Batu Ferringhi|Interesting Places In Pulau Pinang|Malaysia

Interesting Places In Malaysia

Batu Ferringhi is situated along the coastal road north-west of Georgetown and lined with a string of international-standard resorts and it is the most popular beach in Penang. Soak in the sun or unwind on the Batu Feringghi beach while you enjoy a host of aquatic thrills from wind-surfing to canoeing. For a spine-tingling adventure, try para-sailing to enjoy the view of the beach from the sky.

The beach is kept clean, even on weekends when hordes of day-trippers visit. Bathing areas are often cordoned off by floating buoys to protect swimmers from speeding jet-skis and water-skiers. Along this famous beach area, there are numerous large hotels, restaurants, transport rental services, and souvenir stores. Batu Feringgi is located adjacent to Teluk Bahang and Tanjung Bungah.

For tourists, Batu Feringgi features hotels such as Hard Rock Hotel, Hydro Hotel, Holiday Inn, Bayview Beach Resort, Golden Sands Resort, Grand Plaza Parkroyal Penang, Shangri-La's Rasa Sayang Resort and Spa, etc. The roadside of Batu Ferringhi's beach hotels transforms into a bazaar after sunset every day. In a tribute to free enterprise, traders from all over the island set up their stalls under colourful canopies all along the stretch.

Royal Abu Bakar Museum|Interesting Places In Johor|Malaysia

Interesting Places In Malaysia

Located within the palace grounds, the Royal Abu Bakar Museum is easily accessible from Jalan Air Molek and Jalan Ibrahim. The museum occupies the Istana Besar (Grand Palace) which was specially commissioned in 1864 by the Father of Modern Johor, Sultan Abu Bakar. Completed in 1866, the Grand Palace incorporated some of the Sultan's creative ideas in its architecture.

In the early 1990s, Johor's present ruler, His Majesty Sultan Iskandar, decided that members of the public should be given the opportunity to view the Royal Family's collection in a proper museum setting. His Majesty consented for the Grand Palace to be converted into a museum but concurrently it still serves the traditional royal and state ceremonial functions. Sultan Iskandar officially declared the museum open on May 11, 1990.

Housed within the museum are vast arrays of treasures, works of art, antiquities and furniture belonging to the Royal Family. The picture gallery features past and present rulers of the Sultanate and their consorts. There is also a large collection of their personal memorabilia, an impressive array of Orders, Decorations and Medals in the gallery. Other rooms within the Grand Palace display silverware, crystalware, gold and silver jewelry, priceless vases, furniture, traditional Malay weapons, the State Regalia, a numismatic collection, silver trophies and other family treasures within their natural setting.

Ostrich Farm|Interesting Places In Johor|Malaysia

Interesting Places In Malaysia

The farm just opened in March 2001, and offers an enjoyable tour to see these fascinating birds. The public will be able to know more of these birds, while being able to see them up close. Children and adults alike will love the educational tour and to find more about these flightless birds. Visitors have an opportunity to come up close to these majestic, tutu-totting bird ballerinas at the Ostrich Farm. The 500-odd ostriches thrive in this environment that is close to their natural habitat in the wilds.

Friendly ostriches will even allow visitors to pet and stroke them. In addition to the ostriches, there are other varieties of birds reared in the farm such as the Polish Chicken, which is a variety of the stunted Bantam chicken. Activities at this farm include ostrich rides for children and purchasing ostrich-based products such as the huge ostrich egg (equivalent to 25 chicken eggs and can weight up to 1.5kg) used to make cakes, decorative lamp shades, kaya, etc. The farm receives 6,000 to 7,000 visitors per annum.

The farm showcases the full spectrum of the Ostrich Industry, ranging from ostrich eggs being hatched into young chicks using state-of-the-art incubators. These chicks are then nurtured and fed till a mature age of 1 year, weighing about 100kgs. From there, they are either culled for their meat, feathers, skin, fat, tendon and bones, or kept in the farm as subsequent breeders. These raw products are then processed, packed and sold in restaurants in Johor and Desaru Ostrich Farm.

Petaling Street|Interesting Places In Kuala Lumpur|Malaysia

Interesting Places In Malaysia

Petaling Street is opposite the Kotaraya Shopping Complex and Central Market. Petaling Street, the centre of Kuala Lumpur's original Chinatown, maintains much of its traditional atmosphere, particularly at night when vendors fan out their merchandise along the street. While you can shop for anything from gems and incense to toys and t-shirts, the true allure of this night market is in wandering about and enjoying its sights, sounds and energy. Food is plentiful here with many scrumptious varieties to choose from; some of the restaurants here have been in business for generations.

At the end of Petaling Street, you can further explore the Chan See Shu Yuen Temple which dates back to 1906. The interior of this building features open courtyard pavilions, intricate carvings and paintings. On the exterior, the temple depicts elaborate glazed ceramic sculptures which grace the facade and roof ridges.

Further down from Petaling Street is the South Indian Sri Maha Mariamman Temple. This temple is situated at Jalan Tun H.S.Lee which is within walking distance from Chinatown. Built in 1873, the temple is said to be the most ornate and elaborate Hindu temple in the country. The design and decorative features include intricate carvings of Hindu deities, gold embellishments, precious stones and hand-painted motifs. Exquisite Italian and Spanish tiles provide further ornamentation. A silver chariot housed within the premises features prominently in religious processions, transporting the statue of the deity through the city streets.

Old Johor Fort|Interesting Places In Johor|Malaysia

Interesting Places In Malaysia

Old Johor Fort or Kota Johor Lama is approximately 27 km from Kota Tinggi town, in Teluk Sengat. Kota Johor Lama (Old Johor Fort), was the site of fierce wars amongst the local Malays and outside invading forces. The Old Johor Fort was built in 1540 during the reign of Sultan Alauddin Riayat Shah II (1528-1564). This fort was the best defence fort among the defence forts built along the Sungai Johor.

Its strategic location right by Johor river, the clever use of the natural terrain and the construction of fort walls, enabled Johor Lama to become a secure trading post for the region. Its elevated location allowed for a strategic view of the river estuary. But around 1587, the settlement was attacked and destroyed by the Portuguese invaders.

You will still be able to see remnants of the historical settlement, though not as impressive as it once must have been. Surrounded by earthen walls, some 10 to 25 feet high, the fort managed to fend of marauding enemies until the defeat to the Portuguese. Two tombs can be found near the fort, which are believed to be of Sultan Alauddin and his warriors.

P. Ramlee Memorial|Interesting Places In Kuala Lumpur|Malaysia

Interesting Places In Malaysia

The P.Ramlee Memorial or Pustaka Peringatan P Ramlee is located at the former residence of P. Ramlee at Taman P Ramlee (formerly Taman Furlong),Setapak in Kuala Lumpur. He lived with his wife Saloma and children until his death on 29 May 1973. Ask anyone in Malaysia of the late Tan Sri P. Ramlee, and chances are you'll get references of his famous films ' Bujang Lapok', 'Madu Tiga' or even the funny 'Keluarga 69'. The late P. Ramlee was an extraordinary artiste; he was an actor, singer, composer and director.

The one storey bungalow was later acquired by the Malaysian Government as a national heritage. The memorial project was launched by Anwar Ibrahim, Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport on 27 February 1984. Officially opened on 22 March 1986, it has collections of P.Ramlee's awards, clothes, musical equipment, documents, personal artefacts, photos and scenery from his old films. His old car Datsun Sunny 1200 (1971 model) with registration number BAD 3608 is parked outside the house.

Following a renovation in 2002, a mini cinema for viewing his films was demolished to make way for bigger display hall. Various P.Ramlee merchandise are also available for sale. The memorial is maintained by Arkib Negara Malaysia (Archive of Malaysia).

Putrajaya International Convention Centre|Interesting Places In Putrajaya|Malaysia

Interesting Places In Malaysia

Putrajaya International Convention Centre (PICC) is located strategically on top of a hill, and faces the lakes at Putrajaya. Putrajaya International Convention Centre is the main convention centre in Putrajaya. It was constructed from 2001 to September 2003. Its first conference was the 10th Organisation of Islamic Conference in October same year. Since October 2004, the Putrajaya Convention Centre is officially known as Putrajaya International Convention Centre or PICC to give the impression it is at par with other international conference centres such as in London, Tokyo and Paris.

The design idea of this unique and impressive building is based on the shape of the eye of 'pending perak' (a silver Malay royal belt buckle). However, the structure of the roof was designed similar to a folded origami to alleviate the plain roundness of the structure. From the frontview, the building's eaves or wings are lifted at the sides, creating broad overhangings over the raking wall. Most of the walls are made of glass, so natural sunlight can easily illuminate the auditorium through the raked and shaded windows.

Putrajaya International Convention Centre, designed to incorporate and reflect 135,000 square metres contiguous of space is having differing types of events, functions, or corporate meetings. The Plenary Hall, for major conferences, allows a capacity of up to 3,000 people with a podium stage. The Heads of State Hall has a circular seating arrangement for 180 people. Perdana Hall has an extensive kitchen serving 3,000 diners seated at any one time and, 2 unity halls that can each be divided for seminars, exhibitions or banquets for 2000 people. All the halls are equipped with interpreter rooms with 13 different languages.

National Monument|Interesting Places In Kuala Lumpur|Malaysia

Interesting Places In Malaysia

The National Monument or Tugu Negara is right next to Lake Gardens and is right off Jalan Parlimen. It was built to recognise and honour those who gave up their lives in the cause for peace and freedom, particularly during the nation's struggle against the threat of Communism. Within the National Monument grounds is one of the world's largest free-standing bronze sculptures. It was sculpted in 1966 by Felix de Weldon, who was also the creator of the famous Iwo Jima monument in Washington DC.

The monument stands at 15.54m high, and is made up of a diorama of seven bronze human figures, atop an oblong base. Each figure at the National Monument denotes one of seven qualities:

.courage
.leadership
.sacrifice
.strength
.suffering
.unity
.vigilance

The topmost figure, at the centre, holds aloft the Malaysian flag. He is flanked on the left and right by two other soldiers, both armed; the figure on the left is armed with a machinegun, while the other carries a rifle and a bayonet. Beside the National Monument are the ASEAN Gardens and the Memorial Tun Razak which, houses memorabilia of Malaysia's second Prime Minister, the late Tun Abdul Razak Hussein.

Putra Bridge|Interesting Places In Putrajaya|Malaysia

Interesting Places In Malaysia

Putra Bridge is considered the most prestigious bridge in Putrajaya, Malaysia. It is analogous to Khaju Bridge in Esfahan, Iran. With a span of 435 metres, this bridge connects the Government Precinct to the Mixed Development Precinct and links Putra Square with the Boulevard. Formal procession between the Boulevard and the Dataran Putra would pass through this bridge.

The upper level of the bridge forms part of the Boulevard. This huge three-deck bridge provides vehicle, monorail and pedestrian access. Besides providing the link between Precinct 1 and Precinct 2 on the Core Island, it has been designed to be a special feature of Putrajaya. The piers also accommodate fine dining restaurants within its main pillar supports.

Bridge Structure:

. Upper Level which is at RL 35m forms part of the Boulevard that connects to the Dataran Putra and the Prime Minister's Office Complex

. Lower Level at RL 29m is used for service tunnel, LRT track, service road to Dataran Putra, and pedestrians

. Lowest Level at the piers will be utilized for restaurant overlooking the water of the Lake and places for boat berthing.