Kenko fish spa

To those looking for a 'unique' experience, look no further than having a fish spa right in the middle of the city!

Some of you may think of your loved cat or dog, being sent off for a grooming and pampering… but what the hell do you do with a fish???

Well, actually the spa is for you, the fish… the enablers. Rather than a sweet lady plying you with oils and massaging it into your back, you get hundreds of fish swarming around your feet nibbling on the dead skin cells.

Head over to Kenko fish spa in Pavillion (a shopping mall in KL) if you wanted a good clean, professional experience. It'll cost you ~RM38 for 30 minutes in the pond (prices may differ by location). You head in, wash your feet in the designated area, then head over to the pool area, and dip your feet in.

(Step 1: Get yourself a corner to sit down in)

(Step 2 : Build the courage to immerse your legs in)

Then watch as the fish come swarming right around your legs and start nibbling you. Tip: the smaller ones are a lot less weird feeling then the bigger ones. The bigger one makes you feel like you're being sucker kissed.

(Step 3 : Slowly lower feet into the pool)

It may take a while to get used to, or as in the case of my friend – never.

I know it might be a weird concept, and I have heard that some countries try to ban it due to 'animal cruelty', but the fish here are also fed other (more normal fish food) at night.

(Step 4 : TRY to relax as all the fish swarm your legs)

I always get my overseas friends to try this out (well, this and the durian) because I must say, it's a lot of fun to hear the squeals of disbelief and ticklishness!

Kenko Fish spa

Melaka revisited

After three years I decided it was time again to drop by Melaka. Well, that and the fact that my old college friends were in town for a few days and I thought it would be nice to do a quick day trip over the weekend

A.m : Total driving time – ~1.5 – 2 hours in my slow and steady pace

We arrived by mid-morning given we had taken our time leaving the city. Looking back, it wasn't the biggest issue especially if you don't have as much issue with driving back at night (I have some issues with driving in the dark). So as soon as we got there and parked our car on Jonker street (I would recommend parking your car at the car parks right at the beginning of the historical area, it's a small road with dark red / rust colored buildings behind it, doubt you can miss it – more on this later).

(Famous Chicken rice balls)

We started with a lunch of chicken rice balls given it is what Melaka is known for. Well that, and cendol (shaved ice with coconut milk and rice flour). Its essentially your typical chicken rice fare, but with the rice made into small balls (chicken served on the side). Its one of my favorite dishes if for nothing else because of their delicious sweet spicy chilli (I am drooling revisiting this). You can find chicken rice ball restaurants pretty much in a few different locations in Melaka, but I liked this one for its authentic and historical ambience as well. Best to sit outside to enjoy the view of people walking by.

(Epitaphs inside St. Paul's church)

(Along the Stadthuys)

After that, we walked around a bit and headed to St. Paul's church and A'Famosa fort. Malaysia doesn't have a lot of historical buildings left, so these ones are very much cherished and protected and even more so after Melaka got its UNESCO heritage status. We headed out of Jonker towards Christ Church. You cant miss it with all the rickshaws parked here and the red buildings and all the stalls. Right behind it is the way up to St. Paul's church which is perched on top of the hill. If you walk through the church area, its not as taxing a climb as it would be if you had walked from the front (A'Famosa entrance). The church itself is really pretty, and I love the old epitaphs that you can find there. Unfortunately the street vendors have started infiltrating the inside and have set out mats of their wares. It was ok when it was just on the outside, but ruining the feel of the church by selling inside… I do hope the Melaka council will take some action on this.

(Rickshaw riding in front of A'famosa)

We then headed down to A'Famosa fort and hailed a rickshaw to bring us around the old part of town. The prices are regulated here, but you really need to watch out for the exact timing. Agree beforehand on what time it is, and what time the tour should end (typically RM40 for an hour). My trip was definitely shorter than the 30 minutes he had claimed, but as it was the fasting month and they were fasting I didn't argue much.

(Along Jonker street)

Back in the Jonker area we took a nice slow stroll along the different rows of shoplots. Visited the Peranakan house (of the Baba Nyonya ethnic group – denoting Chinese migrants who emigrated and adopted the Malay culture and way of living back in the 18th century). The house is gorgeous and huge, built usually to fit ~5 full families. Typically it has the entrance area, followed by an indoor courtyard, the middle area followed by a second!! courtyard. Absolutely gorgeous. You can still find Peranakan style buildings in KL, but unfortunately not much, and they're mostly in poor conditions. We also checked out the Geographer's cafe, nicely located in the middle of busy Jonker.

(Harmony street - Indian temple, Muslim mosque and Chinese temple all on one street)

We walked around and into the Orang Utan house – shop selling local t-shirts and struck up a conversation with the manager there who informed us that if we had parked our car on Jonker we better move it soon since the streets start closing up at around 6:00 p.m. for the night market. The sellers take up the parking spots and if your car is there, you may not be able to get out until the market is over at around midnight. So, we quickly moved our car away to another parking spot and walked back along Ironsmith street (Jalan Tokong Besi), or also known as Harmony street. Its much quieter here and known as Harmony street due to the fact that there are three religious sites located along this street, an Indian temple, a Muslim mosque, and a Chinese temple.

(The start of the food market)

(Selling fresh sugar cane juice)

We then headed along the night market (6-midnight on Friday, Sat and Sun) and my friends had a ball checking out all the different foodstuff for sale, including a 16 inch potato tornado and otak otak (literally means brains–brains but actually made out of grounded fish. No brains here)

(The variety of food you can find along Jonker's night market)

(Night market along Jonker)

After our gastronomical feast and slight exercise, we headed back into the city for our next brand new day.

Melaka drive – very easy, all you have to do is get on the North-South highway heading towards Johor and you should see signs for Melaka; its located ~150km outside of KL. Essentially it is ONE straight road the entire way, even after you exit to Melaka (exit at Ayer Keroh) its pretty much one main street right into the town.

Bon Odori - July 2011

The Bon Odori has been a recurring event in Malaysia for 35 years now. Celebrated as a custom to honor the deceased, in Malaysia it is symbolized with a lot of people dressed up in their Japanese best and dancing in a circle around the stage.

For a few years now, it has been organized at the Panasonic stadium in Shah Alam. Getting there was quite easy, trying to find a parking spot when you're already late on the other hand… well, luckily they had a few people showing the drivers to designated parking areas, but come to late and you could end up like me, walking almost 20 minutes to get to your car. Other alternatives include taking a train and then a feeder bus to the event. But in most of my experiences, Ive come to realize that taking a feeder bus to any location is pretty easy. It's the trying to find your way back that's always a lot more difficult.

(The main stage)

(There will be people on the stage leading the dance)

(Hold hands and form a circle)
Once you get there, you will see a small stage in the middle of the field. There would be a group of drummers working out the beat, and a group of dancers surrounding them. The dancers are quite young (mostly high school kids I presume) and are decked out in their kimonos. They help lead the dance movements. The movements themselves are quite simple, and they do two repeat rounds per song. As a participant, you just join the crowd at the bottom surrounding the stage, and follow the steps of the onstage dancers. Typically you also end up moving in a circle.

(A cute young one runs by)

It is quite fun to watch and to participate. A lot of people come dressed in their kimonos (even the headscarf wearing ladies) and the young kids. Everyone has a good time and gamely links up to perfect strangers for the dance. As for the dance, joining it will put a smile on your face and good exercise on your legs.


(Dancing around the stage)

For those who may not be as interested in the dancing, there is also an entire back area where they sell Japanese goods. Mostly involving food, drinks and snacks, it's easy to find sushi, bento boxes and Japanese ice cream here. You could also bring a mat, buy some food and have a picnic on the field, watching the Odori dances.

For those who missed this years event and would like to join next years event, its usually held on 16th of July (or that weekend). Good fun if you would like to try it at least once in your life.

Rainforest Music Festival

Its been a few weeks since I went, but with my moving out of my apartment and back in with my parents, and workshops to manage and work and all, well I didnt get around to it as quickly as I would have liked.

(Inside the Sarawak cultural village)

The Rainforest Music Festival is an annual event held in Kuching, Sarawak, or more precisely, at the foot of Mt. Santubong where the Sarawak cultural village is. Its a weekend long event bringing together musicians from around the world. And to manage expectations, its like a hippiefied Woodstock, but minus the drugs and free loving. I want to say minus the drinking too, but u can deff get some beers there and glasses of wine to enjoy the show. How chic!

The performers are all world music band members/ performers. They really do make you think about the different sounds around the world and how there is a rythm in everything. Re: the Leweton Women's Water Music, which had the women performing in the river, splashing water rhytmically.

(The Leweton Womens Water Music, with food and drink tents in the background)

(More river music)

Music workshops are held throughout the day. Three sessions per day, each lasting ~40min - an hour. The workshops are held in three different locations in the cultural village. I went over for the Voices in Harmony workshop which was located in the Iban longhouse. They typically split up the performers to form different groups to lead the workshops. Mine had all the singers, and all the percussionist had gone to another location.

(Percussion workshop)

(Feel the love in the longhouse)

It was magical being in the longhouse, hearing the singing, and having everyone sing along. We all sang Guantanamera, and Amazing Grace and u could feel the chills up your spine with all that loving going around.

(Food, drinks and random activities)

(Cut your hair while youre at it)

A concert is held every evening as well. So we hung around in the cultural village post workshops. Grabbed some dinner (LOTS of tents with food, drinks, even coffee!) for sale. Was a real festive atmosphere. To really enjoy the concert I recommend you bring a folding chair, or be ready to just sit on the rocky ground. They alternate stages throughout the night so that one can be prepared while the other is being performed on. I would recommend finding just the right location so that you can enjoy both.

(Rainforest music festival - rock on!)

It is surreal being at the foot of a mountain, surrounded by rainforest, with beautiful music, and people shouting "LOVE! PEACE! RESPECT MOTHER NATURE". Will deff come back again next year, and bring my dad with me this time (since it turns out its not super crazy)

So, some things to note:

1. It gets VERY hot during the day, so be prepared for that and the sweat. Evenings are quite decent. I was in shorts and a short sleeve top and was fine


2. Buy tickets in advance. They only sell 8,000 tickets per day. U can buy the full weekend pass, or just a day pass


3. Book hotels in advance - Kuching gets booked out solid throughout the festival


4. Bring a chair, but u can buy water inside. Not super ex, like RM2 per bottle


5. There are shuttle busses, but they can be a little unreliable - hence, my missing the second workshop because the bus spent most of its time, waiting. Alternatively you can also get a cab there (not so cheap though)


6. Do go to Semenggoh rehab center while youre in Kuching. Its the perfect time! As it isnt fruiting season, the Orang Utans tend to come down to the feeding station. The first time I went, it was fruit season, so they didnt come by. This time around, there were seven! surrounding us in the forest (Mom and baby say hi at the entrance)
   

(Big Papa Ritchie decided to show up as well. What a man)

And of course... have fun! chill out, and remember...

Peace. Love. Unity!