Hot spot for ‘miracle cures’
Ever since it opened to the public, the Sungai Klah Hot Springs Park has seen a non-stop stream of visitors, writes SHANTI GUNARATNAM
THERE are plenty of stories about the Sungai Klah Hot Springs Park in Sungkai, Perak – stories of miracle cures and people striking it rich immediately after their visit there.
Even the sceptical often change their minds when they see some people pouring buckets of coins into the main pool area.
Talk to the people soaking in the pool and the many jacuzzis or merely dipping their feet into the small ponds and streams and they will have nothing but praise for the park. Then they will go on to tell you how they have been cured of some ailment or other.
Old folks who come in wheelchairs with the help of family members are regular visitors. Even the able-bodied make many return trips.
The Sungai Klah Hot Springs, set amidst the lush greenery at the foothills of the Titiwangsa Range, is where many come to seek cure for skin disorders, rheumatism, arthritis, insomnia, respiratory troubles, blood circulation, fractures and other ailments.
The hot springs park here is one of the best planned in the country in terms of amenities. Mineral-rich hot springs can be found throughout the area, both developed and undeveloped.
Ever since it opened its doors to visitors, business has been good, says manager Mohd Zainuddin Masduki.
“This is a healing centre for many. On weekends, we get as many as 30 busloads of people and hundreds more come by car. There is no need for us to advertise. There is something special and magical about this place that offers healing for those suffering from many ailments,†says Mohd Zainuddin.
On weekday evenings, people from Ipoh, Trolak, Slim River and other nearby areas, often walk in for a soak.
“Many come after work, spend a few here and stay in the pool till closing time. Then there are some who come every other day.â€
The entrance fee of RM5 (adult) and RM3 (child) allows access to its swimming pool and therapeutic pools, water reflexology course, jacuzzis, family baths, board walk and now the newly opened mountain springs pool with cold water from the nearby hills. This cold pool was opened in July.
This is definitely a ‘playground’ for families, with adults and children having a splashing good time. The cold pool is 80 metres in length and is excellent for those doing laps for exercise. Its depth is just 1.5m.
At the shallow hot springs swimming pool, temperature is maintained at 30ºC to 40ºC while that at the smaller streams running parallel to the boardwalk ranges from 100ºC to 102ºC.
“We absolutely prohibit visitors from getting into the streams because the water is too hot and they can get scalded. But the boardwalk has gaps between the planks that allow the steam from below to be felt by those walking above.
“Those walking along the boardwalk feel relaxed because of the sulphur-rich steam that is good for the body. Skin specialists say the sulphur content at the hot springs – 0.011 part per million (ppm) with a 8.3 PH balance – is good for arresting many skin disorders,†says Mohd Zainuddin.
For those seeking a little privacy, there are six ordinary or superior jacuzzis. Many would stay in the jacuzzi for two or three hours. It is advisable to have a refreshing drink after 60 minutes of soaking.
Suffering from fatigue or tired feet? There’s the reflexology area with a pebbled path and a pool to dip your feet. Here, visitors are known to spend hours soothing their aching muscles. After the hot pool, many would adjourn to the cold pool for a refreshing finish.
Trolak Country Resort
Perched on a hilly area with vast plantations, the Trolak Country Resort is 16 kms from the park and set within the Felda Pusat Latihan Trolak.
Enjoying an average occupancy rate of 70 per cent, the resort opened in 1998 with 60 rooms. From next month, there will be an additional 70 rooms.
Rooms at the three-star resort have air-conditioning, TV and Astro, coffee/tea making facilities, water heater and other conveniences.
“We are the only resort in the Batang Padang area from Tanjung Malim to Tapah. That is why we enjoy such a high occupancy rate. Those staying with us will usually go to the hot springs park,†says manager Azhar Sanusi.
Recreational Activities
You can go boating, rafting and fishing or explore caves and pick fruits in season. Jungle trekking, bird watching and camping activities can be arranged. The Trolak Country Resort also offers team-building activities, including high and low ropes, obstacle courses and river rafting down Sungkai River.
Where/What To Eat
There is a small cafe at the Sungai Klah Hot Springs Park selling noodles, burgers, fries and pastries. Visitors can also buy or bring eggs to be boiled at the egg boiling pond. They will have the eggs with either bread, rice or noodles. But if you want some tasty local delicacies, a small shop at the entrance of the road leading to the hot springs offer curry puffs, kuih badak, nasi lemak and lauk-pauk.
At the Trolak Country Resort, Suria restaurant serves both local and western fare from 7am to 11pm.
Accommodation
There are new five-star villas at the Hot Springs Park that come with their own private jacuzzi. The single and double bedroom villas cost RM900 and RM1,200 per night respectively. There is a 30 per cent discount for Government servants. Call 05-4414 493 or fax 05-4388 760.
The Trolak Country Resort offers rooms at RM100. For details or reservations, call 05-4388 687 or fax: 05-4388 868.
Both establishments are managed by Plantation Resorts Sdn Bhd (www.plantationresorts.com.my).
Rates
Entrance to the hot springs park
Hot Springs Pool: RM5 (adult aged 12-59), RM4 (senior citizen aged 60 and above), RM3 (child aged 5-11), RM1 (handicapped child) and free entrance for children aged four years old and below.
For a dip at the cold mountain springs pool: RM3 (adult), RM2 (child and senior citizen), RM1 (handicapped child) and free entrance to children aged four years old and below.
Use of private jacuzzi:
Ordinary jacuzzi (up to six persons): RM25 per hour
Superior jacuzzi (up to eight persons): RM50 per hour
Opening Hours
The park is open all year round from 8am to 10pm. The cold pool is open from 8am to 7pm.
Getting There
About 1½ hours drive from Kuala Lumpur. Motorists from the north or south travelling on the PLUS Highway will have to exit at the Sungkai toll plaza. From there, it is another 20 mins drive to the Hot Springs Park. There are many signages to assist drivers.
The Trolak Country Resort is less than 30 minutes drive from the park via the old road to Slim River and Tanjung Malim.
Source from:
http://www.nst.com.my/Weekly/Travel/article/FeatureStory/20061023105446/Article/
A Vacation To Remember In Iceland
As a senior executive for a large multinational corporation, I have been assigned to nine different countries in five different continents over the last 20 years. I have thoroughly enjoyed meeting new people and adapting to new cultures. But perhaps my favorite perk of the job is that it allows me to have my annual vacations in some of the most exotic locations on the planet. My vacation last summer has to count as one of the most surprising and most pleasant of all. It may sound hard to believe, but I really had a grand time spending nearly three weeks in Iceland.
As the name implies, Iceland is constantly covered in ice as more than 11 percent of the country is covered by ice glaciers. I know, that doesn’t sound very cozy, but Iceland’s climate is surprisingly mild and filled with countless geothermal hot spots.
Located in Northern Europe, Iceland is actually a large mountainous island in the North Atlantic that comprises one of the most picturesque places you will ever see. It is never dark in Iceland and nearly the entire landscape is filled with beautiful and colorful wildflowers, especially around the hills that surround the island’s deep fjords. The view of the ocean, mountains and delicate grassy shores is spectacular and breath-taking.
The typical Iceland vacation starts with a cruise from one of the many ports of Europe. You will sail through the country’s beautiful deep natural harbors and witness its quaint farming villages perched delicately on the rocky shores.
Once in Iceland, you will have every opportunity to try their natural hot springs, which are known all over the world and are universally recognized as sort of a native national pastime. Like bears in hibernation, Icelanders enjoy spending most of the winter and much of the summer months blissfully soaking in these springs to pass the long months of night away in relative comfort. It seems like the entire island is filled with these natural hot springs.
Traveling by car around the countryside is a novel experience as well since there is only a single road that traverses the whole rim of the island and affords a majestic view of island’s barren and icy interior.
About The Author
Jonathon Hardcastle writes articles for http://totallytraveling.net/ - In addition, Jonathon also writes articles for http://livingtheoutdoorslife.com/ and http://recreationsource.net/
Filed under travel | Comment (0)Vacation In Mexico
Mexico, our neighbor down south is the perfect place for your next vacation. With the Gulf Coast on one end and the Caribbean on another, it is a favorite for many tourists.
Mexico is a study of contrasts of ancient and modern, aside from the landscape, there is the blend of cultures from the indigenous peoples to the cosmopolitan cities and plenty of beaches choose from.
The country spans about 1964,375 square kilometers. It is divided in six regions each with their own attractions for the visitor.
Northern Mexico-Dunes, Desert and Sierra Madre
For those who want a little bit of nature and adventure you should head to northern Mexico. Northern Mexico is made of the states of Durango, Nuevo Leon, Sonora, Tamaulipas, Chihuahua, Coahuila and Zacatecas. There are the mountains of Sierra Madre that provide you with wonderful views of sun rising and setting.
If you like camping and would like to bring back a collection of beautiful pictures of nature you could go to the Cuatro Ciengas desert in Coahuila. There you would not be disappointed with the spectacular views and you must make time to enjoy the natural hot springs.
In Zacatecas, you can go through the streets and see a little bit of Mexico’s colonial past. There are many building that are still standing from the period of the very first Spanish settlers. One such landmark is Cerro de la Bufa. And Chihuahua is home to the ruins at Paquime and many collections of traditional art from the Raramuri Indians.
In Guayamas, Bahia de Kino, San Carlos and Puerto Penasco, you can find a lot more features, including zones of archeological interest and more beaches.
Central Mexico
Starting from the northern high plateau to the tip of Sierra Madre range down south, this region has plenty for a person to see in terms of culture and scenery. You have Mexico City, with amazing examples of architecture like the old buildings in the Historic Center and the old world style of Basilica of Guadalupe.
You can visit the many archeological sites open to tourists. There are a number of lakes, rivers, waterfalls, springs, forests and caverns to go to. And if you want to activities, plenty are offered. You can do cave exploring, rafting, scuba diving, nature observing, and rock climbing to name a few.
About The Author
Anne Morris writes articles about travel. Discover more information about travel at http://www.mexico-mama.com and http://www.guideatlanta.com.
Filed under travel | Comment (0)The Paris Opera House
The Paris Opera House is thought to be one of the greatest pieces of architecture of its period. Located on the northern part of Avenue De L’Opera in the 9e arrondisement , it was founded in 1669 by King Louis XIV.
The idea of the Opera house was first proposed in the 1858 during the Second Empire by Baron Haussmann who was granted authorization for the project by Napoleon III. About 12000 square meters of land was cleared and a thirty five year old architect by the name of Charles Garnier was chosen to design the Opera House.
In 1861, construction began and 14 years later the building was complete. There were a number of significant delays however, first there were issues such as the Paris Commune, and the Franco Prussian War and then, there was a problem with the location. The ground was marshy and full of underground water.
For eight months, the site had to undergo constant pumping before the base could be put down and it was said to have formed an underground reservoir. This reservoir became the idea behind the setting of “The Phantom of the Operaâ€
On January 15, 1875 marked the opening of the Palais Granier (Paris Opera House). There was a performance of La Juive with Fromental Halevy and excerpts of Les Hugentos with Gaicomo Meyrebeer.
The editor John Norwich of Great Architecture of the World reports that a contemporary critic thought the Opera House looked like “an overloaded sideboard†The place is ornate and decorated with marble friezes of various colors.
The interior is filled with gold leaf and velvet. There are cherubs and nymphs everywhere. The chandelier is over six tons in weight. The ceiling itself was painted by Marc Chagall in 1964. The Opera House is 11000 square meters (11844 square feet) with a platform that can fit more than 400 artists and there are over 2000 seats for the audience.
The Opera House is now thought to be a masterpiece because Garnier had made wonderful use of the difficult and cramp site. The carriage ramps, the steps, the foyers and staircases were both planned and sectioned with skill and confidence.
Garnier was accused of being overly ornate, just like Napoleon and Haussman were criticized of having old and imperialist ideas but the critics forget to keep in mind that cities need their grand monuments and without Napoleon, Garnier, and Haussman, Paris could not have been thought of as one of the most beautiful cities in the world.
About The Author
Anne Morris writes articles about travel. Discover more information about travel at http://www.more-paris.com and http://www.sanibeltoday.com.
Filed under travel | Comment (0)Tips For A Successful Family Vacation
When the whole family travel together it can be a memo for life. Are you planning a family vacation? Planning is a very important ingredient for a successful vacation. Therefore be prepared for some extra effort on your part to get it properly planned. You are probably busy, working day and night. To get your family vacation planned properly you would have put off the vacation for quite a few months because you need to allot plenty of time to plan it. Do not go into the trap of underestimating the time it takes. Planning a family holiday can be a really fun and enjoyable activity; especially if you involve all the your loved ones.
Both big and small kids will surely appreciate being included in the planning of the family vacation and you should include each and every member of the family in the vacation planning stage. If you start up with a simple brainstorming session, many ideas for places to go will be thrown in . One of the most fundamental questions is whether to purchase a family vacation package or go by your own? Another major question is where you and your loved ones actually want to go? Can you work out an agreement?
Smoky Mountains
If you love the mountain you can go to the Great Smoky Mountains? Most people - families included - will love Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge. Cherokee, North Carolina isn’t far from the park in Gatlinburg which offers the non-stop casino action of Harrah’s Cherokee Smoky Mountain Casino. By taking a little time for searching, you may select an area where there are many activities for the children so that they enjoy it much. Fortunately, there are lots of activities for children to do in the Cherokee area that can enable mom and dad some grown-up time in the casino. Teenagers love the extensive white water rafting and tubing in and around Cherokee.
Pigeon Forge is a place in the smoky mountains you may select for fun. A few days in Gatlinburg and a day to go to Cherokee and Maggie Valley could be a good plan. If you haven’t visited this area before, there’s a lot to see and a lot to do. Like for instance Dollywood and Dixie Stampede will keep children and teens thrilled in Pigeon Forge while the shopping in Sevierville and Pigeon Forge will thrill mom while dad finds the golf courses to enthuse his golfing ambitions! There’s really something for the family in the Great Smoky Mountains of Tennessee.
Family Vacation On the Beach
If you and your family prefer the beach you will not find it difficult to plan a family vacations. Fortunately, there are so many to choose from in the US and tt is hard to single out just one. If you are starters, there are the gorgeous beaches of Florida. IOn the gulf side, no other beach is as beautiful as the beaches on St.George Island. Even before the hurricanes inflicted damage on the beaches of Destin and the surrounding areas, the best kept Florida gulf secrets were savored in St.George Island. Then the hurricanes came and over the last couple of years they knocked Destin for a loop. Hurricane Katrina didn’t take a direct hit in Destin but smaller storms have certainly deteriorated some of the most gorgeous areas of Destin. Now, most beach lovers search the beaches of St. George Island. The lovely homes and houses there as well as the lovely white sands of the beach are a favorite for any family. The climate allows you to go there any time of the year.
Two beaches; Daytona and Melbourne Beach on the East Coast of Florida are still favorites among families who have surfers to consider. The activities and fun offered by these beaches are so many that you will find it hard to leave. It is so enjoyable, that you might even skip your dinner for wanting to spend time in the beach. If you travel to Melbourne, watch out for the local fishermen who like to fish from the sandy beaches in front of the local hotels and you can count on numerous small sharks swarming when these guys start fishing in the area. So get ready to surf in this area as it is a great experience that you hardly will forget.
It is not only Florida who has beaches in the USA. There is something called the west coast and California - also known as ‘The Sunshine State”. And here are many excellent beaches. For example Malibu Beach in LA is still the beach you must see when your travel company takes you to California. Family vacations in California is an excitement for almost everyone. Another favorite in California is Disneyland. Most families love all of the recent additions to the original Disney Theme park! Both adults and kids will enjoy is the Universal Studios. And why not take a trip to the Magic Mountain amusement park with one of the craziest roller coasters in the world?.
With the use of the internet it is going to be easy to plan any vacation for you family. Literally everything about a vacation is in your fingertips! It is really a fun to put your heads together staring at the monitor to plan a vacation for you family. Start now!
About The Author
Robert Alderton is a writer and internet publisher who enjoys to publish quality information about family vacation and travel. Read more at http://www.Vacation4Family.com
Filed under travel | Comment (0)What To Remember For Your Safari Clothing
Whatever you do, don’t leave behind any essentials of an African safari tour…
And that is the first commandment.
The least thing you want to know once you get on board is that you have left a vital gear behind. Safari by nature, requires a number of essentials that are literally helpful while you are on your travel. On the other hand, you may need to drop some of non-essential things since they will only add up to your luggage weight. Remember, pleasure of the safari adventure is not measured by the number of useless gears that you have with you (which in the end makes you uncomfortable because of weight) but by the comfort of having gears that are truly needed while on trek.
One of the most indispensable is off course the safari clothes. You would want to be comfortable during your trip but never forget the protection. Long sleeves shirts are a must. They do not only cover you from harmful mosquito bites but may also cover your skin against exposure to sun. Along with these, you can also have some long pants with you to serve as protection during winter nights (if you are traveling during winter) and mosquito plague.
The number one rule of thumb with safari clothes is to make less exposure to animals as much as possible.
This can be done by avoiding bright colored clothes that attract animals. This is perhaps the reason why most safari clothes appear in colors such as light brown, khaki, light green and tan. White clothes and other colors are definitely shades that you must avoid. They may either refrain you from viewing animals closer or they may attract danger towards you. You can also have the advantage of keeping yourself cooler with neutral colors as they don’t trap as much heat during the day.
Mobility must always be the top consideration. Don’t bring with you more than 25 pounds worth luggage since you will travel a lot and will transfer from one small vehicle to another. Make it also a point that your safari clothes and gears are packed in waterproofed materials such as that of the duffel bags.
The majority of safari guides recommend only 2 to 3 days supply of clothing as there will be facilities for laundry in lodges and camps. However, if you are planning to stop over some African city restaurants, you may consider bringing one set of more dressy clothes.
About The Author
This content is provided by Low Jeremy. It may be used only in its entirety with all links included. For more information on safari & other useful information, please visit http://safari.articlekeep.com
Filed under travel | Comment (0)How To Have A Kauai Getaway - On A Budget
So you want to visit Kauai, Hawaii, one of the most beautiful places on the earth, but it just doesn’t seem possible financially. I’ve been there and it is certainly worth the visit, so it is just a matter of figuring out how to make it happen.
As you plan your getaway to Kauai, Hawaii, it would be wise to think about the best times of year to travel. I’m not talking about the weather; I’m talking about traveling during the least expensive time of the year. Numerous people dream of taking a vacation in Hawaii, and while the location of the islands makes it a gorgeous spot all year, there are periods of the year to vacation that are significantly less costly than others. If you know when to travel and different opportunities to save money, you should be able to have an incredible Hawaiian getaway on a budget.
Here are some examples. During the fall, when school has just gone back, is a great moment to travel because typically, airfares and hotel is less expensive. The low-season in Kauai is mid September through mid December and January through May. During the high-season air, car rental and hotel tend to go up, especially in the summer months. Many times this period of time can be full months in advance. Because of this, you should getaway during the low-season when you can get a bigger savings. What are some of the other benefits of traveling “off-season� Well, consider not having to share the small island with as many people or the exceptional weather that they have in Kauai year round. Seeing as Hawaii is one of the best locales for sunshine and vacation activities all year, there is not a compelling rationale not to visit in the off-season.
Beyond the considerable savings on your accommodations and airfare, here are a few other opportunities to keep the cash in your wallet.
More Ways to Save in Kauai
Rent a vacation home rental
Most people choose hotels in Kauai to enjoy for their vacation getaway. However, this is a more costly route and they don’t present the same comforts and privacy that a villa or condo could offer. In additional, hotels in Kauai are extremely costly, considerably more so than an equivalent cost of renting a condo or home for a week or more. There are a tremendous amount of villas, homes and condos to rent on Kauai with amenities like ocean front view, tons of extra’s, luxury kitchens, and so much more. in addition, there are villas, cottages and homes you could rent with anywhere from one to 8 bedrooms or more, accomadating just about any size group that you can bring with you.
Should you have an interest in renting a Kauai vacation home or villa, there are many places online that you can search to find a tremendous amount of options offered. This will allow you to locate the options that are the perfect size, with all the options you would like, without destroying that pocketbook. Don’t forget that when you take your vacation will be key in how expensive, or inexpensive, it will be. Try to figure out a time to visit in the off-season when it will cost less than if you go in the middle of the primary travel season for Kauai.
Finally, consider other options while preparing and taking you Kauai vacation. Don’t eat out every meal if you don’t have it in the budget as that can get expensive. When you get to the island, visit the grocery store, pick up the items that you need to help keep you and the family fed for however long you are going to be on the island. Eating out 3 times a day gets expensive. The beauty of a vacation home rental is that you typically have a kitchen and a full size refrigerator. Eating out only one time every one to two days can save you hundreds of dollars over a week’s time. Other ideas for cost savings are searching the web for travel discounts, being careful not to get the shopping bug while on the island and maybe just find a few keepsakes of your vacation.
If you put these things into practice for your Kauai getaway, it can potentially save you thousands of dollars over just a 7-14 day trip.
About The Author
Mr. Kent Krueger has been in the travel industry 4 years and has advised thousands on travel ideas and marketing vacation home rentals and is President of TRN which operates (http://www.rentals2remember.com) and (http://www.evaca.com).
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