Archeology Museum Bujang Valley

Archeology Museum Bujang Valley (Arkeologi Museum Lembah Bujang) that sits on Batu Pahat Hill was officially opened by His Royal Highness, The Sultan of Kedah 23rd January 1980. This museum is the first archeology museum built in Malaysia, under the Museum and Antiquity Department.

The main function is to display all archeological artifacts during surveys, research and excavation works on various sites around Bujang Valley. The main objectives of this museum is planning and puts into effect all research works, rescue and conservation of historical sites in Bujang Valley, that was dated from the early 5th Century A.D. to 14th Century A.D. ; covering the area of 400 KM sq. , bounded by the Charas Hill up north, Muda river on the south, Straits of Malacca on the east and the North-South Highway on the west.

The latest information obtained from the archeology research and excavation have changed the interpretation, hypothesis and theories made previously. In development of this, a comprehensive research is needed through multidisciplinary approach to capture the historical role and the progress of the people of Bujang Valley. The research on the overall, undertakes the Bujang Valley as an international trade centre from 5th Century A.D. to 14th century A.D. ; as well as indianazation in the South East Asia, especially in Malaysia.

Redevelopment and site conservation through historical landscaping would make this area as an information resource centre and a archeo-tourism destination, with a hope of making the national park in the Bujang Valley a reality.

Gunung Jerai, Kedah

Gunung Jerai (Mount Jerai)rises above the surrounding plains at 1380metres/4140 feet above sea level and is visible for miles around. 11kms of winding road lead up to this mountain resort which can be reached by car. The vegetation begins to change gradually as you ascend the mountain - through the lower and upper dipterocarp forests that we commonly encounter in parks and reserves down in valleys and low lying areas that give way to the low montane forest where conifers thrive. At the top of the mount the trees are much shorter in height, twisted and gnarled from the base to the branches. It certainly is a delight to step off the cemented trails and onto the soft forest floor - nature's best carpeting, thickly covered with layers of acid humus soil and peat.

The forest is saturated with delicious scents. A wonderful mixture of balsamic fragrances from various types of coniferous and oak trees gives the forest a rather alien feel. It's like walking into a curio shop in a little seaside town - everything seems so strangely out of place.
Just a short distance away from the resort, sits the forestry's museum. The displays give a fair bit of information on the Malaysian forests. However, a number of displays do not have English placards and can be frustrating for some. There is also a section dedicated to wildlife found within the Jerai Forest Reserve area. Guides can be arranged for trekking expeditions in the reserve park through the rangers at the forestry's museum.

Dusky Leaf Monkeys are common around the area and can often be seen feeding on trees at the quieter end of the road leading to the old shrine at the peak. Its unfortunate that the old Hindu shrine, believed to date from the 7th century CE is off limits to the public. There is now a telecommunications tower located by the shrine. The nine square foundation blocks constituting the shrine is believed to be hearths which some archaeologists believe they might be connected with the nine sacred planets of Hinduism, or Navagrahas.

Gunung Jerai plays a most important part in the history of Kedah. Years before Melaka became a central trading hub, the Indian and Arab merchants preferred Kedah as it is geographically positioned on the same latitude as Southern India. In those days, the ships got to their destinations by hugging close to the coastlines so that they didn't float away into the vast, open sea. This means that the ships could sail due east or west through the Bay of Bengal without getting lost. Gunung Jerai must have been a welcomed sight, being the only visible landmark identifiable from miles away. It commands a magnificent view of the coastal plain, the Merbok estuary to the south and the sea.

Many centuries later, Gunung Jerai was again used for strategic means. During World War 11, the British army built trenches close to the peak where the lay in wait for the enemy coming in from the sea. The trenches are still there, snaking its way along the slopes of Jerai.

What they say about gunung jerai

Gunung Jerai, a place that seems so near to me, but I never pay any visit to this place at all. Finally, I decided to pay a visit to this highland during the long Deepa Raya holidays.
Gunung Jerai is situated in Kedah. The mountain is about 1300 meters above sea level and it is also the highest mountain in Kedah. About 2km of winding road (really uphill) - no worries, as the road is tarred - that leads you to a resort at the peak of this mountain. Currently, the resort (chalet) is closed due to some renovation work on the water pipes. The construction works should complete by mid December 2005.

As I cannot enter to the resort area, I just walk around the front entrance area. Nice cool weather...hmm...cooler than I expected. Probably due to the recent rainfalls and also in rainy season. From what my sight can reach, the resort place is quite big, there is a mini stadium and a garden. A security checkpoint is just in front of the main entrance. Along the winding road, we will reach the forestry museum (Museum Perhutanan) just a short distance before reaching the peak. Just too bad, this place was closed as well for the Hari Raya holidays. At this juncture, we decided to take a walk to the near by recreation campsite. The nicely built walkways lead you to the campsite. With the waterfalls and the scenic views of padi field, this is a good place for camping.

Eating Out at Penang...

The delightful variety of Penang food reflects the different cooking styles and tastes of its multiracial population. There is mouth watering selection of Chinese, Malay, Indian and Nyonya cuisine to sample, not to mention the irresistible hawker fare.

Peranakan or Nyonya cooking consists of an exotic blend of Chinese and Malay savoury cuisines. The style of cooking is quite elaborate involving a fine mixture of spices and herbs with onions, garlic and chillies.

Not to be missed hawker favourites are noodle dishes such as asam laksa, hokkien mee, char koay teow, and pasembor, a local salad dish.

Nyonya cuisine includes mee siam, otak-otak, kerabu, enche kabin and curry kapitan. The Nyonyas are also famous for their delicious cakes and desserts. Heading the list of Indian cuisine is nasi kandar, a dish of Indian Muslim origin. South Indian favourites include tosai and idiapom served with thick dhall curry. Northen Indian naan bread with chicken tandoori or chicken tikka are also worth trying.

Chinese restaurants offer Cantonese, Szechuan, Hokkien, Teochew and Hainanese food such as dim sum, rice porridge, chicken rice, diced chicken with dried chillies and a variety of noodles.

Malay food typified by dishes such as sambal tumis, masak lemak and sambal belacan are easily available. A traditional favourites with local and foreigners alike is satay.

Tips how to maximise your discount hotels.

This is the tips and procedure to get to maximise your discount hotels, so you can relax at 5, 4 stars hotel at Malaysia with a cheaper prices. This tips can be used for

1. Corporates doing bussiness in Malaysia, always travelling around Malaysia such as Penang, Kuala Lumpur etc.
2. Like me, which have a family and then sometimes for aniversary or special occasions want to stay at 5 star hotel.
3. For those who recently get married and want great honeymoon week.
4. For travellers, backpackers or our friend who want to travel to South east Asia.
5. For those who want to make Last Deal Booking Hotel.

This tips I gaved in using my blog to get better understanding.

1. First, click at Malaysia Discount Hotel box at the sidebar, and it will open to where in Malaysia you will be staying. Maybe you choose Penang, so just click Penang.
2. Then, it will open to the search results for Penang. But look at the Last Minute Deals. Click that one.
3. Change travel date and choose which hotel do you want to stay. Examples like Copthorne Orchid Hotel Penang or Ferringhi Beach Hotel Penang. Click info to look details about the hotel.
4. After surveying, then book the hotel using a credit card. Don't forget to print the invoice. How to book the hotels in details is given here.

TThis tips is good because

1. The price in internet is a promotional prices. There is so many hotel links and competition is high in internet so the hotels give us a very good bargain prices to promote their hotel. So, it is better to booking hotels room using internet than a direct one.
2. In the Last Minute Deals, the room prices become more lower than usual, so its a benefit to the travellers to get their cheaper price.
3. You also can be a member for hotel club, and its free registeration, so you can get another added discount thru your member club account.
4. Good luck and try it for yourself.

Getting around Penang

Penang's public transport system is efficient and getting around by taxis , buses or trishaws may be a fun and inexpensive way of catching the sights.

City taxis. Most city taxis do not use the meter. You may either insist on the meter being turned on or agree on the price before you move off.

City buses. Most buses use coin machines to collect fares. The main bus terminals are at Pengkalan Weld (ferry terminal) and KOMTAR (ground floor). Mini buses also ply various routes in the city, charging a flat rate of RM0.70.

Trishaws. Besides the novelty of travelling in this three wheeled vehicle, trishaws allow visitors the opportunity to enjoy the sights in Penang at a leisurely pace. One can also stop at any point to snap pictures or buy souvenirs. There is no standard fare and it would be wise to agree on the price before you get on the trishaw. For extended sightseeing, it is advisable to hire them by the hour.

Tours/ Cruises. There are many fascinating tours by air conditioned coaches to famous landmarks around the island. Check with your hotel for details on times and prices.

1. Round island tour. Includes visit to batik factories and fishing villages along Batu Ferringhi and Teluk Bahang. It also covers Balik Pulau, the snake temple and Fort Cornwallis.
2. Hill and temple tour. The tour includes a ride up Penang Hill's funicular railway and a visit to Kek Lok Si Temple which houses the Pagoda of Ten Thousand Buddhas.
3. City tour. Includes visit to the Botanical Garden, Wat Chaiya Mangkalaram, The Kapitan Keling Mosque, Penang Museum and Khoo Kongsi.
4. Night tour. Includes dinner, a visit to the pasar malam or night market and a trishaw ride around Georgetown.
5. Boat trips. Most beach hotels offer day trips to the uninhabated islands off Batu Ferringhi. Round island trips are also available.