Legoland, Johor

Legoland Malaysia was opened on 15th September 2012 in Nusajaya, Iskandar, Johor. A theme park with over 40 different interactive rides, shows and attractions, the Malaysian park is the first Legoland located in Asia.

Located in the southern-most state of Malaysia, Johor, the theme park is just across the Tebrau Straits from Singapore, making it easily accessible to Singaporeans and tourists visiting Singapore.

The Main Entrance to the park is located after you walk through the adjacent Mall of Medini shopping complex.

Tickets can be bought online, or at the park entrance. Adults, which are classified as those aged from 12 to 59, will have to buy tickets at RM140 per head, while children and senior citizens get a cheaper rate of RM110 per head. Adult holders of Malaysian identity cards are offered a further discount of RM110 per head, with children and seniors at RM90 per head; both inclusive of a RM10 meal voucher.

The park is open during the week from 10am to 6pm, although it is normally closed on Wednesdays outside of school holidays. On weekends, school and public holidays there are extended operating hours of 10am to 8pm.

The theme park is divided into seven themed areas of attractions, the centrepiece being Miniland; with the other areas encircling it. The other six areas are The Beginning, Lego-Technic, Lego Kingdoms, Imagination, Lego City and Land of Adventure.

You start of course, at The Beginning.

This is where you buy your tickets to enter. Upon entry, you will see the souvenir shops to the left and right called The Big Shop, The Mini Market and The Brick Shop as well as other support facilities. You can find a map of the park here, but save the souvenir shops until later, when you exit the park. There is also a cafe called what else, The Cafe, if you need a quick bite. It may be a good idea to buy bottled water here, as the theme park can get quite hot as there is very little shade, so hydration is important.

Turn left from The Beginning and pass the surau (muslim praying area), into the Lego-Technic Area. The first ride you will see on the left is the Technic Twister, which will basically spin you around while seated in moving cubicles.  On your right is the Aquazone Wave Racers where spectators can trigger water bombs on those partaking of the rides. Prepare to get wet!

The Lego Octopus in front of the Aquazone Wave Racers ride.

Next is Project X, which is a wild 18 metre high ride on a steep switchback track.

The Lego-Technics area is completed with the Lego Mindstorms area, which is a creative workshop where kids can bring robots to life; and the Lego Academy, where you can build educational Lego models. There is also a restaurant called the Robot Kitchen here.

Lego Albert Einstein outside the Robot Academy.

The next area after LEGO Technic is the LEGO Kingdoms. This is a mock Fairytale land, with castles and medieval decorations.

This Lego herald greets you upon entry into LEGO Kingdoms.

The first attraction you come across is the Dragon's Apprentice. This is basically a mini roller coaster for the younger set.

Entrance to the Dragon's Apprentice

This is followed by the Forestmen's Hideout, which is basically a children's playground in the form of a mock tree-house.

Next you will come to a fairy tale castle. This comprises of a castle stage, a restaurant called the Knight's Feast and a souvenir shop called the King's Market.

The castle also serves as the entrance to one of Legoland's main attraction, the roller coaster called The Dragon.

Two other attractions in the LEGO Kingdoms is the high speed carousel called the Merlin's Challenge and the Royal Joust, where the kids can ride on a jousting Lego horse around a track.

The next area is simply called Imagination. The attractions here include Kids Power Tower, Build-and-Test, the Observation Tower, LEGO Studio 4-D, Duplo Playtown and Duplo Express.

Kids Power Tower, where you prove your strength.

Build-and-Test, a creativity corner for kids.

The Observation Tower allows you to go up and view the entire Legoland theme park from up high.

View of LEGO Kingdoms from the Observation Tower.

The next area in the circuit is The Land of Adventure. The attractions here are the Beetle Bounce, the Lost Kingdom, Pharaoh's Revenge and Dino Island.

Prepare to get wet on Dino Island!

Next is Lego City where you have city based attractions like Lego City Airport, Rescue Academy, Lego City Stage, Boating School, Driving School, Junior Driving School, the Shipyard and Legoland Express.

The Legoland City Stage has interactive shows.

Rescue Academy where you can race to put out fires or catch thieves.

Legoland Express is the train station where you catch the train for a ride around Lego City and Miniland.

Legoland train.

Driving School, where kids can learn to drive.

Radio-controlled boats at one corner of the Boating School.

Finally the last area located right in the centre of the park is Miniland, which is the main attraction of Legoland. This is where there are mini reproductions of buildings from all over the region, all painstakingly built in lego.

The Putrajaya miniature model with the "Pink Mosque".

The Old Railway station in Kuala Lumpur.

The Petronas Twin Towers also in KL.

Model of the Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) complete with planes.

The model of the Port of Tanjung Pelepas in Johor.

Miniature of Johor Bahru city.

Model of Singapore.

Angkor Wat.

Wat Arun in Bangkok.

Tanah Lot in Bali.

Sultan Omar Ali mosque in Brunei.

Legoland is a fun day out for families and kids. Just be sure to go on a weekday when there are less people, and be prepared for the hot sun!

Kuala Kemaman, Terengganu

Kemaman is the southern-most district of the east coast state of Terengganu. Sandwiched between Dungun district to the north and Pahang state to the south, Kemaman's administrative capital is Chukai, which means "tax" in Malay. This had probably much to do with Chukai's location at the estuary of the Kemaman river, whereby riverine traffic going upstream would be taxed or levied by those in power.

Indeed Kemaman is believed to have a much earlier history than Chukai itself which was founded in and around the 18th century. As early as the 2nd century B.C., the area was already known as "Kole", as noted by the Greek astrologer Ptolemy on one of his maps. Today the town of Chukai located to the north of the Kemaman river has become a bustling small town whereas Kuala Kemaman south of the river is still more of a fishing village.

Kuala Kemaman is not really a tourist destination, but it is an interesting stop-over if you are on the way to points further north. Approaching from the south along Route 3, take a right turn at the traffic lights after the mosque but before the bridge across the Kemaman river to Chukai town.

The road eventually ends at a T-junction with a coastal road. Turn left and follow it to its end at the Kemaman river estuary. On your right at the mouth of the river is a fish market, where the local fisherman sell their catch. Take a look at the fresh fish, just off the fishermen's boat or snap a few photographs.

Looking across to the other side of the river mouth, you will see a small beach area. This is Telaga Simpul, where there is an old well as recorded in the annals of the famous Malay traveller Munshi Abdullah.

Get back in your car and follow the small road that follows the Kemaman river a short way upstream. You will see row after row of timber jetties where the local fishermen tie down their boats after fishing. The whole effect is rather picturesque.

Eventually the road ends at a gravel road where the mangrove trees meet the river. Turn back and head back to the T-junction where you came from. 

All along the road you will notice small roadside malay gerai (stalls) selling traditional snacks mostly made from seafood produce. Stop your car to sample some of these Kemaman specialties.

Keropok Lekor is an east coast specialty. Keropok is the malay word for "crackers" and keropok lekor is made from fish meat mixed with salt, sago flour and other ingredients and hand rolled into sausage form 6" to 10" long and immediately cooked. It is best eaten piping hot and dipped into chili sauce.There are two ways to cook keropok lekor, boiled or deep fried. If you are new to eating keropok lekor, go for the deep fried version, as the boiled one can be more fishy tasting and more of an acquired taste!

Keropok Keping is another type of crackers which is made from thinly slicing the fish sausage and drying the slices under the sun. This makes it last longer, and all you need to do is deep fry it before eating it hot. Unlike the chewy keropok lekor, keropok keping is crispy and makes a great afternoon snack.

Otak otak which actually means "brains" in english, may not have an appealing name, but rest assured you are not actually eating brains! The Kemaman version is made from fish slices which are ground and marinated in thickly coated spices, shallots, onions, ginger, chillies and wrapped in banana leaves. It is then grilled over a slow charcoal fire.

Satar is somewhar similar to otak-otak in being a concoction of fish, shallots, chillies and ginger. The difference is coconut is also added before it is shaped into a cone, wrapped in banana leaves, skewered with a stick before grilling over a charcoal fire.

Otak-Otak in the foreground, and Satar in the background.

Keropok keping (top-left), Goreng Pisang i.e. banana fritters (top-right), Satar (bottom right) and Keropok Lekor (bottom left).

Buy some of the local snacks and take it with you to nearby Teluk Mak Nik to eat on the beach. For some strange reason Teluk Mak Nik had been translated into English as Monica Bay. Who is this Monica or Mak Nik, you say? No idea!

From March to October, green turtles have been known to come ashore at night to lay their eggs on this beach.

Surprising Kemaman!