Tuesday, July 13, 2010

Self Drive and Tour Guide




Here we will not forget to support holiday comfort with land transport means so as to enable you to follow any distance with flexible
Our Freedom Drive package is very popular with tourists who are more adventurous and don’t want the constraint of a package tour. Basically the tour gives you the freedom and full control to plan your own holiday. You will have a rental car, hotel vouchers, suggested best routes and a whole list of places of interest to visit along the way. You can choose to depart from Singapore, Johor Bahru or Kuala Lumpur. How you get there, how many stops you make, which places of interest you visit and how long you spend at each stop is entirely at your own discretion.

Malaysia is one of the most culturally diverse countries in Asia. There’s much to see and do from Kuala Lumpur, the vibrant and pulsating capital city of the country to Penang, where the colonial architecture and heritage is still intact, and on to Langkawi, a duty free island steeped in local legends and myths. Those seeking more pristine surroundings head to the east coast, to islands such as Redang, Perhentian and Tioman. Malaysia is known as one of the leading diving destinations in Asia. Malaysia is home to some of the oldest rainforests in the world with Endau-Rompin National Park and Taman Negara being tow of the best places to appreciate the flora and fauna of this ecosystem.

Malaysia has one of the best road networks for a country of its size; The North-South Expressway is the main artery that runs the length of West Malaysia from Bukit Kayu Hitam in the north to Gelang Patah in the south. The East-West Highway and the Karak Highway link the west coast to the east coast. Signboards along highways are written in Bahasa Malaysia and English. Driving on trunk roads and coastal roads will take longer to reach your destinations but there are many distractions along the way to make the journey enjoyable and interesting.

Suggested Places of Interest to Visit

Johor Bahru - Gateway to Singapore

* Sultan Abu Bakar Mosque, Moorish architecture said to be the most beautiful mosque in Malaysia’s southernmost state.
* Istana Balai Besar or the Grand Palace.
* Sultan Ibrahim Building / State Secretariat Building, featuring colonial and Moorish architecture.
* Grand Palace Park.
* Old Chinese Temple - one of the oldest structures in Johor Bahru built by the Chinese pioneers in the state.
* Istana Bukit Serene - the Sultan’s private residence.
* Stulang Laut - Johor Bahru Duty Free Zone.


Malacca - UNESCO World Heritage Site

* Porta de Santiago (A'Famosa) - the first European fort built in South East Asia.
* Dutch Stadthuys - residence of the former Dutch Governor and now a museum.
* Ruins of St Paul’s Church - a former Portuguese chapel and later a Dutch Reformed Church.
* St. Peter's Church - the oldest Catholic church in Malaysia.
* Christ Church - the oldest Protestant church in Malaysia.
* St. Francis Xavier's Church.
* Kampung Hulu Mosque – the oldest functioning mosque in Malaysia to still be located on its original site.
* Baba Nyonya Museum - depicting the life and origins of the descendants of late 15th and 16th century Chinese immigrants.
* Jonker Street - a famous street where you will find many antique shops.
* Kampung Kling Mosque - one of the oldest mosques in Malaysia.
* Cheng Hoon Teng Temple - the oldest Chinese temple in Malaysia.
* Hang Jebat Mausoleum belonging to one of the five great warriors from the Malacca Sultanate.
* Hang Li Poh's Well - constructed for the personal use of a Chinese princess and believed to be magical as it never dried up despite some devastating droughts.
* Bukit China Hill - the largest and oldest Chinese graveyard outside mainland China.
* Malacca Sultanate Palace.
* Old Dutch cemetery.


Kuala Lumpur – Malaysia’s Cosmopolitan Capital

* Petronas Twin Towers - the world’s tallest twin towers.
* King’s Palace – the current home of the reigning King of Malaysia.
* National Monument - a tribute to fallen soldiers.
* National Museum - a national treasure trove.
* National Mosque.
* Visit the largest pewter factory in the world.
* Sri Maha Mariamman temple – the oldest Hindu Temple in KL (undergoing a major cleaning of the religious figurines until the end of 2010).
* Chinatown - most active in the evening.
* Orchid Garden.
* Bird Park.
* National Zoo.
* Central Market – once a dirty, noisy wet market but now an enclosed air-conditioned souvenir market.
* Sze Yeh Temple - KL’s oldest Taoist temple.
* Thean Hou Temple - dedicated to the Goddess Tian Hou or the Heavenly Mother.
* Jamek Mosque - the oldest mosque in KL.
* Sultan Abdul Samad Building located along Independence or Merdeka Square.
* Jalan Alor – a busy and interesting street filled with hawker stalls and delicious food.


Attractions around KL

* Putrajaya - the new federal administrative centre.
* Shah Alam Mosque - an impressive building and one of the biggest mosques in South East Asia.
* Genting Highland – a cool, hilltop entertainment complex and casino.
* Carey Island – home to a Mah Meri aboriginal village acclaimed for its woodcarvings.
* Kuala Selangor – see a wonderful firefly display each evening.


Cameron Highland – Malaysia’s Cool Highland Retreat

* Lata Iskandar Waterfall.
* Orang Asli settlement.
* Bharat Tea plantation.
* Kea Farm – the most popular market to buy locally-grown fruits, flowers and vegetables.
* Butterfly Garden.
* Brinchang Night Market – an open air market held each weekend and during school holidays.
* Walk through a mossy forest.
* Gunung Brinchang watchtower - on a clear day you can see the countryside from the highest mountain in the Cameron Highland.
* Boh Tea Plantation – largest tea producer in the highland.
* One should never leave the Cameron Highland without experiencing the English high tea served in the beautiful rose gardens of the Ye Old Smoke House, the Cameron Highland Resort or the Lakehouse.


Penang – UNESCO World Heritage Site

* Penang Bridge - one of the world’s top ten longest dual carriageway bridges and a national landmark of Malaysia.
* Khoo Kongsi - an impressive clan house built by master artisans from China.
* Kek Lok Si Temple - reputed to be the biggest Buddhist temple complex in South East Asia.
* Snake Temple – home to wild pit vipers that are said to be the ‘servants’ of the deity.
* Cheong Fatt Tze Mansion - a beautiful preserved heritage building.
* Fort Cornwallis - an important Penang monument and island landmark.
* Kapitan Keling Mosque – Penang’s largest and oldest mosques.
* War Museum housed in World War II bunkers.
* Penang Museum - an in-depth display of the many facets of Penang from its multicultural people to food, dance, music, history and much more.
* Little India - a colourful part of the old city with Indian shops, restaurants and coffeeshops.
* Pinang Peranakan Mansion – a typical home of a rich Baba (descendants of Chinese and Malay parents) recreated to offer a glimpse of their opulent lifestyle, customs and traditions.
* Wat Chaiya Mangkalaram – at 33m high this is Malaysia’s largest reclining Buddha.
* Penang Hill – ride the famous funicular railway to the summit of Penang Hill.
* Tropical Spice Garden – over 500 varieties of exotic and endemic tropical flora.
* Penang Bird Park – see over 300 bird species from all over the world and some 150 local species.
* Tropical Fruit Farm - conducts tours for visitors to learn more about the different types of tropical and sub-tropical fruit trees.


Kelantan - Cradle of Malay Civilisation

* Batik/Songket Centre - songket is also known as the ‘cloth of gold’.
* Kampung Kraftangan - a handicraft village.
* Gelanggang Seni Cultural Centre.
* Islamic Museum - trace the history of Islam in Kelantan.
* Istana Balai Besar – a venue for state functions and ceremonies.
* Kite Making Centre - kite flying is an important pastime on the east coast.
* Siti Khadijah Market - an interesting and colourful local market.
* Royal Customs and Traditions Museum – the former palace built for the Sultan Mahmud II’s grandson.
* Royal Museum (Istana Batu) - former residence of Kelantan royalty.
* Visit a silversmith renowned for producing intricate designs.
* Explore one of many fishing villages along the coast.
* Wat Photivihan – the longest reclining Buddha in South East Asia.


Terengganu - Tranquil and Idyllic Playground

* Crystal Mosque - an impressive new mosque.
* State Museum – the largest in South East Asia.
* Maziah Palace - used as a venue for royal birthdays and weddings.
* Walk around the colourful waterfront.
* Chinatown – home to Chinese immigrants and now lined with historic pre-war buildings.
* Rantau Abang Turtle Information Centre (open May – September).
* Buy local handicrafts.
* Learn more about the brassware cottage industry.
* See traditional boats being built on Duyung Island.
* Islamic Civilisation Park – a theme park that glorifies the achievements of Islamic architecture.


Pahang – Forests to the Sea

* Pekan State Museum - a rich collection of antique glassware and ceramics and a well-documented display of the lives of the Pahang royal family.
* Lake Chini - a mythical monster supposedly lurks in its depths and guards the lake.
* Kota Gelanggi Cave near Jerantut - a cave complex with interesting fauna, flora and rock formations.
* Charas Cave - houses a small statue of Buddha and 10m-long reclining Buddha.
* Cherating Beach - pristine beaches and cool breezes and home to Club Med.
* Beserah - a fishing village well-known for its salted fish.
* Visit Cherating Turtle Information Centre.
* Discover the cottage industry of mengkuang weaving.
* Sultan Ahmad Shah Mosque - Kuantan’s beautiful state mosque.
* Admire Sri Mahamariaman Temple.

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