Thursday 25 December 2014

Best places for mangrove tours

Best places for mangrove tours

KUKUP Island and Tanjung Piai in the south-west of Johor are carpeted with the country’s biggest colony of mangroves, which is home to many unique species of flora and fauna.

In view of their rich natural heritage, both have been declared as national parks and are known worldwide as the best destinations for mangrove tour.

The national parks are located next to each other.

Kukup Island is famed as the biggest mangrove island in the country, while Tanjung Piai is known as the southern-most tip of mainland Asia.

The i647ha island is surrounded by 800ha of mudflats.

Found aplenty in the mudflats are mud-skippers, mangrove crabs and many bird species which feed on tiny creatures found on the mudflats during low tide.

The island is just a stone’s throw away from the 150-year-old fishing village of Kukup, which sees droves of tourists coming from near and far during weekends and public holidays to enjoy seafood and put up for a night or two at the homestays.

A one-hour boat trip is more than sufficient to tour the island.

There is a 30m tall viewing tower for the convenience of tourists to get a 360-degree view of the vast green vista of mangrove trees covering the island.

Apart from the rustling leaves, the chirping of birds also join in the chorus of the mangrove forest to provide the only audio entertainment for anyone taking the boat ride and enjoying the breeze.

Remember to bring a pair of binoculars, as there are plenty of opportunities for bird-watching.

There is a suspension bridge across the forest for those who dare to walk across the shaky bridge.

You can cover the whole island by foot as the 800m of boardwalk will take you around the eastern part of the island, and the journey takes about two hours or less.

Walk slowly and quietly if you want to have a close encounter with the creatures of the mangrove and the different types of vegetation on the forest floor.

Remember, some long-tailed macaques and birds may be watching you without your knowledge.

There are boards which carry information about the mangrove forest along the way.

In Tanjung Piai, eight kilometres of mangrove forest front the Straits of Malacca, and about 400ha of intertidal mudflat.

It covers an area of 926ha, and 526ha consist of coastal mangroves.

It was declared a Ramsar site in 2003. The Ramsar Convention is an international treaty for the conservation and sustainable use of wetlands, which recognises the fundamental ecological functions of wetlands and their economic, cultural, scientific, and recreational value.

The entrance to the Tanjung Piai national park is a huge landmark.

The boardwalk leads visitors to a rotating globe, which marks the southern most tip of mainland Asia, as well as the best spot for photography.

Expect strong wind and waves here as it is the intersection of the Johor Straits and the Straits of Malacca.

During fine weather, it is possible to spot some of the Karimun Islands of Indonesia.

At the end of the tour, one will be sufficiently educated on the importance of mangrove trees as a natural barrier in reducing coastal erosion.


A long boardwalk at the Tanjung Piai National Park which leads to the middle of the sea.

~News courtesy of New traits Times~

Monday 22 December 2014

Giant wall mural at Legoland

Giant wall mural at Legoland

Legoland Malaysia Resort visitors will be amazed to see a giant wall mural along its walkway to the Water Park.

The giant mural, measuring 12.27m x 7.53m, is the biggest painting assemble done by children and is certified by the Malaysia Book of Records.

The mural work was a joint effort between Legoland Malaysia Resort and Wall’s Paddle Pop to celebrate World’s Children Day recently.

A total of 725 children from various orphanages, kindergartens and visitors in the state joined hands to create the mural, which is made using individual tiles.

Legoland Malaysia Resort general manager Mark Germyn said the event was held to spread cheer to needy children.

“We are proud of this achievement and excited to have collaborated with Wall’s Paddle Pop.

“This is just an example of how Legoland brings joy and hope to our children,” he said.

Legoland has planned a range of activities for the holidays, including a special Holiday Extravaganza programme staged at Lego City stage.

There are also special promotions available during the holidays. For details, visit www.legoland.com.my.



The record-breaking mural has 725 hand prints by children.

~News courtesy of New Straits Times~

Tuesday 9 December 2014

Legoland shines for Christmas

Legoland shines for Christmas

LEGOLAND Malaysia Resort launched its exciting Holiday Extravaganza 2014 promotions which include an Advent calendar and performances by cast members who were specially flown in from Europe.

With newly completed upgrading and refurbishment works at Lego City Stage, which now includes air-conditioning, the cast members are staging a festive musical show which is tailor-made for Legoland Malaysia guests, including their brilliant performance of When Santa Got Stuck Up the Chimney.

The Advent calendar giveaway incorporates numbered flaps representing each day of this month leading up to Christmas.

The rectangular installation features 24 windows. Every evening at 7pm a lucky guest will have the chance to open a window and win the special prize hidden behind it.

The gifts are sponsored by Legoland’s partners — Unilever (Malaysia) Holdings Bhd, Malayan Banking Bhd, Celcom Axiata Bhd, Edaran Tan Chong Motor, Traders Hotel, Thistle Hotel and Pulai Springs Resort.

Legoland Malaysia general manager Mark Germyn said that this month, the resort would be open until 8pm allowing families to stay longer and enjoy the evening light-up of the Lego Christmas tree, Legoland Advent calendar giveaways and carolling activities.

“We’ve given the Lego City Stage a refreshing new look and feel, and we are delighted to have it ready in time for the festive season.

“Our new show has started and has been getting great feedback from guests,” he added.

Legoland Malaysia resort is the ideal Christmas holiday destination for families with children aged between 2 and 12.

It brings together a Theme Park, Water Park and Hotel in one Lego themed location. As well as the rides, slides, shows and attractions, guests get to enjoy a host of activities during the Holiday Extravaganza at Legoland Malaysia Resort.

Adding to the festivities this year is the daily lighting ceremony of the Lego Christmas tree, which is made from 427,695 Lego Duplo bricks.

The tree’s unique feature is its trimmings of hand-built Lego ornaments.

Guests will also be able to visit the Lego Santa model, which was made with more than 250,000 Lego bricks.

There are many festive treats including Christmas carol singers, mascot appearances and Christmas-themed Lego building activities.

Legoland Malaysia Resort is also offering a special promotion for the holiday season with a buy-3-get-1-free offer for both standard and premium annual pass new sales. For annual pass renewals, guests are entitled to up to RM170 in savings for a limited time.

The special renewal rate applies to passes which expired in 2013 and expiring this year.

All renewals can be done online and at the ticketing counter.

For details, log on to www.legoland.my


Mark Germyn lighting up the Lego Christmas Tree.

~News courtesy of New Straits Times~