Things To Do in Kuala Lumpur (Part 3)

Rumah Penghulu Abu Seman

An architectural excellence.

Built in 1910, Rumah Penghulu Abu Seman of Mukim Bagan Samak, Kedah is one of the oldest surviving traditional Malay houses.

Built in between 1910 to 1930s, it was owned by the penghulu or village headman of Mukim Bagan Samak, Bandar Baharu, Kedah. The home was originally located in Kampung Sungai Kechil, Kedah and was rescued, relocated and restored between 1996-1997 by the Badan Warisan Malaysia.

I am proud to say that as an ongoing effort in preserving and conserving #Malaysia architectural heritage, Badan Warisan Malaysia or The Heritage of Malaysia Trust (an NGO body) has managed to disassemble and relocate Rumah Penghulu Abu Seman to Jalan Stonor, Kuala Lumpur for public to learn and experience our heritage.

Badan Warisan Malaysia Background

Badan Warisan Malaysia or The Heritage of Malaysia Trust is a national heritage NGO that focuses on heritage conservation services for nearly 30 years. Their role is to create and raise awareness of heritage issues and to ensure the survival of our built heritage. It also helps to influence policy so as to create a conservation-friendly environment as well as promoting and educating the understanding of Malaysia heritage as an expression of our history and identity. Badan Warisan Malaysia also hosts monthly talks and lectures, to know more and participate in their activities, kindly follow @heritagemalaysia Instagram.

Rumah Penghulu Abu Seman (next to Badan WarisanMalaysia)

2 Jalan Stonor, Kuala Lumpur

Tel: +603 2144 9273

(15mins walk from the Bukit Bintang monorail station)

Operating Hours :

Tues - Sat : 10am – 4pm

Price Range : FREE. RM10 for guided tour

Badan Warisan Malaysia (next to Rumah Penghulu Abu Seman)

2, Jalan Stonor

Kuala Lumpur

Tel : +603-2144 9273

Email : info@badanwarisan.org.my

(15mins walk from the Bukit Bintang monorail station)

Opening Hours :

Mon- Sat : 10am-5pm (closed on Public Holidays)

Tours: 11am & 3pm

Selfie Museum KL

The latest craze just hit KL. Selfie Museum just across…… Pavilion, in Fahrenheit88 (2^nd floor to be precise). Everything is a must selfie, nothing should be missed – all the 9 thematic rooms.

There’s “The Giant Cakes” Room by Pandora (people tend to have plenty of photos here, I mean, would you want a photo with a cupcake, unicorn and lollipops), the there’s the “Rainbow” Room (my suggestion is for you to wear white so that the background pops out *serious talk nih*), of course there “Splash Lab” Room by TeaLive & llaollao (yang ni I nak minum air jer hehhehhee) and a few more rooms lah.

For more tips (yup! On how many time to spend, what to wear, how to pose *kid you not*), click HERE.

Selfie Museum KL 

Level 2, Fahrenheit88

179, Jalan Bukit Bintang
Kuala Lumpur

Operating hours : 10am - 10pm (daily)
Entrance Fee : RM45 (Adult), RM30 (Kids)

Museum Of Illusions

The first Museum Of Illusions in Asia and 7th in the world and it stated that ‘illusion which will trick your confidence in senses’ oh boy, it is so true. And my favourite are the puzzles (yeah! I am simple like that), but I can’t even solve one, felt like I should buy a few, memorize the steps and show of my ‘skill’.

I felt the Vortex Tunnel was fun and vomiting which makes my photo turns out ugly, but I enjoyed the enperience (kept challenging myself to walk straight and go against the ‘vortex’). There are also the Mirror Room and Infinity Room which need no explanation lah. The Hologram collections are pretty cool, was wondering whether I can purchase that Einstein posted, hemmm…..

There are few other illutions that you can wander and wonder (get it?!) such as the The Ames Room, The Anti-Gravity Room, The Chair Illusion, The Rotated Room,  The Bottomless Pit and many more. Allocate 2 hours or so here, it’ll be fun (and sense-stimulating).

Museum Of Illusions

Ansa Hotel 1st&2nd floor

101, Jalan Bukit Bintang

Kuala Lumpur

Operating Hours : 9am - 11pm (daily)

Entrance Fee

Adult : RM35 (MyKad) / RM45 (Non-MyKad)

Kids : RM25 (MyKad) / RM35 (Non-MyKad)

Muzium Telekom

Built in 1928 to house the Central Battery Manual Telephone Exchange, this building is now home to Muzium Telekom. Located at the intersection of Jalan Gereja and Jalan Raja Chulan, this magnificent building is 82 years of age (1928-2010) and was declared a historic landmark by the National Archives of Malaysia Negara.

I remembered vaguely the last time I was here... a couple of old phones and etc. It was so-so if my memory serves me right. Well, obviously, my memory failed me. BIG TIME! Ahaks.

This is what I've imagined (before visiting lah) - the telephony evolution. Basically just that, full stop. Period. But NOOOOOOO.... It also talks about communication evolution - from Batu Bersurat to Pasu Bersurat (yeah, first time hearing this!), and from morse code to the internet era. Not forgetting the beduk communication, they even showed us the beduk sound for emergency, azan and death. I was half expecting smoke signal will be showcased here too, but nahhhhhh... kenot main api depa kata, dangerous.

SO, if you guys are curious of the communication evolution, drop by  at the Muzium Telekom here in KL, it is near the Plaza Rakyat/China Town (a 10mins walk). You won’t regret it.

Muzium Telekom http://www.muziumtelekom.com.my/Jalan Raja Chulan

Kuala Lumpur

Operating Hours

9am - 5pm (closed on public holiday)

Entrance Fee

Adult - RM6
Kid - RM3

#UnseenKL Media Fam Trip is in collaboration with Tourism Malaysia, #VisitKL and all its sponsors with #GayaTravel Magazine as media coordinator.

Weekend in Selangor Fruit Valley (SFV)

“BEST! BEST! BEST giler.

I highly recommend this for family outings.”

This is what I shared in my Instagram post (yeah, it is with video, you should check-out the videos. Kinda funny if I may say so myself).

Instagram : https://www.instagram.com/p/BoQI2UVgene/?hl=en&taken-by=lilyriani_travelholic

I realized from my Twitter and Instagram feedbacks, most of the questions asked are the entrance fee and activities available. I guess I better keep this post as simple as possible and shared those valuable details… as for my view of the place? My Instagram video post says it all…. Hahahhahahaa….

Activity

• Tram ride (mono tram and tractors)
• Petting zoo (deer, rabbit, hedgehog and guinea pig)
• Herbal garden (150 species of herb)
• Orchard
• Harvesting vegetables activity
• Stingless bees farm (lebah kelulut)
• Mountain bike trail
• Rubber tapping activity
• Rumah Kampung with all the farm animals

Amazed?

Yeah! Me too.

Selangor Fruit Valley is develop to encourage and build Selangor’s agro-tourism,  this 1,000-acre of Selangor Fruit Valley land covers rubber plantation, infrastructure,  PKPS managed land, agripreneur program as well as main building and event spaces. There are more than 40 agricultural agripreneurs participated in SFV program by renting lots of at least 5 to 10 acres, I thought it was an interesting concept whereby those who don’t have agriculture land can seek their help and rent the lots. I was made to understand that they have to plant with tanaman kontan or cash crop, and the agripreneurs are to commercialise their crops. 

Being among the biggest fruit centres in Malaysia, Selangor Fruit Valley also serves as an educational playground for children as well as an experience centre for adults. This can been seen in their Laman Herba or Herbs Garden (I enjoyed the most), rubber tapping activity and learning about stingless bee, harvesting its honey, its anatomy and its controlled environment to achieve the best honey quality among others.

Aside from this, I’ve learnt SFV has a bio tech lab where tissues are being cultured, as well as seed bank. Not only that, they also teaches public on how to culture a tissue to multiply shoots from a single shoots. This training is liked by agripreneurs as it helps increase their crops at a lower cost.

Nangchem! Is basically a hybrid of Nangka (jackfruit) and Cempedak (a species of jackfruit/breadfruit). The taste and texture is enhanced (similar to a cempedak) and it is available the whole year round (just like a nangka).

Buah Mentega

Laman Herba or Herbs Garden. My favourite! As I learnt that there is an herbs called misai kucing and lidah kucing (I just learnt too) but there is no pokok ekor kucing (why???). There is a tree that is called Thai apple (glam kan) and it is used for ‘mandi jenazah’ (google this yourself *wink*), then there is this super rich tree – Janda Kaya and there’s also Janda Berangan, yet it is no where near Janda Baik. Patawali is a plan that if you drink it, you blood will taste bitter and mosquito simply hates it (read : you) but it doesn’t take-away you sweet smile nor charm (ayam pick-up line tuh). Gosh…. There is so many more, you just have to check-it out yourself!

The Petting Zoo is a bonus for the kids, as there are rabbits, hedgehog and guidea pig for the kids to ‘pet’ and there’s more at Rumah Kamping – kambing kacang (comei giler), turkey, babu/angsa (goose) and duck. And then there is also the Deer Park. No, you can’t go in and play with the deer.

Lunch? Food? Worry not, their cafeteria food is simply yummeh (especially the sambal belancan). Oh yah! If you are coming in a large group, do give them a call ahead of time as the entrance fee is charge separately from the activities. You can also ‘ala crate’ you package, to do so, call or email them (details below).

Hey! Teambuilding+nature concept can be arranged as well, meeting room is available at a nominal fee. You are wondering on accommodation right? I’ve asked them the same, camp site can be arranged with proper shower room. Basic accommodation room is in their phase 2 plan, once it is ready, we can all stay there. YEAY!

Selangor Fruit Valley

KM 7, Jalan Rawang – Bestari Jaya

Bestari Jaya, Selangor

Operating hours

9:00 am – 4.00 pm

Close on Friday

Tel : 03 – 3272 0019 / 20

Email : support@pkps.gov.my

7-Regale, Eat Travel Write Selangor 2018 Media Fam Trip is in collaboration with Unit Perancang Ekonomi Negeri (UPEN) Selangor and all its sponsors with #GayaTravel Magazine as media coordinator.

Ljubljana Free Tour, Slovenia

Ljubljana is pronounced lub-lee-yana.

As you know, I have the weirdest reason when picking a country, of which I feel it is rather inconsistent as it can be for whatever reason at that point of time. And for Slovenia, it was because of the dragon. Yup! DRAGON! Very loman hor. Hehehehheee...

There is so many version and I shall share the one I like most, or perhaps I should just create one. *wink*

Story 1 

Legend has it that Ljubljana was founded by the Greek mythological hero Jason and his companions, the Argonauts, who had stolen the golden fleece from King Aetes and fled from him across the Black Sea and up the Danube, Sava and Ljubljanica rivers.

At a large lake in the marshes near the source of the Ljubljanica they stopped and disassembled their ship to be able to carry it to the Adriatic Sea, put it together again, and return to Greece. The lake was the dwelling place of a monster, which Jason fought, defeated and killed. The monster, now referred to as the Ljubljana Dragon, found its place atop the castle tower depicted on the Ljubljana coat of arms.  From Visit Ljubljana

Story 2
According to the Slavic myth the slaying of dragon releases the waters and ensures the fertility of the earth, and it is thought the myth in this area is tied to the Ljubljana Marshes, the expansive area that has been threatening because of frequent flooding that reached Ljubljana. According to the celebrated Greek legend, the Argonauts on their return home after having taken the Golden Fleece found a large lake surrounded by a marsh between the present-day towns of Vrhnika and Ljubljana. It is there that Jason struck down a monster. This monster has become the dragon that today is present on the city coat of arms and flag. From Wikipedia

I like Story 2 better, but no lomance wan?

Franciscan Church of the Annunciation

Here's the thing, Ljubluna city is pretty small a quaint, technically one can cover it within one day and I found the best to do this and get to mingle with fellow travelers as well.

#TravelTips 1 : I found a Ljubljana Free Walking Tour website where by the walking tour itself is free (great for budget travelers) and takes approximately 2.5hours or so. At the end of the tour, if feels that the guide did an excellent job you can reward them with tips as they very much rely on this tips.

#TravelTips 2 : Don't stinge on the tour guide tips just because it is free, kemut pun jangan lah sampai ambil kesempatan yek.

#Travel 3 : You can stop at any point of time but make sure the tour guide is well informed, jangan blah senapas.

Aside from the free walking tour, they also do chargeable tour, pick one you like. I personally enjoyed the free walking tour... I just wish the weather was better and the sky is bluer.

The starting for this walking tour is from the town center itself, we waited for the guide at the steps of Franciscan Church of the Annunciation. No way you can miss it, its the orange colour church *smile*. Briefing will be conducted then off we go.

#TravelTips 4 : Make sure you camera, smartphone, good walking shoes and water handy, And keep close to the guide when he explains the buildings and history. Semua orang tunggu part dragon tuh ajer arituh, hehehheee...

Some of the building is really amazing and I am sure there's a beautiful story wrap around it. but it not be a heavy weight in history. So tangkap jer gambar sambil gawk (yup, yang gawk to adalah saya).

Not to worry, within the 2.5hours walking tour, they will take you to the famous dragon bridge.

Background
The bridge was originally named The Jubilee Bridge of the Emperor Franz Josef I. In July 1919, it was renamed to Dragon Bridge. The Dragon Bridge, although significantly modeled after the Nußdorf weir, is often regarded as the most beautiful bridge produced by the Vienna Secession.[7] It is the first bridge in Slovenia paved with asphalt, the first reinforced concrete bridge in Ljubljana, and one of Europe's earliest reinforced concrete bridges. When opened in 1901, it had the third largest arch in Europe at that time.

From Wikipedia

#TravelTips 5 : My suggestion is to allocate between 3 -4 days if you plan to wonder outskirt of Ljubljuna as well, else a 2 full day trip here is sufficient. 2 full day tau, bukan 2D1N.

There are a few key places that you should cover this medieval city.

• Wander the medieval town
• Walking down Ljubljanica River
• Experience the hustle and bustle of the central/flea market 
• Ljubljana Castle
• Night crawler (night performances and buskers everywhere)

I missed out the boat cruise when i was there though. Sigh.

The walking tour ends at the Križanke Open Air Theatre, it is most active during summer festivals, Located at the French Revolution Square, it was once the courtyard of the former Monastery of the Holy Cross. There are cafes around this area for you to chill after the walk *smile*.

6 months after this trip, I head to the land of "How to train your dragon". Wanna take a guess which country I visited?


More stories on Slovenia
Ljubljana Castle / Ljubljanski Grad, Slovenia
Day trip to Lake Bled, Slovenia (did toboggan ride too!)

2 Must Do Activities in Salzburg Old Town, Austria.

If you ask me, what were my favourite activities in Salzburg Old Town area, my answer will be taking the funicular train up the Hohensalzburg Castle and the Salzach River cruise.

What else I wish to experience?
Cycling and lazing by the Salzach River *smile*.

Hohensalzburg Castle

The queue! One thing about me is that I am not very patient with being idle and queuing is idle, if you are anything like me then my advise is to get the Salzburg Card to avoid queuing (Click HERE for more benefits). Despite being fussy on this, I really want to visit Hohensalzburg Castle as the view from the top is to die for, so die die lah I have to go up kan, queue or not queue, keh keh keh.... plus the fact that I get to ride on the funicular train excites me *wink*.

Got the picture I wanted but I bet it'll look great at sunset, so those going do check on whether they open till late in evening. The whole castle is rather huge, like a small township or a village, wondering around here probably takes 2-3 hours as it consist of courtyards, museums, chambers, shops and if you plan really well, you can either have lunch here or probably tea while waiting for sunset. Plan your visit well.

You can take the whole Salzburg Old Town area from here, make sure you wear a good walking to tawaf the whole castle and do take note that the castle have few floors of chambers and museums, in other words, alot of walking around this area. Bertabahlah yea...

History
Hohensalzburg castle was refurbished from the late 19th century onwards and became a major tourist attraction with the Festungsbahn cable car, opened in 1892, leading up from the town to the Hasengrabenbastei. It stands today as one of the best preserved castles in Europe. During the early 20th century it was used as a prison, holding Italian prisoners of war during World War I and Nazi activists (before the Anschluss with Germany) in the 1930s.

From Wikipedia.

This device is kinda cool and independent, all you need to do is insert coin to continue #eh, select the language and listen to the location narration, Cool kan! We should have this at some of our attractions.

Lepak area.

Salzach River Cruise

The cruise was just like any other typical cruise ride, nothing great seriously but the thing is, I do enjoy leisure rides like this and able to see the cities from the river at sunset adds to the thrill. My travel tips here is to take an evening cruise instead of sunset cruise, reason being after seeing my guesthouse mates night time pictures, night scene is definitely more beautiful than sunset. Sungguh tak tipu, of course, depending on season and month jugak lah.

If you hate queues and you think the queue at Festungsbahn funicular train was bad, the one for the cruise is even worst. Hahahhahahaa... Because it goes by hour and you need to purchase a ticket at the one hour you wish to take, and some get filled up pretty fast mind you. Being kiasu sangat-sangat saya encouragekan di sini. Perhaps you purchase the ticket before wandering around the old town.

This is the Salzburg Old Town area and the castle on top is the Hohensalzburg Castle that I mentioned earlier. Don't worry, the captain will point to you all the prominent buildings and the history behind it. OK, sungai ni takde river dolphin, jangan tanya soalan pelik-pelik, hahhahahhahah...

No. You can't stand outside the boat (in case you guys were wondering).

Lepak-lepak macam ni lah yang I nak buat, sambil picnic *cheeky smile*.

At end of teh ride, before docking, the captain will 'dance' the boat? Apa tuh? Kalau nak tau, naik ler... keh keh keh..... jahat dak?!?

Oh yah! There is tips box at the front if you wish to  tip the captain and crew, I think I gave EU1 kot, memang kedukut kan. Bluek.

Key take-away?
Get the Salzburg Card if you plan to stay 2 nights at least and start your day early to maximise the card usage.

Ranua Zoo, an Arctic Zoo of the Lapland (Part 1)

I have to break this into 3 parts due to the silly things happened that I want to share and pen down. Hehehhehee... History in the making gitew...

What made me want to visit Arctic Circle? It was never about the aurora which I believe I've mentioned in earlier entries. The first time I heard about this word - Arctic Circle; was from RaW in his tweet. I was wondering where in the world is this place, and when I am curious, I google. I soon learnt about the Arctic Circle; which countries sits on it or rather how many countries and cities the circle pass by. All these info I kept for the past year or two, just in case I ever travel to those countries, I will know where to head to *wink*.

You know how nature sometimes conspire with technology right? Well, the logic is the same as when you bought a new car, let say a Honda HRV and then suddenly you begin to see HRVs everywhere of  which previously you never noticed. Experienced that before? Yup! The same goes for us travelers, suddenly I kept seeing tweets upon tweets, Instagram upon Instagram post on Arctic Circle and its activities, and I usually “define” this as the ‘travelers calling’ (Over giler dak? But I bet you guys do too kan? Sila ngaku!!!).

So, in this case, I saw a tweet with picture of Santa Claus Village at Rovaniemi on Arctic Circle. Hemmm… *quickly taking down notes*. Then I start to what us Malay call ‘gatal tangan’ and google, and found out that Rovaniemi have a few activities for  travelers to participate – into the bucket list it goes (Oh boy! My bucket list is growing and yet Aurora is still not included [I am weird like that]. Ahaks) I only realized about Arctic Zoo few weeks before departure while searching for husky sled ride, I convinced Wahidah that we should cover the zoo in our trip as it is one of the most unique zoo in the world; being on arctic circle and all, and not to forget it is fully covered with thick snow! Plus the fact that I absolutely LOVE zoos and parks (Tak caya? Check trip I yang lain, if tak de park; ade zoo, if tak de zoo; ada parks or ada both). I was so thrilled that the zoo trip attire was the first one I pick and decide, wanting to look my best for the huskies, polar bears, lynx, wolverine, arctic fox and all (flip hair). Senangkan nak travel ngan I, bawak jer gi zoo and belikan eskrem. Hhahahahhahahah…

I am excited even before stepping on the 1.5hrs bus ride, if we were to cancel the trip I swear I would mangok 3 tahun (gitew) but everything went smoothly of course, we were early despite the hiccups on where to board the bus but we managed to walk to the bus station nevertheless which looks like ‘not a bus station’, we giggled as we purchase the bus tickets.

Have you been to a zoo all covered with snow? The scene and experience is priceless… all the animals are total different from those we seen in tropical zoo or even those we see in any 4 seasons zoo. Even reading the animals name excite me!

#TravelTips 1 : Buy upfront return tickets from the Bus Station (note : not bus stop tau, but at the bus station!).

#TravelTips 2 : Be earlier at the Bus Station and also when heading back from the zoo. The queue for the bus is long!!! And very limited bus to get to the zoo and back.

#TravelTips 3 : Unfortunately you have to be kiasu when queuing, as there is only that 1 bus for that hour. Give way to the elderly and kids but make sure you are the first to queue, else tertinggal bus.

My first encounter at the zoo was snowy owl, and I was practically jumping up and down padahal burung hantu warna putih jer tapi sebab kat snow hence feel dia lain. I told Wahidah, the snowy owl belongs to Harry Porter. Hahhahahahha…

#TravelTips 4 : Want to impress me? Take me to San Diego Zoo (wish list since 10 years ago). #Eh cam mana ni pun masuk travel tips? Hahhahahhahahha…. Abaikan.

#TravelTips 5 : Tickets to be purchased at the souvenir shop counter, the area is very small so do be civilize and courteous.

 #TravelTips 6 : There are café/cafeteria at this small building, you can have lunch here (non-halal).

#Traveltips 7 : As we traveled during winter, we can’t smell anything bad (Tak da bau binatang/hancing etc. Yeay!)

Some of the tracks require us to walk in this condition, being a Malaysian where snow is uncommon (obviously) we gladly walk while busy taking pictures upon pictures, upon more pictures. I was more excited here than I was in Skansen, Sweden. Despite that everything was white, it never deter me to takes hundreds of photos to a point I start asking myself “why?” and wondering whether am I really that weird (Note that the word ‘weird’ appeared more than 3x, now I am beginning to doubt my sanity).

Our second encounter was kinda funny for it was a wild boar which I honestly thought it was strange for it to be showcased here. Then I noticed something different, the wild boar here is more fluffy and since the habitat it was in; thick white snow kinda makes it look cute. Hahhahahahhahahaa…

We then proceed to Lynx, something I look forward to aside from Wolverine. 

When I arrived at the Lync habitat, to my surprise this little creature actually looks so cute with a slight air of diva cum macho-ness. The problem with this macho-diva-lynx is that it simply refuses to look up, annoying much and trust me, I wasn’t alone on this. A bunch of us were trying to get its attention, we snap our fingers, making noises and some even talk to this Scandic lynx but to no avail. Not wanting to waste that much time at this habitat… not knowing what else to do and how best to get its attention hence I did what I thought was best if not better. I gather my courage, prepared my camera and iPhone, hand and leg on standby mode, steadily aimed at the lynx and I said out loud (feeling proud of my idea of course)…

“MEOW… MEOW… MEOW”

Then I call it again “MEOW… MEOW”

As I did that, my brain begin to process fast, faster than the speed of light, faster that Superman catching a bullet shooting at his forehead, just then it hit me and Wahidah echoed my thoughts.

“MEOW?” Wahidah said.

“Hilang terus ke-macho-an lynx ni, buat malu jer…” Wahidah walked away laughing.

And I stunned. Kannnnnnn….. I said to myself. Yang pegi meow meow tuh apahal, ni bukan kucing kat umah. Imaginary hard and fast facepalm. Malu okay!

It was quite an embarrassment as the crowd behind me was ticklish over my action (and at the 'sound' I made) and I was darn lucky Wahidah was telling me off in Malay instead of English (hahahhahahah…), what else better to do but to move away from the habitat in stealth mode. Did I say malu? Yes. Besar giler kemaluan ini takkala itu. Bluek.

Do you know what happened next?

As I was walking towards the next habitat area, I heard the mat sallehs all was saying...

“MEOW… MEOW… MEOW” to the lynx!!! The same folks that was laughing at me just now!?!

Ek ellaaa…. Korang pun sama lah yek. Copycat sangat! HAHAHHAHAHHAHHAA…

(Next entry sambung cite habitat lain lak, sama gak kemarupannya)