Merdeka! – Malaysia’s Independence Day.

I read a very interesting view from another blogger regarding MERDEKA !!! Malaysia's Independence Day.His view:"This is how we continue to insult and alienate our fellow citizens in Sabah and Sarawak!The ignoramus in Malaya – politicians, pundits, editors,journalists, advertisers; including ‘ I was there at the Padang down memory lane ramblers – continue to use ‘ Happy 56th Birthday Malaysia’.
The historical fact is that the Federation of Malaysia was formed on 16th September 1963 – so it will be the 50th Malaysia Day ( National Day,  Birthday call it what you will) come 16 September 2013.
Definitely NOT 56th!
The greatest insult is of course to hoist the 31 August 56th Merdeka Day on our fellow citizens in Sabah and Sarawak.
Please get it right – 31st August 1957 has no significance to our fellow citizens across the South Cina Sea!
And by the way the Federation of Malaya passed into history on midnight 15th September1963! “”
Blogger Haris Ibrahim  HERE .

What ever it is here is my massage to fellow Malaysian.
 As we celebrate our nation’s 56th Independence Day, let us be thankful and reflective on all the blessings we have so far enjoyed.  Admittedly Malaysia is not paradise, nor is it the ‘best’, nor ‘safest’, nor ‘happiest’ country in the world.  That’s all very subjective.  Still, there is much for us to celebrate, such as our climate, our fertile land, our abundant resources, our cultural diversity, and our wonderful people.
 Love for Malaysia is not only exhibited by those who display the biggest ‘Jalur Gemilang’ in their houses or offices.  Love for Malaysia also means to abide by our nation’s laws, to respect our national institutions, to care for our natural environment, and to care for the common rights of all Malaysians.

Should we Malaysians love our nation, and should we cultivate and exhibit wisdom and integrity always, then perhaps, our country’s great promise can then be fulfilled.
Dirgahayu Malaysia!  Selamat Hari Merdeka ke-56  kepada semua rakyat Malaysia.

 Patriotism is a culture .

 Small village shop selling Jalur Gamilang (Malaysia flag)

 Kampong people show they Patriotism for Merdeka Day.

Bau Jong Regatta.

Thousand of people converged on the usually-serene Tasik Biru in Bau near Kuching to watch the Bau Jong Regatta organised by the Bau District Council.The weather was so good so I drive over to Bau Town to watch the events.

This unique sporting event was started way back in 1954 during the time of British rule.

 1954 during the time of British rule.The event, however, was disrupted many times for various reasons including the confrontation, communist insurgency and lack of funds, and was once totally forgotten.

 The Regatta Jong Bau mini-sailboat race is a traditional water sport organised since 1950 during the colonial British era.Beginning next year, Jong Regatta Bau, an iconic activity held exclusively in Bau here, may be rebranded as 'Pesta Regatta Bau' to lure more foreign tourists.

Kota Sentosa.

Kota Sentosa is a unique place in Sarawak because the town grew in a linear development pattern. It is situated at the 7th mile from Kuching city and from history it grew from a tiny village that was located along the former railway line from Kuching to Mile 10. It is for this matter that Kota Sentosa's old name was 'Mile 7 bazaar'. It is also conveniently situated at the entrance of the Samarahan Division and next by the Kuching International airport. But what makes the town alive and kicking , indeed thriving is the presence of half a dozen of military-cum- residential complexes that house many battalions and regiments of the Malaysian army and air force. Their presence become the largest employment and business generator for booming Kota Sentosa.

  Kota Sentosa,state seats that held by DAP.Currently is under heavy development of modern shop houses.Yesterday I went to Kota Sentosa arm with my old camera Olympus with kit lens.Most people would just dump their older camera and equipments into the used market, and quickly grab that latest released camera that promises better image quality and camera performance.To be honest I still love my E410.
All images in this Kota Sentosa entry shot with my Olympus E410 .More picture below :::

Kota Sentosa Wet Market.

Kota Sentosa Street vendor.

Night market or pasar malam in Kota Sentosa.

Night market food stall business hour is from 6pm to midnight daily.

Old shop houses still exit in Kota Sentosa.

 Almost all the building in Kota Sentosa is colorful .

Sarawak Regatta

The iconic Sarawak Regatta scheduled for next week from 15th-18th September,2011 is very important as it will be held in conjunction with the celebration of Merdeka as well as the the 2011 IWWF Sarawak WakeBoard World Cup Championships, a world class event added for the first time.

Sarawak Regatta.

People of all races, cultures and beliefs will once again gather at the Kuching Waterfront and along the banks of the Sarawak River to witness this truly cultural sport extravaganza for four days from Sept 15.The Sarawak River will be filled with boats of multiple colours and sizes with thousands cheering in excitement.Apart from that, there will also be many side events to be held alongside the regatta namely Craft Exhibition, Trade and Food Fair as well as Cultural Show and Night Entertainment.

The Star of Florida waterski show team.

In addition to the main competitions, there is a show by the world famous “Stars of Florida Waterski Show Team” who would certainly wow the crowd with their stunts.

Wakeboard.

The WakeBoard championship will see about 30 World Cup wakeboarders from across the world.
For info about the race programmes just log on to the Sarawak Regatta Official website SARAWAK REGATTA

Old Gambier Street Spices Trader in Kuching.

This smell the aroma of this spice reminds me of walking back to old time Kuching, the narrow alley with dimly litted artificial light in contrast to the sunny morning sky just outside of the alley. You can immediately smell the aroma of heavy Indian spices hanging in the air. Every time you are there, it never fail to heighten your taste buds and your senses. Very much transient your perception to a land far away such as India or Sri Lanka.
Photo from my Lumix LX3 .

Fireflyz-New Hub & New Route.

Firefly said: Firefly starts a new chapter in its expansion plan with a new hub in Johor Bahru.The new routes is from Johor Bahru to Kota Kinabalu and Kuching.

Fireflyz   offer daily direct flights 2 times a day from their new hub of Johor Bahru (JHB) to Kuching (KCH) and Kota Kinabalu (BKI).The aircraft Boeing 737-400 first flight began on May 19 and June 16, 2011 .

In conjunction with celebrating the introduction of these new routes,fly for free promotions as low as RM9 one-way ticket (Fare RM0.01 + RM8.99 tax) for online booking starting from Feb 22 until Feb 28 2011

 

Photo credit to Airliner .net.                      (The interior view of Boeing 737-400)

The new exterior look, the new owner should consider retrofitting the seats, by just replacing the Business Class seats with normal Economy seats. Through this option, the Boeing 737-400 will have slightly more capacity at the same time retaining the luxurious seat-pitch it currently have.The new hub "The Sultan Ismail Airport" Johor Bahru is the first step to make it the site for Firefly continues to expand, especially in the next plan to introduce new international routes flying from Johor Bahru to Jakarta , Surabaya and Bandung .  Obviously "orange power" Firefly is now more advanced and faster after the successful invasion of the blue cloud of direct flights of Boeing 737-800 aircraft from their new route to KLIA to Kuching and Kota Kinabalu since January 15, 2011.

Congratulations ......

FIREFLYZ.COM

Tip from me:  All low cost carrier in Malaysia  is a perfectly good airline to fly if you book early, don't carry much luggage, have no special requirements, and you are certain that nothing will arise that will require you to engage with any aspect of the airline's "customer service". .

Hadrah is one of the Sarawak Malay Culture.

One more piece of good NEWS today: Firefly Airline is increasing their frequencies to KLIA-KK and KLIA-KUCHING routes to a total of six flights a day and seven flights a day respectively! Check it out at fireflyz.com.my now.

Kuching is a cosmopolitan city,and this is reflected in the faces on the streets.Kuching is home from people from virtually all of Sarawak's 26-plus ethnic groups.Sarawak is a unique and enjoyable tourism destination,and Kuching is the ideal base from which to go exploring.This rich and varied cultural heritage also make Kuching a great place to visit.One of the Kuching Malay Culture is  HADRAH.

The colourful attire and fashions worn by the people while performing hadrah. The performance of hadrah had indeed enlivened the celebration .

 

 

In the past,hadrah was only performs  during weddings,but now it is performed in open and public events,to greet honoured guest.
In a Malay weeding ceremony hadrah is played as the background music.Hadrah is played by some young and old people  and each player holds kompang.

The World's first Cat Museum......

From my mail box this morning from Malaysia Airline System (MAS).

or you also can go to Kuching from KUL (KLIA) by log on to this website 

FIREFLYZ

For those from West Malaysia who wish to visit Kuching,Sarawak now is the time to plan & book your seat.You don't need many things to carry if you are travelling to Kuching .A small bag pack to put necessary things like.map,travel document,camera and a bottle of drinking water .Clothing(cotton) and shoes is casual and comfortable (sport sneakers).

If you are within Kuching City,beside walking the Kuching Street and enjoy the Kampong view from the Kuching waterfront, I suggest you take a tour to the World's first Cat Museum in Petra Jaya Kuching.

The World's first Cat Museum,is devoted to all things feline,is in Petra Jaya in the Kuching City North City Hall.Cat lovers will find range of exhibits,photos,feline art and cat

City North City Hall.Cat lovers will find range of exhibits,photos,feline art and cat souvenir open daily 9am to 5pm (closed on public holidays).The admission is free but if you have camera......fee is Rm3.00 for camera and Rm5.00 for video.You can take a green bus from Kuching City centre and ask the local.

"Saya mauk pegi opis DBKU' or 'Saya mauk pegi museum Pusak (pusak is Cat in local Malay of Kuching).

See you in Kuching.

Public Transport-Kuching City.

Kuching is considered a non-active city at night, therefore public transportion after 7 pm may be limited to certain locations within Kuching or outside. Taxis are available 24 hours but also limited to those who used to travel at night and have a place to book for oncall taxi or rent a car at reasonable rate. Since all tourist spots in Kuching area is located quite far from one to another, therefore rent a car for convenience, you'll be able to visit more places. Unlike Kuala Lumpur City, Kuching serves without Train, no LRT, no commuter except for Bus/Water taxis (Sampan).

If  bus is your mode of transport in Kuching City ..first you need to study the bus route and make sure you know where you are going.

To be honest to visitors...While in Kuching City don't expect nice,cosy,air-condition bus station ..

My experience..If you want to go to Semenggok Wildlife Centre to meet Ritchie and family the Urang Utan.Go early in the morning take bus number K6.Don't take on noon e.g 13:30pm bus from Kuching because you might miss the return bus you go at noon returning is difficult .Go at 07:00am and are just in time to see Ritchie and friends 'The Urang Utan' feeding time that is at 09:00 am everyday.Spend few hours there and return by bus at noon is easier, but not after 04:00pm it might be difficult.

** Ritchie is the oldest urang utan at the wildlife centre in Semenggok.

Firefly Airline-Media Fam Trip (part4) 'Kamik Nait Belon Firefly'.

Firefly Airline is a subsidiary company from Malaysia Airline offering budget flight mostly in the Peninsular Malaysia,taking over MAS route flying from south to north and east to west.January 15th in the year 2011 firefly's offer flight from KUL (KLIA) to Kuching and Kota Kinablu.When firefly's announce new route last December 2010 every Sarawakian especially those from Kuching was delighted to hear which mean there will be a choice of lowcost or budget Airline from Kuching to Kuala Lumpur .

More information about firefly's promotion just log on to their web site   KAMEK NAIT BELON FIREFLY

In case you guy confuse what is 'Kamek Nait Belon' this is local malay Sarawak for" Let's us fly by Firefly Airline "(correct me if I'm wrong)

The word belon mean  aero plane.Beautiful isn't it, Malaysia has so many beautiful dialect .

I'm still on day one of the  Fam trip hosted by Fireflys's & Tourism Malaysia and our last stop before heading to Kuala Lumpur and check-in at Hotel Istana is the Putrajaya Maritime Centre, which was said to be the next big thing in Putrajaya as it’s home to practically any water sport .I don't snap any photo here..well,you see  so many people swimming in the pool .You know what i mean don't you...women swimming gear and people relaxing at pool site.They don't want to be disturb.

Photo by Justin KC Yap...(Thanks Justin )

The handsome uncle our tour guide from day one till last day of our tour.Thank You uncle, for your hospitality and he's  kind of happy go lucky person.Some time he talk alone as many of the media are tired and sleepy .No wonder, no matter afternoon or night whenever he started to say a word.. he say 'Good Morning People' ..,

Photo by Justin KC Yap.

Thank You to the Hotel management .I have XXXL size polo t-shirt and cap ,complimentary from Hotel Istana.This Hotel is one of the 5 star hotel around Bukit Bintang.We reach hotel quite late due to traffic congested.We stay here  for 2 nights including breakfast and hosted by Tourism Malaysia.Thank You to Tourism Malaysia.

 

I was impressed with the friendly greeting by the hotel staff and was amazed to see such splendid decor in the lobby area.
The rooms were comfortable, modern, well equipped and the bathroom was modern, very spacious and clean and soundproof! The housekeeping staff were very efficient, we only had to wait a matter of minutes when requesting extra towels or what ever etc.Breakfast buffet was delicious with lots of variety - hot and cold food. The restaurant staff were helpful and made polite conversation although not overbearing.The perfect location for sight seing and only a 10 minute walk to the Pavilion and other shopping centre.I would recommend this hotel to anyone who wishes to have city break in Kuala Lumpur and of course we have to poke up more monies from our pocket (in case you pay by cash).Me..hehehe.all paid by Tourism Malaysia or Firefly's.

 

Photo by Justin KC Yap.

Our mission is not complete yet,I only have one hour break for a shower ( hot shower of course).I am rushing, the bus is waiting to take us to Ampang.

Photo by Justin KC Yap.

We had dinner with Tourism Malaysia officers at Bora Ombak Restaurant in Ampang.The food was scrumptious with modest presentation (picture above) and most of them are unique to me as it was my first time tasting this kind of food.It had a Balinese theme scenery .We  arrived quite late  because of traffic congested.We sit indoor due to humid and raining has started.We are a group of 20 people and the only customers at that time.I look around as there are still ample seats empty.To be honest,do you know that for a free meal some people would go to the end of the earth almost. hehe..he.

Anyway I enjoy the food, like i said my first time haha..Our tour guide purpose a mall tour for us at Bukit Bintang area but not for me as i need energy for day two of our Fam Trip that is we are heading for Melaka at 0745 hours.

End of day one and my next entry is trip to Melaka. Watch out guy........more photos  on next entry.

Aviation in Malaysia.

Source: Malaysia Airports Holdings Berhad.

Traffic continues to grow in 2010. In the third quarter of last year, passenger numbers were up 12.5% at KLIA, with regional airport growth just over 7%. In both cases, international traffic growth was outperforming domestic traffic.

Malaysia Airports is currently constructing the brand new KLIA 2; a low-cost carrier terminal that will initially be used exclusively by AirAsia and will be able handle 30 million annual passengers.

According to schedule data from OAG, AirAsia now operates more flights and more seat capacity at KLIA than Malaysia Airlines, even before AirAsia X, Thai AirAsia and Indonesia AirAsia are taken into account. However, Malaysia Airlines does serve more destinations non-stop (66) from the airport than its low-cost rival. A total of 53 airlines currently offer scheduled services from KLIA including KLM and Lufthansa from Europe, but there are no US carriers present at the airport. In fact, the airport still has no direct flights to any US airport.

New services launched from KLIA in 2010 include AirAsia to Bangalore, Chennai, Hyderabad and Yangon; AirAsia X to Delhi, Mumbai, Seoul and Tokyo Haneda; Malaysia Airlines to Bandung; Oman Air to Muscat; and Royal Jordanian to Amman. AirAsia X has already announced Christchurch and Paris as new destinations for 2011.

Firefly's plane Boeing 737-800.

Cabin interior of B737-800.

 

 

 

A significant development starting this weekend is the introduction of Firefly service between KLIA and Kota Kinabalu (three daily flights) and Kuching (four daily flights) using the airline’s recently acquired 737-800s. Firefly is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Malaysia Airlines that until now has operated purely turboprop aircraft from the old Kuala Lumpur airport at Subang.

Beyond Kuala Lumpur, there are seven airports which handled more than a million passengers per annum in 2009. Kota Kinabalu is the leading airport in the Malaysian region of Sabah while Kuching is the busiest airport in Sarawak.

More information about Firefly's click

H E R E