1ST PUTRAJAYA INTERNATIONAL DRAGON BOAT FESTIVAL: ACTIVITIES, GETTING THERE AND HOTELS TO STAY

The centrepiece of the city is the 650-hectares man-made Putrajaya lake. Many have marvelled at the water quality, which is graded class 2B of the Interim National Water Quality Standards and is suitable for body contact, a requirement of all national and international water sports. Currently, the lake offers activities such as canoeing, boating, kayaking and aquabiking
Putrajaya To Host More International Sporting Events And Festivals

PUTRAJAYA, June 5 (Bernama) — Federal Territories Minister Datuk Raja Nong Chik Raja Zainal Abidin would like to see more international sporting events and festivals being organised in Putrajaya.

He said the move would help introduce the country’s administrative capital to the world.

“We see these events as a way to enhance Malaysia’s visibility on the global map as the home for international events like the Dragon Boat Race, as we foster relationships across the region through sports,” he said at the launch of the first Putrajaya International Dragon Boat Festival at the Putrajaya Water Sports Complex here Friday.

The three-day event is organised by Mega Events Sdn Bhd, in collaboration with Putrajaya Corporation, the Tourism Ministry, Information, Communications and Culture Ministry, Penang Dragon Boat Association, and in affiliation with the International Dragon Boat Federation (IDBF).

The event has drawn over 1,500 participants, both locals and foreigners, including those from Singapore, Indonesia, Japan, Cambodia, China and the United Kingdom.

Raja Nong Chik said the festival would give the perfect opportunity for locals and foreigners to see Putrajaya not only as Malaysia’s administrative capital but also as a vibrant and livable city, with the capability of hosting events.

– BERNAMA

PUTRAJAYA will be hosting what is touted to be the largest Dragon Boat event in Malaysia, with more than 1,500 participants from various countries.

The three-day sporting event will be held from June 5 to 7 at the Putrajaya Water Sports Complex. So far, 1,500 participants from 30 local teams and 20 foreign teams – from China, Singapore, Indonesia, Britain, Vietnam, Japan, Thailand and the Philippines – have registered.

At a press conference to announce the event on Thursday, Mega Events Sdn Bhd adviser Tan Sri Soong Siew Hoong said he hoped that the festival would put Malaysia on the map as a dragon boat racing destination.

“We want to set a platform of international standard for foreign investors to see Putrajaya not only as Malaysia’s administrative capital but also as a centre with a capacity large enough to host such a significant international event.

“This is also a great way to promote the beautifully landscaped city of Putrajaya as an ideal tourist centre to an international audience at the same time.

“We want international visitors and the public at large to come and see the thrilling race and feel the exhilarating energy and passion of the participants in order to get a better understanding of the event,” he said.

“This sport promotes teambuilding, and fosters camaraderie and strength.

“Later, Mega Events will be signing a MoU with Universiti Teknologi Mara (UiTM) to provide on-site training for its event management students as part of the CSR programme,” he added.

The festival is also set to be an exciting family event with more than 50 booths selling food, souvenirs and fashion as well as other items.

Other activities include a Coffee Tarik competition, horse rides for children and a colouring contest.

Proceeds from the event booths will be donated to the Breast Cancer Welfare Associa­tion (BCWA), Cervical Cancer Awareness Association (CARES), the Spastic Children’s Association of Selangor and Federal Territories (SCASFT) and selected orphanages

-STARONLINE-

1. DATE
 :
 5th, 6th AND 7th JUNE 2009
2. VENUE
 : PUTRAJAYA LAKE GARDEN
3. RACES
 : There will be 2 events as follows:

International Events (Open to all International & Malaysian Teams)
Malaysian Events (Open to all Malaysian Teams)
 
4. DISTANCE
 : 500 metres and 2,000 metres
5. RACING FORMAT
 : All teams will follow the races from the early heats, repecharge / semi-final and final
 
6. RACING STYLE
 : Seated
7. RULES & REGULATIONS
 : International Dragon Boat Federation (IDBF) & Putrajaya International Dragon Boat Festival (PIDBF)
8. ENTRY FEES
 : Free of charge
9. TEAMS
 : 12 crews boat – 16 members comprising 2 officials (team leader & manager)
14 crews (coach, paddlers, drummer & steerman)

22 crews boat – 28 members comprising 2 officials (team leader & manager)
26 crews (coach, paddlers, drummer & steerman)
 
10. RACES
 : There must be a minumum of 5 entries for each race to run.
ACCOMMODATION PACKAGES

Radius Hotel (250 Rooms) – USD 40.00 PER PERSON PER DAY

Puteri Park (60 Rooms) – USD 40.00 PER PERSON PER DAY
For Those on FREE & EASY PACKAGE, They can call Radius Hotel and Puteri Hotel Directly and make payment themselves, which is not through Mayflower.
The hotels will charge RM 130.00 per night upon producing filled-up form prepared by event organiser, MESB.
Transport available if require but chargeable.
They must fill up form and fax to Hotel and MESB.
Puteri Park Hotel and Radius Hotel now accommodates to No Hassle Package and FREE & EASY PACKAGE
Hosted Teams remains at Wira Hotel.

PLEASE CONFIRM ACCOMMODATION PACKAGES AS SOON AS POSSIBLE WITH REGISTRATION. FIRST COME FIRST SERVE BASIS.

TRANSPORTATION to get there

AIRPORT SHUTTLE SERVICES:

The Organizing Committee has made available bus transportation from Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) and Low Cost Carrier Terminal (LCCT) to official event hotels and return to the airport at the conclusion of the event. In order to take advantage of this service, it will be necessary for all (or a significant majority) of crew members and their guests to arrive and depart at the same time and stay at one of the official event hotels. This service is not available where crew members are arriving or departing at significantly different times on the same day or on different days. These transportation charges will be included in the accommodation package.

FREE SHUTTLE SERVICE TO RACE COURSE AND EVENTS VENUE :

The Organizing Committee has made available shuttle bus transportation for crews and their registered guests to and from official event hotels and the race course on race day.

RACE DAY LUNCHES/FOODS

Lunches will be available to all competitors and their coaches, managers and registered supporters on the three competition days the costs will be included in the accommodation package. Teams not taking the packages can purchase their food at the festival site at reasonable price.
CELEBRATION PARTY

A Celebration Dinner Party will be held on Sunday, June 7, following completion of competition. A nominal fee of RM50.00 per person will be charge. Please advice on supporters.
 

Travel Package / Pakej pelancongan trip to Egypt days and nights (activities & itineraries)

TOP THINGS TO DO:

1. Play Lawrence and Arabia! Do a Camel/Horse Adventure for hours at sunset! (4 PM-7 PM) Just riding with the late sunset winds along with the pinkish red sunset and the pyramids turning red is an experience you’ll never forget!

2. Go amok with the smells, the odors, the crowds, the colors, the antiques, souvenirs in the super crowded labyrinth of Khan al-Khalili!

3. Just eating the Koshari- it’s cheap and a unique HOT culinary experience!

4. Go star struck with the mummies and gold in the Egyptian Museum! Yes! Even if you hate museums, this museum is still worth it- especially the Tutukhamen room, his mask, caskets and his jewels are all in tact and it’s full of real pure gold!

5. Crossing the streets of Cairo! True! It’s already an adventure!

6. Taking the subway to Heliopolis, or any suburds- you’ll truly be stared at and you’ll feel like a superstar!

7. Visiting Coptic Cairo, it’s a clean and quiet labyrinth where (For Christian believers) Jesus Christ was said to be staying when he was living in Egypt.

8. Just strolling around Talaat Harb (A good location) at 1 in the morning! Just look at how busy the city still is! Just look at how full the Mc. Donalds is, how everyone is still busy shopping, looking at all the thousands of shoes for sale. It’s like a carnival!

9. Just relax at the Restaurant Bon Appetite by the American University, it’s a relaxing place with cheap (8 LE for chicken Parmigian) and good international food and just interact with the people!

Directions: Cairo is the capital of Egypt, and the biggest city in Africa- though it’s much more Middle Eastern in terms of character.

EGYPT TRAVEL PACKAGE – CAIRO TOUR – PAKEJ PELANCONGAN MESIR – TRAVEL INFO

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Budget hotels (hotel murah) or backpackers for travel at Egypt / Cairo

Mohammed Ali Camp, Dahab ; Price: less than US$20   
Mohammed Ali has got a lot of rooms round a big courtyard, some have air-condition and some have a fan, from some you can see the sea and from others you can’t.

Nefertiti Hotel ; Price: less than US$20
Directions how to go: Just off Sharia al-Karnak
Located near Luxor Temple and the bus station. The hotel is nice with English speaking, and helpful, staff. Breakfast is served on the roof and from there you can see the Nile.
In the room the big bed was comfortable, there was a bathroom and a small balcony, and a fan. Even though the hotel is located in the centre it is in a quiet place on a side street.

The Grand Hotel: Hurghada’s Grand Hotel
Price: US$80-120   
This is a 4 Star Hotel and we were more than pleased with it. The grounds are absolutely beautiful; acres of Palm Trees; flowers, etc. The beach is gorgeous and clean. Rows and rows of loungers; also water slides for kids; 3 pools; large playground with 2 trampolines; all walkways were made of marble.
Towels are provided when you go to the beach or pool. There are also lifeguards on the beach. The restaurants are all buffet style with a different theme each night. We had the half pension which was quite adequate. The restaurants are all very nice. There is only one where you can eat outside; this was nice to do early in the mornings.
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Map of egypt – How to go there / transportation

There is a high-speed ferry a few times a week going from Sharm el Sheik to Hurghada. It is supposed to take 1,5 hour, but when I went with it took 3 hours. The sites on board are comfortable and there is a small snack bar selling coffee (6 pounds) and tea, coke, crisps and sandwiches. If you feel seasick you better sit in the middle in the middle. The ferry leaves Sharm at 6 pm. You will need your passport. A ticket was 250 pounds (July 2005).

Buses from Alexandria to Siwa leave from the bus station close to Sidi Gaber. But you can buy tickets from the office downtown (in the south western corner of Midan Saad Zaghloul) and it is good to do so at least a day before. A ticket is 27 pounds (August 2005) and the bus journey takes about 9 hours. There are a few buses going every day. Along the way the bus stops three times. First at a cafeteria, then in Marsa Matruh where it stays a bit longer, and finally at another cafeteria (close to where the road takes off to Qara Oasis).

When you have crossed the border at Taba you will be met by taxi drivers offering to take you to your destination in Sinai. But if you walk on, less than a km, you will come to the bus station and hopefully there will be a bus for you. If not you can always ask for a taxi here in peace and quiet.

Travel Guide and Tips

Tips

1. Bank card should have a FOUR digit pin code.

2. Dif. bank atm’s in Eg. accept dif. cards: Some take MC, some Visa, some both.

ATM Locater for VISA

ATM Locater for Mastercard/Maestro/Cirrus

3. ATMs provide money in Eg. pounds at the days exchange rate with minimal exchange fees. Usual charge for being from a dif. bank.

4. There are ALWAYS security issues in ANY country. For ex. in USA it is not unheard of for employees to steal customers card numbers from receipts. Here is a neat feature:

Pre-Paid ATM Cards

5. In case you lose a card, it is advisable to have a 2nd card on a 2nd bank.

Egypt uses 220 voltage so be sure to bring a power adapter and a power converter. The power adapter allows the item to be plugged into the wall and the power converter allows the current to be changed from 220 to 110 (which is what is used in the USA). If your item doesn’t have an internal converter built in, then you will need a both. The plugs in Egypt are usually 2 rounded prongs.
Bring the good backpack for the young ones and backpackers; get the trolley-strong type for the seniors and luxury travellers.

Bring the light and cotton ones for the summer time (March to September-October). Bring a jacket and trousers for the hikings and rail-bus trip. For the ladies, bring alternative layers; in case you see the dirty looks on the street from your mini dress. Good walking or sport shoes and more shocks will be a must.

Bring the emergency medicines for fever and diarrhea; the pantyliners are difficult to find in some areas too. Tissues, wet tissues or hand sanitizer in your bag all the time. Take the powder for your shoes and feet with you too.

Bring a big capacity of memory card, you are going to take thousands of great pictures here. Mini DVD for your handycam is difficult to find in some area.

Pack the beach gear if you are going to go at The Red Sea Area.

Many good and complete diving equipment in diving sites of Red Sea, dont burden yoursef with the heavy ones.

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Royal Brunei Airlines Sdn Bhd (Malay: Penerbangan DiRaja Brunei, or RBA, is the flag carrier airline of the Sultanate of Brunei. It is wholly owned by the Government of Brunei. Its home base is the Brunei International Airport in Berakas, just to the north of the capital city of Brunei, Bandar Seri Begawan.

ROYAL BRUNEI AIRLINES – ROYAL AIRLINES – CHEAP TICKETS – VISITING BRUNEI DARUSSALAM

Royal Brunei Airlines was established on 18 November 1974 with two Boeing 737s.The airline’s first flight was on 14 April 1975 from the new Brunei International Airport to Singapore. Flights to the then British colony of Hong Kong and the city of Kota Kinabalu and Kuching in East Malaysia/Malaysian Borneo started the same day. Early route expansion included services to Manila, Philippines in 1976, and Bangkok, Thailand in 1977.

Royal Brunei acquired a third Boeing 737 in 1980, allowing the airline to reach Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, in 1981 and Darwin, Australia, in 1983.
From National Independence
After the independence of Brunei from the United Kingdom on 1 January 1984, services commenced to Jakarta, Indonesia, on 3 January, thus linking all the other five capital cities of ASEAN to Brunei.

Three Boeing 757 aircraft were purchased in the mid 1980s to enable the airline to expand to Taipei in 1986, and Dubai, United Arab Emirates in 1988. In 1990, Royal Brunei began their first flight to Europe when they started services to Frankfurt, Germany, via Bangkok and Dubai. Services to London Gatwick Airport commenced in 1990 via Singapore and Dubai, and changed to London Heathrow Airport in 1991. Also in 1991 routes opened to Perth, Western Australia, and to Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, via Dubai.
Rapid Expansion
With the airline’s rapid expansion the 737s were sold and Boeing 767 aircraft bought. The delivery of the first Boeing 767 broke a world record when it flew 17 hours and 54 minutes non stop from the Boeing company in Seattle to Jomo Kenyatta International Airport in Nairobi, Kenya, on its way to Brunei. Seven more 767s were delivered, taking the fleet to eight 767s and two Boeing 757s (One of the 757s were sold off to fund the purchase of the new 767s).

In March 1993, Abu Dhabi was added to the route network and flights to Frankfurt and Jeddah were routed through Abu Dhabi instead of Dubai. Bali was the second Indonesian city to be added to the network in May of the same year. Flights to the third destination in Europe, Zürich, commenced in August 1993 via Kuala Lumpur and another new destination Bahrain. Before the end of the year, services to Beijing, China (October), and Cairo, Egypt (November), via Kuala Lumpur and Bahrain, were inaugurated. Royal Brunei sold its last Boeing 737-200s to Aloha Airlines of Hawaii in 1993.

The growth of the network continued in 1994. The delivery of two Fokker 50 aircraft were used to start services to Miri and Labuan in East Malaysia of the same year. Flights to Brisbane, Australia, and Osaka, Japan, commenced the same year in June and December respectively (the Brisbane service was initially routed via Darwin but later upgraded to a nonstop flight). The desire to link all the major Oil and Gas cities on Borneo saw the addition of Balikpapan to the route network in December.

Royal Brunei Airlines Boeing 767-300 landingIn 1995, services began to Kolkata (Calcutta), India, via Singapore and then on towards Dubai. Two Dornier 228s were purchased in the same year and leased to the Malaysian regional carrier, Hornbill Airways, to connect Brunei by air to Mulu. The service to Cairo was suspended in the middle 1995 due to low passenger numbers.

The F-50s were replaced by the larger and more comfortable F-100 jets in 1996 which fueled expansion to Bintulu. The route to Zürich was suspended in September 1996 to enable Royal Brunei to commence daily services to London Heathrow. Some of the flights to London were routed through Yangon, Burma, and Abu Dhabi, instead of via Singapore and Dubai. Yangon proved uneconomic and was dropped from the route the following year.
Consolidation
In August 1997, a Dornier 228 owned by Royal Brunei Airlines but operated and maintained by Malaysian regional carrier Hornbill Airways, carrying 19 passengers to Miri, crashed into high ground near Miri airport. All 19 passengers and two crew died. The Dornier 228s were sold in 1997 and short haul services connecting Brunei to Miri, Labuan, Mulu and Bintulu were terminated. Surabaya was the fourth Indonesian destination to be added to the network later that year.

Unprofitable cheap flights routes to Beijing and Osaka were suspended in 1998 and the F-100s were also sold off to Alpi Eagles Airlines in 1998.

Kuwait was added to the network in 2000 and was served via Singapore, Kolkata and Dubai. It was suspended a year later. Services also began to Shanghai Pudong International Airport in 2001. Royal Brunei started online booking facilities the same year.
Restructuring
After years of unprofitable operation, Royal Brunei began major restructuring in year 2003. The plan was for Royal Brunei’s fleet to grow from 9 aircraft in 2003 to 24 aircraft by the year 2013. The fleet of 6 Boeing 767 will be changed to 15 new narrow-bodied aircraft and 8 wide-bodied aircraft. The plan calls for half of the new aircraft to be leased and the others to be purchased. The plan also included new services to Auckland, Tokyo, Ho Chi Minh City, Sydney and Seoul and to increase its frequencies on other flights.

In 2003, the deliveries of the new Airbus A319 and A320 marked the start of the re-equipping exercise. Two A319s were delivered on August 28 and September 3. A320s were added December 9 and January 3, 2005. All of the Airbus were leased from CIT Aerospace of USA in a seven year contract. The Airbuses fly mainly on regional routes. With the introduction of new aircraft, the Boeing 757 has been phased out and sold to other parties.

In May 2003, Royal Skies, the airlines’ frequent flyer programme, was launched.

On 31 October 2003, a Royal Brunei jet touched down at Auckland International Airport making it the first destination in New Zealand and the first new destination added to the network as part of the restructuring exercise.

By end of the year 2003, Royal Brunei entered a controversial agreement with Royal Tongan Airlines of Tonga. Under the agreement, Royal Tongan Airlines was to wet-lease one of the two remaining B757s of Royal Brunei. In return, Royal Brunei was given the opportunities to open its market to the US. The deal did not happen because Royal Tongan Airlines went into bankruptcy with huge debt in mid 2004, after less than 6 months of operation. As Royal Tongan Airlines was unable to pay the fees, the B757 was repossessed and stored in Auckland International Airport.

In January 2004, the airline launched Blue Sky Fares, a low cost Internet booking facility, offering cheaper economy class fares to selected destinations, to compete with low cost carriers in the region, such as AirAsia.

Starting in March 2004, four of Royal Brunei’s Boeing 767 aircraft were modified by the introduction of SkyDreamer seats in Business Class to replace the old First Class and Business Class Skyluxe seats. Business Class was renamed as Sky Executive Class and in Economy class each seat was installed with an 8.4 inch TV. Sky Executive Class was subsequently renamed Business Class following poor response from the public.

The unprofitable Taipei route was suspended in late 2004. Kuching and Kolkata were dropped on 31 Oct 2004 due to the rising oil prices, but at the same time, Sydney was added to the route network. Commencing 17 December, flights to Jeddah were routed through Sharjah instead of Abu Dhabi.[1]

The last B757 was retired from the Royal Brunei fleet in early 2005.

Destinations

Main article: Royal Brunei Airlines destinations
Royal Brunei has started services to three of the five destinations (Auckland, Sydney and Ho Chi Minh City) stated in the 2003 restructuring plan. Services to Tokyo and Seoul mentioned in the restructuring plan have yet to commence. Sydney was added to the network in 2004, but will be “suspended” (at the same time as Bali) in 2008.[6]

Code Share Flights

The airlines has a code share agreement with Malaysia Airlines (Kuala Lumpur – Brunei), BMI (London to 6 British cities), Dragonair (Hong Kong – Brunei), Philippine Airlines (Manila – Brunei), and Thai (Bangkok – Brunei). Royal Brunei operates on all these routes with the exception of the domestic British flights which are operated by BMI. Some of the codeshare flights to destinations in Malaysia are also operated by Malaysia Airlines in addition to services operated by Royal Brunei.

Warning to all passengers traveling to or transiting in Negara Brunei Darussalam:

A stern reminder to all passengers traveling to or transiting in Brunei International Airport (BIA) Negara Brunei Darussalam that the carrying and possession of prohibited items such as drugs and live ammunitions is considered a serious offense. This also includes AMULETS OR LUCKY CHARMS made from bullets.

Possession of a bullet is a serious offense in Negara Brunei Darussalam. The punishment for such offense is imprisonment for a term no less than 5 years and no more than 15 years. Offenders shall also be punished with whipping of no less than 3 strokes and no more than 12 strokes.

Customs: Passengers will not be charged duty for carrying up to 200 cigarettes or 50 cigars or 227 grams of tobacco; two bottles of liquor plus 12 cans of beer (only for non-Muslims); and a reasonable quantity of perfumes.

Visas: German, Malaysians, Singaporeans and British nationals with right of abode in the United Kingdom and New Zealand are exempted from the requirement to obtain a visa for visits not exceeding 30 days. American passport holders can enter Brunei Darussalam for three months without visas. For nationals of Belgium, Canada, Denmark, France, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Luxembourg, Republic of Maldives, The Netherlands, Norway, Oman, The Philippines, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Thailand and The Principality of Liechtenstein, visas are waived for 14-day visits. Nationals of Australia are issued visas on arrival at the Brunei International Airport for visits not exceeding 14 days.

All other visitors entering Brunei Darussalam must have visas obtainable from any Brunei Darussalam diplomatic mission abroad. This Visas are normally issued for a two-week stay but can be renewed in Brunei. Visitors must hold onward tickets or sufficient funds to support themselves while in the country.

N.B. For more details please contact your nearest Brunei Embassy or diplomatic representative.

Transportation: The airport is about 11 kilometres from the capital. Taxis, car rentals and buses are available.

Currency: The Brunei dollar is on a par with the Singapore dollar, which is also accepted in Brunei. Banks, hotels and many department stores will cash traveller’s cheques. Some banks provide automated tellers linked to global access systems.

Clothing: Light clothing is advisable as the climate is generally warm and humid. Women are asked to dress modestly in keeping with local custom.

Language: Malay is the official language but English is widely used. Other languages include Chinese and its dialect variants and other indigenous dialects. Although the official religion is Islam, other faiths including Christianity and Buddhism are practised.

Health: Doctors provide private medical services for a nominal charge. There are a number of state health clinics and hospitals.

Credit cards: Hotels, department stores and other major establishments generally accept all internationally known credit cards.

Tipping: Optional. Some hotels add a 10 percent service charge to their room rates.

Telephones: Overseas calls can be made from hotel rooms through the operator, or via international direct dialling (IDD). There are also coin and phonecard operated public telephones.

Utilities: Power supply is 220 – 240 volts, 50 cycles. The PAL and NTSC system are used by local television. Tap water is generally safe to drink although some take the precaution of boiling it.

Media: Media: Radio Television Brunei has nightly news bulletins and a range of popular entertainment in both English and Malay. Cable network and Malaysian television programmes can also be received. There are two local daily newspapers namely: The Borneo Bulletin (English) and Media Permata (malay). Other regional and international publications are also available at newsstands.

Food: For the adventurous, the food stalls offer Malay favourites, such as satay (barbecued meat on a skewer) and local dishes prepared with curry or coconut milk. Chinese, European and Indian cuisines are also available.

Hotels: Accommodation in the capital ranges from international standard to middle range hotels. Service apartments are also available at reasonable rates.

Shopping: Department stores and shops offer goods ranging from cosmetics and stereos to local handicrafts such as the kris (an ornamental dagger); miniature brass cannon; and kain songket, a cloth with gold or silver thread.

Festivals and Celebrations: National Day, 23 February; Hari Raya, the end of the Muslim fasting month; and His Majesty The Sultan’s birthday, July 15. Other public holidays include Chinese New Year and Christmas.

Customs and courtesy: Thoughtful visitors learn to appreciate the nation’s devotion to Islam. In mosques, visitors should remove their shoes and not to pass in front of people at prayer. Never touch the Al-Quran. A woman should ensure that her head, knees and arms are covered before entering mosques.

A Bruneian shakes hands lightly and brings his hands to his chest. Members of the opposite sex do not shake hands. It is impolite to point with the index finger (use the right thumb instead) or to beckon someone with fingers upmost. Instead the whole hand should be waved with palm facing downwards. The right fist should never be smacked into the left palm. Gifts, particularly food, are passed with the right hand. When sitting, the sole of your feet should not be pointed towards your companions.