Malaysian Mega Sale Carnival 2011

If you want a holiday where you can shop till you drop, then you could do a whole lot worse than wind up in Malaysia this summer.

With its multitude of shopping malls, dazzling markets and individual souvenir stores selling everything from the latest mobile phones and attractive Malaysian clothes to local artworks, DVDs and more, Malaysia has always been a shopper’s paradise.

However, the dream come true has arrived. The Malaysian Mega Sale Carnival is an opportunity to flash the cash quite unlike any other – with bargains galore it’s a time when sales figures in the country literally shoot through the roof!

As part of its efforts to establish Malaysia as one of the world’s biggest shopping paradises, the Malaysian Tourism Department launched a brand new initiative; The Mega Sale Carnival.

Bargains galore in the Malaysian Mega Sale Carnival

The event is actually held three times a year with each event promoting a different theme – once in March, once more in August, and then again in December, in the run up to Christmas.

This year however, the carnival is set to last longer than ever – organizers have agreed upon a record-breaking ten week event, starting from June 15^th all the way through to the end of August.

Stores discount heavily during the Mega Sale Carnival. Courtesy of Malaysia Pictures

Throughout the country, shoppers can find massive discounts in virtually all retail stores. New products are regularly launched to coincide with the events, while special promotions and discounts, exhibitions and prizes are organized to fuel the shopping frenzy even further.

And keeping in mind those who have far better things to do during the daytime, numerous midnight sales are also opened, meaning you really can “shop till you drop”.

Malaysian summer sales. Courtesy of Shim World

And it’s not just the shopping that’s celebrated during the Malaysian Mega Sale Carnival. It’s also a time to showcase many different regional cultures, through their artworks, foods, drinks and more.

You’ll even be able to get yourself a bargain on flights as well. During the events, both domestic and international air fares are slashed as part of the government’s efforts to lure visitors to one of the world’s most unique shopping extravaganzas.

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Desaru, Johor

Desaru boasts 25 km of inviting beaches fringed by palms and casuarinas. It lies in the southeastern corner of Johor, approximately 98 km from Johor Bahru. The waters here are conducive for swimming, waterskiing, canoeing and catamaran sailing.

This popular seaside destination in Johor is great for a family vacation. Its 18 hole golf course commands a magnificent view of the South China Sea.

In Desaru, you can enjoy thrilling adventures such as learning how to fly an ultra-light aircraft or take part in a go-kart race. Other forms of recreation include jungle trekking, horseback riding, archery and off-road adventures. Accommodation here includes hotels as well as budget chalets, dormitories and camping grounds.

The Desaru International Triathlon is held here annually. The Tanjung Balau Fishermen Museum, a few km away, features exhibits on the lifestyle of local fisher folk.

Getting There
By Road
Desaru is easily accessible as there is public transportation from Johor Bahru, Kota Tinggi or Tanjung Belungkor. Buses are available from Kuala Lumpur.

By Sea
There is a ferry service from Changi Point in Singapore to Tanjung Belungkor where transport to Desaru can be arranged.

enjoyy it!

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Laksam & Nasi Kerabu

Next to the post office
Jalan Dewan Sultan Sulaiman Satu

Off Jalan Tuanku Abdul Rahman (nearer to the Chow Kit area)

Last year, we made it to Songkhla Hawker and was bowled over by the food and desserts at this place. Recently, I revisited the place and finally managed to snap pictures of the savoury items in brighter light.

So far, this place still serves the ultimate Kelanatanese food for me in Kuala Lumpur. My absolute favourite is their Laksam. You get pearly white rolls of noodles in a creamy fish curry that is so flavoursome, I usually finish every little drop of it. It's topped with super crunchy bean sprouts and a dollop of chopped green chillies for extra kick. Seems to be also a popular item as lots of people were ordering this too.

Another must have at this stall is their Nasi Kerabu with the blue colour tinge rice. This version is plain with a topping of fish sambal that is slightly sweet with the grated coconuts, crunchy bean sprouts, sliced pegaga leaves and long beans. You can also select different curries from the stall to complement this. Usually it's eaten with ikan tongkol curry (tuna fish curry) or solok lada which is green chillies stuffed with a fish paste.

Don't forget to finish off your meal with their desserts as there's so many varieties to choose from. They also serve cockles barbequed in a charcoal burner which you can dip in a chilli sauce mixed with crushed peanuts.

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Paradise - Pulau Sipadan, Sabah

Sipadan Island (or locally, Pulau Sipadan), is located in the Celebes Sea east of the major town of Tawau, State of Sabah and off the coast of East Malaysia on the island of Borneo. Sipadan Island was formed by undersea volcano in million years ago. It is just 12 hectares in size and just around 9m or 30 feet from the beach edge, the water turns into indigo blue as the sea dropping to a depth of more than 2,000 feet or 600m from the seabed. Thus, making it the only oceanic island in Malaysia, and one of the best wall dive experiences in the world.

Sipadan Island won the “Best Beach Dive in the World” award in 1993 due to its famous feature that it was formed by living corals growing on top of an extinct volcanic cone that took thousands of years to develop. Due to its strategic location at the heart of the Indo-Pacific basin, Sipadan Island has one of the richest marine habitats in the world. Divers can easily find hardly seen school of Greenback and Hawksbill turtles, school of thousands barracudas and big-eye-trevally swimming in tornado-like shape. Others marine life like hammerheads, whale sharks, eagle rays, manta rays, scalloped, and more than 3,000 species of fish and hundreds of coral species. It is truly a diver’s paradise. The season for diving is from mid-February to mid-December.

How to get there

Fly to Kota Kinabalu and then on to Tawau which is in the Malaysian province of Sabah. From Tawau it is a one hour drive to the coastal town of Semporna and then another 1.5 hours by speed boat to Pulau Semporna. Pulau Sipadan is about 30 minutes boat ride from its jumping off point, Semporna.

Accommodation
Most people who go for diving in Sipadan live in Mabul island because the accommodation at Smart Diver Resort on Mabul is slightly more high-end than that found on Sipadan, offering private en-suites, fresh (not brackish) showers and loads of hot water. Others accommodations are Sipadan Water Village Resort, Sipadan-Kapalai Dive Resort, Seaventures Dive Resort, Sipadan Mabul Resort, Borneo Divers Mabul Island Resort, Mabul Water Bungalows.

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