Chocolate Museum at Kota Damansara: An Interactive Experience

If you are a chocolate connoisseur or love chocolates, the Chocolate museum at Kota Damansara in Malaysia is sure to leave you with a sweet experience. The museum offers a detailed understanding about chocolates, its history and making. Apart from the interesting facts about chocolates, the museum also has state of the art equipment and numerous interactive displays making the visit to this museum quite an amusing and informative one.  

Chocolate museum at Kota Damansara is owned by DR Group, whose founder Dato’ Dahlan Rashid is widely referred as the ‘Chocolate King of Malaysia’. Apart from importing worldwide brands such as Lindt, Hershey, M&M etc., the company under the brand name Fidani manufactures its own chocolate products such as Farell, Danson and Millton.

Though it has a huge display of chocolates for sale, what attracts both children and curious elders alike are the interactive sessions that the place offers. With life size replica of Malaysian cocoa trees, artistic chocolate sculpture collection, giant reading books with information and stories about chocolate, chocolate train model and miniature Petronas towers made from chocolate, the museum has a plethora of attractions to keep visitors engaged.

The museum also displays the journey of cocoa and chocolates, industrial manufacturing and health benefits of chocolates. Apart from these, the chocolate making session is a pretty interesting one as it helps one indulge in the detailed process of how chocolates are made.

Visitors can enjoy some of the freshly crafted chocolates with various designs at the Chocolate galleria. They also have a display of various brands of chocolates from world over for the visitors to purchase.

Location: Selangor Science Park, Kota Damansara

Timings: The museum is opem from 10 AM to 5 PM

Entry Charges: 10 RM

P.S.: I was hosted by Malaysia Tourism board during my visit to the chocolate museum, but opinions are my own.

Istana Negara: The National Palace of Malaysia

The yellow domed structure looks beautiful even from a distance. The fluttering flags, strolling horses and guards in their uniform further accentuate the elegance of the Istana Negara, the National Palace. Istana Negara is the official residence of the King of Malaysia who is the head of the state. The king is referred as Yang DiPertuan Agong in Malaysia.

Sprawling over 97 hectares, this palace has 22 domes and was built in 2011. The complex has three portions- royal component, administration component and formal component.  The old palace was built in 1928 and was replaced by this new one. The old palace was converted into the royal museum in 2013 and is known as old Istana Negara.

While visitors aren’t allowed to enter the premises of Istana Negara, one can stroll outside the gates and have a view of the beautiful structure. Guard of change is a ceremonial process that happens twice a day outside the palace. Decked in Malay attire, the guards can be seen marching and also parading on horses. This is a way to display their old traditions and customs to the visitors. The timings for the same are 10 AM and 3 PM, and is a wonderful ceremony one can experience in Kuala Lumpur.

P.S.: I was hosted by Malaysia Tourism board during my visit to Istana Negara.

KL Tower: Rising above the Skyline of Kuala Lumpur

View from the balcony of my hotel room was absolutely encapsulating. The cityscape was adorned with tall skyscrapers strewn across. The city sparkles at night as colourful lights further accentuate the charm of the structures. Amidst the beautiful buildings in various shapes, what stand tall are two iconic buildings of Kuala Lumpur- Petronas Towers and KL Tower. While Petronas towers gleam like twin silver cones against the dark backdrop, KL Tower gets lit up in multiple colours, making it as captivating as the more popular Petronas. 

Standing 421 meters tall, Menara Kuala Lumpur which translates to Kuala Lumpur Tower or KL Tower as it is popularly referred, is the world's 7th tallest communication tower. Completed in 1995, this cloud kisser is one of the major attractions in Malaysia. Situated on Pineapple hill, the tower is amidst one of the oldest forest reserves in the country, despite being in the middle of the city.

Visitors can take the elevator which takes them to the Observation deck which is 276 meters tall to enjoy the views. There are fixed binoculars to give a closer view of the cityscape, buildings and distant hills. The Sky deck which is further higher at 300 meters above ground level offers an uninterrupted 360 degree view of Kuala Lumpur’s skyline. On clear days, one can have a view of Batu caves from the deck. This is undoubtedly the best place to enjoy panoramic views of the city. Sky box is a glass enclosure which offers a unique experience to visitors with more views of the city.

Malaysia has a nice blend of cultural mix and the tower is known for its various cultural activities, which are held through the year. There are more activities such as adventure sports, walk through a tropical rain forest and a visit to a mini zoo that one can experience at KL Tower premises.

There are gift shops selling souvenirs on the ground floor and at the observatory desk. The tower also has three restaurants for the visitors to enjoy a meal with amazing views.

KL Tower is undoubtedly a must visit destination in Kuala Lumpur with magnificent panoramic views of the skyline of the city.

Travel Tips:

• The tower is open from 9 AM to 10 PM every day.
• Bags and backpacks are not allowed in the sky deck area.
• Charges for the Observation deck are RM 30 for Malaysians and RM 49 for foreigners. For the Sky deck, charges are RM 71 for Malaysians and RM 99 for foreigners.
• The closest rail station to KL Tower is Bukit Nanas mono rail station.

P.S.: I was hosted by Malaysia Tourism board on my visit to KL Tower, but opinions are my own.

Batu Caves: The Colourful Temple Cave

From a distance, it seems like people are walking over a rainbow. The colourful steps next to the tall Murugan statue lead to the popular Batu caves. The first time I visited Batu Caves in 2012, the steps weren’t colourful, but the recent art work has caught the attention of photographers as well as travellers. Batu caves are huge limestone hills with a few caves and a couple of shrines inside them. Dating to more than 400 million years, these caves leave every visitor spellbound after the steep climb.

The massive statue of Lord Muruga, who is also referred as Subrahmanya can be seen from a distance as you approach Batu caves. The gold coated 140 feet high statue at the base of the caves is the tallest Muruga statue in the world. This popular tourist attraction near Kuala Lumpur is swarmed by numerous fluttering pigeons that are fed by the visitors.

A steep flight of 272 colourful steps leads to the entrance of the caves. Gasping for breath after that climb, one would find themselves transported to the neolithic age. The insides of this natural wonder are a treat for every geologist and as well as visitors. The sunlight seeping through the holes in the ceiling, the water dripping down from the tip of the stalactites and the pungent smell would take you back to the pages of your geography textbook from school. The view from the entrance of the cave looks surreal with darkness engulfing the area and a beam of sunlight piercing down a huge opening, which is indeed a jaw dropping frame. The inside of the cave is as big as a football ground with natural lighting except for the ones near the shrines.  

The place looks divine with minimal sound and devotees lost in prayers. The crowd is always a mix of local Tamil Malays who come to pay obeisance, Indian tourists and western backpackers. The caves are also known for the notorious macaques who are quick to snatch away a food packet from visitors.

A fleet of steps further leads to a few more shrines. However this place isn’t as dark as the first landing area as it is open to the sky with light percolating through. Wet floors, hazy lights, craggy walls and over grown flora makes the place absolutely surreal. While the pilgrims head to the shrines, the travellers are mostly seen taking photographs and gawking at the natural formation in oblivion.

This shrine is thronged by pilgrims during the annual Thaipusam festival which is held during January- February every year. Devotees smeared in ash, clad in yellow, carrying decorated carriers (Kaavadi) and with body piercing head to this temple, making the festival a huge celebration. 

Other than the main cave there are also a few more caves which are to the left of the steps. However, due to various reasons, these caves have remained shut and aren’t accessible anymore.

Batu caves might seem like a tall climb initially, but the climb is a pretty moderate one and isn't a tough ask as it might seem to be. It should not take more than 15-20 minutes to reach the top. The climb is definitely worth it as the frames atop are absolutely gorgeous with wonderful natural formations.

How to reach Batu Caves:

Located in Gombak in Selangor, Batus Caves is 16 Kms away from Kuala Lumpur. The easiest option to reach Batu Caves from Kuala Lumpur is to take a train from KL Sentral. One can also hire a taxi from Kuala Lumpur to reach the caves.

Tips for Travellers:

• The temple is open on all days from 6 AM to 9 PM.
• Though the caves are known for its geological formations, it is more popular as a temple and it is recommended to dress modestly.
• Do not carry any edible item or food packets in your hand while climbing the steps and inside the caves. The monkeys are sure to snatch them away.

P.S.: I was hosted by Tourism Malaysia during my visit to Batu Caves.

My Experience with Malindo Air- Review

Malindo Air is an airline owned by Lion Air group of Indonesia with hubs in Kuala Lumpur and Penang. Operations started six years ago in 2013 and presently the airline connects more than 55 destinations across the world. The name Malindo is a combination of the first few letters of Malaysia and Indonesia. This also signifies the cordial relationship these two Asian countries share apart from the similarities in their culture.  

I recently travelled with Malindo Air from Chennai to Kuala Lumpur and back, and the experience was a pleasant one. Malindo Air offers online check- in to make sure their travellers can avoid standing in long queues at the airport. While economy class flyers are allowed a check in baggage of upto 25 Kgs per per ticket, the business class flyers are allowed up to 40 Kgs. Like every other airline, Malindo allows one cabin baggage and a laptop bag per person.

While I would have loved to explore the business class, economy class was definitely a good experience. The seat was comfortable with a fairly good leg room and sufficient space for the cabin baggage. The hostess’ were quite amiable and were ready to always help.

Dinner had limited options and one could choose either the vegetarian or the non vegetarian one. While they served rice and tofu for vegetarians, for the meat lovers it was rice and chicken. I had rice and chicken, and it was a satiating meal. Alcohol is not served on Malindo Air; however, they do offer aerated non- alcoholic drinks.

Malindo Air offers numerous in-flight entertainment options with English, Hindi and Indian regional language movies. This is apart from various television series, songs and games. Ear phones and cosy blankets are provided by the airline.

Both my flights were well on time and I was quite satisfied with the services and experience provided by Malindo Air. I would definitely suggest Malindo Air if one intends to travel from India to Malaysia. 

Malindo Air is also starting flights from Varanasi to Kuala Lumpur from July 2019 onward.

P.S.: I flew from Chennai to Kuala Lumpur and back, courtesy Malindo Air and Tourism Malaysia.

Jamek Mosque, Kuala Lumpur

Located by the confluence of Gombak and Klang rivers, Jamek mosque is one of the oldest and prominent mosques in Kuala Lumpur. Known for its blend of Indo- Sarcenic and Moorish architecture, Jamek mosque was built in 1909 CE. With three domes and two main minarets, the mosque is a delight to watch at night when it is lit up. The mosque is situated close to the Merdeka Square.

Experiencing Iftar in Kuala Lumpur

Malaysia is one of the finest examples of multi ethnic, multi lingual and multi cultural countries in the world. The country has a lovely mix of more than 60% Muslims, a little less than 20% Buddhists, less than 10% Christians and about 7% of Hindus. Though Bahasa Melayu is the national and official language, Cantonese, Mandarin and Tamil are widely spoken by the respective ethnic groups. The ethnic groups include Malay Muslims, indigenous non- Malay people, aboriginal groups known as Orang Asli, Chinese and Indians. Despite the different ethnicity and cultures, Malaysians live harmoniously celebrating each others culture and festivals.

I was witness to one such one such experience during my visit to Malaysia when I had the opportunity to take part in Iftar held in Kuala Lumpur. Iftar is the evening meal that Muslims have during Ramadan to break their daily fast after the evening prayer. Iftar is referred as Berbuka Pausa in the local language.

Iftaar was held at the Merdeka square (Independence square) in Kuala Lumpur, where people sat in long rows next to each other to break their daily fast. It was delightful to see people from all ethnics and beliefs sitting together to have the meal. From locals to foreign travellers to children, the square was brimming with people neatly lined up as the evening prayers floated in the background. Bandung drink (condensed milk mixed with rose syrup), a popular drink during Iftar was served all across. Soon, everyone broke their fast delving into both Malaysian and Indian dishes. It was first time for me and was very much a pleasing experience joining the people of Kuala Lumpur for Iftar. What I loved the most was the fact that the focus was so much on culture and not religion as many non Muslims took part in this evening gathering. We later strolled around to explore the night market which sold myriad items ranging from fabrics to sweets.

Iftar parties are also held at various hotels and restaurants across the city with a wide spread of Malaysian cuisine. When in Kuala Lumpur, Iftar at Merdeka square during Ramadan period is a much recommended experience for travellers.

Things to do in and around Manali for travellers in June

Picture credit: Pixabay

Manali is one of the most sought after destinations in India by both travellers and tourists alike. Over the years, budget travellers, hippies, tourists, international travellers have all made a beeline to this prominent destination in the Himalayas. With snow clad mountains, gurgling streams,  hot springs, temples, view points, apple orchards, multi cuisine cafes, adventure sports and breathtaking landscapes, Manali offers the feel of a global village which the other nearby hill stations have failed to achieve. With the summer setting in and the season gearing up for more visitors, Manali is readying herself for the month of June when hordes of travellers head there.

Here is a list of best things todo in Manali in the month of June for all kinds of travellers.

Experience adventure at Solang Valley

A few kilometers away from Manali is the gorgeous valley of Solang, which is known for its adventure activities. Paragliding, zorbing and horse riding are some of the activities that are offered to the visitors here. It’s also a great place for a hike or a stroll with its sprawling greenery.  People head here for a day’s picnic and for camping overnight too. The adventure activities are pretty popular and it is recommended to book in advance during peak season.

Picture credit: Wikipedia

Enjoy the vistas at Rohtang Pass

While in Manali never miss the vistas from Rohtang Pass, which lies enroute Ladakh and connects Kullu valley with Lahaul. It’s a nice drive from Manali to Rohtang, which also make it one of the popular tourist places near Manali. This pass is open only during peak season from May end onwards when the roads are cleared of snow and ice. A winding road makes its way from Manali to Rohtang, which is usually crowded and one might also face continuous traffic movement. However, the panoramic views of the snow clad peaks and the Lahaul valley are an absolute visual treat. The views of Rahalla falls, Chandra river and Beas river are stunning enroute Rohtang. On the way to Rohtang lies Snow point, a popular place for visitors to play in snow and make their snowman. The drive too is an exciting one with muddy roads, stream crossings and hair pin bends.

Pay obeisance at Vashishta temple

Manali is known for its temples and Vashishta temple is dedicated to sage Vashishta. The attractive wooden architecture of the temple is a major attraction. Behind the temple, a trail leads to the popular Jogini waterfalls. The natural hot springs here are quite popular. The temple surrounding is also known for its Reiki centres.

Enjoy the serenity at Hadimba temple

Located in Dhungri forest, the Hadimba temple is dedicated to Hadimba, a demon who was married to Bhima, one of the Pandava princes from Mahabharatha. Built in mid 16^th century, the temple is four tiered like a pagoda and has wooden carvings. The tall Deodar trees that engulf the temple form a lovely frame. The percolating sunlight and the serene surroundings further accentuate the charm of this place.

Picture credit: Wikipedia

Visit Old Manali

Probably the most charming part of Manali is the older town, often referred as Old Manali. Away from the chaos, Old Manali is peppered with traditional homes, cafes, guesthouses and shops selling myriad items. The laid back vibe that the pace gives makes it a favourite with travellers. A stroll through its alleys or a visit to Manu temple, dedicated to the first man on earth is an ideal way to explore Old Manali.

Picture credit: Wikimedia

Explore Naggar Village

Situated along the Beas river, the lovely village of Naggar is an absolute charmer. The lovely views of the river and the surrounding areas make a wonderful frame for photographers. Naggar castle is a medieval castle which was the home of the Kullu kings and is a popular attraction. The 15^th century castle has beautiful wood works and architecture.  Nicholas Roerich Art gallery here has a wonderful collection of paintings of Himalayas. The village is also known for its temples such as Gauri Shankar and Tripura Sundari.

Trek the wonderful trails

Manali is a favourite with trekkers and people who love trails. There are numerous treks that are often conducted from Manali and one can approach their hotel or any adventure company in Manali to join a trek. The popular ones are to Chandrakhani pass, Beas kund etc.

Visit the Tibetan monasteries

There is a strong Tibetan Buddhist settlement in Manali and the monasteries are quite popular. Gadhan Thekchokling and Nyingmapa Gompa are the most popular ones. The art work and displays at these monasteries are gorgeous.

Stroll through the alleys and Mall road to shop

Though the mall road is the most popular road in Manali for shopping, there are numerous alleys with little shops selling the local produce and Tibetan items across this mountain region.  One can pick up some interesting curios or woolens to take back home, and enjoy an evening stroll with a cone of ice cream.

Picture credit: Wikimedia

Relish delicious world cuisines at the numerous cafes

As Manali is frequented by travellerrs from world over, the place is laced with cafes that have wonderful ambience, nice vibe, soulful music and serving cuisines from various parts of the world. Tibetan Kitchen, German Bakery, Chopsticks, Johnson’s café etc. are pretty popular and well recommended.


Location and Accommodation:

Located in the Kullu region in Himachal Pradesh and spread over a couple of mountains in the Himalayas, Manali is a twelve hour drive from New Delhi. Being a popular destination, there are numerous accommodation options with a wide range of restaurants, cafes, resorts and hotels in Manali.


P.S.: This post is in collaboration with OYO Rooms.

Ajmer: Dargah and Beyond

The namaz (prayer time) was over and the road which until that moment was filled with people offering prayers, eased up a little. I still had to rub shoulders and make my way through the crowded road that led to the shrine. I went past numerous shops and stalls selling myriad items such as flowers, caps, fabrics, snacks, sweets, tea etc. A waft of the fresh flowers and incense sticks from the shops took me further ahead to the entrance of Dargah Sharif in Ajmer. While I visited the Dargah as a curious traveller, people around me were there due to their faith in Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti.

The city of Ajmer in Rajasthan was earlier known as Ajayameru during the rule of Prithviraj Chauhan. In the 12^th century he was defeated by Muhammad Ghori, who took over the region. Ajmer later came under the Mughal rule of Akbar in the 16^th century. Despite its history and rulers, Ajmer has for long been popular for Dargah Sharif, which is the resting place of Khwaja Moinudeen Chishti, a sufi saint from the 12^th century. Also known as Hazrat Khwaja Garib Nawaz (refers to helper of the poor), the saint was a popular figure in the world of Sufism and was a well travelled preacher. He was a follower of a Chishti saint and came to Ajmer in late 12^th century. The revered saint had numerous followers including the Mughal emperors. His death anniversary is celebrated as 'Urs', and pilgrims throng the Dargah to pay obeisance at the grave of Khwaja Moinudeen Chishti during that time.

The Dargah complex which has an intimidating entrance gate, houses quite a few structures such as Akbari masjid, Buland Darwaza, Mehfil Khana, Langara Khana, Sandal Khana Masjid, tomb of Khwaja’s daughter etc.  Jami masjid built by Mughal emperor Shah Jahan in white marble is also located near these structures. Qawwali, which is a form of Sufi music, can often be seen performed inside the complex. The outer walls of the inner sanctum and ceiling are adorned with gorgeous designs and patterns. The shrine was first built by Mohammad Bin Tughlaq in 14^th century and the surrounding structures were added later by various rulers.

Adjacent to the shrine, a narrow alley leads its way up to Adhai Din Ka Jhonpra, which is a 12^th century structure with intricate carvings on the outer façade, pillars and ceiling. Built by Qutub-uddin Aibak, it was completed by Iltumish. The seven arched structure has a blend of Hindu and Islamic designs, motifs and carvings. It was earlier a Sanskrit college which was converted into a mosque by Qutub-uddin Aibak.

Away from Dargah Sharif, Soniji Ki Nasiyan is a Jain temple built in mid 19^th century with a magnificent red coloured entrance gate. Beyond the entrance gate is a tall mahastambha and then it leads to the inner sanctum of the temple with numerous sculptures of various Jain thirthankaras. The temple also houses a model of the Jain concept of universe made of gold. The numerous miniature models of palaces, chariots, animals and human figures from Jainism look quite impressive.

Ana Sagar is a large lake at the centre of Ajmer which is a major attraction. The 12^th century water body is engulfed by Aravalli hills and offers lovely views of the surroundings. The lake also has two gardens- Daulat Bagh and Subash bagh along its banks. A bit away is another artificial water body, Foy Sagar which was built in late 19^th century, which too has a beautiful backdrop of the hills.

Taragarh fort which is a hill fort was built by Chauhan dynasty overlooks the town of Ajmer and is one of the other attractions with its majestic views.  Though the display isn’t very impressive, Akbari fort and museum is a gorgeous structure built in typical mughal architecture by Akbar, and is well worth a visit while in Ajmer.

Travel Tips:

• The Dargah is open from 5 AM to 3 PM and from 4 PM to 9.30 PM everyday.
• Cameras and bags aren’t allowed inside the Dargah complex.
• Vehicles have to be parked outside the Delhi gate and visitors have to walk to the shrine. 
• Non- Jains aren't allowed inside the main shrine of Soniji Ki Nasiyan. However, they have a separate entrance.

How to reach Ajmer:

Ajmer is 131 Kms from Jaipur and 15 Kms from Pushkar. The nearest major airport is in Jaipur. Ajmer railway station is well connected to Jaipur, New Delhi and Ahmedabad with frequent trains.

Food and Accommodation in Ajmer:

There are numerous food stalls near the Dargah, some of which serve delicious biriyani. There are also numerous restaurants outside this area. Ajmer has a wide range of hotels catering to various budgets.