That Dam Black Stupa in Vientiane is my Picture of the Week. This unique statue is said to be built on the cave of a dormant 7-headed dragon which rose to the rescue of the Vientiane population in the 1828 war with Thailand. If you are visiting Vientiane, make sure you visit the stupa which was originally covered with gold and it is one of the most popular ones in town. There is no ticket price as it is a free attraction. A number of restaurants and wine bars are located around the place too and is walking distance from the main town area. The nick name 'Black Stupa' comes from the Lao word 'Dam' pronounced Thut Dham.
Free to visit and onhe can spend a good 10 minutes here before moving on to other attractions. For those with very little time in town, you can easily visit the That Dam Black Stupa in Vientiane.
Michael Buble Live In Kuala Lumpur March 2011 is one of the much anticipated concerts awaited by many of his fans and followers in the region. The concert called 'Crazy Love Tour' will be held at the Stadium Melawati in Shah Alam, Selangor on the 13th March at 8.30PM. The stadium is an indoor type which is fully air conditioned and about 30km from the city of Kuala Lumpur. This is the first time that the Canadian superstar will be performing in KL so if you have been a devoted fan, here is your chance to catch Michael Buble live in KL.
Tickets for Michael Buble Concert in Kuala Lumpur are ranging from RM250 to RM1098 and can be bought from the official Michael Buble Concert Website.
Michael Buble KL Concert Ticket Seating - Courtesy of JAG
Michael Buble Concert KL Ticket Prices;
RM250, RM335, RM435, RM690, RM850, RM898, RM998 and RM1098.
Call: 03-92057623for tickets or simply visit the website to book.
Michael Buble KL Concert Venue:
Stadium Malawati,
Persiaran Sukan, Seksyen 13,
40100 Shah Alam,
Selangor, Malaysia
How to get to Stadium Melawati, Shah Alam for the Michael Buble Concert;
The best possible way via public transport is a taxi from Kuala Lumpur.
Taxi will cost about RM25-RM40 one way.
A Commuter Train Station (Batu Tiga Station) is about 1km from the stadium.
You need to take a taxi to the stadium from the commuter station. (About RM5-8)
After 11pm, there are no trains back to KL so you need to grab a taxi.
Here are some Taxi Numbers you can call: Shah Alam Taxi, 03-5519 1740. Supercab, 03-7875 7333. Teletaxi, 03-9221 1011. Uptown Ace, 03-9283 2333. Wira Cab, 03-2144 3630
The bus service is a little tricky so avoid if possible.
There are no LRT trains to here.
There are no attractions around the area so after the concert, you best head back to KL.
Hotels are available around Shah Alam ranging from 3-5 Stars. Check Shah Alam Hotels.
Other Concerts and Live Shows in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia for 2011;
Personally, this is going to be one of the nicer concerts to attend for this year. For fans of the Grammy Award Winning Canadian crooner, this is your one chance to catch him live here and March 13th 2011 is the date set for Michael Buble Live In Kuala Lumpur.
Genghis Khan Exhibition at ArtScience Museum in Singapore is the first ever show at the newly opened art science museum from Marina Bay Sands. IT was also officially launched by the Prime Minister of Singapore and owner of Sands Corporation on the 17th of February 2011. As I was one of the pre-selected media to go on the first tour before the grand opening, we were treated to a full experience from the museum director and curator of the Genghis Khan Exhibition which is currently the largest collection of artifacts ever assembled.
Genghis Khan Statue
The first thing we saw once the glass elevator doors opened was a replica bronze statue of Genghis Khan sitting there with a serious face. We were told that this replica was an exact one which is five times the size located at the entrance of the parliament building in Mongolia. The curators then gave us a very detailed walk through on this 1500 square meter exhibition and how rare it was especially with many artifacts being brought in for the first time in Southeast Asia.
Video of Genghis Khan Exhibition in Singapore
Your journey here takes you back to 13th century Mongolia where all sorts of rare artifacts, costumes, armory, weaponry and even home lifestyle is on display here. As this is an interactive exhibition, you will be treated with videos, computer touch screens, actual contact with a life sized 'Ger' or Mongolian tent home and more. It also appeals to both adults and children so be prepared to be transformed into historical Mongolia here. A full visit to this exhibition would take you about an hour to hour half.
If I gave you every detail, you would not need to visit the artscience museum for this show so below are some pictures and videos I took during my grand opening preview of the Genghis Khan Exhibition in Singapore.
Part of the exhibition rooms
13th century passport
Mongolian Warriors in full armor and horseback
Genghis Khan 13th Century Warriors on HD Video
An antique saddle used by the Mongolian Warriors
Some of the ancient swords and weapons on display
Mongolian Gar Video in HD with Curator Don Lessem Talking
A modern 'Ger' or Mongolian Home
Mummified body of a Mongolian aristocrat on display, a very rare collection here
ArtScience Museum at Marina Bay Sands Singapore
Genghis Khan: The Exhibition will be on show from 17th February till 10th April 2011.
Organiser: It is organised by Don Lessem, president of Exhibits Rex, Inc., with curatorial consultation by leading Genghis Khan experts: Dr. William Fitzhug
h (the Smithsonian Institution); Dr. Morris Rossabi (Columbia University); and Dr William Honeychurch (Yale University) in cooperation with the Mongolian Ministry of Education, Culture and Science in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia.
Ticket Prices for ArtScience Museum Singapore;
Admission Charges (Prices in Singapore Dollars, inclusive of 7% GST and SISTIC booking fee)
Adult - $30.00
Senior (65 years +) - $27.00
Child (2 - 12 years) - $17.00
School Group* - $10.00
Group Sales* - $24.50
* Minimum purchase of 25 tickets
Opening Times for ArtScience Museum Singapore;
Operating Hours: 10am - 10pm daily(last admission at 9pm)
To be very honest, I found the overall experience here quite different compared to the usual museum or attractions offered at other places. This 'Lotus-Inspired' building located at the Marina Bay Sands was something unique to see and explore. If you love museums or want to do something absolutely different while in the island republic, I would recommend you and your family pay a visit here to experience the Genghis Khan Exhibition at ArtScience Museum in Singapore.
Light and Water Show 'Wonder Full' at Marina Bay Sands Singapore, the latest attraction that is offered by the integrated resort and free for the public to view. During this media preview on the 17th February 2011, invited media and VIPs were given a opening premier of this spectacular start-of-the-art show at 8.08pm. The show is created using lasers, searchlights, LEDs, video projectors and giant water screens to create stunning visual effects presenting a breathtaking 360-degree sensory experience portraying Light and Water creating Life, choreographed to an inspiring original score by a local Singaporean. The end portion of the show features world renown song 'What a wonderful world' by Sam Cooke and sung by local Singaporeans in this composition. At the end of this show, minimal fireworks bring the highlight to an end.
Totaling a time of 13 minutes, the best spot to view this would be at the Event Plaza at the Marina Bay Sands. There is no tickets or queues, simply make your way there to witness one of Southeast Asia's most amazing show for free. Below are some pictures of the Light and Water Show called Wonder Full from the opening night at the Marina Bay Sands Singapore.
Wonder Full Light and Water Show Video in HD
This video was shot with a Panasonic HDC-HS700 Camcorder in full HD
Light and Water Show called Wonder Full
Wonder Full Light and Water Show at MBS
Stunning images projected against water at Wonder Full
Vibrant colours and images at the Light Water Show
All the still images were taken using a Panasonic HDC-HS700 Full HD Camcorder
Video of Wonder Full, Light and Water Show at Marina Bay Sands
As I was there during the premier, I noticed many tourist and locals alike attempting to take pictures and using flash. After each flash, the kept looking at their picture result and wondered why the images were not coming out nicely. So, below are some basic photography tips for those heading here.
Things to consider for those wanting to take pictures at the show;
Please note that using a flash is not going to produce any results.
Night Mode will be your best choice.
A tripod is also required for optimum results.
Those using Video will have the best results for this show.
Wonder Full, Light and Water Show Times;
Shown on Friday, Saturday and Sunday evenings, weather permitting.
From 18 February through 9 March 2011:
Fridays and Saturdays: 8pm, 9:30pm and 11pm
Sundays: 8pm and 9:30pm
Price: Free
Total Show Time: 13 minutes
Best Spot to view the Light and Water Show;
The foyer at the Shoppes and Marina Bay Sands
Event Plaza at Shoppes at Marina Bay Sansds
Merlion or Fullerton Esplanade from across the MBS
I have to say that the MBS Integrated Resort have been doing very well in terms of entertainment and is currently one of the premier places to visit in Singapore. Adding on to their collection of attractions and things to do in Singapore, the Wonder Full Show has been accepted very well by locals and travelers to this island republic. For those who are visiting Singapore and want to witness this spectacular show, head over to the Shopping Arcade foyer and catch the Light and Water Show 'Wonder Full' at Marina Bay Sands.
ArtScience Museum at Marina Bay Sands Singapore is scheduled to be officially opened on the 17th February 2011 at 1.18pm (Singapore Time). This is also the world’s first ArtScience Museum that celebrates inspiring innovations, art and exhibits that are the product of the union of art and science. Boasting an iconic lotus-inspired design, it is set to become the premier venue for major international touring exhibitions from the most renowned collections from around the world.
The lotus-inspired ArtScience Museum has 10 "fingers" anchored by a round base in the middle and each finger holds gallery spaces with skylights at the "fingertips." Designed by world renowned architect Moshe Safdie, it has been called “The Welcoming Hand of Singapore” by Mr. Sheldon Adelson, the visionary chairman of Las Vegas Sands Corp. The curved roof of the museum harvests rainwater, sending it to a reflecting pool. There are a total of 21 gallery spaces that will embrace achievements in both art and science in a total of 4,800 square meters of space here. Traveling exhibitions will change every three to six months.
ArtScience Museum Architecture Video in HD
ArtScience Museum, exploring the inside
Video of the ArtScience rain well collecting water for recycling
There will be two exhibitions ongoing during the month of February and March 2011 which are;
Traveling the Silk Road: Ancient Pathway to the Modern World
Date:19 February - 27 March 2011
Embark on an amazing journey on the greatest trading route known to man in this exhibition that recreates the ancient cities of Asia and the Middle East. Collectively known as the "Silk Road", the Silk Routes were crucial paths for cultural, commercial and technological exchange between traders, merchants, soldiers and nomads from Ancient China, India, Tibet, Persia and Mediterranean countries a millennium ago. This highly interactive exhibition, making its Asian debut, will immerse visitors in the sights, sounds and smells of the bustling marketplaces in Asia and the Middle East.
Date: 19 February - 10 April 2011 Go on a journey back to 13th century Mongolia with stunning re-creations of Mongolia’s grasslands and battlegrounds, complete with archaeological artifacts and weaponry of the Mongol Empire. With the largest collection of Genghis Khan artifacts ever assembled from the conqueror’s reign, it tells the story of the man whose innovation, technological mastery and cultural creativity gave him the reputation of one of the world’s greatest yet most misunderstood leaders. The exhibition will also shed light on the influence the Mongol empire had on culture, international law and finance even to this day.
For those who are looking for something different to do while in the island republic, head over to the MBS Integrated Resort and explore the many attractions offered here while adults and children should check out the newly opened ArtScience Museum at Marina Bay Sands Singapore.
Ipoh White Coffee at Wah Nam Cafe - If you love the famous coffee in Ipoh, then you have to make a trip to this place. Located just across from the famous Foh San Dim Sim restaurant, Wah Nam Coffee Shop has made a very powerful impression towards the locals living in Ipoh, Perak. Having been around for the last 60+ years and older than many of the other famous coffee shops, the coffee shop is now under a new ownership since late 2010. Majority of the original hawker stalls are still residing there serving some of the best local Ipoh hawker food.
I have always been a fan of coffee from all over Malaysia and Ipoh seems to be one of the few places serving one of the best coffee in Malaysia. My regular trips here would have me exploring the many coffee joints and this time around in Feb 2011, I found myself visiting Wah Nam Cafe only to leave with a great after taste of the coffee and lots of praises for this place.
Crowd at the coffee shop in Ipoh
I am told by the new owner that the place was recently renovated and occupies two shoplots. Opening at around 5am right till 5pm, the place seems to be packed with mostly locals. Come weekends, and it gets really crowded and finding a table can be a bit of a task but not to worry as the turnover is pretty fast here. People don't hog the tables here unlike in the city of PJ and KL therefore the wait is easy. During the peak hour of lunch, you will see people standing around tables waiting for them to leave and this is the norm here.
Ipoh White Coffee and 'Cham' Ice
On a serious note, I had ordered the famous Ipoh White Coffee and Cham Peng which is a mixture of Coffee and Tea with milk and ice. To my delight, they both tasted extra ordinary and one of the best around. Many places boast of having the 'original Ipoh white coffee' but a few manage to pass this test. In my honest opinion, Wah Nam Cafe was one of the places serving this authentic white coffee. If you are a coffee lover, you would know the difference and next time you visit Ipoh, make your way here to be your own judge.
Apart for the caffeine fix I was after, I also tried a variety of local hawker fare here at the coffee shop. I was told by the owner that there were two sets of hawkers doing shifts and my food tasting session was the second shift. I tried as many as I could due to time constrain and overall, I would give the place a thumbs up in all areas. Coffee and Hawker Food were equally nice here. Below, you will find a series of pictures I took of the food I ordered here. I won't go into detail but judging from the pictures, you will not be disappointed.
Hawker Food Pictures in Wah Nam Cafe, Ipoh
Toast Bread with Half Boiled Eggs, Ipoh Style
Ipoh Chee Cheong Fun with Red Sauce
Popiah (Spring Rolls) Ipoh Style
Yong Tau Foo, fried at the coffee shop
Fried Koay Teow at Wah Nam in Ipoh
Ipoh White Coffee Master
Ipoh White Coffee has it's own little secret on how it is done to reach that distinguished flavor. From the way the beans are roasted right till who is preparing it. I'll be straight forward here - Not just anyone can do it correctly. Meaning, if you buy the coffee off the shelf and try to do it yourself at home, you are absolutely not going to get that same taste as what you had in the coffee shop. It all lies in the person making the coffee. Here, the sifu or master drink-maker has had over 25 years of making coffee hence the perfection in each cup or glass that is rolled out the kitchen.
I personally obtained some loose coffee from the owner and went home to attempt to reproduce it but only to find that there were a lot of things missing in my iced coffee. Taste was there but way off. Somehow my experience was not on par with these masters from Ipoh. Some things should just be left as they are and not duplicated. If you think the coffee you drink at Old Town White Coffee is similar to this, you are way off. Nothing beats the original so I live with it and when I want a serious fix, I just head to Ipoh for the real thing.
Master preparing the Ipoh White Coffee
Ipoh White Coffee Sifu (Master)
Wah Nam Cafe in Ipoh
How to go to Wan Nam Cafe in Ipoh?
Nam Wah Cafe is located a the corner of Jalan Raja Ekram and Jalan Leong Sin Nam.
The best landmark here is Foh San Dim Sum Restaurant which is located directly diagonally from this cafe.
You cannot miss the old style corner shophouse from the main road.
Sorry no GPS as I do not use it but if anyone has the GPS Coordinates, please do share it with me here.
If you love traveling and exploring the many food places around Malaysia, I would recommend the next time you visit Ipoh, check out this place. For the many times that I visit Ipoh in a year, I always make it a point to explore the incredible choices of local hawker food here and this time around, I have to say that my visit during the Chinese New Year of 2011 proved to be a gem of a find with the Ipoh White Coffee at Wah Nam Cafe.
If you’re looking for budget-friendly places to stay on your next visit to Kuala Lumpur, you have several options - especially in the China Town (Petaling Street) area of the city. Not only can you find great deals on lodging in China Town, but also you may find great bargains on souvenirs and delicious snacks from street vendors on Petaling Street. Here are our top three lodging choices for you.
Located at 85 Petaling Street, Alamanda Hotel is close to the National Museum, National Palace, Batu Caves, KL Tower and more. The hotel offers benefits for the leisure and business traveler, such as: a private bathroom and shower, a flat screen TV, access to Internet services and air conditioning to name a few. Lodging rates begin at $19 per night.
Alamanda Hotel Room in Petaling Street
Hotel China Town Inn
This popular hotel, located at 52-54, Jalan Petaling, in the heart of Kuala Lumpur’s China Town, offers comfortable and cozy rooms with attached bathrooms and hot showers. In addition, Hotel China Town Inn provides its guests with fresh linens and toilet amenities. The location of this hotel is great, putting you right in the middle of a myriad of restaurants and shops. And, the nightly rate is easy on the wallet, starting at only $20.
Replica Inn China Town
Situated in the middle of China Town, only 30 miles from the airport, Replica Inn boasts of a plasma screen TV in every room, wireless Internet connection, air conditioning, and private baths. This hotel is perfect for those traveling on a shoestring budget because nightly rates start at only $23.
Putrajaya International Hot Air Balloon Fiesta 2011 is back again and this time promising more action that the previous years. This is the 3rd Balloon Festival and more than 20 balloonist from 13 countries are taking part here. First timers from India, Hong Kong and Vietnam will be making their debut in the event themed '1World, 1Malaysia and 1Fiesta'. The dates have been set from March 17 to March 20 and held at the Monumen Alaf Baru or the Millennium Monument which is along the Putrajaya Boulevard over in Precinct 2. This is the main street where all the government offices are located at.
A total of 26 Hot Air Balloons will be on show including the famous Darth Vader Hot Air Balloon, the New Doraemon Hot Air Balloon and the unique Upside Down Balloon. Last year's event managed to attract over 250,000 spectators over the weekend while hoards of photo enthusiast from all over were seen with their heavy camera gear. I would easily say that every other person I saw there was holding a DSLR Camera. Photography Clubs and groups were seen while families from all over were happily enjoying the event. See my 2010 Hot Air Balloon Festival Pictures.
Doraemon Hot Air Balloon at Putrajaya on Saturday Night
Hot Air Balloon Festival 2011 Information;
Balloon Sightings. The timings for the hot air balloons taking off have been set to twice a day which are; 7am - 9am and 5.30pm - 7pm. The balloons will fly no higher than 304 meters while they will keep within a 5km radius of the event site. Come early to capture the best moments.
Hot Air Balloon Rides for the public are available at RM10 (adults) and RM5 (children). The rides are located at the main event grounds from 8am-11am and 6pm - 9pm. Note that these rides are where you get in the balloon and lift up to a height of a hundred feet in the air and then back down. Each ride lasts about 5 minutes. To avoid the long queues, you are advised to go early and line up to buy the tickets for the rides. I am hoping that the organisers will have more ticket counters open unlike last year.
Helicopter Rides - For those wanting something different, you have an option of experiencing a helicopter ride around the area. A 15 minute ride will set you back about RM150 per person so if you have never been on one, this is your chance.
Photography/Video - If you are planning on doing some photography or video, I would advise that you bring a camera with a good zoom. DSLR Cameras will telephoto or zoom lenses are recommended. A minimum 105mm lens would be great to capture some of the amazing moments. I use a 55mm-300mm Nikon lens so it is quite sufficient.
Balloons to look out for - Doraemon Hot Air Balloon, Cat Balloon from Vietnam, Darth Vader Balloon, Lion Head Balloon, Elephant and Rose Balloon, Upside down Balloon.
Darth Vader Hot Air Balloon at Putrajaya
The Theme 1World, 1Malaysia and 1Fiesta is broken down to;
1 World - Balloonists from around the world will be participating in the fiesta. We aim to attract international tourists to Malaysia through the event.
1 Malaysia - Fans or spectators from around Malaysia, are all invited to participate and join in the fun at the event.
1 Fiesta - Hot air balloons being the highlight of the event, there will also be many activities and entertainment that is conducive for all.
Firing up one of the hot air balloons at the event
Contact details for the Putrajaya Hot Air Balloon Fiesta 2011;
3rd Putrajaya International Hot Air Balloon Fiesta 2011
No. 50, Jalan 3/108, Taman Salak Jaya, Salak Selatan,
57100 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Telephone: +6 03 7981 8769 / 7981 8712
Fax: +6 03 7981 8697
Email: info@myballoonfiesta.com
For those who want to try something different, head over to this event. Hopefully we will bump into each other as I will also be at this event. To follow me, simply join the MalaysiaAsia Facebook Page or follow MalaysiaAsia on Twitter. The event is well spread over three days and there is quite a lot to do here. There will be an area selling all kinds of hawker food while a bazaar area is also around the same place selling many other items. If you have never experienced seeing or being in a balloon, you should make a note for March 17-20 and head to the Putrajaya International Hot Air Balloon Fiesta 2011.
Street Coffee in Hanoi is my picture of the week. This photo was taken at the junction of the famous cathedral in Hanoi's Old Quarter in April 2010. A popular locals hangout by the street, they are seen sitting all around the sidewalk drinking Vietnamese Coffee or the special lemon juice. while munching on local peanuts throwing the skins on the floor. Foot high stools are used as makeshift tables while groups of youngsters are seen sitting around chatting and watching life pass by at Cafe Nhoi Tho which is along the busy intersection here. This is a common pass time for locals in Hanoi and you can find many similar places around town especially at the Old Quarter of Hanoi.
If you want to blend in and try out this local way of life, simply find a spot, grab a few stools and wait for the workers to come take your order. You can enjoy cup after cup of coffee or lemon juice till late in the night. Personally, I found that this simple lifestyle was very interesting as you get some of the best Street Coffee in Hanoi here.
Sepilok Nature Resort in Sabah is one of the premium hotels to stay at while visiting this Eco-friendly place. Located just nearby the Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Center, this Eco-resort also doubles as a orchid lovers paradise and usually is base for most travelers who are moving around this part of Sabah. Rooms are well spread throughout the resort grounds while a portion of the resort sits over a pond.On my arrival here, I was fascinated to fine a very unique collection of rare Borneo Orchids growing throughout the resort. Along the walkways to the chalets, there were many species I had not seen before so it was a great stay for me.
As the Sepilok Nature Resort was a quick drive the the Orang Utan Sanctuary, my guide picked us up in the morning and I recall it being only a five minute drive there. So if you are seeking somewhere central to be based at while exploring the many Eco places around Sandakan, this would be a good recommendation. During my two days of stay here, I visited the Rainforest Discovery Center (RDC) and the Sepilok Orangutan Sanctuary as they were a stones throw from each other. If you are looking for more activities to do around the area, I made a list titled 10 Things to do in Sandakan.
Pictures of Sepilok Nature Resort in Sabah
Entrance to the resort
Picture above is the main building of the Sepilok Nature Resort. Excellent use of natural resources to build the structure and this was one of the things that impressed me. The resort used natural wood overall where ever they could and all the chalets were 85% built from wood.
Main entrance to the resort
Resort at night. Restaurant area over the pond.
Main restaurant area of the resort
Wooden bridge that divides the resort and the chalets
Outdoor lounge area by the pond
Eco-Tour rates offered by the resort
Sightings of wildlife updated daily at Sepilok
Gecko spotted outside the chalet
A rare orchid found at the resort
Chalet room, very spacious
Bathroom inside the main chalet
View of the bathroom in the chalet
Continental breakfast served
Staghorn Fern at Sepilok, Sabah
Overall I would highly recommend staying here as the service was great, food was delicious and the resort was perfect. I would also like to thank Sabah Tourism for organising this trip and also to one of the most senior and experienced nature guides - Old Man Ben. His vast knowledge about Sepilok and its surroundings were very impressive throughout our trip here.
For more information about the resort, you can visit the official site which also caters to a one stop package for Diving in Lankayan Island, Eco-Tourism in Sandakan, Kinabatangan Packages and anything nature related.
For those who appreciate real rainforest nature and Eco-Tourism, Sandakan in Sabah is one of the premier places offering you the best of Borneo. Sandakan is also a laid back town so do not expect modern shopping malls or what you usually see in the big cities. There are even no 7-11 Stores here. A perfect nature loving place which practices responsible tourism. The resort is not budget styled and is the best in its class here so you would enjoy your stay here at the Sepilok Nature Resort in Sabah.
