Terengganu : Dataran Maziah

Located in front of Istana Maziah, Dataran Maziah is a mini-park beautifully adorned with landscapes of shrubs, trees and paved walkways. In the centre of the park, stands an impressive replica of Betel Chewing instruments such as Gobek Sireh and Kacip Pinang.

Photos : My Canon Powershot A85

Terengganu : Bukit Puteri

View from Dataran Maziah

Bukit Puteri

Bukit Puteri is situated at the mouth of Terengganu River. It covers an area of about 658 hectares and the height is about 200 meters from the sea level. Bukit Puteri was built to defend the Rulers of Terengganu from attacks by the enemies. Bukit Puteri is easily accessible as there are steps leading to the top. Bukit Puteri was said to have originated as a place of residence for Puteri Bunian. However, the princess left Bukit Puteri when the local residents borrowed her cutlery and did not return them to her. According to legend, this hill was opened by a chieftain from Johor named Tuk Raja Menteri who came to Terengganu to install Sultan Zainal Abidin I as the first Sultan of Terengganu.

During the year 1830, there was a struggle for power among the two royalty of Terengganu that is, Tengku Mansur, the Sultan of Terengganu who was conferred the title of Sultan Mansur Shah II and Tengku Umar, the Yang Di pertuan Besar. Tengku Umar had built a fort at the top of Bukit Puteri for defence. This fort was built of bricks and cemented with honey, lime and egg white. However Bukit Puteri was captured by Sultan Mansur Shah II and Tengku Umar was forced to flee to Besut. Bukit Puteri then came under the control of Sultan Muhammad I who ascended to the throne when Sultan Mansur Shah II passed away. However, Sultan Mahmmud was not able to defend Bukit Puteri when it was attacked by Tengku Umar army. Finally, Tengku Umar recaptured Bukit Puteri again.

A few historical artifacts still exists on Bukit Puteri till this present day. Among them are a big bell, cannon, a flag pole, light house, graves and a defence wall. However, long time ago there were many cannons at Bukit Puteri. The cannons were believed to have originated from Spain, Portugal and the Malay States and were given names such as Seri Jamlor, Seri Buih, Seri Johor and Laila Majnun. The bell that still exists today was built during the reign of Sultan Zainal Abidin III in the year 1908. The bell was made from yellow copper, the circumference and height of the bell were 228 centimeters and the weight was 175 kilograms. The bell was sounded when there were rampage, fire or enemies attacking the state. It was believed that the bell was guarded by a boy from the royal family. The boy job was to sound the bell if any emergency or natural disasters occurred.

A cave known as Gua Puteri can also be found here. It was used as a place to keep the gun powder, stone and iron bullets. The flag pole that is on top of Bukit Puteri was used to raise the royal flag when there were any royal ceremonies held. The weight of the flag pole was around 18 meters high. The lighthouse on the peak of Bukit Puteri functioned as a guide for fishermen and sailors that siles into Kuala Sungai Terengganu. During the reign of Tengku Umar, he built a palace called the Green Palace at the foot of Bukit Puteri but was burned down in 1882. He built a new palace near the site of the Green Palace and was named Istana Maziah which still exit until today.

Nowadays, Bukit Puteri is used as a firing range for cannon when royal ceremonies are held. Besides that, Bukit Puteri has been developed into a tourist attraction.

Source of Article : http://www.cuti.com.my
Photos : Thanks, my canon powershot A85 still perfectly working...:)

My Trip to Penang Hill (Bukit Bendera) & Penang Bridge

My trip to Penang Hill on 13 March 2007 on School Holiday. So many people there during holiday but we enjoyed the trip. We bought train ticket at 4.00 pm for trip at 5.30pm. Even we and have to wait 1 and half hour, but we enjoyed the scenery and the freshness up there.

Those who want to get there, you better spend until night because the night view of Penang town are very beautiful. Don't worry last train trip going down is at 11.30pm. Hope you all enjoyed my photos and videos here.


The funicular train up to Penang Hill

Main Entrance

View from the Hill

Night view

Penang Hill (Bukit Bendera)

Malaysia's first hill station, Penang Hill is 830 meters (2730ft) above sea level, visitors can ascend to the top by either hiking up or by the funicular railway which has been operational since 1922. Apart from the cool, refreshing climate and the fantastic view at the summit, visitors can also view the picturesque bungalows, a beautiful flower garden and a bird park.

There are bungalows for rent and a hotel for those who want to stay for more than a day. Visitors can also indulge in refreshments and snacks at a convenient tea kiosk located on top of the hill.

There is a good walking track up the hill. It takes 4 hours to reach the top and is recommended only for the more energetic. The jungle trail begins at the 'moongate' at Jalan Air Terjun, approximately 300m from the Botanical Gardens entrance.

The most popular way up the hill is via a funicular train, which takes about half an hour. Walking up the hill takes about four hours.

The funicular rail service begins at 6.30am and ends at 9.30pm

Fare: RM4.00 adults & RM2.00 children.




PENANG BRIDGE - Longest Bridge in Malaysia.

Here some beautiful photos from Penang Bridge

Fraser's Hill, Pahang

Fraser's Hill, Pahang. 1st - 2nd April 2006.

Fraser's Hill

Location Map I How to get there

Delight In The Cool Comfort Of A Hilltop RetreatFraser's Hill derives its name from one of the more colourful characters in Colonial history, James Louis Fraser, an adventurer and fortune hunter. Stories about his life, included rumours that he managed an opium and gambling den that was frequented by miners. However, in the early 1900's, J.L. Fraser vanished, never to be heard from again. Later, in 1917, a couple of clergymen rediscovered Fraser's Hill on one of their wanderings. Realising its potential as a Colonial hill station, they managed to garner enough support from the authorities to built a road linking the Kuala Lumpur - Bentong / Kuantan Highway to Fraser's Hill.

When the popularity of Fraser's Hill grew, the expatriate community at that time took to building holiday bungalows on the higher slopes to get away from the unbearable heat of the lowlands. Fraser's Hill at one time was the playground of rich miners and planters from the surrounding areas. One of Malaysia's earliest Golf courses was constructed on Fraser's Hill in 1925 by engineer Frank Hemmant.Cool throughout the year at average temperatures of 58'F to 65'F, the attraction of Fraser's Hill as a tourist resort has not diminished through the years.

Today, Fraser's Hill is popular as a site for company retreats and weekends. The golf fanatic will find enough here to occupy his days and non golfers may just decide to while aways their time horseback riding or simply strolling down the picturesque lanes that weave through the green countryside. The fresh mountain air is cool and invigorating and when dusk falls, the mist that blows in brings back memories of a simple, gentle era.

Source of Information : www.cuti.com.my

Perdana Lake Garden, Kuala Lumpur

Perdana Lake Garden / Taman Tasik Perdana, Kuala Lumpur
Date : 21st November 2004

Lake Gardens / Taman Tasik PerdanaLocated at Jalan Perdana, Kuala Lumpur Lake Gardens (Taman Tasik Perdana) dates to the 1880s and is the city's most popular park.

The brainchild of Alfred Venning, the British State Treasurer in the 1880s, this botanical garden, set amid lakes in the heart of Kuala Lumpur, is the city dweller's favourite rendezvous.

Here, you may see a sprawling 91.6 hectares of close-cropped lawns, undulating hills and carefully cultivated gardens. It provides a showcase of harmony, beauty and tranquility created by both man and nature.

Built around two lakes, the tropical garden is a pleasant oasis within the city providing a cool and soothing ambience as one walks through a vista of exotic blooms, luxuriant foliage, imposing sculptures, creative theme parks and majestic-looking raintrees.

Lake Gardens offers locals and visitors a wide range of facilities such as children's playground, jogging tracks, exercise stations and rowing boats.

The Panggung Anniversary, set in a secluded valley, is a regular venue for musical and cultural performances. While other attractions within the park include a bird park, a butterfly park, a deer park and flower gardens.