It is about time we give Selangor the tourism shoutout it deserved through our exclusive interview with Y. B. Datuk Abdul Rashid on Selangor Tourism's initiatives and plans for the state. Also featured is our first collaboration with Lokalocal in a humble home dining experience for a different kind of dinner! May Kandy, Sri Lanka or Moyo Island in Indonesia spark some travel inspirations in you.
SEPTEMBER 2019 | ISSUE 40
WWW.GOASIAPLUS.COM
Selangor’s
Remarkable Feat
EXCLUSIVE
INTERVIEW WITH
Y.B DATUK ABDUL
RASHID BIN
ASARI
RUA DE FELICIDADE, MACAU
MID-AUTUMN FESTIVAL
20
CONTENTS
6 ON THE RADAR
8 OUT & ABOUT
10 TRAVEL
Spotted in Asia:
Rua de Felicidade, Macau
11 INSIGHT
Spicing Up Selangor’s
Alternative Tourism
17 TRAVEL
When Dusk Falls
20 TRAVEL
Mystical Moyo Waterfalls
22 FOOD
Home Dining with Chef Dyllon
24 FOOD FOR TALK
Rice of the East
14 TRAVEL
Kandy, Sri Lanka
16 FYI
World’s Best Airport
PICK-UP POINTS
Read our magazine exclusively in Aerobus airport shuttles or bring home a copy of GOASIAPLUS with
you at these pick-up points below:
GATEWAY@KLIA2
AIRPORT SHOPPING MALL
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KL SENTRAL
KLIA
INFORMATION COUNTER AT
DEPARTURE MAIN TERMINAL
& SATELLITE BUILDING
KLIA2
INFORMATION COUNTER,
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INTERNATIONAL ARRIVAL
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EDITOR’S NOTE
The Petronas Twin Towers may be the most iconic structure for
travellers but how many is aware of the fact that Selangor is a
state that encircles the capital of Malaysia? Home to more than 6
million people, Selangor has aplenty to explore from outdoor adventures
to scenic trips.
Therefore, we are extremely honoured to have Datuk Abdul Rashid,
Chairman of Standing Committees for Cultural and Tourism, Malay
Tradition and Heritage for the State Government of Selangor on board
for this September issue. The astute interview revealed more than
just upcoming plans for tourism in Selangor; it involves in curating an
authentic experience for travellers to the state.
Travel–just like many other things in life–is bound to change in
life. While sightseeing is still predominant in travel, it is observed that
the travel trend is getting more hands-on and engaging–between the
travellers and their surrounding environment. It is also referred as
“experience travel”.
For a taste of local living and culture, check out our first home-dining
experience in Kuala Lumpur from the abode of Chef Dyllon (page 22).
If home-dining haven’t satiate your thirst for local tales, we give you a
glance into the spellbinding Moyo Island in Indonesia on page 20.
With a mooncake in hand, Happy Mid-Autumn Festival!
John So
Publisher
COVER BY
ADOBE STOCK
EDITORIAL TEAM
GROUP HEAD & BRANDS
JOHN SO
GRAPHIC DESIGNER
JAMIE SOO-HOO
SENIOR WRITER
JESSY WONG
PHOTOGRAPHER
RICK CHEAH
CONTRIBUTORS
NG SHEN LEE, FRANCIS YIP,
CHRISTINE CHEAH & FARHAN SYADLI
DIGITAL TEAM
WEB CONTENT
JESSY WONG
EDITORIAL ENQUIRIES
EDITORIAL@PCOMASIA.COM
COMMERCIAL & PARTNERSHIP
JOHN SO
JOHNSO@PCOMASIA.COM
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NEWS
ON THE RADAR
GET UP TO DATE ON THE LATEST HAPPENINGS ON
TRAVEL, HOTEL OPENINGS, FOOD OFFERS AND
TRENDING FASHION AROUND SOUTHEAST ASIA
KUALA LUMPUR INTERNATIONAL
AIRPORT TURNS 21
Malaysia’s busiest travel hub celebrates its
legacy as it looks back to the airport’s historical
milestones and achievements in 21 years. All eyes
are on the amazing architectural display of KLIA’s
original scale model designed by the late Kisho
Kurokawa. Passengers can also walk through the
“Time Tunnel”– an exhibit on KLIA’s milestone
since its inception at the Viewing Deck, Level 5,
Main Terminal Building.
www.klia.com.my
FAMOUS TAIWAN ZI CHAR RESTAURANT AT SUNTEC CITY
Experience Taiwan home-style dining without cracking your budget at The Salted
Plum. Dining options exclusively surrounds Southern-Taiwanese cooking with
the likes of “mee sua with oysters” and braised pork belly. Try their lunch bowls
during busy rush hour and savour their signature zi char and desserts for dinner.
The Salted Plum, 3 Temasek Boulevard, #B1-122A Suntec City Mall, Singapore
(65) 67219398
FERN FOR MALAYSIAN BATIK
A local start-up batik design house,
FERN, preserves the Malaysian art
with their line of innovative and
premium quality batik apparels in
their first flagship store at Bangsar.
FERN’s reintroduction of local batik
artistry is tastefully done in elegance,
luxury and comfort in encouragement
for day to day batik wear.
FERN, UGF-17A, Bangsar Village II,
No.2, Jalan Telawi 1,
Bangsar Baru, Kuala Lumpur
www.fern.gallery
JW MARRIOTT MARQUIS HOTEL IN SHANGHAI
As the new landmark to the Huangpu River, JW Marriott
Marquis Hotel gleams with light and colour against the
city skyline. From the architectural brains of Dubai’s Burj
Khalifa, the hotel prides itself with 515 contemporary
guest rooms and suites that overlooks Shanghai, 4 worldclass
and diverse restaurants and a rooftop garden.
JW Marriott Marquis Hotel, No 988 Puming Road,
Pudong New Area, Shanghai, China
jw-marriott.marriott.com
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EVENTS
OUT & ABOUT
LOOK OUT FOR THE MOST ANTICIPATED EVENTS OF
THE MONTH IN MALAYSIA AND BEYOND
THE GOLDEN MAN EXHIBITION
1 SEPT - 1 OCT
Highlights of the civilisation of Kazakhstan and the cultural heritage
of the people are presented in the special exhibition with the
cooperation of the National Museum of Kazakhstan. The country’s
culture and history are put on display spanning from prehistoric times
to the modern era of its nomadic lifestyle.
Gallery 1, Department of Museums Malaysia,
Jalan Damansara, Tasik Perdana, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
www.malaysia.travel
ANDY LAU
WORLD TOUR
13 - 15 SEPT
One of the Four Heavenly
Kings is to perform a threenight
concert in Kuala
Lumpur after releasing
more than 60 albums since his
showbiz debut in 1981. Andy
Lau’s world tour will be the first
in 8 years for his loyal fans to
hear the legendary cantopop
hits like “The Days We Spent
Together” and “I and the Dream
I’m Pursuing”.
Axiata Arena, Bukit Jalil,
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
www.myticket.asia
ARTBOX MALAYSIA 2019
6 - 8 SEPT & 13 - 15 SEPT
The creative container market was definitely the
buzz of town when it launched last year with its
iconic stacked shipping containers. For their second
year, Artbox takes their inspiration from nostalgic
childhood games and is set to host over 300 booths
with unique retailers across Malaysia, Thailand,
Indonesia and Singapore.
Sunway City Outdoor Open Air Carpark,
Selangor, Malaysia
artbox.my
SHAKESPEARE’S GLOBE 2019
10 - 15 SEPT
Expect not one but a trio of plays
on the themes of refuge and
displacement in “The Comedy of
Errors”, “Pericles”, and “Twelfth
Night”. For 5 days, the company
will take on multiple roles in
portraying Shakespeare’s timeless
tales. You may also sit in for
the “Audience Choice” where
audiences vote for the play they
want to watch in a democratic
theatrical experiment.
Victoria Theatre, Singapore
sistic.com.sg
AI:IA & FRIENDS
14 SEPT
Better known as “Artificially Intelligent Improvaholics Anonymous” (AIIA), the performance
is a rare improvisational comedy that interacts with the audiences. You wouldn’t know what
will happen with the comedic antics between Iedil Putra, Shamaine Othman, Farah Rani, Ashraf
Modee Zain, and Tung Jit Yang in completely unscripted sketches and impromptu show.
The Platform, Menara Ken TTDI, Jalan Burhanuddin Helmi, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
proticket.com.my
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TRAVEL
SPOTTED: ASIA IN FILMS
Rua de Felicidade,
Macau
Text NG SHEN LEE • Photos ADOBE STOCK
For many, the mention of Macau would
conjure up scenes of dashing mega
casinos as glamorous as they are glitzy.
But if one were to look beyond the
region’s booming gambling industry alone,
it’s also one brimming with rich history–
histories of lucrative trade led by Portugese
colonial rule.
As a result, charming streets juxtapose
the high-flying extravagance of this denselypopulated
city. And out of all these streets,
Rua de Felicidade is the most popular.
Rua de Felicidade can be translated to
“Happiness Street.” Travellers come
here to sample a taste of local fare–from
shark fin to congee to wonton noodles.
Traditional almond cookies from the
street’s bakeries make for the ideal
souvenir befitting of its location as well.
With its signature crimson doors
and nostalgic shophouses, the street has
also become a popular spot for photo
opportunities. Much like the heritage lanes
of Penang, Malaysia.
But the “Happiness” in Happiness
Street stems from a seedy past. Up until
the 1960’s, Rua de Felicidade was Macau’s
trademark red-light district. Brothels made
up a good portion of the street, while
gambling reigned and opium was rife.
The street today may not be what
it was in its yesteryears, but it certainly
makes for a spectacular film location
sought after by some of the most
renowned in the trade.
Most recently, Rua de Felicidade made
an appearance in “Now You See Me: The
Second Act”–the 2016 sequel to the heist
thriller film “Now You See Me”. The
Macau-set film also features other prime
locations from the likes of Macao Science
Center and Sands Macao Hotel.
Drawing in the reel a little further back
to the 80’s, Steven Spielberg’s “Indiana
Jones and the Temple of Doom” anchors
off the street’s old oriental charm to
emulate Shanghai in a car chase scene.
This comes as no surprise, as then and
even today, Hollywood filmmakers veer
away from China as a filming location due
to overwhelming restrictions and stringent
guidelines. Instead, Macau and Hong Kong
are opted for in its place.
Other films in Rua de Felicidade’s
arsenal include Hong Kong films “Isabella”
and “2046”, which feature San Va Hotel as
a filming site, transforming Macau’s oldest
guesthouse into something more than just
a temporary accommodation.
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INSIGHT
Spicing Up Selangor’s
Alternative Tourism
GOLFING, EXTREME SPORTS, FRUIT PICKING IN A VALLEY AND AN UPCOMING
ROYAL GALLERY ARE SET TO CHARM MORE TOURISTS TO THE SULTANATE STATE.
Text CHRISTINE CHEAH • Photos SELANGOR TOURISM BOARD & ADOBE STOCK
1
Getting tourists to land in Malaysia’s
richest state was never an issue. After all,
the state is home to the biggest airport
in the country. Making the ever-discerning
tourists contented and happy with the range of
services, products and experiences is Selangor’s
challenge and Chairman of Standing Committees
For Cultural and Tourism, Malay Tradition and
Heritage Selangor Y. B. Datuk Abdul Rashid
Asari has ideas flow to provide tourists with safe,
unique and trendy experiences.
A lawyer by profession, Abdul Rashid stresses
that safety for tourists was of utmost importance,
especially when there are water activities
involved. With Malaysia being one out of two
places in the world with the sky mirror attraction,
tourists have to take a half hour boat ride out to
the Sasaran beach from a fishing village.
“Many of the tour boat operators going to
2
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INSIGHT
3
“The experiences are memorable,
the scenery is breathtaking and the
food is mouth-watering..”
sign indemnity forms. Anything can happen even if
it’s a short boat ride,” said Abdul Rashid who intends
to enforce registration of tour boat operators and
indemnity forms in these few years.
With all new regulations comes resistance
but being the seasoned politician, Abdul Rashid is
confident of stifling the voices of dissent among the
locals who are used to the lax in enforcement.
“We have to protect not only the tourists but
also the boat operators. Yes, they will have to charge
a higher fee because of the cost in getting a license
and all the extra precautions needed to be registered,
but it is for their own good,” said Abdul Rashid in an
interview.
While the sky mirror can be a crowd puller, it
is seasonal and is only accessible for two days in a
month when the tide is low. Golf, on the other hand
can be played all year round in Malaysia’s sunny
tropical weather and that is Abdul Rashid’s latest
game plan.
“Golf tourism is our new package. We engage
with the golf associations, host a tournament here
and we have been receiving good responses from the
overseas participants,” he said.
With 38 golf courses in Selangor and 20 certified
as international standard turfs, Abdul Rashid is
crafting packages for foreign golfers not only to play
but also to savour local cuisines and experience first
class facilities at the hotels.
Aside from the luxurious experiences, golfers
or other tourists could consider having a medical
checkup at an affordable price. A growing industry,
Malaysia’s medical tourism has been thriving in
recent years with 80,000 foreigners seeking medical
treatment in private hospitals in Selangor last year.
According to Abdul Rashid, the private hospitals
in Selangor are popular not just among foreign
tourists but also Malaysians from other states.
“We are among the best in terms of medical
tourism in Malaysia. Our prices are great and people
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INSIGHT
tourism in Malaysia. Our prices are great and people
are happy with the quality of treatment and medical
facilities,” said Abdul Rashid.
For the younger travellers seeking an off-theroad
and nature-like experience, Abdul Rashid
recommends the 1,500-acre fruit valley in Ijok where
the state government planted various kinds of fruits.
Visitors to the fruit valley are allowed to pluck
fruits from the trees and bring it home, perfect for
families with children or as a school excursion.
As for the adrenaline junkies, fret not because
there are extreme sports which covers land, air and
rivers in Selangor. Located in little pocket towns out
of the city area, travellers can go by cab or self-drive
to these places but once there, the experiences are
memorable, the scenery is breathtaking and the food
is mouth-watering.
Abdul Rashid suggests Hulu Selangor because
there is white water rafting and rope swing in the
area. Besides, there is paragliding in Banting and
Hulu Selangor. Hiking trails and paths in Bukit
Cahaya and Bukit Kutu, offer a scenic view of the
Titiwangsa mountain range at the peak in Sekinchan
where sprawling paddy fields makes the town
bright green or golden yellow, tourists can immerse
themselves in long walks in the fields and reward
themselves with seafood thereafter.
With Selangor being a sultanate state, Abdul
Rashid has also been tasked to spruce up the
museums, royal palaces and galleries. The royal
gallery in Klang is being upgraded with a RM1 million
budget and the Shah Alam museum which was closed
for a year, is set to reopen in June 2020 after a RM2.5
million renovation and restoration of artifacts.
“We took over the museum in a deplorable
condition. The artifacts were in a bad shape and the
place could not have been a tourist destination.
“By this September we will be done with the
museum stamp, and hopefully with the new branding
and image, we can attract tourists to understand
Selangor’s history better,” said Abdul Rashid who also
has a textile and paddy museum in the pipeline.
4
1 The popular sky mirror
attraction 2 Y. B. Datuk
Abdul Rashid enjoying golf
3 Delicious seafood spread
in local style 4 White water
rafting in Hulu Selangor
5 Freshly plucked local
rambutan at fruit valley
5
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TRAVEL
ROAD LESS TRAVELLED
Kandy, Sri Lanka
THE AIR OF ROYALTY, HISTORY AND DIVINITY
SURROUNDS THE CAPITAL OF CULTURE IN SRI
LANKA THAT WAS ONCE A DWELLING FOR
THE MIGHTY ANCIENT KINGDOM OF KANDY.
Text JESSY WONG
Photos ADOBE STOCK & OZO KANDY SRI LANKA
HOW TO GET THERE
Coming from Colombo bus station from the main
city would take 4 hours but it is the most economical
option. Otherwise, the train would promise a scenic
journey as it passes through the beautiful terrains of
Sri Lanka. Kandy’s railway is conveniently connected
to other big cities in the country.
WHERE TO EAT
Devon Restaurant & Bakery is a popular eatery to try
their “rice box” that serves basmati rice, chicken or
vegetable curry. More authentic and cheap local food
can be found in Hela Bojun Hala; a traditional food
court in Sri Lanka built to empower rural women. Go
to any tea shops or parlours to enjoy authentic Sri
Lankan tea and recharge in peace.
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WHAT TO DO
The idyllic Kandy Lake beckons a morning stroll
around the waters. This iconic city attraction is built
by the last ruler of the kingdom of Kandy in 1807.
Walking around the lake will also bring you to Sri
Dalada Maligawa (Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic)
that safeguards a tooth relic from Buddha.
Spend some hours at the Royal Botanic Garden; a
place formerly exclusive only to Kandyan royals. The
beautiful garden spans across 60 hectares with over
10,000 trees. If time permits, there are museums
with national exhibits to a tea factory and Buddhism
displays. For the arts and cultural scene, check out
the dancing and drum shows in Kandy.
WHERE TO STAY
OZO Kandy Sri Lanka is just minutes away from the
city’s main attractions; it is no-brainer that travellers
find a resting place in its stylish contemporary
rooms. The 4-star hotel’s rooftop pool also boasts of
an elevated view of the city.
GOOD
to
KNOW
Travellers can
rent and drive
their own Sri
Lankan tuktuk
in the city. Find
out more at
tuktukrental.com
The Sinhalese New
Year is a major
event in Sri Lanka
in mid-April every
year so travelling
during this festive
period can be
challenging.
FYI
World 's Be st Airport
CHANGI AIRPORT IN SINGAPORE IS THE FIRST AIRPORT IN HISTORY THAT IS VOTED “WORLD’S
BEST” FOR SEVEN CONSECUTIVE YEARS ON SKYTRAX WORLD AIRPORT AWARDS. WHETHER
YOU’RE ON A LONG TRANSIT OR VISITING THE COUNTRY ON A HOLIDAY, THESE FUN STOPS
AT CHANGI AIRPORT IS WORTHY AS A DESTINATION OF ITS OWN.
Text JESSY WONG • Photos ADOBE STOCK, CHANGI AIRPORT GROUP & JEWEL CHANGI AIRPORT DEVT.
ROOFTOP POOL
Get away from the crowd and enjoy a
cooling swim at the pool. There is also a
jacuzzi and poolside bar to unwind while
keeping you in plain sight of watching
planes take off from the runway.
Cost | SGD17 (FREE FOR HOTEL GUESTS)
Operating hours | 6AM TO 12AM DAILY
Location | TERMINAL 1, AEROTEL AIRPORT
TRANSIT HOTEL, LEVEL 3, DEPARTURE
TRANSIT HALLS
SHISEIDO FOREST VALLEY
This airport hub is a green indoor
sanctuary for visitors to explore the trails
with wondrous sights, sound, scent and
touch. Set in the heart of the valley is
HSBC Rain Vortex, world’s tallest indoor
waterfall at 40 metres high. The cascade at
night would turn into a spectacular soundand-light
show.
Cost | FREE
Operating hours | 24 HOURS DAILY
Location | JEWEL CHANGI AIRPORT
BUTTERFLY GARDEN
The two-storey alfresco garden feature
a gathering of more than 1,000 tropical
butterflies. There are over 40 different
species of free roaming butterflies in the
lush garden for visitors to observe nature
in a close range.
MOVIE THEATRE
Travellers in transit can wait in leisure
by catching the latest movies for free in
a cinematic setting right at the airport.
The complimentary shows and screenings
schedules can be checked online at
changiairport.com
Cost | FREE
Operating hours | 24 HOURS DAILY
Location | TERMINAL 2 AND 3,
DEPARTURE TRANSIT HALL, LEVEL 3
Cost | FREE
Operating hours | 24 HOURS DAILY
Location | TERMINAL 3, DEPARTURE TRANSIT
HALL, LEVEL 2 & 3
KINETIC RAIN
Part of Changi Airport’s collection of art
and installation, the Kinetic Rain is perhaps
one the most iconic sculpture to ponder
over as the 1,216 bronze droplets dance
through the air to familiar shapes of flight.
Cost | FREE
Operating hours | 24 HOURS DAILY
Location | TERMINAL 1, LEVEL 2
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TRAVEL
When Dusk Falls
DRAWN TOGETHER BY THE SOFT GLOW OF LANTERNS,
FAMILIES REUNITE UNDER THE BRIGHTEST FULL MOON
AT NIGHT FOR A TRADITIONAL MID-AUTUMN FESTIVAL.
Text JESSY WONG • Photos ADOBE STOCK
The moon may be one of the greatest
inspirations for mankind but none celebrates
its shifting spell and luminous fullness
like the East Asian communities. Dancing lights
from a throng of colourful lanterns and multiform
mooncake offerings enhance the cultural soiree for
the Chinese and Vietnamese people.
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TRAVEL
WHEN 13 September 2019
The Mid-Autumn Festival falls on the 15 th of the 8 th
month in the lunar calendar. It is a time where the
moon’s orbit is closest to the earth and would appear
in its fullest and brightest form.
HISTORY
Mid-Autumn Festival is also recognised as the Moon
Festival; the ancient Chinese believe that the moon’s
circulation is related to harvest time. As the moon
changes, so does the season. Prayers for the moon are
held for blessing the harvest of the people.
MYTH
The selfless gesture of Chang’e started the practice of
moon worship. According to Lihui Yang’s “Handbook
of Chinese Mythology” version of the myth, hero Hou
Yi is awarded with the elixir of immortality for his
braveness. The existence of such elixir attracted evil
eyes so to protect her husband’s elixir from falling
into the wrong hands, Chang’e drank it and flew to
the moon. Now, she is known as the lunar deity.
CELEBRATION
Today, Mid-Autumn Festival is a family reunion
besides thanksgiving to the moon. The festival is
celebrated in various ways across different cultures
but the main hallmarks of the celebration are still
mooncake eating and lighting lanterns.
Mooncake is a symbolic pastry of the festival; the
round-shaped mooncake signifies reunion and the
coming together of a family. On the days leading up
to the festival, the gifting of mooncakes is common
between family and friends as a thoughtful custom
that implies unity and remembrance.
Mooncakes are mostly store-bought and shared
on the night of reunion whereas elderly in some
families still prefer to practice the tradition of
making mooncakes at home.
The joyous night is further illuminated with
lanterns. For a night, children get to fetch their own
lanterns and participate in a lantern parade around
the vicinity. Lit using candles, paper lantern with
fan folding is a traditional craft for the festival–
one that is slowly replaced with modern electrical
battery-powered lanterns for safety purposes. The
significance of the lantern perhaps serves a more
practical purpose for the festival, for lighting the path
and scenery for a reunion to appreciate the beauty of
the moon when dusk falls.
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TRAVEL
MOONCAKE
FRENZY
The sweet round
pastries have a thin
crust and stuffed
with a dense filling
commonly made from
red bean or lotus seed
paste. Needless to
say, the most popular
mooncake has the
yolk of a salted duck
egg in the middle–
resembling the full
moon. To each their
own style, mooncake
differs across different
regions and countries
but over time,
mooncake flavours
have diversified from
its traditional golden
crust to “snow skin
mooncake” and exotic
fillings such as durian
and cream cheese,
thanks to the booming
mooncake industry.
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TRAVEL
1
Mystical Moyo Waterfalls
THE LATE PRINCESS DIANA ONCE TOOK A RETREAT TO A WATERFALL AFTER HER DIVORCE. SHE WAS
AMONG THE CELEBRITIES LIKE MICK JAGGER, DAVID BECKHAM AND RAIN WHO SOUGHT SOLACE
AND PEACE OF MIND AT THE MYSTICAL MATA JITU WATERFALL IN MOYO ISLAND, INDONESIA.
Text FRANCIS YIP • Photos FRANCIS YIP & FARHAN SYADLI
Moyo Island is located in the West
Nusa Tenggara province and
off the north coast of Sumbawa
Island. The island is mostly inhabited
and has only 1,000 people. It is blessed
with over 80 species of birds, wild boars,
deer, flying fox, 21 bat species and the
enchanting Mata Jitu Waterfall and Diwu
M’bai Waterfall.
MATA JITU: THE QUEEN WATERFALL
My last visit to a waterfall was more than
thirty years ago. So you can picture how
easily I was to be spellbound by the beauty
of Mata Jitu Waterfall. The sights and
sounds of splashing turquoise water, calm
ripples, rich flora and fauna and fluttering of
butterflies made me savour my few hours of
calm respite here.
Mata Jitu Waterfall is called the Queen
Waterfall by the locals as a tribute to the
late Princess Diana. The legend says it was
once a paradise for the Malay Sultan and
his princesses to bathe and rejuvenate their
body, mind and soul. They believed the
water was an elixir of life and could help
them stay young.
There are three main terraces created
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TRAVEL
2
1 Mata Jitu Waterfall 2 Bright
red and orange sky as seen
from Moyo Island 3 Diwu M'bai
Waterfall 4 A daring man swinging
to dive into the deep waters
3 4
from thousand years of limestone
sediment. I took a dip in the water and
found it so beguiling. Above all, the water
made me feel rejuvenated like having a
natural skin detox.
Mata Jitu means sharp eyes. It was
named after the belief that the waterfall
had a guardian spirit in the past. When
sunlight shone on the caves, it formed a
pair of mystical eyes.
“The local community also believe the
butterflies here are the spirit of the late
Princess Diana to look after the waterfall,”
according to Ario Gundala, Director of PT
Highland Adventure.
a deep cave beneath the water which was
once home to a mystical huge crocodile–the
guardian of the waterfall.
Here, a strong rope hanging on an
old tree top is the main catch. Locals and
tourists alike love to swing on the rope and
dive into the pool which is about six-metre
deep from the top. It is quite a challenging
dive and I don’t dare to even hold the rope.
But the bold and daring will surely love this
Tarzan-styled adventure.
The villagers believe in another story
about a Lost Village in Moyo Island; they
hope that in their quest to hunt for herbs,
honey and wildlife, they will come across
this lost village. To them, it is good luck if
the Lost Village is found.
EVENT ON MOYO ISLAND
Wonderful Moyo Festival 2019 will be
happening from 9-16 September 2019.
This festival is part of the 100 Wonderful
Indonesia events by Indonesia’s Ministry
of Tourism. It features lots of cultural and
sports activities including horse racing,
buffalo racing, cultural parade, local fashion
on the streets, fishing tournaments, local
crafts shows, water sports and etc.
DIWU M’BAI: THE CROCODILE
WATERFALL
My next stop was Diwu M’Bai Waterfall, a
15-minute motorbike ride from Mata Jitu
Waterfall. Diwu M’Bai means crocodile
pool. It is believed by the villagers that
the waterfall is steeped in legend. It has
GETTING THERE
Kuala Lumpur to Lombok
Lombok to Sumbawa
Sumbawa to Moyo Island
Moyo Jetty to Mata Jitu Waterfall
Moyo Jetty to Diwu M’bai Waterfall
3 hours 15 minutes by AirAsia
20 minutes by Wings Air or Garuda Indonesia
45 minutes by boat
25 minutes by motorbike
15 minutes by motorbike
WWW.GOASIAPLUS.COM · 21
FOOD
Check out lokalocal.com for more experiences, tours and workshops in Malaysia!
Home Dining with Chef Dyllon
THE SRI LANKAN CHEF JOINS KUALA LUMPUR’S PRIVATE
HOME DINING SCENE WITH HIS SERIOUS GASTRONOMIC
HERITAGE AND STRONG MALAYSIAN INFLUENCES.
Text & photos JESSY WONG
Dining in the home of an unfamiliar
person may be daunting if it was
suggested 5 years ago but now, diners
are looking for new dining experiences–one
that involves an authentic dinner in a new
social environment.
Within reach, home restaurants are
starting to trend up among the community
that is built around food. Strangers can
dine as friends and as Chef Dyllon has put
it, “food is universal” in connecting people
around the dining table.
Therefore, Dyllon’s Kitchen is more than
just a casual dining session. Taking a home
route, it is an opportunity for Chef Dyllon to
prepare his guests to embark on a creative
cross-culture phenomenon like no other.
HEALTHY FUSION FOOD
Would you believe it if I said it was
a completely oil-free home-cooked
five course dinner? Chef Dyllon’s take
on a healthier cuisine completely
knocked my socks off–especially
when both Sri Lankan and Malay food
are predominantly oily in nature.
Malay Sri Lanka fusion dining is
Chef Dyllon’s way of presenting an
alternative cooking method that uses
no oil and brown sugar on cultural
foods without compromising their
vibrant flavours. As he explained,
understanding the science behind
food preparation helps him to
advocate healthier eating.
Recipe like chicken rendang is cooked
using the naturally-sourced oil from
the meat; pop it in the pressure cooker
until the chicken fibres break up and oil
come to the fore. Although I was initially
skeptical for the “oil-less” mutton curry, I
had to say I was definitely surprised. The
all-rounded rich flavour is well-captured
by Chef Dyllon who uses a pressure cooker
to simmer the mutton curry.
With that said, the chicken sausage
pastry appetizers are healthy homemade
sausage sauteed with herbs. If some are
overwhelmed with a five course meal,
there are breaks in between each serving
so you may even chat with Chef Dyllon to
get some cooking tips.
22 · WWW.GOASIAPLUS.COM
FOOD
STAR OF THE EVENING
While most chefs in restaurants labour
behind the doors at the kitchen, the concept
of home dining actively engages the chef
with his guests; he can acknowledge how
his diners respond and gain ideas from the
interactive experience.
Chef Dyllon is the real star for earnestly
waiting to ask for a genuine feedback on his
new recipes as we dive into our guilt-free
meal at each course. Dyllon only started to
become a professional cook on Sri Lanka
cuisine in 2014–a far cry from his deejay
stint back in Sri Lanka. After his crosscultural
marriage to his lovely Malaysian
wife, he slowly picked up the basics of
Malay cuisine from his late mother-in-law.
“There was a language barrier between
me and my mother-in-law because I don’t
speak Kelantanese but, food is universal
and we bonded through that. Whenever she
made something, I in return would cook up
another dish to eat it with. It was a natural
thing for us–like yin and yang.”
That was how Chef Dyllon gained the
idea for his two cultures in one dinner
setting. Now, together with the assistance
of his sister-in-law, Bibi Aishah, the Malay
Sri Lankan Fusion Dining takes its final
shape and flavour across cultures.
For his upcoming work, Chef Dyllon
is experimenting on reducing curry spices
for a richer flavour or if you are a chilli
lokalocal.com/profile/2569/
@dyllonskitchen.x.ceylon2u
Malay Sri Lankan Fusion Dining Menu
Chicken Sausage Popiah and Chicken Sausage Pastries
Sri Lankan Coconut Roti served with Udang Tiga Rasa
Roti Jala served with Chicken Rendang
Claypot Briyani served with Pressure-cooked Mutton and Acar
Mango Sago
Organic Ceylon Black Tea
lover like him, keep an eye out as he
is anticipating to create a chilli dinner
party menu!
WWW.GOASIAPLUS.COM · 23
TALES ON TRACK
FOOD FOR TALK
Rice of the East
Text FRANCIS YIP • Photos ADOBE STOCK
I
am not a big fan of rice. If I can, I will
always choose noodles over rice. But
there are certain rice dishes that I love
such as Nasi Kandar and Nasi Lemak.
These two dishes are commonly popular
in this country however, the east of
peninsula Malaysia showcase a different
art of rice making. The next time you want
to go Kelantan or Terengganu, remember
to sample these regional rice dishes.
NASI KERABU (HERBAL RICE)
I love this visually appealing blue rice.
Apparently, the blue colour is the result
of cooking rice with the petals of butterfly
pea flowers. Nasi Kerabu has strong Thai
influences and is commonly found in
Kelantan.
Apart from blue, some Nasi Kerabu
is also prepared in plain white, yellow
(turmeric) and green (pandan). The
word, “Kerabu” in Malay is what the Thai
would refer to as mango som tam. The
dish normally comes with the rice, herb
salad (kerabu), coconut, fish, spicy sambal
sauce, salted egg, fried fish or chicken, fish
cracker and stuffed green chillies.
My verdict: Rest assured, a taste that will
chase your blues away.
NASI DAGANG (TRADER’S RICE)
Nasi Dagang is steamed rice in coconut
milk, fenugreek seeds and lemongrass
to make it fragrant. This rice dish is
well-known in the east coast especially
Terengganu and Kelantan.
However, there is a distinct difference.
The Terengganu version uses ordinary
white rice but the Kelantanese one uses a
little glutinous rice and wild purplish rice.
They are normally served with tuna curry,
pickles and other assortments.
It is believed that Nasi Dagang has
Malay, Thai and Indian influences and
popular among the traders in the olden
days. I used to come across this dish being
served during festive seasons especially
during Ramadan.
My verdict: If traders love it, why not us?
NASI MINYAK (GHEE RICE)
Nasi minyak or ghee-cooked rice is
considered as a ceremonial dish and often
served in Malay wedding reception and
special occasions. Believed to be originated
from Sumatera, Nasi Minyak is a common
breakfast dish in Terengganu.
Nasi Minyak is easy to prepare. Just
spices, herbs and ghee. You can also easily
find it in night market and buy the readyto-cook
pack in grocery stores. Whatever
it is, the taste and aroma of Nasi Minyak is
best served with curry, spicy fried chicken,
sambal and other servings.
My verdict: The smooth taste is irresistible
on the tongue.
24 · WWW.GOASIAPLUS.COM
FRANCIS YIP loves to eat and will always go find the best food in every nook and cranny. He is passionate to share his food journey and
may spark a storm in the teacup too. After all, no food, no life.
www.franciswriter.com franciswriterAd franciswriter
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