Cheap Travel - Penang: War Museum

Like an unsung hero, this is one of the less known place in Penang in spite of the experience and knowledge it can offer.

Started as British Fortress in 1930, Bukit Maung then transformed into a Japanese army base with a dark history, filled with stories of how prisoners were tortured there. After the fallen of Japanese army in 1945, Bukit Maung was abandoned by the locals because of its black history.

After several years of restoration, the fortress was turned into the War Museum some decades later. A slow walk through the fortress will fire the imagination on what once was. A simple, but no less remarkable section of crawling through some of the underground tunnels – one even leads all the way to the sea, acting as an access tunnel to get to submarines – forces one to walk, or even crawl through very narrow, confined places.

As the area is quite big, 2 hours here might be enough for you to walk and climb the stairs that abound on this hill. Proper signages and information about the artifacts are clearly displayed here. As it can be quite humid and hot during the day, remember to bring along a cap to protect your head from the heat of the day. Wear a comfortable shoes and have insect repellant ready to ward off the mosquitoes as you move deeper into the hill.

Map to War Museum:

Cheap Travel - Terengganu: Taman Tamadun Islam

Taman Tamadun Islam Monument Park provides its visitor with a exquisite experience. Featuring 21 great Islamic Monuments that reminisce the rise of Islam into a sophisticated global religion.

Visitor will also provided a passport, which will briefly describe the history and the uniqueness of the monuments in addition to the information board and video. You will also get a stamped on your passport each time you enter Taman Tamadun Islam. This allow you to get extra benefit for the second visit onwards.

The monuments are namely:

• National Mosque, Malaysia
• Kudus Minar, Central Java, Indonesia
• Pattani Central Mosque, Thailand
• Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddin, Brunei Darussalam
• Taj Mahal, Agra, India
• Badshahi Mosque, Lahore, Pakistan
• Kubbah As-Sakhrah, Jerusalem
• Great Mosque of Samarra, Iraq
• Sheikh Lutfallah Mosque, Iran
• Abu Nasr Parsa, Afghanistan
• Al-Haram Mosque, Mecca, Arab Saudi
• Aleppo Citadel, Syria
• Mosque of Mohamed Ali, Egypt
• Nabawi Mosque, Madinah, Arab Saudi
• Suleyman Mosque, Turkey
• Great Mosque of Qairawan, Tunisia
• The Palace of Hambra, Granada, Spain
• Kalyan Minaret, Uzbekistan
• Great Mosque of Agadez, Niger
• Kul Sharif Mosque, Kazan, Rusia
• Xian Mosque, China

Also located on the same location other tourist attraction such as Masjid Kristal. (to be describe in another entry)

Map to Taman Tamadun Islam

Cheap Travel - Perak: Gua Tempurung

Located in Gopeng, Perak about 20km to the south of Ipoh,Gua Tempurung is popular among caving enthusiasts. For more than 3km long - one of the longest caves in Peninsula Malaysia - Gua Tempurung has so much to offer with its has been developed as show cave with electric lighting, proper walkways and there are range of tours in different lengths and difficulties. The river passage runs about 1.6 km through the hill. There are three very large chambers and some spectacular stalactites and stalagmites to be watched.

There are 4 tour packages available to be choose from:

Tour 1: Golden Flowstone (40 minutes) RM6.00

As you enter through the walkway on stilts over the cave river, you will see layers of white marble stone slabs and walls with different hues. Walking deeper to the dimmed showcase gallery, you will be struck by the beauty of the Golden Flowstone. Standing at a height of 90 metres, Golden Flowstone describes the sloping and wavering floor and wall of the cave which has a golden hue when water flows over it and illuminated by gentle light. Stalagmites and stalactites on walls and ceilings take various astounding sizes and shapes. Your eyes seem to play tricks on you when images of dolphin, jellyfish, tiger, lion, cow's head, seahorse, old man, Lord of Buddha and Zorro's eye come into view

Tour 2: Top of the World (1H 45M) RM9.00

You get to enjoy all the sights in Tour 1 and lots more when you climb higher to platform 5, standing 120 metres high. By then, you would have climbed 640 steps! Take a breather at the Wind Tunnel and feel the cool breeze before you proceed to the Gergasi (Giant) Cavern, which holds a huge column that looks like a space ship. Next, you will reach the Tin Mine Cavern where you will have a peek into tin mining activities that took place in the old days. Then Alam (Universe) Cavern comes into view. There, you will see a slender stalactite called Tongkat (Walking Stick or Cane) before coming across the Fallen Warrior and Battlefield Cavern with an amazing formation that looks like a warrior falling down in a battlefield. At the end of the journey, you will be rewarded with a rainbow of colours from sunshine reflected off the cave walls

Tour 3: Top of the World & Short River Adventure (2H 30m) RM11.00

Not only will you see the Golden Flowstone and climb to the Top of the World, you will also go down 230 steps and get wet in the underground river! You will have lots of fun crawling through holes and sliding down slippery stones before getting out to be greeted by the beautiful sight of the greenery outside

Tour 4: Grand Tour (3h 30m) RM22.00

Expect thrilling moments as you have the adrenalin-pumping spelunking adventure of your life time. You will wade through the underground river that reaches chest level at certain stretches, duck-walk and crawl through holes, climb almost vertical walls and slide down slippery stones. The physical challenges will be worth it. You get to see lots of fascinating rock formations - stalactites, stalagmites, multi-tier ponds, volcano-like rocks, glittering crystal-covered walls and lots more. Of course, the Golden Flowstone and the Top of the World Caverns are included in this tour that also takes you to the eastern side of the cave facing the North-South Expressway. Your return journey will take you entirely through the underground river

Map to Gua Tempurung:

Cheap Travel - Sabah: Manukan Island

Manukan Island Resort is located just off the coast of Kota Kinabalu, Sabah and provides an island getaway with luxurious accommodation options. Located just 10 minutes away by boat from the city of Kota Kinabalu, Manukan island is the second largest island of the Tunku Abdul Rahman Marine National Park and provides an idyllic option for island accommodation in Malaysia

Manukan Island is the island with the most complete facilities e.g.: tropical timber chalets, restaurants, swimming pool, tennis court and a marine exhibition centre. Snorkelling equipment hire and water sports, as well as daily beach BBQ's are also available.

Manukan Island is also the most visited island in the TAR Park, and it is popular with locals and foreign visitors alike. One of the star attractions and must see on Manukan Island is the fish feeding at the jetty where large school of fishes have made their home. You can even snorkel and dive amongst the fish here! There is a 1.5 km paved trail right to the tip of the island. You pass through tropical forest and enjoy a different view of Kota Kinabalu City

Tourism Malaysia - Terengganu: Batu Burok Beach

Pantai Batu Buruk (beach of the ugly stone) Kuala Terengganu famous beach, white sandy beaches with swaying casuarinas lining up behind the shore, like a loyal friend to the waves.

In the windy days, it is perfect to fly up the kite on the beach despite swimming can be dangerous here. Varieties of local food can be found at Batu Burok, try fried ice cream (Ais Krim Goreng), Nasi Dagang, Terengganu traditional rice, fried sea foods and Yunnan chicken rice.

There is good night market every Friday from 3.00pm till 7.00pm. Pantai Buruk is also a popular place for strolling and good place to visit especially in the evening.This beautiful beach is just 1 km from the city center and can be reached by walking. Perhaps this is the cleanest and widest beach inside Kuala Terengganu city.

Some of famous hotel nearby is Primula Beach Resort and Batu Burok Resort

Perfect spot to spend time with your family

Map to Pantai Batu Burok:

Tourism Malaysia - Selangor: i-city

The city of light @ I-city

I-city is a new attraction at Shah Alam near UiTM where millions of bright LED lights are shaped into variety of theme includes maple tree, zoo, snow house, Chinese lantern, peacocks, flamingos, cherry blossom etc.

From Federal Highway you can already see fascinating view of I-city. Being at I-city with family and friends, walking through the park and taking photographs are some of the unforgettable moment that you can get at I-city.

The fee to enter the park is extremely cheap as low as RM10 per car. Wi

th the ticket, you can go to any of two parks besides common park accessible to all. If you are hungry, don't worry there are a lot of food stall available.

Tips: As much as you can try to avoid to be there during or after rain because most of the park are outdoor. It might spoil your trip there.

how to get there:

Cheap Travel - Melaka: Melaka River Cruise

This is one the mesmerizing view at Melaka River Cruise at night

The river was the main artery of trade for Melaka in its heyday when it was bustling with traders from all around the world.
Some buildings from that era still stand majestically by the river, which is also lined by old villages, or kampungs, and modern day buildings.
Your 45-minute cruise will be accompanied by an entertaining and informative com
mentary on Melaka. It is also advisable to ride at night as the lighting effect across the river makes your cruise unforgettable.

Venue: The Malacca River jetty in front of the Quayside Heritage Centre.

The ticket counter can be seen from far

Departs daily from 9am to 11.30pm

Ticket: Adult RM10, child below 12: RM5

Group tour of RM100 per boat can also be arranged

the ticket

the view at the jetty from the boat

buildings at the river bank are painted creatively

map to Melaka River Cruise: