Immerse Yourselves in Bedazzling Night Spots in Selangor

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Unplug your devices, turn off your cell-phones and spend some quality time with your loved ones. Try out some night-time outdoor activities to explore and appreciate the mystery of the dark. It also creates many other opportunities for peace, tranquility and exploration. As such, we list out 5 of Selangor’s attractions which will bring you closer to nature and bedazzle your night.

Explore Some of the Best Stargazing Spots

Taking 45-minute journey from Kuala Lumpur and easily accessible by KTM, Kuala Kubu Bharu (KKB) remains as one of the best spots preferred by avid stargazers. Stargazing activity in KKB is an ideal getaway from the city. The fewer the streetlights, the better. Enjoy the night vibe while stargazing to help reduce the emission of the Chlorofluorocarbon Refrigerant (CFC) if you were to stay at home switching the air-conditioner. You do not have to go very far to enjoy stargazing activity as Selangor has the best spot for you. Semenyih Dam is another spot to add to your list of stargazing sites. It does not require hiking but it does take a little bit of a drive. Bring along some comfort items like blankets, yoga mats or reclining chairs to improve viewing experience. When you are away from home, you help save energy.

Mesmerising Fireflies

A trip to Kuala Selangor without stopping by at Kampung Kuantan to watch fireflies will not be complete. The village is situated about 56 km from Kuala Lumpur. It is one of the most well-known firefly-watching spots in Selangor. You can ride on the traditional sampan accommodating maximum four people to see the lightning bugs! Besides, replanting Berembang trees would help supporting the efforts to conserve fireflies’ habitats so that our future generations stand a chance to admire these beauties. Apart from that, Bukit Belimbing which is also located in Kuala Selangor is another firefly paradise along the Selangor River. It is an enchanting experience to ride a boat during the evening and witness the beauty of the fireflies. It is very important to create awareness on conserving Berembang trees for the fireflies to breed and to help maintain the cleanliness of the river.

Camp-it-Out!

Having a picnic by the Sungai Chongkak river is a must-do to those to who love vast greenery surroundings and swim-able rivers. It is situated in Hulu Langat district and takes about 50 minute-drive from Kuala Lumpur but it is worth the visit! Nevertheless, the effort in keeping the campsite clean is always the crucial part to every visitor. So do not forget to always pack and tidy everything up before you leave.

A place that deserves many returns for everyone that loves camping! Commonwealth Eco Forest Park is for those who wish to escape from the hustle and bustle of the city and immerse themselves in the great outdoors. It provides an idyllic green getaway by combining dense jungle with landscaped gardens, lakes, campgrounds, chalets, jogging tracks, hiking trails and many more! Also, “leave nothing but footprints”; the simplest and most fundamental rule of all time.

Love Heritage, Love Nature, Love Life! – Jungle School Gombak

Jungle School Gombak is a hidden gem that welcomes you on an eye-opening outdoor and cultural adventure. It is situated in Batu Caves and you get to experience Indigenous People’s authentic lifestyle, life skills, cultures and day-to-day activities. The Interpretation Walk module at Jungle School Gombak allows you to learn on the history of the jungles of Gombak and diverse jungle knowledge. It is important to preserve nature and culture as they will become valuable heritage to the new generation.

Staycation – Eco-friendly and Unique

With the tagline “Get Lost, Naturally”; The Sticks, KKB brings you to several jungle houses. It takes an hour’s drive from Kuala Lumpur and is an off-grid glamping retreat with 12 unique houses.

You will unwind and enjoy the moments spent swaying in hammocks under the stars, floating down the river or dining on hearty home-cooked meals by enjoying comfort during the stay. A staycation that would disconnect you from your gadgets as phone signals weaken. It is an indication of the remoteness of the eco-friendly nature.

The retreat that provides back-to-nature experience that aims to connect visitors to nature; Sekeping Serendah Retreats is a private retreat that strives to be environmentally-conscious. The sheds are transparent to celebrate the natural-beauty surroundings. An hour’s drive from Kuala Lumpur, it provides fun in a calm way to escape from the demands of the city life. The fact that there is no air-conditioning system and you have to bring your own toiletries here also shows how eco-friendly the place is. Activities range from jungle trekking, taking a dip in the waterfalls, visiting Orang Asli’s villages, and many more.

Invite your friends or family to some quality outdoor night activities in Selangor, and, enjoy and appreciate bedazzling moments together with your loved- ones! The campaign “Nak Bercuti? Pusing Selangor Dulu” by Tourism Selangor has been highlighting the State’s best attractions to the masses. However, it is to be reminded that tourists in Selangor must adhere to the SOPS set by the Malaysian National Security Council. They should also register through mobile application “SElangkah:Langkah Masuk Dengan Selamat”, maintain social distancing, use hand sanitizers on a regular basis and wear face masks at all times.

For more information, please log on to the official website of Tourism Selangor at Selangor.Travel.

Explore Gombak, Selangor in A Day

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This small and vibrant yet hilly district of Gombak is essentially a border to the bustling city of Kuala Lumpur, along with the other remaining areas under it such as Rawang and Batu Arang. In this amazing district, you surely will be captivated by the eye-popping and buzzworthy spots where you can find yourself roaming around and filling up your time with awesome activities!

Here’s a suggested itinerary for a day in Gombak

8.00 a.m. : Have a delightful breakfast at Teratak Nogori Restaurant
9.00 a.m. : Explore the astounding Kanching Falls
10.00 a.m. : Hop on a safari tour at Zoo Negara
12.00 p.m. : Treat yourself for lunch at Coca Seafood Restaurant
1.00 p.m. : Stroll around the extravagant Batu Caves
2.30 p.m. : Get your dose of adrenaline at Gua Damai Extreme Park
3.45 p.m. : Wander around the Orang Asli Museum
4.45 p.m. : Stop by Durian Cendol @ Mel’s Corner Batu Caves
5.45 p.m. : Shop at Melawati Mall
7.00 p.m. : Have dinner at Wira Seafood Ikan Bakar

Have a delightful breakfast at Teratak Nogori Restaurant

A joyful voyage to Gombak involves popping into the most cherry-picked breakfast spot in town! Noshing on their mouth-watering Malaysian dish like Nasi Lemak and Lontong is definitely a great way to get on the ground in the morning. Amazing breakfast like this is one of the reasons why Gombak is consistently-visited by the locals and tourists. You do not want to miss this one, for sure.

Explore the astounding Kanching Falls

Situated exactly in between Rawang and Kuala Lumpur, the waterfalls at Kanching Eco Forest Park are by all odds the best nature-crowd-pleaser whereabout in Gombak. Inside, you will be taken to seven levels of waterfall, surrounded by an absolute eye-catching view of the natural terrain. Rumour has it, the most famous ones are the second and third levels- so be sure to check those two spots out! If you are seeking for a relaxing moment on the early bright, then this is clearly the right place for you!

Hop on a safari tour at Zoo Negara

When it comes to an amusing safari tour, Zoo Negara in Gombak is utterly the most prominent one that you must include in your itinerary! There are over 5173 animals which primarily consist of 476 species that you can set your eyes on once you are there. Besides being a place of edutainment, you can also carry out events here. Be it a birthday party for your children or even a family day, Zoo Negara offers a wide range of package selections for you to choose from!

Treat yourself for lunch at Coca Seafood Restaurant

You are seriously missing out if you do not stop by Coca Seafood Restaurant during the course of your visit to Gombak. This Restaurant is known big-time for their bizarre bowl of Curry Mee that is said to have certainly captured both locals and tourists’ attention! Their heavenly signature dish with sides such as Curry Chicken is definitely going to leave you wanting more! So do not and waste your time looking at other eateries; this is the place where you want to be.

Stroll around the extravagant Batu Caves

Your trip to Gombak would not be complete without visiting the most-talked-about place of worship; the Batu Caves. We all know how distinguished this temple is in Gombak where crowds of worshippers and tourists fill on a daily basis. The spectacular architecture that best describes Hinduism is the highlight that draws the public’s attention! Every year, the largest Hindu celebration, Thaipusam is also held here and practically involves thousands and thousands of people pre Covid-19 pandemic.

Get your dose of adrenaline at Gua Damai Extreme Park

If you are looking for a quick yet thrilling sporting activity, then Gua Damai Extreme Park is here for you. Take in a session of a rock climbing at the iconic Gua Damai Extreme Park situated very near to Batu Caves, providing you with an eco-recreational outdoor activity. This site will bring you to a wide range of climbing grades to suit every sports enthusiast – beginner and professional!

Wander around Orang Asli Museum

Want a relaxing and laid-back spot to go to? Orang Asli Museum surely makes the cut! You can wander around this Museum to get information on Selangor’s indigenous folks’ histories and ancient artifacts. Not to mention, they also have this amazing exhibition gallery as well as an incredible mini theatre hall that you would not want to miss!

Stop by Durian Cendol @ Mel’s Corner Batu Caves

After a long day in Gombak, don’t you just want to take five and regain your energy? Therefore, be sure to swing by Mel’s Corner for the most tempting and mouth-watering Durian Cendol ever. You can get a big sized bowl of Durian Cendol that comes with a luscious local durian tembaga and ice cream as low as RM 20! Prices differ according to season; be sure to check online from time to time. So, if you drop by Mel’s Corner during a durian season, then you are in luck!

Shopping at Melawati Mall

It is not called retail therapy for nothing. Just by window shopping, one can easily lower his or her stress level from a lengthy and tiring day of travelling. Melawati Mall in Gombak is basically a suburban Shopping Mall with more than 200 retail outlets that is ready to gratify all your needs and desires! It without a doubt offers one of the best shopping experiences in Gombak.

Dinner at Wira Seafood Ikan Bakar

For a scrumptious dinner in Gombak, be sure to dine in at the famous Seafood Ikan Bakar Restaurant located at Taman Sri Gombak! The restaurant offers a variety of tantalizing seafood options that will leave you wanting to try them all. One that should not be missed is their Ikan Bakar, Nasi Lemak and Kerabu which are also known to be the highlights or signature dish at the restaurant!

Here you have it; the prominent and incredible district of Gombak. Everything that you seek for in your travel plans are here, just name it! From breath-taking natural environment attractions to various extravagant cultural experiences – everything is just within your grasp.

For more information, please log on to the official website of Tourism Selangor at Selangor.Travel.

KL East Mall Embraces Inclusivity by Raising Autism Awareness During Their Indahnya Syawal Kemeriahan Dirai Campaign

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The holy month of Ramadan speaks of self-reflection, quality family time and doing good for the community. Embracing these sentiments, Sime Darby Property’s KL East Mall, is supporting Yayasan Pendidikan Insani through its first Hari Raya Aidilfitri campaign. INSANI is a not-for-profit organisation that provides early intervention care, therapy, and education for 50 children with autism from low-income families.

KL East Mall kickstarted its Indahnya Syawal Kemeriahan Dirai campaign today to raise a minimum of RM50,000 for the children and families under the foundation. From now until 16 May, shoppers can support the cause by donating a minimum of RM10 and get the chance to colour a piece of a puzzle from a large artwork for the organisation.

Shoppers can also contribute a minimum of RM35 and receive an exclusive tote bag designed by Malaysian fashion brand Fiziwoo in collaboration with renowned chef Datuk Redzuawan Ismail, better known as Chef Wan.

On the right; Chef Wan, making contributions to the cause.

Habib, which officially opened its store in KL East Mall today, also pledged to contribute 100% proceeds from the sales of 300 pieces limited edition pure gold wafers worth RM118 each to INSANI.

Sime Darby Property Group Managing Director, Dato’ Azmir Merican said, “The National Autism Society of Malaysia (NASOM) reports approximately 9,000 children are born with autism every year in Malaysia. That number is considerably high, and yet the awareness on the disorder remains low, Autism is one of the fastest growing disorders and must be addressed on a wider platform. ”

“Awareness on autism can be increased simply by talking about it. As a responsible property developer, Sime Darby Property does its part by actively organising initiatives in relation to the cause. We are proud to present this campaign which puts the spotlight on the community that has long been sidelined.”

KL East Mall aims to raise funds and awareness on autism through this campaign, as well as create a space for organisations like INSANI to share their expertise in caring for those affected by the development disorder. Find out more about INSANI, autism and the campaign at the G1 Concierge Desk.

In preparation for Hari Raja Aidilfitri celebrations, KL East Mall has beautifully dressed its atrium in larger-than-life orchids and batik with hints of traditional weavings.

Shoppers can step onto the centre stage for a picture with giant orchids or take in the view of the orchid garden from the traditional gazebo.

During the campaign period, shoppers can also redeem goodies:

Exclusive green packets when you spend RM60 and above in a single receipt.

Beautiful premium plates up for when you purchased a minimum of RM200 in a maximum of two receipts.

Stay updated on East Mall activities here:

Website: https://kleastmall.com

Facebook https://facebook.com/kleastmall.my

Instagram: https://instagram.com/kleastmall

Alternatively, you can use the KL East Mall Mobile App (available for download via the App Store and Google Play)

*While stocks last. Terms Conditions apply.

HABIB Launches ‘Rantaian Kasih’ Raya Campaign and Gives Back to The Society

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HABIB has officially opened the doors to its 30th branch at KL East Mall today. The opening ceremony was held with a ribbon cutting ceremony officiated by HABIB Group Executive Chairman Dato’ Sri Meer Habib, HABIB Group Executive Director Datin Sri Zarida Noordin and Sime Darby Group Managing Director Dato’ Azmir Merican. This new boutique in KL East Mall is HABIB’s largest showroom to date with a floor space of 1985 square meters. In light of over a yearlong the on-going global pandemic situation, HABIB is sensitive to customers’ concerns of venturing out to shop in spaces that may be crowded and cramped. Hence, to ensure the well-being and satisfaction of both its customers and staff, a more roomy and comfortable space for customers who are seeking to shop is provided. The size of this boutique enables HABIB to display a large variety of its exquisite jewelry collections with over 3000 collections of rings are being displayed for multiple occasions; “merisik” engagement rings and wedding rings made of gold, diamonds and gemstone being available for grabs. This new boutique also provides the application of a “seamless customer journey experience” concept, which dedicated a space for waiting customers. While waiting, customers can help themselves with hot beverages and relax while waiting for their partners do the shopping. For customers who are looking for professional jewelry advice by HABIB’s in-house jewelry designers, a special consultation room is available to make the experience more private and welcoming. In a way, this boutique is a one-stop center where every service is ready and provided for the next customer seeking a comprehensive jewelry shopping experience. Online bookings too can be done seamlessly for certified diamonds with over 10,000 GIA certified stones to choose from. The strategic location of this new boutique in KL East Mall, a midpoint between Melawati and Gombak where customers in these surrounding areas do not have to venture too far out to shop comfortably for jewelries. Additionally, KL East Mall offers a unique customer shopping experience with its urban mall concept that incorporates both a wide variety of attractive brands and an eco- friendly nature driven design.

In conjunction with the opening of HABIB’s 30th showroom and the upcoming Ramadan celebration, HABIB has officially launched its most awaited campaign of the year, which is the Hari Raya campaign known as the ‘Rantaian Kasih’ campaign themed on “Irama Aidilfitri” with a fashion jewellery showcase. The theme, “Irama Aidilfitri” is chosen to evoke the emotions of Aidilfitri which is all filled with the sound of happiness, joy and fun atmosphere of Aidilfitri which has been missed last year. The colorful retro campaign concept graced by cheerful local celebrities, decked with the latest Raya jewelry collection aims at bringing back the true meaning of happiness on this year Raya and hope that it will invite some joyous spark for jewelry aficionado for this year’s dazzling Hari Raya collection.

The “Irama Aidilfitri” is also dedicated to the campaign when for the very first time, the brand has its very own Raya song entitled “Selamat Hari Raya Ya HABIB”. The song was written and produced by the local composer and song writer Awi Rafael which is scheduled to be released this Ramadan. This year’s “Irama Aidilfitri” featuring two new Ambassadors; Awi Rafael and Julia Farhana who are the main singers of “Selamat Hari Raya Ya Habib”. This is the third consecutive year, Rozita Che Wan has jointly graced HABIB for its Rantaian Kasih Raya campaign. Being one of the most popular local celebrities with more than five million followers on social media, Rozita Che Wan is a highly successful celebrity whose appearance and grace are synonymous with jewelry. Her deep interest and passion for jewelry has made her a hijabista jewelry icon.

This year’s Raya jewelry trends, features bold and vibrant jewelry concepts such as King-size diamond pendants fastened with long chains of varying stunning colours, setting the style for the season to complement our traditional Hari Raya dress.

These sparkly jewelry are fashionably suitable for both with and without headscarves.

In addition, Habib has also introduced a modern adjustable diamond chain concept that can be made into a choker or a long chain to suit the different outfits for every occasion.

On Eid, aside from rings, bold chunky bangles and bracelets are among the most sought after. Beyond that, the Habib exclusive in-house brand, the Oro Italia 916 latest Raya collection was showcased at the jewelry fashion show in KL East Mall. Never once to miss an opportunity to mark a memorable festival season, another line of the limited-edition gold wafers is created especially for Raya. Releasing 4 exclusive designs; with beautiful hometown motifs, headed by sparks of fireworks, mosque domes, ketupat and a a scenic “kampung” house, are and beautifully packaged in four vibrant colours. For a change, these 999 (24K) golds wafers are an exciting option for the ‘duit raya’.

One of the HABIB’s exclusive gold waters for Aidilfitri 2021.

A closer look at 3 out of 4 exclusively designed gold wafers by HABIB.

To give back to the community in all these festivities and the upcoming Ramadan, 300 pieces of these new limited-edition Hari Raya 999 (24K) gold wafers has been allocated to the INSANI Education Foundation fund, where 100% of the proceeds from these pieces will go directly to the Foundation.

For more information, please visit Habib Jewels website at www.habibjewels.com or follow them on their social media @habibjewelsofficial.

Inspiring Woman Entrepreneur in Malaysia You Need to Know: Puan Hasniza Hassan

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Have you heard of Qaseh Gold? If you haven’t heard of it, Qaseh Gold is a well known Malaysian homegrown healthcare brand produced by Qaseh Health Resources Sdn Bhd, a company that produces holistic shariah compliant food supplement products with the intention of building a healthier community in whole. Founded by an inspiring entrepreneur ,Puan Hasniza Hassan, Qaseh Health Resources is now a home to a variety of health products.

Here’s the woman behind Qaseh Health Resources, Puan Hasniza Hassan.

According to Puan Hasniza Hassan, the name Qaseh is derived from the word ‘Kasih’, which is literally translated to ‘love’, in English. ‘Love’, or ‘Qaseh’ that they are referring to in this context is family love, and the their company’s focus is to help build happier and healthier families with the help of their products.

“Maintaining a happy and healthy family requires a lot of work, and that means every members of the family requires more energy to focus on each other, especially in this fast paced era. If every family member’s energy levels are low, it will affect them both physically, mentally and emotionally. Moods will be bad and that will affect everyone. Our aim is to eliminate distress caused by fatigue, so that families can have more energy to spend quality time with each other, with improved moods.” she said during an exclusive interview in Qaseh Health Resources HQ earlier today.

According to Puan Hasniza Hassan, she aspire to introduce their products internationally in the nearest future. In addition to adding value and trust to their customers, they also offer opportunities to any individual who are interested in generating side income during this tough and challenging Covid19 era.

Here are some of Qaseh Health Resources products.

Qaseh Gold products are divided into two categories, which is for adult and children. The best -selling signature products are Qaseh Gold Adinda, Qaseh Gold Kekanda and Qaseh Gold Junior Asli.

For adults, they are offering Qaseh Gold Adinda, Qaseh Gold Kekanda and Qaseh Gold Premier. These are gender specific, with Qaseh Gold Adinda is for women, Qaseh Gold Kekanda is for men while Qaseh Gold Premier is for lactating mothers.

Price for Qaseh Gold Adinda: RM75 (Peninsular Malaysia) / RM85 (Sabah/Sarawak)

Price for Qaseh Gold Kekanda: RM75 (Peninsular Malaysia) / RM85 (Sabah/Sarawak)

While the products for children are: Qaseh Gold Junior Asli (date flavor) a. Qaseh Gold Junior Orange Qaseh Gold Junior Premium (Blueberry flavor) Brainee Bytes. Price of Qaseh Gold Junior Asli: RM59 (Peninsular Malaysia) / RM69 (Sabah/Sarawak)

The benefits of consuming Qaseh Gold products are:

-Providing energy for the body and mind for daily activities
-Helps to boost the body’s immune system
-Maintain a healthy digestive system
-Helps to improve focus
-Improving the bodily system in whole for an optimal health performance.

Qaseh Health Resources products are formulated from natural ingredients and superfoods such as Dates, Honey, Black Seed, Pomegranate, Arabic Gum, Za’faran, Figs, Olive Oil and many more. The best part about Qaseh Health Resources products are 100% free of added sugar.

Having met Puan Hasniza Hassan personally, what impresses me about her is that she does not just keep her entrepreneurial knowledge to herself, but she’s all about giving back to the society. Manifesting her aspiration to inspire women in Malaysia, Puan Hasniza Hassan encourages the involvement of Malaysian women from all walks of life to become successful entrepreneurs.

Puan Hasniza Hassan has definitely came up with plenty of initiatives to empower women and Malaysia, and will continue to do so in the coming years. As a woman myself, I’m happy that there are women like Puan Hasniza Hassan who are constantly encouraging us to improve ourselves and achieve our dreams. I’m sure is wasnot an easy journey but I can at least be assured that there’s strong women like Puan Hasniza Hassan who will be our backbone and lifting us up when we decided to embark on a journey to a successful business ahead.

For more information on Qaseh Health Resources and the products/services that they are offering, please refer to the information below:

Qaseh Health Resources
Address: No.9 Jalan 6, Taman Batu
Off Greenwood Park,
68100 Batu Caves,
Selangor

Website: www.qaseh2u.com.my Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/Qaseh2u/
Instagram: https://instagram.com/qasehgoldhq

Contact:03-61890485

Four Great Reasons to Plan Ahead for your Holidays

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Let’s admit it – we can’t wait to go on a holiday. While we long to get out of town, there is nothing standing in the way of planning ahead for that much-needed domestic vacation post-lockdown.

Leading holiday destinations across the country such as Desaru Coast, aside from offering over 800 luxurious rooms within its impressive portfolio of five-star hotels, are curating enticing packages. These packages include a wide range of options on experiences and activities to explore and peace of mind flexibility when it comes to date changes.

So, stop dreaming about your next holiday and start planning! Here are just four perfectly good reasons on why you ought to start now:

Cuts the Stress
The best part about planning ahead for a holiday is that it alleviates the stress associated with making last-minute travel plans. Holidays are supposed to be fun and so should the planning of it. Don’t do it in haste under the pressure of tight timeliness. That only drains the fun out of it. So even before you can start the holiday, avoid setting everyone on edge even leaving home! Planning helps assure you of a hassle-free holiday with your loved ones. In addition, resorts within Desaru Coast have adopted very flexible policies when it comes changes in reservation dates, in keeping with the current times.

Money matters
Planning holidays early also gives you leverage in terms of budgeting for your travel, accommodation and general expenses. After a year of almost no travel for most Malaysians, everyone’s looking forward to a holiday – shoestring or otherwise. Yet cost is undeniably a major factor now in deciding where to go and what to do. Hoteliers, travel operators and attraction owners are getting creative! Some are offering reasonable rates, while others offer innovative solutions such as valued added packages to encompass the full holiday experience. These packages include lodging, fun recreational activities and even F&B offerings from breakfast to dinner. So all you have to do is just check-in, relax and enjoy the varied experiences that are in store for you, during your much-awaited holiday.

Customising unique experiences
One thing we learnt last year is that there are so many unique hidden gems within Malaysia that many have yet explored. But in order to ensure we maximise the opportunity to savour these experiences during our upcoming holidays, it’s best to do our homework early and plan ahead. For instance, if you’re headed down to the southern tip of Peninsular Malaysia, and in search of some outdoor experiences, Desaru Coast offers specially curated nature excursions led by passionate naturalists who will lead you in a journey to hidden places, away from the typical tourist trails. Nature lovers can also book organised tours available to the Tanjung Belungkor mangrove and the nearby fruit farm. Alternatively, choose to journey through the scenic and alluring Linting Wetlands river ecosystem dominated by tidal mangrove forests within which lies the Belungkor Forest Reserve. On this tour, visitors can immerse in a brief history of the Johor Sultanate while learning about the variety of mangrove species and vegetation unique to the location.

Another noteworthy activity here is a tour to the fishing village of Sedili, located a mere 35 minutes’ drive from Desaru Coast. The tour begins with a boat cruise that covers three distinct vegetation belts that changes from rich mangrove forest, Nypa swamp, Putat and Pandanus belt before finally reaching the freshwater swamp where the endangered Water Trumpet can be found. Along the way your naturalist guide will highlight interesting wildlife that call Sedili home.

Don’t miss out!
Have you ever arrived at a much sought-after restaurant or Instagram-perfect spot only to be told that you can’t get in because they’re fully booked? This can be avoided by planning ahead. When travelling, make reservations in advance — not just for flights and hotels, but for restaurants, tours, and all the attractions as you detail your itinerary. And if you’re visiting on peak holidays, check ahead of time to ensure if these spots may be closed on such special occasions. Desaru Coast’s Adventure Water Park has stringent Health and Safety SOPs in place including a cap on the maximum number of visitors allowed per day. So as not to miss out on this experience, book ahead!

How to get the most and best from a holiday
A good place to start is the respective websites of the resorts and accommodations themselves. For instance, Desaru Coast, the trending premium beach destination for Malaysians is offering dream vacation packages from as low as RM799 under its ongoing Sand-sational Deal promotions. These include exclusive hotel and resort stays with non-stop fun-filled activities for families and adults alike including access to the Adventure Water Park, All-Terrain Vehicle (ATV) or Banana Boat rides and Fruit Farm Tour. Participating hotel properties are The Westin Desaru Coast Resort and Hard Rock Hotel Desaru Coast.
To lure golfing enthusiasts to tee off at The Els Club Desaru Coast Ocean Course, Desaru Coast’s Golf Galore promotion offers unlimited access to Els Club’s 9-hole Academy Course and Driving Range, together with exclusive night stays at Desaru Coast’s Hotels and Resorts. The 2D/1N golf packages start from as low as RM489. The participating hoteliers are Hard Rock Hotel Desaru Coast, The Westin Desaru Coast Resort and Anantara Desaru Coast Resort and Villas. Both promotions allow travellers to book their holiday packages ahead (before the upcoming Aidilfitri holidays in May 2021) to enjoy a vacation anytime in 2021.
Evidently, there is certainly so much to see and do in and around Desaru Coast. Visitors can complement nature-infused excursions and golfing sessions with a myriad of other activities including intimate beach walks or runs (thanks to the destination’s wide-open spaces) and indulge in some much-needed TLC with the many wellness and “me-time” pursuits available, such as yoga and spa sessions. Westin Desaru Coast’s Heavenly Spa promises a slice of heaven as they calm your nerves and soothe your senses from head to toe. Those looking for a musical twist to their ultimate spa experience can opt for Hard Rock Hotel Desaru Coast’s Rock Spa packages which will surely hit the right notes.
And if you desire to crank the adventure level up a notch, then take the scenic route to Sedili on a bicycle via low traffic routes to truly appreciate the natural coastal beauty along the way. Very soon, visitors to Desaru will also have the option of embarking on fishing excursions in the South China Sea! All these, coupled with the fantastic weather that Desaru Coast is currently experiencing, makes it the ideal destination.
But to get the most out of your holiday, one thing is essential – planning ahead! So, what are you waiting for? Start planning today and gather the whole family for an unforgettable holiday at Malaysia’s premier all-in-one destination. Desaru Coast truly has it all!

Recommended Ramadan Buffet in Kuala Lumpur 2021- Sudirman Café, Koptown EDC Hotel Kuala Lumpur

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Feeling nostalgic and would like to indulge in authentic Malay delicacies for breaking fast with family and friends this coming Ramadan? Here’s one highly recommended one in Kuala Lumpur; the Sudirman Café at Koptown EDC Hotel.

Located along Raja Laut, Koptown EDC Hotel is a go to hotel if you’re looking to explore Kuala Lumpur. Offering 242 rooms consisting of Duluxe rooms and lavish suites, the hotel is a perfect place for business or pleasure. Nearby attractions are Sunway Putra Mall, SOGO, GM Plaza, Masjid India, KLCC & Bukit Bintang.

This coming Ramadan, Koptown EDC Hotel Kuala Lumpur will be celebrating Ramadan at their in-house café, the Sudirman Café with a wholesome and diverse blend of authentic Malaysian kampung delicacies providing patrons a journey that promises to excite their palate, delight their senses and transport them to a culinary wonderland.

Sudirman Café was named in honour of the late Sudirman bin Arshad, or better known by his stage name Sudirman, a legendary Malaysian singer and songwriter. Apart from being a renowned singer from Malaysia he was also a trained lawyer, a composer, writer (specifically focusing in producing memoir and children books), cartoonist, canned drinks entrepreneur and an actor.Throughout his career, he was known as the “Singing Lawyer”, the “People’s Singer”, the “Patriotic Singer” and the “Elvis Presley and Claude François of Malaysia”.

Seating in the cafe during the entire buffet session will be thoughtfully arranged to ensure ample space between guests as per Covid19 SOP rules set by the Malaysian government.

Sudirman Café will be serving their buffet menu on rotation basis, which means they will offer different menus on different days, but here’s giving you a glimpse of some dishes that you what you can expect during the buffet;

For appetizers, there are assorted fresh Ulam-Ulaman alongside with mouthwatering sambals for you to pair with.

Apart from Ulam-Ulaman, there are also assorted Kerabu for you to pick from. What’s a must try over here in my opinion is the Jelatah Timun& Nanas as well as the Mango Salad. These two is a real kicker. The taste leans more to the sour note and those who loves sourish food will be able to enjoy this to the max.

Salad counter offers plenty of fresh garden vegetables for you to assemble your salad bowl with. There’s also assorted jeruk and fruit Rojak for you to munch on too.

Noodle counter offers a variety of local noodles. Whether you prefer rice vermicelli or yellow noodles to go with the flavourful broth, they have it all.

A variety of hot seafood and vegetables dishes. Ko Po Sotong, Sayur Campur and Pucuk Manis Masak Lemak are some of the must try highlights if you would like something that’s full of flavour but not spicy of the palate.

Love traditional Malay dishes? Be sure to indulge your palate with some of the hot dishes at the buffet spread. Some of the must try that caught my attention is the Daging Masak Lemak Cili Api, Ayam Masak Merah, Kari Kepala Ikan, Asam Pedas Daging Tetel and Burung Puyuh Percik.

Ais kacang counter offers a DIY fun in making your own ais kacang.

Refreshment aplenty in the form of cordials as well as coffee and tea.

Carbonated fruit punch is also available at the refreshment counter.

Desserts includes traditional savoury and sweet kuih, cakes, bubur as well as jellies. If you have sweet tooth, let me assure you that you will not be disappointed.

Overall, dining at Sudirman Café at Koptown EDC Hotel Kuala Lumpur is fantastic. Not only the food is tantalisingly delicious but hospitality is above and beyond as well with friendly staff who are always helpful and eager to help.

For those who are interested to dine in Sudirman Café for buka puasa this coming Ramadan, you may refer to the information below:

Address:

Sudirman Café@ Koptown EDC Hotel Kuala Lumpur
Jalan Raja Laut, 50350 Chow Kit,
Wilayah Persekutuan Kuala Lumpur
Contact:03-40519191

Price:
Adult-RM55 nett per pax
Children- RM35 nett per pax

Time: 6pm-10pm

Surau facility: Available for prayers at Level 12, Block B

Parking: Located at Block B and chargeable at RM5.00 per entry

Group buy promo: Buy 1 free 1

Reservations are highly recommended to avoid disappointments. Booking for the Sinar Ramadhan Buffet can be made at: 03-40519191 or 012 9112569

Website: https://www.edckl.com.my/

Chinese Food with Great Taste in Malaysia

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Family that eats together, stays together. Won’t you agree with me with that statement? This statement is true for me and I think it’s the same with everyone else too. We may not see eye to eye and we may have disagreements with our family members every now and then but good food is always something what everyone can always enjoy, despite our differences.

My family and I love good food during our get togethers. Here’s sharing some of the must have family favourites whenever we eat together in family gatherings. They’re all Chinese food with great taste in Malaysia.

Spring Rolls– Spring rolls, or also known as popiah, are well loved Chinese pastries. It is usually deep fried and served as appetizers or snacks. Rolled in thin pastries stuffed with vegetable fillings and served with a side of dipping sauce, they’re pretty much addictive and a must have in family gatherings. For the Chinese, spring rolls also symbolises wealth as it looks like gold bars.

Dumplings– Dumplings is another one of the top delicacy that’s a must have in my family dinner or reunion gatherings. It’s a dish of dough stuffed with vegetable or meat fillings and we’d usually serve those either boiled with a side of black vinegar dippings or in soup.

Longevity Noodles– Longevity noodles is not something that we would order every time we get together. This is a dish exclusive only for birthdays and we only will order or make them when we celebrate someone’s birthday. So what’s so special about this dish? Well, unlike the regular noodles that we eat during normal days, these longevity noodles are served uncut or broken while being cooked. It’s supposed to symbolise good luck and long and healthy life ahead of you.

Assam Chye– Assam Chye is another one of my family’s favourite dish. It’s a spicy and sour vegetable dish. Really good to be paired with a bowl of piping hot rice, but strangely good on it’s own too. What’s special about this dish is that it’s actually known as the ‘rubbish’ dish in amongst the traditional Chinese. This is because This dish is made by dumping leftovers in one pot to be cooked with sour tamarind. This dish is made and served when we have too many leftovers and don’t know what to do with it.

Zong Zi– Zong Zi, or more commonly known in Malaysia as Zhang, are actually sticky rice dumplings. This dish is made from glutinous rice stuffed with different fillings and wrapped in bamboo leaves, or sometimes with reed or other large flat leaves. They are cooked by steaming or boiling. My family’s version is always the vegetarian version, stuffed with salted egg yolks, vegetarian lock meat, chestnuts as well as Shittake mushrooms. This is usually served during Dragon Boat Festival gatherings.

Angkoo Kueh– Another special Chinese delicacy that’s worth mentioning is the Angkoo Kuih. Made to look like a red tortoise, this is a sweet Chinese pastry with soft, sticky glutinous rice flour skin wrapped around a sweet filling in the centre. This used to be traditionally served to celebrate baby’s full moon, but these days it’s more like a daily teatime desserts.

Tangyuan– Usually served during Winter Solstice. It symbolises togetherness, but in my family, it’s usually served as desserts.Tang Yuan is type of round dumpling. The dough is made of glutinous rice flour and water, and filled with sweet fillings like red bean, lotus paste, peanuts or black sesame seeds.

If there’s one thing that I miss dearly before Covid19 restriction strike the country is the get together sessions with my family. We used to get together over lunch or dinner in restaurants and we’d catch up on each other’s lives over the meals. But these days, we don’t do that anymore. Dining out is a real pain with so many SOPs to follow and we rather order food delivery via Foodpanda. It not only saves us the hassle of having to travel unnecessarily but it’s quick and convenient too. Fancy some delicious Chinese food for your get together? Try ordering some from Foodpanda. You’ll be spoiled for choices.

The Best Way to Conquer Your Fear Is To Face It

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The best way to conquer your fear is to face it. Yes. I’m all about that, and I also believe in celebrating every small achievements along the way. I used to be afraid of the open water but today, I’m a certified Open Water and a Nitrox Diver.

Let me share this with you; I used to be afraid of water. My first introduction to the underwater world wasn’t exactly gentle or pleasant. I was first introduced to the underwater world back in Oct 2016, in Pulau Tioman. It was a sponsored trip by the Berjaya Group, where influencers and members of the media were invited to cover for their TICD program (Tioman Island Clean Up Day).

I was inexperienced. I didn’t know how to swim in the sea, and during the snorkeling session, they dumped me alongside with my husband and son in the middle of Renggis Island in Tioman where the surface of the water is freaking rough and choppy. It was actually a dive spot and very deep too. Thinking back, it was already near monsoon and even by a scuba diver’s standard, the water was terribly rough then. 😑😑😑

My first thought when we got down from the boat to snorkel was; I’m gonna die, cuz I felt the water was pulling me down and I’ll drown anytime. I really feel as if I’ll drown as the surface was really choppy and my life-jacket was somewhat oversize and it feels like it’s choking me up more than keeping me afloat. I had no idea back then that it’s impossible to be pulled down by the water and sink, cuz the water density is high enough to keep you afloat. I didn’t like the feeling. I hated the feeling of snorkeling even more. I keep swallowing salt water through my snorkel and my mask was foggy.

It was scary, but despite of my fear and the foggy mask, I managed to get a glimpse of the beautiful marine creatures down there. The corals were practically in full bloom with small fishes swimming around. It’s an entirely different world I’m seeing and I was immediately enchanted by it. I wanted to be part of this world and wanted to explore it. It was simply mesmerizing and I thought it’s such a shame that I’m afraid of this. I kept thinking then, if only I can conquer my fear.

Fast forward to 2019, I was invited to do coverage again, and this time around it was in Perhentian. Again, my family and I went snorkeling. This time around, I was much more prepared and know what to expect on the snorkeling part. The water was slightly choppy and wearing the life-jacket was still uncomfortable as ever, but this time around I was using my own snorkel and mask and it fits me better and I’m able to somewhat enjoy snorkeling. It feels easier and more relaxing this time around. We did a 4 hours of snorkeling straight and I thought, I should take this to another level; go try scuba diving.

And so I dragged my husband to try scuba diving with me with the excuse of celebrating his birthday and our anniversary and signed up for the Open Water Diver Course after a few months of slow brainwashing and coaxing. 🤣🤣🤣

After some Covid19 lockdown hiccups in 2020, we finally got ourselves certified. The rest is history.

It’s now 2021. From not knowing how to swim and flailing in the water, I’m now dragging my husband, who is now somewhat upgraded into my personal exclusive dive buddy with me to dive in lakes with limited visibility. Yea. I’m badass like that.🤣

It doesn’t take just a day or two to conquer my fear. It took years and gosh, what a journey it was.

My advice to all of you out there who is afraid of water but want to try diving, don’t be afraid. Nobody is going to dump you into the sea and leave you to survive it. If you sign up to try for scuba diving, your first breath underwater will always be in a confined and controlled environment; and shallow enough that you will be able to stand, under strict supervision of diving professionals who will monitor you carefully like a hawk. So guys, don’t be afraid to try.

The best way to conquer your fear is to face it. Trust me. I know this first hand. 😁

Lake Diving at Hulu Langat, Selangor with Scuba Dobedo Divers

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I’ve been itching to dive again since my last dive in September last year after my Open Water Diver certification, but with travel restrictions imposed by the government is still in effect, there’s nothing much I can do. With the recent news that the Malaysian government is strictly putting their feet down and they’re not going to consider reopening the state border until at least the end of May 2021 if the Covid19 numbers has drastically gone down to two numbers or 80% of Malaysian population have been vaccinated, I was left utterly devastated. I knew that since I’m living in Kuala Lumpur, I couldn’t possibly cross the state and island diving trips is no longer possible since there are none in my state. I can now kiss Vitamin Sea goodbye until the restrictions is lifted off.

Tough being a scuba diver in the Covid19 era, huh. I’ve always believed in focusing on the solution instead of the problem. So, the problem here is that I want to dive but I can’t dive in the sea because there are none in Kuala Lumpur or Klang Valley area. The solution? Go for lake diving, then. There are plenty in Klang Valley for me to dive in.And so, I scoured around in Facebook groups and discovered that Scuba Dobedo Divers organizes lake diving in Klang Valley area every weekend. It’s just a half day trip and just about 1 hour drive away from my place and I thought, this is it, and I signed up for a lake diving experience.

Now, let me be honest with you. Prior to the Covid19 pandemic crisis, I would have never considered lake diving. I’ve watched plenty of videos on lake diving in Malaysian lakes and the limited visibility shown in the videos was more than enough to scare me off. Most of the DMs and diving professionals that I’m acquainted with kinda told me that there’s nothing interesting to see or experience as well if I were to dive in lakes. They think that I would just be wasting my time and money if I were to do that. Hearing that, I keep telling myself that there’s no point in diving if I can barely see anything. Plus, I wasn’t sure if the guides or dive leaders are trustworthy and dependable, considering I’m still a novice in this whole diving thing. I wasn’t sure if I can handle it and I keep making excuses not to explore lakes even though most of the lakes in Klang Valley are just a stone throw away from the place I’m living.But now that travel restrictions will still be in effect probably til kingdom comes, I thought that I wouldn’t have any other options than to dive in lakes. I told myself to stop making excuses and stop getting influenced by naysayers. I told myself that it would be safe, plus one of the Scuba Dobedo instructor as well as the DM who leads the lake exploration as a guide also happens to be my Taichi coach and my martial brother. I wouldn’t just be diving with strangers, but with people who I can trust. I assured myself that even if there’s limited visibility in the lakes I’ll be diving, it would be an exciting experience for me as a diver and so I brainwashed my husband a.k.a my dive buddy and my friend Stella&her husband Ben to come along with me.

And so my lake exploration adventure began. Dive location: Port Kura Kura Dive Site, Semenyih Dam at Hulu Langat, Selangor. The Semenyih Dam is one of the Klang Valley major dams in Selangor, Malaysia. Built in 1985, the dam is surrounded with green forested hills. The dam provides one of the most picturesque sights in Selangor.

It also supplies a major portion of drinking water to the Klang Valley population. It’s not a famous spot for scuba diving and a special permit is needed to scuba dive over here but it’s certainly famous for those who are into fishing. Every now and then on weekends it will be visited by anglers, and sometimes cycling and hiking enthusiasts as well. To reach this place is abit of a pain. You need to kinda jungle trek a little bit and unless you are driving a 4WD vehicle, you would need to park your vehicle at about 5 minutes walk away. Luckily for us, the organizers helped us with our heavy scuba equipments and stuff by using their vehicle. The road to the dam can be likened to slithering snake. My son and I actually puked while on the way to the place. If you’re the type who are prone to motion sickness, I’d advice you pop some non-drowsy motion sickness pills to ward off your motion sickness away.

This place is still at sea level, and therefore no Altitude Diving Specialty is required to dive here. The max depth of this dam is 45m, but our dive plan is to just dive up to 11m max. Expected visibility range is around 1-2m. The purpose of the dive is to explore the dive site and spot any underwater creatures that’s inhabiting this ecosystem. For every two divers there will be one dive guide; an Instructor or a Dive Master leading the dive.

Frankly speaking, I was really nervous. Unlike everyone else who are experienced divers, I’m only an Open Water Diver with just 9 logged dives under my belt prior to this.

I haven’t really fundive before and all my dives were certification and training dives instead of a fundive. All things considered, this is my first official fundive, and it’s a limited visibility one at that.

After briefing was done, Tom, my husband and I alongside with other group of divers made a shore entry and a slow descent.

The visibility was bad. It was just about 1m and we can barely see each other. It takes quite awhile for the eyes to focus to get used to the surrounding. And you need to be extremely alert to be able to stick to your buddy and your guide. I’m the sort of person who is afraid of the dark and gets really afraid if I couldn’t see anything, but strange enough, upon descend and getting used to the surroundings, I feel much calmer than when I was diving in the sea. The water was quite warm and very calm. There were no rough currents for me to fight against when underwater.The dive spot we were exploring have soft muddy bottom. Despite of the sediments floating around and severely limiting my visibility, I discovered that I can glide easily after adjusting my buoyancy. It’s weird. I don’t know how everyone else feel, but I love the feeling of diving in this place. I was strangely unafraid once underwater and only focus on following my guide-the torchlight being my guiding point. The visibility was about 1m or less throughout the entire exploration dive, but we managed to spot some creatures that’s inhabiting this dam’s ecosystem.

*Pictures credit to Tom ST Chan

We managed to spot some mussels, juvenile crab, juvenile lobster, and juvenile shrimps. I think I also caught a glimpse of a strange looking black coloured fish with yellow eyes swimming by, but I’m not very sure what fish it is. Since I didn’t snap a picture of it and identify the fish, I guess I won’t officially be including it in my logbook. To say that I’m a happy diver is an understatement. I wasn’t really expecting to see those creatures. I have low expectations on this dive and didn’t expect to spot anything at all as I was forewarned about the visibility, but I’m glad we did.

Surface interval before our second dive.

Abit of a Taichi routine with my teacher Tom, and my martial brother Spyros during the surface interval. I was feeling abit tired and sleepy during the surface interval, so performing some Taichi routine helps to boost my energy a little. (I’ll talk about that and the benefits of practicing Taichi in other postings).

Me and my husband after our second dive. Yea…I didn’t forget my signature Jalur Gemilang pose.

All things considered, there are a few things I feel I need to jot down for those who are interested in exploring this dive site:

1. The road to the Semenyih Dam requires a skillful driver as it’s curves and somewhat ‘snakey’. Those who are prone to motion sickness should take some motion sickness pills to ward it off before you start driving, or your first dive wouldn’t be comfortable. Over the counter pills like Veloxin should be good. It’s non-drowsy.

2. Driving in a 4WD to reach the place is recommended, but if you’re not driving one, be sure to be properly attired for a short jungle trekking.

3. The shore of this dive site does not have shady areas, so it’s recommended that you pop up a fly sheet for shelter. I usually don’t recommend divers to use sunblocks as it can hurt the marine creatures, but in this case I do recommend one. Slather some good amount of reef friendly sunblocks on your body if you don’t want to suffer sunburns. Alternatively, you can use Aloe Vera gels to protect your skin.

4. Monkey alert. Plenty of naughty monkeys lives here, I’d personally recommend you to set up a tent and put your belongings and food in there to keep them safe if you are bringing any.

5. The shore is scorching hot in the morning. Prepare sufficient cold drinks to keep yourself hydrated. Isotonic drinks, mineral water and coconut juice is highly recommended. Some would prefer coffee or tea but I wouldn’t exactly recommend that as these beverages are diuretic instead of hydrating.

6. Visibility at this dive site is bad, you can lose your guide and buddy easily if you don’t focus. I lost my buddy and guide 3 times while diving here, and some other divers with different guides lost their buddies too, but there’s nothing to be afraid of or to be panicked about. If that happens to you, just follow the lost buddy procedure and make a safety stop if necessary and resurface to wait for your guide and buddy. The surface is calm and since the area is not that huge, you can see the shore from where you are once you resurface. Once reunited, you may continue the dive or abort the dive as you saw fit. My guide, my buddy and myself did just that and it was still an enjoyable dive for us.

7. You need to be well equipped for this exploration dive. Must have items for the dive; high lumen diving torchlight (shallow light torches are useless here), aluminium pointer or shaker to make sounds in case you need to catch attention, diving knife in case you get tangled with something and a good dive computer. I recommend those with brightly coloured LCD screen display and those with strong backlight instead of dot matrix ones. You will not be able to read the dot matrix screen in low visibility environment. A compass will also be helpful for the exploration dive.

8. Watch your buoyancy. The bottom of this dive site is soft and muddy, so be sure not to hit the bottom when you descent and try your best to not kick any mud up or you will end up worsening the visibility for yourself and your buddies.

9. Monitor your gauge and dive computer closely for your remaining air and safety stops. Since the visibility is really low and you can sometime overlook the gauge for remaining air and dive computer for a safety stop. Overlooking this is dangerous as you might suffer from DCS if you’re not careful.

10. Proper weighting is required. This is freshwater we are talking about, and you can sink down easily, so make sure you don’t overweight yourself.

One for the album. Overall, I enjoyed my dive immensely. My guide Tom is very patient and attentive and I feel that I could trust my life with him during the dive. The lake exploration diving trip is a huge personal achievement for me. Not only I get to see plenty of marine creatures but I get to practice my buoyancy, finning and real-life buddy lost procedure as well. It’s definitely a good training ground if you’d like to practice your skills and build your confidence. Not exactly for the faint hearted but adventurous scuba divers would probably enjoy diving here. So, will I consider diving here again? Yes, definitely. I’m already scheming for my next exploration dive and looking forward for more adventure in the nearest future.

Before I end this post, I’d like to thank Tom ST Chan, Spyros and Farah for being so helpful and patient with us. Thank you so much. You guys are such a gem and I look forward to dive with you guys again.

Interested to explore this dive site? Refer to the details below for more information:

Hulu Langat Lake Exploration Dive-Diving dates: Every Saturday and Sunday.
-Price: RM180- 2 dives, inclusive of refreshments, tank&weight (additional charges applies for other equipments)
-Free and easy and no charges for accompanying non divers.

Contact: Judy- +60 12-213 1139
Tom- +60 12-291 8883

Website: https://scuba-dobedo.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/scuba.dobedo.divers/

Address:
Scuba Dobedo Divers
3rd Floor, Lot 22951, Jalan Emas, Taman Emas, 43200 Cheras, Selangor

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