Travel Tips
Travel Tip #1 - Enchanted by MALAYSIA
Travel Tip #2 - Entry into Malaysia
Travel Tip #3 - Middle Russia
Travel Tip #4 - Ukraine
Travel Tip #5 - GETTING THE MOST OUT OF "TRAVEL-WEB"
TRAVEL TIP #1
Enchanted by MALAYSIA
An unequalled genetic treasure trove, Malaysia is home to 14,500 species of flowering plants and trees, more than 200 species of mammals, 600 species of birds, 140 species of snakes, 80 species of lizards and thousands of insects.
Striking a delicate balance between the preservation of its unique creation and modern development, Malaysia opens up a world of new horizons to the visitor. Malaysia is comprised of Peninsular Malaysia, and the two states of Sabah and Sarawak on the island of Borneo.
Together, they cover a total land area of about 336,700 square kilometers, with Peninsular Malaysia covering 134,680 square kilometers. The highest mountain in Peninsular Malaysia, Gunung Tahan, 7,186 feet) rises above the central spine of the Titiwangsa mountain range.
Over in Sabah and Sarawak, Gunung Kinabalu towers 13,445 feet from the Crocker mountain range. It is one of the highest mountains in Southeast Asia.
HISTORY OF MALAYSIA
Malaysia has a rich historical background. In the north, Kedah is reputed to be the most ancient state in the country. Archeological findings at Bujang Valley furnishes evidence of a Hindu-Buddhist civilization that dates back to 300 AD. It flourished as an important center of trade and commerce until it waned in importance in the 13th century.
Down south, around 1400 AD, Malacca, another state located on the maritime route, was establishing itself as a trading center. Abundant in clove and other spices, Malacca attracted colonial powers who coveted the monopoly of the spice trade, and gave the name "Fabled Spice Islands of the East". The strategic importance of the state brought the Portuguese in 1509.
Then came the Dutch who attacked and defeated the Portuguese in 1641. The Dutch ruled for 154 years, followed by the British. The British, who already had two ports, Penang and Singapore, penetrated inland. By the 1920s, all the Malay States on the peninsular came under British protection.
Malay nationalism and desire for self rule was felt around the 1930s. A call for independence was made but the move was halted by the Second World War. Later, the movement resumed and independence was declared on 31 August 1957.
In 1963, Malaysia was formed bringing together the states of Malaya, Singapore, Sabah and Sarawak. Singapore, however, left the federation in 1965. Today, Malaysia is a strong member of the six-member Association of East-Asian Nations (ASEAN). This association, comprised of Brunei Darussalam, Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, the Philippines and Singapore, was formed to promote regional growth and cooperation among member nations.
THE PEOPLE
Malaysia is a melting pot of various races. Its population of 18.2 million is made up of the main racial groups of Malays, Chinese, Indians and the diverse indigenous people of Sabah and Sarawak.
Although Bahasa Melayu is the national language, English is widely spoken. Other main languages are Chinese and Tamil.
In a multicultural society where freedom of worship is practiced, it is not unusual to see a mosque, a temple or a church sharing common neighborhood. Islam has been accepted as the official religion of Malaysia; Buddhism, Hinduism and Christianity are also freely practiced.
For all its complex set up, Malaysia has been remarkably peaceful. Mutual respect for each other's culture, traditions, religious beliefs and way of life has created a peaceful social environment, stable political climate and strong economy for the nation. The government, headed by the Prime Minister and members of his cabinet, is an alliance of parties representing different racial groups. The Supreme Head of State is the Yang Di Pertuan Agong (The King). He is a constitutional monarch elected for the term of 5 years by his fellow rules from the other states.
Malaysia is one of the most developed countries in the ASEAN region. Its economy is largely dependent on manufacturing products such as electrical and electronic products, textile, rubber-based products, followed by the mining and agricultural sectors. Malaysia is also one of the largest exporters of palm oil, natural rubber, tropical timber, cocoa beans and pepper. Tourism is also emerging as a leading revenue earner.
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TRAVEL TIP #2
ENTRY INTO MALAYSIA
PASSPORT AND TRAVEL DOCUMENTS
Visitors to Malaysia must be in possession of valid passport/travel documents with a minimum validity of six months beyond the period of intended stay plus re-entry. If the Malaysian government does not recognize a given national passport, the holder must obtain a special document from the Malaysian Diplomatic Mission.
VISA REQUIREMENTS
Commonwealth citizens (except Bangladesh/India, Pakistan and Sri Lanka), British Protected Persons or citizens of the Republic of Ireland and citizens of Switzerland, Netherlands, San Marino and Lichtenstein do not need a visa to enter Malaysia.
Citizens of Albania, Austria, Algeria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Republic of Slovakia, Denmark, Finland, Germany, Hungary, Iceland, Japan, South Korea, Luxembourg, Norway, Sweden, Italy, United States, Bahrain, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Egypt, Morocco, North Yemen, Oman, Saudi Arabia, United Aram Emirates, Turkey and Tunisia do not require a visa for a social or a business visit that does not exceed three months.
Nationals of ASEAN countries do not require a visa for a social and business visit that does not exceed one month.
Citizens of Afghanistan, Iran, Iraq, Libya, Syria, and South Yemen do not require a visa for a social and business visit that does not exceed 14 days.
Citizens of Bulgaria, Romania and Russia do not require a visa for a social and business visit not exceeding one week.
Nationals of the Republic of China, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Cuba, India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, North Korea, Nepal, Myanmar, Taiwan, Vietnam and all Certificate of Identity holders must obtain a visa before entering Malaysia.
Citizens of nations other than those stated above (except Serbia, Montenegro and Israel), are allowed to enter Malaysia for a social and business visit not exceeding one month without having a visa.
Visas are issued by Malaysian Diplomatic Missions abroad or British Consulates in countries where no diplomatic representation of Malaysia is established.
Every visitor to Malaysia needs to complete a Disembarkation Card (IMM 26). The card is handed over to the Immigration Officer on arrival together with the national passport or other internationally recognized travel document. A passport/travel document is also necessary for travel between Sabah and Sarawak. A visitor intending to visit any part of Malaysia is required to be in possession of only one visa to travel direct from one part of the country to another.
Visit passes issued for entry into Peninsular Malaysia are not valid for entry into Sarawak. Fresh visit passes must be obtained on arrival at the point of entry in Sarawak. However, subject to stipulated conditions, visit passes in Sabah and Sarawak are valid for any part of Malaysia.
All visitors to Malaysia should inquire at the nearest Malaysian Diplomatic Mission for the latest entry procedures and requirements.
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TRAVEL TIP # 3
MIDDLE RUSSIA
by
Zina Vyssotina
Vinaida (Zina) Vyssotina is a college instructor in Simferopol, the Ukraine, Europe. She has seen the evolution as well as the fall of the Soviet Union. She has a great humanitarian concern about her co-patriots who live in desperate conditions for which they were never prepared. However, this high price of freedom does not stop her from seeing the beauty of her land and of her people. She has sent us a couple of articles which we would like to share with you.
I still have clear images of it all in my memory. As a child, I lived in Bryanskaya Region. It was 12 hours by train from Moscow at that time; now it is only eight. It is in the very center of Russia. Just like Moscow, Bryansk is a very old city, some 800 years old. It is now a regional center and the center for science and culture. It is also an important center for transport, made possible st first by the river Desna with its golden sands and wooden banks. The architecture of old is gradually changing with times taking on a modern look. One can now find in the city research centers, boutiques, cafes, cinemas, hotels and even a circus.
Near Bryansk you can find a settlement with a very romantic name - Belyye Berega (White Banks). I used to live near there in a small suburb a few steps away from a tiny river called Moloshka. Perhaps it originated from the word "moloko" - milk - I am not quite certain. We were only 16 families living in that area, very close to nature. The place was surrounded by woods, and we often went for long walks gathering berries and mushrooms. Those were long walks, at times four miles. It was always a pleasure to walk by the river and the woods. There are also other things quite interesting in the settlement. For instance, in the middle of it, near modern buildings and two kindergartens, there is a little canal with warm (at times really hot) water, which flows into a lake. Regretfully, the lake has no name.
It is a pleasure spot for the tourist. One can take a boat and spend the whole day on the lake. You can stop at the tiny islands, or go on shore and pick mushrooms for dinner, or you can fish from your boat. The forest nearby is so beautiful that you wish you could paint the beauty and keep the memory forever. You feel cozy and comfortable, and it is there that you begin to understand the meaning of the word "the Motherland."
Those are the times when we remember all we have been told about the "partisans" - the underground resistance fighters, who lived in the woods during the Great Patriotic War (WWII) and defended every inch of the land from the invaders.
The settlement, Belyye Berega has the population of only 13,000 inhabitants. While the number is not great, it is enough to erect five story modern buildings with their own cultural center (a club) plus a pavilion next to it, a power station, and factories where most of the local people work. You can find a large post office and a bank where you can have foreign currency exchanged too.
A lot of young people study directly in Bryansk, but many of them also go to Orel, which is about 70 miles from Bryansk. It takes about five hours by a local train which is the main mode of transportation between the cities.
Orel is also an old town, overlooking the great Russian river Oka and a smaller river called Orlik. Even today one can view an old building there, in the old memorial estates, where I. S. Turgenev wrote his novel "The Noble Nest." It was a story about the family which dwelled in that house.
Orel is where Turgenev, as well as Leo Tolstoy (the author of the famous "War and Peace") and another writer, Leskov, were born. They lived there and worked there for many years. Bryansk is famous for poets such as Tyutchev and Fet.
In comparison with Bryansk, Orel is more impressive. There are many ancient churches and cathedrals or humble homes. One can visit a well-known Russian drama theater in the city center in a very old building. Many popular actors appear there.
It is also important to know where to stay while you visit - Hotel "Moskva" is the best hotel in the city, right at the city center. You will feel very comfortable there.
In the summer you can rest by the river, where you can watch boats and ships. You may also venture into Adreyevsky and Medvedevsky wooded parks. You can get there by the bus or by the cable car. It is all right to pick flowers, mushrooms or berries there. It is also very relaxing just to sit in the Central Park and inspect the old trees and well kept flower beds.
The people here are very hospitable. When they have visitors, they put on the table all that nature gives them: food prepared from the berries and mushrooms, and they love to serve baked goods and cakes. They are very happy when the visitors appreciate their cooking skills.
In Orel, there are many cinemas which show contemporary movies. One of the movie houses, "Oktober," features a live orchestra which plays modern music before the shows, and occasionally accompanies local singers.
You should not miss the Pedagogical Institute (teacher's college), which is a major cultural and sports center. The school has its own orchestra which travels the country and its basketball team is well known not only in Russia, but also abroad. The institute has active partnership and exchange with many other countries. Often you can see guests from France, Germany, Great Britain and some African countries.
You can find both happy and unhappy people in Russia. The international cooperation helps to broaden people's horizons. You also learn about other ways of life, how the Russian life can be improved and how to help others. Things are always easier when others help. It is a much better way of life to cooperate with other nations than to live in isolation. This hospitality dates back in history to what Peter the Great once said: "All Flags will be our Guests."
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TRAVEL TIP #4
UKRAINE
by
Zina Vyssotina
What do you know about the Ukraine? Radio, television and the press give a lot of publicity about the hunger and poverty there. The times are not the best over here. It makes you wonder where the financial problems come from. It is not just the people, it is also the government.
Perhaps you may be aware of the fact that Kiev, the capital of Ukraine, was the cradle of the Kievskaya Rus (Kiev Russia). And, indeed, it was so. Kiev is more than 1,500 years old, deserving the title of an ancient city. One can still see the Golden Gate in the center of the city. This was the only entrance to the city during the era of Kievskaya Rus. It was guarded, and only authorized people could enter the city.
Many rulers governed the city for a long time until suburbia was developed, Moscow being one of the more important ones. By collective agreement of the people living in the suburbs, the countryside around Kiev got the name Ukraine. It comes from the word "okraine", meaning the surrounding land. The leaders of Ukraine did realize, however, that there was no significant difference between the people of Russia and the Ukraine. They used this knowledge to unite Russia and the Ukraine to become stronger and more powerful. This gave them the edge over enemies.
Ukraine, in spite of all problems, is a wonderful country. Kiev has many historical places, old cathedrals and churches. Their names are connected with the history of Kievskaya Rus: Andreyevkay Church, Sofia's Cathedral, Vladimir's Cathedral, Ilyinskay Church and more. One can see the monument of Prince Vladimir on top of Vladimirskaya Gorka (Vladimir's Hill).
The Spring visitor will never forget the breathtaking sight of blossoming chestnut trees right in the center of Kiev in Kreshchatik. The sight and smell of these blossoms is synonymous with spring. This is at the Independence Square (formerly the Square of Lenin). The place is especially attractive at night with its many illuminated fountains. The modern Kiev has many boulevards and avenues which makes it even more welcoming to visitors.
Kiev is situated on the river Dnieper. This river has been the topic of many literary works and poems, particularly those written by Gogol and Shevchenko. Gogol once said: "Wonderful is the Dnieper in the still weather." Different writers came up with different attributes throughout the ages.
When one strolls along the river one can see high above it, on its banks, the Monument to Motherland. It is the symbol of heroism in the former USSR, recognizing the bravery of the people. The monument is surrounded by a magnificent flower bed which can be seen from the river.
Other cities are worth a visit. Among them are Zhitomir, Odessa, Lviv, Herson and Simferopol. Every one of those cities has their own history and beautiful sights. Every city is proud to be the host to some of the most outstanding figures in European history.
Just like some other cities are most beautiful in the spring, Zhitomir is unforgettable for its New Year's Eve with the Christmas tree beautifully lit in the city center. People gather around the tree and sing and dance.
Odessa is a humorous town and it is something you notice right at the start of your travel. Their speech pattern is special, full of jokes and anecdotes. This historical town is famous for its Deribasovskaya Street, lined with ancient buildings. This port city is also famous for Potyomkinskaya lestnica (Potyomkin staircase), and the monument of Rishelye who was the city's founder.
Herson and Simferopol were built around the same time by Grigory Potyomkin, a favorite of the the ruler, Katherine II. He also built Sevastopol, a true fortress that played an important role in the history of the region. The Sevastopol population was always hailed as the heroes of many wars. Currently there is a dispute if this city will belong to Russia or the Ukraine.
After this brief tour we return again to Kiev. This brings another thing in mind - the story of Mike and Lena. Mike is from Florida, USA, and Lena is from Kiev. Mike visited Kiev in April last year and met Lena, they fell in love and were married in October. He did have the opportunity to see our golden Autumn, which was equally appreciated by the Russian poet, Alexander Sergeyevich Pushkin. If you saw Mike in the midst of our autumn you, too, would wish to come see it all.
Come and see us - this is an open invitation to all of you who would wish to experience our cuisine, arts and the warmth of Ukraine hospitality.
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TRAVEL TIP #5
GETTING THE MOST OUT OF "TRAVEL-WEB"
THE USEFUL WEBSITES FOR YOU
Foreign Languages: http://www.travlang.com /languages/
This site provides the basic terms and travel-related phrases in 32 languages, and the majority of them have even sound clips. It will also link you to other language-related websites.
Currency Converter: http://www.oanda.com/
Converts US dollar into 164 foreign currencies and has the capability to make conversion even as far back as 1990. Updated daily.
Weather: http://www.usatoday.com/weather/wfront.htm
Prepared by USA Today. Has current weather and five-day forecast for hundreds of US and foreign destinations.
Time of the Day: http://www.hilink.com.au/times/
You can convert times of the day in most major world destinations to you local time and vice-versa.
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