Wednesday, July 29, 2009

Hutan Bandar

Hutan Bandar is one of the rare places of green tranquility in Johor Bahru. It spans over 32 hectares and is maintained by MBJB (Johor Bahru City Council). Hutan Bandar in Malay means “Jungle in the City”. Open daily with free admission, Hutan Bandar is located a 5 minutes drive from Larkin Bus Terminal (or a 20 minutes drive from the City Center). It is a popular spot for family and school excursions. In addition, young people come here for picnic, camping, a game of basketball as well as wedding photo shoots.

In the deeper parts of Hutan Bandar, you would literally feel disconnected from the hustle and bustle of JB. It’s a really strange, yet calming feeling to have, especially over the weekend after a full week of corporate battles and mental drain.

Some of the facilities available at Hutan Bandar are:
Lots of lush green flora.
Seven scenic lakes.
Children’s playgrounds.
Jungle Trek.
Exercise facilities.
Camping site.
Children’s swimming pool.
There are ample of parking lots and shops selling food and drinks. Entrance to Hutan Bandar Parking Space Visitor Entrance Fountain at the Visitor Entrance Resting Area at Hutan Bandar Game of basketball at Hutan Bandar Playground at Hutan Bandar Couple having a relaxing moment at Hutan Bandar
Having a wedding photo shoot at Hutan Bandar Back to the visitor resting area at Hutan Bandar Map :http://www.dromoz.com/image/sketch/sk44c320592ec48852311700.gif (near Johor Specialist Hospital)

Wednesday, July 22, 2009

Pengerang

Pengerang is an area at the southeastern tip of Johor, to the south of Desaru. The name is usually used to cover the dock and immigration post at Pengerang, the village of Kampong Pengelih and the town of Sungai Rengit.

More information :

Getting there from Singapore:
Bumboats shuttle from Singapore's Changi Point Ferry Terminal to Pengerang from 7 AM in the morning to 7 PM in the evening, operating on a first-come-first-served basis: once 12 people show up, the boat leaves. The journey takes about an hour and costs S$9/person, plus S$2 for a bike. The last boats back leave by 4 PM.

If you miss the last bumboat, you can also take the Sebana Cove www.sebanacove.com/ferry_service.htm ferry back to Singapore (4/5 services daily, last departure at 9 PM), but this is much more expensive (S$38 one-way) and you'll need to arrange a taxi to take you to Sebana Cove first.

By Car: Sungai Rengit is around 35 km south of Desaru, or 120 km from Johor Bahru. The distance from JB will decrease considerably once the Johor-Desaru Expressway opens.

Getting Around Pengeran
Taxis shuttle between the Pengerang dock and Sungai Rengit for RM 6/person (shared) or RM 20/car (charter).

Bicycles can be rented in Sungai Rengit, or you can rent one at Changi and bring it with you.

Attraction
Pengerang battery
http://www.razcollection.com/pengerang/index.html
ENTRY FEES Free......
Pengerang battery is a lost fortress located at Pengelih, right next to the immigration point, is open to the public but in a state of nature, with no trails, signs etc. Note that most of the rest is now used by the Malaysian military. Overlooking the sea towards Singapore , it is located close to a Malaisian military camp, standing on the top of a little hill covered by jungle. The small town of Pengerang in Johor has a big story to tell — a 70-year-old tale of the British Army’s huge blunder. It is of a town which became the British Army’s “Waterloo” in 1936, when they paid the price for underestimating its biggest nemesis then — the ruthless Japanese army.

The Japanese invaders captured Malaya without a single shot being fired from the Pengerang battery (a fort where weapons such as guns and cannons are stationed) when they surprised the British by landingin Kota Baru instead of Singapore. This battery was part of the “Singapore fortress” aimed at defending Singapore from a sea attack. It was equipped during the 30’s with two 6 Inch guns. This battery didn’t fire any shot till the 15th of Fabruary 1942, when Percival surrended.Beware : The place has been abandonned after WW2. Be careful when you explore the remains. Don’t forget these ruins are in the jungle: dangerous animals live there: Pythons, Cobras, and Green

Ostrich farm http://www.geocities.com/ostrichwonderland/location.htm
EMR 15, Teluk Ramunia, Kota Tinggi, Johor, Malaysia
Entrance Fee: http://www.geocities.com/ostrichwonderland/charges.htm
Open daily 10am - 6pm


Highlights:
More than 300 of the world's largest birds
Very informative commentary by your guide
See a chick hatch (or at least see them in an incubator)
Ride on a trained ostrich

Eat
Seafood! It's the main reason to come here, with treats like lobster and crab much cheaper than Singapore or even JB.
Crystal Jade Seafood

Jade Garden Seafood (recommened by channel U, sgp)
Si Wan Dao Seafood (四弯岛幸运海鲜楼)

Accommodation
There are three basic lodging places in town. If you want more luxury, head up the coast to Desaru's beach resorts.
Let Seng Hotel. Double rooms from RM 40.
Hotel Hiap Hwa
Seng Huat Hotel. Rooms from RM 30 in the old building (above coffeeshop), or from RM 68 in the new annex.
Map

Monday, July 20, 2009

Daocheng 稻城

Daocheng (稻城 or rice city in Chinese) is a county subordinated to the Ganzi Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture on the southwest border of Sichuan, China. The Daocheng county lies on the southeast of Qinghai -Tibet Plateau and the east of Hengduan Mountains, the conjunction areas of Sichuan, Yuannan and Tibet.
A heaven for photograhpier!!!!

Daocheng, located at an altitude of 3750m, is special in geographical features. The county covers 7323 square kilometers and is higher in north and west and lower in south and east. Winding and majestic mountains like billows of the sea alternate with valleys. Hence, the high-altituded mountain peaks clad with snow all the year round, deep serene valleys with gurgling brooks and broad pastures.

With 30000 Tibetan inhabitants mainly, Daocheng is a region of partial agriculture and partial animal husbandry in economy. While there may not appear to be much to do in this town those who do decide to stop over and spend a day here will find this town and its villages much more charming than it initially appears. It offers a good stepping stone for those coming from Yunnan with altitude concerns as the towns either side of it (Xiangcheng and Litang) sit at altitudes of 3200m and 4000m. If you take the time to head out of the town you will find the surrounding countryside and mountainous backdrop quite charming.

Red Grassland, located in Sangdui town, 28km north of Daocheng. It's a piece of inconspicuous wetland most of the time, but overgrew with red bushes in autumn, with the yellow-foliaged poplars behind and clearly blue sky above, local people believe it's the "Color of Heaven'. But the red will only last for about 15days per year, not easy to catch the right time. A (pedicab) walk is recommended to Rupuchaka Hot Springs, 4km outside Daocheng.

Though popularly known as stopover on route to Yading, Daocheng itself is still worth a visit for the sights around. Located in the southwest border of Sichuan at an average elevation of 3800m, Daochang is full of discovery of primitive Tibetan villages, Buddhism monasteries and pastoral scenery brought by the rolling landscapes. There are total 12 monasteries in Daocheng county, a few of them like Konkaling Temple are famous for being presented by influential Buddhists.

When to go?
Oct.~Mid. Nov. is the best, next is Sept., May~Jun.

Getting there
Option 1
Chengdu --> Kangding(via Litang) --> Daocheng; around 800 km, 2 days by bus

Take a direct Chengdu--Daocheng bus at Chengdu Xinanmen bus station[Y217], overnight stop at Kangding, arrive Daocheng in the evening of the 2nd day. Or,

Take a bus heading for Kangding either at Chengdu Tourist Transportation Center (ex. Xinnanmen bus station) or at North Bus Station in the morning[Y97 - Y109]. Upon arriving at Kangding in the late afternoon, buy your ticket immediately for the Daocheng bus. In case tickets of the 2nd day are sold out during the peak season.

You can also stay at Kangding for one or two days to visit Mugecuo Lake, Tagong Glassland and adapt yourself to the altitude.

Kangding to Daocheng - 12 hrs. Most travelers would feel the strong effect of high altitude if they come to Daocheng from Chengdu in 2 days.

Option 2 Kunming --> Zhongdian (via Lijiang)--> Daocheng:

One of the most fabulous travel routes in China for independent travelers. If you are adapted to Zhongdian's altitude, you should have no difficulty in Daocheng.

1.Travel from Kunming to Zhongdian
2.The regular bus connecting Zhongdian to Daocheng [330km/ 12 hrs] zigzags in the awesome Shangri-La Gorge. However this route is often cut by landslides.
3. If the direct bus service between Zhongdian and Daocheng is suspended, take an alternative route although it looks more complicated: Zhongdian - Derong - Xiangcheng - Sangdui – Daocheng.

First take a bus from Zhongdian to Derong[5 hrs].Then find a collective taxi to Xiangcheng [4~5 hrs]. Stay overnight in Xiangcheng and catch the morning bus for Sangdui [3.5 hrs]. From Sangdui, the friendly owner of Happy Shop can send you to Daocheng by his own car for Y20 /pax.

Getting away
Almost the same way of getting in, but it's highly recommended to get in Daocheng from Zhongdian and then quit Daocheng for Litang, Kangding and Chengdu.

Daocheng has daily bus leaving for Kangding. During peak season, a mini bus is added for Xingduqiao. Both buses pass through Litang where you can head for west, starting your adventure in Tibet.

Attractions
Hongcaodi /红草地 [Red Grassland] - located in Sangdui town[桑堆镇],28km north of Daocheng. It's a piece of inconspicuous wetland most of the time, but overgrew with red bushes in autumn, with the yellow-foliaged poplars behind and clearly blue sky above, local people believe it's the "Color of Heaven'. But the red will only last for about 15days per year, not easy to catch the right time.

Rupuchaka Hot Springs /茹布查卡温泉 - 4km outside Daocheng. A walk is recommended to get there. Taxi and pedicab are options.
Monasteries: there are total 12 monasteries in Daocheng county, a few of them are famous for being presented by influential Buddhists.

Gongling Si (Konkaling / 贡岭寺): 62km south of Daocheng on route to Yading, the biggest monastery in Daocheng County, belongs to Gelupa sect. Founded in year 1642, used to be the governor of Daocheng Country in the period of political and religion co-governing period. Ticket: Y10.

Xiongdeng Si / 雄登寺: 10km northeast of Daocheng county. Another Gelupa monastery, built in year 1415, experienced 6 generations of Living Buddha till now

Bangpu Si / 蚌普寺: located 1km north of Sangdui along the enchanting Daocheng River. Built in the 12th century, it’s the oldest monastery in the county. Ticket: Y10

Rewu Si / 热乌寺: Located in Sela village色拉乡, 10km south of Daocheng, a Sakyapa萨迦派 and Kagyupa白教 monastery, but there was never a conflict between the 2 sects for hundreds of years, which is very unusual.

How to access:
Rent a car either in Sangdui or in Daocheng, try to share with other travelers. Gongling Si should better be visited on the way to/from Yading. If you get there by chartering a jeep, you can ask the driver for a stop over there.

Accommodations
Pengshongcuo 彭松错 (Tel: 0836-5728581) : 100m north of the bus station beside the street, well-reputed among all the Tibetan family-hostels in town. Dbl rooms w/bathroom at Y80.
Yadingren Shequ Hotel 亚丁人社区 provides plenty of hiking information and organizes trek to Yading Nature Reserve and some other places. Dbl room w/o bathroom: Y50 - Y60.

Friday, July 17, 2009

Miri, Sarawak

Miri is a holiday where there is not much to see, to play and to enjoy. Differ from catty Kuching and swanlike Sibu, Miri is sadly lacking in animal analogies, probably because it is too casually urban for any to spring to mind.

BUT... therefore its a good site to relax and get away from the city life!!!!

Miri is a city in northern Sarawak on the Malaysian island of Borneo and it is home to a population of about 300,000 people. Thus it is the second largest city in Sarawak. At Miri, breathtaking national parks, spectacular diving paradises, frequent festivals and international events, multiracial and multicultural festive seasons, and a lot of delicious food are the things that you can expect to have.

Miri serves as a transport hub for northern Sarawak, where interconnecting flights to the rural hinterlands of Borneo is very important and available mainly from Miri. Besides that, it is also the gateway to the Gunung Mulu National Park which is a World Heritage Site, the Kelabit Highlands of the interior of Sarawak and the Niah Cave which contains one of the oldest human remains in South East Asia.

As the place of birth of Sarawak’s and Malaysia’s petroleum industry, Miri remains the major industry of the city. Malaysia’s first oil well was dug here in 1910, and is currently a state monument and one of Miri’s tourist attractions, namely The Grand Old Lady. It is the Miri Oil Well No.1 situated at Canadian Hill. According to the old folks, there was one Canadian who lived there and his main business was to recruit foreign and local workers to work in the oil fields around this mountain, hence it was called Canadian Hill. The Petroleum Museum, next to the Grand Old Lady, exhibits photographs and information on the petroleum industry. The Grand Old Lady is about 30 meters high. Situated on top of Canada Hill overlooking Miri, it attracts even locals to enjoy the scenery or jog on the well-designed path.

Miri has a cosmopolitan atmosphere. It hosts many expatriates from all over the world. There are many ethnic groups of people live in Miri, which consists of Chinese, Malay, Iban, Bidayuh, Melanau, Kelabit, Lun Bawang and others. Almost all the locals are able to speak English or Mandarin but the main language is the Sarawakian language, which is similar to Malay but with local slangs.

My to do List
- Visit the Grand Old Lady
- Have a walk at the Miri City Fan
- Go to the Esplanade Beach (refer to the top picture)
- Visit the San Ching Tian Temple (Largest Taoist temple in South East Asia)


Link: http://www.miricity.com.my/
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Call to make Miri safe for tourists
Criminals often target visitors from Brunei, affecting Sarawak's reputation as a tourist destination.

-NST Tue, May 12, 2009New Straits Times

KUCHING, MALAYSIA - Sarawak's Yang Dipertua Negeri Tun Abang Muhammad Salahuddin Abang Barieng has called for quick action to stop criminals in Miri from targeting visitors from Brunei. "The theft of tourists' cars from a neighbouring state is worrying," he said when he opened the first sitting of the state assembly yesterday.

"If this crime is not checked, it will affect the image of Sarawak as a prime tourist destination."

Abang Muhammad called on police to beef up security in places visited frequently by tourists.

State Tourism Minister Datuk Michael Mayin said in response that the situation in Miri, which had 1.5 million visitors from Brunei last year, had improved greatly.

"The police in Miri only told me last Friday that there was not even one theft of Brunei-registered cars in the last few months," he said outside the assembly.

"Crimes committed against Brunei citizens had also declined. Security has improved tremendously and I am going to Brunei after the sitting of this assembly to give our guarantee that the security in Miri is doing well.

"It may be the case a year or two ago but but not any more," Mayin said.

He blamed envious Brunei businessmen, who see their countrymen heading to Miri every weekend to do their shopping, for continuing to fan stories that Miri was dangerous to visit.

Stories of Miri being unsafe had impacted tourist arrivals from Brunei. Miri recorded a drop of about 10 per cent in arrivals last year compared with 2007.

Manyin said security fears were not the main reason why Bruneians had stayed away from Miri.
He said they were also going to Kota Kinabalu to do their shopping at Borneo's largest shopping complex, 1Borneo.

"Curiosity played a part too. But I'm sure they'll be back.

"It's a six-hour drive to Kota Kinabalu and only one hour to Miri."
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Friday, July 3, 2009