So much Muar to eat

So much Muar to eat

Leave no food stall untested, no dish untasted with the ‘Impressions of Muar Travel Guide’

IF you are on a diet, please refrain from reading Impressions of Muar Travel Guide! I gained two kilogrammes during a three-week stint in Muar in April, and I blame it all on the book.

Yes, Muar is a food paradise, so much so that a travel guide on its food, sightseeing, accommodation, among others, was published.

The 160 pages point out the best places to eat, for halal and non-halal food.

This book and the abundant culinary offerings of Muar will show us just how inadequate our stomachs are, in terms of capacity.

With the addresses provided for each of the eateries and even pushcarts listed and a map of the royal town for direction, it is all too easy to follow the food trail.

After flipping through the guide, you will know that Muar is renowned for its mee bandung, satay, otak-otak, asam pedas, fried oyster omelette, mutton soup, wanton mee, fried kuey teow and chicken rice balls.

Even the list of simple tea break staples such as kaya toast, ais kacang and rojak is extensive.

A little aside for the first-time visitor to note is, most satay outlets are open from morning to lunchtime only. Perhaps one of you would care to ask these satay sellers why the grilled delicacy is not available at night, and let me know.

If cockles, prawns and fish cakes are the ingredients you expect to find in a plate of char kuey teow, let some of Muar's noodle masters delight with the extra ingredient in the dish -- otak-otak.

The food guide does not restrict itself to good food recommendations in town, it also points the way towards some of the more popular eateries in places such as Bukit Pasir, Parit Jawa, and even Tangkak. Tangkak was formerly a district of Muar, but is now considered a part of Ledang.

If you have developed "heatiness" or a sore throat after consuming too much grilled or fried goodies, don't worry.

The food guide also lists the places for herbal tea to cool your overheated body.

In fact, if you go to the pushcart herbal tea vendors in Jalan Haji Abu, known to the locals as Glutton Street, they would gladly recommend the correct herbal preparation for your particular ailment, although it could be the most bitter thing you could consume in Muar.

Impressions of Muar Travel Guide is published by Kuan Tan, who is the Muar Photographic Chamber of Commerce president.

To get a copy, call him at 012-338 5476.

This mee bandung is as delicious as it looks!



~News courtesy of New Straits Times~

The Skybar's the limit

The Skybar's the limit

Swimming pool by day and chic bar by night, The SkyBar is the talk — and toast — of the town

THE Skybar in Traders Hotel Puteri Harbour opened on Sept 12 to the sound of drums and two prancing lions to usher in an auspicious start for the city's coolest spot for cocktails.

Some 120 guests comprising members of Singapore Sports Car Club and Exotic Car Club, super-bikers and corporate guests attended the event on the rooftop pool deck.

The pair of lions skillfully presented oranges to hotel food and beverage manager, Avraam Koustsides and executive chef Alan Wong.

In his speech, hotel general manager Sigi Bierbaumer introduced the nifty features in the Skybar and invited the guests to discover for themselves why it was destined to be the most talked-about arrival in the city.

The guests helped themselves to light bites from a buffet that bordered the pool deck, as well as from an extravagant buffet sunk into the kiddie pool that served fresh oysters and hors d'oeuvres topped with caviar.

At the bar, mixologist Kumaran Gopalan created a variety of tantalising cocktails, including his signature non-alcoholic JB Punch.

The evening's entertainment included music provided by DJs Herbs and Deeraj and a slick performance by a troupe of synchronized swimmers.

But surely what would prove most memorable for the guests were their close encounter with four mermaids making a splash in the pool.

The Skybar offers seating on bar stools, comfy lounge sofas and deck chairs in sunken alcoves. On the far side of the pool, a cluster of seats in the sunken booth even glow in the dark!

Designed to be a swimming pool by day and chic bar by night, the Skybar commands a panoramic view of the Puteri Harbour and neighbouring Singapore.

By day, guests can enjoy the view of smart yachts moored in the marina and the adjacent promenade shaded by towering palms. And by night, the vista changes to a charming one of glittering lights against a backdrop of dark velvet.

The club's future plans includes an adjacent restaurant for diners to enjoy elegant meals while watching the sun set. Guests can also look forward to a series of theme parties.

A quartet of mermaids appear quite in their element in the Skybar.



~News courtesy of New Straits Times~

Fun time at water park

Fun time at water park

Legoland’s Water Park has more than 20 water rides as well as slide shows and other attractions like Lego building blocks.

THE largest Legoland Water Park in the world opened its doors recently.

The water park utilises more than three million litres of water and has more than 20 water rides.

There are more than 70 specially built Lego models at the park.

It is also the only one which can be enjoyed either on its own or as a stand-alone attraction or in combination with the theme park.

Legoland Malaysia Resort general manager Siegfried Boerst said that the water park adds a whole new dimension to the Legoland experience.

Legoland Malaysia Resort has more than 70 rides, slides, shows and attractions.

"It is a unique holiday destination for the entire family to enjoy, offering adventure, education and fun for action-packed day trips or longer breaks."

Guests will be given the opportunity to build a special Lego duck model, which will be added to the collection that is displayed around the water park.

Tickets for the Legoland Water Park are already available for sale and the combination tickets with access to both the water park and Legoland is more economical than buying individual tickets only for the park as the combination tickets provide up to 25 per cent in savings.

Children having fun sliding down on a rubber raft.



~News courtesy of New Straits Times~

Senai airport needs better bus service

Senai airport needs better bus service

TRAVELLERS arriving at the Senai International Airport, who rely on public transport to go to other places in Johor, need to plan ahead.

At the airport, the cheapest mode of transport is the stage bus which drops passengers off at bus stops along the route it is plying.

The bus fare compared to the airport taxi fare could be 10 times cheaper.

For example, it costs less than RM3.50 to take a bus from the airport to Bandar Baru Uda but an airport cab would charge about RM40.

At present, Handal Indah Sdn Bhd, which owns Causeway Link buses, operates a bus service from the airport.

Its stage bus passes Senai town, Jalan Skudai and Jalan Tun Abdul Razak before reaching Larkin Sentral.

It also has a direct bus (express bus) service to the JB Sentral Terminal via the Eastern Dispersal Link.

The stage bus service from the airport to Larkin Sentral runs from 9.30am to 7pm at every two-hour interval.

It does not have a fixed schedule but the departure time depends on plane arrival time.

The direct bus service starts from 6.10am to 11.15pm daily with an hour interval between every bus.

Ticket is RM8 for a one-way journey but it is free for AirAsia passengers who book the bus e-ticket. It has a fixed schedule though.

It makes 18 trips daily, taking an average of 45 minutes to reach JB Sentral.

The direct bus service is an option if travellers miss the stage bus service.

At the JB Sentral, travellers who wish to board a local stage bus will have to walk to Jalan Wong Ah Fook which is about 10 minutes away.

It is not convenient for those carrying a lot of baggage.

Suhaimi Saleh, 37, said the airport bus service can be improved to cater to the increasing number of passengers coming to Johor Baru.

Another passenger, Kathrin Schmelter, 21, said ideally there should be a stage bus or direct bus every 30 minutes so that they can better plan their journey.

Based on my experience, passengers have several things to do at the airport such as waiting for the luggage, shopping or eating.

It would be good to have more stage buses, mini buses or vans travelling to the city.

More transport operators are needed as the airport gets busier and demand for airport bus service increases.

My other suggestion is for the stage buses to have a fixed departure schedule.

There is also a need to improve the waiting area for passengers.

Currently, benches are placed at the entrance of the airport where the booths for bus tickets and airport taxi vouchers are located.

However, the bus will not stop near the entrance but near the end of the airport which is about three minutes' walk from the entrance.

Those new to the airport may get confused with this arrangement.

The benches at the end of the airport could only sit four persons at most.

It is not conducive for senior citizens or mothers with babies who may be forced to stand while waiting for their bus.



There is a big demand for bus service at the Senai International Airport. Pix by Dazar Suarman

~News courtesy of New Straits Times~

Goodbye to kelongs in Mersing

Goodbye to kelongs in Mersing



Fishing enthusiasts bidding farewell to staff at Hot Boys Kelong in a picture posted on Facebook yesterday. The kelong ceased operations today, after being served an eviction notice. (PHOTO: FACEBOOK)

Fishing enthusiasts from Singapore who enjoy heading to kelongs in Mersing, where one collapsed on Aug 25, can no longer do so. All three remaining kelongs - Ah Fatt, Hot Boys and Ah Ngan - have ceased operations as of today.

The kelongs, popular with anglers here, were served eviction notices by the Malaysian authorities earlier on Aug 20, when their operators were told to dismantle their kelongs within 14 days.

Failure to comply with the notices of the Mersing land office would result in a fine not exceeding RM10,000 (S$3,900), a jail term not more than one year, or both.

The notice said that the kelong premises would be forcibly removed if not cleared by the deadline. However, the deadline came and went, and it was only last Tuesday that the kelong operators were told they had till today to close.

On Saturday, Ah Fatt Kelong took to Facebook and its website to confirm its closure. In a note to patrons, the kelong's operator said it was given "no room for discussion and consultation" and had no choice but to pack up and leave.

"I can't accept that more than 20 years of my blood and sweat has gone up in smoke," said the operator in the note.

When contacted by My Paper, Ah Fatt Kelong owner He Yu Hock, 50, said they had been "forced" out.

Hot Boys Kelong also posted on its Facebook page that yesterday was its "last day" and that it will be "permanently closed". Its operator said the best word to describe its feelings would be "reluctant".

Ah Ngan Kelong - also known as Wing Sing Kelong - could not be reached for comment.

A fourth kelong, Ah Yew Kelong, collapsed more than a month ago after a thunderstorm weakened its already-damaged foundation.

Malaysian Chinese newspaper Oriental Daily reported on Friday that the Malaysian authorities' move to evict the kelongs was understood to have likely been made to conserve the ecosystem where the kelongs are sited.

Deputy project manager Low Yew Huat, 59, said there were fewer than 40 people at Hot Boys Kelong last weekend, and they were mostly regulars who had gone to say goodbye to kelong staff.

Mr Low said fishing enthusiasts like him will now have to head farther up Johor or to Indonesia for their fishing fix.

Chef Martin Von Gnechten, 56, said he was not surprised by the news as he heard of closure rumours about a year ago, but was still disappointed.

The Singapore permanent resident, who was on Ah Yew Kelong when it collapsed, said: "It is going to affect a lot of people's livelihoods - the kelong staff and people selling fishing equipment."

~News courtesy of Omy~

Firefly connects JB and Pekanbaru

Firefly connects JB and Pekanbaru

MEMBERS of the media were recently taken on a three-day, two-night trip to Pekanbaru in Riau province, Indonesia, to experience Firefly’s Everyday Low Fare Johor Baru-Pekanbaru route.

The 21-member group, led by Johor Media Club president Fauzi Isa, comprised journalists, photographers, broadcasters and representatives from the Johor Menteri Besar’s Media Communication (Medkom) Unit.

“The Johor Media Club was elected to be promotion partners by the state government and Tourism Department. Thus, we were invited to promote Johor and learn about Pekanbaru,” said Fauzi.

The trip was organised with the cooperation of Firefly, the state government and the Johor Tourism Department. Firefly Johor sales manager Khairul Anuar Daud said the airline decided to sponsor the air tickets to Pekanbaru for the media members who were the “best people to experience and report their findings”.

He said the objective of this promotion was to learn from the media representatives “our strengths and weaknesses”.

Firefly’s Johor Baru-Pekanbaru route allows passengers to experience the Firefly travel experience that aims to provide seamless, hassle-free regional connectivity.

The departure was from the Sultan Ismail International Airport in Senai.

After checking in their luggage, the media delegation visited Firefly’s office, before boarding their ATR 72-500 turboprop aircraft which has a seating capacity of 72.

The 80-minute journey went smoothly, and the delegates arrived without encountering any glitches at Pekanbaru’s Sultan Syarif Kasim II International Airport.

The airport recently underwent intensive renovation costing more than RM14.2 million to cater to the growing number of passengers. Last year, the airport could cater up to four million passengers and today, it could be double that number.

The airport’s operation service manager, Hastroman Yusof, said the airport tarmac was used by 90 commercial flights on a daily basis.

The delegates then made their way to Pekanbaru’s Governor’s Office in Jalan Jendral Sudirman, where an office complex housing all the official government departments was also located. This one-stop centre enables the city’s 1.1 million population to settle all government-related matters under one roof.

When Firefly’s Indonesian representative Sri Noviyanti Oppie shared this information, many members of the delegation were impressed.

Travelling in a mini bus, the delegates were then taken around to see several iconic structures in the city, including the Tugu Tarian Zapin.

Upon seeing this monument which depicted two men and a woman engaged in the dance form popular in Johor, members of the delega- tion mentioned this to their Indonesian counterparts.

The visitors were later taken to the Sang Nila Utama Museum, which housed Pekanbaru’s collection of artefacts related to the Riau-Malay heritage. There were Malay wedding costumes, traditional toys, musical instruments and replicas of oil rigs and methods of extracting Pekanbaru’s rich oil reserves.

Said told the Johor Media Club members that Riau Province’s economy depended heavily on oil.

Other attractions included in the trip were visits to the Gedung Taman Budaya Riau or its Cultural Park, the Pekanbaru Expo, the famous Pasar Pusat, Pasar Bawah and Pasar Tengah, the Grand Mosque that is the oldest mosque the province, and the Labersa Grand Hotel with its beautiful golf course.

The Pasar Pusat is a market famous for household items like ceramics, leather products and carpets, clothing and shoes. The Pasar Bawah (basement) and Pasar Tengah (middle), refer to a three-storey market that is a haven for shoppers looking for a good bargains.

Meals included local delicacies like the nasi Padang.

Fauzi said the highlight of the trip, among others, was the briefing by the Riau Province Culture and Tourism department chief H. Said Syarifuddin, who said that the administration was divided into nine regencies, namely Bengkalis, Indragiri Hilir, Kampar, Kuantan Singingi, Pelalawan, Rokan Hilir, Rokan Hulu, Siak and the two cities of Pekanbaru and Dumai.

Said, who had visited Johor previously, said that Johor and Pekanbaru were similar in many ways, especially culturally.

He said he hoped to bring something similar to the Johor Premium Outlet to Pekanbaru, to further promote its tourism industry.

He also commented on the many new iconic tourist attractions in Johor Baru like the Legoland Puteri Harbour Family Theme Park, and also the varieties of cuisine coming from Malaysia’s multi-racial population.

Said said that tourists to the province should not miss the Bono Wave River Surf in Kampar River and also the Tongkang Bakar ritual practised by the Indonesian Chinese.

Firefly flies from JB to Pekanbaru four times a week. The 80-minute flight departs from JB at 10.20am and the return flight from Pekanbaru is at 11am.

~News courtesy of New Straits Times~

Business swiped by 'kereta sapu'

Business swiped by 'kereta sapu'

MORE than 40 car rental operators based at the Mersing Bus and Taxi Terminal are complaining that their incomes have been adversely affected due to their potential customers being snared away by kereta sapu (illegal taxi) operators.

Mersing Car Rental Operators chairman Mad Rasid Yussuf said this problem has existed for quite some time.

"Our members get about four to five passengers a day, and their earnings come to about RM500 after deducting for maintenance, petrol and monthly rental," said Mad Rasid. "On some days, they wait for hours at the terminal and they take home only RM10."

Mad Rasid said some members were forced to give up their livelihood as they could no longer afford the operation due to the rising cost of rental, car inspection, getting permit and contributing to the association's fund.

He urged the relevant authorities to carry out operations to ensure that the welfare of the authorised car rental operators were not affected.

Ahmad Zaudin Adon, a 72-year-old taxi driver, said the Land Public Transport Commission had carried out operations to deter unauthorised taxi operators who ferried passengers for a fee from the terminal.

"However, the illegal operators will come back again after each operation," he said.

"We (the authorised taxis and car rental operators) are already not earning much, and with the presence of the illegal players, our daily income is further affected.

"Sometimes, commuters choose the illegal taxi operators as we need to adhere to the stipulated fare, while the illegal ones can charge a lower rate."

Ahmad added that the illegal taxi drivers would park some distance from the terminal to avoid being detected by enforcement officers.



At the Mersing Bus and Taxi Terminal, there is a tussle for passengers between authorised car rental operators and illegal taxis.

~News courtesy of New Straits Times~