MYFEST 2015: WORLD KITE FESTIVAL - PASIR GUDANG

Celebrating its 20th Anniversary, Pasir Gudang has been renowned worldwide as the Best Kite Festival Organiser. This internationally acclaimed event has been hosted continuously since 1995, attracting hundreds of thousands visitors and kiting enthusiasts from all over the world. Last year over 180 international kite flyers from 25 countries came to Pasir Gudang to show off their latest creations and kite-flying technology and experience the best organised kite festival. It has become the focal point for kite enthusiasts all over the world

The festival will be filled with domestic and international contests, demonstrations, spectacular ground displays, and some of the most amazing kites you will ever see.

The inaugural ceremony starts with a participant parade which present all local and international guests. Waving flags the international guests represent their countries with pride as well over 100,000 spectators cheer.  Following the precession and the arrival of the HRH Sultan of Johor, local Wau and International participants get their chances to present their kite flying skills. The Royal Family of Johor have indeed been a staunch supporter of the festival over the years.

Over the festival duration, engulf and explore the incredible number of stalls selling various goods, collectibles, snacks and food.

Workshops are also held throughout the seven day festival so complete novices can learn the basics of kite making, while those already well-versed in the art can learn an even higher level of skill. Prizes are then given for the best kites to emerge from these workshops.

Enjoy the night with spectacular cultural and modern performances line up to spice up your stay and don’t forget to visit the Kite Museum which is within the festival site.  This year marks the 13th year anniversary of the the Pasir Gudang Kite Museum, which was opened during the 7th Kite Festival. It is the first kite museum in Malaysia and has a unique working windmill that generates the electricity supply for the museum.

Venue

Bukit Layang-Layang, Taman Bandar Pasir Gudang, Johor

Organiser

Pasir Gudang Municipal Council

Phone

+607-251 3720

Website: http://www.kitefestpasirgudang.com/

Museum Entrance Fee:

Adult                            RM 2.00

Children (7-12 years)  RM 1.00

MALAYSIA CULTURE AND LIFESTYLE: MALAY GAMES AND PASTIMES - SILAT, WAU BULAN & GASING

Apart from the traditional performing arts and fine arts, noteworthy Malay games and pastimes include kite flying (Wau), the martial arts collectively known as Silat, top-spinning (Gasing), congkak and sepak takraw. In addition there are a number of lesser games played indoors as well as outdoors.

Yet these games and pastimes of the Malays are not always entertainment-oriented per se. Several varieties of, which have come to the Malay peninsular from Java, for instance have religious or mystical meanings. The art of kite flying in which huge highly ornate are used is a serious business in Kelantan and Terengganu involving fierce competitions. This also is the case with top (gasing) spinning in which heavy metal tops are used. Silat, wau flying and gasing or top spinning are thus serious games intended for adults rather than for children.

Sepak takraw, also known in neigbouring Thailand, has now reached the international arena. If in all of these games women have a game in which they can participate it is Congkak, a game with an ancient history known in many lands.

MALAYSIA IN TOP 5 OF BEST RETIREMENT HAVENS IN THE WORLD

Malaysia boasts one of the finest and most affordable health care systems in the world, and scores very highly in the category “Fitting in”.

Here are the top 10 destinations for expat retirees on the Annual Global Retirement Index:

1. Ecuador

2. Panama

3. Mexico

4. Malaysia

5. Costa Rica

6. Spain

7. Malta

8. Colombia

9. Portugal

10. Thailand

Malaysia—Great Value for Money in a Cultural Melting Pot

Every year, more and more expats are waking up to the amazing opportunities Malaysia has to offer. The country has one of the most robust economies in Asia, and this is reflected in the consistently high standard of living available to locals and expats alike. It’s just one of many factors that led to it being ranked the highest Asian nation in this year’s index.

Quality of life in Malaysia is cost-efficient as well as excellent. In typical expat locations such as Kuala Lumpur and Penang, high-quality real estate is available for rent at a low cost. Why buy when you can rent a 1,600-square-foot apartment with a swimming pool for just $850 a month?

For the full results, visit Internationalliving.com

MYFEST 2015: SKYRIDE FESTIVAL PARK, PUTRAJAYA

Enjoy a magnificent view of Putrajaya from 150m above ground at Skyride Festival Park at Lake Putrajaya throughout 2015!

Held for the first time ever, this festival offers the opportunity for visitors to ride on a giant helium balloon with a gondola measuring 13m. It can accommodate a total of 30 passengers per ride.

Read more here

WELCOME 2015, WELCOME TO MALAYSIA

Happy New Year.... and happy travelling!

“To travel is to discover that everyone is wrong about other countries.” – Aldous Huxley