Travel To Asia

Casa Del Art

Placed downstairs from the Festive Fare restaurant, this is one of the better thangka shops in Kathmandu's Durbar Square area. The quality is high and the prices are surprisingly reasonable.

A' Famosa

In 1808, the British decided to level it and folks in town were thrilled because "at last all the poor people of Malacca could become rich from the money they earn demolishing the Fort." But spades, picks and crowbars were useless against a fortress which reportedly had walls fifteen feet thick, measured 60 feet at its top and had foundations as deep. They had to use gunpowder. Stamford Raffles saved what tourists pay to see today.

Batu Ferringhi

It's hard to believe how this highly commercialised strip of scenic beachfront could have fared as a fabled haunt of the seventies' hippies. Any discernible concrete substances on the coast today are unmistakable edifices of mass tourism. A dozen or so five-star joints, and many more down the grades, betray over 20 years of package tourism designed specifically for Japanese travellers of the bubble economy era. A nocturnal bazaar of trinket shops, budget restaurants, rowdy bars and discos have now been added to the list of unforgettable experiences that the cant slogan promises. A must in Malasya

Lake Garden

This botanical garden, set amid lakes in the heart of Kuala Lumpur, is the city dweller's favourite rendezvous. Nestled deep in the city centre are 104 hectares of close-cropped lawns, undulating hills and carefully cultivated gardens. Placed near Jalan Parlimen, Lake Gardens offers locals and visitors a wide range of facilities such as playgrounds, jogging tracks, exercise stations and rowing boats.

Mount Ophir

Known as Gunung Ledang, this is a rugged mountain forest reserve. Clear trails leading to the  summit make it a popular school holiday excursion destination. At the base of the mountain is the Sagil Waterfall, a perfect picnic spot that is also good for a swim with its cool and cristal clear waters. A resort provides affordable chalets for extended stays, while amenities like resting sheds, changing rooms, campsites and food stalls are also available for the visitors.

Penang Bridge

This is the bridge that leads to the "Silicon Island" in geographical and economic terms. This 1985 impressive feat of 13.5km of engineering is the first land link to mainland Malaysia. Beyond an unabashed showpiece of progress, its economic significance manifests itself in the factories of top global IT names in the Bayan Lepas Free Industrial Park, from which the Californian comparison is drawn.

Little India

Catch a glimpse of the bustling Little India, home to many traditional Indian traders dating back to the days when the British declared Penang as a trading post in the 18th century. Experience Penang's Indian culture first-hand and take a walk down memory lane. Not to be missed is Market Street, the main shopping street where rows of Indian shops are lined up selling all sorts of Indian traditional wares like saris, Punjabi suits, stainless steel wares, accessories and handicrafts.

Balik Pulau Town

Meaning “behind the Island” it boasts of clove and nutmeg, durian with well known and well sought varieties, and rubber estates. These are the heritage of the Hakka community's sweat and blood plus a drinking fountain donated by Koh Seang Tat in 1882 palced in the centre of the town. The old but beautiful Catholic church reminds one of the British presence where the District Land Office building, built at around 1880, housed the post and telegraph.

Merdeka Square

The Dataran Merdeka used to be a major point for the British colonial presence in Malaysia. The structures bordering the Dataran Merdeka reflect the physical environment of the colonists' native land. Placed on one corner of the square is the Selangor Club, replicating the Tudors of merry old England. A 100mts flagpole, one of the tallest in the world, marks the spot.

Malaysia International Shipping Corporation (MISC) Museum

This museum represents Malaysia's sea and waterway. The exhibits are carefully displayed in 12 sections, projecting different aspects of the maritime industry. Visitors can find and enjoy the ship models, historical maps and a working model of Malaysia's Port Klang. Take a peek at the worldwide maritime history, spanning from the Greek and Viking eras to the present. The museum is full of interesting displays and information.