Solitude!

Cheng Beng (Qing Ming)

Cheng Beng (or QingMing) observed by Chinese communities worldwide is equivalent of All Souls Day which is a major event in the Chinese calendar and falls on April 5 every year (April 4 if it falls on a leap year)

Cheng Beng refers to a time the Chinese communities go outside and enjoy the greenery and tend to the graves of the departed family members and ancestors. The graves are normally weeded and cleared prior to the date by the caretakers of the graveyard. The relatives praying would before that sweep the tombs, before offering flowers, food (e.g. red buns, roast pig, local sweets, cakes etc.), tea, wine and joss paper accessories. Joss paper accessories comes in all shapes where it is finally burnt together with hell notes and according to legend, burning these items sends these items straight to them.

Some Chinese would place willow branches on their gates or main front door to ward off evil spirits during the Cheng Beng period. It is also believe that the date signify the best time for young couple to start courting.

Besides, it is also believed that we could not call out names while we were in the graveyard because there a belief that the spirits will haunt the person whose name were mentioned.

In Malaysia, the prayers can be done 10 days before or after the actual date and majority of relatives from out of town pay their respects earlier to avoid the crowd on the actual day. The highways leading out of town/city would face heavy traffic including roads leading to the graveyards. It would be a festival like atmosphere during the particular day.

In Melaka, the Jelutong, Ayer Molek and Cheng Chinese burial grounds would face with heavy crowd and most people make their way to the graveyards early in the morning to obtain parking and enjoy the serenity of the calm graveyard environment.

Being a leap year, April 4 falls on a Friday and most family members would look forward to extend their stay outside KL till the weekend. Melaka town is expected to face a convergence of Melaka born heading there to offer their prayers to their deceased family members or ancestors.

Get into the KL F1 Fever in March '08

2008 marks the 10th Anniversary of Malaysia hosting the premier racing event of Formula 1 at the Sepang F1 Circuit. Various month long events have been lined up in Kuala Lumpur (KL) to celebrate this occasion and it will be the F1 fever now. (with the 12th Malaysian General Election fever over)

Events for the occasion are;

1. KL GP Sales – at all major shopping malls in Kuala Lumpur

2. KL Vintage & Classic Cars Concourse
Date : 16th March
Venue : Dataran Merdeka (Independence Square)
Time : 8:00am till noon

3. KLGP City Festival
Date : 21st March
Venue : Bintang Walk

4. ING-KLGP City Bintang Walk Festival
Date : 22nd March
Venue : Bintang Walk
Time : 8:00pm – 11:00pm

5. Speedzone Tour 2008
Date : 22nd March
Venue : KL Tower
Time : 7:00pm onwards

6. Black Circuit Paddock Party – KL hip hop party
Date : 22nd March
Venue : Zouk Club

7. Stylo KL Fashion Festival 2008
Date : 15th-23rd March
Venue : The Pavilion

8. Sunburst KL International Music Festival 2008
Date : 15th March
Venue : Polo Pavilion, Bukit Kiara Equestrian & Country Resort
Time : 2:00pm – 2:00am (16th March)
Admission : RM200 per ticket

These exciting events culminate with the 2nd leg of the 2008 F1 Grand Prix World Championship from 21-23 March 2008 at the Sepang International Circuit (SIC).

Some city hotels are facing acute shortage of rooms and book early as not to miss the fun of the exhilarating F1 fever in Kuala Lumpur. Hotels worth checking out depending on your choice of location to stay are;

(a) Corona Inn
(b) Hotel Fortuna
(c) The Heritage Station Hotel Kuala Lumpur
(d) Wira Hotel
(e) City Park Hotel
(f) Kuala Lumpur International Hotel (KLIH)
(g) Pearl International Hotel
(h) The Summit Hotel Subang USJ
(i) Eastin Hotel (Petaling Jaya)
(j) Dorsett Regency Hotel
(k) Peninsula Residence

12th Malaysian General Elections

On February 13, 2008, the Prime Minister (PM) of Malaysia dissolved the Parliament to make way for the 12th General Election amidst controversy from the opposition which could perhaps gone ahead for the fact that "13" is his favorite number.

As announced by the Election Commission (EC) on Valentine's Day (February 14), the Nomination Day will be on February 24 while the Polling Day will be on Saturday, March 8, 2008. 222 parliamentary seats and 505 state seats will be contested in expected to be a "hot" General Elections which will be contested by 30 political parties registered with EC.

Visitors to Malaysia between now and March 8 would definitely be greeted with the various party flags, posters and banners all over the country. This again provides an air of festivity with a different tone and would be an experience which will next happen after 5 years from now.

Hotels around Malaysia (especially the 2-4 star hotels) are expected to be face higher occupancy during the run up to polling day with 13 days campaigning period given by EC. Melaka, Penang, Kuala Lumpur, Ipoh, Kelantan and Terengganu aer expected to be the focal points for the GE. Some hotels to stay are and make online reservations are;

Kuala Lumpur
(a) City Park Kuala Lumpur
(b) Corona Inn
(c) Hotel Fortuna
(d) Peninsula Residence
(e) Heritage Station Hotel
(f) Pearl International Hotel

Petaling Jaya
(a) Eastin Hotel

Melaka
(a) Malacca Straits Hotel
(b) MITC Ancasa Hotel
(c) Hotel Orkid
(d) City Park Melaka

Ipoh
(a) The Majestic Station Hotel Ipoh

Penang
(a) Century Bay Service Suites

Come and experience the Malaysian election fever!

Intrudu

A day in each year (February 1st), Portuguese Settlement in modern Melaka turns into a "battle" zone. However, it is a safe "war" zone for all to enter with the only condition that you would need to bring spare clothings. The difference in this war is that the event is friendly and a joyous affair.

The event being celebrated is called Intrudu, meaning "Coming Before" in Christao (Kristang as as it known to the local Portuguese). This ancient Portuguese carnival is celebrated by the whole community in the Settlement and is similar to the Loy Krathong festival. Visitors to the Ujong Pasir Setlement on that particular day would be treated the same as the community living in the Settlement.

During the day, everyone runs the risk of being, and often getting, splashed or poured on without immunity. Traditional street dancing takes over in the evening till 12 midnight, as soaked revelers boogie from house to house on into the night.

Visitors will get to experience light refreshments, entertainment and cultural performances from 7:30pm onwards. Traditional street dancing "Branyu Rudia" will be the highlight and visitors are most welcome to join in this joyous dance as soaked revelers boogie right through midnight.

So get your calendars marked for Intrudu 2009 and ready for the splashing time if you have missed it this year.