How to organise your back pack

By Chai Chew Yeh
Photo by Chai Chew Yeh

Backpack is the the must things and accomapany travellers on their journey. It migh be hard for a petite girl to carry the heavy backpack and the same things happen to a man. However, here is tips you should learned how to organised you backpack so that you got easily carry it.

Firstly, Pack larger, heavier, an unused objects first. Pack your clothes and things you do not use until you stop during the journey in the bottom. The heavy things such as the shoes and sleeping bag should be put in the bottom of the bag. you should make sure that the weight of your bag are balance from left and right. 

In short, your bag should be diveded into 3 parts which are top, middle and bottom part. In the middle part you can put some can food, and certain traveling tools. Some important things such as compass, map, emergency box should put at the top or places that you could easily find them.

The climbing stick should put outside your bag (some of the bag had a design place for it). Your water bottle should hang at somewhere you can take it easily.
The things that you often use such as umbrealla, tent and electronic torch should put at the top.  It is easy for you to take it when you need it anywhere.

Besides, choosing a back which is comfortable and suitable for you is important. You should be able to wear your pack and walk around for at least 2 hours without getting mad. While travelling, you can save money if you willing to walk from bus and train stations that is usually located not far from town area.  You need to carry your back wear while working for a long distance or stading at a place for long time whether it is under hot sun or rain. A good and perfect packing will make you feel secure, and weight balance, so that you can move like a normal. 

Do not choose a backpack that taller than you. While organising your things nicely, you should also choose and brings the things that you really need. Don't brings everything likes you are moving to a new house. 

Keeping your backpack's weight and practicing correct packing habits is inportant for travellers. An heavy back will burden your journey and decrease your eager to travel. Contradict, if you pack your bag in a correct way, it will help you to improve your journey.

Travel Tips to Malaysia

Once you have overcome your jet-lag fatigue, step into the real heart of Malaysia--the citizens of the country. You would be pleasantly surprised at the warmth of Malaysians. For deeply entrenched within each of the different races is the engaging charm and traditional hospitality for which Malaysia is renowned.

Malaysians enjoy meeting people from other lands. So, do go right ahead and strike up a conversation. After all, the whole point of travelling is to know other cultures.

When greeting a Muslim, offer your right hand then bring it towards you, fingertips lightly touching your heart. This is the traditional Salam or 'greeting of acceptance'. Hindus greet with a Namaste (in Hindi) or Vanakam (Tamil). Both palms are brought together as in prayer at mid-chest level. With a Chinese, you may shake hands. If you are really unsure about all the different forms of greetings, just smile and nod your head slightly when introduced.

Article Retrieved from: www.geographia.com/malaysia/traveltips.htm

Entry Formalities

Passport/Travel Documents

Visitors to Malaysia must be in possession of valid passport/travel documents with a minimum validity of six months beyond the period of intended stay. In the case of a national passport not recognised by the Malaysian Government, the holder must be in possession of a document in lieu of passport obtainable at the nearest Malaysian Mission abroad. The national passport must also ensure his re-entry into the country of his citizenship.

Every visitor to Malaysia has to fill in a Disembarkation Card (IMM. 26). The card has to be handed over to the Immigration Officer on arrival together with the national passport or other internationally recognized travel document endorsed for travel into Malaysia. A passport/travel document is also necessary for travel between Sabah and Sarawak.

·  Visitor passes issued for entry into Peninsular Malaysia are not valid for entry into Sarawak. Fresh visit passes must be obtained on arrival at the point of entry in Sarawak. However, subject to conditions stipulated, visit passes issued by the Immigration Authorities in Sabah and Sarawak are valid for any part of Malaysia

 

Visa Requirements:

• Commonwealth Citizens (except Bangladesh/India, Pakistan and Sri Lanka), British Protected Persons or Citizens of the Republic of Ireland and Citizens of Switzerland, Netherlands, San Marino and Liechtenstein do not need a visa to enter Malaysia.
• Citizens of Albania, Austria, Algeria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Republic of Slovakia, Denmark, Finland, Germany, Hungary, Iceland, Japan, South Korea, Luxembourg, Norway, Sweden, Italy, United States of America, Bahrin, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Egypt, Morocco, North Yemen, Oman, Saudi Arabia,Qatar United Arab Emirates, Turkey and Tunisia do not require a visa for a Social and Business visit not exceeding three months.
• Nationals of ASEAN Countries do not require a visa for a Social and Business visit not exceeding one month.
• Citizens of Afghanistan, Iran, Iraq, Libya, Syria, South Yemen do not require visa for a Social and Business visit not exceeding 14 days.
• Citizens of Bulgaria, Romania and Russia do not require a visa for a Social and Business visit not exceeding one week.
• Nationals of the Republic of China, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Cuba, India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, North Korea, Nepal, Myanmar, Taiwan, Vietnam and all Certificate of Identity (CI) holders must obtain a visa before entering Malaysia.
• Citizens of nations other than those stated above (except Serbia Montenegro and Israel) are allowed to enter Malaysia for a Social and Business visit not exceeding one month without having a Visa.
• A visitor intending to visit any part of Malaysia is required to be in possession of only one visa to travel direct from one part of the nation to another.

Visas are issued by Malaysian Diplomatic Missions abroad or British Consulates which act for Malaysia in countries where no diplomatic representation of Malaysia is established. All visitors to Malaysia should inquire at the nearest Malaysian Diplomatic
Mission for the latest entry procedures and requirements.

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Tourist Police
Lost your way? Need help? Look for a tourist police officer. Tourist police officers are recognized by their checkered hat bands, dark blue shirts and trousers, and the letter "I" (for information) on a red and blue badge on their breast pocket.

Public Holidays
With its multi-ethnic population, it is not surprising that almost every month sees a different festival. Some of these are declared as Public Holidays. As festivals vary from year to year, it is best to check the dates with the nearest Tourism Malaysia Office before you plan your trip.

School Holidays
There are five term breaks in the year for schools throughout Malaysia. The term breaks vary slightly from state to state. However, they fall roughly during the later part of the months of January (1 week), March (2 week), May (3 weeks), August (1 week), October (4 weeks).

Water
It is generally safe to drink water straight from the tap. Bottled mineral water, however, is easily available in shops and supermarkets.

Electrical Supply
Electric supply is on a 240-volt 50-cycle system.

Newspapers
English Language newspapers are available i.e. The New Straits Times, The Star, Business Times, Malay Mail, Daily Express, Sabah Daily News and Sarawak Tribune. International newspapers can be obtained at most bookshops and newsstands. Several dailies in other languages include Utusan Melayu, Berita Harian, Nanyang Siang Pan, Sin Chew Wit Poh and Tamil Nesan. There are also weeklies, such as the Leader and Straits Shipper.

Radio
Radio services are in Bahasa Melayu, English, Chinese, and Tamil.

Television
There are 4 television stations with TV 1 and TV 2 being government networks while the other two are privately run.

Health Services
In the event you need medical care, there are private clinics in most towns. It is a good idea to take out a medical insurance before you travel as Malaysia does not have reciprocal health service agreements with other nations. For over-the-counter prescriptions, there are pharmacies and 'Chinese medical halls'.

Health Regulations
No vaccination is required for cholera and smallpox.

Climate
With a temperature that fluctuates little throughout the year, travel in Malaysia is a pleasure. Average temperature is between 21 C and 32 C. Humidity is high. Rain tends to occur between November to February on the east coast of Peninsular Malaysia, on western Sarawak, and north-eastern Sabah. On the west coast of Peninsular Malaysia the rainy season is April to May and October to November. Click here for the current four-day weather forecast in Kuala Lumpur.

Clothing
As Malaysia's climate is sunny almost year round, light clothing is ideal. It is advisable for ladies, when entering mosques and temples, to wear long sleeves and loose pants or long skirts.

Time
Malaysia is 8 hours ahead of Greenwich Mean Time (GMT) and 16 hours ahead of United States Pacific Standard Time.

Etiquette
To avoid "cultural offenses," here are some tips:

• Remove shoes when entering homes and places of worship.
• Dress neatly in a suitable attire which covers arms and legs when visiting places of worship.
• Handle food with your right hand.
• Do not point your foot at someone.
• When giving or receiving money gifts to/from a Malaysian, do so with your right hand

Tips when you bring your pets to travel

As everyone get ready to travel on holiday and gathering with familiy, those who will bring pets are , it is important for you to reminded to protect your own health and safety.

Don't forget to pack a copy of all vaccination records so that you can quickly access information in case of emergency. You'll also need those records if you board your pet while going on an excursion where animals are not allowed, according to Fido Friendly magazine.

When traveling in the car, dogs should wear a safety harness and be placed in the back seat in order to avoid front seat airbag deployment in the event of an accident. Remember to bring your dog's collar and leash and use them when stopping for a roadside washroom break.

Among the other tips offered by the magazine:

• Your pet should be wearing up-to-date tags that include a contact phone number.
• Pack a first-aid kit for your pet that includes: tweezers to remove ticks, eye wash to flush wounds, antiseptic moist wipes, gauze, adhesive tape, and scissors.
• Bring water and your pet's regular food in order to avoid stomach upset.
• Don't forget your pet's crate or favorite bed or blanket. It's also a good idea to bring some favorite toys.

• Before you leave home, call your hotel(s) to confirm your reservation and that they know you are traveling with your pet

Source from: http://www.mountcarmelhealth.com/education-and-support/health-news.html?task=category&sectionid=10&articleid=646478+

Pao Xiang Bak Kut Teh

By Lee Suet Hooi
Photo by Lee Suet Hooi

Klang is believed to have been the origin of Bak Kuk Teh (literally translate as "meat bone tea" delicacy. There are tweo to three famous restaurants located in Taman Intan, Klang. The most popular ones is Pao Xiang Bak Kuk Teh. Bak Kut Teh is one of the most popular chinese delicacies in Malaysia. The ingredients used consist of  pork ribs and herbs such as Tong Kui. Spices used include cinnamon, cloves, garlic and star anise. The pork ribs are boiled in the herbs for hours until the meat become tender. Other additional ingredients that are used included mushroom, lettuce and dried tofu.
The other side dish that you can order is the fried dough (Yu Char Kueh) which is eaten by dipping the strips of dough into the soup. The meal is not complete without one or two vegetables dishes that are usually cooked with oyster sauce and dried onions.
Bak Kut Teh is usually eaten with Chinese tea and rice. The tea is believe to help dilutes the fat consumed in this pork-laden soup in our body. Usually there are a few types of Chinese tea that you can choose are Jasmine Tea or Ti Kuan Yin Tea. You will have to wash the cups and fill the teapot from the many kettles that are setup near the tables

The ingredient of the soup is plenty with various cuts of pork thrown in for good measure. There is the best if the soup is cook in the claypot, it will tender the meat and the whole meal will become toothsome and delicious. The amalgam flavors resulting from the plenty of herbs used to cook of this rich and healthy soup was unable to describe in a thousand words but your tongue will tell you. I bet you will require for additional soup and rice if you visiting Pao Xiang

The shop had been operated 10 years by Goh Chin Chong. He likes to eat Bak Kut Teh since he was young. His slogan of life is “Eat more” hence he had strong research interest in producing Bak Kut Teh. The things that makes Pao Xiang Bak Kut Teh tasted different from others is it’s lifting of oil bound pork, meat bundles which not only looks beautiful and solid. Another important secrete is Goh is expert in extract the oil from the pork. This approach also plays a significant effect in producing a delicious soup.

Outlets

Taman Berkeley:
No. 51, Lebuh Bangau
Taman Bekerley, 41150 Klang

Centro Mall:
Lot G127 & G128, Ground Floor Centro Mall
No.8 Jalan Batu Tiga Lama, 41300 Klang

Puchong Jaya:
No. G-12 & G-14 Jalan Kenari 12B
Bandar Puchong Jaya

One Utama:
P282 Lower Ground Floor Promenade
1 Utama Shopping Centre

Operation Hours

The Pao Xiang Restaurant opens from 7am to 9pm daily

addresses:

Restoran Pao Xiang
No 28, 30
Jalan 5
Kawasan 16
Taman Intan
41300 Klang
Selangor

Have a Fun Trip in Pangkor Island

Enjoy the sea beach, Enjoy the sunset！

By Chan Kah Mum
Photo by Chan Kah Mum

The end of the year brings several meaning to different peoples. For those who is on work, this is the time for them to received delightful bonus from their companies. For students, the end of the year is deserved as holiday season hence it is the right time for them to have a fun trip. Budget always breaks the dream of teenagers or students travelling around because they are students, every decision makes is on Budget. However, Pangkor Island does meet the expectation of students and fullfill their holiday escape plan. Why don't you travel to Pangkor Island to enjoy the beautiful beach and tropical sun meanwhile gets rid of the worry on the expenditure?

Pangkor Island is located in the southwest coast of Perak and recognized as one of the most beautiful island in Malaysia. It is a small island with complete facilities and accommodation convenient. We often known it as one island but in fact there are nine islands in the direct surrounding. Pangkor and Pangkor Laut are the two biggest and the only two inhabited by humans. On the Island there are varieties of wildlife. Some of the Legends even believed that there is Tiger living in the Island.

Take a rest, enjoy your holiday at Teluk Nipah!

There are two famous beaches in Pangkor Island which are Pasir Bogak and Teluk Nipah. Pasie Bogak was the first beach developed for holiday on Pangkor which started with only a few basic campsites and motels. Today, Pasir Bogak provides accommodation ranging from campsites to Hotels. There are a number of seafood restaurants main for visitors who love fresh seafood. Lots of entertainments, indoor and outdoor activities are available for the visitors like diving, surfing and fishing. 

A beautiful beach that attacked your eyes.

Teluk Nipah is the second famous beaches after Pasir Bogak. Actually the accomodation here is not expensive.  Most of the accommodation on resort in Teluk Nipah is facing to the sea. Those who live in the resort will be able to view the beautiful tropical scenery from the room if you really like romantics.

Besides, if you feel do not satisfy with those kinds of water activities in Pangkor Island, how about renting a motor cycle goes around Pangkor by your own? There are cars, motorbikes, and bicycles rental service provide by the Island. Pangkor Island is small enough for you to around it by your own. It is absolute a good experience which you can explore every village in Pangkor freely.

Mini Great Hall, a place
that you should have a see
during travelling in Pangkor.

Remember that, if you haven’t crossing river by the ferry, please do not hurry to rent the motor at the terminal. It is because there are more expensive. The costs for renting a motorbike should be around RM 40 for the whole day. 
Don’t feel strange and panic if you are first time to Pangkor. Visitor can book the resort before they are taking the ferry. There will be tourism center to help you find out your accommodation. They will recommend the accommodations according to your budget and give you some picture to have a look. Certainly, if the time is not rushed, you can take ferry to the Pangkor Island first and find it by your own. It is always cheaper than office help. 
Furthermore, there are Dutch fort, architectural style of Chinese temples, satay factory and so on around the tourist area. You can drive the car to visit it, but you could have different experience and feel if you go by motorcycle from there. You will feel like you are the residents of Pangkor and just let the sea breeze blowing on your face. 
In addition, if you come to Pangkor in the end of the year, you can see the beautiful sunset here. It would be charming and intoxicate to you all. At night, there is scenery as you can see the surf was shimmered under the beautiful moonlight. In the middle of the sea, you will still seeing some boat stop over there even though it is already midnight. This makes a beautiful art pieces. 

Pangkor is the right place for you to escape from the busy city’s life to a calm and serenity living style. Let your mind and soul rest for awhile before continue with your busy life. Therefore, when you are holiday or boring at the home, do come and visit Pangkor. You deserved for a fun and different holiday! 

other place must travel in Pangkor: Dutch Fort that full of the history.

Remembering Pangkor's past...

Pangkor an island that crowded by pirates and adventurers since long time ago. It had also been conquered by European conquerors. Howver, You will be conquer by its nature and ignore about "her" past when you come here. Pangkor today is a flourishing tourist spots that do not have any sign for its past. Visitors are attracted by the living style of the fishing villages and beautiful resorts and accommodations.

Nipah Waterfront Resort 

Tips:
* When plan a travel to Pangkor, you can try ask the information about the Resort before the Terminal Jetty. There got a lot of agent of the Resort. (Nipah Waterfront Resort is the one I book for my pangkor trip, price is RM250 for 5 to 7persons)
* When reach in Pangkor, you can rent motor or car, however, you are advice that better rent in the Island but not in Terminal Jetty (more expensive - RM30). Beside, you can cut the price until RM20 per motor or more less if you good in negotiation.

 Pangkor map

Links of Hotels and resorts at Pangkor:

1. http://www.pangkorislandresorts.com/ 
2. http://malaysiahotels.com.my/malaysia/island/pangkor.htm

Experience the Time Travel Today!

By Chai Chew Yeh
Photo by Chai Chew Yeh 
Why don’t you fall in love with Cameron highlands? The cold and flesh air make it a layback place that different from warm and busy city’s living life. Strawberries and tea plant symbolising the scene of Cameron Highlands. Experiencing self-picking in the strawberries farm, having a high-tea at tea farm is the must-do task when travelling to Cameron Highlands. However, Cameron Highlands is more than that.

There is a little treasure in Cameron Highlands and it is one great place to go with your family especially your parents because can bring you recall some sweet memories. This little treasure is located at the roadside between Brinchang and Kea Farm, it is right beside the Kok Lim Strawberries farm and label as “Time Tunnel”. After paying RM5 as the entrance fees, you shall start your journey and travelling back to the 50s to 60s time. If you were born after 80s, you may not feel much nostalgia, but for your parents, this is their unforgettable journey as they are growing up at that time. At the moment, you may found that your daddy who looks harshness all the time become enthusiasm and start to share his childhood story with you. This is a good place to drive the relationship and interaction between parents and children especially youngsters.

Things start with hobby

Time Tunnel, as same as the local museum in the city,  was the first memorable museum in Cameron. It was operate by See Kok Shan, 46, since Febuarary 2007.

“Everything start with my collecting hobbies since 10 years ago when I was an advertising designer in Kuala Lumpur”, say See. See started his collecting hobby with collecting the coin box that give out to young customers. His collecting hobby expand to others things later on.

“I love old and local artifacts; they are much valuable for me. I never think my collectible will be a high value collectibles in the markets, I collect them just because of interest”, say See. “As you can see, the things collected here is very local; I travel around Peninsular and Singapore to find these collectibles. I am still single, so that is easier for me to travel around”.

The collectibles are bought from the antique shop or swap item with other collectors. There are others collectors who also had high demand on the collectible. “These collectibles are mostly swap or buy from Kuala Lumpur and Singapore. Sometimes, it is not easy to pursue them to sell it, hence there is a time I had to made a few trips to secure an item”

“Previously I work at Kuala Lumpur; I go back Cameron since 2002. In 2007, I made a proposal in open up a new museum gallery to the owner of the strawberry farm, Chai Kok Lim. Finally we get a win-win situation, where he (Kok Lim) thinks that this idea is able to attract more visitors to his strawberries farm”, say See with a smile.

See Kok Shan, 46, and his collections of
 old photos of Cameron Highlands

See was growing up on Cameron. There are a lot of things he collected was about Cameron. For examples are the old photos collections of the development of Tanah Rata town from 40s until present and some history piece regarding Cameron Highlands. See do not like to call his gallery as a museum, but as a collection gallery.

In his collection, there is a comparison picture on the current Convent school and that on 1930s-1950s where it is started as a boarding school mainly for European children for that time. The school was transform to the Japanese Hospital during the Japanese occupied period. At the end of World war, the school was re-opened and transfer to temporarily building for educational purpose. There also been added more classroom and being used by British Military. After British withdrew, the buildings were being restored and operated as a national primary school alongside with the church and currently it had become a landmark in Cameron Highlands.

Unsolved mystery at Cameron

Besides the old pictures, there is  some explanation on the mysteries of Jim Thompson which known as Thai Silk King with the title article of “What really happened to Jim Thompson?”. According to the notes pasted on the exhibition, Jim Thompson went to Cameron Highlands on an easter weekend with his friend. They were stay in the Moonlight cottage, which nearby the jungle and belongs to Dr and Mrs. Ling. He had appointment on Monday in Singapore.

During the first day in the highlands, he and one of his friend went for a walk in the jungle and after that they found they were lost. He led to find his friend out and they successed. However, in the second day, while his friend was napping, he walks alone into jungle and was disappeared in the hills of Cameron Highlands on Sunday, March 26, 1967.

The searching continued day and night, with the help of orang asli trackers, British policemen and trackers dogs but nothing was found in returned. Initially the authorities were confidently believed that he was trap and still alive but however after weeks, their hope of finding him and he was still alive was diminished. The story was remaining mysteries until now.

Walking inside the galleries, you can see old motorbikes, or bicycles were place in every corner before each section. Besides, there is also a place that decorate as an old coffeshop with old cashier counter, old phone, old fan, old coffee cups, originals bottle of drinks, and advertisements. The things was not group accordingly with labels. Feel free to scan every small item carefully, perhaps you might found some unexpected and interesting old items?

“Visitors especially those age 50 and above, are happy to see those things from their childhood”, says See. “I noticed that Singaporean in particular love the place, they like to explained each things found in the exibition to their childrens”

Without television, radio and computers, these toys accompanied those who born during 50s and 60s. Do these toys recall your parent’s childhood memory? Try to step back to their life and appreciated how they had been grow up.

Chan Tim Hook, visitors which come from Johor remain enthusiastic when sawing an old bicycle in the corner at the entrance. “Last time when I was small, I sit on the bicycle with my grandfather”, he says while explaining and telling the story to his two young children. “This is really a good place that recall the precious time especially with my father and grandfather”

See was planning to expand the galleries in the future; hence he is continually working hard to add on news items every month.

Next time when you come to Cameron Highlands, don’t forget to take a walk down to the memory lane, it is fun and educational for everyone. There is so much to see and the best kept secrete about hidden treasures in Cameron Highlands that you never imagine!

How to get there

 Address:

Time Tunnel,

UT/MR/F-255,

Jalan Sungai Burung,

39100 Brinchang,

Cameron Highlands, Pahang,

Malaysia.

Tel: 016-3288438

Fax 05- 4915481

Operating hours: 8.30am-6pm

Entrance fee: Adult – RM5   Child: RM3

Our magazine which named as Walker is one of the publication belong to Life Publishing. It was established in October,2008. The type of the magazine is focus on the travelling and food.

Walker, lead the readers those like travel around Malaysia with length by length. From the web site, the readers can understand that the famous scenic spot in Malaysia with detail.

For those is a tourists as well as the gourmand, Walker not only introduce the famous place but also the delicious food in Malaysia.

No matter islands, sea, highland as well as the land, Walker will be the reference manual for the readers to cognizant of the Malaysia.

Chief Editor                 :           Carmen Chan Kah Mum

Sub Editor                   :           Chai Chew Yeh

Web Designer              :           Yaw Wai Kit

Reporter                      :           Lee Suat Hooi

Photographer               :           Ong Hooi Hoon