Although there are millions of credit card users in today’s world, very few of them know exactly what kind of additional fees that the credit card issuers charge on some transactions. While shopping overseas, making online reservations or buying items online, it is very likely that you will be charged a fee for those transactions that you undergo. Surprisingly, you might not even see these fees on your credit card statement if you are not well-informed about what the credit card companies do for certain transactions.

Throughout the world, while most banks do charge some amount of international transaction fees, several major credit card issuers do not such as Capital one. Nevertheless, a 1% currency conversion fee , which is charged by both Visa and MasterCard, is almost standard if you make foreign transactions using your credit card. Many banks, furthermore, implement additional  up-to-3% fees onto each foreign currency transaction, and they charge fees for foreign ATM usage abroad as well. As the competition amongst the banks is fiercely growing nowadays, there are some credit card companies that offer ‘no’ additional fees charged for currency conversion, foreign transaction or foreign ATM usage.

On the other side,  travellers cheques – even though credit card usage has rendered them less important than they were before – have some advantages for the travellers who want to financially secure themselves during their trips. For instance, travellers cheques, which are commonly used in the USA and Canada, can easily be replaced if they are lost or stolen, and can be used instead of cash in most places. Nevertheless, it may be regarded as an drawback that travellers need to carry their passports with them all the time, because some places ask for passports together with a picture ID or a driving license.

It is, therefore, highly important that people on a vacation make a choice as to how they will administer their payments. It is widely accepted that the question of money is a crucial point that people must take into account before travelling overseas. No matter what, it is for sure that travellers need to be thoroughly aware of the means of payment they go for, since there are always parties in search of hitting travellers with fees and surcharges that may not be clearly disclosed.

Other than popping the question the other important thing you need to ask yourself is where to take that someone special.

First of all we all know that Valentines day can be expensive but this is the one day in the year where you can spoil the one you love..

So where to go.. I would recommend checking out the low cost airlines for example Easy jet and Ryan Air to see what flights are available

Here are just a few romantic choices to consider..

Probably the most famous romantic city is Paris.. You can help but soak up the romance in the City of Lights.. Take a stroll along the Champs- Elysees wandering through the luxurious boutiques maybe buying that someone a diamond ring !! But there would be no better place to purpose than on top of the Eiffel Tower whilst taking in the breath taking view of Paris.. After why not take a tour down the river Seine before taking in a show at the Moulin Rouge..

For something a little different then Venice would make a fantastic choice. Here you can take a trip just for two on the romantic gondolas drifting down the Grand Canal before making a stop for the all important candle lit dinner in a traditional Venice restaurant. Get lost in the narrow walkways of the city and stumble across lonely squares and beautiful monuments whilst soaking up the magical atmosphere around you.

Rome is the city of love and where else would be better that in one of the worlds most religious cities. In the city of Rome Valentines day is known as Lupercalia which is a very romantic day. There are many theories about the origins of the Valentine’s Day celebrations. Some believe that the Romans had a mid-February custom where boys drew girls’ names in honour of the sex and fertility goddess, while some believe that the custom of sending Valentines on 14 February stems from the belief that birds begin to pair up on the 14th. However it doesn’t matter what you believe you can ensure your time in Rome will be a romantic one. Explore the wonderful cafes and restaurant and why not share a pizza in one of the places around the Centro Storico. For those who want to splash out on their partners there is no shortage of shops here you will find the likes of Gucci,Chanel and Versace all close by.

Why not try the fairytale city of Prague.. Girls will get caught up in this beautiful fantasy city and guys wont be able to help but admire the fantastic architect. Be sure to wander across the Charles Bridge with its beautiful gold statues. Explore the beautiful part of the Old City with its squares and gothic like architecture. Head up to Prague Castle and admire the views of this gorgeous city. There are plenty of restaurants and for something a little different why not try one of the medieval restaurants where you can enjoy a feast for next to nothing and for that touch of something different why not try staying in one of the floating boat hotels to impress that special someone.

If you fancy soaking up some sun shine then why not head to Egypt here you can combine romance and history together. Visit the ancient sites of the Pyramids and the Sphinx. Why not take a cruise down the Nile and take in the sites of this ancient city. Sit back and soak up the sun whilst being pampered at you hotel. Explore the wonderful bazaars and pick up some great goods for your loved one.

If you have time then why not go further afield for the ultimate in romance.. Here are a few ideas if you have time and of course money..

One of the ultimate places for romance would be the Seychelles a cluster if over 100 islands spread out in the beautiful Indian Ocean The Seychelles is truly paradise and you can fall in love all over again. Spend time discovering the world below by snorkelling. Here you will be able to see the amazing coral and sea life that exists in this great Ocean or just spend your time hopping around the different Islands. Why not arrange a romantic candle lit dinner on the beach whilst enjoying the sound of the waves and some great fresh sea food…

A trip to the Maldives is a trip of a life time and what better than taking the one you love to the beautiful Maldives. Sun, sand and sea is plentiful. Enjoy visiting the massive lagoons with different depths and exquisite shades of blue and turquoise, be amazed by the underwater coral gardens; a perfect combination for the ideal romantic holiday destination.

But what if you can get to spend your time abroad.. What other options are available to you..

Why not visit the beautiful city of Bath with its fantastic Georgian architecture, picture-perfect gardens and beautiful countryside. Visit the Roman Baths with its steaming waters and Roman artefacts. The England’s West Country is King Arthur and Jane Austen country so why not take a trip from Bath into the beautiful Cotswolds and explore the wonderful villages such as Burton-on-the-Water a perfect example of English countryside.

For the ultimate in seclusion and privacy take a trip to the Highlands in Scotland.. Here you can enjoy the views of the Scottish landscape.. Take a walk around the famous Loch Ness where you can feel like you are the only two on the earth.. Enjoy a whiskey or two sat in a traditional pub and enjoying some home cooked food..

Why not spend the day at Warwick Castle one of the most popular medieval castles in the UK.. If you book early enough why not treat your partner to a Valentine banquet located in the castle… Make here feel like a princess for the evening..

Here are just a few personal choices of where to have some fun in and out of the UK

Lets start with the Hens.. Come on girls what do you want on your Hens night lots of pubs ad clubs and maybe a beach !!

One of the top destinations in the UK for Hen Parties is Bournemouth. Here you can spend the day on its lush beaches and then spend the night dancing away in one of the many bars and clubs located here. There are plenty of shopping opportunities as well in case you haven’t found that all important outfit.

Blackpool however tacky is a great and fu place to go. Here you can spend your day at the pleasure beach ad enjoy the roller coasters and take a walk along the beach whilst enjoy some fish and chips. Blackpool is as cheesy as it gets and the nightlife is the same, here you ca enjoy the male strip shows and if fun is what you want then Blackpool offers it all.

Newquay is a great place for your Hen night. Here you can enjoy the great beaches that are on England’s coast and Newquay is like one big village, where local surfer types mingle with the tourists in the local bars and cafes. Newquay has a great nightlife scene ad everything is located close together so girls you don’t have to worry about getting lost.

A hen weekend in Bristol is a somewhat different experience. Bristol is rich in history and you can spend your day doing shopping in its luxurious new shopping centre which includes a Harvey Nichols or sit and enjoy a coffee down at the Waterfront. Bristol is renown through out the UK for having a great nightlife scene. There are may different types of bars ad clubs here. Head to the waterfront or take a trip to Whiteladies road where you can definitely enjoy a cocktail or two.

So Girls what if you don’t fancy spending your hen night in the UK what other options are available… Remember the Hen Party is different to the Stag do and you may not want to go to Prague or Budapest which are renown for the strip clubs.. But that doesn’t mean that you cant go abroad !!

How about Dublin the flights are cheap the Guinness is amazing and the people are are warm and friendly. Not just that the bars are busy and here you can dace an Irish Jig until the early hours of the morning. There are some great galleries and museums to be seen if you make it out of the bars..

But if its some sun you want then nothing beats having your Hen Party in Spain.

Barcelona is a top choice for hen weekends just a few hours from the UK here you ca enjoy some Mojitos along with some Tapas as well as exploring the beautiful city. Take a stroll along Las Ramblas where you can soak up the atmosphere of this vibrant and glamorous city. However if you don’t fancy staying in the city then jump on the train and head to Lloret de Mar which is about a hours train journey from Barcelona and is an area crammed with cheap bars and clubs.

For the more upmarket Hen Party then nothing beats a trip to Marbella. Here you can rub shoulders with the rich and famous. Get pampered whilst enjoying a cocktail. Enjoy wandering around the first class boutiques. Here you wont find the large clubs packed with young tourists here you ca enjoy the posh cocktail bars and plush restaurants. Sit back in the Marina and watch the yachts come in and out whilst enjoying a glass of Champagne to toast your up ad coming marriage.

For a cheesy party in the sun nothing beats Magaluf…Soak up the sun on one of its beautiful beaches before hitting the bars ad clubs in the evening. Here you ca enjoy shot after shot in the bars or visit the famous BCM nightclub the option is yours. However if you fancy something a little different why not spend the day on a Catamaran with your girls drinking and dancing

Ok so now it is time for the Stags.. Men want different things from their last night of freedom.. Usually it involves strip clubs and beer..

So for some fun why not head to Swansea.. Here you ca enjoy a spot of Paintballing just a few miles out of the city centre before embarking on the pubs and clubs in the city centre. Swansea is a small city and many of the bars and clubs are located on Wind Street which is lively during the weekends. The main clubs are located on the Kingsway ad here you ca party all night in the likes of Oceana which is spread over 3 floors and has a very New York feel to it.. If you don’t want the bright lights of the city then head to Mumbles which is about 3 miles from the centre of Swansea.. Here you can participate in what is known as the Mumbles Mile a mile log stretch of local bars. I would recommend starting at the top by the pier and working your way down..

However most Stags would prefer to go away for the weekend so if you can convince your future wife then why not visit the fantastic city of Amsterdam

Amsterdam is stags paradise and is also the capital of laughter. Here you can spend your time in a haze in one of the many cafes or heads to the touristy places such as Dam Square, Leidseplein and the famous Red Light District where you can admire but not touch the ladies that parade themselves in the windows. The clubs here are tourist friendly ad you can find cheesy music along with hard dance music where you ca party the night away.

Prague is quickly becoming one of the top Stag destinations and why ??? Cheap beer and pretty girls…However if you want culture then you have come to the right place. Prague is a beautiful city and whilst there do try and take a walk across Charles Bridge and up to the castle. However if it is clubs and beer then you can not beat a weekend in Prague..

Budapest is also a top destination a fantastic city located in Hungry with its beautiful castle, bridges and monuments is becoming a haven for Stag weekends. Budapest is divided into two parts Buda and Pest and on each side you will easily find an abundance of strip clubs, restaurants and late night bars. Drink is cheap especially the local hard liquor Unicum which will have you up and dancing on the tables.

However if its some sunshine that you want as well ad bars and clubs then why not tale a trip to Benidorm. The Blackpool of Spain. Here you can soak up some sun and enjoy some of the water sports before hitting the lively bars and clubs. Here you can party until the hours or enjoy a drink with the locals the choice is up to you

Thailand is currently one of the best places to go for those traveling from the UK.. Flights may still seem expensive but once there accommodation and food remains very cheap. For a romantic break head to Krabi which is close to Phuket and has some of the most beautiful beaches of Thailand and some fantastic scenery. From Krabi you can easily head to the Islands of Koh Phi Phi where the famous film the Beach was filmed. Here you can discover true paradise at a great price.
If you are looking to party head to the Island of Koh Samui here you can find night clubs that go on until the early hours of the morning.

South Africa also is good value however the flights are expensive but once there you save plenty of money a price of a beer is around 1.00gbp. Visit Cape Town and the beautiful Table Top Mountain and soak up the sun on the beautiful beaches.

So if you don’t fancy heading as far as Thailand then Turkey and Bulgaria are both good value for money..

Although pretty cold at this time of year Bulgaria still remains a top destination in winter due to the snow and the fact that it remains very cheap.. A cost of a beer is around 90p whilst food and accommodation remains low. Bulgaria is a beautiful country visit the capital Sofia where you can see some amazing churches although beware there are no signs in English so don’t get lost.
Turkey is an all year round destination. Accommodation and food remain pretty cheap in Turkey and there is so much to do in a country with as much going on as Turkey. Head to Istanbul the largest city in Turkey rich with history and diversity. Here you can wander through the ancient mosques or the streets of the cosmopolitan Taksim. Take an overnight bus to the Cappadocia region also known as fairy land here you can get the opportunity to stay in a cave hotel and explore this wonderful region.

Although the pound is at an all time low against the Euro for those looking to stay a little closer to home and still enjoy some warm weather at this time of year then Portugal is pretty reasonable with a price of a cup of coffee being around 0.96p whilst a Beer is very good at around 1.0bp..

Head to the city of Lisbon which is a great place to do some sightseeing. The city of Lisbon is set on some seven hills and from visiting the museums one can learn some of the history regarding the city. There are numerous museums the Roman Theatre Archaeological Museum allows visitors to view artifacts and to tour the site of the theatre that was discovered in 1798.

Lisbon is also close to several beaches close by for a nice romantic stroll in the winter or to soak up the summer sun. Many of the beaches can be reached by bus or by train. The beach at Guincho is only a short ride by bus or by train from Lisbon and has some great scenery although it can get a little windy during the winter months.

There are plenty of restaurants to choose from in Lisbon many of which stay open through out the year. In Portugal they tend to eat the main meal at lunch time and then have a light dinner. Do eat the local seafood at one of the many restaurants located at the harbour

I think I can give you some ideas

Everyone wants to make real his perfect wedding dream in his mind. Deciding on every detail about the wedding is very depressive, you try to do your best. For a dream wedding, the place is so important. It should be such a place that is remarkable. And it should make you feel comfortable in that special day.

Forbes traveler has made a list for “10 great places to get married”. I will introduce you these places in the list so the list may help you!

1) Keawala’i Congregational Church, Makena Beach, Maui, Hawaii

Keawala’i Congregational Church is located south of Makena Bay and one of the earliest churches in Maui. The church’s name means “ Peaceful Habor” or “Tranquil Heaven”. It has a rich history and the church has a charming atmosphere with old architecture and beautiful scenery. If you schedule your ceremony in the afternoon, you can have much more romantic scene due to the sunset.

2) Villa D’Este, Lake Como, Italy

Villa D’Este is a 16th-century residence with beautiful gardens. The perfect hotel has many famous guests from Mark Twain to Madonna. You cannot find a better charming historical place than Villa D’Este! The hotel offers a private chef and three pools.

3) The Wakaya Club, Fiji

The Wakaya Club is a glamorous island resort with fascinating opportunities in Fiji. You can plan your dream wedding by the sea or in the small Wakaya Village Church. It provides numerous luxurious facilities. Beautiful beaches, clear blue sea, and great nature will make your ceremony unique!

4) Inverlochy Castle, Fort William, Scotland

Inverlochy Castle is the perfect destination for your dream wedding. The historic atmosphere of the castle makes your ceremony special. With its magnificent furniture and architecture, Inverlocy Castle offers many advantages.

5) Guana Island, British Virgin Islands, the Caribbean

Guana Island is one of the few Caribbean islands you can rent. The island has amazing scenery – white sandy beaches, perfect blue sea, and tropical vegetation. Dream weddings can be held in the morning sun in White Bay Beach, in the wonderful sunset in Queen’s Terrace or in the moonlight in the lush Garden of Eden!

6) Ngorongoro Crater, Tanzania

Ngorongoro Crater is one of the glamorous wonders of the world with its wonderful scenery and nature. It is a perfect place for the ones dreaming a romantic ceremony! You can held a romantic marriage ceremony viewing the Great Fish River at sunset, followed by a grand riverbank feast with welcoming Zulu drummers!

7) Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park, Australia

Aborginal people consider Uluru – an ancient rock in this national park – as a spiritual site. Even if you don’t believe such things, this is a perfect place to give a lifelong promise because this rock comes from ancient times that can be a symbol for your eternal love – isn’t it a unique romantic theme for your dream wedding?

El Tamarindo Golf Resort, Manzanillo, Mexico

El Tamarindo Golf Resort is a perfect combination of great nature and luxury. The resort offers numerous fascinating facilities. A wedding in this amazing resort can be memorable. El Tamarindo Golf Resort provides excellent catering services. Before the “exciting day”, there is spa and beauty services to make you relax!

http://www.gtahotels.com/cities/manzanillo.htm

9) Caneel Bay, St. John, USVI

“Paradise as it was intended”, Caneel Bay is situated in the Caribbeans with its marvelous scenery. Caneel Bay offers a memorable ceremony for you! It arranges everything perfectly from flowers to menu planning.
10) Hotel Plaza Athenee, Paris, France

The Hotel Plaza Athenee is one of the most romantic hotels in the world. The hotel tries to do the best to make
your ceremony unique and unforgettable. You can enjoy special cuisine and chic decoration in your wedding! Your
guests and you will have the best service such a luxury in the most romantic city, Paris.

 http://www.gtahotels.com/hotels/plaza_athenee_hotel_paris.htm?

 Congratulations!

The largest airport of the world

The largest airport in the world is King Fahd International Airport. It is located near Dammam, Saudi Arabia. t is said that King Fahd International Airport has over 2.5 million passengers per year! The major places that the airport serves are Dammam, Dhahran, Khobar, Qatif, Ras Tanura, and Jubail. The airport is also first airport to have duty-free shops among the Saudi Arabia’s international airports. It offers some shops and restaurants in a large area to its guests!

The busiest airport of the world

The busiest airport in the world is Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport. It is in Atlanta, Georgia, the United States. The airport has international service to North America, Latin America, Europe, Asia, and Africa. Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport offers many facilities to travelers. There are over 200 restaurants and shops in the airport! It is also easy accessible that trains and buses are available to get and from there.

The busiest airport of Europe

The busiest airport in Europe is London Heathrow Airport. It is located 15 miles west of central London. The airport provides many amenities. There are so many shops that you can do shopping while you are waiting for your flight, and many restaurants that you enjoy your meal. Moreover, the airport also offers wireless internet access for you!

Do you have a favourite Airport?  Why not leave a comment to this Blog or share your airport experiences in our Travel Forum

 http://www.gtahotels.com/forum/
 

Malaysian cuisine since the Indian population is quite extraordinary from the Malay or Chinese cuisine. The Indians taste hot and spicy as their flavors.
Their fix diet generally consists of both rice and bread (chapattis, thosai, parrata, puri). They consume this with various curries. As in unity with their Hindu way of life, they do not eat beef.

The food of the Malaysian Indian population in the North-West part of Malaysia, including Pangkor, can be categorized as Southern-Indian, Northern Indian and Indian Muslim (mamak). Along with the rest of the local cuisine, it has evolved and assimilated according to society’s preferences. Sometimes what is considered Indian food here, did not even originated from India.

Usually Indian Malaysian food is sold at the various local stalls or Indian restaurant and often ordered with a glass of teh tarik. Teh Tarik literally means “pulled tea”. The tea is thick and frothy. The preparation involves passing the tea and milk from one big metal mug to the other with a “pour and pull” action.

Where there is roti canai, there is bound to be murtabak. This is basically roti canai with stuffing of sardines or chicken as the Indian Hindus do not eat beef. Murtabak with beef however can be obtained from stalls owned by Muslims.

Nobody really knows how roti canai came about and would become some of the most popular of all Malaysian food. However, Penang can certainly lay claim to Indian mee (mee goreng or kelinga mee). From Penang, these dishes spread out further over Malaysia and can be eaten in and around Pangkor. The best roti canai in the area however, is not to be found in Pangkor but in Kampong Sitiawan at the riverside.
One could say the apart of nasi lemak, roti canai is probably the second national Malaysian food.

Indian mee was first created by Indian sailors and port workers. It is a combination of Chinese fried noodles with prawn fritters, potato, squid, taukua (bean curd, bean sprouts and lettuce). For more filling, an egg is usually scrambled into the mix. Mention North Indian food and what comes to mind is tandoori chicken and naan bread. Both are cooked in clay oven called tandoori. Northern Indian food is found in air-conditioned restaurants, richly decorated to reflect the Indian culture and Hindu tradition.

Ingredients as yoghurt’s and ghee are liberally compared to Southern Indian cuisine, which uses a lot of coconut milk and chilies. Even the staple diet is different, rice for the South, bread for the North. Nevertheless, both are equally spicy and delicious.

Chinese Food

In view of the fact that most of Malaysia’s Chinese are from the south, especially from Hainan and Hakka it is quite easy to find food from this region.
All over Malaysia one of the majority well-known inexpensive meal is the Hainanese Chicken Rice which cost something like the amount of RM 3.00.
It’s an alternative of the local favorite Malaysian foods. The Hainanese also created steamboat, sort of Oriental dissimilarity of the Swiss Fondue, where you have a boiling stockpot in the middle of the table hooked on which you deep pieces of meat, seafood and vegetable.
The Hokkiens have provided us the Hokkien fried Mee (thick egg noodles cook with meat, seafood and vegetable and a rich soya sauce. Mind you, if you go to North Malaysia, Hokkien Mee means prawn soup noodles. Hokkien spring rolls (popiah) are also yummy.

Teochew cuisine is from the area surrounding Swatow in China is another style famous for its delicacy and natural favorite. Teochew food is well-known for its seafood and another inexpensive dish – Char Kwey Teow (fried flattened noodles) with clams, beansprout and prawns.
 
Hakka dish is too easily found in food centers. The top know hakka dish is the Yong Tau Foo (stuffed seafood bean curd) with soup or thick dark gravy.
While people in the west converse of Chinese food, they most likely mean Cantonese food. It is most excellent known and most standard variety of Chinese food. Cantonese food is well-known for the choice and the freshness of its ingredients. The foods are commonly stir-fried with only a touch of oil. The result is crisp and fresh. All those best known ‘western Chinese’ dishes fit into this category – sweet and sour dishes, won ton, chow mien, spring rolls.
With Cantonese food the more people you can muster for the meal the better, because dishes are traditionally shared so everyone will manage to sample the greatest variety. A corollary of this is that Cantonese food should be balance: traditionally, all foods are said to be either Yin (cooling) – like vegetables, most fruits and clear soup; or Yang (heaty) – like starchy foods and meat. A cooling food should be balance with a heaty food and too much of one it would not be good for you.

Dim Sum

Off all Malaysian foods the Cantonese specialty is Dim Sum or ‘little heart’. Dim sum is usually consumed during lunch or as a Sunday brunch. Dim sum restaurants are usually large, noisy affair and the dim sum, little snacks that come in small bowls, are whisked around the tables on individual trolleys or carts. As they come by, you simply ask for a plate of this or a bowl of that. At the end the meal you are billed is the amount of empty containers on your table.

Cantonese cuisine of the Malaysian foods can also offer real extremes. You can get shark’s fin soup or bird’s nest soup which are expensive delicacies.
Cheap dishes include mee (noodles) and congee (rice porridge) and are equally tasty.

Far less familiar than the food from Canton are the cuisines from the north and the west of China – Sichuan, Shanghai and Peking. Sichuan food is usually spicy (gong bao for example is a chicken rice dish with cashew nuts and spices). Where as to food from Canton are delicate and understated, in Sichuan food the flavors are strong. Garlic and chilies play their part in dishes like diced chicken and hot and sour soup.

Beijing (Peking) food is, of course best known for the famous ‘Peking Duck’. Beijing foods are less subtle than Cantonese food. Beijing food is usually eaten with hot steamed bun or with noodles, because rice is not grown in cold region of the north. But in Malaysia, it is more likely to come with rice.

Moon Cake

A very special pastry can be found all over Malaysia during the Moonfestival periode, usually around early October. Here’s more about the Moonfestival and Mooncakes.

Other kinds of Chinese foods originated from for example Shanghai or Hunan (usually very spicy too) are not easily found over Malaysia.
Malay Food

Malaysian cuisine derives its taste from the use of spices and local ingredients. Some of those ingredients used by the Malays in the Malay cuisine are:

• Serai (lemon grass)
• Bawang merah (Red onions)
• Halia (ginger)
• Lengkuas (galangal)
• Ketumbar (coriander)
• Asam jawa (tamarind)
• Kunyit (turmeric)
• Saffron
• Jintan putih (cumin)
Coconut milk is also another ingredient commonly found in Malaysian food. (Chili paste) or curry dish. In fact, nearly all of the Malaysian food can not be eaten without some spices. The fix food of the Malays is rice, boiled to a white fluffy texture. It is served with dishes of meat (chicken or beef), fish and vegetables. Meat and fish are usually prepared as sambal. Not all Malaysians are Malay or Muslim, pork or any food that comes from a pig is never used in Malay cuisine. Even cutlery and crockery used to serve Muslims must not have been used to serve pork.
The traditional Malay way of eating is by using the right hand. The use of the left hand is considered bad manners. The same goes with receiving or giving things, always use the right hand.

In eating stalls or at homes where hands are used to eat, guests will provided with a pot of water to wash their hands before and after the meal. Remember,this water is not for drinking. Or you simply use the always available tap to wash your hands.

Nasi lemak

Malay food is enjoyed by all races. A basic breakfast favorite is nasi lemak. It is a simple but very satisfying meal. The rice is cooked in coconut milk with fragrant pandan leaves. Side dishes can be sambal ikan bilis (anchovies with chili), omelets or hard boiled eggs, peanuts, sliced cucumber, prawns and fried fish. If one Malaysia food can be named as the countries national dish, it’s probably nasi lemak.

Satay

Another classic example of ever popular Malay food is satay. There’s no pasar malam (night market) without satay. It usually consists of chunks of chicken marinated with a variety of spices.

Ikan Bakar

Ikan bakar is grilled or barbecue fish which you will be able to find almost everywhere. A popular local fish is the Ikan Kembong, Chubb Mackerel, also called Indian Mackerel. This fish is usually marinated in various spices and coconut milk. Apart of mackerel other fish is grilled too. You can eat

 Spanish

Mackerel (ikan tenggiri), Wolf Herring (ikan parang), stingray or Skate Wings (ikan Pari). It’s great with some chillies and lime.

Rendang Tok

Rendang Tok is a meat dish (chicken or beef) prepared with coconut milk, chillies, onion,and other ingredients. Around Pangkor and Lumut the mostfamous kind of rendang is rendang tok. It contains beef, coconut milk, onion, garlic, chilies, coriander powder, cumin, black pepper, fennel, turmeric root, lemon grass and other ingredients. If you visit a Malay wedding, like I did some time back, you most likely will have some rendang as it is usually used for special occasions.

Laksa

Laksa is a good example of a crossover type of dish. The Malays probably make some of the very best laksa in Malaysia. Laksa is a kind of spicy noodle soup based on fish and spices. And don’t forget to visit Uncle Zam restaurant in Seri Manjung where you probably find some of the best Johor Laksa in the Pulau Pangkor area.

                                                             Planning a trip for 10 or more people?

If you find yourself in the position of being nominated as a group organiser then don’t be daunted by the prospect of bringing everything together for your group.

The trick for successful group planning is to organise as much as you can in advance.

The first step is to get some feedback on which city the group want to travel to. How long the trip will be for. Dates of travel and probably most importantly set yourselves a budget per person per night for the hotel accommodation.

For particularly large groups or student groups then hotels in the city suburbs often work out the best value but bear in mind that if you don’t have your own coach and driver then will public transport be feasible for the entire group?

It’s also worth remembering that not all hotels accept teenage student groups or single sex groups, typically stag and hen groups so if you contact hotels directly you may get some rejections along the way.
One of the ways to avoid the time consuming acts of contacting hotels individually is to use the services of a travel agency such as gtahotels.com who will take the hard work out of searching for a suitable hotel for you.

If you contact us for your group request then the hardest and most time consuming thing you will need to do it to fill out our group request form. There is no obligation to book and you will receive a swift quote with group rates which will be even better value for you

https://secure.gtahotels.com/groupbooking.php

Plus, as the group leader you get a great bonus of a hotel voucher that can be used through our website as you wish. Terms and conditions apply.

Once you have a hotel confirmed then you will need to pay just 25% of the booking. The balance is not due until 45 days before the check in date if you book through us.

As the group organiser it will be your responsibility to collect the payment from your group members and to inform them of the cancellation and amendment policy.
Once the balance has been paid you will receive your pre paid accommodation voucher. Transfers and tours can also be arranged and if you have any special requests please ask the person looking after your group so they can assist or advice you.

A word of warning, once you have successfully completed your first group organization then you will find yourself being nominated for the group leader the next year!