Phang-Nga, The Island of Sacramanga

Situated as it is by the Andaman Sea Phang-Nga’s scenic views of forests and islands, green waters, blue skies and rugged cliffs attract Nature lovers who are mesmerized by its beauty. It has many national parks, the most famous being Phang-Nga National Park. This is a geological wonder with islets, sunken, caverns and exotic rock formations rising sheer out of the sea: The Bay being sheltered is ideal for sea canoe exploring. Hat Khao Lak near Phang-Nga district has a beautiful long beach along the Andaman Sea. The green mountains of Khao Lak – Lumru National Park, parallel to the coast, are full of birds, mammals and scenic waterfalls. This was where the December 2004 Tsunami wreaked havoc though many hotels have come up again. Phang-Nga’s main landmark is a large hill looking like a kneeling elephant. The town’s beautiful old building is the Provincial Hall. The Phung-Chang Cave is behind the City Hall. You will see beautiful stalagmites and stalactites in this cave Khao-Ngum Cave lies across from its entrance. Here too you see stalactites and stalagmites.

Phuket is a take off point for Phang Nga Bay Cruises with a trip to the “James Bond Island” or the island of Scaramanga in the film “The Man with the Golden Gun”. This is an eco tour like no other. As you sail into the waters of the Andaman Sea, spectacular scenery unfolds before your eyes. Green water with massive limestone rocks streaked with red and green greet you while pristine beaches and virgin islands add to the beauty. Phang Nga Bay is sheltered from the northeast and southwest Monsoons and hence has calm waters year round making it a sailor’s paradise.

The fishing village of Koh Pan Yee built on concrete stilts over the sea sits guarded by a gigantic rock, another James Bond movie landmark, as the guide tells you. Explore the village or perhaps pick up a souvenir from the hundreds of tiny shops which exist only for tourists. Sailing to the Kaho Hong at Phang Nga National Park is a mystical experience A “hong” is a hollowed out island or collapsed cave, open to the sky so as you enter the Kaho Hong by boat (provided the tide is right) you feel as though you are entering a big reception hall with towering limestone walls. Sea canoeing is a major eco-tourism activity as you can go around hundreds of limestone islands dotting the Andaman sea. A rafting trip from Phuket includes sightseeing at the Phang-Nga Wildlife Park, elephant rides and rafting in the Parivat wildlife conservation area.

On Khao Lan Hill in Tambon Bang Riang is the temple- “Wat Bang Riang” with an elaborate bell shaped pagoda, Chedi Putthathambanlue, overlooking a huge Buddha image and one of Guan-yin, a Chinese goddess. An interesting thing to buy in Phang-Nga town is artificial flowers made by village women out of rubber tree leaves. The town is also famous for shrimp paste (kapi) and dried shrimp. So enjoy Thai food while you visit and shop for shrimp delights to take back home.

For more information Tourism Authority of Thailand, 1600 New Phetchaburi Road, Makkasan, Ratchathewi , Bangkok 10400, Thailand, Tel:+66-022505500, Fax:+66-022505511, email: center@tat.or.th and website: http://www.tourismthailand.org

BATTAMBANG, CITY OF TEMPLES

Battambang, Cambodia’s second largest city founded in the 11th century, has maintained its local atmosphere, and charm. “Bat Dambang” literally means “lost staff”. Legend has it that King Kron Nhong threw his wooden staff from Angkor (of Angkok Wat Temples fame) and it landed where present day Battambang stands. The legend is commemorated by a huge golden statue in honour of King Kron Nhong in the town.

Battambang is a spacious town on the Sangkor river. The town has a very French colonial look due to French rule. Little has changed since the 1950s when the French colonial era ended. So relax and enjoy looking around as the pace is slow and laid back. Watch the sunset along the banks of the river and take in the cool breeze.

The town is surrounded by lush green rice paddies which provide enough to feed the whole country. The local oranges are very sweet, so enjoy them if they are in season. They are great thirst quenchers. The area is know for its rubies and garnets. If you intended to shop for these the best place to do so is in Poipet. The rubies pale by comparison to the Burmese “pigeon blood red”, rubies but are of quite good quality, as are the garnets.

Around Battambang you can see a number of Angkor era temples many of which date from the 10th to the 15th centuries. If you like temples then you will enjoy visiting them. The 11th century temple of Ek Phnom, the temple grottoes and the Buddhist shrines of Wat Sampacu are all marvels of the craftsman’s art. The locals are friendly and helpful in case you get lost.
The 11th century mountain temples of Phnom Banan are one of the towns most famous historical attractions. So put on your walking shoes, carry a bottle of water and head for the temples. For those fond of nature Kamping Puoj is the place to go. Remember to pack a picnic lunch, relax and enjoy a peaceful break. You will feel energized once again.

Along the riverbank you will find some of the best examples of French colonial architecture which seems a bit incongruous keeping the local ambience in mind. Battambang has a small Museum on the river north of the post office. This has some beautiful statues of Buddha both in stone and wood.

Being close to Thailand, at one time both Battambang and Siem Reap (of Angkor Wat fame) were under Thailand’s control and the Thai influence is quite evident still specially in the food. So Battambang is an interesting medly of Thai, French and Angkor styles in architecture, culture and food.

Battambang less famous than Siem Reap but has some lovely temples and a quiet charm. So you can visit the temples of the Angkor era at leisure before hordes start descending on it and shattering the peace of this gentle charming town.

For more information contact Ministry of Tourism, #3 Monivong Blvd., Phnom Penh 12258, Cambodia.Tel:+855-23- 212837, 213911, Fax:+855-23 216875/ 426364, Email: info@mot.gov.kh and website:http://www.mot.gov.kh

MATTA FAIR 2009

We are glad to inform you that the first MATTA fair for 2009 will be held on the 13th to 15th of March at the Putra World Trade Centre, Kuala Lumpur.

MATTA Travel & Tourism fair is one of the biggest fair held yearly showcasing a wide and comprehensive choice of travel and holiday products from all over the world in one venue. During the Fair, visitors and consumers can find very attractive bargains and great value for money in all the travel products and services on offer by the exhibitors.

See the floor plan1 , floor plan2 and floor plan3



Some of the major highlights for visitors this year are:

• Live indigenous cultural performances.
• Live multi-national cultural performance.
• Buyers' contest and other contests with more than RM 1 million worth of prizes.

Festivities of Malaysia: Thaipusam

by Thilaga

Thaipusam is a special day for honoring Lord Muruga that is celebrated on the full moon in the Tamil month of Thai ( Jan/Feb) . Pusam refers to a star that is at its highest point during the festival. There are many versions of the legend about Thaipusam. One version was a demon named Tharakasuran who was troubling the Rishis and Saints. Lord Muruga was called by his parents Lord Shiva and Parvati and given the task of destroying the asuran. Lord Muruga set off with the blessings of his parents, to destroy the demon. He carried twelve weapons, eleven of which were given by his father Lord Shiva and the 'Vel' given by his mother Parvati. Lord Muruga destroyed Tharakasuran on the Pusam Nakshatra day in the Tamil month of Thai and hence Thai Pusam is celebrated in all Murugan temples.

The other version is that of the great Saint, Agasthya, who instructed his student, Idumban to uproot two hills called Sivagiri and Shakthigiri belonging to Lord Muruga and bring it back to him. As commanded, Idumban flew to Mount Kailai range where the hills rested and picked them up and was about to fly back. But Lord Muruga wanted to test Idumban's mettle and devotion to his master. He reduced his size, to that of a small child and promptly stood atop one of the hills. Suddenly Idumban found that he couldn't carry the hills anymore. To his bewilderment, a child was standing haughtily on the hill. Idumban humbly requested the boy to get down. When the child refused, Idumban flew into a rage and tried to attack him, only to find himself falling like an injured bird. Lord Murugan then reverted to his original self and appeared before Idumban. "I am pleased with your courage and determination," he said. "Your devotion to your guru is admirable. I now bestow on you the honor of being my guardian" Lord Muruga then proclaimed that henceforth, those who carried kavadis to see him, would receive his blessings. Today, thousands of Hindus carry kavadis as offerings to the Lord during Thaipusam. The kavadis symbolize the hills of burden that Idumban shouldered.

No matter what the legends say, the rites that followed are very similar. On the auspicious Thaipusam, devotees make offerings to Lord Muruga for removing the ills that are upon us. Thaipusam celebrated in a very grand manner at all Murugan Temples all over the world including Malaysia.

Kuala Lumpur, Thaipusam is celebrated on a large scale at the Batu Caves temple on the outskirts of the city. It all began in 1892, by Tamils who migrated to colonial Malaya. It is reported two of them made a difficult trek up the limestone hill and planted the 'vel' in the cave. Thereafter the football field sized cave been dedicated to Lord Muruga as one of his temple . The magnificant shape of the cave and to reach the top, the devotees have to climb the 272 steps. At bottom of the steps, stands up high and tall is the gold statue of Lord Muruga. During this auspcious day devotees swamp Batu Caves to give their offering and thank Lord Murugan.

At the eve of the day, a five tone silver chariot bearing the image of Lord Muruga followed by devotees leaves the Sri Mahamariamman temple from the city of Kuala Lumpur , 15 kilometer track to Batu Caves. Devotees living on these routes will give their offering to god, beared on the chariot.

Devotees give their offering and respect to lord by carrying kavadies. On this day, we could witness spectacular kavadies with various shapes and sizes, from the simple shape of a hawker's storehouse (a wooden stick with two baskets at each end, slung across the shoulder) to the costly palanquin structure, profusely flower-bedecked and decoratively interwoven with peacock feathers. SOme devotees spear their cheeks with long, shiny steel rods - often a metre long - and pierce their chests and backs with small, hook-like needles in penance. The tourist are astonished as these infliction does not seem to cause any pain or bleeding to the bearer. Although many researchers from various country suggest its possible there is no bleeding or pain due to the ash or lime juice used during the piercing. But most are just mere speculation. But devotees believe that it is Lord Muruga who is preventing the pain and bleeding. Kavadies bearers also claim to be in a spiritual trance that makes the pain go away.

Others also carry a small pot of milk up the stairs and pour it on the 'vel' at the caves. Devotees also shave their heads bald as they have vowed to the god. Most of the devotees will have to maintain a strict vegetraian diet about 40 days. They will spend the 40 days by meditating and praying to Lord Muruga. Several Chinese devotees and people of other religion and race have also come to fulfill their vows on this day as Thaipusam is the day for thanksgiving and seeking forgiveness from the Lord.