Monday, 4 January 2016
Beauties do their part to help keep Malacca clean

BY R.S.N. MURALI


Porta de Santiago or A Famosa fort is the landmark to visit when in Malacca.
 
MALACCA: If you are at the tourist spots here next week, expect to see a beauty pageant contestant handing you a pamphlet on keeping the Unesco Heritage City clean at all times.

Beauties from 52 countries are now in the state to vie for the Miss Tourism Queen of the Year International 2016 title.

The finals will be held at The Shore shopping complex here on Jan 16.

Pageant sponsor Kerjaya Prospek (M) Sdn Bhd will work with the Malacca Historic City Council (MBMB) to organise a roadshow at all tourists hotspots to distribute pamphlets on the “Don’t Mess With Melaka” campaign to traders and tourists.

“The girls will be at the hotspots to heat up the campaign,” the company’s CEO Datuk Tee Eng Ho said in an interview yesterday.

Tee said details of the campaign will be announced by Chief Minister Datuk Seri Idris Haron on Jan 6.

He said Tourism World Organisation president David Singh has agreed to the contestants’ participation in the campaign as a precursor to the finals here.

“We will probably have models wearing the placards ‘Don’t Mess With Melaka’ to highlight the state’s seriousness to keep our city clean,” he added.

In a front page exclusive in The Star on Nov 29 last year, it was reported that the MBMB wants to introduce a new by-law to make litterbugs walk around with placards reading “Don’t Mess With Melaka”, and increase fines for offenders.

First-time offenders must sign an “oath of pledge” not to mess up the city at the MBMB magistrate’s court in Jalan Tun Sri Lanang here.

Tee said the contestants will also help the Malacca Tourism Department to introduce Malacca’s attractions to the world.

The pageant finals was supposed to be held in Bangkok, but due to eleventh hour glitches, the organisers decided to switch the venue to Kuala Lumpur. However, Tee managed to convince them to have it in his hometown.

The prestigious event, now in its 10th year, will see contestants from 52 countries vying for the crown.

Melaka is best known for being a UNESCO world heritage site a favorite travel destination for tourists who are interested in heritage. There is almost everything for tourists in Melaka and that includes some of the best authentic Spa in Melaka.

Best Spa in Melaka

We will look at some of the best Melak Spa in this article which are highly recommended as they provide best spa services in the town.

Scents and Senses – A Touch of Thai

The Scents and Senses, A Touch of Thai is one of the best spa Melaka as we experienced. I may forcefully recommend you to visit and grab the service of this spa if you really want relaxation after struggling through the ancient view of Melaka city. There is no such hassle to locate this particular spa in Melaka, as it can be found at Jalan KSB 1, Taman Kota Syah Bandar. Its special features are to gives you a physical and mental relaxation and the workers here starts relaxing your body from massaging your feet then move upwards in order to yield a lighter feeling by the whole body massage and Jacuzzi bath.

Address: 106, 106A, 106B, Jalan Merdeka, Taman Melaka Raya, 75000, Melaka, Malaysia
Phone: +60 6-286 1186

Envy Wellness

By the name of this spa we can easily recognize the special services provided for its customers which really are capable to develop a feeling of healthy soul in our body that in turn flashes an envy feeling for others through which those also do not waste their time in having the services of this spa due to the arise of being envious. The environment of this spa mostly attracts others which are neat and clean all the time when you visit. Our trip to Melaka was about a week and we got a chance to visit the spa twice due to its cozy environment.

Address: Jalan Limbongan, Melaka, Malaysia
Phone: +60 6-283 5572

Philea Resort Spa

The Philea Resort Spa is the most famous spa in Melaka which is specifically constructed by having a green boundary all over. It will hardly take around twenty minutes to reach here from the main Melaka town and is situated in Ayer Keroh, Melaka. Plenty of tourists come here and stay in the resort mainly to have a body relaxation through special massage service being provided in a fully green environment. Those who are eager for body fitness also take pleasure in exercising room allocated for them.

Address: Lot 2940, Jalan Ayer Keroh, Off Jalan Plaza Tol, 75450 Malacca, Malaysia
Phone: +60 6-289 3399

Spa Village Melaka

The Spa Village Melaka is famous not only in Melaka but Malaysia as well, as the services being enlisted for the customers are successively based on the Baba Nyonya therapy theories which are known as the healing methodologies gained from the Malaysian and Chinese culture. It is built in two floors where visitors here are influenced by breathing in a body healing environment being utilized by past methodologies. For instance, the inside portion of the spa is designed with a special healing decorum i.e. village theme is endorsed in the building structure.

The services being offered in Spa Village Melaka are numerous that majorly includes relaxing body muscles, comforting of skin with an advancement of getting rid of life pressures that has burdened our soul which certainly impacts the outer body. An entry towards this spa brings you close to the deep cultural values of the aborigines of Melaka. The Spa Village Melaka is located in the famous Majestic Malacca hotel.

Address: 188 Jalan Bunga Raya, The Majestic Malacca, 75100 Melaka, Malaysia
Phone: +60 6 289 8000

Massa Sutra the Art of Massage

By having the whole body massage in Massa Sutra the Art of Massage, we come to realize its original outcome of services being given to its customers after enjoying a variety of food and hunting busy malls. For instance, we found a great pleasure here mainly because of its location that is situated in between the rush of the famous Jonker Street Melaka.

Address: Jalan Kubu, 75300 Melaka, Malaysia
Phone: +60 16-662 5083

These are some of the original and authentic spa Melaka which is highly recommended. If you want to recommend a spa in Melaka or share your experience, please do so by adding comments below. For more tourist activities, you can read top things to do in Melaka.

Start in Tioman 2015 (S.i.T)

S.i.T is a scuba diving programme with a difference. It offers skilled and semi-skilled divers not only an opportunity to enjoy Tioman’s glorious underwater world but also help conserve the island’s majestic reefs, adopt a coral, and clean the beach.

For a minimal fee of RM50, participants can take part in the “Adopt-a-Coral” programme which allows them to tag their company or even their own name on the corals. On their next visit to Tioman Island, they can check on the growth progress of their corals.

 

Organiser : Pahang Tourism Culture Office

Date : 20 – 23 August 2015

Venue : Kampung Genting, Tioman Island

Contact : +609-517 1111

Website : www.motac.gov.my

The Nature of Wooing

By: Elmira A.

So, you’ve been dating that important person in your life for a while now, and have been going out for dates with them all over town. Romantic dinners, movies, karaoke nights, bowling – you name it, chances are you’ve done it. And now you want to do something a little bit more different with them. Take them out of the city, and spend a little time bonding while surrounded with the natural beauty Malaysia is known for, perhaps? Something that still allows you to spend time with them and get to know them more intimately, but at the same time an activity a little more uncommon for city folks like us.

So here’s a few suggestions: date ideas you can try with your beloved that would take you to green locations within the city limits. Just make sure they’re into these things, or at least are willing to try them out, or you both might end up feeling disappointed – or dateless:

  • A passionate ride @ ATV Adventure Park Kuala Lumpur

Kampung Kemensah, Hulu Kelang, Kuala Lumpur

www.atvadventurepark.com/index.htm

romance-atv  romance-atv-man

It’s a little bit unorthodox to consider something so rough and dirty as a date, but hey, it’s the 21st century and pretty much anything is possible. All-terrain vehicles (ATVs) – also known as quad bikes – is definitely not for the faint-hearted, so make sure that your partner is into outdoor activities before surprising them with a date here.

ATV Adventure Park in Hulu Kelang has a few different packages to choose from, ranging between RM100 for a 1-1 1/2 hours off-road ride to 7-tiers waterfall, to a more challenging and longer off-road ride that takes between 3 to 4 hours for RM300. You can even take a dip at the waterfall, if you fancy; just remember to pack some towels and clean clothes to change into.

Although ATV rides are much more fun when a big group of people are involved, it still provides for a great new scenery for couples who are into doing outdoor stuff together. Other than giving a great bonding experience, you’ll also be able to discover new things about each other that you normally wouldn’t under normal dates. So why don’t you and your plus one give it a try, and let us know how it turns out for you two.

  • A lover’s walk @ Forest Research Institute Malaysia (FRIM)

Kepong, Selangor

www.frim.gov.my

romance-frim-canopywalkway  romance-frim-walk

FRIM is the perfect place to go to if you want to escape into a green lush surrounding without going too far out of Kuala Lumpur. There are many different activities to do at the institute, ranging from educational to ones with more leisurely purposes. For a budding romance, why not go take a walk on one of FRIM’s many nature trails? It’s a way of keeping fit, while at the same time enjoying the lush sights of nature. You can go as early as 5.30am, where quietness is almost a guarantee as there usually not too many people around. The trail lengths range between 400 meter and almost 1000 meter, all with their own unique qualities.

And if you’re not too tired, you can check out the Canopy Walkway located at the Bukit Lagong Forest Reserve, which is adjacent to the institute. The walkway spans for 150 meter and is suspended at approximately 30 meter above the ground. It’s open from 9.30am to 2.30pm, but to avoid disappointment, it’s best to book your spot in advance, as they only allow 250 people to go on the walkway per day.

  • A romantic picnic @ Perdana Botanical Garden

Kuala Lumpur

www.klbotanicalgarden.gov.my

romance-park  romance-park2

 

Not into roughing it out and would rather do something a little bit more relaxed? This may seem a little cliché, but a well thought-of picnic in one of KL’s most popular gardens can be a date worth remembering for a long, long time. We suggest packing something simple and easy to eat (such as finger foods, cut fruits, and homemade granola and yogurt cups – leave the nasi lemak at home!), as well bottled drinks and some snacks. Make sure you bring a mat that is in a nice bright colour to add a little bit of life in your presentation. Don’t forget the disposable utensils too; bringing back dirty dishes can put a damper in the whole picnic. Make it into a project where both of you put some effort in so that your romantic picnic can be as lovely as a meal in any restaurant.

Once you’re filled up, you can opt to partake in any of the garden’s activities, such as boat rides at the lake or a bike ride around the garden. Or just take a slow-paced walk around the gardens many attractions – the Deer Park, Orchid Garden, Hibiscus Park, and Heliconia Garden, for instance. A guided walk is also available for those who would like to learn more about the flora in Perdana Botanical Garden; however, they needed to be booked in advance and additional fees do apply.

Penang Time Capsule Hotel

Located along the busy main thoroughfare of Chulia Street within George Town, the newly-opened Time Capsule hotel offers travellers not only comfortable capsule room nights but an experience that is rivalled by no other dormitory-style guest houses in the state.

Each capsule is shaped much like a squat number 8 with a unit each on top and bottom, where the top is accessible by a small ladder. There are a total 100 capsules at the hotel, about 33 units in each floor of the five-storey building. “The capsule has all the basic amenities, like a small safe, wifi and a charging point so customers have almost all they need within reach,” said the hotel chief executive officer Steve Low.

The ground floor of the building is the hotel reception where guests will be handed a bag of toiletries that include a striped pajamas set, a pair of cotton bedroom slippers and a key card for access to their shoe and luggage lockers, their floor and their own capsule. Each guest is required to leave their shoes in the shoe locker on the ground floor and change into the bedroom slippers before making their way up to the capsules on the floor they picked.

“We have two floors that are unisex and one floor meant only for women,” Low said. On each floor, the capsules are arranged in rows or eight or four facing each other or the windows.

The hotel is still a work in progress even though it opened in mid-April as they are still working on the final floor which is the facilities floor so guests can read, make their own drinks or do their laundry. For now, there are small reading nooks with comfortable beanbags facing the floor-to-ceiling windows either facing Chulia Street or the back alley on each floor.

While the rooms appear claustrophobic, the space is much bigger than it looks when one is sitting or sleeping inside. “We tried out every capsule to make sure all the controls and switches worked,” Low, who had personally slept overnight in many of the capsules, said. As for privacy and safety concerns, each floor has a locked glass door accessible only by a key card and each capsule has a sliding door that can be locked and securely latched from inside.

The air conditioning is centralised but there are controls within each capsule to allow the guests to adjust the air conditioning within the capsule. As with other dormitory-style hotels, the bathrooms are communal ones, one for women and one for men. Much like the clean, simplistic lines of the capsules, the bathrooms and toilets are also kept to the same feel with white porcelain basins and simple fuss-free shower stalls.

Though initially targeting backpackers and short-stay young travellers, Low said they have been getting numerous bookings from families and a wide range of guests who were merely curious about sleeping in a capsule. The Time Capsule Hotel offers rates for 24-hour stays and also six-hour stays. – Malay Mail Online