Malaysia Travel Guide – where to stay, eat and travel

December 29, 2017 allgudthings 33 Comments

Malaysia, a beautiful and underrated country; has a wide array of unique travel experiences to offer to its visitors. The country boasts of its pristine beaches, amazing Islands, huge national parks and even dense urban jungles. So, there is tons to explore and fun things to do here for every visitor. To know what to do and where to stay in Malaysia, Truly Asia; log on to Traveloka Malaysia. They provide a one-stop amazing, rich experienced Malaysia travel guide.

Stay: Malaysia Travel Guide

There are a number of alternatives for accommodation in Malaysia. One can choose from dorms, hostels, budget or luxury hotels, as per their preferences and pocket. In particular, we suggest book Pangkor Laut resort online that makes for an affordable and great stay with all the facilities and amenities.

So, whether one is planning a trip to the immaculate beaches of Penang or the cosmopolitan chaos of Kuala Lumpur, there is a range of accommodation to suit everyone.

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Food: Malaysia Travel Guide

When in Malaysia, expect to pay about 10-20 MYR for a meal at a mid-range restaurant. If you are on a budget then stick to the local cuisines only. This will help you to understand and get immersed in the traditional food culture of the island Malaysia. Here, the western specialties can disturb your budget for food and grocery. But to be on the safe side just ask the locals where their favorite hawker stalls are, and they will guide you to the best street extravaganza.

Apam Balik - Malaysian Pancakes: Malaysia Travel Guide — Source

Do try out some favorite Malaysian foods like steamed fish curry, oyster omelet, Chinese congee, and the char koaykak. One can also find Chinese, Indian and Malay fare at the island’s numerous hawker centers.

Traveling in Malaysia

One can choose to travel by bus, cabs, trains or ferries. The bus is the cheapest mode and for about an hour it costs in between 5-15 MYR. Even there are long-distance buses and coaches that run within Malaysia. The taxis here are way expensive, and the other good option to explore the country is by trains.

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Best is the different points in Malaysia are well connected with ferries too. Even the luxury cruises run from Singapore. So overall, the country has a good highway network. And out of all transport means, the bus is cheapest.

Shopping: Malaysia Travel Guide

Malaysia Truly Asia will leave your mind boggled with the myriad of shopping varieties in fashion to electronics. Whether one is looking for luxury brands or is into street style, Malaysia can surely please everyone in every sense. There are plenty of famous malls as well as flea markets where one can enjoy and shop at competitive prices.

Petaling Street in kuala Lumpur: Malaysia Travel Guide — Source

Langkawi is good for the duty-free shopping scenario. Some of the best places for shopping consists of Petaling Street, Central Market, Suria KLCC, Pavilion Kuala Lumpur and more.

Tourist activities in Malaysia

There is a lot to do and see in this beautiful country. One can enjoy plenty of adventurous activities such as diving, trekking etc. And here are some of the activities one must try in Malaysia.

Visit the famous Petronas Twin Towers that are impressively 1,500 feet tall. And do walk across the bridge connecting the two towers.
Dive at the Perhentian Islands what are immensely popular with snorkelers and divers.
Explore the Mount Kinabalu National Park and hike the National Park that is well known for its outstanding universal values. Indeed, the Mount Kota Kinabula is the fourth tallest in Southeast Asia.
Visit Sarawak Cultural Village, a living museum that showcases the heritage racial groups in Sarawak comprising of Malays, Chinese, and Indians. %CODE3%
Spot wildlife in Malaysia and you are likely to come across Sumatran Rhinos, Orangutans, Malaysian tigers and Monitor Lizards, which are now endangered animals.
Enjoy Sipadan Island with its crystal-clear waters filled with barracudas, whale sharks, hammerhead sharks, manta rays and hawksbill turtles.

Must visit the Cameron Highlands, covered in lush tea plantations. Learn about the tea production process as you relax with a hot cup of tea.
Discover the Islamic City- Kota Bharu and spend the day there checking out museums, royal palaces, and some back-alley markets.

If we have missed anything do let us know. Please share it with your friends and family for a wonderful vacation.

India, Jammu & Kashmir, Tourism, Travel

Hemis Monastery: Biggest & Wealthiest Gompa in Ladakh

December 22, 2017 allgudthings 27 Comments

When you are in the land of Lamas; how can you miss visiting their abodes. Yes! The monasteries; which are monk’s schools, homes and the place where they take religious vows. Imagine, some of the Lama’s spend their whole lives here. Leh Ladakh; apart from being the land of high passes is also dotted with innumerable ancient Buddhist Monasteries. Each monastery here is an architectural marvel either jutting from the mountain face or on the top. They have deep-rooted Buddhist & Tibetan religious associations. So, the monastery hopping circuit in Leh Ladakh has become an important part of Ladakh Tourism. And here in this post, we will be taking a tour of the biggest & wealthiest Gompa i.e. Hemis Monastery of Ladakh.

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The Hemis Monastery Ladakh

The Hemis Gompa, being the biggest and wealthiest is not simply perching on the mountaintop or on the roadside. It is hidden in the deep gorge, 49 km from Leh, completely encircled in between the mountains. The mountaintop around the gorge is believed to be the place, where the Lord Padmasambhava or Rimpoche had once meditated. Being hidden the Hemis monastery, remained unharmed, unscathed during the wars and became wealthiest of all. And today, it owns more than half of the land in Ladakh.

Also Read: 6 must-visit Leh Ladakh Palaces before they disappear

How to reach Hemis Monastery

From Leh, cross Shey and Thiksey Monastery, further keep driving along the river Indus, towards Manali Leh highway for 39 km till Village Karu. Then cross-river Indus via cantilever bridge and head in between the mountain trails till Village Chushod, which is almost 10 kilometers. Then cross the green oasis lined with poplar and willow trees and you will see the colorful Hemis Monastery, jutting straight from the mountains.

The colorful stepped Hemis Gompa is surrounded by mustard fields, which adds colors to the surrounding barren mountains. Just near to the monastery is the Hemis high altitude national park which is home to the endangered snow leopard.

Timings

8 am to 1 pm; 2 pm to 6 pm. Lunch timing is between 1-2 pm.

Entry Fee

Rs 50/-

Best Time to visit Hemis

June – September. Hemis festival takes place in between June – July month

History of Hemis Monastery

The Hemis Monastery is quite an ancient institution and has its roots dating back to 11^th century. However, it was re-established in 1630 by the illustrious King Sengge Namgyal who had also built the famous Leh Palace.

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The renovation of the Hemis Gompa was carried by King under the assistance of the famous Tibetan Priest Stag-Tsang-Ras-Pa, the disciple of Drukpa / Drugpa School. So, under the rule of the Namgyal dynasty, the monastery flourished and till the day it is flourishing and is managed by Drukpa Lineage or Red Hat sect of Buddhism.

Inside Hemis Gompa

After purchasing the ticket, climb few stairs and you will see the vibrant colored typical Tibetan Buddhist entrance welcoming you.

Entrance to one of the biggest and wealthiest gompas of Ladakh: Hemis Monastery — Entrance to Hemis Gompa

Remove your shoes and on your left stands the Hemis museum. In the center, there is a huge courtyard where the world famous Hemis festival or mask festival takes place. The long colorful corridors run along the courtyard and in the center are three sacred poles with the fluttering flags. Just don’t stop here as the interiors inside and views from to are really impressive too.

Corridors around courtyard of Hemis Monastery — Corridors around courtyard of Hemis Gompa

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The Hemis Monastery is divided into two – the assembly hall known as Dukhang and the Temple known as Tshogkgang. The main temple where the daily prayers happen houses the huge golden statue of Lord Buddha, sacred Thangkas, and Stupas embedded with precious and semi-precious stones.

Lord Buddha Statue in Hemis Monastery Temple — Lord Buddha Statue in Hemis Monastery

The temple on the first floor houses the large golden statue of Guru Rimpoche. Corridors around the whole complex are decorated with the frescoes or mural paintings depicting the wheel of life, lords of four quarters and the Buddhist prayer wheels.

Lord Padmasambhava Temple in Hemis Monastery — Lord Padmasambhava in Hemis Monastery

The Hemis Museum houses a large collection of historical Buddhist Thangkas, weapons, carriers etc. Inside there is a huge library that has an inspiring collection of Tibetan books, manuscripts, and relics. Just at the ground floor of the museum is a souvenir shop selling various Ladakh magnets, T-shirts, books etc. Photography is completely prohibited inside the museum. Indeed, lockers are provided before entering the museum to keep your valuables safe.

Hemis Monastery Terrace

Before leaving the Monastery complex, climb up to the terrace to get some. mesmerizing views. You will see the stacked Himalayas, enclosing and protecting the monastery from all sides with the green oasis in between.

The temple complex is not only colorful & beautiful from the front end and inside but the top too is artistically crafted with colorful contrasting glass in the window panes.

And the most striking of all is, another Lord Buddha statue mounted on the front hilltop of Hemis Gompa. We really wonder how they might have carried it to that height and how difficult the mounting would had been.

Hemis Festival

The Hemis festival also known as Mask or Cham festival takes place in the Hemis Monastery courtyard; to celebrate the birth anniversary of Lord Padmasambhava. It happens on the 10^th day of Lunar Tibetan Calendar, usually between June – July. The celebration lasts for a complete 3 days.

Hemis festival stirs the complete courtyard with its pageantry. Monks, Nuns, lamas are dressed to perfection wearing heavy brocade gowns with masks. They dance with cymbals, drums, and trumpets portraying the win of good over evil. Everything is colorful during the festival and people rejoice with the local traditional food and drinks. The annual markets are set up around the monastery which sells local goods. The sacred 12-meter long Thangka, largest of all Thangkas in Ladakh is unfurled from the top floor after every 12 years.

Stupas studded with Precious and semi precious stones in the Hemis Monastery Temple — Stupas studded with Precious and semi-precious stones in the Hemis Monastery

Points to Remember

The best season to visit Hemis Gompa is between June – September. If you are planning to be the part of the Hemis festival, then check the exact dates before planning your Leh Ladakh road trip
Hemis Monastery provides accommodation to the guests. The alternate is guesthouses and homestays in the nearby village
Do try lip-smacking fried rice, noodles, Thupkas and some local food at the shack outside monastery
Buy some local handicrafts as souvenirs to take back home
Make sure to respect the monastery culture and avoid photography wherever it is prohibited. Rotate the prayer wheels mounted near the courtyard.
Talk to locals and be part of the celebrations to know more about the local; traditions and culture
Don’t restrict yourself to the courtyard. There are many picturesque locations on the terrace too.
Check the huge golden Buddha statue mounted on the front hilltop. %CODE1%
Monastery houses more than 500 monks. It is one of the largest spiritual and meditative learning centers. So, enthusiasts from all over the world travel here, to learn the basics of Buddhism and practice the life of the monk.

If the Hemis Gompa is an epitome, then the trail leading to the Hemis Monastery is no less. It is a complete adventurous zone. The visit to a monastery is not just about the Cham festival, we say it is equally inviting during all the accessible months. It is a marvelous grandeur steeped in rich history, heritage and mythology. Moreover, the entire aura of the place is spellbinding.
Have you visited Hemis Monastery in Ladakh? Do you feel the same as us?

Other articles you can Check from Leh Ladakh series are:

Leh Ladakh Road trip from Delhi

A walk with Indian soldier at Kargil War Memorial

Nubra Valley: The Valley of Flowers in Ladakh

A day at White Lake Tso Kar in Ladakh

Attractions on the Srinagar Leh Highway

Ladakh-The land of High Passes

All you need to know about Leh Ladakh Inner Line Permit

Story of Gata Loops

Dos and Donts for Ladakh Road Trip

Hemis Monastery: Biggest & Wealthiest Gompa in Ladakh

Sonamarg, Kashmir – The Golden Meadows of India

Bhuttico Kullu Shawls & Accessories – The Gift of Valley

Leh Ladakh Palaces

10 reasons why everyone should travel India

The colored Tibetan Prayer Stones – Mani Stones

India, Tourism, Travel, Uttarakhand

Bhalu Gaad Waterfall near Mukteshwar, Uttarakhand

December 14, 2017 allgudthings 17 Comments

India is a home to some of the magnificent waterfalls. The falls are torrents which can carve, shape or break the rocks, smash the trees and logs coming in between to make the way for gushing water but we still feel they are the most captivating marvels of nature. The sight of the flowing crystal clear water, thundering roaring sound; not only brighten up eyes and soul but makes body relaxed and rejuvenated after the tiring day too. On our recent trip to Mukteshwar town, we visited one such newly discovered, endearing fall known as the Bhalu Gaad waterfall.

The Bhalu Gaad fall is a 60 feet high fall from the undiscovered source. It is a mixture of horseshoe and plunge shaped waterfall. The water flows continuously throughout the year maintaining contact with the rock bed before turning to Plunge at the bottom. Indeed, the waterfall completely turns to plunge shaped when the water flow increases during the rainy season. Being recently discovered it is cleaner & less touristy as compared to other waterfalls of Uttarakhand.

But slowly the Mukteshwar town is gaining attraction, and the fall will enlist in the attractions of Mukteshwar. There is rainbow seen at the bottom of Bhallu Gaad Waterfall, so locals name it a Rainbow waterfall.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BccnDawHaYi/?hl=en&taken-by=suruchimittal

Description

The word Bhalu Gaad comes from two words Bhalu and Gaad where the word Bhalu means Bear and Gaad means stream in the Kumaoni language. So, it is believed to be a good location for Bear sightseeing. But luckily or unluckily we didn’t spot any during our trail walk.

How to reach Bhalu Gaad Waterfall

The Bhalu Gaad waterfall lies 10 kilometers from Mukteshwar town and 5 kilometers from the Club Ten pine lodge Mukteshwar. To reach the falls, drive from town to village Dhari. Park your vehicle in the open area near a roadside shack and from there trek for almost 2 kilometers into the woods.

The hike is a beautiful walk through the dense jungle with continuous ascents, and descents. The river flows along the trail and birds chirp throughout making the whole walk and place idyll. We crossed three streams in between the trek and at the end, there are huge rock boulders, which need to be climbed up and down to touch the natural clear pool filled with chilling water.

The total time to complete one side trek lasts from 45 minutes to an hour.

Tips for Visiting Bhalu Gaad Waterfall

The hike is of an easy level, considering you need to cross the stream and climb rock in between.
Ideally, visit the fall only between sunrises to sunset.
There are no shacks near the fall, which is really good. So, carry your water bottle and snacks along. And remember not to litter around. Bring your wrappers and bottles back, to keep the fall and trails clean.
The guide is available at the shack at Rs. 200/-. Hire him only, if you don’t want to catch the wrong trails and reach the unexplored villages.
Entry to the Bhalu Gaad waterfall is free and the site can be accessed throughout the year.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BcMbUh3hTJc/?hl=en&taken-by=suruchimittal

Overall, the walk to newly discovered Bhalu Gaad waterfall is adventurous and it is a bird lover paradise too. We would have loved camping and watching stars near the fall, provided it was allowed.

If you like Bhalu Gaad Waterfall, please share it with your family and friends.

Mukteshwar Town: The cocktail of calmness & serenity

December 5, 2017 allgudthings 37 Comments

Mukteshwar town, once known as Muktesar (as mentioned in the temple Tiger Book) is a hilltop town and research center developed by Britishers in 1983. It is known for its temples, shrines, IVRI (Indian Veterinary Research Institute), and the newly discovered Bhalu Gaad waterfall. Indeed, the town has its imprints in the books like Man-eater of Kumaon written by Jim Corbett.

Mukteshwar Town: The cocktail of calmness & Serenity

The Hill station Mukteshwar got its name from the 350 years old Lord Shiva, Mukteshwar Temple and it lies at 7500 feet in the Kumaon Hills of Uttarakhand. The place is calm, serene, green, and bountiful just like Binsar but after the visit, we can say it won’t be saved longer from the lures of advancements and commercialization. There are camping sites, homestays, and fancy overprized resorts. Some of these resorts have and will take away the innocence of this quaint settlement. Just hope we are proved wrong here and it remains a hill station instead of becoming hill city!

The valley is completely bounded by fruit orchards and coniferous trees. It gets pregnant in the months of May – July and makes the place look extra colouricious, with a green backdrop.

Also Read: Day Treks worth adding to Nainital Trip

How to Reach Mukteshwar Town

Mukteshwar in Uttarakhand lies 334 kilometers from Delhi and 50 Kms from Nainital. The only way to reach the town is by car or bus. The nearest railway station is at Kathgodam which is about 65 kilometers from Mukteshwar.

We started our journey around 6 am from Delhi and reached by 3. So, one can reach in 8 to 9 hrs via car from Delhi.

Route from Delhi to Mukteshwar

Delhi – Moradabad- Nainital – Muktesshwar

Route from Nainital to Mukteshwar

Nainital – Bhowali – Ramgarh – Mukteshwar

Condition of Roads

Roads are graveled and in excellent condition except for the few bad patches between Rampur and Rudrapur.

Mukteshwar Weather

Despite lying at low altitude, the hill station Mukteshwar escapes from the harsh heat waves as compared to other low lying towns and cities. The weather is pleasant in summers whereas winters are pretty cold and some years the valley too get snow-covered in months of December and January. Heavy Rainfalls occur between June – September.

Expected Mukteshwar Temperature

The expected temperature from December to February is between 1- 12 degrees Celsius, from March to April temperature lies between 5- 20 degrees Celsius. May is the warmest month with temperature varying from 12 – 25 degrees Celsius. June to September temperature lies between 10 to 20 degrees Celsius. September onwards temperature starts dripping and minimum go up to 5 degrees Celsius.

About Mukteshwar

The colonial town perched on the lush hilltop offers unobstructed, 180-degree views of the majestic Himalayan ranges from Nanda Ghunti to Trishul and from sacred Nanda Devi to Panchachuli range. These ranges adorn the quiet town just as the Rhododendron trees adorn the forest trails in Uttarakhand. They are not only majestic but too changes it hues from sunrise to sunset.

Things to do in Mukteshwar Town

Mukteshwar Temple

The centuries-old Mukteshwar Temple perches on the hilltop and offers 360-degree spectacular views of Mukteshwar town. The temple houses white marble Lord Shiva deity in the main sanctum, and wooden pillars with intricate carving circumference the main sanctum. It is believed to be the place where Lord Shiva killed the demon and helped him in attaining salvation.

Mukteshwar Dham was an abode of Saint Mukteshwar and today his disciples reside here. It is an ideal place to meditate and soak in the calmness and beauty of nature.

Chauli Ki Jali /Chauthi Jali

Just opposite to the Mukteshwar Temple, lays an overhanging cliff known as Chauli Ki Jali or Chauthi Jali. In the Kumaoni language, Chauli means rock and Jali mean hole. So, it is a rock with a hole in it. There is an interesting mythological story behind it – The Goddess and demon had a fight at this place. So, the trunk of an elephant, indefinite outlines of swords and shields on the rocks serves as a testimony of the battle.

Apart from this story, there is a Charlatan too linked to Chauthi Jali. Locals believe that if childless women pass through this hole on Maha Shivratri, she is blessed with a child afterward. And women actually attempt this, risking their lives. That is why it is Incredible India.

Hole in Chauli Ki Jali: Mukteshwar Town — Hole in Chauli Ki Jali

One can climb on the edge of the cliff to have a feel of being on the top of the world but it’s equally risky and we advise not to do. The tourism department had put boards everywhere to avoid falls. If adventure is up to your alley and you want to have an adrenaline rush with adventurous activities like rock climbing, then attempt it only under trained supervisors.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BcDBXU2H6b0/?taken-by=suruchimittal

Bhalu Gaad Waterfall

The Bhalu Gaad waterfall is a newly discovered 60 feet high fall, in the Mukteshwar town province. The word Bhalu Gaad comes from two words where Bhalu means Bear and Gaad means stream in the local language. So, the trail is considered to be a good location for Bear sightseeing too. At the bottom of the fall, a rainbow can be seen, so locals have named it a Rainbow waterfall.

The Bhalu Gaad fall lies 10 kilometers from Mukteshwar. Drive from Mukteshwar town to village Dhari, and from here the further trek of 2 kilometers to Bhalu Gaad waterfall starts. The trek is a beautiful walk through dense jungle taking ascents, descents, and crossing streams in between. On the way, one can see beautiful birds chirping and singing. So, it is a bird watchers paradise. At the end of the fall, there are huge rocks that need to be climbed down and up to reach the natural clear water pool.

Bhalu Gaad Waterfall near Mukteshwar Town

Overall, the total time for the trek can be done in 45 minutes to an hour. It is a complete adventure package for 3 -4 hrs. Rest you can pack your food, spend the whole day in the dense jungle exploring the trails.

Sunrise and Sunset

Sunrise and Sunset both lit up the sky in different hues and catching the first and last sun rays falling on the Himalayan ranges will be every traveler’s delight. So, it was on our list to watch both sunrise and sunset while being in Mukteshwar.

Himalayan peaks glowing at Sunrise in Mukteshwar Town

The ideal spot to catch both is Chauli ki Jali and PWD guesthouse in Mukteshwar. We left our hotel, Club ten Pine lodge Mukteshwar at 4:30 in the morning to reach Chauthi Jali. The first light spread at 6:00 am and it colored the sky in the shade of orange. The sky was misty but who could stop it from glowing. With time the clouds kept departing and the Himalayan ranges lifted their veil. The views were just breathtaking and our picture surely cannot do justice to what the actual beauty was.

Similarly, watching the sunset here is like a dream. Slowly the show began, again turning the sky into different shades and sun setting down, giving way to the moon.

Seeing all this at the end of the cliff made me feel how small we are is in front of these mountains. These cliffs only separate us from the horizons and the beauty of nature is beyond all the beauties of the world.

Fruit Orchards

Mukteshwar – Ramgarh belt has earned the title of the Food Bowl of the Kumaon region. Here you can get to enjoy shiny yellow-green pears to bright red apples, delectable peaches, local edible berries, and pomegranates.

Local traditional food

The Mukteshwar town is a heaven for the culinary experience too. Do try smoked mutton, raw mutton snack, Madua chapatti for delightful taste with locals.

Smoked mutton Snack: Mukteshwar Town — Smoked mutton Snack

Also visit the original Choco House, for handcrafted European chocolates, but they are really expensive and variety is available only during the season.

Some Important tips

Start from Delhi early morning to avoid traffic jams on the way.
There are limited restaurants and Dhabas on the way, so do keep some snacks handy.
Mornings and evenings are a bit cold in Mukteshwar, so always carry a sweater or shawl along. And in winter temperature can dip below negative also.
Medical facilities are available in Mukteshwar town but for advanced care, one will have to visit Nainital only (55 kilometers).
Respect local traditions and do try the local traditional food.
Don’t litter around and bring your waste back from the treks and trails.
All network operators run well in Mukteshwar.

So, if you are the one who wants peace and solitude, loves nature and listening to the air gushing through deodar trees, bird watching, and unlimited fresh fruits, then Mukteshwar town in Uttarakhand is the perfect getaway.

P.S: We did this road trip with club ten pine lodge, Mukteshwar. Thanks, Mr. Dheeraj & Mr. Praveen for organizing and showing the beautiful colonial town to AllGudThings.

Do, travel to these places of Uttarakhand too.

Uttarkashi in Uttarakhand

The Beautiful Binsar

Day Treks in Nainital

Harsil- The virgin village of Uttarakhand