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By Sofia Rays
Are you one of those people who need a reason to go on holidays?
Is ancient history, the indigenous people and their way of life
so different from yours not enough to convince you to get on that
flight? Or do you feel that just travelling around a country may
not be as worthwhile as combining it with one of your hobbies while
being there? Well, the Tourism Board of Malaysia has considered
travellers with such 'concerns' and has come up with very interesting
solutions.
Rich in traditions, both cultural and culinary, Malaysia is as colourful
as the people that inhabit it. With a mixture of different peoples
living together harmoniously Malaysia boasts such a high degree
of cultural tolerance that other countries would only dream of.
Since prehistoric times, the Malay Peninsula, which only came to
be known as Malaysia in 1961, has allowed a combination of peoples
to share its soil with the indigenous Malays. The cultures of Indians,
Chinese, Siamese, Indonesians and Arabs that have resided here over
the years have naturally left their mark on the way Malaysia is
today, and that is certainly one of the main reasons tourists flock
in the country.
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However, apart from a desire to experience the mingling of cultures,
with evidence in the forms of temples, mosques, and colonial buildings,
modern tourists will have three distinct reasons to visit Malaysia
this year: Le Tour de Langkawi, Mega Sales Carnival month and the
Petronas Malaysian F1 Grand Prix.
Le Tour de Langkawi, 6-15 February 2004
For those with a love of sprint, Le Tour de Langkawi is a unique
event. Rated as a 2.2 event and with a grueling multi-stage route
of 1.250 km, Le Tour de Langkawi will set off in idyllic Langkawi
and traverse Penang, Perak, Pahang, Kuala Lumpur, Selangor, Negeri
Sembilan, Melaka, Johor before finishing off in Kuala Lumpur. The
tour has attracted famous sprinters in the past, and this year will
be no exception. Two teams are expected to race each other, with
past year's winner participating for the second time this year.
Malaysia Mega Sale Carnival, 6 March - 4 Apr 2004, 7 Aug - 5
Sept 2004, 30 Oct - 2 Jan 2005
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There is no other country where shopping is celebrated as much
as in Malaysia. The Mega Sale Carnival is honoring shopping lovers
and is guaranteed to have you shop till you drop! Not only because
of the discounted prices that will prevail during this time, but
also because of the sheer variety of products available.
The Mega Sale Carnival runs into its fourth year, and the experience
gained during the preceding years is sure to be reflected in the
organization of this year's event, which will be held in urban centres
throughout Malaysia, in shopping complexes and local market alike.
Kuala Lumpur itself presents a wide range of shopping establishments
catering to every taste and budget. These include modern air-conditioned
shopping malls, department stores, handicraft centres, duty-free
shops, bazaars and night markets. The night markets or 'pasar malam',
selling local produce, foodstuffs and clothing, begin their trading
activities in the afternoon.
Just like last year, there will be something for everyone on sale.
Men can enjoy the large variety of sophisticated high tech equipment
and electronics, while the female tourist can indulge in a vast
array of cosmetics, haute couture clothing and those ethnic fabrics
that are just too hard to resist. The discounts do not stop there,
though. Home d?cor items, rattan, wickerwork, silver and pewter
handicrafts will also be on offer, as will wood and stone carvings,
paintings, tapestries and rugs, so you can take with you a piece
of Malaysia.
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Concessions on hotel room rates, discounts on food and beverage
and attractive offers on holiday packages are all geared to attract
even the more choosy, while exciting activities and competitions
have been organized to add that extra celebratory mood to the atmosphere.
Petronas Malaysian F1 Grand Prix, 19 -21 March 2004
Unlike the little kingdom of Monaco that is renowned for the
eponymous race, Malaysia was previously not associated with racing.
Petronas Malaysian F1 Grand Prix, launched for the first time in
1999, however, managed to change that. Used primarily as a tool
to promote Malaysia to the world while jumpstarting the country's
motorsports industry, this event, has managed to capture the world's
attention.
Formula 1 champions like Michel Schumacher and Eddie Irvine have
not failed to give their audience the edge they expect from an event
such as this. Housed in the Sepang International Circuit, -50 km
from the shopping haven of Kuala Lumpur and a 10 minute drive from
one of the best airports in the world- the F1 Grand Prix is guaranteed
to bring the race closer to you with its ultra modern facilities
and breathtaking architectural design.
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With tickets sold at reasonable prices, racing fans can enjoy a
showcase of thrilling motor racing action and its exciting side
shows. At the ultimate blue ribbon event in the world of motorsports,
fans can smell the burning rubber, entertain their eyes to the skills
and maneuvers of the world's fastest drivers in their beautiful,
sleek cars and their ears to the roaring sound of the F1 machines.
If shopping, cycling or the excitement and buzz of a racing event
is what you are looking for, then combining any of these events
with a stay in one of Asia's multi-cultural capitals will definitely
make your holiday all the more worthwhile.
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