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Sipadan Island - Must Dive spot in Malaysia

Sipadan Island is located east of Tawau (Borneo), in the Celebes Sea. It was formed by living corals growing on top of an extinct volcanic cone that took thousands of years to develop. More than 3,000 species of fish and hundreds of coral species have been classified in this ecosystem.

Rare diving scenes such as schools of greenback turtles and hawksbill turtles nesting and mating, schools of barracuda & big-eye trevally in tornado-like formations, pelagic species such as manta rays, eagle rays, scalloped hammerhead sharks and whale sharks can be seen here.

A mysterious turtle tomb lies underneath the column of the island, formed by an underwater limestone cave with a labyrinth of tunnels and chambers that contain many skeletal remains of turtles.

The list of attractions is quite staggering and all the more exceptional as it involves big fish encounters, something very rare in Asia these days - at Barracuda Point you can find yourself surrounded by a spiralling vortex of barracuda, so large that the sunlight is often clouded out. At South Point there are scores of reef sharks, large schools of passing trevally and herds of massive marauding bumphead parrotfish.

When diving in Sipadan everywhere you turn you'll see turtles, munching on the sponges and algae, or lazing on the wall ledges. If you take the time to look closely at the walls you'll see a wealth of macro life and fish species to rival most destinations, although this is often overlooked due to the other major attractions vying for your attention.

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Travellers warned of dengue fever outbreak in Malaysia

Australia has issued travel warning for their citizens o be aware of a dengue fever outbreak in the Southeast Asian nation. The warning is categorized as "Exercise Caution," which is the second among the five levels.

Dengue fever is now quite prevalent throughout Malaysia, including in major urban areas such as Kuala Lumpur. It is strongly recommended that you take precautions against being bitten by mosquitoes.

Source: Xinhua

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Second reality tv featured Malaysia

Malaysia will feature in the hit Italian travel reality show Donnavventura later this year.The "fly and drive" documentary will feature tourist attractions in the country in six episodes with another four being filmed in Thailand, Laos, Vietnam, Cambodia, Myanmar, Brunei, Burma and Singapore.

They were short-listed from among 37,000 candidates in Italy for the Malaysian Grand Raid 2007 adventure which will see them visit most of Malaysia. This includes Kuala Lumpur, Bentong, Cameron Highlands, Alor Star, Penang, Kota Baru, Tasik Kenyir, Endau Rompin, Johor Baru, islands off Mersing, Kuching, Sibu, Kapit, Bintulu, Niah Caves, Miri, Labuan, Kota Kinabalu, Tenom, Kudat, Sandakan, Sukau, Semporna, Tawau and Keningau

The filming of Donnavventura, which documents six Italian women throughout their three-month expedition across the nation, began yesterday and is expected to end in October. Donnavventura has been on air on Italy’s Retequattro TV for the past 19 years, featuring countries like Australia, South Africa and the US.

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Air India Express to fly from Chennai to KL, Malaysia

Low-cost carrier Air India Express will be flying from Chennai to Kuala Lumpur from October under a new agreement to liberalize air travel between Malaysia and India.

The carrier, which is a subsidiary of state-run Air India, is finalizing details of its entry to Malaysia following the signing of the pact earlier this month. They will start to fly from Kuala Lumpur to Chennai in the first phase and expand later to Trichy in southern India and to other Indian destinations.

Malaysia will be the carrier's second international destination after Singapore. Air India Express is negotiating to fly to the Kuala Lumpur International Airport, rather than to the low-cost terminal near the main airport.

For full details of the new, please find it at International Herald Tribune.

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Louis Vuitton is now in KLCC, Malaysia

The Petronas Twin Towers naturally won hands down when it came to selecting a national icon for the special edition LV watch to commemorate the opening of Louis Vuitton Store KLCC.

The Speedy Twilight Kuala Lumpur, featuring two diamond-encrusted towers with a diamond-encrusted crescent moon, is housed within a white gold square case, against a mother-of-pearl backdrop.

The total count of precious gems stands at 488, with 319 white diamonds and 169 sapphires set to dazzle the wrist. Only eight Speedy Twilight Kuala Lumpur watches are available and that, too, exclusively in Malaysia.

For a touch of luxury, the MYR180,000 timepiece is presented in a Damier canvas mini trunk lined with coral micro-fibre.

This will definitely be a collective item, as there are limited edition Speedy Twilight Paris featuring the Eiffel Tower, Hong Kong and Japan with their skylines. This is one expensive collective item, I must say.

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The royal town of Seri Menanti

Negeri Sembilan is well known for its rich royal custom. Although it's not widely practiced these days, it still plays an important role in everyday life. Facets of it can be seen, not only in social interaction, but also in local architecture. One such customary eminence is the Seri Menanti Palace which enthralls every visitor as they explore the history of the palace.

Seri Menanti is known as the Royal Town of Negeri Sembilan. It is located about 40km from the town of Seremban and 14 km from Kuala Pilah town. Exquisitely designed with perfect architecture and lovely crafted emblems. The beauty of the palace is evident inside and out, enticing visitors to stay longer in the palace grounds.

The palace which belonged to the Yang Di Pertuan Besar (Rulers) once is now a museum. Royal paraphernalia like clothes, equipment. crafts, beds, banquet, royal chair and more are kept in its original placement. The lovely interior shows off some beautiful furnishings covered in gold cloth and design. The palace and its surroundings are so well maintained that it doesn't even look a year older than the day it was built.

Getting There:
Driving there from Kuala Lumpur takes about an hour by car. Take the Seremban / Labu highway. You could also opt for the commuter. Take the KTM from Kuala Lumpur and stop at Seremban station. From here, you can take cab to Seri Menanti.

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Firefly's Flights From Subang To Ipoh is approved

Good new! The Malaysian government has approved the application of Firefly, a wholly owned subsidiary of Malaysia Airlines (MAS), to service the Senai-Ipoh and Subang-Ipoh air routes.
This is due to Firefly which will be using turbo prop aircraft, was suitable for the short flights ranging from two to two-and-half hours.

Firefly flies twice a week from Penang to Langkawi, Kota Baharu, Kuala Terengganu, Kuantan, Phuket and Koh Samui. It started the domestic operations on April 3, and its international operations 10 days later using two Fokker Friendship aircraft.

In June, the government allowed Firefly to operate from the Sultan Abdul Aziz Shah Airport as its second hub after Penang. It was to facilitate flights from the airport to all its domestic destinations and also to Indonesia and Thailand.

Full detail of this new is at Bernama.

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Trader hotel review

I found this review from TraBuddy by Goodday

"I just got back from a business trip in KL where I stayed at Traders Hotel. It's a good business class hotel, rated 4 star, but more of 5 star to me. Quite like Intercontinnental Hotel in Hamburg where I stayed for one week in December last year."

"For venue, it's right next to the KL convention centre where I attended meetings and next to KLCC shopping centre. Although shopping is not my cup of tea, it's good to walk the mall (good exercise after all the feasting) and browse the shops and see what's the latest in fashion and more."

"What I particularly enjoyed most at the hotel besides the excellent breakfast spread was the skybar pool located at 33rd floor, not so much the pool, although it was great with spa, but more importantly, it's the VIEW of the manificent Petronas Twin Towers!! Best time to be there as I found - head for a swim at sunset.. and come back after dinner for a drink to catch the manificent twin towers lighted up. It's amazing!!"

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Sutra Dance Theatre - stage of traditional dances

An established dance company, Sutra Dance is owned by Ramli Ibrahim, the doyen of Indian classical dance on Malaysia. He is also one of the judges for You think You Can Dance - Malaysia. An Admired icon of theatre, his passion and love for dance has made him an household names. He not only dances, but also teaches the art form.

The classical and traditional dances performed by the company include Menora, MakYong, Odissi and Bharata Natyam. The contemporary recital rebels against classical form with brilliant and radical shows.

Performances are staged at the Amphi-Sutra. This hexagonal, Balinese style gazebo seats 200 people comfortably.

Sutra Dance Theatre is located at 12, Persiaran Titiwangsa 3, Kuala Lumpur. Please visit www.sutradancetheatre.com for more information..

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