StarSpecial

THE STAR Sunday 2 November 2014

Countless hours of fun in the water > 8 Role-playing at its best > 10
SCHOOL HOLIDAY
SPECIAL
Good times
are here
2 SCHOOL HOLIDAY SPECIAL StarSpecial, Sunday 2 November 2014
A map to a holiday like no other
Embark on a jungle trail where you get to watch various birds in their
natural habitat. Here, kids can learn about birds and enjoy the natural
breeze.

You can also immerse yourself in the panoramic views of the mountains
and hills, while sipping a hot cup of English tea and enjoying scrumptious
scones with your kids beneath a 140ft (42.7m) tall Dipterocarp tree.
Golf@Awana Genting is a great place for kids to learn how
to play golf with their parents.
Awana Gentings 18-hole golf course is the key attraction
with its picturesque mountain view and cool climate.
At the strawberry farm, kids get to see how strawberries are grown and they can even pick their
own red, juicy strawberries here.
A great activity for parents is to challenge their kids to see who can pick the most strawberries.
Location: Gohtong Jaya, Genting highlands.
By now, the kids must be starving so take them
to Bubbles & Bites. This casual restaurant serves
continental meals and is guaranteed to ll their
hungry stomachs. The must-eat dishes here are
the salami pizza and cheese macaroni.
Once you are done with the main course,
you can try out the wide range of sumptuous
desserts offered here.
Are you brave enough to go on the darkest 10-minute walk
where you will encounter plenty of unexpected surprises?
At Ripleys Haunted Adventure, you will see many weird and
wonderful collections from the Ripley vault.
It is time for some fun at the Genting
Bowl where you can go all out and strike a
perfect 10.
If you are feeling adventurous, then take
a regular bowling match to the next level
and try to bowling in the dark.
At Vision City, you can discover a world of video
simulation games. Here, your kids can learn about
role-playing through the various arcade games
available.
At SnowWorld, the temperature is -6C and you can experi-
ence winter as you can build snowmen and play around in
the snow with your kids. After that, you can go on for a spin
on the snow slides.
During the Behind the Scenes Tour, kids get the opportunity to be
part of the resorts operation. In this tour, kids can experience being
a chef by making their own cupcakes and being a show producer by
running a concert. They will even have a go at handling the laundry
department at the First World Hotel.

To register, send an e-mail to themepark.info@rwgenting.com or
call 03-6101 1118 ext 55678
Learn to sing the Alphabet Song, C for Cookie and the Elmo song
as you dance along with the all-time favourite Sesame Street
characters. Elmo, Big Bird, Cookie Monster and the rest of the
gang will denitely brighten up you and your kids day.
1st Stop - Fashion Forest
2nd Stop - Golf@Awana Genting
3rd Stop - Strawberry farm
7th Stop Bubbles & Bites
4th Stop - Ripleys Haunted Adventure
5th Stop Genting Bowl
6th Stop Vision City
8th Stop SnowWorld
9th Stop Behind the Scenes Tour
10th Stop Sesame Street Live
Sunday 2 November 2014 StarSpecial 3
4 SCHOOL HOLIDAY SPECIAL StarSpecial, Sunday 2 November 2014
By TINA CARMILLIA
E
VERYONE goes through the
process of developing skills
and abilities and children,
more so. Skills are behaviours
that can be learned and improved
through practice.
On the other hand, abilities are
raw and natural talents, such as
singing. As children grow up, their
strongest skills are often also their
most well-developed talents.
The best time to discover
talents and develop skills is during
childhood because children have
more neurons that are actively
creating new connections than
adults do.
That is the reason children
seem to pick up languages or learn
to play a new video game much
more easily than adults. Although
children are learning and
practising new skills through the
subjects that they study in school,
not all of the skills are available in
the formal school system.
The school holiday, thus,
provides the opportunity for
children and parents alike
to explore the skill-based
programmes and classes provided
by other educational centres.
Among some of the activities
that children can participate in
are creative and performing arts,
physical activities and sports, and
community services.
While many of these
programmes are available year-
round and some schools also
incorporate them into extra-
curricular activities the school
holidays are the best time to
undergo trial lessons or short-
term programmes so that kids can
discover the new activities and
nd their passion without having
to fully commit yet.
Dancing queen
One of the positive trends in
the major cities in Malaysia is the
growth of the local arts scene.
Less than a decade ago, open mic
performances, stage shows and
art festivals were a rare treat and
attracted only a niche group of
arts appreciators.
Today, festivals such as
Urbanscapes, Coffee and Art
Fringe Festival Asia, Festival Belia
and the Georgetown Literature
Festival attract thousands of
festival-goers mostly urbanites,
mostly young adults, and more
importantly, from all walks of life.
Parallel to the development of
the local arts scene is the growth
in the number of performing arts
centres.
These performing arts centres
cater not just to adults but also
teens, children and even toddlers.
Young parents these days
who are exposed to the arts
through the art festivals and
local arts movements appreciate
the importance of arts and are
encouraging their children to start
young.
Most speech and drama
centres have some kind of holiday
programme that revolves around
the performing arts such as
theatre, recitation and spoken
word poetry.
Many of these centres also
focus on the English language,
but for educator and performer
Elaine Foster, it is more than just
language acquisition.
I dont like the idea that
Im teaching English language.
I dont know how to teach
English, but I know how to teach
communication skills in the
language that I know, which
happens to be English. Whatever
language that you speak in,
it is important to be able to
communicate effectively in it,
she explains.
Foster believes that performing
arts cultivates good character
that is otherwise rarely nurtured
elsewhere.
When I teach, my main
teaching goals are to empower
kids, teach them empathy and
negotiation skills and inspire
wonder, awe and creativity. That
is essentially what speech and
drama is for, she says.
If not for language, a lot of kids
are in these programmes because
their parents want them there
to be famous or because the kids
want to be actors, says Foster, but
she cautions that that is not the
purpose of these programmes.
That is not what we are
teaching. In fact, we are not
teaching them how to act. We are
teaching them how to have fun,
open up their curiosity, express
themselves and be condent,
she says.
Sooner or later, children will
begin to learn to behave around
other individuals in social settings.
They will realise that they
may not always get what they
want; they have to learn about
negotiation, cooperation, respect
and the ability to express
themselves.
Like Foster, Delia Ahmad
believes that performing arts
unlocks a unique set of skills in
children.
When you perform, it
gives you a sense of creation,
collaboration and condence.
If you are contributing to
choreography, for example, it
trains your imagination and
develops your ability to express
yourself and give opinions, says
Delia, a dancer who learned ballet
as a child before picking up the
Indian classical dance style Odissi
in her teenage years.
Kids also can expect relaxation
and respite from their day-to-day
school life and examinations.
While it may not be a school
setting, there is still a bit of
order in the chaos. However,
performing art programmes are
not at all easy because the kids
will be encouraged to think and
participate.
We want them to play
because kids these days are not
encouraged to play. Our society
looks down on play even though
it is one of the most fundamental
ways of learning and gaining
knowledge even for adults.
The kids are there to learn
through games and fun, and if it is
done right, they wont even realise
that, says Foster.
Delia adds: We dont run
about and jump about as much as
we used to as kids. As adults, we
become rigid with our movements
but dancing allows you to move.
The freedom of movement that
comes from dance allows you to
express yourself with your body.
The name
of the game
Play is an important element,
not just in arts education, but
in any process of teaching and
learning.
In fact, play is so vital to child
development that it has been
recognised by the United Nations
High Commission for Human
Rights as a right of every child.
Play is essential to
development because it
contributes to the cognitive,
physical, social and emotional
well-being of children and youth.
It also offers the opportunity
for parents to engage fully with
their children, says Kenneth
Ginsburg in his clinical report
to highlight the importance of
play in promoting healthy child
development.
So kids should consider getting
involved in the performing
arts but how can those who
are not already involved in arts
programmes get started?
Thats probably one of the
hardest things to do because if the
parents do not get their kids to an
arts centre, then the kids would
probably not get involved.
Weve organised road shows
and events to entice children to
join the art programmes and
performing arts centres but in the
end it is up to the parents to make
the decision, says Foster.
Schools can play some part
in it through the drama clubs,
but even so, the students get to
decide whether or not they want
to participate. Clearly, the parents
role is important, but so is the role
of teachers.
These programmes need to be
led by good school ideologies and
passionate teachers who will drive
the programmes.
> TURN TO PAGE 6
Express yourself
Today, festivals
such as
Urbanscapes,
Coffee and Art
Fringe Festival Asia,
Festival Belia and
the Georgetown
Literature Festival
attract thousands
of festival-goers
mostly urbanites,
mostly young
adults, and more
importantly, from
all walks of life.
For bookings and further information, contact your advertising agency or the following:
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We lay down the options for your first set of wheels.
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THE STAR Tuesday 21 January 2014
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The right MBA
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MOTORING
StarSpecial
THE STAR Sunday 12 January 2014
Chinese NewYear
motoring guide
The best offers in town and the hottest cars available this year.
SOUTHERN
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THE STAR Thursday 30 January 2014
Rise of
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Supplement Team Email: supp@thestar.com.my
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03-7966 8227
kamariah@thestar.com.my

Sunday 2 November 2014 StarSpecial 5
6 SCHOOL HOLIDAY SPECIAL StarSpecial, Sunday 2 November 2014
Spread your wings
THE performing arts are useful to
rehabilitate kids, get them to talk
about peer pressure and it brings
communities together all this
can be done with basic theatre and
presentation skills.
The arts are an important
cultural element to society and the
best cities and civilisations have
strong, working and paying arts
communities.
The arts scenes in such cities
are vibrant and dynamic, and in
order for us to have that here,
arts education is important. You
dont have to grow up to be a
professional artist.
Just going through the process
of performing arts is enriching
because of the life skills and social
skills you can gain through it,
says Foster.
Additionally, when kids are
performing for an audience, even
if it is just for their peers and
parents, it allows them to gain a
sense of self-awareness and self-
discovery.
The capacity of recognising
themselves, their movements as
well as their interactions with the
environment and other individuals
is important for children to be
fully functional members of the
society.
Children who are interested
to explore their artistic side
can check out school holiday
programmes by leading
performing arts centres including
The Actors Studio Academy at
KLPac, Blubricks and Pusat Kreatif
Kanak-Kanak Tuanku Bainun.
Jason Moriarty, founder
of YuberSports, explains that
children these days, because of
their lack of physical activities,
have poorer spatial awareness.
One of the observations we
make in leading countries in
sports such as New Zealand,
Australia and Canada is that there
is a basic loss of fundamental
movement skills among children,
he says.
What Moriarty refers to as
fundamental movement skills are
the ability to jump, run, throw
a ball overhead among other
things.
When I ask a child to jump
from one square and land on
another square, the child does not
know how much force to apply
and will often miss the mark. That
signies that the part of the childs
brain that is responsible for spatial
awareness is undeveloped, he
explains.
Moriarty uses his experience
in tness to develop techniques
that can be used in children
programmes to improve their
cognitive development and health.
If you look at the top 10 jobs in
the world, these jobs did not exist
10 years ago. We are essentially
trying to train our children for jobs
that do not exist yet.
So for them to be able to do
that, the kids must remain curious
and be perpetual learners, he
says.
One of the best ways to do that
is through play and movement. By
gamifying movements, Moriarty
says that children are more likely
to be participative.
Children who have undergone
such programmes have shown
improvements in their ability
to learn new skills as well as
absorb new information, which
carries over to their classroom
performance.
Citing a Harvard study, Moriarty
says that children who perform
some form of physical exercise
before taking an examination fare
better than their counterparts who
do not.
That sounds like the perfect
reason for children to start
exercising if they are not already
doing so.
Fortunately, there are many
gymnasiums and sports facilities
in the country that cater to the
young besides YuberSports kids
programme.
Some of the sports centres that
are child-friendly are Jump Street
Trampoline Park and popular
mixed martial arts gym Muayt,
while several community aquatic
centres such as the National
Aquatic Centre in Bukit Jalil and
the Shah Alam Panasonic National
Sports Complex offer special
school break swim lessons.
The winner takes it all
Strictly from a health
perspective, physical activity and
tness are important to support
the growth of a t body and mind.
On top of that, physical
activities calm children down
with the release of anti-stress
hormones.
Studies have shown that kids
who participate in sports from
a young age tend to maintain a
healthy lifestyle throughout their
lives.
In the last 10 to 15 years,
there has been a growth in the
incidences of youth onset diabetes,
even in kids as young as eight or 10
years old.
In fact the World Health
Organization warns that the
current generation will be the rst
to not outlive their parents, which
is alarming, says Moriarty.
Earlier this year, it was reported
that Malaysia is the fattest country
in South-East Asia and the sixth
most obese country in Asia.
Statistics from the Ministry
of Health shows that two in ve
Malaysian adults are overweight
or obese.
Among children, the statistics
are similarly startling one in four
Malaysian children is overweight
or obese.
There are several efforts
carried out by the Ministry of
Health including the 10,000 Steps
programme and the introduction
of Healthy Lifestyle with Skipping
to encourage children to become
more active with the distribution
of skipping ropes to 200 schools.
Similarly, the nationwide
Fit Malaysia campaign is one
of the governments initiatives
to encourage a more physically
active nation.
While sports and games
can be fun, some may take it
more seriously than others,
especially those who aspire to be
professional athletes.
In such scenarios, one major
parental concern is violence,
extreme competitiveness and
hostility than can surface.
Through my experience in
childrens sports, I can say for a
fact that the most competitive
and aggressive people are the
parents themselves, usually
hurling verbal abuses at the poor
referees, quips Moriarty.
But Moriarty believes that it
> FROM PAGE 4
There are several
efforts carried out
by the Ministry of
Health including
the 10,000 Steps
programme and
the introduction of
Healthy Lifestyle
with Skipping to
encourage children
to become more
active with the
distribution of
skipping ropes to
200 schools.
Similarly, the
nationwide Fit
Malaysia campaign
is one of the
governments
initiatives to
encourage a more
physically active
nation.
is good for children to be slightly
competitive because it is the
reality of life.
Participation in sports will
familiarise children with this
fact but he also ensures that the
coaches involved are positive role
models since children will model
their behaviours on the actions of
the adults around them.
Sports and games become the
ideal controlled environment
in which kids can learn how to
accept victory and losses, deal
with conict resolution and how
to motivate and support each
other.
This experience will prepare
them to face the world.
People need love
And for those who are ready
and eager to face the realities of
the world, particularly the youth,
volunteerism and community
service is a great place to start.
The school holiday is the right
time to get involved in social
projects.
It is common to hear that
youth is the future of a nation,
says Jayson Chia, vice president of
business development of AIESEC,
a youth leadership development
organisation.
Youth leadership transfers
power from a small group of
people to the masses. It gives
youth a sense of ownership of this
nation where we live in and play
an active role in shaping a world
that we want to see.
Chia believes that volunteerism
allows youth to gain irreplaceable
insights into the needs of the
society.
This knowledge will enable
them to make judgments about
their course of study and eventual
career options, especially at the
age at which they begin to decide
on their lifes purpose.
Volunteering develops
individuals who are empathetic,
problem solvers and independent.
Furthermore, those who
volunteer abroad, which is
possible through AIESECs
programmes, develop leadership
skills, adaptability and
resourcefulness as well as cross-
cultural communication skills.
At the very least, says Chia,
volunteering is one of the best
ways to know that one is making
a positive difference in the
community.
Indeed, the school holidays can
be spent on self-improvement
classes and intensive skills
development programmes but it
can also be spent on improving
and contributing to the society.
Soup kitchens and other
charitable homes such as the
Kechara Soup Kitchen and
Cybercare Youth Organisation
are a good place to start, while
those feeling more adventurous
can volunteer abroad through
AIESECs international exchange
programmes.
Regardless of whatever the
activity is, during this school
holiday, parents should encourage
their children to do something
useful for themselves or for the
society.
Whether it is learning to cook,
picking up yoga or volunteering
in an orphanage, there is bound
to be activities that will make the
school break meaningful.
If you look at the
top 10 jobs in the
world, these jobs
did not exist 10
years ago. We
are essentially
trying to train our
children for jobs
that do not exist
yet. So for them to
be able to do that,
the kids must
remain curious
and be perpetual
learners.
JASON MORIARTY
Kids who participate in
sports from a young age
tend to maintain a healthy
lifestyle throughout their
lives.
StarSpecial, Sunday 2 November 2014 SCHOOL HOLIDAY SPECIAL 7
An unforgettable adventure awaits
L
OCATED in Perak, the Bukit
Merah Laketown Resort has
plenty to offer to visitors for a
fun-lled day.
According to Sudirman Wan
Mansor, resort manager at
Bukit Merah Laketown Resort,
the waterpark offers visitors
a spectacular time with 14
attractions for both adults and
children.
The Boomerang slide offers
extreme thrill seekers an
unforgettable ride while the
Body and Tube Slides have always
been a favourite with adults and
children alike.
The only one of its kind in a
Malaysian waterpark, the Giant
Wet Bubble is a 10ft (3m) gigantic
semi-globe and climbing up its
slippery surface with only a rope
can be quite a challenge.
The Beachfront Wave Pool is a
great place for family fun. Visitors
can build sandcastles, ride 3ft
(0.9m) waves or just relax on the
deck chairs. The pirates ship and
giant crocodile statues are great
attractions for children.
The Kids Adventure River
and Perak Mining are specially
designed for little children to have
fun in a safe environment.
The Ecopark is a four-acre
(1.62ha) animal park designed
within a natural jungle canopy.
You can feed some of the
animals with food sold at the park
entrance.
Ecopark houses a variety
of animals, including a giant
arapaima (a big sh), squirrel
monkeys, pythons and venomous
snakes. Children love the Pets
Park as it has rabbits, deer, guinea
pigs and pygmy hedgehogs.
Ecopark also has daily animal
shows.
If you are keen on a night
adventure, The Hoot is a nocturnal
animal trail in the Ecopark that
takes place every Friday, Saturday
and on the eve of public holidays
and school holidays.
Bukit Merah Laketown Resort
also has three accommodation
complexes Kampung Air,
Laketown Hotel and Suria Service
Apartment Hotel.
Built on stilts with a Malay
architectural design, Kampung
Air is the most exclusive
accommodation at the resort.
It is set against the picturesque
lake and offers serenity for
its dwellers. The 30 cosy and
comfortable suites are designed
to create a peaceful and homely
atmosphere. Visitors can even do
some shing without leaving the
comfort of their balcony.
The Laketown Hotel has 173
rooms and is conveniently located
within walking distance of the
theme parks.
The superior room, with a
double bed and a single bed with
an attached pull-out bed, can
comfortably accommodate a
family of four.
Located 1.5km from the
theme parks, the Suria Service
Apartment Hotel offers cosy
apartment-style units with views
of either the lake or the pool. Its
facilities include a swimming pool
with a jacuzzi, gymnasium, sauna
and steam bath, mini theatre and
a game room.
Bukit Merah Laketown Resort
offers a myriad of recreational
activities for its visitors such as
kayaking, paddle boating, all-
terrain vehicle (ATV) rides and
sunset cruises.
The Pasir Park is suitable for
those who want to play beach
football or beach volleyball with
their family and friends.
A variety of games are also
available for the whole family,
including snooker, simulators,
whirl cars and kiddy rides. For
those who like singing, the resort
also has the Fun Family Karaoke.
Its strategic location at the
edge of the tropical rainforest
and beside the lake makes
Bukit Merah Laketown Resort
a destination suitable for team
building activities.
The resort also has a team-
building island for a unique team-
building experience.
The team-building activities
can also be customised to suit
your company needs.
Bukit Merah Laketown Resort
has everything you need to
experience an unforgettable
holiday.
n For more information,
call 05-890 8888 or visit
www.bukitmerahresort.com.my
Bukit Merah Laketown
Resort offers visitors
a fun-filled day.
Team-building activities are available at
Bukit Merah Laketown Resort.
8 SCHOOL HOLIDAY SPECIAL StarSpecial, Sunday 2 November 2014
Fees:
Corporate packages
starts from RM16 (terms
and conditions apply)
Adult fees are RM20
Children fees are RM16
(free for children below
90cm)
Free open air parking

Operational hours:
10am to 6pm
Closed on Wednesdays
except on public
holidays and school
holidays
Main attractions:
Super Hurricane,
Thunder River, the
Caribbean Rider and
Monsoon Buster.
Their Thunder River is
one of the rst of its kind
in Malaysia. For this ride,
adventure buffs will need
to use a oat.
Up to 10 people can go
together on this ride where
they wait for a huge gush of
water to push them out till
the end of the river which
is 237 metres in length.
Other attractions:
Tornado Rush,
Whirlwind Escape, Pirates
Challenge, Bermuda
Triangle, Kiddy Typhoon
Lagoon and Pirates Cove.
Countless hours of fun in the water
T
he idea of spending the day
at a water park with your
friends and family is always
fun especially in the humid
Malaysian weather.
The adrenaline rush and
excitement are some of the factors
that pull hoardes of people to
water parks day after day.
In operation since 1996, The
Wet World Water Park Shah
Alam guarantees thrills, spills
and countless hours of fun for its
visitors.
It was awarded the Best Small
Water Park 2011 and the 1st Green
Water Park 2011 by the Malaysian
Association Of Amusement
Themepark and Family Attraction
(MAATFA).
Located on the edge of the
Shah Alam Lake Gardens, just
ve minutes from the Federal
Highway, Wet World is perfect for
families to spend the day together.
Thanks to the parks layout and
modest area, parents do not need
to run after their children in fear of
them getting lost or worse, getting
into harm.
Steven Chang, senior manager
at Wet World Water Park Shah
Alam says that the parks cleaning
system was recently upgraded.
The park was renovated and now
has a Caribbean theme to it.
With the renovations, came a
new ltration system, which can
remove particles down to one
micron or less, he says.
This is one of the reasons it was
awarded the 1st Green Water Park.
This special system improves
the water quality tremendously
and not much waste water is used.
One of the biggest concerns for
parents with small children is high
water levels at parks. However, the
water level at Wet World does not
exceed one metre in any part of
the park.
According to Chang, parents
have verbally conveyed their
appreciation to the staff and
management on numerous
occasions.
The safety and well-being of
all visitors are always taken into
account, he says.
In addition, every station
and attraction has an on-duty
lifeguard.
During peak seasons, hourly
reminders on the safety of child
visitors are announced.
Wet World is also the ideal
location to host group functions,
carnivals, parties, family days,
school picnics, corporate events
and fund-raising activities.
The park can accommodate up
to 4,000 people at a time.
It also provides full packages
with the option of including the
provision of food and beverages,
telematches and special sporting
events for staff, family and
children.
During school holidays, many
kindergartens and pre-schools
have their outings at Wet World
as it is a great way to keep
young children entertained with
supervised water activities and
rides.
Chang says that Wet World is
always hosting group gatherings
and activities because of its
convenient space dynamics and
reasonable rates.
A huge plus point with families
is that the water park entrance
fees are reasonable.
Water parks can be a costly
affair for large families.
The park charges visitors a
nominal fee, priding itself as
a value-for-money and cost-
effective water park.
Inside, there is a caf and three
food and beverage kiosks that
offer nger foods for visitors at
affordable prices.
Families can even rent cabanas
that can be used for picnics or for a
short siesta.
Wet World, Malaysias largest
chain of water parks is owned
by Only World Group, which
also owns Wet World Batu Pahat
Village Resort, Wet World Air
Panas Pedas Resort and Kota
Tinggi Waterfall Resort.
n For more information, call
03-5513 2020 or 03-5510 7695 or
03-5510 2588 or e-mail
sales.wwsa@owg.com.my
Wet World Water Park Shah Alam guarantees thrills
and spills for the whole family.
The entrance of Wet World Water Park Shah Alam. The safety and well-being of visitors are always taken into account.
StarSpecial, Sunday 2 November 2014 SCHOOL HOLIDAY SPECIAL 9
Enjoy daily A380 services
to Beijing and Shanghai
S
INGAPORE Airlines
customers travelling to and
from Beijing and Shanghai
are now able to enjoy the luxury
and comfort of the worlds largest
aircraft, the Airbus A380.
The 471-seat A380 serves
the Beijing Capital International
Airport and Shanghai Pudong
International Airport daily.
The A380 has proven to be
exceptionally popular with
customers since its inaugural
ight in 2007. Beijing is the
second city in China to receive
the Singapore Airlines A380 after
Shanghai.
The aircraft is also deployed to
Auckland, Hong Kong, Frankfurt,
London, Los Angeles, Mumbai,
New Delhi, New York, Paris,
Sydney, Tokyo Narita and Zurich.
Experience luxury in your very
own haven of tranquility with the
Singapore Airlines A380 Suites.
Each individual cabin features
sliding doors and window blinds,
offering you the freedom to decide
on the level of privacy you prefer.
You can experience the
pleasure of sleeping on a
distinctively designed, stand-
alone bed with ne linen and
plush, full-sized pillows and not
one that is converted from a seat.
You can also try out the
premium offerings in the
Singapore Airlines A380 Suites
where you can savour the airlines
special menus, exclusively created
by its celebrated international
culinary panel.
Each Singapore Airlines A380
Business Class seat is at least
30-inches wide and transforms
into a fully at bed with a
dedicated sleeping surface for
added comfort.
You can enjoy the freedom to
stretch, lounge and recline in a
uniquely spacious environment,
with direct aisle access for
each seat in Singapore Airlines
hallmark 1-2-1 forward-facing
cabin layout.
The Business Class bed allows
you to work and lounge in a
uniquely spacious environment.
Experience the innovative
design of Singapore Airlines A380
Economy Class that minimises
intrusion into your personal space
even as the passenger in front
reclines as the ergonomic styling
of the seat maximises legroom.
It also features a headrest that
can be adjusted as desired for
greater support.
An easily accessible seatback-
mounted handset, personal and
non-intrusive reading light, and
in-seat power supply are just
some of the many intelligent
touches designed with the
customer in mind.
Singapore Airlines in-ight
menus are specially created to
reect the culinary inuences of
the regions to which it ies.
You will enjoy the nest
dining experience in the air,
complemented with a specially
selected range of wines, spirits,
liquors, beers and beverages. The
airlines pioneering Book the Cook
service, if you y on Business, First
and Suites Class, enables you to
pre-order and have your gourmet
main course specially prepared
for you.
Onboard, you can select from
1,000 entertainment options
available on KrisWorld, presented
on a 10.6-inch personal screen.
From comedy to the classics, now
you can watch what you want,
whenever you want.
Singapore Airlines and SilkAir
currently operate a total of 110
weekly ights to 11 destinations
in mainland China Beijing,
Changsha, Chengdu, Chongqing,
Guangzhou, Hangzhou, Kunming,
Shanghai, Shenzhen, Wuhan and
Xiamen. Singapore Airlines also
operates 35 weekly ights to Hong
Kong.
Currently, Singapore
Airlines and SilkAir are offering
promotional airfares to China
for travel until Mar 31, 2015.
Book your tickets by Nov 16 on
singaporeair.com or silkair.com.
Singapore Airlines and SilkAir
operate 71 times weekly from
Kuala Lumpur to Singapore.
In addition, SilkAir operates
35 weekly ights from Penang
to Singapore, ve times weekly
ights from Langkawi to
Singapore, four times weekly
ights from Kuching to Singapore
and 10 times weekly ights from
Kota Kinabalu to Singapore.
Passengers travelling on
these ights can enjoy seamless
connections to other Singapore
Airlines and SilkAir destinations
within the same day.
n For more information, call
03-2618 6342, e-mail
ching_er@singaporeair.com.sg or
visit www.singaporeair.com
The Singapore
Airlines A380
Suites is
luxury at its
best.
10 SCHOOL HOLIDAY SPECIAL StarSpecial, Sunday 2 November 2014
Role-playing at its best
T
HE award-winning KidZania
offers children an experience
like no other. Roleplay has
long been a universal pastime
for generations and what Xavier
Lpez Ancona, president and chief
executive ocer of KidZania,
has done is to take this age-old
pastime and give it a new twist.
KidZania enables children to
role play and allows them to hone
in on their natural interests and
discover their hidden talents.
Originating from Mexico,
KidZania Kuala Lumpur in Curve
NX, Mutiara Damansara, is a one-
of-a-kind concept that allows
children to learn about the world
of adult occupations by role
playing different professions.
It offers children an interactive
learning and entertainment
experience and is targeted at
children who are between the
ages of four and 14 years.
Unlike other theme parks,
KidZania does not feature any
rides or arcade games. Instead,
children participate in a variety of
role-playing activities specically
designed to aid physical and
intellectual growth.
As part of a successful global
franchise, KidZania Kuala Lumpur
houses more than 60 different
establishments providing
more than 100 different role-
playing activities for children to
experience.
Scaled down to a childs size,
KidZania is essentially a city of
its own with its own national
anthem, language and functioning
economy.
KidZania is also complete with
beautifully paved streets, vehicles,
and recognisable buildings in the
form of establishments that are
sponsored by leading international
and local brands.
Like any other city, KidZania
has its own re station with
reghters who are ready to
serve, a bank where children can
cash in cheques or save money, a
hospital for those who are unwell,
a TV station where breaking news
is broadcasted, an airplane for
young pilots and passengers and a
grand theatre where children can
discover their hidden talents in the
performing arts.
KidZanias core value lies in
being able to educate and at the
same time, provide fun, real-life
experiences where children can
meet new friends and explore
new activities from leading
a tour group to co-hosting a
radio programme. As KidZania
is a city for kids, they are the
ultimate decision-makers and
this empowers them to be more
condent and independent.
The unique concept of
education and entertainment
that KidZania offers will aid
developmental growth and
inspire condence, creativity and
innovation among children.
The involvement of various
industry partners will add a
sense of realism in this city for
kids, enriching their educational
experience, says Tunku Datuk
Ahmad Burhanuddin, group
managing director of Themed
Attractions and Resorts Sdn
Bhd and governor of KidZania
Malaysia.
Like all adventures, a childs
journey begins at the airport,
where he gets a boarding pass,
a map to the city and a cheque
for 50 kidZos, KidZanias own
currency.
Each time a child visits
KidZania, he will receive a cheque
for 50 kidZos, which he can
then bank in to his own savings
account. The savings account
will be opened at the bank inside
KidZania and the child will even
receive his own ATM card.
Children can use their money
for various purposes, including
taking their drivers licence,
getting their hair done or even
obtaining a degree at the national
college.
This allows them to effectively
acquire money management skills.
But just like real money, once they
run out of kidZos, they will need
to get a job to earn more.
Children have a long list of
professions to choose from at the
many exciting establishments.
Through the various role-
playing activities, they learn the
values of hard work, team work
and tolerance while becoming
more knowledgeable, street smart
and condent.
KidZania is also a great place
where parents can bond with their
children, further strengthening
family ties and encouraging
and upholding the importance
of participating in fun leisure
activities as a family.
Children of different age groups
KidZania offers children an interactive learning and entertainment experience. Children learn important values through various role-playing activities at KidZania.
are able to carry out the various
activities at the establishments
under the guidance of a
zupervisors.
These zupervisors are trained
adults who guide and help kids
accomplish their tasks as they
work and play.
Toddlers are not left out as
there is an exclusive section for
them called Urbanos House.
Here, children aged three and
below can take part in story-
telling sessions and puppet shows,
make their favourite meals, jump
around on an inatable bed, have
fun in a soft ball bathtub and
more.
For the convenience of parents,
there is also a dedicated Baby Care
Centre for private nursing and
diaper changing.
Besides that, parents can rest
and relax at the Parents Lounge,
which is equipped with Wi-Fi and
TVs, while their children enjoy
themselves.
KidZania has already
entertained and engaged more
than 31 million people in various
cities around the world, including
Mexico City, Tokyo, Jakarta,
Seoul, Lisbon and Dubai. It is
little wonder that KidZania is the
fastest growing educational and
entertainment brand in the world.
KidZania has also received
multiple industry recognitions,
having been voted Best Theme
Park Worldwide by The Themed
Entertainment Association, Top
Family Entertainment Centre of
the World by the International
Association of Amusement Parks
and Attractions (IAAPA), Global
Leisure Operator of the Year by
Retail and Leisure International,
and Concept of the Year by Mapic.
Spread across 80,000sq ft
(7,432sq m) over two levels,
KidZania Kuala Lumpur is
located in Curve NX opposite the
Curve shopping mall in Mutiara
Damansara.
KidZania Kuala Lumpur opens
from 10am to 5pm on Sundays to
Fridays. On Saturdays, school and
public holidays (except for the last
Sunday of each school holiday),
KidZania is open for two sessions
the rst session is from 10am
to 3pm and the second session is
from 4pm to 9pm.
Regular tickets are priced at
RM75 for children and RM50 for
adults. For MyKad holders, tickets
are priced at RM60 for children
and RM35 for adults. Tickets
can either be purchased at the
KidZania airport ticketing counter
or online via the KidZania website.
n For more information, call
1300 88 KIDZ (5439) or visit
www.KidZania.com.my
KidZania is a city especially
designed for kids.
StarSpecial, Sunday 2 November 2014 SCHOOL HOLIDAY SPECIAL 11
Thrilling destinations for the holidays
T
HE end-of-year holidays are
when students get some
time off to relax and unwind
after the long school year. Many
families plan trips around this
time and we are fortunate to live
in Malaysia, which is a bustling
hive of adventure, culture and all-
round excitement.
If you do not have any plans
or exhilarating excursions
planned for the upcoming school
holidays, fret not here is a list
of local destinations you can
visit with your family or friends.
Adventures await
l Taman Negara
You have probably heard of the
oldest protected area in Malaysia,
covering 4,343sq km and
consisting of the states of Pahang,
Kelantan and Terengganu.
Malaysia is one of the 17
megadiverse countries in the
world the countries where the
majority of the worlds species are
found and the forest in Taman
Negara is the oldest tropical
rainforest in the world.
Besides the usual wildlife
observation and trekking, the
national park also offers a host of
challenging extreme activities.
The extreme sport attraction in
Pahang is white water rafting in
Jeram Besu.
A great time awaits nature
enthusiasts, who can take on fun
rapids of various grades to suit
their experience levels. Visitors > TURN TO PAGE 14
often stay at resorts for a few
days to enjoy the full outdoor
experience and try their hand at
other activities such as caving or
4x4 off-road driving.
l Jump Street
Jump Street in Petaling Jaya is
the rst indoor trampoline park
in the country, with hundreds of
interconnected trampolines from
the oor right up to the walls.
This urban playground was
built to thrill, with a main jumping
area covering 9,000sq ft (836.1sq
m).
Children and adults alike can
participate in various activities
such as those in the main room,
high performance area or foam
pit.
You can get your family and
friends together for a birthday
celebration here, as JumpStreet
accommodates parties and
events. There will also be a
National Trampoline Dodgeball
Tournament later this month.
This indoor park has hit it off
with children, teenagers, and
young adults alike, guaranteeing
fun for jumpers of all ages. Jump
Street will open its second branch
in Penang this December.
l Skytrex @ National
Botanical Garden
Malaysias rst agricultural
park in Shah Alam was revamped
a few years ago to include a sky
trekking adventure.
Activities involving climbing,
swinging and balancing were
designed for those with a
heightened sense of adventure,
featuring three courses that will
have you zipping as high as 22m
off the ground.
Boat trip in
Taman Negara.
Skytrex promises recreation,
safety, eco-friendliness and
education as components of
your jungle canopy escapade. A
new branch recently opened in
Langkawi, making this adventure
available in the north too.
There is also a paintball valley
in this botanical garden, which
creates a perfect simulation of
jungle warfare. Other attractions
include an animal park, spice and
beverage garden, and arboretum.
Science and nature
l Aquaria KLCC
This aquarium in the Kuala
Lumpur Convention Centre
features exotic tropical creatures
in large aquariums and enclosures.
Prepare for an educational
underwater experience with
exhibits such as the Rocky Shore
Touch Pool, The Electric Zone, The
Streams, Flooded Forest and The
Coast.
One of the best experiences is
exploring the vast open sea-scape
through the 90m transparent
underwater tunnel.
You will see sharks, stingrays,
turtles and other underwater
wonders and leave the place with
a renewed sense of appreciation
for the gorgeous glory of the sea
and all its inhabitants.
The Weird and Wonderful
exhibit is sure to intrigue with an
array of bizarre creatures while
the Glass Bottom Boat offers a
perspective of ocean reefs.
l Kuala Lumpur Bird Park
Situated in the Kuala Lumpur
Lake Gardens, this park claims to
be the worlds largest free-ight
walk-in aviary.
A stroll on these 20.9
acres (8.46ha) is not for the
ornithophobes (those with a fear
of birds) there are more than
3,000 birds of approximately 200
species here. Birds y freely in
the rst three zones while Zone
4 consists of cages and mini
aviaries.
Visitors can watch these
birds in their natural state while
learning about the variety of
winged creatures in tropical
rainforests.
The simulated environment
also encourages breeding emus,
parrots and storks are among
the species that have been
successfully bred here. Feed the
birds, watch bird shows or simply
immerse yourself in this unique
educational experience.
KL Bird Park.
12 SCHOOL HOLIDAY SPECIAL StarSpecial, Sunday 2 November 2014
A wonderland away from home
NAMED after the famous 16th century
Portuguese fortication of Malacca,
AFamosa Resort is your one-stop venue to
experience a host of fun activities.
Begin your thrilling water escapade with
popular pulse-pounding rides such as the
Big Ice Cream and Wahaha.
Safari Wonderland offers a day full of
fun as you experience an out-of-this-world
encounter feeding animals such as tigers
and crocodiles.
Visitors can also pet and feed brown
lemurs, squirrel monkeys, capuchins and
other tame animals on The Monkey Island.
AFamosa Resort Old West carnival arena
offers enchanting Red Indian shows and a
musical parade.
You can also explore the 4D Theatre and
Dark Tunnel adventure on the Cho-Cho
Train that include various fun activities for
children.
Experience the mind-stimulating
journey with The Maze by testing both your
intelligence and agility or challenge your
shooting and reex skills with paintball,
target-shooting and archery.
For those looking for rejuvenation,
immerse in picturesque beauty as you
tee-off in style on AFamosa Resorts award-
winning 27-hole golf course.
Families can look forward to a rewarding
vacation with AFamosa Resorts spacious
living facilities, modern home convenience
as well as refreshing countryside
atmosphere.
Do not miss the chance to grab a unique
school holiday deal consisting of a specially
customised room stay package of RM118++
per unit for two days and one night with
the purchase of two tickets to the Old West
Carnival.
Add-on specials include admission to
Water Theme Park or Safari Wonderland
(meals included) from RM37 per person.
AFamosa Resort offers hassle-free
transportation services from KLIA and
KLIA2 through Transnational Express as
well as from Kuala Lumpur city/Singapore
through Nice Imperial Coach to the resort,
priced as low as RM19 for adults and RM16
for children.
Plan your next getaway with AFamosa
Resort and make it your destination to
create a memorable holiday for you and
your loved ones.
n For more information, call 03-2781 8888
or visit www.afamosa.com
AFamosa Resort offers a host of fun
activities for the family.
More than just a theme park
L
OST World Of Tambun is
an action-packed, exciting
adventure theme park with
thrilling rides, games, experiences
and natural hot springs.
Located in Ipoh, Perak, this
haven is an ideal destination for a
weekend of wholesome family fun
or a burst of eco-adventure. Take
it all in as you journey through the
10 main elements that make up
this unique adventure.
l Lost World Water Park
A beautiful waterfall beach
garden and exhilarating water
rides await you. Float along
the longest adventure river in
Malaysia with incredible sights of
nature along the way.
l Lost World Amusement
Park
Lost World Amusement Park is
lled with games, carousels and
rides. Take ight on Dragon Flight,
a thrilling swing-chair ride before
moving on to the Stormrider, a
pirate boat that swings at 180.
Get on the Adventure Express
with your little ones. This ancient
locomotive takes you on a journey
past majestic ruins, surging waters
and wild tigers.
l Lost World Tin Valley
The Tin Valley takes visitors on
a journey into the past when Perak
was the worlds largest producer
of tin. Kids can learn about this
while having fun and participating
in tin-mining activities as they did
back then.
l Lost World Tiger Valley
Lost World Of Tambun is
home to a number of magnicent
Siberian tigers.
Catch them and their handlers
at play and observe the tigers
agility and strength as they jump
over rocks to get to their food
during the tiger feeding shows.
l Lupes Adventure
Lupes Adventure is Peraks rst
roller coaster and a must for thrill
seekers. You will go through twists
and turns until your head spins
as Lupes Adventure takes you on
a topsy-turvy ride you will never
forget.
l Lost World Petting Zoo
At the Petting Zoo, you will
be able to come in contact with
a variety of adorable animals or
simply be awed by the large aviary
that houses more than 500 birds.
You can also visit the
Serpentarium that features a host
of slithering reptiles.
l Adventure For The
Eco-Enthusiast
Adrenaline junkies can opt for
a three-hour cave exploration
experience at the Six Mile Tunnel,
with experienced guides.
You can also trek through the
700m cave tunnel through mud
and water and squeeze through
tight spaces. Along the way, you
will experience nature and see
stalactites.
l Lost World Team Building
Park
Instructed by a team of
trainers, participants run through
a medley of obstacles such as the
13 High Rope Course, a series of
unique high rope elements against
the backdrop of a 60ft waterfall.
Experience a rush of adrenaline
from 65ft (19.8m) on Malaysias
highest Leap of Faith, which is also
known as Para Jump.
You can also get wild with
Wild Woosey, a team-building
experience that builds trust and
breaks down communication
barriers. You can also rock climb
on the limestone hills known as
Via Feratta with an abseil or enjoy
the Zip Line as you go across a
120m cable over the lake.
l Lost World Hotel
The Lost World Hotel consists
of 174 hotel rooms ranging
from basic luxury to premium
accommodation. A stay at the
Lost World Hotel is inclusive of
breakfast for two people and two
tickets to Lost World Hot Springs
and Spa.
Operation hours:
Lost World Of Tambun
Weekdays (Monday-Friday):
11am to 6pm
Weekends, public holidays
and school holidays:
10am to 6pm
Closed every Tuesday
(except on public holidays
and school holidays)
Lost World Hot Springs
and Spa
Open nightly: 6pm to 11pm
All rooms have complimentary
broadband service. Seven function
rooms, which can accommodate
between 10 and 200 people, are
available for business meetings
and events.
l Lost World Hot Springs And
Spa
The natural goodness of
mineral-rich hot springs water
is treated and channelled to Lost
World Hot Springs and Spa.
Here, you can rest, relax and
rejuvenate in the various hot
springs. There are also signature
massages and aromatherapy
treatments provided by trained
specialists.
n For more information,
call 05-542 8888 (theme park),
05-540 8888 (hotel) or visit
www.sunwaylostworldoftambun.
com
Fun water adventures
await at Lost World of
Tambun.
Lost World Amusement Park
offers a host of exciting
games, carousels and rides.
StarSpecial, Sunday 2 November 2014 SCHOOL HOLIDAY SPECIAL 13
Enjoyable and relaxing getaway
I
F you are looking for a
memorable getaway, then
Club Med Cherating Beach in
Kuantan, Pahang, may just be the
answer to your search.
This beautiful Club Med seaside
resort is a natural green paradise
lled with awe-inspiring treasures
lush natural beauty, abundant
wildlife, exciting activities for
the family and blissful relaxing
moments along Malaysias idyllic
east coast.
Following the success of the
dedicated relaxation areas of Club
Med Phuket and Bali, Club Med
Cherating Beach created a Zen
Space on a natural peninsula that
juts out into the South China Sea.
The Zen Space serves as a
retreat within the resort where
people can experience quiet,
peaceful moments.
Surrounded by ocean waters,
the Quiet Pool facing the
beachfront is ideal for peaceful
relaxation, reading and paddling.
The elegant decks offer
comfortable rest areas with a
beautiful ocean view. Guests can
lounge in cabanas and enjoy bar
service and light snacks by the
pool.
Adjoining the Zen Space is
Le Rembulan gourmet restaurant,
which serves lunch and dinner in
a relaxed beachside setting.
The Cherating resort also
features Club Meds rst noodle
bar with an open kitchen concept
that offers fresh, seasonal
ingredients and tasty Asian
cuisine.
Guests can also choose to treat
themselves to a soothing and
relaxing session at Mandara Spa,
which offers indulgent massages,
facials and other pampering
treatments inspired by ancient
Asian healing rituals.
Club Med also offers dedicated
services and professional care for
children of all ages Cheratings
Baby Club (age four to 23 months),
Petit Club (age two to four years),
Mini Club (age four to 11 years)
and Passworld (age 11 to 17 years).
These are available seven days
a week to ensure young children
and teenagers are well taken
care of and entertained, which
in turn offers peace of mind and
relaxation for parents.
Based on the concept of happy
nature, the Baby Club at the
Cherating resort is professionally
staffed, designed with materials
and uses facilities inspired by
rainforests and beaches that
appeal to a babys ve senses.
Young children can also
discover unique wildlife
experiences through specialised,
age-appropriate programmes
such as the Jungle Walk, Turtle
Sanctuary and Clean Art Planet.
Children are also entertained
by and engage well with the
various supervised activities that
allow them to explore and learn
new skills.
Among the popular ones are
archery, ying trapeze, tennis and
arts and crafts.
They can also enjoy making
new friends with Club Meds
multicultural guests.
Children below the age of four
can enjoy free stay and children
below the age of 12 get a discount,
giving parents added appeal when
seeking out a holiday option with
great value.
Eco-discovery trails and nature
activities are available for people
of all ages, and these allow guests
to enjoy nature while helping to
protect the unspoiled wilderness.
There are invigorating jungle
walks that wind through the
rainforest and viewing platforms
along the coast.
The rock climbing activity
promises exciting outdoor
fun for all levels, and is a great
opportunity for family bonding
as parents and children overcome
obstacles in nature together.
The most popular activity the
treetop challenge rope course
caters to people of all ages and is
an innovative and effective tool for
outdoor adventure learning.
This adventure facility offers
challenges but also makes
safety a priority. All equipment
and procedures comply with
international safety standards.
Evenings are livened with
performances by international
staff members who provide a
multicultural avour in true Club
Med spirit.
With Club Meds all-inclusive
holiday concept, everything is well
taken care of for guests so that
they can focus on truly enjoying
their vacation.
n For more information, visit
www.clubmed.com.my/cherating_
resort
Club Med Cherating
resort offers various
activities for the
whole family.
Outdoor adventures
are aplenty .
Enjoy a peaceful moment
along the beachfront.
14 SCHOOL HOLIDAY SPECIAL StarSpecial, Sunday 2 November 2014
Stay in the heart of Bangkok
HOLIDAYMAKERS planning a memorable
vacation to Bangkok during this year-end
holidays should try out an up-and-coming
hotel for total accommodation comfort.
Uma Residence, situated in the heart of
old town Bangkok in an area called Siyan, is
both strategically located and affordable.
Guests can choose from its three types of
rooms superior, deluxe and junior suite
starting from US$32++ (RM105++) per night.
All rooms are equipped with free Wi-Fi,
furnished with a 42-inch LCD television and
other basic amenities to make ones stay
pleasant, relaxing and comfortable.
The moment guests step inside, they
are bound to be captivated by the modern
architectural design, tropical garden
surroundings and friendly Thai hospitality.
Its outdoor pools are stunning and
the hotels variety of delectable Thai and
Western dishes for breakfast will leave
in-house diners coming back for more.
Guests can also enjoy other
complimentary benets such as early
check-in and late check-out, as well as free
van shuttle to places of interests such as the
Grand Palace (Wat Phra Kaew) and Siam
Paragon.
The Grand Palace has been the ocial
residence of the Kings of Siam (and later
Thailand) since 1782.
The present monarch King Bhumibol
Adulyadej (Rama IX) currently resides at the
Chitralada Palace but the Grand Palace is
still used for ocial events.
Several royal ceremonies and state
functions are held within the walls of the
palace every year.
The palace remains one of the most
popular tourist attractions and is located
just 25 minutes from the hotel.
Siam Paragon is one of the biggest
shopping centres in Asia. It consists of
a wide range of specialty stores and
restaurants, as well as a multiplex and the
Siam Ocean World the largest aquarium in
South-East Asia.
Other sites within the vicinity of the
hotel include Khaosan Road, Vimanmek
Mansion, Dusit Zoo, Victory Monument,
Siam Square, the Chatuchak weekend
market and Or Tor Kor market.
n For more information, e-mail
reservation@umaresidence.com or visit
www.umaresidence.com
Uma Residence offers visitors modern architectural design and warm hospitality.
> FROM PAGE 11
l National Planetarium
On a hill between the Bird
Park and National Museum is
the nations tribute to space
exploration the National
Planetarium.
It is truly Malaysian in its
design too, incorporating Islamic
and modern architecture in
its blue-domed building with
minaret.
You will enjoy the Outdoor
Ancient Observatory Park, space-
themed picnic area, galleries and
observatory, where you will have
the chance to look through a
telescope.
The Planetarium Space Theatre
screens Omnimax-style lms
projected on the interior roof of
the dome, which viewers enjoy on
a reclining chair.
Different lms are screened
every hour, offering a space
exploration experience you will
not want to miss.
Art and heritage
l Islamic Arts Museum
South-East Asias largest
museum of Islamic Art is a grand
display occupying 30,000sq m
amid the Lake Gardens.
The museum houses more
than 7,000 artefacts, ranging from
jewellery to a large scale model of
Meccas Masjid al-Haram.
The pieces of history on display
here consist of treasures not only
from the Middle East, but also
Asia, which has a solid place in the
history of Islam.
Bustling hive of adventure and culture
Glass, ceramics, textiles,
metalwork and other artefacts are
showcased in respective galleries.
The India, China and Malay
World Galleries serve as
representations of the diverse
heritage of Islam in Malaysia.
This museum presents a
wonderful perspective of where
we came from and offers insight
on where we are headed.
l Georgetown, Penang
Penang is an island of rich
heritage, great street food and
lovely beaches.
Its capital, Georgetown, is
protected as a national heritage
site.
Combined with the recent
burst of art and modern
culture, it creates an interesting
juxtaposition of old and new.
Georgetown has gained quite a
reputation for its art and festivals,
attracting people from all walks of
life with photography exhibitions,
dance performances and the
famous grati-style street art
painted along city streets.
You can further experience the
culture and heritage of Penang by
visiting the Kek Lok Si and Snake
Temples, Penang Museum and
Art Gallery and Batik Painting
Museum Penang.
l National Visual Arts Gallery
and National Theatre
These two buildings are located
next to each other off Jalan Tun
Razak in Kuala Lumpur. The
National Visual Arts Gallery is the
countrys ocial art venue for
workshops and exhibitions and
also offers art classes for children.
The gallery showcases more
than 2,500 contemporary works of
art from all over the world.
Prepare to be amazed by the
sheer creative brilliance of local
artists, some of whom have
incorporated Malaysian themes
and culture into their work.
The ground oor houses
temporary exhibitions, including
Asian paintings, sculptures and
photographs.
The art on display at the
top oor lean towards more
traditional designs and inuences,
including handicraft and music-
themed exhibits.
Your experience can be
enhanced by a visit to the National
Theatre next door or as it is
commonly known to locals, Istana
Budaya.
Here, you can catch local and
international music, dance and
drama performances.
The grand theatre building
was designed with heavy Malay
inuences.
Frequent performers at Istana
Budaya include the National
Theatre Company and National
Symphony Orchestra, and on
Saturdays, there are live music
and dance performances staged in
front of the theatre.
Art enthusiasts can plan a
day trip to these two must-see
destinations in the capital city for
an enjoyable and educational time.
Kek Lok Si temple, Penang.
StarSpecial, Sunday 2 November 2014 SCHOOL HOLIDAY SPECIAL 15
Exciting activities for all
B
UKIT Gambang Resort City
(BGRC) is an integrated
resort city destination
designed with the concept of
having multiple attractions in one
location.
Sprawled across 727 acres
(294ha) of lush secondary jungle,
it is a perfect destination for
leisure and meetings, conferences
and exhibitions.
Strategically located about
218km from Kuala Lumpur and
35km from Kuantan, it is easily
accessible by road via the East
Coast Expressway.
Those who choose to travel by
air can embark at Kuala Lumpur
International Airport (KLIA),
Penang International Airport
or Singapore Changi Airport for
direct ights to Kuantan airport.
The resort city is a 30-minute
scenic drive from the airport.
BGRC offers 1,866 rooms in
various categories. These rooms
are available in two different
themed resorts Arabian Bay
Resort (ABR) and Caribbean Bay
Resort (CBR).
The two popular categories are
the studio suite (one-bedroom
suite with private balcony) and
family suite (two-bedroom suite
with private bathrooms, common
living room and balcony).
The ABR suites offer warm, cosy
yet elegant furnishing suitable
for business and leisure travellers
whereas the CBR suites provide a
comfortable, home-away-from-
home ambience with the natural-
looking timber-strip ooring and
cosy wooden furniture that add
a touch of nature to complement
the natural environment of the
resort.
The two main attractions
of BGRC are the water theme
park and safari park. The Bukit
Gambang Water Park, which
covers a total area of 45.8 acres
(18.5ha), offers various water
attractions suitable for the whole
family.
It is also an award-winning
water park as awarded by
the Malaysia Association of
Amusements, Themeparks and
Family Attractions (MAATFA).
Some of the main attractions
include the longest family raft ride
and the highest and longest six-
lane race track in Malaysia.
Coco Beach offers the largest
wave pool in Malaysia, measuring
24,000sq ft (2,229.6sq m) and
is the only one in the country
that offers eight wave patterns,
including the double-diamond
wave.
The specially designed Penguin
Island is a dedicated area for
children where toddlers can enjoy
themselves safely.
The Bukit Gambang Safari Park
(BGSP) is a 138-acre (55.8ha), one-
of-its-kind safari and is also the
largest in the country.
As the latest addition to
BGRC, it will excite visitors with
the concept of an up-close and
personal encounter with the wild.
BGSP is open daily and offers
shows, activities and animal
demonstrations for kids of all ages.
Among the highlights available
in the safari park is the wide range
of nocturnal animals, including
the worlds only nocturnal
monkey the Panamanian Night
Monkey.
There is an exclusive section
named Foreign Village that houses
a range of animals from all over
the world for a see-touch-learn
experience where visitors can
observe and pet farm animals and
wild animals.
The drive-through section
features the largest wild savannah
and animals from the African
Savannah, tropical rainforests,
Australian outback, desert land
and the soon-to-feature Bear
Mountain.
Another feature for visitors to
BGSP is the Simba Hill Gourmet
Hall, which is the countrys rst
themed restaurant that offers a
dining experience with Malaysias
only white lions.
Visitors can expect more to
explore later this year with the
upcoming Forest Land, which
will showcase the largest range of
primates in South-East Asia, a bird
valley with more than 100 species
of birds that includes dedicated
garden-themed section featuring
unique invertebrates, amphibians,
reptiles and insects, and Predator
Land with a variety of predator
species such as families of wild
cats and dogs.
Outdoor recreational activities
are also available and located
conveniently across the resorts.
There are opportunities for
horseriding, paintball target-
shooting, ATV fun rides and off-
road rides and other facilities such
as a paintball warzone, ying fox
and obstacle course challenges
available.
n For more information, visit
www.bgrc.com.my
Bukit Gambang Resort City is home to Malaysias only white lions. The water park offers many attractions for the whole family.
Bukit Gambang Resort City.
Sunday 2 November 2014 StarSpecial 16