501 Amazing Facts About Malaysia

Do you know that there are 878 islands in Malaysia with the state of Sabah leading the way with 394? Like Sir Richard Branson who owns Necker Island in the British Virgin Islands, some of these Malaysians islands are privately owned too like Pulau Gemia and Pulau Rawa in Johor as well as Pulau Padanan in Sabah.

Can someone please tell me how to purchase one of these lovely islands and how much it would cost? ;-)

Now let's move on to an interesting fact about the island of Pulau Pinang or Penang, which is famous for its colonial buildings, delicious hawker grub and relaxing beaches. Do you know that there are another 2 islands in Malaysia by the same name? One is situated off the east coast of Johor and another in the Redang archipelago in Terengganu. Rest assured, when you say you're going to Penang, people would know you're going to the Pearl of the Orient, the one with the UNESCO World Heritage Site status.

These interesting facts about Malaysia can be found in the book, 501 Amazing Facts About Malaysia by Venkat Hari.

"It's amazing there are so many little known facts about Malaysia that we Malaysians are unaware. I am hoping to disseminate this information so that Malaysians will realise the beauty and gem of our country and it can help boost domestic tourism," says Venkat who spent hours researching and verifying the facts in this book. He has carefully divided the facts into chapters like Amazing Sights, History Titbits and Mysterious Facts.

If you're amazed with the facts in this book and are planning a road trip throughout Peninsular Malaysia, don't expect to make a pit stop for a Happy Meal in Perlis cause the state does not have any McDonald's restaurant! That is indeed another interesting fact about Malaysia!

Note: 501 Amazing Facts About Malaysia is sold in these bookshops at RM9.90 per copy. You may also contact Venkat Hari at +6 013 320 7981 to get a copy. The facts in this book are so interesting that the first edition has been sold out and is into its second edition. 

Malacca Fridge Magnets

Celia was in Malacca recently for an episode of eating and shopping which you can read here.

And as usual, the thoughtful lady bought me some lovely fridge magnets which I love so much because it's part of my peranakan heritage.

The nyonya kebaya is the costume for peranakan ladies. Eventhough I'm peranakan, I don't have one, and the accessories that were handed down by grandma  are gone when someone broke into my apartment recently. Maybe it's time to get my own kebaya, which I think will turn heads if I don't wear a chemise ;-)

Beaded slippers are another work of art by the peranakans. Again, I don't have my own pair. Maybe because it's not practical to wear. 

 Malacca is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, together with the other place where peranakans reign - Penang.

These Chinese characters mean 'everlasting'. To Celia, everlasting can represent many types of relationships like love, friendship, parenthood, etc. To me, I only want to find everlasting love.

Trek to Poon Hill (Day 4) - A Super View & Back to Pokhara

Click here for Day 1, Day 2 and Day 3.


In my last entry, I mentioned that we stayed at Superview Lodge in Tadapani. The lodge is aptly named because of its superb views of the Annapurna region like this:

Trekkers enjoying the view over a meal.

My favourite part of my stay in Superview Lodge is our room! 

When Kapil our guide showed us our room, my mouth was gaping at the view. Kudos to Kapil for getting this room for us. Don't know how he did it as it was the high season.

My bed is the one with the pink comforter :-) In the morning, I just lie on my right side and the view is already in front of me!

That night a school in the vicinity was organising a concert to raise funds for a generator. They invited all guests from all guesthouses in Tadapani. 

Since we had nothing to do, we attended the concert where the local folk sang folk songs and danced like there was no tomorrow.

It was fun watching Siva dance his heart out!

I woke up at 6.00am the next morning to witness the glorious sunrise, all from the comfort of my bed.

The sun peaking at Machhapuchhre (Fishtail Mountain) from the horizon. I snapped this pic while sitting on the bed :-)

As the sun started rising, a few trekkers had also woken up to capture the sunrise.

I didn't have to come down in the freezing temperature to position myself amongst the other trekkers. I just continued snoozing and waited for the sun to rise, thanks to our strategically located room :-)

 Pic taken from the comfort of my bed :-)

After breakfast at around 8.45am we continued our trek back to Nayapul.

 Looks like a scene from Lord of the Rings.

After passing Ghandruk, we reached Landruk and were dead tired.

When Kapil explained that it would be a couple more hours till we reached Nayapul where a taxi is waiting to take us back to Pokhara, we formulated a plan to take public transportation.

Apparently there's a base in Kimche (near Ghandruk) that has taxis and buses heading to Nayapul. So we sent Siva our porter ahead to Kimche to enquire. The good boy managed to book an entire taxi for the 4 of us for 2,000 Nepalese Rupees. I was a happy trekker :-)

We booked a taxi from Kimche to Nayapul for 2,000 Nepalese Rupees. There were a few other groups of trekkers who attempted to take public transportation too.

While we were in the taxi back to Nayapul I was thankful we made the decision to take the taxi. Reason is because it was already 1pm by then, the sun was scorching and the paths were not shaded by trees. If we had continued on foot, I think I would have been as red as a lobster by the time I reach Nayapul. 

From Nayapul, the taxi was waiting to take us back to Pokhara. Our stomachs were growling by then but since Nayapul didn't have much eatery choices, we decided to have lunch back in Pokhara.

The driver took us to Nepali Kitchen which serves one of the best dhal bhat, according to Kapil.

It was about 4.00pm by the time the dhall bhat was served and I whacked my heart out!

The delicious meal was a delightful end to our 4 day trek to Poon Hill.

Dhall bhat served on brass cutlery is common in Nepal. And it's bloody heavy, the bass cutlery that is.