Travel

Melaka Alive

Melaka Alive is a project that aims to present the past of Melaka in 5D. In other words, it is a cultural performance that tells the history of Melaka as it originally should, from Parameswara to The Malaccan Sultanate to the times of Portuguese occupation through live theatre performance.

The Melaka Alive stage is located nearby the well-famed Porta de Santiago and directly opposite the Proclamation of Independence Memorial.

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This is the stage. A ship inspired stage.

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A closer look on Bahtera Merdeka where the Melaka Alive Cultural Performance is staged. We were was told that there will be a few more stage performance that will bring history alive across the famous locations in Melaka; the ruins of Porta de Santiago and The Christ Church in the Dutch Square, but for now it’s just The Ship, Bahtera Merdeka.

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Upon entering, you’ll be greeted by the casts who are already fully costumed. They will lead you to board the ship. This is where you’ll feel that you have just stepped into a time machine, where you were brought into Melaka of the past.

One word of advice; If you are seated in front and the Bahtera Merdeka’s crew hand you a disposable raincoat, you might want to put it on.

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There is plenty of realistic rainfalls and ocean tide’s splashes throughout the show. The one that I watched was called ‘The Winds of Melaka’

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Set on board of the ‘Bahtera Merdeka’, the  ship inspired stage, this extravaganza tale of Panglima Awang is brought to life in a play that combines spectacular visuals, effects, music and live acting to tell the story of Melaka’s rich and diverse history, from the establishment of the city by it’s founder Parameswara, to the glorious Melaccan Sultanate to it’s fall into the Portuguese hands. Amongst other things, the performance also highlights the legends of the Mouse Deer and dogs, the arrival of Cheng Ho’s fleet and the coming of de Sequiera and de Albuquerque to the shores of the kingdom.

So what did wethink about the entire Melaka Alive: The Winds of Melaka performance? Fabulous!

Melaka Alive is definitely a must see tourist attraction for all who visit Melaka and Malaysia. Like it’s tagline goes, it is ‘very history, very drama in 5D’. Highly recommended for school trips. It beats studying history from the boring textbooks in school.

Interested to see history comes alive before your very eyes? Here’s the ticketing details:

Ticket Pricing

MyKad
Adult RM35
Child RM20

Non MyKad
Adult RM45
Child RM28

Senior Citizen (60 years +) RM20 –

Terms & Conditions
Prove of MYKad at redemption counter is needed.
Child 3 years old and below or 90 cm below is free.

Showtimes

Every Thursday to Sunday
Time: 7.30 pm & 9 pm

For more info, visit their site at www.melakaalive.com.my and Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/pages/Official-Melaka-Alive/745782112168059

Purr-fect time spent at Sanrio Hello Kitty Town

After hearing about it for quite a while now, finally I got to visit the Puteri Harbour Theme Park. The Puteri Harbour Theme Park is a large building – a four storey indoor theme park comprising Sanrio Hello Kitty Town, The Little Big Club and a themed restaurant attraction called Lat’s Place.

I think the Puteri Harbour Theme Park is ideal for young kids, ideally age 10 and below, but out of curiousity, I brought my 10 year old daughter there….

Now I have been a fan of Hello Kitty and My Melody ever since I was a kid too, anyway, who can resist the cute characters of Sanrio?!!

When you enter the Puteri Harbour Theme Park building, you will be greeted by a very bright and attractive cafe, called the Red Bow Cafe with an adorable Hello Kitty bow theme. They serve a myriad of attractive Hello Kitty shaped waffles, sandwiches, snacks and drinks. Definitely very eye catching and looks almost too lovely to eat….

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The Sanrio Hello Kitty Town is located on the first floor of this building. It is supposedly the first Sanrio Hello Kitty Town attraction outside of Japan and it consists of various pretty interesting interactive and walk-through activities, which follow the popular Hello Kitty theme.

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Do not forget to check the character appearance schedule and show times and try to memorize where you can catch your favourite characters in action

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Getting there can be a little confusing, but from the Kuala Lumpur Plus highway Sanrio Hello Kitty Town can be reached by taking exit 253 to Senai Airport and then exit 311 to Kota Iskandar: from this road it is a short drive to Puteri Harbour where the park is located.

Sanrio Hello Kitty Town is situated at Nusajaya. The theme park operates daily from 10:00am – 6:00pm. We were quite amused by the concept of the theme park. It was amazing. My family were having fun exploring the theme park.

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The concept attracts both adults and kids. Most of the visitors were naturally families with children. It was a great place for families to spend time and have fun. It was a nice place to take photos too with cutesy Sanrio deco all over.

There are about 6 activities inside, before heading upstairs, the staff will give you a postcard passport. You will have to present this postcard before the start of each activity for stamping.

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One of the highlights of Sanrio Hello Kitty Town would have to be Hello Kitty’s house – a guaranteed favourite with little ones.

It is definitely a dream house for kiddies or Hello Kitty fans: from the front door inlaid with pretty rose stained glass, through the kitchen with hand-carved fixings, and on to the cute but flamboyant bedroom, decorated in several shades of yellow and pink.

The lovely blue bathroom with a huge Hello Kitty tub which my daughter wished she had one at home….

You can even take a peek into Hello Kitty’s wardrobe and marvel or complain about the hardness Hello Kitty’s clothings….

You can head over to the Wishful Studio for lots of activities. It is at the Wishful Studio where you can dabble in jewellery making, play dress-up at the photo studio and even visit a nail salon where you can get unique Sanrio-themed nail art.

As you can see here, my little girl and I were at the Cookie Studio where we were given Hello Kitty cookies to decorate as we like then eat it….

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Then we got to watch Hello Kitty and her boyfriend Dear Daniel in a musical show at the Purrfect Stage. It was fun and though Hello Kitty’s behavior somewhat reminded me of a K-Pop or J-Pop female artiste, it was fun.

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Another main attraction here is the Hello Kitty Black Wonder, an interactive experience where children can help to find Hello Kitty and Dear Daniel who have been kidnapped by Kuromi.

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Guests will be given a lamp and they have to find out their secret symbol and five alphabets that would be the password to setting Hello Kitty and Dear Daniel free. It is somewhat like a kiddy version Escape Room where you have to find the clues to unlock the answers.

The attraction uses technology such as sensors and computers to enhance the experience as well as devices to interact with during the mission.

To get the alphabets, you have to look in each different area and find your secret symbol and the alphabet written next to it…

 

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When you have the 5 alphabets, you have to put it together to make a word, and that will be the password, and once you have the password, you will be given a certificate that you have completed your adventure and set Dear Daniel and Hello Kitty free…

Things to do while there:

Make sure you read their show schedule, so that you do not miss out on their show, though they will actually announce the show 10 minutes before it starts.
Do not forget to take a picture with all the Sanrio characters as well if you can..

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All in all, it is a great place to kill a few hours, let your inner kid go, and have fun with your kiddies. I had a lot of fun with my daughter.

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Prices are: RM80 for Sanrio Hello Kitty Town or RM117 for both Sanrio Hello Kitty Town and the Little Big Club (non Malaysians)
RM59 for Sanrio Hello Kitty Town or RM91 for both Sanrio Hello Kitty Town and the Little Big Club (Malaysians with My Kad)
(all tickets inclusive of GST)

For more information, please check out: –
https://www.playtime.com.my/hello-kitty-town

https://www.facebook.com/SanrioHelloKittyTown

Last but not least, check out the gift shop… filled with original Sanrio merchandise… which are just soooo cute and precious…

Thank you Themed Attractions and Resorts Sdn Bhd / Puteri Harbour Theme Park for having me….

A stay at the Mutiara Johor Bahru

I was in Johor Bahru for the weekend with my hubby and little girl and we stayed one night at the Mutiara Hotel Johor Bahru which is located in the heart of to prime commercial and shopping malls. It is this strategic position makes the Mutiara Hotel Johor Bahru the perfect choice for business travelers.

The hotel is also very conveniently located right next to Holiday Plaza and Parkson!!

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The Mutiara Hotel Johor Bahru offers spacious rooms and suites. Each of these rooms comes with amenities, catering to the needs of business travelers.

The rooms are equipped with individually controlled air-conditioning, television, telephone, wardrobe, personal electronic safe, sensor touch bedside control panel, essential toiletries and coffee and tea making facilities.

 

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There are 110 unit of superior rooms and 153 unit of deluxe room offered at Mutiara Hotel Johor Bahru.

My room was the deluxe room which came with 2 queen sized beds and came with a bathtub – an essential for my little girl- and showers with generous amount of supply of essential toiletries.

 

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My stay at the Mutiara Hotel Johor Bahru was also inclusive of complimentary breakfast for two adults and since I had my little girl along, I had to pay an additional RM25 for her breakfast which was pretty much quite worth it.

The Mutiara Hotel Johor Bahru does seem a little run down on the exterior, but inside, the luxurious 5 star facilities still ensure guests have a relaxing and comfortable stay.

There are a few section of places to eat, unwind and indulge here. The Seri Mutiara Restaurant which is a 24 hours restaurant at the Mutiara Hotel Johor Bahru is located at the lobby area offers local and continental fare serve ala carte of buffet for breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Then there is the Capri Italian Sidewalk Café at the Mutiara Hotel Johor Bahru which serves pretty yummy though slightly pricey Italian cuisine. My husband, daughter and I indulged ourselves in a home-made pizza and spaghetti because it was pouring cats and dogs and we could not go out on the evening we stayed there. We were also serenaded by the guest singer there… while the rained poured on outside the hotel.

I understand there is also a Meisan Szechuan Restaurant in Mutiara Hotel Johor Bahru. serving the finest Szechuan cuisine and seafood here.

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The Mutiara Terrace & Deli is a brasserie style café restaurant that adopts an all-day casual dining. Items on the menu include a wide range of pastries and cakes and an assortment of mouth watering savories that will not fail your taste buds.

Guests can also head on to the Polo Lounge at the Mutiara Hotel Johor Bahru for live entertainment.

There is also an outdoor swimming pool, indoor squash court, Jacuzzi and a gymnasium.

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The Mutiara Hotel in Johor Bahru is strategically located in the Johor Bahru city centre. The Mutiara Hotel Johor Bahru is only 40 minutes drive from the Sultan Ismail Airport and 10 minutes from Singapore via Causeway.

Amenities Available
Electronic Key System
Individual Controlled Air-Conditioning
High Speed Internet Access
IDD Telephone
ASTRO TV Channels
Electronic Safe Box
Coffee/Tea Making Facilities
Refrigerator with Mini Bar
Writing Desk
LCD Television
Bathrobe & Room Slippers
Razor Adaptor
Hair Dryer
Shaver Outlet (110/240 volts, AC-50 cycles)

For more details: Check out : https://www.mutiarahotels.com/johor-bahru/

My stay here at the Mutiara Hotel in Johor Bahru was sponsored by Tradewinds Travels and Tours Sdn Bhd.

Established since 1995 as a conventional travel agency, Tradewinds Travel Services (TTS) has evolved to become a leading travel management company in Malaysia that provides corporate travel solutions to multinationals (MNC), government linked companies (GLC) and small medium enterprise (SME).

TTS alliance with Travel Solutions International (www.tsi-network.com), one of the industry’s fastest growing networks of corporate travel management companies; serves as an added impetus to provide end-to-end solutions to global corporate accounts across borders.

TTS also prides itself in creating distinct service standards and product differentiation by providing meeting and incentive services, built from its network of reliable industry partners locally and internationally.

TTS venture into niche luxury and experiential journeys for its premiere clientele marked a major milestone in the history of the company. TTS “inception” program promises once in a lifetime experience to its guests. Be it wildlife safari in Africa, luxury river cruise in Amazon, golf in St Andrews Scotland or marvel at the aurelia in Iceland; “inception” stokes every emotion and senses that guests would want to return for another adventure even before it finishes.

For more travel services and such, be sure to check them out https://www.twtravel.com.my/

 

A stay at LEGOLAND hotel in Malaysia

By Miera Nadhirah

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Holidays are a vital part of life: not just for a change of scenery and the chance to do something different, out of the normal, but also for the opportunity to recharge your batteries and spend essential time to bond with your family.

Recently, my family and I had the opportunity to spend some time at the LEGOLAND Hotel Malaysia. The lobby was downright fantastic, and everything was LEGO themed as it was suggested. The staff and decorators definitely paid a great deal of attention to detail.
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Top 5 Kid Friendly Destinations in the US

Although there are a multitude of destinations considered kid-friendly, here are the top 5 you may want to consider on your next family vacation.

1. Disney World. This ultimate family vacation has been the source of great joy for adults and kids alike. Whether you stay several miles from the theme park or enjoy the onsite amenities, this vacation affords you an endless array of activities designed for the entire family. From Epcot Center to Sea World; from Disney Village to Universal Studios; Water parks to Wildlife parks; no time is wasted at this world-famous resort.

Moreover, many online travel sites are offering special packages to Disney World as well as Southwest Airlines and others. In addition, you can save quite a bit of money by selecting hotels that offer free stays for children, as well as free meals for the little ones. This is one destination where you can easily book a trip based on your budget and stick to it.

2. Sylvan Dale Guest Ranch. From Alaska to Wyoming, there are a multitude of dude ranches perfect for a family vacation. But, one of the most notable is the Sylvan Dale Guest Ranch in Colorado, approximately 20 miles from Rock Mountain National Park. Here, your family can engage in an array of activities including: horseback riding, hayrides, nature walks, and a host of amenities provided by the ranch.

This dude ranch is perfect for families who love the outdoors as well as enjoy visiting such historic sites as Fort Collins, Old West Museums, and Cheyenne (where you can buy tickets to the world’s largest rodeo held from July 17 to the 26th).

3. Hawaii. While Oahu has always been a popular destination, it is Maui that attracts family vacationers more than any of its islands. The reason is that it offers a wide variety of activities such as whale watching (seasonal); Lahaina, a famous whaling village; and Maui Ocean Center, home to the largest aquarium in Hawaii.

Your family can also take a ride on the Sugar Cane Train, circa 1890; visit Oheo Gulch to marvel at the spectacular waterfalls; spend a day at Iao Valley and view the Iao Needle; or visit the black-sand beaches at Waianapanapa in East Maui.

For fabulous weather, magnificent sunsets, and beautiful beaches; Maui is the perfect spot to unwind and enjoy spending quality family time.

4. New York. Probably the most exciting vacation spot for families is New York. The “Big Apple” has something for everyone; from Broadway to Rockefeller Center, you will never run out of things to do here. Among the many sites to visit is Radio City Music Hall where you can take in a show; Madison Square Garden; the Empire State Building; the Village; 42nd Street, the Theatre District; museums; shopping, fabulous cuisine; the list is endless.

Spend a day walking along Fifth Avenue and stop at St. Patrick’s Cathedral; take a tour of NBC Studios; spend an afternoon in Central Park and visit the zoo there; go to the South Street Seaport or take in a matinee performance on a Wednesday afternoon.

Whether you stay uptown or downtown, you will always be in close proximity to the many historic sites and sounds that comprise Manhattan. Moreover, your kids will enjoy all this city has to offer.

5. Las Vegas. The city that never sleeps offers a wide range of attractions for kids. This is why it is among the top family destinations in the US today. Moreover, it is an affordable vacation because the hotel packages and meals will fit any budget.

Among the many attractions offered for families include: M&M’s World, the Lion Habitat at MGM, Adventure Canyon, Game Works (a video game-playing wonderland), Sports Park, Circus Circus rides; Dolphin Habitat at the Mirage hotel; Shark Reef; New York, New York’s roller coaster; Madame Tussaud’s; Lake Mead; Children’s Museum (the largest of its kind); and Adventuresdome, the largest theme park in the U.S.

Many of these attractions are free and are well worth visiting. Don’t forget the Flamingo Habitat at the Flamingo hotel or the spectacular water fountain show across the way at Caesars Palace.

For great fun and awesome rides and venues, Las Vegas is a wonderful choice for your next family vacation.