Experience - Colors of Malaysia Festival

Visiting Malaysia would be an unforgettable cultural experience for me. The city hosts numerous international events and festivals throughout the year and my visit coincided with the Colors of Malaysia festival in July. During this month the capital of Malaysia is filled with a burst of colors and celebrations as it ushers in the annual Citrawarna Malaysia or Colours of Malaysia festival. The festival kicks off with a parade involving over 6000 performers dressed in a variety of traditional Malay costumes. It covers all varieties of performing arts, visual arts and crafts, involving all 13 states of Malaysia, plus the capital Kuala Lumpur, which present the best of their entertainment, art and food. The opening is marked by a major parade.

This spectacular event brings all the heritage and culture of Malaysians from all states into one place. The parade was held at the Dataran Merdeka and usually starts at 8.30 pm and I reached a bit earlier as advised and got a perfect seat to marvel at the performers. At street level, I watched as the performers spin and twirl before me. The array of colors and the graceful movements of the dancers bombard my eyes with a beauty unknown to me before. The parade extravaganza is of a magnitude rarely seen in most countries and it concluded with a display of breathtaking fireworks.

The festival witnesses participants from all over Malaysia and spectators from all over the world for a joyous time. Even the king and queen become a part of this. The yearly festival has become popular among thousands of visitors, including journalists and travel professionals who come and become awe with this exotic land. Malaysia's stands out with its wonderful way, many cultures live together and celebrate together.

For more information on Malaysian Festivals log on to : www.stayresmalaysia.com

Author is an associate editor of http://www.stayresMalaysia.com

The website offers exclusive information of Malaysia and Malaysian Festivals

We also provide online hotel reservation of hotels in Malaysia.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Niraj_Singh

How Do People In Malaysia Earn A Living?

It would be great if you are Malaysian when reading this. You should know that with the Internet all nations are now "without walls" in terms of communication and business. Besides finding out how do people in Malaysia earn a living, you will also learn a little more about other income streams to choose from.

Singapore and Malaysia are just next to each other and even though they are just a bridge apart there is a huge gap somehow. This gap is not how the Malaysian's eat or play in comparison with Singaporean's. Simply put it is the difference in the lifestyle and purchasing power.

Yeah, inflation seems to be pretty high in Malaysia. For instance, you want to buy a nice shirt (with some fancy design from Taiwan) and see that the local garment shops offer you a price of RM (ringgit malaysia) 45. In stark contrast, the same exact design in Singapore could be SGD$15 or less.

You will see why now why some Singaporeans ask about how do people in Malaysia earn a living. It's just unimaginable that someone gets about RM1800 working as a senior technician and yet in Singapore the same person earns SGD1800.

Dollar to dollar. Yet not the same because the price of goods are tremendously cheaper. Meaning purchasing power is higher in developed countries. Enough of small talk. Now we will move on to something more interesting.

Yeah, you have heard about stupid programs which cheats you of your hard earned cash. I'm not talking about that. Rather, about you starting an online business and still be able to make a fortune while living in Malaysia.

If you are Malaysian, you have probably walked into a bookstore (like MPH or Popular) and spotted some so-called "Internet marketing, blah blah.." books. Obviously, we're not even going to go there. Fellow Malaysian, earning Dollars is very very rewarding. You can tell by the exchange rate.

Just follow the instructions below (trust yourself):

1) Never Listen To A 'Big Shot'

Anyone who tells you how much they earn every month 'automatically' are likely con-men. Look for the humble ones because they tell the truth.

2) Love Your Family, Follow Your Heart

Your family has been brought up to earn a living not a fortune. You know how do people in malaysia earn a living already. It's the mentality. Choose freedom not security that would be starting your own malaysia online business.

3) Find Like-Minded Friends

Friends who think the same as you can both act as a guide, encouragement and someone you can trust. Just make sure they are successful in earning good income online already.

In conclusion, you do not have to follow the same lifestyle like how do people in Malaysia earn a living normally. Change your financial destiny. Learn affiliate marketing and launch your malaysia online business today.

About The Author:
Vern How has been earning online back in June 2006. He has tried and tested thousands of dollars worth of programs since then. Today, he is a successful affiliate marketer who believes in giving back by helping others. To find out how Vern can help you work from home go to... Simple Riches

For more information on a fool-proof strategy to profiting massively on the Internet, just check out how to start Your Malaysia Online Business

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Vern_How_Chan

Ironman Langkawi-Malaysia - About the Race

Ironman Langkawi-Malaysia is soon to take place in the idealic setting of Kuah town. The race is to go ahead as scheduled on February 26, 2006 and there are still openings for those of you looking for a race in the very near future.

The langkawi-Malaysia Ironman first took place in the year 2000 and has since become the favorite of many athletes from around the world.

The swim is a 3.8 km swim in the tranquil waters of the Kuah town Jetty.

The bike is a 2 and one half loop course that takes place on the coastal roads of Langkawi island. The course itself is hilly and undulating

The marathon consists of two 21.1 km. loops on a course that is generally flat but with gradual climbs at the 4-10 and 24-30 km. marks.

From all reports Ironman Langkawi-Malaysia is well organized and supported with great enthusiasm by the local population.

One thing to be aware of and possibly train for is the heat which can be anywhere from 28-35 degrees C. Also, it is a very humid heat and reminds me quite a lot of what one might experience in the Hawaii Ironman in Kona.

Pros will be competing for prize money and age groupers will have the opportunity to qualify for the world championships in Hawaii as there will be spots available for age group qualifiers.

Accomodation prices look very reasonable. Several of the major hotels in Langkawi are just minutes from the race start. However, expect to pay quite a lot for the return flight from North America with gateways from Los Angeles and New York. There is no ferry necessary from the mainland to Langkawi island as they now have their own international airport.

This seems to be a terrific holiday destination for those looking for a more "exotic" Ironman venue and comes highly recommended by those who have competed there in the past. Athletes from 17 countries are expected for the 2006 edition of this Ironnam.

For those looking for a last minute race, it appears that entries will be available until mid-February. If not this year, then possibly it might be an ideal race to consider for 2007. Take the whole family and make a holiday of this beautiful Ironman destination. What an opportunity to visit the "other" side of the world.

Any information you might need can be found on their website@LangkawiIronman.com

My name is Ray and I've been an endurance athlete for over 25 years. I've competed in over 30 marathons, 2 --- 50 mile races, 14 Ironman triathlons and countless shorter races.

I've created a website called "Ironstruck." The main purpose is to provide training and racing tips for the beginner triathlete and novice Ironman.

come for a visit......

http://triathlon-ironman-myfirstironman-ironstruck.com

also.."Ironstruck" the book, has been published online and can be viewed here....

http://www.lulu.com/content/543252

It is available in paperback or download and may well be the most valuable Ironman Triathlon guide you might ever purchase.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Ray_Fauteux

Ten Reasons to Consider Malaysia as Your Second Home

Malaysia has an active and government back policy of positive immigration and as a result it is a nation attracting serious interest from international citizens seeking a superior, low tax, high quality lifestyle destination in which to live, work or retire.

Here are the top ten reasons why, if you haven’t already, you might like to consider Malaysia as your second home country – it’s the right place for anyone seeking a first world, sophisticated nation in which they can own freehold and affordable real estate pay little or no taxation legitimately and achieve a fantastic quality of life for all the family

1. Malaysia My Second Home Program (MM2H)

The ‘Malaysia My Second Home Program’ or MM2H as it is locally known, is the government backed positive immigration policy that allows those who qualify the right to live in Malaysia on a renewable, multiple entry ten year visa, to bring immediate family members to live with them under the terms of the scheme, to own freehold property in Malaysia, to import worldly goods and even a brand new car tax free, and to enjoy all the multiple benefits that Malaysia offers to its citizens both local and international. And that’s not all…

2. Tax Free

Those who satisfy the medical and financial requirements for residency in Malaysia under the MM2H scheme legally and legitimately avoid having to pay any form of income tax whatsoever in Malaysia on their internationally sourced income!

3. Education

In Malaysia there are 21 private universities, 17 public universities, 5 foreign universities, 500 private tertiary colleges, 32 international schools and that’s before one gets into listing the Malaysian government funded educational establishments available!

Quite simply, education is highly prized and valued in Malaysia and as a direct result the quality of education available across the board is exceptionally high. There are over 40,000 foreign students currently studying in the nation as a result, and those who relocate there under the MM2H program can of course take their children with them and privately educate them from primary age right through university and beyond.

4. Health Care

The standard and availability of medical services in Malaysia - especially in the main cities such as Kuala Lumpur - is exceptionally high. There are over 225 private hospitals as well as numerous private specialist clinics such as maternity clinics and respite care homes as well as some 121 government backed hospitals in Malaysia and almost all have the very latest in terms of equipment and facilities available for treating every kind of illness.

5. Infrastructure

The general infrastructure in the main cities, employment and residential hubs in Malaysia is first class and first world. New and upgraded motorways, road and rail networks, communications resources and general public amenities mean that living in the likes of Kuala Lumpur or Penang in Malaysia is like living in any other first world city in terms of the modernity of all available resources and essential infrastructure.

6. Exchange Rate

As Malaysia has an export driven economy it pays the government to keep its currency highly competitive which means that an international citizen’s dollars, pounds, euros or yen will go far further and buy far more in Malaysia.

7. Cost of Living

Add to this the fact that the cost of living in relative terms is so low in Malaysia, that petrol is heavily subsidised for example, eating out is simply cheap and that one can rent a city centre apartment for the same price as one a third of the size and less well located in the majority of European and North American cities and an average wage will make one feel very wealthy in Malaysia whereas an above average wage will allow anyone to have the lifestyle of a king!

8. Property

Apartments, town houses, beachside villas and sprawling houses in city suburbs are all available for sale to foreign buyers. There are very few restrictions placed on foreign buyers in Malaysia in fact and because property prices are so low in comparison to Europe and America, one can buy so much more in Malaysia for the same price as a small family home elsewhere in the civilised world.

9. Natural Beauty

What’s more, as Malaysia is such a beautiful and diverse nation it has an incredibly strong tourism market meaning that well located properties can act as excellent investments with many buyers purchasing to let to the tourism market which is attracted by the stunning natural beauty of Malaysia.

Those who qualify for MM2H are allowed to buy up to two homes meaning that one can be bought for occupancy and one for holidays or investment elsewhere in Malaysia.

The natural beauty of the country alone also means that even if you don’t think Malaysia is perfect for your second home country, it makes it a nation well worth taking an extended break in.

10. Friendly People

And finally while many nations purport to having some of the most welcoming citizens in the world who open their arms and hearts to foreign visitors and citizens, Malaysia truly is a nation of the most friendly, welcoming, open and honest people you will ever meet who will make genuine friendships and establish long lasting bonds with the astute international citizens who decide to call Malaysia their second home.

Rhiannon Williamson writes about real estate investment worldwide. To read more about buying property in Malaysia click here.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Rhiannon_Williamson

Things To See In Malaysia

If you are planning on taking a vacation in the near future, I recommend that you travel to Malaysia. Malaysia is a beautiful place to really enjoy yourself. There are plenty of places that you can visit while you are there if you are traveling to site-see. If you prefer to just relax, there are plenty of places devoted to that past time as well.

In all actuality, Malaysia is a place that all nature lovers should visit because it has pristine beaches, tropical islands, haunting caves and untamed jungles. The natural beauty of Malaysia will open your senses and capture your heart.

Kuala Lumpur

Kuala Lumpur is the hub of Malaysia and is often overlooked by tourists. This is a mistake as there is a lot to see that will take your breath away including:

1) Petronas Twin Towers

2) Sultan Abdul Samad Building which is full of Victorian and Moorish architectural styles.

3) Tasek Perdana Lake Gardens which is a perfect place to have a picnic with your family or enjoy a nice walk.

4) Parliament House

5) National Monument

6) National Museum which is the home to many historical exhibits and also houses craftwork from many different parts of the nation and a wide variety of architectural styles that make it so unique.

7) National Mosque which is surrounded by spectacular lawns and elegant fountains that decorate the lawn like a Christmas tree, as strange as that may sound. The National Mosque was built in 1965; the dome on the Mosque is in the shape of an eighteen point star to represent the thirteen states in the country and the five central pillars of Islam.

8) Old Chinese Clan House where Chan See Yuen lived.

9) The Friday Mosque which is located in the middle of the Klang and Gombak rivers is the most popular place to visit in the city. A great place to watch the sun set.

Kuala Lumpur also offers many eating and shopping opportunities.

Magnificent Caves and Parks

1) The Batu Caves are located north of the city of Kuala Lumpur. They can be reached by climbing two hundred and seventy two steps. Wow, that is a lot of steps, isn’t it? These caves house the Hindu Shrine of Lord Subramanian.

2) The Museum Caves are full of brightly colored statues and murals from Hindu mythology.

3) Templar Park is nothing but all natural rainforest that is bubbling with beauty for everyone to see. It is full of jungle paths, swimming lagoons and waterfalls that all lie within the park boundaries. A magical place, indeed.

4) Malaysia’s agricultural park which is located in Shah Alam, Selangor at Cherakah has a large play area for all the skateboarders and roller skaters out there. If you have teens with you, this is the place for them.

Overall, Malaysia is a wonderful place to take a vacation. It is still considered exotic, but is becoming more of a mainstream destination as it gains in popularity.

Rick Chapo is with Nomad Journals - makers of travel journals to preserve your travel experiences. Great Gifts!

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Richard_Chapo

Scuba Diving in Sipadan, Malaysia

On the eastern outskirts of Malaysia, you will find the most popular scuba diving destination in all of Malaysia, Sipadan. Pulau Sipadan Island is a legend among divers with well-traveled divers making regular trips to the region and less-traveled ones putting Sipadan at the top of their dive wish list. Even Jacques Cousteau raved about the diversity of marine life that could be found in the waters surrounding Sipadan.

The attractions that you will see while scuba diving in Sipadan, Malaysia are endless. Turtles are abundant here, and it is not uncommon to be able to watch them for lengthy periods munching away at algae and sponges or lazing around on wall shelves. The amount of macro life that inhabits the walls is also staggering. You could literally while away hours of precious scuba diving time zeroing in on these tiny, wonderful creatures.

Sipadan is also home to some of the most popular scuba diving sites to be found in all of Malaysia. Here is a brief overview of just a few of the most popular dive sites to be found in Malaysia:

Barracuda Point Reef - Putting it mildly, Barracuda Point is famous for barracuda sightings. Actually the barracuda sightings reported at Barracuda Point are not mild by anyone's standards. While scuba diving the point, many divers have reported being caught up in a swirling vortex of chevron or blacktail barracuda so dense that they could not see anything through the vortex. Grey reef sharks are also frequently spotted in this favorite Malaysia dive spot as are parrotfish and turtles.

The Drop Off - The Drop off is not only the best shore dive in Malaysia, it is often regarded as the best shore dive in the entire world. Just a short distance from the beach, strollers will encounter The Drop Off. Scuba diving in this location will reveal a magical underwater world complete with colorful coral and sponges clinging to the vertical wall. Nooks and crannies are home to crabs, shrimp, and other macro life just waiting to be discovered by inquisitive divers. If you don't feel like searching for the underwater wonders of Malaysia, don't worry. Scuba diving in this location will also bring you up close and personal with large schools of jacks, barracuda, and bumpheaded parrotfish as well as whitetip sharks, grey reef sharks, and turtles.

Coral Garden - If you want a calm scuba diving location teeming with marine life, you need look no further than the Coral Garden. Here you can observe turtles feed and be entertained for hours by antics of macro life of every variety imaginable. In fact, Coral Garden is often visited by divers looking for the perfect photo opportunities to record their underwater vacation in Malaysia.

There is no doubt that scuba diving in Sipadan, Malaysia is among the best to be had anywhere in the world. Why not see for yourself what wonders the underwater world of Malaysia has to offer?

To obtain your 2 FREE Gifts: Special Report "Insider's Guide to Scuba Diving Gear" and Special Report "Top 10 Ways to Make Money while Scuba Diving", go to http://www.thatdivesite.com and sign up for the FREE Gifts.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Lilah_Tusko

Diving Is A Life Changing Experience, Learn Diving In Malaysia

Diving in Malaysia is probably one of the most well known tourist attractions for foreigners visiting. This doesn't mean Malaysia has little else to offer, on the contrary. Malaysia is a colorful country but diving is an important part of the tourist industry.

Although I have been traveling for many years, mostly by bicycle, see my www.bicycle-adventures.com for some details, it wasn't until I settled in Sitiawan that I learned to dive.

Sitiawan is a little town not far from Lumut, which is the gateway to Pangkor Island, a little tourist paradise in Malaysia. Few foreigners know Pangkor, and even fewer know there's a good dive site nearby.

At the time, now already 3 years ago, a new dive shop opened in Lumut. The owners, a nice German couple asked me to do some promotion for them. But what do I promote if I don't know what "it" is. Thus I started the basic dive courses, joined on dive trips and ... got hooked.

Some people claim the best dive sites are on the east coast, Redang, Tioman, Perhentian and many other island. Other claim Sabah, east Malaysia has even better dive sites. This may all be true but Pangkor, or to be precise, Sembilan islands should not be dismissed.

After I learned diving in the Sembilan waters I traveled to other dive sites and it was an astonishing experience to find out many sites had the same problem as Pulau Sembilan: you can't expect all the time excellent visibility and spectacular fishes.

Take Sembilan as an example. It's a great series of islands with plenty of good dive sites but.... because of the tides it's not always great to dive here. About 10 days a months the waters here are murky. 10 other days the water is OK and 10 days it is usually excellent.

So what did I start to see? When I was for the first time down I saw a world I knew from television. However, being down was different. I felt clumsy, I still feel clumsy if I look how elegant the fishes go around. Although nowadays I am a much better diver then in the beginning I still feel clumsy.

Look at the barracuda's when they hunt. Look at the parrotfish or garupas. They are so gracious. Turtles and stingrays fly in the water. A leopard shark passes by and you wish you could be him for a moment. And then you look at the sea floor and see seahorses. These small little creatures go almost unnoticed around.

Scorpion- and lionfish are so wonderfully disguised you easily miss them out. And we divers have no more then the time the air in the tank lasts. depending on the depth 30 to 60 minutes. In amazement you go up to the surface with the only wish to go down again and join the fish in their search for food and protection. Diving is a life changing experience.

Here in Pangkor island, only snorkeling is possible but 40 minutes out of the coast is Pulau Sembilan, 9 uninhabited little island where eagles in the air, insects and small mamals and reptiles on the island and the fish in the sea still rule. And with diving, you can get a glimpse of the beauty down under. If you have never been diving, give yourself this present. It's magic.

Peter van der Lans is a Dutchman who lives these days in Sitiawan Malaysia. After years of traveling, he cycled from Holland to Malaysia, stayed a months in the Middle East, a year on the Indian Subcontinent and 2 years in China plus a year in the UK, he settled himself in Malaysia. Sitiawan was the perfect place to write a website about Pulau Pangkor. Later he wrote http://www.bicycle-adventures.com, an ongoing project about his journeys on bicycles. A third website: http://www.yangshuo-travel-guide.com he recently build. In the years in China, he lived in Yangshuo and he thinks he can tell the story about this pretty little town in China. Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Peter_Vanderlans