Lee Chong Wei sex video scandal

A sex video allegedly showing Malaysian professional badminton player Lee Chong Wei went viral but the three-time Olympic medalist has denied claims of him being in a supposed sex tape :

“It is not me.

“This is ridiculous, take one look at the video and you know it’s not me,” he was quoted in a response to the New Straits Times.“Initially I just wanted to ignore because it is just a waste of time. However it is getting out of hand and I will be lodging a police report at Bukit Aman today,” Lee was quoted saying.

You can watch the video for details.

Not amused by the video, Chong Wei has lodged a police report to clear his name yesterday. "My movie is coming out and this is some of the ways that some people are trying to bring my name into disrepute," said Chong Wei, who is married to Wong Mew Choo.

Born in Bagan Serai, Perak into a Malaysian Chinese family, Lee Chong Wei is triple silver medalist at the Olympic Games, and the sixth Malaysian to win an Olympic medal. As a singles player, Lee was ranked first worldwide for 199 consecutive weeks from 21 August 2008 to 14 June 2012. He is the fourth Malaysian player after Rashid Sidek, Roslin Hashim and Wong Choong Hann to achieve such a ranking (since official rankings were first kept in the 1980s), and is the only Malaysian shuttler to hold the number one ranking for more than a year.

Where to stay in Langkawi?

An archipelago of 99 islands, Langkawi is the Malaysia’s most promoted tourist destination. Away from the main island’s developed areas, Langkawi is rural with mountainous interior, villages, rice paddies and jungle­covered hills. A duty­free location, Langkawi is also the perfect place to buy cheap luxuries and it’s recognized for its excellent dive sites and what some say are the most beautiful beaches in Malaysia. Besides all that, sightseeing attractions that range from the Underwater World and the Cable Car & Skybridge to natural draws such as Langkawi’s offshore islets and the Telaga Tujuh waterfalls make Langkawi Malaysia’s most popular tourist destination.

Featuring an equatorial climate, Langkawi is suited for year­round travel. Shielded from major winds and storms by the mainland on one side and Sumatra on the other, the island has two prevailing seasons – dry season (November to March) and wet season. Temperatures are fairly consistent during the day, ranging from 30°C to 35°C, while at night they drop to 28°C or 29°C; humidity levels remain high at about 80% throughout the year. The most rainfall occurs in September and October, as a result of the monsoon winds.

Where to stay in Langkawi? We will not answer this question by giving our recommended list of hotels and resorts in Langkawi but introduce major areas to stay and their attractions. There are many nice hotels and resorts in Langkawi and the real difficult part is to determine in which town or around which beach to stay.

Langkawi Map - Source : Malaysia Maps

Pantai Cenang

Dubbed Langkawi’s main vein, Pantai Cenang is not as rowdy as Bangkok’s Khao San Road but it’s still the island’s most popular stretch. 25 km west of Kuah and 500 metres north of Pantai Tengah, the bay forms a white-sand beach strip, and the area is crammed with unobtrusive budget and mid-range beachfront accommodation. Mostly due to the burgeoning package tour clientele, Cenang has plenty of places that offer water sports and boat rentals. Good restaurants with an emphasis on Westernised local dishes, and the best
nightlife in Langkawi, results in an odd jumble of backpackers, expats, Asian tourists and families crowding the restaurants and bars come nightfall.

For resorts and hotels in Pantai Cenang, their room prices, latest deals and discounts as well as customer reviews refer to Langkawi Pantai Cenang Hotels page.

Pantai Cenang in Langkawi is Langkawi's most popular beach.

Pantai Tengah

The first of Langkawi’s western beaches, Pantai Tengah is situated just around the southern bend of the Pantai Cenang road. A family-friendly strip, with some low-key chalets as well as a few all-inclusive resorts, Tengah has the longest stretch of beach on the main island. The bay’s out-of-the-way location means that the water isn’t renewed by the tides and as a result looks quite murky. There’s not much sightseeing here, but there are quite a few spas, and tour operators are abundant. Eating out used to be limited to the various restaurants attached to the motels and resorts along the strip, but lately local enterprise has begun to hit Tengah’s food scene. The nightlife isn’t as prolific as Cenang but it’s popular with the locals.

For resorts and hotels in Pantai Tengah, their room prices, latest deals and discounts as well as customer reviews refer to Langkawi Pantai Tengah Hotels page.

Kuah

With an estimated 11,000 inhabitants, Kuah is easily Langkawi’s largest town. The arrival point for most ferries, it features a strip of modern high-rise hotels and duty-free shops along the main road, which hugs what little beach there is. Sitting on reclaimed land, it’s more of a fishing beach than a recreational one. Kuah’s not an unattractive place – in fact, the whitewashed Al Hana Mosque, which dominates its waterfront, is one of Langkawi’s most popular sightseeing attractions. The town will probably be your first view of Langkawi and it’s the place to settle any business matters as it’s one of the only places on the island for banks, post office, police station, a hospital and fast food eateries.

For resorts and hotels in Kuah, their room prices, latest deals and discounts as well as customer reviews refer to Langkawi Kuah Hotels page.

Kuah and its famous eagle statue (Dataran Lang) in Langkawi Eagle Square.According to folklore Langkawi’s name came from two Malay words – ‘helang’ (eagle) and ‘kawi' (reddish brown): hence lang-kawi.  - Source : Langkawi Info

Padang Matsirat

Located towards the northern end of the island (skirting the airport), a right turn off the main road brings you to Padang Matsirat (The Field of Burnt Rice). It’s only a few kilometres off the road that leads to the west coast beaches, and it offers many sightseeing spots (Makam Mahsuri, Snake Sanctuary and more). You’re going to need to rent a car to get to them as most of these spots are located far from each other. That being said, it takes the top spot as one of the best places to stay, especially if you’d like a quieter atmosphere than
Pantai Cenang or Tengah. There are a few good restaurants and attractions in the vicinity but if you’re looking for nightlife then stick closer to less provincial areas of Langkawi.

For resorts and hotels in Padang Matsirat, their room prices, latest deals and discounts as well as customer reviews refer to Langkawi Padang Matsirat Hotels page.

Pantai Kok

Pantai Kok is on the far western stretch of Langkawi. Hands down it’s the best beach in Langkawi – it’s quieter and more secluded than Cenang or Tengah and enjoys a very intimate feel. Major sightseeing attractions include the popular Oriental Village plus its only 2 km from the Telaga Tujuh waterfalls. High-end resorts like the Sheraton and Tanjung Sanctuary dominate lodging options here, but there are also a number of attractive chalets along the beach. The beach itself is beautiful with clean sand and clear waters, a thoroughly modern marina (Telaga Harbour Park) with a string of good shops, bars and restaurants, plus a
petrol station, bank and post office.

For resorts and hotels in Pantai Kok, their room prices, latest deals and discounts as well as customer reviews refer to Langkawi Pantai Kok Hotels page.

Datai Bay

Halfway along Pantai Kok’s main road, there’s a right turn that takes you down a narrow stretch of road leading to the north coast. After 10km, a road to the left leads to Datai Bay – home to some of Langkawi’s most exclusive resorts. The site of Datai Bay Golf Course (one of Malaysia’s top-ten golf clubs), the area’s crowning glory is located at the end of the curving road that takes you past the headland, where a couple of secluded coves afford great views of several Thai islands in the distance. Back-tracking from Datai Bay, there are a couple of reasonable stretches of undeveloped beach; you’ll find Pantai Pasir Hitam (Black Sand
Beach) here – a strip of beach with sand that looks as if it has been sluiced with tar.

For resorts and hotels in Pantai Kok, their room prices, latest deals and discounts as well as customer reviews refer to Langkawi Datai Bay Hotels page.

Datai Bay (Facilities seen here are Datai Langkawi Resort) - Source : ewtc.com

mh370 latest news

The seemingly routine redeye flight of Malaysia Airlines Flight 370 (MH370/MAS370) from Kuala Lumpur to Beijing on March 8th 2014 has turned into a tragedy and one of the greatest mysteries of aviation history. MH370 has diverted from its route, crossed Malaysia and flew south into the wast South Indian Ocean. Since then only one sign of the flight appeared : a Boeing 777 flaperon found on Reunion Island has been confirmed, according to Malaysian authorities, from flight MH370.

August 13th 2015 - Zaaim Redha Abdul Rahman, a satellite communication expert, told Malaysia News Agency Bernama that he believes MH370 is largely intact and lying somewhere beneath the southern Indian Ocean. He believes the Boeing 777 sank into the ocean in one piece after probably floating for a while.

Speaking to Bernama in an interview recently, Zaaim Redha said his theory that the plane probably "glided down" was supported by evidence in the form of the integrity of the two-metre-long flaperon, which was discovered on Reunion Island in the Indian Ocean and confirmed to be part of the missing MH370 plane. 

"It (the flaperon) was only slightly damaged and was just encrusted with barnacles. Its appearance indicates that it was not violently torn off from the aircraft's main body...it does seem that it got detached pretty nicely at its edges," he explained.
Source : MH370 Plane Sank In Indian Ocean In Almost One Piece, Claims Satcom Expert

 If this was what happened, it would probably mean that someone has glided MH370 down to the ocean surface since a fuel deprives aircraft without pilot or auto-pilot would spiral down and nose dive into the ocean. A pilot should be in control because even with the presence of an experience pilot, the ocean surface landing of a large aircraft would be a devastating as seen in Ethiopian Airlines Boeing 767 crash video. The plane was hijacked and forced to divert to Australia. Although the pilot tried to explain the hijackers that the plane do not have enough fuel to fly to Australia from Africa, the hijackers forced the route. When the plane was out of fuel, the pilot tried to land it to the beach. The following sea surface landing was devastating because the plane did not have power to deploy flaps to reduce the landing speed. Of 163 people on board, 50 still survived the crash.

9M - MRO, the missing Boeing 777 of flight MH370 seen above. Recovered flaperon is circled.

August 13th 2015 - Australian Joint Agency Coordination Centre (JACC) has confirmed that Boeing 777 flaperon found on Reunion Island is from flight MH370. The wing part was discovered on July 29th. On August 6th, Malaysia Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak confirmed that part of the flaperon found on the island was part of the aircraft.

MH370 debris found on Reunion Island

Note : The part of the Boeing 777 wing found in Reunion Island is from the missing Malaysia Airlines Flight 370 (MH370), confirmed the Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak.

"It is with a very heavy heart that I must tell you that an international team of experts has conclusively confirmed that the aircraft debris [...] is indeed MH370," Mr Najib told reporters.
"We now have physical evidence that [...] flight MH370 tragically ended in the southern Indian Ocean," he added.[6]

Despite the certainity of Najib's announcements, French authorities did not yet confirm that the flaperon is from MH370. They have just said the are very strong indications that it is from MH370.

Unfortunately, the confirmation does not mean that the crash site or the reasons behind the crash will be find any time soon. It will also not explain why a plane flying from KL to Beijing diverted all the way down to Indian Ocean.

Update : Debris found on the Indian Ocean island of Reunion is "very likely" to be from the missing flight MH370, a top Australian official has told the BBC.[5] There have been only 5 hull-loss accidents of Boeing 777 during its history : one crash in 2008 in London, one in Cairo in 2011, one in San Francisco in 2013, MH370 and MH17 in Ukraine in 2014. MH370 is the only missing Boeing 777 jet and is the only one which had hull loss accident in Indian Ocean.

Update : "It is almost certain that the flaperon is from a Boeing 777 aircraft. Our chief investigator here told me this" said Malaysia Deputy Transport Minister Abdul Aziz Kaprawi. Since there is no other missing Boeing 777, the debris may be from the missing Malaysia Airlines MH370 flight.

Debris found in Reunion Island in Western Indian Ocean near Madagaskar may be from the missing MH370. The debris looks like a part from the wing of a large aircraft like Boeing 777, the type of the aircraft disappeared in March 2014.

Officials are cautiously optimistic and working on the part which washed off the shores of the island The debris was found off the coast of St. Andre, a community on the Reunion Island.[1]

The aircraft part shows sign of tearing off the wing and appears to be an inside flap from Boeing 777 wind. But it is painted white which is not consistent with silver color of such part in Boeing 777.

Malaysia meanwhile announced that they have sent a team to see if Reunion Island debris is from MH370 flight. "I have sent a team to verify the wreckage ... we hope that it can identify (the wreckage) as soon as possible," said Malaysia's Transport Minister Liow Tiong Lai during a visit to the United Nations (UN) in New York. [2]

An US official told the Associated Press news agency that, based on the photos, investigators had a "high degree of confidence" that the part was a flaperon unique to a Boeing 777 wing.[3]

Given the fact that there is no other Boeing 777 is missing, the part is most probably from MH370 if the debris is from a Boeing 777.[4]

The part may also be from another tragedy. Yemenia Flight 626 has crashed near the north coast of Grande Comore, Comoros on 30 June 2009, killing the 152 other people on board.

Where is the suspected MH370 debris found?
Reunion Island is off the coast of Madagaskar Island which is off the shores of Africa. It is in the same ocean where there is an ongoing search for MH370 but thousands of miles away from the search site.

[1] - Debris looks like Boeing 777, could be MH370, says source
[2] - Malaysia sends team to see if Reunion Island debris is from MH370 flight
[3] - MH370 search: Experts investigate Indian Ocean wreckage
[4] - US official: Plane debris in Indian Ocean same type as MH370
[5] - MH370 search: Reunion debris 'very likely' part of plane
[6] - MH370: Reunion debris is from missing Malaysia flight

Instagram Beauty Min Chen

Malaysian beauty Min Chen 明禎 has become a sort of celebrity in Asia when her photos in her Instagram account (Minchen333) wene viral. After becoming the "new favourite Instagram account" of Rocketnews24, many unusual photos of her holding onto things in her Instagram photos made her very famous. Of course the main reason for her to go viral is her cuteness otherwise there is hardly any other quality in her photos to deserve the hype. But thanks to the stupid obsession with cute and beautiful in this part of the world, she will enjoy her celebrity status for a while.

She has also surprised the fans recently when she has announced that she was dateless on Valentines Day and using dating application Paktor (do not jump to app blindly this may well be a viral advertisement campaign using a viral photo celebrity).

The online buzz on this South Korean-looking Malaysian woman (thanks to the popularity of K-Pop culture all beauties in Asia now has South Korean looks anyway) has increased as netizens realized that she has an equally good looking sister and a youthful mother. She lives on just the other side of the Strait in Johor Bahru.

Here is Min Chen's Facebook page.

Kuala Lumpur explosion in Bukit Bintang area injured 14

An explosion in in front of a pub at Sun Complex in Jalan Bukit Bintang, Kuala Lumpur injured 13 people including Singaporean, Thai and Chinese tourists and killed 1 Malaysian. The explosion, resulted from a grenade, happened at 4:25 AM and killed Malaysian car jockey Tiong Kwang Yie, 36. Although military grade grenades were used, police says there is no link to terrorism. According to The Star Online, police believes gang fighting is behind the Kuala Lumpur bomb explosion.

City deputy CID chief Asst Comm Khairi Ahrasa said gangsters could have been behind the explosion, believed to be from grenades, but police are investigating the case from all angles. 

A car jockey was seriously injured in the blast and is under intensive care at Hospital Kuala Lumpur. At least 13 others, were injured in the blast and have been warded at Hospital Kuala Lumpur and the nearby Tung Shin Hospital.[1]

According to the witness accounts, two explosive objects were thrown at the scene from the second floor of a building. One of them landed under a car and exploded. The other, which landed under a Toyota Camry, did not explode.[2] The Rakyat Post reports that at the time of explosion, the victims were exiting the entertainment outlet in the complex.[3]

Jalan Bukit Bintang is a major road in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. It is a popular shopping strip providing access to the eponymous neighbourhood Bukit Bintang.

Malaysia has strict arms and guns control. When even shootings are rare, how someone can get military grade grenade in Malaysia is a question to be answered.

Police at the Kuala Lumpur explosion site

Two Singaporeans, two Chinese nationals and a Thai national are among the 13 people injured. Singaporean Wong Kim Teng suffered minor injuries on the lower parts of his legs.[4]

[1] - Police: Gangland fighting behind Bukit Bintang bomb blast
[2] - Several injured in Bukit Bintang bomb blast
[3] - Pre-dawn blast in Jalan Bukit Bintang leaves 10 injured
[4] - Singaporean in Bukit Bintang blast suffers minor leg injuries

Carlton Holiday Hotel & Suites Shah Alam

If you are looking for a basic and clean budget hotel in Shah Alam, I can suggest Carlton Holiday Hotel & Suites. I have stayed twice in this 3-star hotel in Shah Alam City Center. One was for 2 nights and one was for a single night. This was the nearest budget hotel near the facility I have came to work in Shah Alam.

The taxi trip from KLIA Main Terminal to Carlton Holiday Hotel & Suites takes about 45 minutes and costs 60+ RM one-way (I usually come to KL by either a full service carrier or budget airline Jetstar Asia Airways because they come to KLIA Main terminal unlike AirAsia and Tigerair which goes to LCCT).

Do not expect a typical taxi driver in KLIA to know where the hotel is. Write down its address and also keep hotel’s receptions number (+60 3 8073 8080) with you in case the driver needs directions. There is no sign pointing to Seksyen 13. You can keep in mind that the hotel is right next to Tesco Shah Alam Hypermarket.

The hotel is quite pleasant. On the plus side the rooms are very large (I have stayed in Deluxe King Bed), clean and equipped with a large queen size bed which is quite clean and comfortable. The staff is very nice and helpful.  In my second visit, reception has remembered almost everything about me including the facility I am going to and the electric plug I need.

Carlton Holiday Hotel & Suites Deluxe King Bed Room

The breakfast is just OK to fill your stomach. The dinner at the restaurant is also quite OK and in fact Malay dishes are quite tasty. There is a small Seven Eleven in the building which is good for some snacks and Tesco is near to shop for more. The hotel does not offer alcohol and 7-11 does not sell it so you need to head to Tesco for some alcohol.

The hotel is very near to many major industrial locations in Shah Alam. The factory I have visited was just 10 minutes away and cost 12 RM per trip. But there is almost nothing to do in the city. It seems like it is composed of houses and industrial estates and some hotels and shopping facilities here and there.

Carlton Holiday Hotel & Suites has a hotel and hostel section.

Shah Alam is about 20 km west of Kuala Lumpur. So to have some fun, you can take a taxi to KL but if you take it in the rush hour of the evening you will be stuck in traffic.  There is also a bus service named RapidKL between Kuala Lumpur and Shah Alam Center but stick to taxi for convenience.

Shah Alam has many other hotels ranging from luxury to budget. For a complete list of Shah Alam hotels with their price and quality comparison you can refer here : Shah Alam Hotels.

Red Bull Air Race 2014 Putrajaya Malaysia

Which is the fastest motor sport in the world? You would think it is Formula 1 but there is much faster and powerful one : Red Bull Air Race World Championship. Every season,  world's best race pilots meet in a pure motor-sport competition. It is low level flying and requires speed, precision and skill. With their light weight advanced airplanes, pilots navigate a low-level aerial track made up of air-filled pylons.

Now here are the good news and very good news. The Red Bull Air Race is back in 2014. This year, 12 high skilled pilots including with defending World Champion Paul Bonhomme will race for the top prize. And here is the very good news: One of the legs of Red Bull Air Race 2014 World Championship will be in Malaysia on 17-18 May 2014.

Malaysia will be the 3rd race in the championship, which has given a 3 years break before resuming in 2014. The season started in Abu Dhabi of United Arab Emirates on 28th February and the second race was in beautiful seaside city of Rovinj in Croatia.

Built in the early 1990s, Putrajaya is located 25 km south of Kuala Lumpur. The city is the world's first 'plan driven' city based on two concepts – the garden and the intelligent city. A mixture of rainforest and Government ministries, Putrajaya is a haven for sustainable human development from within this growing nation.


Reigning champion Paul Bonhomme of Britain, who won the last two world championships in 2009 and 2010, will be looking for an unprecedented third straight title in 2014. But he will be up against 2008 champion Hannes Arch of Austria and American Kirby Chambliss, who won the world title in 2004 and 2006. The other pilots in the field include Nigel Lamb (GBR), Matt Hall (AUS), Peter Besenyei (HUN), Nicolas Ivanoff (FRA), Michael Goulian (USA), Matthias Dolderer (GER), Yoshi Muroya (JPN), Pete McLeod (CAN) and Martin Sonka (CZE).

MH370 flew off Australia last seen in Southern Indian Ocean Najib Razak says

There are new missing MH370 news but this time they are unfortunately dark ones. Malaysia Prime Minister Najib Razak has just ended a press conference which was announced a few hours ago. He has told that missing Malaysia Airlines MH370 has last communicated with the sattelite in Southern Indian Ocean off Australian city of Perth. This is the position where suspected debris is located by satellites.

Here is Najib Razak's statement on MH370:

This evening I was briefed by representatives from the UK Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB). They informed me that Inmarsat, the UK company that provided the satellite data which indicated the northern and southern corridors, has been performing further calculations on the data. Using a type of analysis never before used in an investigation of this sort, they have been able to shed more light on MH370’s flight path. 

Based on their new analysis, Inmarsat and the AAIB have concluded that MH370 flew along the southern corridor, and that its last position was in the middle of the Indian Ocean, west of Perth. 

This is a remote location, far from any possible landing sites. It is therefore with deep sadness and regret that I must inform you that, according to this new data, flight MH370 ended in the southern Indian Ocean. 

We will be holding a press conference tomorrow with further details. In the meantime, we wanted to inform you of this new development at the earliest opportunity. We share this information out of a commitment to openness and respect for the families, two principles which have guided this investigation. 

Malaysia Airlines have already spoken to the families of the passengers and crew to inform them of this development. For them, the past few weeks have been heartbreaking; I know this news must be harder still. I urge the media to respect their privacy, and to allow them the space they need at this difficult time.

Najib Razak has left without taking any question. For more details, a news conference will be held tomorrow. Najib Razak's announcement means that now authorities believe that MH370 has crashed in Indian Ocean without any survivors.

Malaysia Airlines has also posted this statement below at 10:15 pm:

"Malaysia Airlines deeply regrets that we have to assume that MH370 ended in the southern Indian Ocean. As you will hear in the next hour from Malaysia’s Prime Minister, new analysis of satellite data suggests the plane went down in the Southern Indian Ocean.

On behalf of all of us at Malaysia Airlines and all Malaysians, our prayers go out to all the loved ones of the 226 passengers and of our 13 friends and colleagues at this enormously painful time.

We know there are no words that we or anyone else can say which can ease your pain. We will continue to provide assistance and support to you, as we have done since MH370 first disappeared in the early hours of 8 March, while flying from Kuala Lumpur to Beijing.

The ongoing multinational search operation will continue, as we seek answers to the questions which remain. Alongside the search for MH370, there is an intensive investigation, which we hope will also provide answers.

We would like to assure you that Malaysia Airlines will continue to give you our full support throughout the difficult weeks and months ahead.

Once again, we humbly offer our sincere thoughts, prayers and condolences to everyone affected by this tragedy."

Although Najib Razak says MAS has spoken to relatives, some online news articles say that prior to the press conference being held, Malaysia Airlines sent a SMS to relatives of those aboard the plane saying that it is to be "assumed beyond any reasonable doubt" that MH370 has been lost. Sending something like this with SMS is quite insensitive!

Here is the Chinese translation of Malaysia Airlines statement:

马来西亚航空公司MH370航空事件

媒体声明廿三

（2014年3月24日晚上10时15分发布）

注： 以下信息谨与MH370航班的乘客及机组人员的家属共享。

随着马来西亚首相即将在一项简报声明中指出，根据卫星数据的新分析，MH370航班已坠毁于南印度洋，为此，马来西亚航空公司深感悲痛与遗憾地告知各位，我们唯有假设此航班已终结于南印度洋。

在此极度悲伤的时刻，我们谨代表马来西亚航空公司全体同仁与所有马来西亚人，向226乘客以及本航13名友人兼同事的爱人与亲属致以深切的哀悼与祈祷。

                大家悲痛的心情，我们感同身受。我们也知道，此时此刻，不管何人或何语言，都难以抚平内心的伤痛。我们将继续给您提供援助与支持。正如MH370于3月8日失联后数小时般，从吉隆坡赶往北京，展开进一步的行动。

        仍在进行着的多国搜救行动依然在持续着，毕竟我们寻求答案的问题依然存在。在搜寻MH370之际，尚有许多方面有待调查，希望也能得到答案。

            我们向您保证马来西亚航空在您整个艰巨难熬时期与未来的数月中，继续给您全面的支援与帮助。

            我们谨此再次向所有遭受此悲剧的每一位表示深切的哀悼与慰唁。

It is expected that these relatives will be booked on charter flights and taken to Australia.

This news development also means that we may never know what has happened to MH370. Why a Boeing 777 flying from Kuala Lumpur to Beijing has diverted its path on South China Sea and flew all the way to South Indian Ocean has become the biggest mystery of aviation history. Even if the black boxes are found and retrieved from thousands of meters deep Indian Ocean, the flight voice recorder only records the last 2 hours of cockpit voice so we probably will not have the most cruicial part, diversion of the plane from its course on the recorder.

Najib Razak's announcement at missing MH370 news conference confırms that the missing Malaysia Airlines
Boeing 777 flew to southern Indian Ocean off Australia.

Did Malaysia Airlines MH370 disappear using SIA68 (another 777)?

Since it became almost obvious that missing Malaysia Airlines (MAS) MH370 was delibrately flown from South China Sea to Andaman and then flew almost 6 plus hours to either Central Asia or Southern Indian Ocean, people are trying to figure-out how a wide-body aircraft like Boeing 777 can fly without being detected. Since this is highly unlikely, many experts believe that the MAS Boeing 777 probably flew to South than North. Since none of the 25 countries looking at their radar records could locate an unidentified plane, it would have flown to the south. Or maybe very low?

An interesting theory which is going viral involves another Boeing 777 belonging to Singapore Airlines. Singapore Airlines Flight 68, SIA68 namely.

 Keith Ledgerwood, has plotted the route taken by the missing MAS plane and then looked for another plane which was there around that time and found out that SIA68 was passing through there and flying to Europe to its final destination of Barcelona, Spain. Indeed, the unusual Singapore Airlines service flies from Singapore to Barcelona and from there to Sao Paolo.

Basically, Keith Ledgerwood calculated that MAS plane was at 1815UTC when military radar lost contact. At the exact time, SQ68 was also there:

It is my belief that MH370 likely flew in the shadow of SIA68 through India and Afghanistan airspace.  As MH370 was flying “dark” without transponder / ADS-B output, SIA68 would have had no knowledge that MH370 was anywhere around and as it entered Indian airspace, it would have shown up as one single blip on the radar with only the transponder information of SIA68 lighting up ATC and military radar screens.

Wouldn’t the SIA68 flight have detected MH370? NO!  The Boeing 777 utilizes a TCAS (Traffic collision avoidance system) system for traffic avoidance; the system would ordinarily provide alerts and visualization to pilots if another airplane was too close.  However that system only operates by receiving the transponder information from other planes and displaying it for the pilot.  If MH370 was flying without the transponder, it would have been invisible to SIA68.
Source : Did Malaysian Airlines 370 disappear using SIA68 (another 777)?

Although another commercial plane would not see MH370 on TCAS system, MH370 could easily see all commercial airlines nearby! MH370 would see the direction, speed and altitude of other airliners (see below)!

TCAS (Traffic collision avoidance system) screen on Boeing 777 cockpit.
Courtesy of AirTeamImages.com

Keith Ledgerwood theorizes that if MH370 indeed followed SQ68, it would have been free to break off from the shadow of SIA68 somewhere in Cental Asia and then land in Xingjian province of China, Kyrgyzstan, or Turkmenistan.

Last known position of MH370 on Malaysia military radar and the position of SIA 68.
Courtesy of Keith Ledgerwood

Where to shop in Penang?

Antiques are popular must-buy items on most trips to the Penang island but with shopping podiums scattered all over and an abundance of street markets, Penang’s retail landscape is almost as comprehensive as Kuala Lumpur’s. Be sure to wander through the nooks and crannies along the narrow alleyways off Penang Road, Jalan Burmah and Lebuh Campbell – you’ll be surprised at the amazing finds you’ll encounter.

Here is a list of places to go for shopping in Penang. If you are planning to head to Penang, you may also want to check our where to stay in Penang post.

100 Cintra Street

A lovingly-restored late-1800s Chinese mansion that houses a tiny Peranakan museum with furniture and costumes depicting the Baba Nyonya heritage, 100 Cintra Street is a unique venture that doubles as a backpacker hostel. There’s an antiques bazaar on the ground floor – a collection of stalls retailing a variety of merchandise ranging from porcelain pieces and novelty drinking glasses to funky, assorted bric-a-brac.

Chowrasta Bazaar

In operation since the late 1800s, Chowrasta Bazaar is one of Penang’s most popular markets. It’s divided into a number of sections: the wet portion of the market (selling fresh meats including fish and vegetables) is the most popular amongst locals. Additionally, Penang food products such as traditional sweets and pickles can be bought at bargain prices here. On the second floor you’ll find second-hand books, wooden furniture and inexpensive sarees (traditional Indian costumes). You don’t have to shop to enjoy this strip: take a walk to soak in the lively ambiance.

Gurney Plaza

Gurney Plaza may not be the largest shopping mall in Georgetown, but it’s certainly the most flamboyant. There are a number of high end designer stores and shops selling the latest gadgets and gizmos but it’s the vast stretch of alfresco cafés and eateries in the courtyard between the mall and G Hotel that are so wildly popular. Entertainment offerings include the 12-screen Golden Screen Cinemas on the top floor – the north’s largest multiplex.

Him Heang Biscuit

Penang’s known for its local food products – and its most popular one happens to be the tau sar peah (ground green bean) biscuits. Located along Jalan Burmah, locals will tell you that Him Heang Biscuits makes the best ones and you should trust them; a large number of these famous Penang bakery-desserts are made to cater to the large droves of tourists who flock to the store. Besides tau sar peah (also known as tambun biscuits), there’s pnong pneah (pastry filled with caramel or molasses) and brown sugar tau sar peah (a Penang-only specialty).

Kompleks Tun Abdul Razak (KOMTAR) and Prangin Mall JMB

The view from the observation deck at the top of Kompleks Tun Abdul Razak (KOMTAR) makes a trip here worthwhile. Penang’s tallest building has two department stores, hundreds of boutiques and some fast food restaurants; KOMTAR Walk (on the ground floor) recently experienced a facelift and now houses a collection of upmarket F&B outlets, a performance stage. It links Upper Penang Road with Prangin Mall – the only place in Georgetown with an ice rink.

Little Penang Street Market

Taking place every last Sunday of the month, the Little Penang Street Market is a small community project that was started in 2006. Clean and well-organized, it’s become an indispensable part of every local’s itinerary and a popular tourist must-visit. Stalls sell crafts and food but it’s the live music performances, cultural shows, visual art displays and book readings that really draws in the crowd. Vendors are all smiles, the atmosphere is vibrant and the street buzzes with activity throughout the day.

Penang Batik Factory

The place to head to if you’re looking for batik prints, beach sarongs as well as Indian fabrics and costumes, the Penang Batik Factory displays a vast collection of batik paintings and creations. Entrance is free and the batik works definitely merit a visit to the factory; demonstrations on how batik is made can be seen to the rear of the showroom.

Queensbay Mall

Featuring the same assortment of brands as Gurney Plaza (though there are more of them and they boast a wider selection) Queensbay Mall is Penang’s latest and largest shopping podium. Located on Persiaran Bayan Baru, it’s conveniently located near the airport (from Georgetown it’s roughly a short drive down the island’s eastern side) and there’s also a good selection of eateries and electronics stores plus Golden Screen Cinemas has an outlet within the mall.

Malaysian model Michayla Wong leaked nude photo scandal

Malaysian model Michayla Wong has been the latest victim of leaked nude photo scandal. The photos, which appeared in sites like "Singapore Hall of Shames", were taken in a private photo shoot. According to "Singapore Hall of Shames" the people who took Michayla Wong's photos and likely leaked them are actually in Singapore. The same source claims that According to a girl who claims to be Michayla Wong, a former boyfriend took the photos and later leaked them after an ugly break-up. There are some leaked photos showing both Michayla Wong and her former boyfriend Lai Wee Kiat naked in front of a mirror taking their pictures.

Another likely source is a Singaporean freelance photographer. Whoever the leaker is, the photos are widely circulated and when you search for the Malaysian models name, you only see web sites publishing these photos.

The photos were in fact circulating for some time and they were claimed to be belonging to "Singaporean model Michayla Wong". In reality, the model is Malaysian, hailing from Klang Valley.

Langkawi Island

As a natural paradise,Langkawi is perhaps unmatched anywhere else in South East Asia. This archipelago of 104 islands in the Andaman Sea with the biggest named Langkawi Island,  is perfect for doing everything or nothing at all. You can enjoy nature-based activities, or simply laze by the beach. There are also several unique attractions such as natural parks, caves, infamous cable car, underwater world, many small islands and coral reefs for snorkelling and skuba diving. Langkawi is also a perfect place to charter a yacht and enjoy the wonders of Andaman Sea.

By far the largest of the islands is the eponymous Pulau Langkawi with a population of some 64,792, the only other inhabited island being nearby Pulau Tuba. Langkawi is also an administrative district with the town of Kuah as largest town. Langkawi is a duty-free island.

Langkawi is definitely one of the best tropical island in Malaysia for holiday. This blog post below is a comprehensive information to Langkawi Island:

Langkawi Island

Top 10 Best Hotels in Kuala Lumpur

Kuala Lumpur offers one of the cheapest 5-Star hotel stays on the planet. As a city of multi-cultural cuisine, lively night life and great shopping opportunities, a Kuala Lumpur visit deserves a nice, centrally located hotel which offers easy access to much of the city offers.

Here, we have listed best of Kuala Lumpur based on customer scores they got over various major hotel booking sites. To be on the safe side, we have only included the ones which has hundreds of reviews. It turns out that the best hotels in Kuala Lumpur both for business and leisure travellers are located in Kuala Lumpur city center.

#1 - Mandarin Oriental Hotel Kuala Lumpur
5-Star - Score : 9.3
Kuala Lumpur City Centre, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Located between between the Petronas Twin Towers and Kuala Lumpur City Centre Park, 5-Star Mandarin Oriental Hotel Kuala Lumpur is the top luxury Kuala Lumpur city center hotel. It is close to Little India, Merdeka Square and the Golden Triangle and perfectly located for the city’s main business addresses. The room prices at Mandarin Oriental Hotel Kuala Lumpur starts from $182 per night.

#2 - Traders Hotel Kuala Lumpur 
5-Star - Score : 9.1
Kuala Lumpur City Centre, Kuala Lumpur

Situated in Kuala Lumpur City Centre, the Traders Hotel Kuala Lumpur is five minutes from the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre and offers a rooftop pool, a sauna and a jacuzzi. Just a short drive from Petaling Jaya, it offers air-conditioned rooms with free Wi-Fi. The hotel offers direct access to the world-class Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre, Suria KLCC and the famous Petronas Twin Towers, all of which are surrounded by restaurants, bars, clubs, and cafes.  The room prices at Traders Hotel Kuala Lumpur  starts from $119 per night.

#3 - Shangri La Hotel Kuala Lumpur
5-Star - Score : 9.1
11 Jalan Sultan Ismail, Kuala Lumpur City Centre, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Located in Kuala Lumpur City Centre, 5-star Shangri La Hotel Kuala Lumpur is within a 10-minute walk of Menara Carigali, the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre and the Petronas Towers. Its premium facilities include a jacuzzi, an outdoor pool and a fitness centre.

#4 - Fraser Place Hotel Kuala Lumpur
5-Star - Score : 9.0
Lot 163 No 10 Jalan Perak, Kuala Lumpur City Centre, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Fraser Place Hotel Kuala Lumpur offers Malaysia's 1st Gold Standard Serviced Residences. Ideally located in the dynamic Kuala Lumpur City Centre, adjacent to the iconic PETRONAS Twin Towers, the stylish Fraser Place Kuala Lumpur represents the epitome of cosmopolitan living. We are also within walking distance to KLCC Suria Mall, Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre, Pavilion Mall and the bustling Bukit Bintang street. The room prices at Fraser Place Hotel Kuala Lumpur starts from $98 per night.

#5 - The Royale Chulan Kuala Lumpur
5-Star - Score : 8.9
5 Jalan Conlay, Kuala Lumpur City Centre, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

The Royale Chulan Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia fuses Malay architecture, traditional hospitality, and contemporary luxuries to provide a truly value-filled holiday. The luxurious 5-star hotel, in fact, won the prestigious 2013 Travelers' Choice Award for the Luxury category on TripAdvisor.com for several reasons.
The room prices at The Royale Chulan Kuala Lumpur starts from $85 per night.

Mandarin Oriental Hotel Kuala Lumpur

#6 - Villa Samadhi
5-Star - Score : 8.9
8 Jalan Madge, Kuala Lumpur City Centre, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

This luxury property is ideally located in the centre of Kuala Lumpur City Centre and offers a private beach and an outdoor pool. It features beach views and 5-star rooms. Room prices at Villa Samadhi starts from $148 per night.

#7 - Somerset Ampang Kuala Lumpur
4-Star - Score : 8.7
No 187 Jalan Ampang, Kuala Lumpur City Centre, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

The stylish Somerset Ampang Kuala Lumpur features serviced apartments in Kuala Lumpur, situated within the prestigious Embassy Row area. Ideal for executives and families on business and leisure travel, each spacious residence is fully furnished with designer fittings and modern amenities, including a fully equipped modern kitchen, an iPod dock and wireless internet access (WiFi). The amenities, services and facilities let you feel at home no matter how far away you are. After a day of work or shopping, get in a work out in the gym, or relax in the rooftop infinity pool and Jacuzzi. Room prices at Somerset Ampang Kuala Lumpur starts from $104 per night.

#8 - Impiana KLCC Hotel

4-Star - Score : 8.4

13 Jalan Pinang, Kuala Lumpur City Centre, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Centrally located amidst the cosmopolitan capital of Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, Impiana KLCC Hotel is a chic business hotel with a total of 519 rooms of which 188 comes with a 5-star club rooms services. The hotel is centrally connected via a multi-million ringgit fully air-conditional link-bridge linking Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre to the hip and happening Bukit Bintang area and surrounded by some of the world’s top business organizations.

#9 - Prince Hotel And Residence Kuala Lumpur

5-Star - Score : 8.4

No 4 Jalan Conlay, Kuala Lumpur City Centre, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

#10 - GTower Hotel

5-Star - Score : 8.4

No 199 Jalan Tun Razak, Kuala Lumpur City Centre, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Four Seasons Resort Langkawi Malaysia

Situated at the edge of a marine sanctuary, on an endless stretch of beach on the fabled Island of Legends, Four Seasons Resort Langkawi is the stepping stone to intriguing mangroves, ancient rainforests and dramatic limestone outcrops. All with their own flora and fauna. And all yours to discover.

Four Seasons Resort Langkawi offers 68 pavilions with private verandas or spacious terraces 23 villas, including 20 one-bedroom beachfront villas with private plunge pool, secluded outdoor shower and dedicated spa treatment room, 2 two-bedroom villas and a two-bedroom Royal Villa.

The resort features an exceptional spa with traditional Eastern therapies, spa boutique, spa bar and beauty salon, plus pavilion for yoga and meditation, 3 oceanfront restaurants with Asian and international cuisine and 3 bars, Library & Business Center with complimentary high speed Internet access from four dedicated desktop computers, sedicated indoor and outdoor function venues that can accommodate up to 120 guests
, a state-of-the-art gym, 2 freshwater pools including 55-metre Adult Quiet Pool, a tennis court and two 18-hole golf courses nearby and water sports including sailing, windsurfing and kayaking. There is also a complimentary year-round Kids For All Seasons facility

Inspired by distinctive architectural traditions, the Resort is a unique blend of delicate Malay woodwork and artefacts with the timeless refinement and grace of Mughal design. Intimate yet spacious, it offers every modern comfort in an ambience of remarkable serenity and effortless elegance.

Luxuriating in a tranquil setting, where the Andaman Sea spills onto silver sands, the Resort gazes towards emerald isles untouched by time. Whether kissed by the tropical sun, silhouetted by a haunting sunset or bathed with the gentle glow of Moorish lamps, Four Seasons Resort Langkawi is a world apart, yet less than 90 minutes from the international gateways of Kuala Lumpur and Singapore.

Four Seasons Resort Langkawi villa bedroom private terrace

Generously sized pavilions set amidst tropical gardens create an atmosphere of relaxation with timber floors, soaring ceilings and spacious verandas or terraces. Even more sumptuous, beachfront villas offer their own plunge pools, opulent bathrooms, outdoor garden showers and dedicated spa treatment rooms. The superbly designed bathrooms are an invitation to indulgence. Soak up the languid luxury of a Turkish-inspired hammam bath or bask in the sensuous delight of an outdoor rain shower in your secluded tropical garden.

The Resort’s magnificent pools are accentuated with fountains and water curtains, the eye further soothed by lush palms and flowering shrubs.

Feast upon succulent seafood against a backdrop of ocean and islands. Savour sunset cocktails by the beach. Whether discovering creative Asian gourmet cuisine in the romance of a Rajasthani tent, or savouring sun-drenched Mediterranean flavours on a terrace overlooking the sea, every meal is an epicurean affair. And every setting as spectacular as the cuisine.

Frenz Hotel Kuala Lumpur

Frenz Hotel Kuala Lumpur is the latest international hotel to open its doors along the bustling Jalan Tuanku Abdul Rahman and Jalan Masjid India Shopping Square in the heart of downtown Kuala Lumpur. Its prime location in the Golden Triangle is just minutes walking distance to the Central Business District and a short train or bus ride to the internationally acclaimed KLCC, Petronas Twin Towers and Bukit Bintang shopping and entertainment hub.

Dining and Entertainment
A variety of cuisines at different levels of affordability are conveniently available round the clock right at the
hotel doorsteps. Almost all the familiar international food and beverage brands are located around the vicinity of the hotel. Whats more is the hotel allows the guest to take advantage of the Home Delivery service provided by the major fast food restaurants. Just a short walk, the night birds and fun seekers, will discover
a sampling of Kuala Lumpur’s vibrant nightlife with its showcase of Clubs, Lounges, Bistros, Pubs, Discos and Karaoke lounges along The Asian Heritage Row at Jalan Doraisamy and at Cap Square. Asian Heritage Row is the place to be seen, with the added hip factor of colonial heritage.

Rooms
Frenz Hotel Kuala Lumpur offers 86 brand new Boutique style’ designed rooms and suites. Guest Room facilities include:

• Complimentary wireless high speed internet broadband 
• 5 Star plush mattresses and duvet cover
• Feather down sleeping pillows
• Your choice of pillow menu
• Overhead reading lights
• Total night blackout curtains and day curtains
• Individually controlled air-conditioning
• 32” LCD TV with local and Astro Satellite Cable TV Channels
• In room radio channels
• DVD player rental is available 
• En suite bathrooms with hot and cold power Rain showers
• Hand bidet in all bathrooms
• Clothes line
• Complimentary Coffee and Tea making facilities
• Complimentary daily bottled drinking water 
• Iron and ironing board in all guest rooms
• Full length mirror
• Shoe rack
• Hair dryer in all guest rooms
• Make up/ Shaving mirrors
• Door locks with electronic ‘ Touch & Enter ’ card with restricted lift access to guest floors
• In room electronic safe with record of opening
• Smoke detectors in all guest room
• International Direct Dialing 
• Mini fridge in all guest rooms
• Accessible friendly standard

For reviews, special offers, latest hotel deals you can check Frenz Hotel Kuala Lumpur Agoda page.

Frenz Hotel Kuala Lumpur

Getting to Frenz Hotel Kuala Lumpur:
From LCCT (Low Cost Carrier Terminal), Home of Air Asia By Skybus to KL Sentral The journey takes
approximately 1 hour. Tickets can be purchased on line , on board an Air Asia flight or upon arrival at the ticket counter or in the Bus.

By Licensed Taxi or Limousine 
From KLIA (Kuala Lumpur International Airport)
By KLIA Ekspres to KL 
Sentral Fastest way into the city at 28 minutes, non-stop operates from 5.00 am to midnight. 

The Century Pines Resort Cameron Highlands Malaysia Review

Away from the hustle and bustle of big cities like Kuala Lumpur and Singapore, Cameron Highlands offers a perfect mountain getaway for those looking for an escape from never ending tropic heat. Tanah Rata is the biggest town in Cameron Highlands and has the most number of facilities and amenities.

The Century Pines Resort is situated in Tanah Rata and houses 153 snug guestrooms with comfortable modern facilities, providing a suitable getaway for vacationers looking for a cooler climate retreat from the hustle and bustle of city life. In The Right Room episode below, , find comfort in the great outdoors of Cameron Highlands, Malaysia, where they relish in the fresh pine-scented mountain air. The enthusiastic pair then visit attractions which the whole family will enjoy, such as a tea plantation and a strawberry farm near the resort.

Some of the modern facilities in The Century Pines Resort includes a SPA and a restaurant serving local and international food.

Room Review
The rooms do not have aircon but instead they have a central air ventilation system which serves the natural pine cleaned fresh air of Cameron Highlands into the rooms. The rooms are designed like a mountain hotel room with wooden floors, water-colored wood carvings on the walls. The room has a TV, a nice and comfortable couch in front of the windows.

The single beds are super-single so they are wider than your typical single hotel beds. The bed is firmer than usual and comes with only one pillow but there are some spare pillows in the wardrobe.

The bathroom is large and clean. Interesting thing about it is that the bathroom is divided into compartments which will avoid family queues in the morning.


Cameron Highlands
Being in the mountains, Cameron Highlands has a quite cool weather for a location in tropics. The weather here can be seen as eternal spring where the temperature pattern is similar to a spring day in a typical 4-season climate.

In Cameron Highlands it is a must to visit one of the tea plantations. There are several of them around the hotel. The views here are picture perfect and great to take outdoor photos. Another must in Cameron Highlands is to visit strawberry farms where you can pick the freshest strawberries with prices you cannot get anywhere else.

The hotel and Cameron Highlands offer a nice family oriented getaway from cities which will also provide a great break from the tropical heat in Malaysia and Singapore.

Malaysia bans Ke$ha concert

Malaysia bans Ke$ha concert after deciding it would hurt cultural and religious sensitivities. American singer-songwriter and rapper Kesha Rose Sebert known by her stage name Kesha was scheduled to give a concert in Kuala Lumpur Stadium Negara today as a part of her Ke$ha's Warrior Tour. 

Concert organiser Livescape said it received a letter about the decision. Livescape Asia, in a statement Friday, claimed that the decision from Puspal, which issues performance permits came at the eleventh hour, despite the agency producing documents to assure authorities that its guidelines were adhered to.

Why Malaysia banned Kesha concert is not elaborated:

The Ministry of Communications and Multimedia said separately that it was rejecting the application for Ke$ha to perform for reasons of religion and culture. The ministry's statement did not elaborate. Ke$ha, whose hits include "Tik Tok" and "Die Young," has songs that make explicit references to sex and liquor. 

Last month, Malaysian officials also barred a performance by American metal band Lamb of God, accusing the Grammy-nominated group's work of being blasphemous. Ke$ha and her team had previously agreed to modify their planned show in Malaysia, including making changes to her song lyrics and wardrobe, to comply with the government's general guidelines for performers, Livescape said in its statement.
Source : Malaysia bans Ke$ha concert over culture clash

 Kesha, who is openly bisexual and is a strong advocate for LGBT rights,is most famous for hit songs like Tik Tok, Your Love is My Drug and We R Who We R, which usually centres around themes involving alcohol, partying and romance.

Sarawak Cruises by Star Cruises

Star Cruises will bring visitors to the home of adventure—Sarawak. SuperStar Aquarius will call into this “Land of Hornbills” when she commences her seasonal homeport deployment from Kota Kinabalu, the capital city of Sabah, Malaysia, for the first time from 6 November 2013 to 30 March 2014.

As the largest state of Malaysia, Sarawak is one of the most desirable destinations in the tropical country. With natural beauty, rich history, diverse culture, deep-rooted heritage and modern city living all-in-one, Sarawak is a potpourri of experiences appreciated by travelers from all over the world.

The new 4D3N cruises departing every Sunday from Kota Kinabalu to Brunei’s Bandar Seri Begawan and Sarawak’s Bintulu will take visitors to a variety of exotic local attractions. They can also immerse in another dimension of cruise fun and entertainment on SuperStar Aquarius’ daily 1-night high seas experience from Wednesday to Saturday.

Shopping spree and food hunting
Visitors can stroll along the busy streets of Bintulu Town or mingle with locals doing their daily chores at the unique native market, where assorted specialty and farm products ranging from fruits to vegetables to handicrafts are up for sale. Take a bite of the authentic brittle snack tebaloi—a cookie made with sago flour, and other local delicacies such as laksa, cendol and rojak there. One can also check out the wet market where fresh fish caught from sea are sold.

Experience local culture and tradition
Do not miss the tour to a traditional community—long house. Upon arrival, visitors will be showered with warm hospitality by the headman and locals in an Iban welcoming ceremony, followed by a long cultural dance and a warrior dance called Ngajat performed by villagers in traditional costumes. Visitors will have the chance to study the one of a kind architecture as well as the local lifestyle and how tribal craftworks are made.

Explore one of the wooden stilt houses when you visit the Malay village where houses are built on water along the Kemena River. You may pay a visit to the headman’s house to see how this community adapts to the modern economy by producing and selling exquisite craftworks.

SuperStar Aquarius

Discover true nature
The Similajau National Park is famous for its unspoiled sandy beaches and its rich and vibrant flora and fauna. Dare yourself to cross the suspension bridge spanning the Likau River and go on to the education trail to learn more about the mixed Dipterocarp forest and species that live in the ecosystem. Enjoy the relaxing wildlife sounds of insects and birds along the way.

Heritage attractions
Bintulu is also a place of historical and cultural significance. The Sarawak Legislative Council Monument, where the first Sarawak State Legislative Assembly was held, is a photo spot that should not be missed. The scenic beauty of the oldest Chinese temple in Sarawak—Tua Pek Kong Temple—is equally noteworthy.

SuperStar Aquarius, currently home ported in Keelung, Taiwan, will offer a 8D7N special cruise, departing from Kaohsiung on 30 October 2013 with stops at Hong Kong, Manila, Boracay and arriving in Kota Kinabalu on 6 November 2013.

Source : Discover Sarawak’s extraordinary natural wonders and cultural treasures with SuperStar Aquarius starting November 2013

FC Barcelona Asia Tour 2013

Three years after the team's last Asia tour, FC Barcelona will be back to Asia where they will play against the Thailand national team in Bangkok (Thailand) on August 7, and then on August 10, the Blaugrana will play against a selection the best players of the Malaysian league in Kuala Lumpur. These exhibition games will give FC Barcelona football fans in Bangkok and Kuala Lumpur an opportunity to see the Spanish La Liga Champions, in action.

Thailand - FC Barcelona match will be held in Bangkok’s Rajamangala National Stadium with 50,000 capacity and Malaysia XI - FC Barcelona match will be held in Kuala Lumpur’s Bukit Jalil National Stadium with 100,000 spectators. This will be the first time FC Barcelona visits Malaysia. The team was in Thailand before 11 years ago in 2002.

FC Barcelona Asia Tour 2013 is sponsored by Qatar Airways.

Sandro Rosell, President of FC Barcelona said, “We are pleased that the club is returning to Asia this summer with Qatar Airways  our travelling companion from 1 July. We very much look forward to seeing our Thai friends again and returning to their country for the first time in more than 10 years. This tour will also enable us to visit Malaysia for the first time, where we know we have a lot of dedicated supporters. We want to feel close to them, especially the children, and for them to enjoy the team and our players, and get to know our club better, a club unlike any other in the world, and also our country. We thank Qatar Airways for the chance to visit these fans that have dreamed for long to see our players live.”

FC Barcelona Asia Tour 2013 will be sponsored by Qatar Airways.