Many have heard and used the word ‘homestay’ without fully understanding the actual definition of it.  It is usually confused as a home lodging facility, but it actually is more than just that.  The homestay programme is where tourists are given the opportunity to stay with a family in their home and experience the daily life of the chosen community in local villages.  The tourists get to learn about the culture and lifestyle of the community, as well as participate in their daily activities.

In Selangor, homestays are carefully handpicked and have to meet the set criteria before they are promoted by Tourism Selangor. The homestay programmes are usually categorised according to the activities that are provided, such as, Culture & Lifestyle, Economic Activity, Recreation and Environmental Preservation.  Recently, a budget of RM398,000 has been set aside to develop programmes for Community Based Tourism that provides training and guidance for local communities to better manage homestays and tourism related activities.  Three local districts have been identified suitable for this programme and training will commence very soon.

The three popular districts among tourists in Selangor, are homestays in Sabak Bernam, Sepang and Kuala Selangor and the top 5 are,  Homestay Papitusulem (Sabak Bernam), Homestay Sungai Haji Dorani (Sabak Bernam), Homestay Air Manis (Sabak Bernam), Homestay Banghuris (Sepang) and Homestay Sungai Sireh (Kuala Selangor).  Homestay has definitely become an attraction to local and foreign tourists, who extremely wish for a wonderful and peaceful atmosphere of rural paddy field and only a few hours from central.Each of these homestays have their own specialities and individual charm. 

However, the one thing that they do have in common is the friendly family atmosphere of the host communities. Activities that are offered are common to the communities living there and guests are able to participate in most of them including, paddy planting or harvesting, fruit plucking, planting fruit trees, rubber tapping, harvesting palm fruits and other agro-based activities.  Apart from the agro-based activities, there are also cultural shows in the evenings and guests can visit the SME factories to see how local products are produced, as well as sample some of the local delicacies.

The cultural shows are a big hit with tourists, where they are treated to real traditional dances such as, ‘Tarian Poja’, ‘Tarian Cemara’, ‘Tarian Maduppa Bosara’ and ‘Tarian Pattennung’, accompanied by traditional music.  This cultural dances still kept alive by the local villagers.  Another one of the must-try is a sweet delicacy called, ‘Kuih Bangkit Bugis’, contrary to the more popular varieties found elsewhere locally, these are cookies that are similar to shortbread cookies and simply melt in your mouth.

Also unique to these homestays are their local traditional cuisine which can only be found here. There are many local delicacies and whatever dishes that are served, are guaranteed to be simple, fresh and totally delicious.

Looking for an adventure, anyone? Not sure where to go to satisfy your wanderlust and your raging needs for Adrenaline rush? Why not get high on happiness and explore the Balkans? Cobblestoned streets, fairy-tale forests, wine regions, medieval towns, sandy beaches, ancient ruins, cosmopolitan capitals, old bazaars, castles with haunting legends and over a thousand of beautiful islands with surrounding blue sea. Sounds like an adventure of a lifetime, no?

The Balkans is an area situated in Southeastern and Eastern Europe. The distinct identity and fragmentation of the Balkans owes much to its common and often violent history regarding centuries of Ottoman conquest and to its very mountainous geography.

Here’s listing some places that you might want to leave your footsteps at while visiting Balkan:

* Mostar’s iconic 16th-century stone bridge and Dubrovnik’s Old Town walls – have been painstakingly resurrected. Beyond the sights to be seen, though, it’s the unabashed hospitality that makes each day spent in the Balkans surprising.

* Albania’s and Macedonia’s ominous mountain peaks are made for hiking and biking, and there are wild rivers to raft in Bosnia & Hercegovina, Serbia or Slovenia. For those who would rather just absorb the great outdoors than set out to conquer them, some of the boat rides in the Balkans glide you past idyllic scenery incomparable to any in the world.

* Just walk down the street. Though change is coming on quickly, timeless traditions and cultural customs aren’t falling by the wayside. Blood feuds in some parts aren’t as ancient as they ought to be and pastoral scenes are still as home-grown as they ever were. It’s a region where you can barely keep up with the nightlife, but still get stuck behind a horse and cart.

*Urban landscapes are a pop-up book of ancient architecture on a grand scale, and winding Ottoman streets are punctuated with Austro-Hungarian villas and the occasional communist concrete block. Throw in Roman ruins and a Venetian facade, then wrap it all in a medieval wall and plonk it by the sea. History isn’t just ancient in the Balkans, it’s epic. This was the battleground and resting place of the Byzantine, Ottoman and Austro-Hungarian Empires; a stroll through town can evoke the rise and fall of civilisations.

* Visit local markets and restaurants and be assured that a quiet lunch by yourself can quickly morphed into dinner by the seaside with enthusiastic locals will insist on you trying everything that they have on the menu.

Seeing Balkan with your very own eyes will not only make lasting memories, but will leave beautiful composition on your instagram as well. Balkan is a region brimming with fresh adventures that are more accessible than ever before and there are plenty of travel agencies that are organizing Holiday Package to Balkan/Package Percutian ke Balkan
, but if you are a Muslim and would like to travel to Balkan or sign up for an affordable Holiday Package to Balkan/Package Percutian ke Balkan, I’d like to recommend you to go with Muslimtravelbug Sdn Bhd.

Muslimtravelbug Sdn Bhd offers full both flight services or just a ground arrangement.

Check out below:

LENGKAP PENERBANGAN -> PAKEJ PERCUTIAN KE BALKAN
GROUND ARRANGEMENT SAHAJA – > PAKEJ KE EROPAH

Why am I their recommending Muslimtravelbug Sdn Bhd as your travel partner? Here’s why:

*Registered with MOTAC with KPL 8549

*Their package price is always quoted below the Malaysian market price.

*Has an operating office in Malaysia and can be visited anytime at your convenience

*Travvel officers comprises of those who have worked in the famous Muslim travel agency in Malaysia and are well versed in traveling.

* The agency is completelt professional and accredited to have managed ASTRO RIA tv shows for the filming of SEOUL SYOKNYA.

*Low deposit when you signed up for any packages and as a plus point? Their provide really good customer service.

So what are you waiting for? Sign up for Holiday Package to Balkan/Package Percutian ke Balkan now and embark on an adventure of a lifetime. For more info, visit www.muslimtravelbug.com or refer to the details below:

Muslimtravelbug Sdn Bhd
Contact : 03 89575770
Operating hours: Mon-Fri 9.00am to 5.30pm
Address: B-4-2 Putra Walk Taman Pinggiran Putra 43300 Seri Kembangan Selangor
Waze : Muslimtravelbug Sdn Bhd
Email : [email protected]

It is almost essential for all eateries to feature traditional Malay dishes in their Ramadan buffet in Malaysia, but if you want something different to break your fast with instead of the usual roasted lamb, ayam percik or bubur lambuk, you might want to head over to Blue Cafe.

Located in Bandar Mahkota Cheras, the cafe offers Western-Fusion dishes in their Ramadan Buffet.

There are plenty of food items that are being offered at the cafe for their Ramadan buffet, but since this is a buffet and I can’t possibly eat everything, I’ll just highlight what’s worth your calories.

The main carbs; rice and pastas are plentiful.

Creamy Carbonara was simply sensational. Rich and creamy, this pasta dish is simply comforting on the tummy. Perfect for you to break fast with.

Aglio Olio. For someone who wants a simpler pasta dish that is not complicated on their palate, Aglio Olio would be a good choice.

Indo Mee Goreng. I did not managed to try this, but according to my husband, this was not too shabby. The noodles were simple but perfectly flavoured.

Yong Chow fried rice. Slightly on the sweet note, this fried rice is for those who must have rice in their meals.

Assorted chops and grilled items is great to be had on their own, or you can mix and match them with the available pastas or fries to make it a wholesome meal.

Assorted Pizzas is definitely a must try at Blue Cafe. The pizzas are on rotation basis, though, so be prepared to be surprised with their selection of pizzas.

Rendang Pizza. Topped with beef rendang toppings, this pizza is simply a fusion of East and West. A must try, in my opinion. The pizza leans on a spicy note, though. But it’s on the mild side, no worries about burning your tongue.

Smoky duck pizza. Topped generously with smoke duck slices, chicken sausages and pineapple slices, this pizza is a huge hit with young children. It’s not only flavourful, but satisfying on the palate as well.

Pizza with Lychee. This pizza is a must try for those who are non-traditionalist and is adventurous when it comes to food. This pizza is set to please your palate with natural juicy goodness that comes from the fat lychees and pineapple slices.

Fruits. Local fruits are available to cleanse your palate with.

Cakes and desserts are of course available, so be sure to grab some if you are dining at Blue Cafe.

For more information on the Ramadan Buffet at Blue Cafe, Bandar Mahkota Cheras, please refer to the informatiom below:

Ramadan Dinner Buffet (15th May till 14th June)
7pm to 10pm

Price :
Adult RM28++
Children RM18++

Everyday 7pm till 10pm during Ramadan period

BLUE CAFE 

No 7-2, Jalan Temenggung 25/9
Seksyen 9 Bandar Mahkota Cheras
43200 Cheras
Selangor
Contact : 03-9011 3891

Facebook : www.facebook.com/Blue-Cafe

Instagram : www.instagram.com/b.luecafe

Sick and tired of your family members flipping through their phones at the table even during the breaking fast time in Ramadan? Want to really connect and spend quality meal time with your family while at the dining table?

Well, instead of the usual Ramadan buffet, why not head over to Dynasty Restaurant, Renaissance Hotel Kuala Lumpur for some bubbling hot pot meal? Hot pot is great in the sense where everyone have to cook their own food right at the table, hence it is impossible to play with your smartphone while dining.

The hot pot meal at Dynasty Restaurant, Renaissancs Kuala Lumpur offers freshly prepared ingredients such as thinly sliced beef, fish fillet, chicken, freshwater prawns, eggs, wanton, tofu, noodles and many more.

Soup selection aplenty but I’d personally recommend the Tomyam soup and herbal chicken broth. I’ll be honest with you. I’m not a big fan of anything herbal. The smell and strong is simply appaling to me. But this one’s pretty mild and slightly on the sweet note. Even herbal soup hater like me finds the herbal chicken broth is pleasant on the palate. So do give this a shot.

The hot pot meal is priced at RM68.80nett per person for a minimum of 2 pax. Ala carte plates selection starts at RM8.The hotpot is available daily for dinner only, so it’s perfect if you wanna break your fast here this Ramadan.

To find out more about Dynasty Restaurant’s ongoing promo or to make a reservation, call 03 2771 6692 or email [email protected] or follow them on instagram at @renaissancekualalumpur and @dynasty_kl or www.fb.com/RenaissanceKL and www.fb.com/DynastyKL

Meet the lovely people who has been feeding me and spoiling me with delicious food whenever I visit Utara Coffee House, Armada Hotel PJ all these years and watch me grow from being terribly scrawny XXS size to a lil bit chubby S size and close to going on to M size.

I’m a huge fan of these chefs. Their cooking are never mediocre and taste delicious. Going to Utara Coffee House to eat always makes me feel as if I’m eating at home instead of a commercialized establishment. Anyway, it is two weeks before Ramadan 2018 and Armada Petaling Jaya is once again honouring the Holy Month of Ramadan by offering mouthwatering feast for breaking fast throughout the entire fasting month. Themed “CITARASA KAMPUNG”, their team of culinary maestro are cooking up a gastronomic storm of mouth-watering traditional and international favourites in Utara Coffee House, Armada Hotel PJ. You can expect to indulge in only the most authentic method of preparation and ingredients this coming Ramadan.

With more than 100 dishes available for you to pick from, Executive Chef, Chew Teik Chye and his Sous Chef, Chef Alifah binti Kandar also fondly known as Chef Mommy promises to showcase a wide selection of dishes that emphasizes on a variety of flavors and scent that will titillate your palate after a whole day of fasting.

Now, since this is a fairly huge buffet and it is impossible for me to sample everything, I’ll just highlight to you what’s worth your calories and not to be missed at the buffet. For the mains, be sure to taste Nasi Rempah Berlauk, Udang Klieo, Ketam Masak
Berlada, Ekor Lembu Masak Asam Pedas, Ayam Palembang, Pisang Muda Masak Lemak Ikan Masin, Kari Kepala Ikan, Daging Kicap Berempah, Ikan Bawal Masak Terutup, Itik Kerutub, Sup Tulang Rusuk, Nangka Muda Masak Lemak, Sambal Hijau Terung Pipit with Belacan and the all-time favorite Siput Sedut Masak Cili Padi.

Diners can also enjoy all time Malaysian favorites like Apam Balik, Roasted Lamb, Assorted Satay, Murtabak, Lidah Sapi with Air Asam, Ayam Percik Panggang, Roti Durian and loads more at the many stalls set up around the Bakar-Bakar area.

Starters; assorted Kerabu, Ulam-Ulaman and Sambal. Must try; Kerabu Mangga, Kerabu Sotong, Kerabu Kacang Botol and Kerabu Soo Hoon. They are really appetizing.

Lemang. This is usually served during festive seasons like Hari Raya Aidilfitri and Aidiladha, but hey, who says you can only enjoy them during the festive season. Go ahead and grab some of this to break fast with.

Roasted Lamb is another must try from Utara Coffee House. There are no gamey smell whatsoever and it was perfectly flavoured.

Ayam percik panggang is good on it’s own or to be paired with piping hot rice.

Bubur lambuk is commonly featured in most Ramadan buffet. If you want something soothing on the tummy after a long day fasting, this will definitely be your source of comfort.

Nasi Rempah Berlauk will be a great choice for those who can’t forgo rice in their daily diet. This rice dish is somewhat addictive and has the ability to tempt you for seconds.

Kari kepala ikan is one of Utara Coffee House chef’s specialty, so do make a point to scoop some of this delicious curry and pair it with some crusty braid available of simply flood your rice with it. It’s not overly spicy, and most will find this pleasant on the palate.

Udang Klieo. Made mainly from the concoction of tumeric and chilli paste, the Udang Klieo are highly appetizing.

Ketam berlado are served completely soaked in full bodied chilli sauce. Those who appreciate spicy dishes will without a doubt love this.

Siput sedut masak lemak cili padi is one of the Utara Coffee House yearly Ramadan highlight. A must try for those who are a seeking for a little bit of exotic foodie experience. Eating this dish can be a quite tricky for beginners, tho as you will need to suck on the siput in order to eat the meat, but don’t worry. If you can’t get it right on the first try, don’t give up. Just do it again and don’t afraid to get messy.

Ikan bawal masak terutup. I’m not a fan of fish dishes, but I find this rather delicious. You might want tk give it a go too if you spot this at the buffet.

Pisang muda masak lemak ikan masin is another one of the rare traditional dish that you can find here in the buffet. This spicy coconut based curry taste sweet, spicy and slightly salty on the palate. Perfect marriage of ingredients that could seduce you into a few helpings, I have to say.

Daging kicap berempah. Fans of the classic masak kicap berempah, rejoice. They have it too at the buffet.

Sambal hijau terung pipit is a must have on your plate if you find yourselves lack of appetite. This is the kind of sambal that will coax you into eating a few helpings of rice.

Honourable mention from the Noodle station; their assorted laksa. Specially cooked by the talented Chef Mummy, the assorted Laksa here are to die for.

Thai Laksa is one of my favourite from the Noodle Station, but please, if you spot other types of Laksa like Curry Laksa or Assam Laksa over here, don’t ignore them. They are simply delicious and worth all of your attention.

Desserts include traditional Malay Kuih, French pastries and tempting sweet delicacies such as Pengat Nangka with Sago, Bubur Pulut Hitam, Ais Kacang and Serawa Durian with Pulut all prepared specially for the sweet tooth. There’s also a variety of beverages prepared for you to quench your thirst: Cincau, Kelapa Muda, Jagung, Kembang Semangkuk, Selasih and more.

Dining at Utara Coffee House is always a wonderful gastronomic experience to me and I dare to vouch that they are one of the restaurants around that serves food that rivaled the taste of homecook dishes.

To experience the authentic traditional Malay cooking for a fraction of the price, hop over to Utara Coffee House and savour your festive favourites at the ‘Citarasa Kampung Ramadan Buffet Dinner’.

The buffet is priced at RM88.00+ per adult and RM45.00+ per child from Tuesday, 15th May 2018 – Thursday, 14 June 2018.

And to mark the end of the fasting month and welcome the joyous festival of Hari Raya Aidilfitri, Utara Coffee House will also be celebrating the occasion with a wide selection of goodies through the Hari Raya Aidilfitri Hi-Tea Buffet priced at RM68.00++ per adult, RM48+ for
senior citizens and RM33.00+ per child on Friday, 15th & Saturday, 16th June 2018 from 12noon to 4.00pm.

For reservations, please call (03) 7954 6888 ext. 4557 Utara Coffee House.

Ramadan is just about two weeks away as of writing. And if you are looking for a place to break your fast in the heart of Kuala Lumpur, you might want to consider heading over to TEMPTationS, Renaissance Kuala Lumpur.

Specially curated by Executive Chef Supi Mansor, he said the buffet is inspired to please every palate as it comprises of the diverse culinary culture of Malaysia and the traditional must-have favorites for the breaking of fast. With more than 100 dishes for you to choose from, the Taste of Malaysia Buffet will definitely reward your hungry tummy after a whole day of fasting.

Diners can enjoy an assortment of the all-time buka puasa favorites such as Sup tulang rawan, Ayam percik, Kari kambing dengan ubi kentang, Sambal sotong-petai and the daily Roasted whole lamb along with the must-have Bubur lambuk that will be available every evening throughout the fasting month.

Roasted Whole Lamb with Rice

Must have; Bubur Lambuk

Sup tulang

The BBQ and Tandoori section

Just pick something you fancy from here and it will be freshly grill for you.

All time Malaysian favourite, satay is also available for your enjoyment.

The Chinese and Indian hot selections include Roasted chicken marinated with ginger, shallot & 5-spices, Wok-fried black pepper beef, Braised broccoli & scallop with crab meat sauce, Hyderabad mutton biryani rice with cucumber raita and Amchoori bhindi just to to name a few.

Braised broccoli and scallops

Stir fried Bak Choy

Black pepper beef

Roasted chicken marinated with ginger

Assorted dimsum

Mini pau

Nasi Briyani

Curry fish head

Beef rendang

Sambal sotong

Mutton curry

To further satisfy the palate, the noodle station offers Laksa Johor, Mee Sarawak, Soto ayam, Mee rebus and Mee kari on a daily rotation.

Ais kacang stall

A meal would not be complete without a sweet ending. The dessert selection offers a variety of Malay kuih such as Seri muka, Kuih ketayap, Kuih kosui, Kuih lompang, Lopes gula Melaka and Buah Melaka kukus.

Other sweet delights to relish include an assortment of eyecatching cakes, puddings, pies, ice cream and more.

The buffet is priced at RM138nett per person and half price for children between 6 to 12 years old. The hotel’s C
Catering team can also customize exclusive breaking of fast gatherings or Aidilfitri celebrations packages for groups of 50 persons and more in any of the multipurpose function spaces. Privileges for hosting these customized events include Pay for 20 persons and one (1) person dines for free, sweet delicacies as starters, complimentary parking, complimentary Long Lunch vouchers at TEMPTationS, takeaway goodies for each guest and more.

For details on customized get-together packages, please call 03 2716 9910 / 03 2716 9918
or email [email protected].

Looking for a place to break fast with your family? Want something different than the usual restaurants? Why not choose to break fast in some place cooler? When I say cooler, I mean literally cooler.

Located at 3,000ft above sea level in Resorts World Genting with
breathtaking view of a majestic mountain range, Rajawali Coffee House in Awana Hotel is offering mouth-watering array of traditional Malay dishes from May 18 to June 13, 2018.

Yours truly enjoying what Rajawali Coffee House in Awana Hotel has to offer.

Now, there are over a hundred dishes from all parts of Malaysia will be featured in the Ramadan Buffet at Rajawali Coffee House in Awana Hotel. And since this is a buffet and I can’t possibly sample everything at the buffet, here’s giving you a walkthrough of what’s really worth your calories and must try at the buffet.

If you are a traditionalists and looking for sweet stuff to break your fast with, you might want to go for the sweet bite of premium kurma dates, imported from Iran, Tunisia and Morocco.

Premium dates, imported from Iran, Tunisia and Morocco. Guaranteed to give you an instant energy boost upon consumption.

Alternatively, there are plenty of traditional Malay kuih for you to choose from.There are over 50 homemade Malay Kuih, of various colours, textures and ingredients from Kuih Lapis, Kuih Bingka Ubi Kayu and Kuih Talam to Lepat Pisang, Badak Berendam and Kueh Sago Merah.

The BBQ and grill section is very impressive. Be sure to pick out some of the items from there.

Satay, served with sweet and spicy peanut sauce and a side of nasi impit and cucumber slices is a must try.

Seafood Otak-Otak is a type of seafood paste dish. Strongly flavoured, this will definitely excite your palate.

Freshly grilled fishes and air assam will definitely lure you in for more.

Ayam percik. Get some of these to your table, and don’t forget the creamy spicy sauce.

A special Sup Citarasa Awana stall – a restaurant specialty will be spoiling you with bowls of Sup Gear Box ‘Lambreta’, Sup Perut, Sup Daging and other treats, served with Roti Banggali to mop all that liquid goodness.

Sup Gear Box ‘Lambreta’. This will surely warm up your tummy in a jiffy after a long day fasting.

Can’t live without having rice? Fret not. There are plenty of rice dishes that makes and appearance here at the buffet in different forms like Nasi Dagang, Nasi Kerabu, Nasi Briyani and Nasi Putih. The assortments of rice will nake great pairing with the hot curries and dishes from the main station – including Gulai Lemak Daging Salai, Asam Pedas Ikan Pari, Rendang Tok, Patin Tempoyak, Pajeri Terung, Tempeh with Potatoes and Japanese Taufo with Mushrooms.

Love Penang and Mamak style cuisine? Head over to the Penang station.

All time favourite Nasi Kandar items like Kari Kepala Ikan, Kambing Masala, Kari Sotong, Chicken Prathal and Dalca Sayur can be spotted here for your enjoyment. Just grab some plain rice or nasi briyani and flood them with these. You won’t regret it, I assure you.

Love noodles? Well, they have that too. Visit the noodle counter and get yourselves a bowl or two.

One of my personal favourite from the Noodle Station is the Ipoh Curry Noodles. Simply sensational and flavourful on the palate.

The Char Koay Teow is worthy of your attention as well.

Interesting showcase at this Ramadan buffet for your dining pleasure is the Sotong Kangkung.

The sotong kangkung taste as good and as authentic as those you can usually find in street stalls and pasar malam.

The Goreng Goreng stall on the other hand offers all sorts of seafood, fried fresh upon request. There are a few types of fishes, prawns, squids, crabs, you name it.

I’ve always been a fan of fried seafood. Especially fried crabs and prawns. So, how many of the fried seafood did I consumed? Well, ask me no questions, and I’ll tell you no lies. All I can say is that I took more than enough to indulge my gluttony.

Another exotic food item you can find in the buffet is the Nasi Bamboo.

Nasi Bamboo is a traditional Malaysian rice dish that can hardly be found these days.

The young and the young at hearts will most definitely be delighted by huge selection of ice creams.

Ice cream Malaysia. A very old school and nostalgic way to enjoy the sweet confection.

So, how about drinks? There are plenty of drinks at the buffet like Sirap Bandung, Sirap Selasih, Soy Milk, Air Mata Kucing, Air Asam Boi, Teh Tarik and fresh fruit juices.

Teh Tarik is definitely a winner, though. Served in a plastic bag the way you’d get it in mamak joints, you can even request the iced version of it.

The Ramadan Buffet at Rajawali Coffee House runs from May 18 to June 13, 2018 followed by Hari Raya Aidil Fitri Buffet exclusively available on 15th & 16th June 2018. The buffet is priced at RM110 nett per person (Adult) and RM55 nett per person (Children below 12 years old and Senior Citizens above 60 years old). For advance bookings, enjoy an early bird rate of RM90 nett per person (Adult) applicable for bookings made before 20th May 2018. For reservations, kindly email [email protected] or call 03 6436 9000 / 019 388 0390.