LIONS OUT TO HELP THE BLIND

LIONS OUT TO HELP THE BLIND

IPOH: The Malaysian Association for the Blind (MAB) Kinta Valley Training and Rehabilitation Center, Lions Club of Ipoh Host, Lions Club of Batu Gajah, Lions Club of Ipoh Central, Lions Club of Ipoh Evergreen, Lions Club of Perak Silver State, Lions Club of Ipoh Mandarin, Lions Club of Ipoh Heritage, Lions Club of Ipoh Centennial, Lions Club of Pusing Mandarin, Lioness club of Ipoh and Leo Club of Anderson are jointly holding a project titled ”A Journey With The Blind”, which will be held at Padang B, SMK Anderson Ipoh, at 6.30am on January 27, here.

LIONS AND LIONESS DOING A GOOD CAUSE THEMED "A JOURNEY WITH THE BLIND" WALK

Event organising chairperson Henna Tan said that the purpose of the project is to raise awareness about every day challenges of a blind person. Participants will walk about 2km and a walk with obstacle about 0.5km to experience what the blind people have to experience every day.

“We hope to raise more than RM10,000 from the project which will be donated to the MAB, and we also expect about 500 participants, this year," said Tan.

Further information, call: 017-5729413/012-4251816/012-5170489.

IMPIANA HOTEL IPOH USHER-IN CNY WITH A BANG

IMPIANA HOTEL IPOH USHER-IN CNY WITH A BANG

Impiana Hotel Ipoh (IHI) welcomes the CNY with festivities and events lined up starting from now until Chap Goh Mei.

To usher in the celebrations, the hotel will be holding an 8-course “Appreciation” Set Menus from now until February 18, where guests will be able to dine in comfort at the hotel's private rooms with free corkage on alcoholic beverages for reservation of more than six tables.

IHI STAFF WISHING EVERYONE KONG XI FATT CHAI

Highlight dishes are – Salmon Fish Yu Sheng, Chicken Herbal soup, Deep Fried Chicken with Lemon Sauce, Deep Fried Siakap with Sweet and Sour Sauce, Crab Meat Broth, Deep Fried Tiger Prawns with Salted Egg, Braised Bailing Mushrooms with variety bean curd and Fried Rice Impiana style among others.

AUSPICIOUS CNY DISH "YEE SANG"

 

Meanwhile, the hotel's coffee house will be serving the “Good Fortune” buffet dinner on February 4 until 6, from 6.30pm to 10pm.

The buffet dinner will showcase a variety of Asian delights from salads and appetizers, live action stalls serving 'Lok Lok', Peking Duck, Rack of Lamb, Yee Sang, Glutinous Rice in Lotus Leaf, Deep Oyster Sauce with Black Mushroom and others.

ROASTED DUCK

 The coffee house will also be serving the “Double Happiness” buffet hi-tea on February 5 and 6, from 12.30noon until 3.30pm, whereby guests will stand a chance to win dining vouchers worth RM100 from the Ang Pow Lucky Draws.

STEAMED SIAKAP WITH SOYA SAUCE

 

In addition, guests are invited on the first day of CNY to celebrate the festival with a live Lion Dance performance from 9.18am to 10.38am, held at the hotel's Grand Lobby.

Other activities include the appearance of the “God of Prosperity”, a Calligraphy Booth and an 18-ft Dragon Yee Sang tossing with the management to welcome the New Year of the Boar.

DRIED OYSTER SAUCE WITH BLACK MUSHROOM BROCOLI

 

Hotel's general manager Gerard Sta Maria said that this is the first time the hotel is incorporating a new package “Appreciation” Set Dinner meant for 70 persons to be held as a private dinner.

“We are happy to invite the media members for an early tossing of the Yee Sang, as while as to thank them for their contribution in highlighting the hotel's yearly event,” he said.

IHI STAFF START-OFF CNY WITH TOSSING OF YEE SANG

 

“Good Fortune” Buffet Dinner is priced at RM88 nett (adult), RM58 nett (child aged 5-12) and senior citizen (60 years above).

“Double Happiness Buffet” Hi-Tea is priced at RM58 nett (adult), RM38 nett (child aged 5-12) and senior citizen (60 years above).

“Appreciation” Set Menus are priced at RM588 and RM738 nett per table.

The hotel is located at18, Jalan Sultan Nazrin Shah, Ipoh.

For reservation, call: 05-2555555.

BINTAN ISLAND INDONESIA

BINTAN ISLAND

Bintan Island is the most popular with its beaches.

I have been there twice and the island brings me lots of joy indulging in the wavering sea.

Strong sea waves and safe for sea lovers to just play, swim or surfing.

Another uniqueness is to get a good traditional massage on the beach itself, facing the sea.

The island is popular with sea activities due to its powerful safe waves, and the island was developed by the Japanese.

BINTAN RESORT BEACHES

 Bintan Resorts, located at the northern part of Bintan – where many of the resorts are internationally or Singaporean owned as the island is marketed to Singaporeans for whom Bintan is a short ferry trip away

All you need to do – take a ferry form Tanah Merah Ferry Terminal to Tajung Pinang. Complimentary land trasnfer from Tanjung Pinang's Pier and Bintan Agro Beach Resort & Spa located at Pantai Trikora Km 36, Teluk Bakau, where I stayed for 3D2N.

Tourists can also go for the Bintan Discovery Tour (full day) which covers villages, Trikora Beach, Kawai (Fishing Village), shopping, Historical Island of the Riau Kingdom, Senggarang Temple (200 years old Chinese Temple). Packages includes fresh coconut water, lunch and taxi fare at S$70/adult and children, S$50/adult and S40/children.

Some of the well-known sites of attractions are – Penyengat, Tanjung Pinang City, Raja Ali Hj Monument, Colonial Graveyard, Chinese Pagodas, Banyan Tree Temple and its many beaches and resorts. Natural Maritime Culture is also part of the historical nature's heritage of mangroves, many species of animals and birds and exotic maritime nature of the sea life.

Penyengat – is a historical small island about 2.5 square kilometres in area offshore of Tanjung Pinang, which was a religious, cultural and administrative centre of the region in the 19^th century of the Riao-Johor sultanate.

MASJID RAYA SULTAN RIAU

Masjid Raya Sultan Riau was built in 1818, is an exquisitely kept yellow mosque also called the 'sulfur-colored mosque'. It has many domes and minarets. The unique feature of the mosque is that the mortar used was the special egg-white mortar as the cementing material; eggs were presented to the Sultan by his subjects on the occasion of his wedding. The mosque houses a rare 150-year-old hand written Koran in its Islamic library. 

I really like the Masjid Sultan Riau due to its uniqueness - a mosque that can stand on egg-white mortar, alone. 

BAYAN TREE TEMPLE AT SENGGARANG

The Bayan Tree Temple, is about 100-year-old, located at Senggarang town, outside central of Tanjung Pinang. One temple is in ruins and the other three temples, each about 100-year-old, are located within the courtyard facing the sea. The interior of these temples depicts colorful paintings and wood carvings. Chinese devotees from Singapore are often seen offering prayers, here.

TRIKORA BEACH

The Trikora group of beaches is situated on the eastern side of Bintan and are numbered from 1 to 4 from south to north. The approach road from the capital city is 45 km to its northeast and passes through a locals town called Kangka Kawal and a fishing town called Teluk Kawal.

TELUK KAWAL FISHING VILLAGE

HISTORY

Bintan island is an island in the Riau archipelago of Indonesia. It is part of the Riau islands province, the capital is Tanjung Pinang, lies in the island's south.

Bintan's history is traced back to early 3^rd century. The island flourised as a trading post on the route between China and India, and over the centuries it came under the control of the Chinese, the British and then the Dutch.

The island has beaches with beach-front hotels and resorts; the most prominent of these beaches is the Bintan Resorts set over an area of 300 ha of tropical environment. Indonesia is promoting Bintan as the next best tourist destination after Bali.

DECEMBER 2008/2007

GO BATAM ISLAND!

GO BATAM ISLAND!

It has been more than ten years since my last visit to Batam Island, Indonesia.

This little island had transformed tremendously due to the presence of Singaporeans.

Shopping malls are mushrooming in the Nagoya or China Town area where many of the business activities, shops, banks, karaoke, wet market and hotels are located, here.

Do indulge in the traditional Indonesian massage but pretty expensive compared to Hatyai, Thailand, at Nagoya.

NAGOYA OR CHINA TOWN

A day tour to see what is in store for, in the Batam Island is a “must” for first timer, here.

A tourist can either sign up for a day tour with a tour agent costs about Singapore $30 or booked a taxi for an island trip costing RM150 per taxi.

Popular places to visit are– KTM Resort, Barelang Fisabililah Bridge, Maha Vihara Duta Mitreya Laughing Buddha, Toa Pek Kong Chinese Temple and the Waterfront City.

At KTM Resort, one can take photograph with the highest Kwan Yin (Goddess of Mercy) standing at 72-metre high. 

KTM RESORT

 

Get a chance to visit the biggest temple in South East Asia “Maha Vihara Duta Maitreya”, at Batam Centre. Here, one is encouraged to touch the belly of the Smiling Buddha for good fortune.

MAHA VIHARA DUTA MAITREYA

POSING WITH SMILING BUDDHA

Do not forget to drop-by the oldest temple in the Batam Town called Toa Pek Kong Temple, where one can pray for happiness and harmony.

TOA PEK KONG TEMPLE

Highlight, is the Barelang Fisabililah Bridge – which the biggest bridges linking the island of Tonton, Nipah to the larger setoko island, Rempang island, Galang island and Galang baru island. All these bridges make Barelang seem to be one islaand. The first bridge connecting Batam to Tonton island is an impressive with its 38-metre high spans and 642 metres in length.

BARELANG FISABILILAH BRIDGE

Batam Island is well-known as a shopping paradise found at – Batam City Square (BCS) Shopping Mall where the Batam's largest and newest mall with various shops can be found.

For tourists craving for local product such as dry food – ikan bilis, dried prawns and cuttle fish, crackers, kuih lapis, preserved food, coffee powder, nuts and batik, do visit the Bengkong Dry Food Stuff Market and GTS Local Product Shop.

Do proceed to local branded products namely Polo Shirt, Diesel and Mulberry outlets, sold at cheap price or discount.

The most popular seafood restaurant is Golden Prawn 933, divided into two restaurant in one complex, built on wood and bamboo over the sea, overlooking the view of north eastern coast of Batam.

After lunch, proceed to Pondok Wisata Cultural Dance, whereby tourists will be entertained by the locals performing a Magic Show and the Kuda Lumping performance. Apart from dancing, the performer will show off special skills like opening the coconut skin with his teeth, live coal and glass eating. It is advisable for tourists to give some tips for this special performance.

KUDA LUMPING PERFORMANCE

The Waterfront City, is another worth visiting especially for family members - where one can participate in sea sport, Go Kart, board surfing, sailing, canoeing, jet ski, parasailing and Bungee Jumping.

Night life on the island is interesting! Just take a stroll along its Red Light District at Kampung Bule. You can find kinky names of pubs such as Foreplay, N Name, Harmoni, Cock & Bull and the Last Pub.

RED DISTRICT CALLED "KPG BULE"

BACKGROUND

Batam's name derived from Stone (batu) and Red Soil (ampar). It covers 415 km plus 80,000 population.

There are four popular reasons tourists comes to the island – shopping (duty free), mistress village, golfing and massage.

The island's economy is clothing industry.

The men works as taxi driver while the women works in the clothing factory. Each family is big as one male can married four wives – 10-20 children per family. The children need to work as shoe polisher or sell newspapers to help the family, financially.

Geographically, Batam suffers no natural disaster. Batam ranks second in tourism industry after Bali.

LAST VISIT : NOVEMBER 2006 AND JUNE 2018

USHER IN CNY AT SYEUN HOTEL IPOH

USHER IN THE CNY AT SYEUN HOTEL IPOH

IPOH: Chinese New Year is round the corner. The Syeun Hotel Ipoh is delighted to showcase a selection of Lunar New Year dishes and delectable dine-in menus.

It's Chinese Masterchef Ho Woon Shing has crafted three exquisite New Year menus, namely Year End Special, Reunion Diner and Chinese New Year Special.

The Year End Special, which runs until February 3, offers three menu priced at RM838, RM988 and RM1,388 nett per table of ten persons. Year End Special standouts include Braised Shark's Fin Soup with Dry Scallop & Eight Treasures, Stewed Woo Soo Chicken, Pan Fried Big Ming Prawn with Butter and Curry Leaves and the Hot Sweetened Ginkgo Nut, Snow Fungus and Hasma.

SYEUN HOTEL STAFF SHOWCASING AN ARRAY OF CNY DELIGHTS

 

However, for the Reunion Dinner, which will falls on February 4, presents two menus, priced at RM988 and RM1,488 nett per table of ten persons. Highlight dishes are Prosperity “Yee Sang”, Braised Shark's Fin Soup with Dry Scallop, Fresh Scallop and Seafood, Roasted Crispy Chicken with fermented Bean Curd, Steamed Marble Goby Fish with Dry Tangerine Peel & Ginger Slice in Soy Sauce, Braised Mushroom, Whole Abalone, Goose Webs & Broccoli and Fried Glutinous Rice Wrapped In Lotus Leaf.

PROSPERITY SALMON "YEE SANG"

 

On that night, guests will be entertained with songs and dance performance, LED dance and the presence of God of Prosperity to give out “ang pow”. Each table is entitled to free two instant printed family photographs.

Meanwhile, for the Chinese New Year Special which will start from February 6 until 19, offers three prosperity menus priced at RM838, RM988 and RM1,388 nett per table of ten persons.

Diners can indulge in the hotel's Roasted Crispy Duck, Braised Rice with Seafood, Sea Asparagus and Pacific Clams and end the course with Hot Sweetened Ginkgo Nut, Snow Fungus, Hasma and American Ginseng.

MOUTHWATERING CNY DISHES

 

In addition, the hotel also promotes CNY Buffet Lunch Special Promotion available from February 6 until 10, held at Garden View Syeun Lobby. The buffet is priced at RM35 nett (adult) and RM30 nett (senior citizen above 60 and children aged 5-12 years old).

The hotel is located at 88, Jalan Sultan Abdul Jalil, Greentown, 30300, Ipoh.

For reservations, call: 05-2538889 or email: sales@syeun.com

BIG SPENDERS AT IPOH PARADE MALL STAND TO WIN GOLD BARS

BIG SPENDERS AT IPOH PARADE MALL STAND TO WIN GOLD BARS

IPOH: Ipoh Parade Shopping Mall is having it's first-ever campaign themed “Golden Prosperity”, held from January 19 until 9 February, organised by ARA Assets Management Ltd, here.

Simultaneously, this campaign will also take place at Klang Parade, CITTA Mall and 1 Mont Kiara.

Shoppers will now get a chance to win attractive prizes worth RM200,000, including air tickets, hand phones, shopping and meal vouchers among others.

Highlight, is the give away of four pieces of 999,9 Fine Gold Bars, at the finale round.

ARA Assets Management Ltd Group Marketing Head Alan Thoo said firstly shoppers are required to spend a minimum RM288, whereby they will be able to redeem the Golden Chopsticks set and participate in the Golden Prosperity campaign.

“Each week, the Top 3 spenders at each mall will be selected to participate in an elimination round at the conclusion of this first stage, on February 10.

“The nine shoppers from each mall will then compete against each other in a challenge at their respective locations. 

 

“The Top 3 winners of this challenge from the four malls will then proceed to the finale game show, at Klang Parade on February 17.

“In addition, the 12 finalists will receive RM1,500 worth of credits sponsored by Boosts, the official e-wallet, at the grand finale,” said Thoo.

ARA UNVEILS GOLDEN PROSPERITY CAMPAIGN