Central Market – A Center for Malaysia Unique Culture, Arts and Crafts

One of the impressive pleasures of being in Kuala Lumpur, in noteworthy Central Market, is being able to enjoy our local cookery and delicacies at the food court and a wide range of restaurants and food outlets serving authentic Malaysia food.

A multiplicity of local cooking delights are served at Malay Tea House, Ginger Restaurant, Old Malaya Café, Precious Old China, Oldtown White Coffee, Annexe Nasi Kandar and Secret Recipe.

The history of Central Market goes back to 1888 when the location was a wet market selling vegetables, fish and meat. Afterward, when the market continued to expand with Kuala Lumpur's growing inhabitants, a everlasting structure was buit to house all the vendors. In the 1930's, the building was extended to have the modern Art Deco façade that we see today.

Apart from yummy food, The Central Market of today boasts colourful interiors with a extensive range of shops modeled after conventional houses, each selling crafts in place of various Malaysian cultures.

Stroll along streets with theme such as Jonker Street, Malay Street, Blue Mansion, Straits Chinese and Little India. There is also the Art Lane where you will find portrait artists and batik painters practicing their art.

If you have time, you may also like to catch up the recurrent showcase of folk and classical dances presented by different race groups of Malaysia. There is a free cultural performance on every Friday and Saturday at 8pm.

The Central Market Annexe, which located just behind the Central Market building and houses a compilation of diverse galleries including the Annexe gallery which was launched in early 2007 as a center for contemporary arts, complementing the more traditional Central Market. It hosts all manner of art form and expression and has attracted projects that are experimental, multidisciplinary and socially conscious.

Jetlag Tips During Travelling

Everyone have an individual complex internal biological clock that tells our bodies what they should be doing, for instance getting ready to wake up, eat or sleep. If you take a trip gradually around the world, your body has time to regulate to the slightly time zone, however as when you travel by jet plane, your body would getting a shock as when if your biological clock says at 5 morning UK time, but when you get off the plane the world around you rapidly demands you to comply with the local timeframe.

Such jetlag confusions differ from case to case - some people are not susceptible to jetlag. Their body chronometer seems to be able to deal with being adjust after flights to different time zones, however some travellers seems to be able to keep up a steady body clock system, and take no notice of the local time around them.

Some suggestions to tackle jetlag in a better way:

• Have a few good nights' rest before your flight. Being exhausted before you travel exaggerates the effects of jetlag for travellers. Eliminates the night entertainment if possible.
  
• Plan to dress in something light and loose for the flight. You will almost certainly be stumped in economy class seats for long hours. Don't exacerbate the situation by wearing packy and tight clothes to further strangulate your internal organs.



• In the same way, wear roomy slip-on shoes if you can. Your feet will distend during the flight so unless you want to constantly loosen the laces, wear slip-on shoes that will enable you for the slight swelling.



• Keep eye care in your mind too. Dehydration, dull air and commonly poor air quality are not encouraging to the wearing of contact lenses. Think about wearing a pair of cheap spectacles for the flight and recovery period after the flight.



• Work out will help in keeping your body operating suitably during the flight. You should take every chance to stretch your body and legs, or take gentle exercises in a corner where it does not disturb crew or passengers, this helps to keep your body functioning during the flight. Some studies proven that exercising in a little while after arrival expedite the acclimatisation process.



• Before a long distance flight, some travellers would adjust their rest patterns to suit their destination time zone. For instance, they go to bed a few hours earlier or later every couple of days so to facilitate the variation between their biological clock and their destination clock zone become lesser and hence make it easier to get by.
  

Health precaution during travel – water & food

Many visitors suffer food poisoning while in oversea. The problem isn't the water and food, it's the bugs and microorganisms that are swimming in it, or climbing and breeding on it. Local inhabitants have usually built up a natural immunity to the infections, so they easily shrug off any bacteria and virus. A tourist can arrive to the desired place to visit, take one sip of water and then be so ill from an infection that they spend the rest of their holiday in bed.

Holiday ailments like the infamous "Delhi Belly" is not inevitable. If you follow some simple rules on hygiene, food and drink, you are greatly reduce the risk of suffering from these infection.

Bear in mind that in fact simple infections that case diarrhea and vomiting can lead to dehydration and ultimately to significant complications. Little children and the elderly are exceptionally susceptible to dehydration.

You should be able to avoid the usual stomach upsets by taking some straightforward precautions:

a. Closely observe basic hygiene rules. Clean your hands when you have been to the washroom and before you eat and handle food. Make sure you use good quality soap and a clean towel.

b. Any raw food is potentially contaminated. Do not purchase raw food that is exposed to the touch in shops and wet markets. It is also exposed to flies some other insects. Don't buy it, use it or eat it.

c. If you want to risk eating salad, wash it by yourself, using clean boiled an cooled water and boiled water.

d. Remember that hot food served on dirty containers and with dirty cutlery, or drinks made with local water, can all infect you.

e. Ice is water would be another probable contaminated item, so avoid ice cubes and an ice made desserts for you or the kids. They could be made with unhygienic water.

f. Similarly, avoid ice cream and yogurts. They could be swimming with risky bacteria.

g. Even if you can't see into the kitchen, if the rest of the place is overrun with flies, the kitchen most likely will be too. Find somewhere else to eat.

h. Observe how clean were the waiter's hands when he handed you the food you ordered.

Dreamland Tour In Jakarta

Visit and touring in Taman Impian Jaya Ancol or known as 'Ancol Dream Land".
It is Jakarta's all-in-one amusement park located on the waterfront in north of Jakarta. Ancol is also known as the city's only substantial beachfront, a great place for fun at the Bay of Jakarta.

Ancol Art Market - Located in the Ancol Dreamland area, it is an open-air art market likely shopping place where you will be most tempted to purchase something. Items include antiques, handicrafts, potters, and paintings. With quite number of artisans working on site, it is a paradise for souvenir seekers and art lovers.

Sea world - It is a high tech advance huge aquarium exhibiting the distintive and diverse tropical marine life found throughout the surroudings waters. Ramble through Freshwater World area, you will see charming tropical fish and corral reefs, and get affable with marine life at the Touch pool. The visitor would enjoy a theatre screen movies about the underwater world in the Antasena Tunnel, a walk-through acrylic tube that gives first hand experience of life under the sea.

'Fantasy world' is a joyful theme park that bringing the tourists into the fascinating worlds of advanced science and technology entertainment. Choose your own play at this theme park. It offers Roller Coaster, Wild and Wet, Giant Wheel, and many other recreations in the park.

Planning A Cruise with Your Family

Cruises have become greater than ever popular with families, including intergenerational gatherings: parents traveling with kids, parents and siblings. The lines are responding with youth analysts and supervised programs, fantasy playrooms, and even computer game rooms to keep the kid entertained while their parents relax. At night, most cruises offer babysitting. Some of them offer reduced rates for kids, though it's crucial to note that most lines discourage passengers from infants.

Do ask whether a supervised children's plan will be offered when you plan to cruise. Usually such plan are only carry out if there are a certain number of interested on board. Depending on the program, the youngest children may cavort in toy- and game- such as masterminds, listen to music, and go on treasure hunts; older ones have options like crafts and arts, PSP games, pool games, and monolpoly etc; and teenagers can mingle at teen parties or hang out at the video arcade. Many mega-ships have shallow kiddie pools, wherby the kids can have fun around the pool.

A family of four can share a cruise cabin that has bunk-style (i.e. double decker) third and fourth berths, which pull out of the walls just above the pair of regular beds. A standard cubicle with four people in it will be cramped. When you figure out, however, how little time you'll spend in the cabin, it's doable. The apparent incentive to share one cabin is the price: regardless of children or adult, the rates of third and fourth persons sharing a cabin with two full-fare passengers are usually about half the regular rate. In some occasion there are special deals and further discounts. If you can affordable, please think about booking a suite, some of which have a pullout couch in the living room. The suit brings more comfortable to the family members. For those families have few older kids can always consider booking two separate cabins with connecting doors. If you require a crib, please ask them to reserve one for you as when you book your cruise.

Some suggestions for your family cruise:
1. Alert younger children about the danger of failing overboard. Please make sure they fully aware not to play on the railing.
2. It would be good if your kids know their cabin number and what deck it's on - the endless pavement and doors on the megas look exactly alike.
3. When in port, do arrange a meeting spot - if your teenage child to go off on his own, pick a meeting point that easy to find, either on board on or land, and meet there well before the departure time to ensure no ones is still ashore.
4. Pack basic first-aid supplies plus any prescriptions your doctor may suggest, as well as thermometer.

Travel in Asia

The truth is that Asia has something for everyone. It's really just a matter of deciding what you're after. The low prices (outside Japan, Hong Kong, Bhutan) make most activities and journey financially feasible for visitors on the lowest budgets. Surprisingly though, much of Asia is still relatively untouched by the travel circuit, and if you're willing forego the comforts of the backpacker infrastructure, it's yours to discover.

Key attractions to recommend are: Angkor Wat (Cambodia), Great Wall (China),Himalayas (Nepal), Taj Mahal (India), Varanasi (India).

The timing: In northern Asia, spring (mid Feb - May) and autumn (mid Aug - Nov) are ideal, summer can get stifling, but the harsh winters (mid Nov - Feb) make travelling the most uncomfortable. Which is fine, because that's great time to be in Southern Asia, the India subcontinent in particular. In Nepal, September to December is widely regarded as the best trekking season, but October to November is so popular that the crowds can easily disrupt the enjoyment and make it more like a weekend queue for the Louvre. The famous monsoon of India could keep you hot and drenched from June to September, but it is not as severe as in Combodia, Loas, Thailand or Vietnam.

Cost: Asia has the cheapest and most expensive countries in the world. Outside the most expensive cities, where you can probably find dormitories, you'll be able to save funds by sharing a double room with someone.

Air Transportation: Some domestic flights are surprising cheap, so before you head off to bus station for another long hours journey, consider taking a peek at some local air fares. You may decide it's worth the extra US$20-US$70, or whatever the difference may be. For instance, from Bangkok, you can fly nearly anywhere is Asia for about US$75-US$200. Domestic one-way tickets in China cost US$100-US$300 and in India about US$200.

Visa: Laos. Philippines and Vietnam are the countries requiring most travellers to get a visa for a one-month stay or longer, but double check with embassies. Sometimes this differs when arriving by air or overland. Nearly all countries require that your passport be valid for at least six months from your date of entry, and that you have proof of onward travel and/or sufficient funds to finance your stay and your trip home. Usually, a major credit card will help demonstrate this.

8 Important Tips in Travels

We love taking trips, whether it’s a short road trip, or a longer expedition by air to some far-away exotic place. But all too habitually we fail to plan in advance for the journey and the result turns frustration and wind you up.

1. The most obvious thing to check on before setting off on a overseas visit is the state of the local weather where you are approaching. You don’t want to arrive in a thin shirt if it’s snowing, and end up to pay with extra cost to get those required in the foreign country.

2. When you change money, ask for some small bills or loose change. Petty cash will come in handy for tipping and public transportation. Consider keeping the change separate from your larger bills, so that it's readily accessible and you'll be less of a target for theft.

3. For road trips, get the right maps and plan your route thoroughly. Everything won’t go exactly as planned, but at least you’ll have much fewer nasty shocks.

4. A trip to a huge shopping mall will suffer from a lack of careful planning. Some malls are so big and therefore planning is important. Get a list of all the meeting points and a map of the location, as well as opening and closing times, before setting off.

5. Never ever make a joke about bombs or terrorists near security at an airport. In a few cases whereby some tourists have making fun jokingly mentioned they have a small bomb or shooting gun in their case as end up that their luggage is being thoroughly inspected. Later at the police station they deeply regretted their foolishity.

6. If you are travelling with children, bring along their recent photos with you. If a child gets lost or during emergency, the photo will prove invaluable in helping to locate your child again.

7. Be clear in your mind that the medical and travel insurance coverage you have is adequate for you and your family members before departure.

8. If you lose your passport, notify the local police station nearby immediately. The officer will help you arrange a visit to the nearest consulate of your home country as soon as possible to have the passport replace.

Giving Can Overcome Language Differences during holiday trip

I recently had to take a trip to France. This is my first time to pay a visit to this European country. Understand from friends that I may have a tough time to communicate as majority of the population are non-English speaking resident. However, I didn't have it as bad as it could have been. Many of the people I met regardless in business or private meet that spoke English as a second language. What amazed me was how patient and helpful those that couldn't speak English were to me.

I was able to go where I wanted and get what I needed especially come to food ordering with relative ease. It didn't matter if we spoke different languages because we worked out other ways such as body language to communicate.

Contrast that to some experiences I have witnessed in some Asia countries whereby non-English speaking people intentionally ignored or dealt with without any patience.

Do you want to make the world a better place by doing even little things? My recent trip to France was proof that you don't have to speak the same language to help anyone. The next time you see someone that visiting us from another country, go out of your way to smile and greet him or her. Spend time finding a way to offer them if they appear to need helps. I am sure and trust you will make their day better and yours as well.

Safety Tips for Budget Travelers

1) Learn the basics in the local dialect before you arrive. Don't expect that people will speak the language that you are familar. English is becoming more widely spoken these days, but you need to be sure. You should always get a few "common local words" in mind before your arrival. "Hello", "Please" and "Thank you" won't take more than five minutes to learn, no matter what language.

2) When arriving to a new destination, keep to your original plan and stay in the boarding house that you have decided on. Don't let the taxi driver persuade you that your hostel is fully booked and that he knows a cheaper and better one. He'll be working on commission and the hostel probably won't be in a safe part of town.

3) When taking taxis from an airport to your hotel, travel in the more exclusive airport taxis and be certain that the drivers have official identification. Never take a taxi waiting at the road side.

4) When traveling from your lodge to the airport, recommended get a taxi recommended by the hotel.

5) Study the guide books and talk with other tourists to find out which areas are best avoided.

6) Try not to arrive in a new city or town late at night. This can just go harm in a number of ways. It is much easier getting checked in during the day time and safety measures at night in certain areas is just horrendous.

7) Travel with company with someone if possible. Since when is traveling in numbers not a good idea?
8) Keep your valuables out of the sight. A money belt is great if it is an option that you willing to look into. One of the most popular is an “over the shoulder” style wallet on a strap that you were underneath your top. This makes it very arduous for a thief to make off with your valuables.

9) Leave your valuables in your hotel safe when making day trips or longer tours. In most of the hotel, there is a safe deposit box to allow the guest to keep their valuable belongings.

10) Stay away from going on your own to remote areas/ruins where tourist is unfamilar with. Seek local advice or take a guide.

11) If planning on going to market districts, crowded streets, celebrations etc. don't go with all your valuables. Leave them in the hotel. If you’re planning on buying something pricey keep your money safely in a money belt. Try to be cautious when opening it! To protect small change in your pockets you can stuff a handkerchief in after.

12) When leaving places late at night take a taxi home no matter how close your lodging is. Outside most tourism places you'll find a street vendor selling groceries. Usually these people know all the taxi drivers and can recommend a safe one.

13) Don't wear expensive looking jewelry and necklace.

14) If you have to leave your passport and credits cards together, place the credit card in a sealed envelope and sign your name across the flap, and place it in the safety place. Please make sure the envelope should not be tempered when you are back.

15) When putting your bag down on the floor, for a drink or taking a short rest, bear in mind to put your foot through the strap. Not only will it be impossible to snatch, you also put this belonging in your mind! This is nothing new and special - tourists tend to forget their belongings in the shop and on returning to ask if anyone has seen it, in most of the time, it's gone!

16) If the pavements are really congested, especially in the night, walk in the road.

Visit Thailand – The Land Of Buddha

Thailand is the splendid tourist paradise for nature lovers, shopping lovers and for the followers of Buddhism. Thailand is all these teemed together and much more. Situated in the heart of South East Asia, Thailand has some of the best Buddhist temples, which offer harmony, peacefulness and calm.

The temples and monasteries of Thailand can date back to a few hundred years. The Emerald Buddha Temple is one of the most sacred sites in Thailand. The visitors are required to be properly dressed before they can enter the holy place. The Jade statue of the Lord, which is lofty off the ground is a visual treat for visitors. This temple occupies just one corner of the court of the grand Palace.

You must be out of your mind, if you visit Thailand and leave without visiting Bangkok. The capital of Thailand has everything that a tourist can dream of. Shopping plazas, Temples, Museums, Hotels offering tasteful Thai food, Islands, Beaches, Tall high-rises and a extensive nightlife, Bangkok has all these. Shopping fanatics can head off to Central World Plaza, which is one of the most famous shopping paradise in Thailand. Siam Paragon and Ma Boon Krung are two of the biggest shopping centers here too. You can spend a whole weekend here and yet comeback unsatisfied. There are also many food stores, cinemas and shopping complex that keep you busy. Thailand also has moderate price roadside shopping opportunities for tourists who do not wish to spend too much cash on big purchase.

Nature lovers can head straight to the Ko Chang national park that has many activities. Apart from the wildlife, tourists can also pursue diving, snorkeling or elephant riding activities over here. The place usually overcrowds with tourists in all times. Beach lovers can head off to Pataya, which is a pretty tranquil beach. It is located just 150 km away from Bangkok.

Go and discover Thailand!!

5 Important Traveling Guidelines That Travellers Should Attentive

When it comes to traveling, security is a must. The complete combination of common sense mixed in with a touch of knowledge can help to keep both you and your family safe and sound while on the go.

1. Just the thing packing. When you're leaving for a trip, it's important to pack a lot more than just clothes and sunblock. keep in mind the availability of your handphone with you in every single moment, and make sure the battery is fully charged before you leave home. This will give you the ability to stay connected from anywhere.

2. Money matters. When peripatetic, it's a bad idea to carry large amounts of ready money. Instead, carrying at least one credit card will help to ensure that you are protected against theft. In the unlikely event that your wallet or purse is stolen, you can report it to the credit card immediately to prevent unauthorized use. For this reason, it's crucial that you carry a list of telephone numbers for your credit card issuer(s) so that you can make contact with them immediately. This information should be kept discrete from your wallet so that it will still be in your possession even if your card is not.

3. Stay in touch. Always make sure to let a friend or family member know where you are going and where you will be staying during your time away from home. It's a good sense to let your close friend or siblings know that you will be calling when you arrive at your destination. It's also a good idea to keep in touch occasionally while you are away, and always leave a telephone number where you can be reached.

4. Keep significant numbers handy. Anytime you go, it's crucial to make a note of local emergency numbers, including hospitals, authorities, transportation and other businesses that you think may be able to assist you if needed. You can find these numbers online or use a local phone directory upon your arrival.

5. Do your research. One of the greatest things about traveling is the ability to see new things and experience new places, but it's also important to keep security in mind while exploring. Always have an exact map of the area, which you can obtain from the local tourism office or chamber of commerce. If possible, call ahead and ask for that this information be mailed to you several weeks before your actual trip. This will allow you to have the map on hand when you arrive. Always tour in well lit areas and avoid places that seem to be deserted, especially after dark and in locations that you are unfamiliar with. Now that you know how to protect yourself and your family during your time spent away from home, remember to enjoy all of the wonders that await your next holidays with your loves one..