Perak~~

Introduction Perak Darul Ridzuan, the Land of Grace, covers an area of 21,000 square kilometres and has a population of about two million. The state is divided into nine districts and its major towns include lpoh, Kuala Kangsar, Taiping, Teluk Intan and Lumut. Kuala Kangsar is the royal town of Perak, while lpoh is the administrative centre and state capital. There are several versions as to the origin of Perak. Some say that the name "PERAK" came from Bendahara Tun Perak of Malacca while some say that it came from the "glimmer of fish in the water" that sparkled like silver, or Perak as it is known in Malay. Therefore, the mere mention of the state's name will reflect the treasures hidden in its earth.The Perak State, in actual fact, has been in existence since the prehistoric age. Kota Tampan in Lenggong is the one and only proof that the Palaeolithic Age existed in Malaya. The Perak State went through numerous evolutions between 400 000 BC and 8000 BC. The state had experienced the Hoabinhian Era and the Neolithic Age as well as the Metal Age, which was proven with the findings of relevant ancient artifacts. Then came the Hindu/Buddha era. It was thought to have occured simultaneously with the rest of Malaya. After this period, the history of the state advanced a step further with the formation of minor territories such as Manjung in the Dinding District and Beruas which came into existence after Manjung ceased to exist. This also apply to a few other territories in the Perak Tengah and Hulu Perak. It was also then that Islam began to plant its roots firmly in the state. Lata Kinjang The Majestic Lata Kinjang waterfalls is visible from the north-south Expressway, after passing the Tapah exit. This majestic multi-tiered waterfall cascades 850 metres down the side of a mountain and proves a spectacular sight. The district is also home to several areas inhabited by the Orang Asli, the aborigines of the Peninsular. Villages exist near Lata Iskandar and Kuala Woh. The Orang Asli basically derive their income from the production and sale of fine handicrafts and the collection of jungle produce. Japanese Garden Located near the Perak Turf Club in lpoh, this public park recreates the aesthetics of a Japanese garden. A small Japanese house, a goldfish pond and a wooden bridge across a stream are some of the elements that conjure up the serenity and meditative atmosphere of the traditional Japanese garden. The grounds are lush with a variety of beautiful tropical flowers, plants and trees. An added attraction is the colourful floral clock on a slope. Lata Iskandar Waterfalls The Lata Iskandar Waterfalls, on the way up to Cameron Highlands from Tapah, is an ideal picnic area and favourite stopover. Its surrounding jungle is home to one of the largest variety of exotic insect and plant life in the world. Traditional earthenware pottery is crafted at Kampung Kerayung. Tambun Hot Spring A 15-minute drive from lpoh towards Tanjung Rambutan brings you to the foot of a limestone hill where a rejuvenating experience awaits you - an invigorating hot bath from a natural spring. The bath is open daily from 3.00 pm to 12.00 midnight. The facilities include saunas and restrooms Entrance fee is RIM 5.00. Other hot springs in Perak are at Sungkai, Pengkalan Hulu, Kampung Ulu Slim in Slim River, Kampung Air Panas in Grik and Manong in Kuala Kangsar. Teluk Intan Leaning Tower Malaysia boasts its own equivalent to the world-famous Leaning Tower of Pisa in Italy, right here at the heart of the Teluk Intan town centre. Like its Italian counterpart, the Leaning Tower of Teluk Intan has a leftward slant, and all the ingredients to make it an architectural sight to behold.Standing at 25.5 metres tall, its construction detail gives it an appearance comprising of 8 different levels. Once inside, however, one will be surprised to discover that the building is actually divided only into 3 storeys. This pagoda-style structure was built in 1885 by a Chinese contractor named Leong Choon Chong, and was originally used as a covered water tank to store potable water for the immediate vicinity. Today, it stands as an architectural oddity that continues to attract visitors to Teluk Intan

Pulau Pinang~~

Introduction

Approximately 112km south of Langkawi, lies the island of PENANG the 'Pearl of the Orient'. When first discovered by Captain Francis Light in 1786, the island was filled with lush tropical vegetation. The betel nut palm was a common sight all over the island - a fact which gave rise to the name of Pulau Pinang (Island of the Betel Nut). Penang has come a long way from its early beginnings as the first British trading post in the Far East. Its capital Georgetown is a bustling metropolitan city with a unique blend of East and West.

By contrast, the famous beaches of Penang - Tanjung Bungah, Batu Ferringhi and Teluk Bahang offer all the scenic delights of tropical island paradise - stretches of golden sandy beaches, clear blue seas and tiny secluded coves enclosed by clusters of rocks. Penang is a resort island in full bloom with numerous hotels of international standard fronting the sea along the beaches on its northern coastlines. The range of facilities and amenities available here makes it an ideal playground for worshippers of the sun and the sea.

But there is another side of Penang that still remains to be discovered. Along the northwestern coastline are some of the fine beaches on the island. Imagine a sparkling sea, powdery white sand, sunlight filtering through coconut groves - the scene of perfect tranquillity. These beaches remain as Penang's best kept secrets because they are relatively inaccessible except by hiking through jungle trails. The rewards would make the effort really worthwhile.

Penang's Famed Beaches Penang's northern shoreline is famous for its beautiful beaches of golden sand and deep blue seas. The Tanjung Bungah, Batu Ferringhi and Teluk Bahang beaches offer expansive stretches of glittering sand interspersed with secluded coves within the shelter of gigantic rocks. It is along this famous coastline that resorts of international standard have sprouted up, offering a host of water-based recreational facilities. If you crave for privacy, head for Teluk Duyung, Monkey Beach, Pantai Keracut and Pantai Mas accessible via the trails in the Pantai Acheh Forest Reserve from Teluk Bahang. The Pasir Panjang Beach at the southwestern tip of the island is a good clean stretch for swimming and can be reached after a 25-minute hike over hilly land from Betong. Batu Ferringhi Beach (Northern Coast of Penang Island)A little further along the coast towards Georgetown, Batu Ferringhi (Foreigner's Rock) is a resort strip lined with big hotels, tourist shops, restaurants and car and motorcycle rental offices. They are also plenty of moneychangers to welcome you. The beach itself is quite good, thought not up there with Malaysia's best and the water is not of the tropically clear variety you might expect. The beach is kept clean, even on weekends when hordes of day-trippers visit. Batu Ferringhi has the drawbacks of a large resort, it can be crowded and much of the greenery has been replaced by concrete, but also the advantages (plenty of restaurants, watering holes and recreation facilities). It has quite a lively resort feel, and there is a good night markets on the main road selling trinkets. The big hotels offer good deals at times and cheaper accommodation is available if you want a few days by the beach. Tanjung Bungah Beaches The closest beach to George Town is Tanjung Bungah beach. The shoreline here is packed with lush greenery and dotted with large boulders. You can also sunbathe in the shadow of the overhanging cliffs. The ocean view at Tanjung Bungah beach is said to be one of the best on the island! Even better yet, visitors do not need to forgo luxury while visiting Tanjung Bungah? beach as there are many world-class resorts and hotels here. Teluk Bahang Beach Beautiful sunsets grace the beach of Teluk Bahang--Bay of Embers--where the rustic kampung (village) charms is exemplified by an intact fishing village rumbling with life. Chickens, dogs, cats and children frolic around and under the stilted attap houses and a jetty stretches some distance into the sea to welcome home the fishermen and their day's catch. A rare quixotic scene comes alive at the twinkle of an eye, otherwise found only in the best canvasses of Penang's thriving arts trade. At the distal end this idyllic beach, the paradisiacal Mutiara Beach Resort takes physical domicile. Penang Botanic Gardens The Penang Botanic Gardens, more popularly known as "Waterfall Gardens", was established by the British way back in 1884 from an old granite quarry site. It lies in a deep valley, at the foot of 366 feet jungle clad hills, bound by evergreen tropical rain forests, divided by a cascading stream that meanders through a sprawling 29 hectares of prime and undulating grounds. Its lush greenery and tranquil setting makes it a favourite park and a popular tourist attraction. It is Penang's unique natural heritage, being the only one of its kind in Malaysia. Besides, being a repository of flora & unique to the country and to the region, it serves as a "green lung" for Metropolitan Penang.   Scenes & Activities in the Gardens The Penang Botanic Gardens is Penang's unique asset, being the only gardens of its kind in Malaysia. Various floras unknown to many are found in these gardens. Besides being a botanic centre, the garden is a popular recreational spot. Early in the morning, many people come to the Gardens to jog, exercise and enjoy clean fresh air. As the day goes on, hundred of visitors come to sit at the lawn, by the stream or underneath the shade of trees. Fort Cornwallis Fort Cornwallis is situated at the spot where Captain Francis Light was supposed to have landed in 1786. Originally a wooden structure, the fort was rebuilt between 1808 and 1810 with convict labour. It was named after Charles Marquis Cornwallis, a distinguished Governor General of India, and designed to protect the harbour from possible French attacks. Today, much of the old fort remains, but its precincts have been converted into a public park and an open air theater. It is still guarded by old cannons, which were retrieved by the British from pirates who had captured them from the Johore Sultanate. The most famous of the cannons is Seri Rambai, which dates back to 1613. Local beliefs have it that childless women can become fertile by placing flowers in the barrel of the cannon and offering special prayers.   P. Ramlee House P. Ramlee's House at No. 4A, Jalan P.Ramlee Pulau Pinang is the birthplace of the late P. Ramlee. The house was built in 1926 by his father and his uncle, Rejab bin Hussein. The house has been repaired by his uncle during the Japanese Occupation and once again in 1948. Today the house has been renovated and preserved for the third time by the National Archives of Malaysia. Although it is renovated, the house remains unchanged and still retains its original shape. The conservation project on P.Ramlee's House is an extension of the P.Ramlee Memorial in Kuala Lumpur. It is also the government's effort in preserving the memory of P.Ramlee as Malaysia's leading artiste. The P.Ramlee Memorial Commitee's meeting on 22 November 1988 decided that his house should be restored and preserved. The house has undergone repairs and conservation, and hopefully it will become an historic place for visitors who wish to remember the Great Artiste himself. It also stands as a symbol of honour from the government in commemoration of the deeds of a great artiste to the nation. The house has been carefully furnished, in order to present the likeness of the original setting that prevailed during the period of his youth. Various archival materials and items which relate to his early life are also on display.

Kedah~~

Introduction

The state of Kedah spans approximately 9, 425 sq. km in the northern part of the Peninsular and together with Perlis, Perak and Kelantan, shares a common border with neighbouring Thailand. It has the distinction of being the "Rice Bowl of Malaysia", the Kedah-Perlis rice plains produce more than half of the country's home grown rice supply. Alor Setar, the state capital, is the seat of Government and the business centre of the state.

The flat expanse of padi fields against a backdrop of rolling hills provides a picture of utter serenity that lulls the senses. Off its western shore, are clusters of sun-drenched islands that comprise the legendary islands of Langkawi. Kedah also owes its fame to the archeological discoveries at the Bujang Valley, which furnished evidence of the existence of an early civilisation dating back to the 6th cebtury A.D. With its islands, legends, historical relics, hill stations and scenic aterfalls, Kedah offers the visitor a variety of sights, sounds and fun-filled activities - from beach combing to diving, water skiing, picnicking or merely to take in the sights.

Langkawi Island / Pulau Langkawi Langkawi island is an archipelago of 104 islands lying in the north western coast of Peninsular Malaysia. The exact location of these tropical islands is at the site where the Straits of Malacca meets the waters of the Andaman Seas. The largest of these islands is called Langkawi Island and is bigger than the Penang Island.The other islands in this group are Island of Pregnant Maiden (Pulau Dayang Bunting), Lion Island (Pulau Singa Besar) and Beras Basah Island.The smallest of these islands are atolls roughly the size of an ordinary house! Langkawi is coined from the Malay words Lang and Kawi. Lang is a brown eagle and Kawi is a local manganese stone.The ancient fishermen must have seen eagles flying clutching the manganese stones! A giant monument of a brown eagle clutching the manganese stone greets all visitors to Langkawi near the Kuah Jetty. The main tourist attractions of Langkawi Island is its virgin white sandy beaches.The beaches have very gentle continental slope and the water is crystal clear. This island is unique in the sense that it has so many legendsand myths associated with it.Langkawi Island is therefore also called Pulau Lagenda or Legendary Island. The most talked about legend is that of Mahsuri who is said to have laid a curse on this island for seven generations.Luckily the period of this curse is over now and Langkawi Island is fast becoming an internationally recognised tourist destination. The government of Malaysia has declared the entire Langkawi Island as a duty free zone. Hence this island is also termed Duty Free Island.All goods sold in this island are exempted from government tax.Therefore this Legendary Island is a haven for the shoppers.You only need to stay in Langkawi for a minimum of 48 hours to take back home a reasonable amount of tax free goods.

Perlis~~

Introduction Perlis may be the smallest state in Malaysia, but it boasts a wealth of natural, cultural and historical splendours that rival the bigger states. You may be mesmerised by the many quaint villages, picturesque scenery and centuries-old traditions wherever you go. In short, Perlis is the perfect destination to head for if you prefer old world charm instead of the hustle and bustle of the city, where life is unhurried and the environment naturally fresh and crisp. Perlis lies at the northwestern tip of the Malay Peninsula; bounded by Thailand in the north, and by Kedah to the east and south. Its western coastline borders the Straits of Melaka. It measures approximately 810 sq km and has a population of 217,480. The state capital is Kangar while Arau, 10km away, is the Royal town. Although small in size, Perlis is not without its attractions, foremost among which is its serene beauty. Perlis, too, abounds with rustic rural scenes and rolling green fields of padi. January to April the weather is generally warm and dry. Days are hot and windy but nights can become cold towards dawn. September to December is wet. The average annual rainfall is between 2,000 ml and 2,500 ml (80" to 100") and humidity is high throughout the year. Temperature varies little the year round, ranging from 21° C to 32° C.