Friday 23 November 2012

Seoul ,Korea colour city of Asia (september 2011)

Seoul (서울) [1] [2] is the capital of South Korea. With a population of over 10.5 million, Seoul is by far South Korea's largest city and one of East Asia's financial and cultural epicenters.

With over 10 million people, a figure that doubles if you include neighboring cities and suburbs, Seoul is the largest city in South Korea and unquestionably the economic, political and cultural hub of the country. By some measures it is the second largest urban agglomeration on the planet, after Greater Tokyo. Situated between Shanghai and Tokyo and bordered by the impenetrable Democratic People’s Republic of Korea to the north, the South Korean capital is sometimes overlooked by travelers. However, Seoul is an exciting location in its own right, not to mention cheaper than its rivals and incredibly safe. With beautiful palaces, great food and a shopping nightlife, Seoul is a frenetic way to experience the Asia of old and new.

My trip to seoul took me 8 hour flight from LCCT to Incheon International airport..... after arrived Seoul i took speed train to Seoul station to meet my friend Owen that will be my guide in Seoul.In Seoul i was staying in a one of the guesthouse at Jongno 3 ga area is very close to all the attraction so everything is just walking distance.The weather when i arrive is around 12 degree in the evening very nice to walk outside the street but
problem is i arrived very late is already midnite in Seoul so i just unpack then when to bed early.

I start my trip in Seoul by going to the  Gyeongbokgung  palace the only place u can see the traditional guard changing ceremony (at 11am,1.30pm and 3.30 pm )all the solider in Joseon-era uniform stand guard. Next place u need to visit is the Changdeokgung that is only located few minute walk from the Gyeongbokgung palace. Starting with a beautiful palace square at the entrance and walk in u will see a big pavillion then walk through the royal garden.


Other places that u must see when u in Seoul is the N Seoul Tower located at Namsan take train in Line 1 or 4 to Seoul station, exit 10. As iconic as kimchi,N Seoul Tower offers panaromc but hazy view of the immense metropolis created almost form scratch after Korean War. The best time to go there when is sunset you can watch the great city morph into a galaxy of twinkling stars.

The top pick area that must see is Myeong-dong ,Namsan and Iteawon. 
location : 

1. N Seoul Tower
2. Namsangol Hanok Village 
3. Leeum Samsung Museum of art 
4. Seoul museum of art 







Iteawon has different atmosphere and character to all other. the main area in the city is full of foreigner and foreign restaurants. So no problem in comunication is all english .Iteawon also full of club and bar site and also heaven for shopping.  







For Kids 

another places must see in Seoul if u have kids is 


1. Lotte world           - a mainly indoor disneyland -ish amusement park with scary rides and musical 
                                    parades. The complex also include an ice sakting rink, tenpin bowling and lot 
                                    more 
2. Seoul grand park - A huge zoo , acres of greenery and fun and fun dolphin    
                                    and seal show .
                                    A large amusement park adrenaline rides is next door.
3. COEX Aquarium - is located in the COEX Mall is the largest aquarium in 
                                     Seoul, with thousands of 
                                    fish and other sea creatures in 90 tanks.

Shopping 

for those who like to shop...the places should stop by is 

1. Gwanghwamun 
 - Donghwa duty free shop & Dongdaemun market & Gwabgjang market 

2. Isadong & Deahangno                      
- Seoul most fascinating and popular shopping street , Isadong-
  gil ( the filipino sunday market)

3.Myeongdong , namsan ,& iteawon 
- street market and fashion shop
 
4. Namdeamun market                        
 - genaral market 

5. Dongdemun market                           
- mainly fashion 


 

for more info u can drop a comment here or go to the link  here 









http://tripwow.tripadvisor.com/tripwow/ta-0605-47c0-8400?ln



Seoul, Korea Trip Slideshow: John’s trip to Seoul was created with TripAdvisor TripWow!

Monday 17 September 2012

Best Waterfalls in Malaysia


What makes an amazing waterfall? According to Dutch enthusiast Jan Stuivenberg, who has paid a visit to more than 110 of the nation’s 130 waterfalls, “It’s really subjective, but size does not always matter; location helps, especially if it’s more remote to avoid the crowds.”
While he has been to different parts of the world to witness nature’s spectacular cascades, Stuivenberg claims that his fascination still lies with Malaysian falls.
What I like about them is that they are often located in a beautiful jungle and that many of them are still quite undeveloped. Such a pleasure, especially after a sweaty hike,” he says.
Here are his top picks for the top waterfalls in Malaysia.


The Ulu Geruntum waterfall is one of the best places for waterfall abseiling. A group of young people with similar interests were brought together through the social networking website Facebook.
The enthusiastic but apprehensive adventure seekers have to make their way up a 10m slope to the top of the waterfall.The Ulu Geroh Rafflesia project has a nice waterfall, Damak Fall, as one of its attractions. There is another waterfall in the same region, easily accessible, not far from Kg Geruntum.To reach the fall, you follow the road from Gopeng to Ulu Geroh for about seven km. Take left, just before a river crossing. Follow the road for about three km. You will reach a few stalls, where you can park your car.


2. Chilling Falls, Selangor
Prepare to get wet here, even if you don’t plan on swimming! This is because visitors have to make five (shallow to deep) river crossings to get to this multiple cascade.
However, its moderately difficult accessibility does not stop families with children from dropping by, as many people think, but it’s worth the adventurous hike. There’s also an interesting fish sanctuary nearby.

The Chiling Falls are probably the most beautiful waterfalls of Selangor. They can be reached after an adventurous trek along the river, which has to be crossed many times. To reach the trail head, you take the road from Kuala Kubu Baru to the Gap. After passing the Selangor Dam, you cross the bridge on the Chiling river. Just after this bridge you can park you car. Follow the road for about 100 meter, the trail head is clearly indicated. Soon you will arrive an open field beside the river, with some buildings and a campsite, maintained by the Fisheries department.



3. Jerangkang Falls, Pahang
This endless succession of over 40 blue-green cascades is one of nature’s finest.
Although there is a well-marked trail leading you to the top, it takes a fair amount of strength to get there because of the arduous vertical trek involved.
The Jerangkang Falls can be reached from the KL-Kuantan road. About 30 km after passing Maran, turn left at a signboard 'Hutan Lipur Jerangkang'.

The road leads through rubber plantations and passes under the new KL-Kuantan Highway. 
For the last part a 4WD is needed, but that may change as work is in progress on the access road...
From the campsite a clear trail leads uphill alongside the river. The main trail is on the right bank, but it is also possible to cross the river and follow the left bank. An 'endless' succession of waterfalls is the reward, most of them with attractive pools. According to the locals, there is a total of 43 separate waterfalls. These pictures cover the falls until step 15, so there is still work to be done...! This series of waterfalls belongs definitely to the most attractive that can be found in Malaysia!


4. Seminyang Falls, Pahang


Having only a single tier does not make Seminyang any less astounding. But beware: this powerful and roaring waterfall is no child’s play. Its deep river bed and hostile terrain is prone to flash floods. You might also want to consider going by 4WD.

To reach the fall, follow the road from Karak to Kuala Pilah for about 12 kmBefore reaching the village of Telemong, the road crosses a river named Perdak.Just after the bridge, there is a turning to the right. A laterite track will take you to the fall.This track was made for the Mini Hydro Power station and its employees utilize the track to commute to work. You will be guided by the power cables to reach the Station.Although the track is maintained, it is only navigable by a normal car up to 5 kilometers of the way. On this stretch, the track passes through rubber estates and durian plantations.Finally when all these are left behind, the track winds through primary forest.After passing an Orang Asli settlement the track condition gets worse and a 4WD is advisable.
From the Station you still have another 3 kilometer of hike with 4 short climbs interspersed with level stretches.
Continuing on the track, the next scene is that of the water catchments for the power station.
A small path turns off to the right to reach into the ravine where the rapids are dammed.
Continue the track. Very soon, at a point where the track is seen really leading uphill continuously, look for a trail on the right. This is a visible path on level ground heading right towards the direction of the river.

After following this trail for about 600 meters through damp forest, you will reach the river.
From here on the trail gets vague. If the waterlevel permits it, wade through the river, otherwise you have to scramble along the river bank.
Then, after another 300 meters, around the corner there it is
The Lata Seminyang, powerful and roaring.


5. Lata Kinjang, Perak
These dramatic 300m cascades, which can be seen from the North-South Highway, hold the top prize for being one of the tallest waterfalls in Malaysia.
Getting to the main falls is easy, but the further you climb, the steeper and more indistinct the trail gets.
This waterfall is one of the best known falls in Malaysia, because it can be seen very well from the N-S highway. But many people have never actually visited the fall, because the access road is not straightforward. Coming from KL via the N-S highway, you take the Tapah exit and continue north on the trunk road nr 1. Follow the signboards to Chenderiang. Past this village the road to the falls is clearly indicated. At the end of this raod, there are hawker stalls and you can park your car.
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The fall is clearly signposted
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Hawker stalls and carpark
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From the carpark it is only a short walk to the lower cascades.



Lata Kinjang is one of the tallest falls of Malaysia. From the highway only the middle part with the huge cascade can be seen. Cement steps bring you to a suspension bridge at the beginning of the main cascade
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The suspension bridge is visible halfway
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Part of the cascade below the bridge
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The suspension bridge.
At the bridge the cemented steps come to an end and so does the easy part of this waterfall. On both sides of the cascade you can climb further up, but the trail is sometimes vague and relentlessly steep. But you get a reward. At the top of the cascade there is a last, vertical fall.
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View from the bridge downstream
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View from the bridge. Life can be fun!
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From the top of the cascade the view of the surrounding landscape with deep down the N-S highway, is spectacular.
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The last fall has a beautiful pool.
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The highway, deep down
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Spectacular views
It is possible to climb up further, to the delapidated pump station, but you must take care, orienteering is not always easy. To go down, you can cross the stream and find your way down. through the neglected rubber plantations. Not easy, this is Orang Asli country, there are numerous vague trails, and take care about traps! If you keep left, going down, you should come across the Lata Yuk




6.Pos Dipang, Perak
Being a recent discovery, Pos Dipang is still relatively uncharted and therefore unspoilt. There is an hour’s worth of trekking involved (past an Orang Asli settlement), but you’ll be rewarded with a natural Jacuzzi and, not to mention, a fascinating insight into our country’s native flora and fauna along the way.

7. Maxwill Hill Fall, Perak

Taiping, famous for its Lake Garden and Maxwell Hill, also has a waterfall. When you are coming in to town from Simpang and look towards the hills, this waterfall is very conspicuous.

Follow the road to the Water Treatment plant, and park your car near an Indian temple. From here a trail leads up to the remnants of a swimming pool. Years ago, the New Club had constructed 2 medium size pools utilizing the natural mountain water, but this has fallen into disrepair.

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View of the Fall from the Water Treatment Plant
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It looks like a powerful cascade
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With maximum zoom in of the camera
It is not very clear how to proceed from here to the waterfall itself, if possible at all. So this waterfall is still waiting to be fully explored!

UPDATE January 2007 Found the access way!

Finally a Taiping friend showed us the way and it turned out te be very easy. Just before the gate to the Water Treatment Plant, a vague trail follows the fence. After a few hundred meters it becomes a small road (former access road to the fall?). This road leads in a few minutes to the fall.
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The entrance of the Water Treatment Plant. The trail starts to the right.
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Just follow the fence
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The water of the fall is collected in a basin, from where pipes lead to the plant. A sign warns that visitors should not bathe or swim here, because it is part of the Taiping water supply.
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The waterfall
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The top part of the fall
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The basin where the water is collected
It might be possible to climb up the (steep) slope to the left of the fall. Caution is needed, the rocks are slippery.


8. Giam Klimau, Sarawak 

Batu Niah town, located about 85km from Miri city, is a rest stop between Miri and Bintulu. Everyone knows about the famous gigantic Niah Caves. But not many people (not even the Niah NP staff) would expect that waterfalls can be found here.
Somewhere in the remote area of oil palm plantations, there are a lot of waterfalls waiting to be discovered. Giam Klimau is one of them. In Bidayuh language ‘giam’ means waterfall or rapid.

Access to the fall is through an oil palm plantation. The bumpy terrain is not that easy for a sedan car,a 4WD and a guide are advisable. The oil palm plantation is under private company, you will have to report at several security check points. It will take about 30mins driving (15km) to reach the trail head. There is a visible trail leading to waterfall, it is just a short walk through the bushes.
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You have to pass several security checkpoints
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Walking through the bushes
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Above the fall
Giam Klimau has an amazing geographical feature. It is a curtain fall! The water just drops on the hard rock surface instead of a pool. The pool is several meters away.
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The fall from far away
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A closer look
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You can walk across the fall easily
The most amazing thing is the upper hard rock layer, protruding and forming a sheltered place underneath. When you stand inside, you can hear the water flowing above the rock layer. You wonder how this landscape can be formed, by corrosion? Nature is awesome.
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The main fall
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The side fall
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Under the shelter





For more info can go to http://www.waterfallsofmalaysia.com/index.php..........






















Saturday 1 September 2012

KUALA LUMPUR MOST VISITED DESTINATIONS PART 2


4. MERDEKA SQUARE ( Independent square)

The Merdeka Square or Dataran Merdeka is a place of history. You could find many of the great history events took place in Kuala Lumpur here. One of which is the lowering of the Union Flag performed here on August 31st, 1957 when independent Malaysia was born. Attractions include Saint Mary’s Cathedral, Royal Selangor Club, Sultan Abdul Samad Building, Central Market , Kuala Lumpur train station and National History Museum.



 5. Chinatown 


The Kuala Lumpur Chinatown is within the most visited tourist destination due to its vibrant economic and cultural activities including the famous Petaling Street Market
Petaling Street (Malay: Jalan Petaling, Simplified Chinese: 茨厂街, Traditional Chinese: 茨廠街, pinyin: Cíchǎng Jiē, Cantonese: Chee Cheong Kai) is a Chinatown located in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. It is infamous for pirated clothes and accessories along with bootleg DVDs and CDs.
 Petaling Street however does not exclusively offer pirated products. Haggling is a common sight here and the place is usually crowded with locals as well as tourists.
The area has dozens of restaurants and food stalls, serving local favourites such as Hokkien meeikan bakar (barbecued fish), asam laksaand curry noodles. Traders here are mainly Chinese but there are alsoIndianMalay, and Bangladeshi traders.
At night it is also known as a haven for prostitution. Petaling street offers a large number of nationalities of prostitutes whom ply their trade along the street and the back alleys. Most of these woman are Indonesian foreign workers and maids who have left their legal employment in Malaysia to become prostitutes. These women are usually controlled by the Chinese Triads who usually own and operate the cheap hotels in the area via their proxies. However prostitution is illegal in Malaysia and procuring these women's services is an offence.

The Chinatown also encompasses other historically rich heritages such as the Sri Maha Mariamman Temple, Chan See Shu Yuen Temple, Sze Ya Temple, a Sikh temple, a Gospel church as well as the famous Islamic mosque, Masjid Jamek.

 6. Little India 
If you are planning to get to know more about the multi-culture society of Malaysia, the Little India is definitely the place that cannot be excluded in the best tourist destinations in Kuala Lumpur. This vibrant Indian enclave is a living heritage that can be dated as far back as 100 years old. Some famous attractions at Little India are the Masjid India and the neighborhood of Jalan Tuanku Abdul Rahman.


you can find a tonnes textiles and fabrics from around the world here. but for a cheaper price, recommended to have the ability of bargains...During the festival period, the roads are blocked for cars and there are hawker stalls setup by the government. So, it looks very festive here. The Eid eve was exteremely crowded and felt it was difficult even to walk on the street


7. Kuala Lumpur Craft Complex


 The Kuala Lumpur Craft Complex or Kompleks Budaya Kraft is listed in the most visited tourist destination in Kuala Lumpur because it’s one of the rare places in Malaysia that showcases authentic locally made handicrafts. Moreover, the complex acts as a center that collects all the fine arts and handicrafts from all over the country including those from the Borneo Island. Therefore, it’s definitely a must-go place for serious art and handicraft lovers.


8.  Putrajaya

Located south of Kuala Lumpur, Putrajaya has been gaining momentum as the new tourist attractions due to its well-developed, organized and most livable city in the state of Selangor. Attractions of Putrajaya include a host of government buildings, artificial lakes and bridges and not excluding the greenery that has made Putrajaya an “intelligent garden city”. For the rest of the tourist attractions in Putrajaya, please follow the link here, Putrajaya Tourist Attractions.

*10 attraction to do at putrajaya 

1. Putrajaya's Parks


2. Putra Mosque
3. Prime Minister's Office Perdana Putra

9. Seri Perdana

*and the lattest is the panda house ......all the bus at Putrajaya is free and easy to reach. Traveller also can take the airport transit train to get to Putrajaya .


9. Tasik Perdana




The Lake Garden is listed within the most visited tourist destinations of Kuala Lumpur because of its popularity as the city’s biggest and most visited park, with a large lake at its center where boats can be hired. Attractions of the Lake Gardens include the Bird Park, Butterfly Park, Orchid Garden, National Planetarium, National Monument and the Carcosa Seri Negara.




The Kuala Lumpur Bird Park (MalayTaman Burung Kuala Lumpur) is a 20.9-acre (8.5 ha) public aviary in Kuala LumpurMalaysia. It is a popular tourist attraction in the country, receiving an annual average of 200,000 visitors. It is located adjacent to the Lake Gardens. The Bird Park houses more than 3000 birds representing more than 200 species in an enclosed aviary. 90% are local birds and 10% were imported from overseas.
The bird park is part of the 60-hectare (150-acre) Lake Gardens, which were established in 1888. In addition to the 20.9-acre (8.5 ha) bird park, which was created in 1991, the gardens include an artificial lake, the National Monument, a Butterfly House, Orchid and Hibiscus gardens, and the former Malaysia Parliament House.
http://www.klbirdpark.com/index.cfm


Don't for get to bring a nice camera for picture .....