Travel 2014: Kg.Salang @ Tioman Island

Returning to Kg Salang feels like coming home. This was the first village I visited when I first came to the infamous Tioman Island to take my diving course and I spent some memorable time of 5 days 4 nights here.

Here's a map of the Tioman Island to give you a rough idea of where Kg.Salang is:

It's one of the furthest stop and the ferry ride takes about 2 ~ 3 hours to reach this place, the delay is because the ferry usually stops at other villages before reaching the last one there. But as you can see from the map, Salang is also near to most diving spots, which is really nice if your aim is to dive only and you could spend lesser time on the boat travelling to the diving spots, especially when the wave is powerful and you are sitting on a small boat, you would wish that you spend lesser time on boat any ways.

Kg.Salang is just a simple village, without the luxurious accommodations that other villages offer nor the beautiful long beaches with fine white sand that some other settlements are blessed with.

It has its charms and if you are up for some minimalistic travel plan - a bed to sleep in and lazing around all the time then Salang is probably right for you. Time seems to move slightly slower here and that proves to be something amusing than a hassle. Before you even realise it, your body and soul have relaxed upon stepping into this village.

Diving centres or even snorkelling stops are abundance here, just pick the one you prefer, negotiate a good price and here we go out to the ocean to see what Malaysia could offer.

This return however, disappointed me much as I found the fishes are getting lesser than the previous time I was here, which was merely a year ago. There has been talk and rumours of illegal fishing with crude methods around the island, even though we paid for the marine park fees and no actions have been taken to stop people from destroying nature. It's no surprise, given how our country runs for so many years now; give them something nice and they can close an eye to whatever you want to do, legal or not.

I feel pain, ashamed and disappointed for my own country because we have so much to offer to the world on our lands and in our seas and we never bother to take care of them. In the end, it's always the foreign dive masters or instructors who always remind us not to touch the corals or picking up rubbish along the way floating around in the sea.

I love my country. Even if it's just a impractical fervent wish, I pray that one day, this country will see better years ahead.

Well, enough of my talking, let's just kick back, relax and enjoy some of the best photos my co-founder of this blog have taken and edited just for you. :)

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If you ask me what does Malaysia has?

The beauty of life.

10 Reasons Why E-Readers are AWESOME!

I have a Kobo Mini in my bag wherever I go these days. If you have no idea what I am talking about, you ought to check out this tiny little nifty gadget right here. I know you can't stop squealing now over its cuteness, so let me reassure you again that this adorable little thing is absolutely brilliant.

THE CONVENIENCE

Imagine having 1000 choices of different reading materials packed just inside a tiny, featherweight gadget. That sounds pretty real convenient to me! I don't have to think about which books to bring for my trips anymore!

GOOD FOR THE EYES

Yes I know, your tablets or smartphones can do the same! But try staring at those expensive LCD, LED, Retine display screen for at least 30 minutes and you get what I mean, your eyes will be strained. Most E-Readers use E-Ink technology for their screens which literally translate to NO GLARES, NO BEAM, NO FLARES and whatnot. NO MORE EYES STRAIN! YESH! Your eyes will love you for this!

READ UNDER ANY LIGHT CONDITIONS

Sunlight? No problems, your screen is still as sharp it can be unlike those smartphone or tablets and their glares. Dark places? No problems, switch on the preinstalled LED light which many E-Readers come with these days.

LIBRARY ON THE GO

Did you know that E-Readers have Wifi capability? You can browse and purchase E-Books instantly whenever some random titles pique your interest. NOW, tell me that's not convenient at all.

ON BOARD DICTIONARY

Yeap, your vocabulary may suck but now you don't have to worry anymore! Just click on the words you don't understand and voila, the word and its meaning will appear to you immediately.

AFFORDABLE PRICES

E-Readers are cheap, must cheaper than your meal at times. For RM250, I got myself a decent Kobo Mini which I could easily store 1000 books inside. And e-books aren't as expensive as you think, better than those books you got from the store that cost you an average RM30 for one. It's a good investment in the long run.

SAVE THE TREES

The world needs more trees than those books you put away in your dusty cupboard after one read. And screw those arrogant notion like it feels better flipping a real book or the smell of the pages. The truth is, with each page you flip, another tree is going to meet its end to make instead of producing oxygen for the Earth and some innocent animals are losing their homes. Yea think about it, it's cruel reading a real book so it's time to switch!

LONG BATTERY LIFE

You don't have to worry about the battery for its power usage is really minimal unless you are constantly online with it. They are able to fully function for 1 month without charge, definitely good for people on the go without needing to worry about battery life.

FONT SIZE ADJUSTMENT

One thing about TREEBOOKS is that you can't freely adjust the sizes you like. If you want them bigger, the price of the book will be different, probably more expensive since they need more paper to print them. E-Readers however, give you the ability to control the font sizes, whether you like them big or small and you can even change the font type to whichever you are most comfortable with.

THEY WILL LAST & OUTLAST

They will be in the market for a long time and they have adapted to the fast moving world. They are able to sync with your other available gadgets so that you could still read your E-Books from where you stop on your reader on any other gadgets with you, as long as you have the Reader app and an account signed in.



 

With all that said, I am seriously loving my E-Reader right now. I know TREE BOOKS won't disappear but this is definitely a good change as my fellow friends who are avid readers could testify so, it's much easier to read from the E-Readers than the hardcover books when you can finish them real quick and in the long run you will find yourselves save more than you expect.

Come on, don't be a snob and ignorantly claim that hardcover books are always better, that's just because you haven't enjoyed all the good things that come together with an E-Reader. =)

Travel 2014: Tanjung Sepat's Attractions

Located near Banting, Tanjung Sepat is a small fishing village which is only about 1.5 hour drive away from the city centre.

To make it easy for everyone, here I have gathered all the available maps and list of attractions for everybody! Enjoy!

How to go Tanjung Sepat

 

Tanjung Sepat Maps

What to Eat at Tanjung Sepat

Hai Yew Heng Pao海友兴手工海南包
Address: 405, Jalan Pasar, 42800 Tanjung Sepat, Kuala Langat, Selangor.
Phone: 012-272 9009 / 03-3197 4144
Remarks: Must try生肉包、梅菜包
Operation Hours: 1pm-6pm (Weekday), 10am-6pm (Weekend)

Mr. Black Handmade Pau小黑手工包专卖店
Address: No.542, Lorong 2, 42800 Tanjung Sepat, Kuala Langat, Selangor.
Phone: 012-286 7289 / 013-363 2542
Remarks: 黄酒鸡包

Ocean Seafood Restaurant 海洋海鲜餐馆
Address: Lot 109, Jalan Laut, 42800 Tanjung Sepat, Kuala Langat, Selangor
Phone: 019-333 8589 / 03-3197 4443

Restaurant Asam Batu Laut亚三峇都港海鲜饭店
Address 1: Sungai Mosok, Batu Laut, Kuala Langat, 42800 Tanjung Sepat, Selangor.
Address 2: 5, Batu Laut, 42700 Banting, Selangor, Malaysia
Phone: 019-384 4362
Remarks: Resort出来，转右直去到看到右边有招牌就是了 (~7 mins). Along the way to Kuan Wellness Ecopark.
Operation Hours: 11am - 10pm（Monday to Saturday）

Restoran Senandung Malam
Address: Gerai PLB No.1, Pantai Bagan Lalang, 43950 Sungai Pelek, Sepang, Selangor.
Phone: 013-384 9368
Remarks: Before 6pm reach.

Restaurant Yikee Seafood Bak Kut Teh 裕记海鲜肉骨茶
Address: No 247B, Jalan Besar, Kg. Baru, 42800 Tanjung Sepat, Selangor.
Phone: 019-351 8448 / 03-3197 4907
Operation Hours: 6am-11am

亞福海縣肉骨茶 Ah Hock Seafood Restaurant
Address: Lot 2260, Lorong 7, Jalan Besar, 45300, Tanjong Sepat Selangor.
Phone: 019-6066288 / 03-31974696
Operation Hours: 6.30am-12.30pm

Where to Visit at Tanjung Sepat

Arowana Malayan Food Industries Sdn Bhd 金龙食品有限公司（木薯厂）
Address: No. 2926, Jln Kampung Tanjong Sepat, Kampung Tanjong Sepat Darat, 42800 Tanjong Sepat, Selangor.
Phone: 03-3197 2888 / 03-3197 3888 / 019-345 5777 / 019-278 3889 (涂明文Toh Min Boon)
Operation Hours: 8am-6.30pm (Closed on Thursdays)

Yek Loong Enterprise 裕隆鱼丸企业
Address: No. 30, Jalan Bawal 1, 42800, Tanjong Sepat, Selangor 42800‎, Selangor.
Phone: 03-3197 2728
Operation Hours: 8am-6.30pm (Closed on Thursdays)

官燕苑自然生态园 Kuan Wellness Eco Park
Address: Lot 408, Jalan Tanjung Layang, Kg Tanjung Layang, Mukim Batu, 42800 Tanjung Sepat, Selangor.
Phone: 03-3148 1126
Website: http://www.kuanwellnessecopark.com/

裕发咖啡贸易 Joo Fa Trading
Address: No. 356, Lorong 5, Jalan Besar, 42800 Tanjung Sepat, Selangor.
Phone: 012-972 2886 / 03-3197 4862

俊明龙眼园
Address: Lot 236,Batu 33,Tanjung Layang.
Phone: 03-3148 1018 / 019-239 2369
Operation Hours: Weekend only

Wan Tee Longan Farm 旺地本地龙眼果园
Address: 2, Jalan 30, Taman Sri Sungai Pelek, 43950 Sepang Selangor.
Phone: 012-385 2728 / 012-359 5462

Multi-Rich Pitaya Sdn Bhd日热红仙蜜果园
Address: No. 126, Kampung Baru, 43900, Sepang, Selangor
Phone: 03-3142 2062

Where to Stay at Tanjung Sepat

Hock House
Address: T-7, Jalan Gelama, 42800 Tanjung Sepat, Selangor.
Phone: 03-3197 5757
Website: http://www.hockshouse.com/

宝芝林度假屋 Ganofarm Homestay
Address: Lot 700, Jalan Laut Membiru, Taman Pelangi, 42800 Tanjong Sepat, Selangor.
Phone: 03-3197 3919
Website: http://www.ganofarm.com/

Gold Coast Morib
Address : PT 294 Kawasan Kanchong Laut, Mukim Morib ,Morib, 42700
Phone: 03-3198 1028
Website: http://www.gcr.com.my

Golden Palm Tree
Address : No. 67, Jalan Pantai Bagan Lalang, Kg Bagan Lalang, 43950 Sungai Pelek, Selangor.
Phone: 03-3182 3600
Website: http:// http://www.goldenpalmtree.com/

Travel 2014: 10 Things to do in Tanjung Sepat

Tanjung Sepat is mainly a fishing town however the fishing industry has seemed to have diminished these days, the only thing that has proven their once flourishing fishing life is their famous lover bridge and old fishing boats lying waste on the beach. Apart from that, they cultivate fruits, mushrooms and natural ingredients for a living. Most of the things for sale such as the juices, fish balls and etc are cultivated and hand made from their own farms. They are pretty authentic if you ask me.

Now, they rely a lot on their small scale tourism and most of their natural farms have been opened up for public visits. They have many seafood restaurants around and many people drive all the way from the nearby bigger cities just to enjoy the food and the sea breeze.

For our trips, we had a short 2 Days 1 Night stay there. I believe a day trip should be sufficient and you might need to move faster; but if you prefer a more relaxing, slower pace visit around the village, you can always opt to stay for the night.

1. Visit the Lover's Bridge and take lotsa selfie.

Apart from being an old, probably abandoned and strangely photogenic, this iconic Lover's Bridge is a must visit at Tanjung Sepat, otherwise you have never been here. As the name implies, be prepared to let your selfie photos be bombarded by those lovestruck couples busy taking their photos there.

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2. Have delicious & fresh seafood for breakfast,  brunch, lunch, tea time, dinner and even supper.

There are so many seafood joints crowded in this small village serving all kinds of exotic, fresh seafood at affordable prices. So visit here with an empty stomach and I guarantee you will leave here with a stomach of ocean. Best of all, you can have them any time you like. Read more about it here.

3. Visit Crackers factory & bags all of them home.

This junk food is awesome even if it never packs any significant nutritional value and it still makes your movies and parties more enjoyable than ever when it's around. Unlike those crackers packets sold in the hypermarkets which are usually filled with more air than the chips, here you can bag away a huge packet, filled to the brim with your favourite chips with all the local flavours at reasonable prices! Totally awesome! Read more about it here.

4. Quench your thirst with all their FRESHLY SQUEEZED JUICES.

Weather can get scorching hot here in a tropical country, that's why we have an abundance of local fruits always ready to rescue our souls. Everywhere you go, you will hear people selling their fruit juices, especially their Passion Fruit Juices which they plant locally themselves. It's slightly more expensive than your average mineral water, DUH! But trust me, your body will be very appreciative when you drown one of these condensed, unmixed, naturally sweet fruit juices.

5. Boost your health with our locally planted and nurtured Ling Zhi at Ganofarm!

Did you know that Ling Zhi has a history that can be tracked all the way back to two thousand years ago? Bet you didn't know that! Even then humans have already discovered just how precious and beneficial Ling Zhi is to our health, and that's including its anti-cancer quality that a lot of people seek for. Go on and visit Ganofarm for more information and you could probably grab some of the healthy mushrooms back.

6. Enjoy your tea time by comparing which handmade Pau - Mr.Black or Hai Yew Heng is better.

With two handmade pau outlets with each offering their own signature flavours, you have got to try both of them and let your tongue decide which one is better, or you could find out all about the two outlets and what they offer right here.

7. Refresh your body and soul with the savoury black coffee at Joo Fa Traditional Black Powder Trading/Factory.

Feeling a bit tired from all the stops? Then don't forget to linger around this factory because the aroma of the coffee in the air will definitely rejuvenate your entire being and leaves you feeling afresh again While you are there, check out how the Black Coffee is made in the most traditional manner and also have a sip or two of the coffee itself! Read more about here.

8. Walk/Drive around just to enjoy the salty ocean smell in the air, the greeneries or the villages and their small paths that have grown along in years.

The village has aged well with a hint of modernization on its way to making life of the people at Tanjung Sepat better. Still, the authentic feel still remains, hidden within their road signs or the mellowing shop fronts so commonly seen along all the small roads.

9. Visit the beautiful Chinese Temples

It's a small area and yet it's packed with many beautiful, well maintained temples. This is a sign of prosperity of the people.

10. Stay the night and just unwind in the quietness as the village closes for the day

Don't make it a rush day trip, chill out, relax and stay the night to enjoy the quietness of the night away from the bustling city night life. There are some options of accommodation to choose from as for us we picked the Hocks House. Just check out the condition of the hotel here.

So that actually sums up all my Tanjung Sepat posts! Overall, it was a good trip, but let me warn you first the weather can get pretty warm since it's near the sea and throughout the trip, I couldn't feel any breeze honestly, then again I visited the place during the dry and hot season. Remember to get hydrated always! So have you visited Tanjung Sepat before? How does the place inspire you?

Don't forget to check out this comprehensive list on everything you need to visit Tanjung Sepat. ;)

Hocks House, Accommodation @ Tanjung Sepat

If you are heading over to Tanjung Sepat from KL/Klang Valley area, it is only about 80 - 100KM. So if you are up for it, you could make it just a day trip without having to stay.

If you prefer a more relaxing trip, I would suggest you to spend a bit of money to stay the night, have a good shower and then the next morning you could head over and be the first in line to get their famous handmade pao! For those who prefer staying the night, there are a few options around the area, namely the famous Gold Coast Morib Resort, which is about 5 - 10KM away from the fishing village or you could opt for those accommodations within Tanjung Sepat itself, operated by the locals.

This road trip we have chosen Hocks House, which is pretty new and has an affordable price. For 1 night, we got ourselves a nice, clean and comfortable premier room for two at less than RM100. Last I checked the rate has been updated from the website, so you might need to budget more if you decide to stay.

Hocks House locates just beside the main road.

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The cozy lobby, at the back looks like the owners' private quarters. Yeap, it looks like they live there.


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The money was worth it, for the room was very clean, definitely new and neat. The owner was very friendly and helpful and they didn't mind showing us the room first before we decided to stay. I hope they maintain the same attitude and of course the conditions of their rooms. It was a very comfortable stay; I had no complains. Only thing that they could improve is to have a better sound proof system.

For more information: Hocks House | 福苑 | Facebook