Online Advertising catching on in Malaysia

Looks like online advertising is expected to play a significant role in Malaysia. Current trends in digital and mobile lifestyles have changed the habits of Malaysian customers as more people go online both for work and leisure.

Big Savings on Hotel Reservations

When it comes to travelling and holidays, everyone has his own preferences. Some of us like everything to be taken care of as in joining a tour group, others may prefer the flexibility of travelling on his own. Each of these has its own merits. Joining a tour group has the advantage of having everything taken care of by the travel agency while travelling on one's own allows for flexibility and allows for taking in more sights and places where conventional tours would not cover.

There's this site I found that offers the lowest hotel rates with great discounts on world wide destinations and some as much as 70% discounts. You can make Hotel Reservations anywhere in the world on this site, from Las Vegas to New York to London to the Middle East to Africa to Asia Pacific and more. If you are not able to find the hotel, you can even call their toll-free number.

They have just about every accommodation anyone is looking for, hotels, motels, resorts, bed & breakfast, even condo rentals. They even have vacation rentals and vacation packages. If you are looking for that golf or spa holiday or even a holiday that involves gambling, they list places and accommodations for them too.


If it's a cruise you are interested in, they can help you make that reservation. Looking into taking a road trip holiday in the U.S.? They have hotels and vacation packages to suit your need.

HotelReservations.com is truly a one-stop holiday shop. Besides hotels, vacation rentals and vacation, you can also book your flight and rent a car for your holiday need. Find out where to go and how to plan your trip with HotelReservations.com's Destination Guides! Get recommendations on attractions, restaurants, and hotels, and up-to-date weather, health tips, and general information for thousands of destinations. Isn't this helpful? With HotelReservations.com, you will be assured of a great holiday.

A little history on a landmark in KL

This building with a hint of Moorish architecture, used to be the Kuala Lumpur Railway Station. It was opened in 1911 but in 2001, its major roles were taken over by KL Sentral. Kuala Lumpur is rich in history and many old buildings reflect her rich past, this being one of them.

Below is a good write-up from The Star on the history of this part of Kuala Lumpur. I am copying it verbatim to archive it here.

A former train hub called Victory Avenue

LARGELY forgotten by the locals, Jalan Sultan Hishamuddin is now famed only for being a must-see tourist spot.

While it was once a busy transportation hub when trains were still the main carriers, it has now become a quaint road that is used by motorists only to get to other busier areas.

Only a handful of people know the personality behind the name. Sultan Hishamuddin Alam Shah was a ruler of Selangor state and was elected the second Seri Paduka Baginda Yang di-Pertuan Agong in 1960. Born on May 13, 1898, Sultan Hishamuddin was one of the privileged few of his day who attended the prestigious Kuala Kangsar Malay College.

He ascended the throne in 1939 and became a prisoner of war during the Japanese occupation in Malaya. After his return from his pilgrimage to Mecca in 1952, he gave up his private residence of Istana Jamaiah in Klang to be used as the first Islamic College in the Federation of Malaya.

The sultan passed away on Sept 1, 1960 after his short reign as King for six months.

The road was previously known as Victory Avenue and was developed by the British government as the train hub for the Federated Malay States.

But perhaps the highlight of the road is the magnificent structures along it.

The beautiful colossal building known as the Kuala Lumpur Railway Station opened in 1911 and was home to Keretapi Tanah Melayu, which connected major states in the country.

The design of the station was incepted by architect A.B. Hubback who incorporated Moorish influences.

One of the steadfast companions of the railway station is Station Hotel, which has been around since the launch of the station. It is now known as Heritage Station Hotel and caters for budget travellers.

The railway station currently serves only commuter trains following the launch of KL Sentral in 2001.

Right opposite the station is the former Majestic Hotel, which has housed the National Art Gallery for the past 23 years. The gallery is well known for avant-garde pieces by both local and foreign artistes.

“There were rumours that during the heyday of the hotel, a guest committed suicide in one of the rooms and that the spirit is now watching over the road,” said Mohd Bakri Ishak who works at the railway station.

Further down the road is the National Mosque that took three years to complete and was opened in 1965. It is one of the most popular venues for prayers and is usually packed on Friday afternoons and special religious occasions. The mosque features contemporary Islamic art and calligraphy.

“The roof of the mosque has 18 points, representing the 13 states of the country as well as the five tenets of Islam,” said Bakri.


Work in progress: The National Mosque under construction in 1964. It took three years to complete and was officially opened in 1965.

Another interesting building along the road is Menara Dayabumi, which was built with aesthetic values in mind.

The building is built according to an eight-point star pattern that gives it a rather unique look.

Other notable landmarks on the road include the Syariah Court which is also housed in an historical building as well as the Malayan Railway Administration Building.

By DEBBIE CHAN
Photos by SAM THAM
Source: The Star

Get a Free Phone

These days, cell phones are such an essential item in life that you see them being sold like almost everywhere - in big department stores, regular-sized shops and even roadside stalls. It seems that outlets selling phones are mushrooming like there's no tomorrow, at least here, where some people are carrying two phones at any one time. Naturally, phone service providers are laughing all the way to the bank and phone companies are also doing a roaring business, needless to say.

People are changing phones more often too. Colleagues of mine change phones yearly for newer and more advanced features. Perhaps they need to check out Wirefly's cell phone deals. They are giving away a phone for signing up a new cell phone contract. The perception that free phones suck needs a revamp as it no longer is true in the case of Wirefly.com. Wirefly's free phones don't suck! They are giving away the BlackBerry Pearl when you sign up for a T-Mobile account.

Or get a Sony W300i phone when you sign up for a Cingular Wireless account. However, if you prefer a Motorola phone, get a Motorola RAZR V3m with a new Verizon Wireless account. Instead of individual plans, families can consolidate and sign up for a family plan. Wirefly gives away 5 RAZRs free with a Cingular Wireless Family Talk Plan with new Cingular Wireless account. I don't think any other can top this deal.

If it's just phones you are looking for, check out the many phones available on Wirefly. Phones here are listed by category. If you are looking for the latest and the top-sellers, check out those in the "Top selling cell phones" category. You can also view all phones by Carrier and all phones by Brand. Prepaid phones are also available. All phones come with a 100% guarantee too, so if you are not satisfied with your wireless phone for any reason, you may return it for a full refund.

Holiday packages to Gentings for East Malaysians

Genting Highlands, dubbed the City of Entertainment, has long been a playground for residents of Kuala Lumpur and the surrounding areas. Some people go there daily to try their luck, the place being just an hour's drive from Kuala Lumpur.

Gentings (as its normally referred to) is most well-known for its casino, the only legal land-based casino in the whole of Malaysia. Unfortunately, many people have the misconception that there is only the casino up there. In fact, the integrated resort offers theme parks, hotels and extensive shopping and it encompasses six hotels with 10,000 rooms. The First World Hotel has a total of 6,118 rooms, making it the current largest hotel in the world. Gentings attracts some 15 million visitors annually with Singaporeans making up a sizeable number.

Many Malaysians have yet to visit Gentings, especially East Malaysians but very soon it will be convenient for a visit from Sabah and Sarawak when Gentings and AirAsia collaborate on holiday packages specially drawn up for East Malaysians.

NRD, Immigration departments in Malacca to operate on weekends

Saturdays used to be a day for errands but ever since banks and government departments close on Saturdays, doing errands is now troublesome as I need to take time-off during weekdays. I even take leave at times. At least, people in Malacca have something to cheer up as the National Registration Department (NRD) and the Immigration department located at the state Home Affairs Ministry building will start operating on weekends. More..

A Wife's Diary

WIFE's DIARY


Sunday night.

I thought he was acting weird.
We had made plans to meet at a cafe to have coffee.
I was shopping with my friends all day long, so I thought he was upset that I was a bit late, but he made no comment.

Conversation wasn't flowing, so I suggested that we go somewhere quiet so we could talk. He agreed but he kept quiet and absent.

I asked him what was wrong.

He said: "Nothing."

I asked him if it was my fault that he was upset. He said it had nothing to do with me, and not to worry. On the way home I told him that I loved him.

He simply smiled and kept driving. I can't explain his behavior;
I don't know why he didn't say: "I love u, too."

When we got home, I felt as if I had lost him, as if he wanted nothing to do with me anymore. He just sat there and watched TV; he seemed distant and absent.

Finally, I decided to go to bed. About 10 minutes later he came to bed.
I could not take it anymore, so I decided to confront him with the situation but he had fallen asleep.

I started crying and cried until I too fell asleep. I don't know what to do. I'm almost sure that his thoughts are with someone else.

My life is a disaster.






HUSBAND's DIARY

Today, Manchester United lost the match. DAMN IT..!!

Indonesian plane crash

Seems like Indonesia is having some hard times. On Tuesday, it was the earthquakes then yesterday a plane crashed resulting in 23 deaths. More..

As if that is not enough, a Singapore news report this morning indicated two more quakes (different locations from the previous ones) measuring 5.9 and 6.3 on the Richter scale. No casualty reported.