A celebration of paradise

A celebration of paradise

Richard Tan , CONTRIBUTOR , LANGKAWI | Sun, 02/28/2010 3:08 PM | Travel

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Sky bridge at Mt. Mat Cincang. JP/Richard Tan


The Malay island of Langkawi has built a reputation for its stunning scenery and romantic getaways. But as one New Year reveler discovered, it's also a great place for a party.
Langkawi island, in northern Malaysia, boasts spectacular landscapes and, for anyone in search of some top-notch serenity, it provides an ideal getaway. It's also popular as a romantic destination for honeymooners and couples, who delight in frolicking at the many idyllic beaches.
But those who don't fit into any of the above categories - namely those traveling with friends and in search of some adventure and lots of fun - may be surprised by how this island can be a great place to visit for a party, even - and perhaps especially - for New Year's.
Indeed, if you're in the mood, there is such a wide variety of attractions and activities to check out that you should be prepared for a memorable holiday experience.
A couple of months ago, my friends and I visited Langkawi for a few days before the New Year. We stayed at a villa located within the Sheraton Beach Resort's 36 acres of lush greenery. Our villa, to our wonder and delight, fronted the beautiful Pantai Kok (Kok Beach).


The resort, a 40-minute drive from the Langkawi International Airport, has such facilities such as a private beach, an outdoor pool (complete with a poolside bar), spa, restaurant and bar lounge.

Having freshened up, we left the resort and headed to a Malay restaurant at Pantai Cenang for lunch. Located on Langkawi's southwestern tip, the white-sand Pantai Cenang is the place to go to take advantage of a stretch of bars, cafes and restaurants that are packed with locals and foreign visitors on most days.
The restaurants here serve local and foreign cuisine, and certainly offer the best to those who can afford to splurge on seafood (which is Langkawi's specialty), among other culinary delights. Those on a budget can order less pricy dishes such as burgers, fried rice or noodles.
After enjoying our meal, we took a leisurely stroll along the 2-kilometer long beach, idyllically lined with coconuts and casuarinas. Talk about living the high life!
Thus refreshed, we headed to the Oriental Village and took a 2.2-kilometer-long cable car ride up to Mt. Mat Cincang. At 708 meters above sea level, this mountain is the second highest peak in Langkawi.
The several viewing stations at the top offer breathtaking views of the nearby mountains, blue seas and even neighboring Thailand.
On one side of the viewing stations is a sky bridge suspended across Gunung Mat Cincang. You can stroll along the bridge to soak up the sights, but it's definitely not recommended for those who are afraid of heights.
Our next stop was Telaga Tujuh (Seven Lakes), a 10-minute drive from Oriental Village. Telaga Tujuh, a picturesque waterfall spot, is thus named because its gushing water stream is broken by a series of seven natural pools. The water glides delightfully from one pool to another before cascading 90 meters down into the seventh pool. It's a pleasure to look at, although be careful when treading on the sharp rock surfaces.
According to legend, fairies could not resist the charms of beautiful Telaga Tujuh, and decided to make it their bathing place. In fact, it is said these same fairies created the waterfall's surrounding greenery.
It's definitely a place to which you should come prepared with a bathing suit but be careful of your belongings, as packs of mischievous long-tailed macaque monkeys are known to loiter here and forage for food.
The next day, we embarked on a river tour that began at the Tanjung Rhu fishing village and took us pass coastal mangrove forests fringed by limestone caves and hidden canyons. Keep an eye out for the abundant wildlife that gathers along the coastal waters; you could spot kingfishers, monitor lizards, monkeys and mud crabs.
We also enjoyed the spectacular sight of protected white-headed sea eagles swooping down as caretakers feed them fish. This is definitely a sight to behold, and make sure you take some pictures.
But the fun doesn't stop here.
You can also visit a local fish farm, which has a makeshift jetty, and participate in a guided tour that provides interesting insights into all kinds of marine life.
Hey, you'll even be given the opportunity to feed the stingrays and watch the fishery workers feed such species as the dart fish, a unique saltwater species that squirts water fast enough to dislodge the food. They then quickly propel their bodies forward to grab the food as soon as it hits the water.
The tour's final stop is at a cave that is home to millions of bats. On the trip back to Tanjung Rhu, you'll pass the scenic coastal areas of the northern islands.
For details about the tour, you can check with the front desk at most hotels and resorts.
Countdown to a New Year
Many visitors come to Langkawi to take advantage of its duty-free status. Imported alcohol, chocolates and cigarettes are sold at affordable prices. For instance, a can of beer costs RM3, and a bottle of Swedish vodka sells for RM45.
Yes, I confess, my friends and I bought copious amount of alcohol and every evening, we threw our own parties in the comfort of our villa.
While confessions are flowing like the booze, yes, we drank ourselves silly!
One evening, fuelled by alcohol, we took on the bold challenge of skinny dipping in the sea. This is definitely an amusing and exhilarating experience - surely something everyone should try at least once in their lives!
Other ways of counting down to the New Year included the many parties at some hotels and resorts around Langkawi.
One of the most popular parties, as we discovered, was the one held at Sheraton Resort. Unfortunately, you have to pay an expensive cover (more than RM100 per person) to participate in the merry-making.
Otherwise, head to Pantai Cenang (Cenang Beach), also renowned for its nightlife. Nightbirds can claim a seat in any of the bars or cafes and party till the wee hours. However, my friends and I decided to partake in less frenzied activity by enjoying rounds of drinks back at our villa.


We began the New Year by relaxing and enjoying a swim in the pool. In the evening, we feasted on a seafood dinner, including steamed ginger fish and fried butter prawns, at a Chinese restaurant in Pantai Cenang.

Halfway through our dinner, we were greeted by an elaborate fireworks display nearby. The spectacular sight added to the merriment of Pantai Cenang's thriving nightlife, and it was helluva way to start the New Year - with a bang!

Cherry blossoms bloom in Tokyo, spring on the way

Cherry blossoms bloom in Tokyo, spring on the way

Associated Press , Tokyo | Mon, 03/22/2010 4:52 PM | Travel


It's officially cherry blossom season again in Tokyo.

The Japanese Meteorological Agency said Monday that the country's capital was officially in bloom, a closely watched announcement that marks the start of the yearly cherry blossom viewing season.

The annual rite of spring in Japan goes back hundreds of years and involves sitting under "sakura" trees and taking in the fluffy pink flowers, which drop off about a week after they appear. In Tokyo, residents flock to parks to lay down tarps and claim the best spots, then host elaborate picnics and long drinking sessions.

In Tokyo's Yoyogi Park, a small group of flower viewers gathered underneath cherry trees laden with pink buds.

"It's time for a flower viewing party. This is a great time for me to meet my friends," 20-year-old university student Ryosuke Fujiki said as he drank with friends at the park.

Japan designates certain sakura trees for monitoring all across the country, and considers a region to be in bloom when at least five or six flowers can be counted on its trees. On Monday, an official government counter visited the Yasukuni Shrine, home to Tokyo's trees, and proclaimed the city abloom.

When 80 percent of the trees' flowers have opened, typically a few days later, an area is officially designated as in "full bloom," prime time for blossom gazing and revelry.

This season starts a day later than last year in Tokyo, but six days before the historical average. The first flowers have bloomed earlier in recent years, triggering concerns of global warming. In the southern, warmer Okinawa islands, cherry blossoms began blooming in late December.

Rabies toll plateaus as public awareness grows

Rabies toll plateaus as public awareness grows

Luh De Suriyani , The Jakarta Post , Denpasar | Fri, 04/09/2010 12:14 PM | Bali


Forty-two people have died of rabies or rabies-related ailments since the outbreak of the viral disease in Bali in November 2008, the latest figures show.
Sanglah General Hospital in Denpasar has treated 67 patients for suspected rabies.
Thirty-four have died from the disease, while the rest were diagnosed with encephalitis, which has similar symptoms.
The other fatalities from the outbreak have been recorded at hospitals in Tabanan and elsewhere across the island.
Sanglah rabies prevention program secretary Dr. I.G.N. Ken Wirashandhi said the 33 patients diagnosed with mild encephalitis showed all the classic rabies symptoms, except hydrophobia.
"However, some of these patients had previously been bitten by dogs, so our concern, and that of the families, was that they may have contracted rabies," he said.
Patients with suspected rabies or encephalitis must undergo a series of laboratory tests, including on their saliva, urine and cerebrospinal fluids.
Around 70 percent of rabies cases at Sanglah have been diagnosed through saliva tests.
Eight patients died from the disease before the tests were completed.
"At the time, we faced opposition from the families when trying to get permission to do the cerebrospinal tests," Wirashandhi said.
"Thus we weren't able to diagnose it in time to treat them."
The majority of those who died from the disease were taken to hospital in the later stages of the disease, he added.
"Patients in these stages are almost certain to die during treatment, because the viral infection is so advanced," he said.
"They oversalivate and panic at the sight of water or light."
Wirashandhi stressed it was important for patients and families to seek medical advice as soon as any of the classic rabies symptoms were exhibited, such as joint pain, severe headaches, and pains on the affected bitten area.
"They should get anti-rabies vaccines *VAR* immediately," he said.
"The problem is Sanglah has often run out of VAR supplies in the past, but patients can come back the next day to get inoculated."
Sanglah contagious diseases ward head Ni Wayan Ayuningsih said the public was opening up to more proactive prevention and treatment by doctors, following months of an intensified awareness campaign.
"Previously a patient or their family would insist they didn't have rabies, because they lacked any understanding of the disease's symptoms or causes," she said.
She added that if detected early on, the disease could be treated properly and the patient cured completely.
The two latest patients at Sanglah initially tested positive for the virus.
"When they came to us they were in the sensory stage," Ayuningsih said.
"The doctors gave them VAR to boost their antibody count."
Wirashandhi said this method could take long depending on the bite wound.
"An open wound could accelerate the penetration of the rabies virus into a patient's blood and organs."

Farmers go organic in the use of eco-friendly planting method

Farmers go organic in the use of eco-friendly planting method

Slamet Susanto , The Jakarta Post , Klaten | Fri, 04/09/2010 12:13 PM | The Archipelago


Hundreds of farmers in Klaten regency, Central Java, no longer fully depend on chemical fertilizers and pesticides, applying eco-friendly organic fertilizer instead.
Leader of the Tani Mulyo farming group, Juwandi, said that at present, 75 percent of the farmers' crops in Karanglo and Polanharjo villages were provided with organic fertilizer. The rest still used chemical ones.
"We will use 100 percent organic fertilizer during the upcoming planting season," he said.
He said previously, farmers depended on chemical fertilizer, which was expensive as well as harmful.
"Seventy percent of farmers here cultivate farms on a profit-sharing basis. Expensive fertilizer and pesticides impacted on their finances," he said.
Concerned with the condition, Juwandi and a number of community figures worked to develop an eco-friendly but profitable farming practice over the past year by joining the Tani Mulyo farming group.
Assisted by bottled water producer Aqua and the Bina Swadaya NGO, they set up a lab last year to conduct tests as well as produce organic fertilizer from cattle and buffalo manure.
After conducting tests for almost a year, they implemented the green farming method on seven of 85 hectares of rice fields at the end of last year with a mixed planting system, using 50 percent chemical and 50 percent organic fertilizers.
Based on the harvest, production experienced between a 10 and 15 percent drop. A 1,700-square-meter plot using chemical fertilizer produced 0.85 tons of rice with a Rp 6,000-kilogram sale price, while the use of organic fertilizer produced 0.8 tons of rice at the higher Rp 7,000-kilogram sale price.
"The difference in yields was not high and the concern that the system would reduce production up to 30 percent was not proven," Juwandi said.
As part of efforts to support the eco-friendly farming system, the lab also produces organic fertilizer to meet the farmers' demand at a selling price of Rp 300 per kilogram, as well as natural pesticides.
Juwandi said that as many as 75 percent of 450 farmers, who are grouped in Tani Mulyo, are expected to apply the eco-friendly planting pattern on about 85 hectares of their farmland by 2012.
When visiting the group's lab recently, Agriculture Minister Suswono said as part of the government-sponsored 2010 Go Organic program, the ministry would provide 10,000 organic fertilizer processors to meet the demands of farmers so they would no longer depend on chemical fertilizer.
A budget for processors, each costing Rp 350 million, is currently being proposed to the House of Representatives for approval, he added.
Suswono said the program would not be undertaken fast, but would ensure good production as organic farming was expected to improve the farmers' economy apart from being eco-friendly.
"Organic products are sought after at the international market and their prices are also higher," he said. "Prices of *organic* farm products can multiply up to fivefold if we obtain organic agricultural certification."

Dutch man arrested for allegedly molesting teen

Dutch man arrested for allegedly molesting teen

Fri, 04/09/2010 12:14 PM | Bali


KARANGASEM: Willem Johan Stegenus, a 65-year-old Dutch citizen, was arrested for allegedly molesting a 16-year-old girl.
Karangasem Police chief Jr. Com. I Gede Mustika confirmed that Stegenus had been named a suspect based on reports filed by the girl's parents.
According to the report, Stegenus took the girl to Padangbai beach resort in Karangasem, East Bali, where he had sexual intercourse with her seven times in two nights.
The girl worked as a cleaner at Stegenus's house in Legian, Kuta.
"The victim said the suspect asked her to work in Padangbai. But when they arrived, he sexually assaulted her," the police said.
The police have reported the incident to the Dutch consulate in Bali.
Stegenus, who has been living in Bali for 15 years, could be charged with violating child protection laws and sexual molestation, which carry a minimum punishment of 15 year in prison. - JP

Education and health sectors need improvement in C. Sulawesi: VP

Education and health sectors need improvement in C. Sulawesi: VP

Antara , Palu, South Sulawesi | Fri, 04/09/2010 1:03 PM | National


Low quality education and health-care in Central Sulawesi need improvement, Vice President Boediono said in a dialog with local government officials in Palu on Thursday night.

"The central and regional governments should work out a good cooperation to improve the two important sectors in the province," Boediono said.

Central Sulawesi Governor HB Paliudju said earlier that economic growth in his province reached 7.60 percent, or equal to the national average, but the vice president demanded that it be coupled with improvement in education and health quality.

Besides commenting on education and health in Central Sulawesi, the vice president also mentioned the low quality of clean water in the province and urged the related authorities to seek the best possible solution.

Governor Paliudju said the local government was still waiting for a further guidelines for the implementation of Presidential Instruction (Inpres) No.7/2008 on Central Sulawesi Development Acceleration.

"The Inpres is of great importance to improve development here," Paliudju said.

In his two-day working visit to Central Sulawesi, the vice president wanted to obtain first hand information about the latest situation in the province in relation to the implementation of Presidential Inpres No.7/2008.

The instruction was issued in August 2008 by President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono following deteriorating condition in the province following communal conflicts.

Bali customs office seizes 'illegally imported' alcoholic drinks

Bali customs office seizes 'illegally imported' alcoholic drinks
Desy Nurhayati , The Jakarta Post , Badung, Bali | Fri, 04/09/2010 6:27 PM | National


Bali Customs and Excise Office has confiscated thousands of bottles of imported alcoholic drinks with allegedly counterfeit excise labels, causing an estimated Rp 150 million of losses to the state.

Officer Marino said that the drinks, totaling around 2,800 bottles from various brands, were seized from two sub-distributors in Denpasar at around 2 a.m. Friday.

The two sub-distributors were located on Jl. Gatot Subroto and Jl. Danau Tempe, he said.

During the raid, the office also arrested two suspects, identified as J.S. and N.M. Both are responsible for managing the two sub-distributors.

"We got information from several retailers that many alcoholic drinks being sold at local markets were attached with counterfeit excise labels, and we finally found these two sub-distributors," Marino said.

Most of the bottles were already attached with the fake labels. Along with the drinks, the customs officers also seized some rolls of unattached labels.

Marino said the case would be handed over to the police for further investigation.

The suspects could be charged of violating the Customs Law and could face up to five years in jail, he said.