Plenitude Penang International Dragon Boat Festival 2012

If you happen to be visiting Penang this weekend, an event not to be missed is the annual Dragon Boat Festival at Teluk Bahang Dam from 9am to 6pm. Yes, this popular and exciting event, The Plenitude Penang International Dragon Boat Festival, is back again in Penang, for the 33rd time.

Scheduled for June 30 and July 1, this year's event will see 14 international teams competing. Teams from South Africa, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, United States, Australia, Thailand, Philippines and New Zealand have confirmed their participation, as well as 13 Malaysian teams.

The public is welcome to witness the race at the beautiful Teluk Bahang Dam.

As for public transportation, Rapid Penang busses travelling to Batu Feringgi will extend their route up to the dam from 8.00am to 6.00pm during these two days.

If you are visiting, no worry about food as you will be able to purchase meals at the site using food-coupons which will be sold by the organiser during the event. A purchase of a minimum of RM10 worth of coupons will entitle you to enter in the lucky draw and stand you a chance to win a Grand Prize of a cruise to Phuket worth RM 4500, hotel stays, 50 Swork sunglasses worth RM799 and other great prizes!

That's not all. In conjunction with the festival, a photography competition will also be held for shutterbugs. Those with the best photos of the race will be awarded RM800 for first prize, RM500 for second prize and RM300 for third prize. Photo submission date is to be by 15 July 2012.

A workshop will be held for participants of the race on 29 June, from 10am to 6pm at Tanjung Bungah Beach Hotel and later at Teluk Bahang Dam. An expert coach from The Philippines will be conducting the workshop covering rowing techniques, followed by a Water Safety Awareness Course by a qualified trainer. Each participant team can send two representatives to the workshop.

Source: The Star..Bill tabled to make it compulsory for franchisors to register business

New Attraction in Malaysia - Pandas from China

Very soon, Malaysians will get to see pandas in real life following an agreement to be signed between Malaysia and China Wildlife Conservation Association, in commemoration of the countries' 40th anniversary of diplomatic relationship. The agreement will be signed on June 15.

The pandas will be placed in a special exhibit in Taman Wetland, Putrajaya. Malaysians will also get the chance to name the pandas in a nationwide contest.

China news reports in April reported that Malaysia would spend a whopping RM20mil for the upkeep of the pandas.

The budget is expected to cover the construction of an air-conditioned sanctuary for the pandas, importing bamboos from China for their meals as well to train local handlers for the animals.


Source: The Star..Giant Pandas for Malaysia

Dataran Merdeka not approved for Bersih 3.0 rally, Apr 28

The above image shows Dataran Merdeka (Merdeka/Independance Square) located in the KL city centre in front of the Sultan Abdul Samad Building. As Dataran Merdeka is not being approved for the Bersih 3.0 rally tomorrow, KL mayor, Tan Sri Ahmad Fuad Ismail, has declared the square and all roads leading to it closed from 6am today to 6am on Sunday.

If you are a tourist in Kuala Lumpur over this weekend, if you are not too keen being caught up in crowds, the city is to be avoided tomorrow (Saturday). Instead, explore attractions outside of the city or perhaps go south to historical Malacca.

Bersih is advocating for free and fair polls for the country. Peaceful sit-in Bersih 3.0 rallies will be staged nationwide tomorrow, Dataran Merdeka being the venue for KL. In Ipoh, it will be at the Sultan Abdul Aziz Recreational Park, popularly known as the Polo Ground. The last rally, Bersih 2.0, was held on July 9 last year.


Source: The Star..Mayor: Stay out of Dataran Merdeka

Kuala Lumpur City Gallery (KLCG)

When you visit Kuala Lumpur, here is one place to not miss - the Kuala Lumpur City Gallery, KLCG for short. Opened end of last year, it is a one-stop centre for foreign and local travellers alike to learn more about Kuala Lumpur - past, present and future.

The gallery, housed in the former KL Memorial Library beside Dataran Merdeka, is the brainchild of Andrew Lee, the CEO and founder of ARCH Collection Sdn Bhd, a company that specialises in art pieces and architectural model design and manufacturing.

Besides an information centre, the KLCG features a walk-through gallery of the city's history in print, pictures and film. Also on display are intricate miniatures of KL's historical buildings.

Exhibits that are not to be missed are the world's largest KL Skyline wood-veneer mural and the largest miniature replica of its heritage enclave in Dataran Merdeka and Chinatown, which mimic the areas at night.

Admission is free and travellers are welcome to peruse the tour maps available as well as go on a guided tour around the gallery from 8am to 6pm daily.

In the pipeline is a Greater KL model which will be ready end of May. This will showcase the Klang Valley in miniature and will be updated as and when new developments occur.

Bookmark this post for future reference for your next visit to Kuala Lumpur.


Source: The Star..A pleasant overview of Kuala Lumpur — in small sizes

Eye on Malaysia Launch in Malacca, Nov 7, 2008

The Eye on Malaysia which has been relocated from Kuala Lumpur to Malacca was officially launched last Friday, Nov 7.


Some 10,000 locals and tourists gathered at the Malacca rivermouth to witness the launch of the 60m brightly-lit Eye on Malaysia ferris wheel amid a fireworks display.

Local artistes including Ning Baizura and Mawi kept the crowd entertained as they waited to have a ride.

The Ferris wheel which has 42 air-conditioned gondolas would be the main attraction among three on the 1.6ha leisure park. A 30m by 60m water screen will be ready by December and a 4D space exhibition will be operational by February next year.

Source: The Star