Experience MALAYSIA December 2016

This December, enjoy many fun yet adventurous activities before the new year begins. Fans of jazz music can relax by the beaches of Batu Ferringhi, Penang, and enjoy the island’s Jazz Festival. Outdoor adventure lovers can look forward to Love Sabah’s Kiulu Adventure Challenge or head over to Cherating for its International Surfing Competition.There’s also a Bike Week 2016 held at The Lanai, MATIC for fans of motorcycles.

To give you some ideas of what to do this month, here’s a line-up of well-balanced events for tourists, both local and foreign, to enjoy in Malaysia. Plan your trip well, or engage the services of a licensed tour operator/travel agent.

Corporate Communication, Tourism Malaysia

Penang Island Jazz Festival

The Penang Island Jazz Festival began in the year 2004 to showcase the best of local and international jazz musicians from all over the world. This year’s festival promises a line-up of magnificent performances from various talented musicians such as Mathias Heies Quadrillion, Triple Standard, Rafal Sarnecki Quintet and lots more! For those who are staying in Penang, don’t miss this foot-tapping, finger snapping music fest by the sea!

Date: 1-4 December 2016Venue: Batu Ferringhi, PenangOrganiser: The Capricorn ConnectionContact: +6012 2967 800Website: www.penangjazz.com

2nd Kiulu Adventure Chalenge

Sabah is famous as a nature and adventure destination. In this 2^nd Kiulu Adventure Challenge, participants will be pushed to the limit as they take part in running, mountain-biking and rafting activities.

This event is set in the delightful district of Kiulu known for its gushing rivers and rugged landscapes. The breath-taking scenery alone is reason enough for nature-lovers to make a visit here.

Come and explore the beauty of Sabah while you get your adventure fix in this exciting and challenging event.

Date: 4 December 2016Venue: Kiulu, SabahOrganiser: Kiulu Tourism AssociationContact: +6088 260711Website: www.sabahtourism.com

Museum Exhibitions

The Department of Museums Malaysia is organising a series of programmes in the month of December that will highlight the traditions of local communities.

Don’t miss the “ASEAN Songket Weaving Exhibition” featuring the beauty and artistry of traditional songket production from 16 October to 31 December 2016 at Gallery 1 & 2, National Museum, Kuala Lumpur.

Meanwhile, the “Shadow Puppet Exhibition” showcases shadow puppets (wayang kulit) that are carved from animal hide, placed between a light source with audiences watching the performance from both sides. See Asia’s “animation” on 15 November 2016 to February 2017 at Gallery 3, National Museum, Kuala Lumpur.

Finally, the “Yang diPertuan Agong Exhibition” will provide visitors an exclusive glimpse into royal life from 30 November 2016 until 30 January 2017 at Royal Museum, Kuala Lumpur.

Organiser: Department of Museums Malaysia
Contact: +603 2267 1000
Website: www.jmm.gov.my


Hi-5 Fairytale

The Hi-5 Fairytale is a theatre show known for its educational content especially for children. The show is full of colourful and lively fairytales with special Hi-5 twists in the stories. Children will love the performances and are encouraged to sing and dance alongside the playful characters. Meet the lively and colourful cast -- Mary, Dayen, Lachie, Chris and Tanaka. There will also be performances from Jup Jup during the event to entertain the children. This musical group is well known globally and won the best preschool programme, so don’t miss it! 

Date: 8 – 11 December 2016
Venue: Panggung Sari, Istana Budaya
Organiser: BASE Entertainment
Contact: +603 7880 7999
Website: www.istanabudaya.gov.my

Cherating International Surfing Competition

Love surfing? Come December, the east coast monsoon weather will churn up the waves at Cherating Beach for the Cherating International Surfing Competition. This year’s event will see surfers from Singapore, Australia, Maldives, Malaysia and France doing fancy tricks on the water.

Cherating itself is a quaint Malaysian village that will give you ample to see and do after the competition – volunteer at turtle conservation sites, experience Malaysian village life, learn the art of mat weaving, etc.

Date: 9 – 11 December 2016Venue: Cherating Beach, Kuantan, PahangOrganiser: Ministry of Tourism and Culture, Pahang officeEmail: pahang@motac.gov.myWebsite: www.motac.gov.my

Kuala Lumpur Bike Week 2016

Bike Week 2016 is the perfect event for all bike lovers! There will be various kinds of awesome bikes for you to admire up close. Or do you consider yourself a biker? Then why not bring your stunning bike to the show, and get it judged by a professional jury?

This event will give you the chance to socialise with other bikers and participate in all kinds of bike-related activities such as the bike exhibitions, classic and vintage bike fiesta, Harley Davidson wheelie and stunt shows, concerts and more.

Date: 16 & 17 December 2017Venue: The Lanai, MATIC, Jalan AmpangOrganiser: MATICContact: +6017 3919 846

Penang Pesta Chingay Parade

The Chingay Parade in Penang always brings about a throng of spectators out on the streets to celebrate the birthdays of Chinese deities or to mark special occasion. The street parade is usually loud and colourful with the main highlight being the impressive acrobatics and agility of the Chingay and Lion dance troupe members. Troupe members balance flag poles (averaging in length between 25 and 32 feet) on their bodies and toss them in the air before catching them again. Lion Dance troupes are also on hand to entertain the crowd with their stunts that boast of their balance, speed, strength and also timing.

Date: 18 December 2016Venue: Padang Brown to Esplanade, PenangOrganiser: Penang State Tourism Development OfficeContact: +604 5605 136

Light and Motion Putrajaya (LAMPU)

The Light and Motion Putrajaya event or LAMPU will show a spectacular display of lights, audio and motion to enthral visitors to Malaysia’s administrative capital. Don’t miss the signature event, the grand Projection Mapping which sees lights and visuals projected against the façade of the grand Palace of Justice. Find out how recycled materials can be transformed into lighting design, see an exhibit of ice and light sculptures, enjoy a wayang kulit (shadow puppet) performance and learn all about energy savings, too.

Date: 30 December 2016 – 1 January 2017Venue: Dataran PutrajayaOrganiser: Perbadanan PutrajayaContact: +603 8887 7000Website: www.ppj.gov.my

Putrajaya International Islamic Arts & Cultural Festival

The Putrajaya International Islamic Arts & Culture Festival (PIIACuF) has been running for the past 3 years. This year, visitors are in for a treat with an exhibition of textiles made, worn, used and displayed throughout the Islamic world, from the glorious fabrics of the past to those produced today. Hundreds of illustrations feature examples from around the globe including embroidered prayer mats and clothes, ikat (a unique textile weaving technique), silk, batik, songket, tent decorations, robes, brocade, kiswah and wall hangings. 
Date: 1 – 11 December 2016Venue: Putrajaya International Convention Centre (PICC)Organiser: Perbadanan PutrajayaContact: +603 8887 7033/ +603 8887 7276/ +603 8887 8018Email: piiacuf@ppj.gov myWebsite: www.piiacuf.com

NEW ATTRACTIONS

LaZat Malaysian Cooking Class

Love Malaysian food? Interested in cooking? Want to sharpen your skills in this area? Then, join the LaZat Malaysian Cooking Class with Chef Ana who is ready to share her cooking mastery with you. Her classes, conducted in English, start with a visit to the local market to learn about Malaysian ingredients. Participants will then learn to cook in a Malaysian home environment using traditional stone and wooden utensils in a modern kitchen, with plenty of guidance from the chef.

Conducted in a warm and friendly environment, the cooking class is open to everyone, regardless of your ability with a pan and knife. Recipes used are of typical Malaysian dishes that have become family favourites. Learn to cook Malaysia’s best Malay, Chinese, Indian or Baba-Nyonya cuisine, then sample the fruits of your own labour at the end when you sit down to feast on the meal you have lovingly prepared together with your friends and fellow classmates.

It’s a great way to learn about Malaysia’s cuisine heritage and savour some traditional favourites such as nasi lemak, rendang, satay or whatever you have chosen to cook during the class.

There are two cooking class sessions conducted daily, i.e the morning class from 8 am to 1 pm is priced at RM290, and the afternoon class from 3 pm to 6 pm is priced at RM200.


Venue: Kampung Sungai Penchala, Kuala LumpurContact: +6019 2381 198Email: lazatcooking@gmail.comWebsite: www.lazatcooking.com

TITI Eco Farm Resort

TITI Eco Farm Resort, located in Negeri Sembilan, is the perfect place for families to have a nice holiday while enjoying an organic lifestyle in a farm-styled resort. Just 90 minutes’ drive out of Kuala Lumpur, and you will find yourself in the lush greenery and spectacular nature that surrounds the resort. TITI Eco Farm Resort takes pride in its 40-acre land planted with organic vegetables and fruits, and has opened itself up to the public with cosy accommodation and other facilities.

Those who are health conscious will love the concept of this resort where guests are fed on fresh organic food harvested directly from the farm. All the meals presented here are processed and refined as little as possible before being served to maintain all its natural goodness and nutrition.

Those staying at the resort will have a great time learning about organic farming and agriculture practices. They have the opportunity to plant and harvest vegetables, too. A tour of the farm can be arranged for guests to experience farm-life, feed rabbits, observe ostrich, sample aloe vera and ulam (young shoots that can be eaten as a salad). Outdoor activities are also available – guests can cross the hanging bridge or swing themselves over the pond (and try not to fall and get wet!).

The entrance fee for a one-day trip is RM60 per pax (adult) and RM40 per pax (child). A 2-day-1 night stay in the wooden lodge is RM230 per pax (adult) and RM140 per pax (child); in the semi-detached chalet, it is RM270 per pax (adult) and 160 per pax (child). Spend your holiday here with your family to simply unwind and cultivate a healthy lifestyle.

Bangi Wonderland Theme Park and Resort

Bangi Wonderland Theme Park and Resort is a newly opened theme park in southern Klang Valley located in Bangi/Nilai/Semenyih which is perfect for an afternoon of fun, splashing away with the family!

The theme park features 16 major thrilling rides that promise to provide a fun-filled adventure and they include Boomeriang, Surf Rider, Wonderloop and the Water Cannon which is the most unique attraction there.

The ticket price is RM48 for children (below 130 cm) and RM58 for adults (MYKAD holder). A 50% discount will be given to senior citizens and persons with disabilities. The operation hours are from 10 am until 6 pm and the park opens daily except on Tuesdays.

Bangi Wonderland also provides package rates for group functions, parties and gatherings.

For any inquires, do contact 03-8912 8333 or email to sales@bangiwonderland.com.my or visit www.bangiwonderland.com.my

-Tourism Malaysia.