PERHENTIAN ISLAND

Located at the north-eastern coast of Peninsular Malaysia. About 21 km off shores the remote town of Kuala Besut. There are two lovely unspoiled island lie amidst exquisitely clear waters. Pulau Perhentian Kecil (Small Perhentian) and Perhentian Besar (Big Perhentian) comprise the Perhentian Island, aptly named after henti (stop) as fishermen from mainland Kelantan and Terengganu have, for centuries, stopped over at the island for a rest or to shelter during a major storm. A rocky virgin jungle provides hour of adventures for trekkers who may chance upon flying fox, long-tailed macaques and monitor lizards, while the underneath marine life shows off a splendid garden of coral.The Perhentian Islands (Pulau Perhentian in Malay) lie approximately 10 nautical miles (19 km) offshore the coast of northeastern Malaysia in the state of Terengganu, approximately 40 miles (64 km) south of the Thai border. The two main islands are Perhentian Besar ("Big Perhentian") and Perhentian Kecil ("Small Perhentian"). The small, uninhabited islands of Susu Dara (Virgin Milk), Seringgi and Rawa lie off Kecil. The Perhentians belong to Pulau Redang National Marine Park, which means that fishing, collecting coral and littering are strictly prohibited.

The name "perhentian" means "stopping point" in Malay, referring to their longstanding role as a waypoint for traders between Bangkok and Malaysia. The islands were sparsely inhabited by fishermen for centuries, although tourism now accounts for most economic activity.

The Perhentian Islands appear on many maps of the nineteenth and twentieth century as 'The Station Islands'. This arises from the British colonial period, as an English translation from the Malay "point to stop".

The Perhentian Islands were also used as a refuge in the late 1900s..

Perhentian Island also has a very beautiful beach call "Pasir Panjang" (Long Beach). It is located at Perhentian Kecil (Small Perhentian). It is a very beautiful white sandy beach, crystal clear water and it is the best place for picnic.

Both islands are fringed by white sand beach, and the reefs and crystalline water are host to a wide variety of coral, sea-turtles, jellyfish, small sharks and reef-fish. The islands' maximum elevation is approximately 100 m and they are uniformly covered in coastal tropical jungle, with few interior foot-trails and no roads.

Other than the owners and staff of the numerous cabin-style resorts that dot the islands (many of whom depart for the monsoon season), the islands' only permanent inhabitants live in a small fishing village on Kecil. With the exception of a single mainland-communications tower, there are no structures taller than two storeys.

In the absence of tourism, economic activity on the Perhentian Islands would be limited to small-scale fishing.

Owing to the Islands' protected status, the main tourist activities are minimal in environmental impact: sunbathing, snorkeling, scuba diving, turtle and shark-watching.

The island's electrical power is provided by 2 wind turbines supplemented by diesel generators. A third turbine is being built. Electricity is 24-hour during high season. Fresh water is provided by springs. In this respect, the Perhentian Islands are prized by tourists as an 'escape' from the modern world.

The only access to the Islands is by boat from the fishing villages of Kuala Besut and Tok Bali. Local tourist operators run fishing boats and speed boats several times a day.

SIPADAN ISLAND

Sipadan Island (Pulau Sipadan)

Sipadan, located 30 km off Semporna on the East Coast of Sabah is rated as the world's top dive sites. For the true diving enthusiast, the island needs no introduction. Praised by the internationally renowned oceanographer and filmmaker Jacques Cousteau as one of the best diving spots in the world, it is unique as the only oceanic island in Malaysia. Its geographic position puts Sipadan in the centre of the richest marine habitat in the world, the heart of the Indo-Pacific basin. Sipadan rises 600m from the seabed to provide spectacular wall dives and underwater garden. More than 3,000 species of fish and hundreds of coral species have been classified in this richest of ecosystem.



Sipadan is also renowned for its unusually large numbers of green and hawksbill turtles, which gather there to mate and nest. It is not unusual to see more 20 turtles on each dive. Another unique feature to divers is the turtle tomb that contains many skeletal remains of turtles. The residential schooling barracuda and big-eye trevally are one of the highlights on every diver's Wish-list, which often gather in thousands forming spectacular tornado-like formations. Mantas, eagle-rays, scalloped hammerhead sharks and whale sharks may also be seen, as well as an abundance of macro life. For sustainable-conservation purpose, Sipadan is presently, open to only 80 guests at any one time. There are six resorts on Sipadan.Sipadan is the only oceanic island in Malaysia, rising 2,000 feet or 600m from the seabed. It is located in the Celebes Sea east of the major town of Tawau and off the coast of East Malaysia on the Island of Borneo. It was formed by living corals growing on top of an extinct volcanic cone that took thousands of years to develop. Sipadan is located at the heart of the Indo-Pacific basin, the centre of one of the richest marine habitats in the world. More than 3,000 species of fish and hundreds of coral species have been classified in this ecosystem.

Normally rare diving scenes are frequently seen in the waters around Sipadan: schools of greenback turtles and hawksbill turtles nesting and mating, schools of barracuda & big-eye trevally in tornado-like formations, pelagic species such as manta rays, eagle rays, scalloped hammerhead sharks and whale sharks.

A mysterious turtle tomb lies underneath the column of the island, formed by an underwater limestone cave with a labyrinth of tunnels and chambers that contain many skeletal remains of turtles that have become lost and drown before finding the surface.

The Malaysian military protecting tourists against possible terrorist attacks.

In the past, the island was at the centre of a territorial dispute between Malaysia and Indonesia. The matter was brought for adjudication before the International Court of Justice and, at the end of 2002, the Court awarded the island along with the island of Ligitan to Malaysia, on the basis of the "effective occupation" displayed by the latter's predecessor (Malaysia's former colonial power, Great Britain) and the absence of any other superior title. The Philippines had applied to intervene in the proceedings on the basis of its claim to Northern Borneo, but its request was turned down by the Court early in 2001.

In April 2000, 21 people were kidnapped by the Philippine terrorist group Abu Sayyaf. The armed terrorists arrived by boat and forced 10 tourists and 11 resort workers at gun point to board the vessels and brought the victims to Mindanao. All victims were eventually released.

In year 2004, the Government of Malaysia ordered all on-site dive and resort operators of Sipadan to move their structures out of the island by 31 December 2004. This move is mainly to conserve a balanced eco-system for Sipadan and its surrounding. Diving will continue to be allowed in Sipadan for divers who are ferried in and out by dive and resort operators from the mainland and surrounding islands.

On May 15, 2006, a barge carrying thousands of tonnes of building material beached on the island, destroying a significant portion of reef between the old pier and Barracuda Point, said to be about 372sq metres

The purpose of the building supplies (mainly concrete and gravel) was apparently for a USD1.3 million tourist facility including resthouse, toilets and scuba shop, said the State Minister of Tourism, Culture and Environment Tan Sri Chong Kah Kiat but denied by the Chief Minister Datuk Seri Musa Aman. Later, it was reported that it was a Federal Government funded project.

REDANG ISLAND

Redang Island

White sandy beaches, crystal clear blue sea, brilliant underwater world... Redang archipelago comprises 9 islands (Lima Island, Paku Besar Island, Paku Kecil Island, Kerengga Besar Island, Kerengga Kecil Island, Ekor Tebu Island, Ling Island, Pinang Island and the main Redang Island) that abound with marvelous marine fishes, turtles and coral reefs that ensure great snorkelling and scuba-diving. Ping Anchorage package tours from camping to luxury beach resort, the choice - is always yours !

Ping Anchorage Travel & Tours won :

MALAYSIA TOURISM AWARDS

Malaysia Best Tour Program of Adventure & Nature 2006
Malaysia Best Tour Program of Adventure & Nature 2005
The Best Inbound Tour Operator 2004
The Best Domestic Tour Operator 2004
The Best Domestic Tour Operator 2003
The Best Domestic Tour Operator 2001/2002
The Best Domestic Tour Operator 2000
The Best Tour Package/Merit 'Redang Island Plus' 2000

The prestigious Malaysia Tourism Awards introduced in 1987 by the Ministry of Culture, Arts and Tourism through Tourism Malaysia, is tribute to those who excel in the development of tourism in Malaysia. It also acts as an incentive for participants to strive for the highest level of professionalism in both service and product quality. The Malaysia Tourism Awards, the ultimate symbol of recognition for awards recipients, is the highest accolade for individuals and organizations whose outstanding contributions play a significant role in the success of Malaysia's Tourism Industry.

BEST DOMESTIC TOUR OPERATOR
This Award gives recognition to the operators who have the most outstanding record in selling and promoting Malaysia.

Redang Island, locally known as Pulau Redang or just "Redang" is one of the largest islands off the east coast of Malaysia. It is a popular holiday island for Malaysians, most of whom come on package deals to one of the resorts. Redang is one of nine islands, which form a marine park, and which offer snorkeling and diving opportunities. Access is from Merang or Kuala Terengganu on boats operated by the resorts; there is also a small airport with services operated by Berjaya Air from Singapore (Seletar Airport) and Kuala Lumpur (Sultan Abdul Aziz Shah Airport).

The island is also an important conservation site for sea turtles. Previously, the indiscriminate economic exploitation of turtle eggs had caused fewer turtles returning to nest on the island. This has led the Terengganu state government to set up the Koperasi Setiajaya Pulau Redang in 1989, a cooperative aiming to develop and manage socio-economic programmes that could improve the livelihood of Pulau Redang locals without endangering its natural resources.[citation needed]

The waters around Pulau Redang also contain two historic shipwrecks: HMS Prince of Wales and HMS Repulse. The ships were sunk here at the start of World War II, setting the stage for the Japanese occupation of Malaya.

The Pulau Redang archipelago comprises Pulau Redang, Pulau Lima, Pulau Paku Besar, Pulau Paku Kecil, Pulau Kerengga Kecil, Pulau Kerengga Besar, Pulau Ekor Tebu, Pulau Ling and Pulau Pinang. Pulau Redang is the biggest of all the islands in the Marine Park, measuring about 7 km long and 6 km wide. Its highest peak is Bukit Besar at 359 metres above sea level. The boundary of the Pulau Redang Marine Park is established by a line linking all points 2 nautical miles (3.7 km) from the shores of Pulau Redang, Pulau Lima, Pulau Ekor Tebu and Pulau Pinang. The other nearby islands of Pulau Perhentian Besar, Pulau Perhentian Kecil, Pulau Lang Tengah, Pulau Kapas and Pulau Susu Dara are also gazetted and protected as Marine Parks. Today, only the bigger islands like Redang, Lang Tengah, Perhentian and Kapas have resort facilities for visitors. The management of Marine Parks primarily involves protection of the sensitive marine and terrestrial ecosystems by controlling the impact from human activities. These include waste & pollution management and conservation of coral reefs and terrestrial habitats.

The 2000 film, Summer Holiday was filmed on the Laguna Redang resort, and a replica of the tea house now serves as the resort's gift shop.

TEMPAT-TEMPAT PELANCONGAN DI MALAYSIA

SEBAIK saja dimaklumkan perjalanan menaiki bot dari Jeti Tanjung Leman ke Sibu Island Resort mengambil masa 45 minit, penulis terus terbayang laut luas yang tidak menjanjikan panorama indah. Apatah lagi ketika tiba di Jeti Tanjung Leman, matahari sedang terik memancar.

Begitupun, hembusan angin dan perjalanan yang merentasi beberapa buah kelong ternyata mengubah jangkaan awal penulis. Apa tidaknya kerana ketika tiba di Sibu Island Resort, kecantikan alam semula jadinya membuat hati terpaut. Penat lelah berkereta api seawal jam 7.30 pagi dari Stesen KL Sentral ke Kluang terus lenyap.



PANTAI memutih yang menjanjikan ketenangan.

Malah, ketika melihat sekawan rusa berkeliaran di padang ragut di hadapan resort, terasa begitu dekat dengan alam. Resort yang jauh dari riuh rendah kota ini adalah satu-satunya kawasan berpenghuni di Pulau Sibu Tengah Mersing.

Tidak seperti lokasi percutian lain, Sibu Island Resort memang khusus untuk mereka yang ingin mencari ketenangan. Yang pasti, di Pulau Sibu Tengah tidak ada penempatan manusia, tiada jualan murah dan tiada deretan gerai cenderamata. Hanya pantai memutih dan hijau alam yang menanti anda.

Untuk pengantin baru, Sibu Island Resort juga menjanjikan ketenangan yang tiada tandingan. Apatah lagi bilik khas pengantin berbulan madu letaknya agak terasing dengan chalet lain. Bagusnya, enam bilik istimewa itu ‘memiliki’ pantai sendiri yang bersambung dengan tangga dari bilik ke gigi air.

Dibangunkan pada 1997, dengan sentuhan seni bina Melayu asli. Berdinding papan dan bertangga batu, binaannya saja membuat kita ingin menjenguk sentuhan hiasan dalamannya. Oleh kerana pengunjung yang ke sini kebanyakan warga asing terutama dari Eropah, seni bina rumah Melayu Asli begitu tentu saja memberi mereka pemandangan baru.

Lebih menarik, resort ini turut memelihara beberapa jenis haiwan peliharaan selain rusa bagi menyerikan lagi landskap. Ada beberapa ekor ayam dan anak kambing yang berkeliaran di sekitar resort. Agak lucu melihat kanak-kanak Eropah yang mungkin tidak pernah melihat kambing mendukung, mendakap dan mencium haiwan itu seperti kucing.

Bersantai di gigi air mungkin bukan pilihan semua orang justeru ada banyak aktiviti yang boleh anda pilih. Apatah lagi, Pulau Sibu Tengah dikelilingi beberapa pulau besar dan kecil yang masing-masing punya keistimewaan sendiri. Kebanyakan pulau berdekatan seperti Pulau Kukus, Sibu Hujung, Metinggi, Lima dan Tinggi dijadikan lokasi untuk aktiviti snorkeling bagi kebanyakan pengunjung.

Bagi anda yang ingin menikmati keindahan batu karang, Pulau Lima sedia menanti. Kawasan ini memang terkenal dengan kehidupan laut dan terumbu karang. Malah, ia juga diwartakan sebagai taman laut. Malangnya, ketika rombongan kami berada di sebuah pulau sekitar resort untuk snorkeling, sebahagian kami bukan saja berpeluang meninjau terumbu karang di air jernih tetapi juga terumbu karang yang bersepah-sepah patah di pantai. Ada juga yang tersangkut pada jala.

Untuk yang gemar memancing, kelong yang anda rentasi ketika dalam perjalanan ke resort sedia untuk ditawan. Selain itu, ada beberapa pulau yang sesuai untuk lokasi memancing jika anda tidak gemar memancing di kelong. Pilihlah waktu yang anda suka, kakitangan resort sentiasa sudi berkhidmat.

Jika anda ingin mencandat sotong, Pulau Sibu Tengah sedia menawarkan pengalaman menarik ini. Jangan bimbang jika anda hanya tahu makan sotong tetapi teringin belajar mencandat, sesi pembelajaran serba ringkas dan percuma sedia diberikan oleh pihak pengurusan. Bagaimanapun, pastikan jika ingin mencandat sotong, anda bukan seorang, sebaliknya paling minimum 10 orang.

Bagi yang teringin menikmati pemandangan matahari jatuh di tengah laut, anda boleh memilih untuk menikmati perjalanan romantik dengan kapal layar. Berteman bunyi ombak sambil menikmati hidangan ringan, bagi anda yang menghargai ketenangan alam mungkin ia boleh menjadi pilihan.

Bagi mereka yang gemarkan aktiviti meredah hutan, pulau seluas 45 hektar ini menjanjikan kepelbagaian flora dan fauna yang sedia untuk dijelajah. Bentuk muka bumi yang berbukit dan dikelilingi pantai mungkin tidak cukup mencabar bagi anda yang sudah biasa diasak dengan pendakian gunung ganang dan bukit bukau.

Selain bercuti, resort ini juga menawarkan pakej seminar dan perkahwinan. Jika sesekali ingin bermesra dengan alam semula jadi, jemputlah berkunjung ke Sibu Island Resort.


Cara ke sana?

1 Keretapi Tanah Melayu Berhad (KTMB) menawarkan perjalanan dari Stesen KL Sentral ke Kluang yang mengambil masa lima jam. Dari Kluang, anda boleh mengambil bas ke Jeti Tanjung Leman.

2 Bagi mereka menaiki kereta dari Kuantan, anda boleh menggunakan Jalan Kuantan-Mersing dan kemudian menuju ke Jemaluang sebelum ke Jeti Tanjung Leman. Bagi mereka yang berkenderaan sendiri, terutama dari Kuala Lumpur, anda boleh menggunakan Lebuhraya Utara Selatan dan memasuki Plaza Tol Air Hitam untuk ke Kluang. Dari sini, anda akan ke Jemaluang untuk ke Tanjung Leman. Dari Johor Bahru pula, anda boleh meneruskan perjalanan ke Tanjung Leman, tanpa perlu ke Jemaluang.

3 Tiada penerbangan terus ke Sibu Island Resort. Lapangan terbang terdekat ialah Lapangan Terbang Sultan Ismail, Senai dekat Johor Bahru. Dari Johor Bahru anda boleh menaiki teksi ke Jeti Tanjung Leman yang mengambil masa dua jam.


Fakta: Pulau Sibu


Sibu Island Resort terletak di Pulau Sibu Tengah

Pulau yang berkeluasan 65 hektar dan kira-kira 120 kilometer dari Johor Bahru.

Sibu Island Resort menyediakan 121 bilik.

Jeti Tanjung Leman terletak di daerah Kota Tinggi dan perjalanan ke jeti itu mengambil masa 45 minit dari bandar Kota Tinggi.
qahar

EVENT N CELEBRATION

KL Festival 2009
1 July 2009 Until 31 July 2009
Watch as the KL Fest 2009 unveils the festivity throughout Kuala Lumpur and the Klang Valley in this month long celebration. Catch the variety of performances and activities held at various landmark such as the Istana Budaya, Jalan Tunku Abdul Rahman, the Central Market, Petronas Twin Towers and KL Tower.


Arab Events, Buskers & Concerts
10 July 2009 Until 8 August 2009
Fans of Arabian music can enjoy sensational performances right here in the city! Great concerts such as the KL Samrah Festival, Ziryab and Ahlan Wahsahlan will be held at Bukit Bintang and other main parts of the city to greet the arrival of guests from the Middle East. Get ready for an electrifying time!

Malaysia Mega Sale Carnival 2009
4 July 2009 Until 31 August 2009

Malaysia’s most popular shopping event is back! Visitors will find amazing discounts and special offers on a wide array of goods such as branded apparel, household equipment, electrical appliances, accessories and many more. Be sure to check out the bargains at shopping malls, specialty outlets and boutiques all around the country!

Floria Putrajaya
1 August 2009 Until 9 August 2009

Witness colourful flower displays, made specially for the event. Cultural performances are also held to highlight the wonders of Malaysia.


Langkawi International Maritime and Aerospace Exhibition (LIMA '09)
1 December 2009 Until 5 December 2009
This is a high-profile biennial event featuring the latest technologies in the aerospace and maritime sectors. Manufacturers, industry players, senior government officials and key decision makers converge here to make the best of this excellent platform. Visitors can marvel at an impressive showcase of highly advanced technology.

LET'S VISIT MALYSIA

Malaysia - Lovebirds or Honeymoonyers Paradise


Looking for a tour? contact us
Honeymooners will find lots to choose from when it comes to deciding on the ultimate honeymoon destination. Whether it be white sandy beaches with palm tree lined beaches or a cool lush environment in the highlands you're looking for - Malaysia has them all.

Genting Inland
Genting Highlands has a wide variety of hotels and resorts all ready to pamper pairs and pairs of romantic lovebirds. At the peak lies the fun-filled Genting Theme Park and famed Casino De Genting. Dine in the elegance of hotel restaurants, and then visit the tables with your lovely lady for good luck. Active lovebirds can also spend quality fun time at the Awana Golf Club, Awana Horse Ranch and the Awana Eco Park lower down.

Retreat to the Highlands
The cool highlands of Malaysia offer not only respite from the heat below, but also picturesque surroundings far from daily cares, high above the world. A honeymoon at any of Malaysia's hill resorts certainly is a special experience to saviour for a lifetime. Enter the highlands and embrace the seclusion and privacy of quaint Tudor cottages, restful teahouses and charming flower gardens. Wherever you choose to stay, whether in inexpensive chalets, quaint bungalows, luxurious hotels or theme resorts, the cool green hills will provide a relaxing, peaceful place for your honeymoon holiday.

The state of Pahang alone boasts of 4 of Malaysia's most popular hill resorts - the restful Cameron Highlands, quaint Fraser's Hill, elegant Genting Highlands Theme Resort and the romantic French-themed Colmar Tropicale in Bukit Tinggi.

Cameron Highlands
Honeymooners will enjoy the cool climate and relaxing pace of life here. This peaceful getaway offers nature-based activities with a variety of interesting places to visit, and to suit all moods.

A place to look out for is The Smokehouse Hotel, an enchanting Tudor-style building dating all the way back to 1937. This pretty place comes complete with latticed windows, wooden beams and is furnished with interesting antiques of the colonial English.

An important tip is to make your reservations early, as the charming rooms are limited to a highly private and exclusive 13 suites. Also remember to ask for the hotel's specialty - Devonshire tea - to while away the afternoon. An English garden provides a peaceful retreat to spend some time in.

Also visit the many strawberry farms and grab some deliciously fresh strawberries, homemade jam, and marmalade.

Fraser Hill
Fraser's Hill is a quaint little town big on romance. It cent res on a really picturesque market square dominated by a small clock tower. This resort was developed with care and detail to preserve the harmony of its hilly the natural beauty.

Thus, much of its original old-world charm remains unspoilt with well-clipped lawns, sprays of colourful blooms and charmingly secluded clearings. Pretty colonial-style buildings are peppered around town in the guise of restaurants, sidewalk cafes, the post office, police station and tourist information centre. For honeymooners who wish to spend time together uninterrupted, Fraser's Hill is the right honeymoon spot.

Colomor Topicle
For a taste of all things romantically French but also amid lush tropical surroundings, there is Colmar Tropicale in Bukit Tinggi. This special highland fantasy land is a special treat and a great basis for any marriage.

Let love flower and fruit among the enchanting French cafes, authentically French art galleries, charming town square and cool lush tropical highland surroundings uniquely Colmar Tropicale. Modelled after the lovely 18th century French town of Colmar, this terrific theme resort is a dream come true. And also the perfect place to celebrate a love come true.

Genting Highlands
For a glitzy and elegant honeymoon to remember, head straight for Genting Highlands Resort. Definitely different from the other Malaysian hill resorts, this popular piece of prestige was made for the fun loving and fast-paced. The myriad of its entertainment-centred activities have christened it the "City of Entertainment".

Genting Highlands has a wide variety of hotels and resorts all ready to pamper pairs and pairs of romantic lovebirds. At the peak lies the fun-filled Genting Theme Park and famed Casino De Genting. Dine in the elegance of hotel restaurants, and then visit the tables with your lovely lady for good luck. Active lovebirds can also spend quality fun time at the Awana Golf Club, Awana Horse Ranch and the Awana Eco Park lower down.

Honeymooners will find lots to choose from when it comes to deciding on the ultimate honeymoon destination. Whether it be white sandy beaches with palm tree lined beaches or a cool lush environment in the highlands you're looking for - Malaysia has them all.