Johor Travel Log

Zapin Johor dance is a traditional Malay folk dance. This dance is believed to have originated in Arabia where the movement is fast and there are not many dance movements. This dance was popular in the fifties (50s) and sixties (60s). Zapin Johor dance known in two forms of Zapin which are Zapin Melayu and Arabic. These two dances show differences in terms of their adaptive elements. In reality, both genres of zapin originated from an art of the Arab community brought from Hadramaut.   In Johor, zapin dance has been accepted as an Islamic art and serves as entertainment either at secular ceremonies or on celebrations of greatness. But in terms of softness and smoothness of traditional dance, Zapin Melayu Johor though born of the adaptations made on Zapin Arab selectively but undeniable Zapin shows more subtlety and beauty of motion of Zapin Arab. An interesting thing about Zapin Johor dance is the ability to create a sense of brotherhood of dancers and musicians as well as the nature o

  Written by : Siti Nurafiqah binti Zulkifle The Kuda Kepang dance is famous for its mystical powers. This dance has other names such as jaran kepang, kuda lumping, jathilan and ebeg. For Javanese ‘jaran’ is a horse while ‘kepang’ refers to weaving. For the Javanese community, the nickname for the popular kepang horse is the jaran kepang because the show presented is using horse weaving. Kuda kepang are made using woven bamboo. At first, kuda kepang used woven pandan but now some are made of plywood or cowhide. It is usually black with yellow feathers. However, renovations have taken place when there are also horses wrapped in velvet to make the horse look more attractive. Usually decorations like this are for the purpose of presentation at a high level. In ancient times, the performance of kuda kepang was played in worship ceremonies. Some believe that kuda kepang are played for the living to establish contact with the spirits of the dead. Apart from that, it is believed that kuda kep

 TOUR GUIDE TO PULAU TIOMAN As of this writing, Malaysia has been in a Covid-19 inspired lockdown for over 70-days. The kind of lockdown that probably has many people chomping at the bit for a blissful island vacation. Pulau Tioman (Tioman Island) is a photo essay in idyllic island bliss. It’s rare to find an online photo showing anything but. And for the most part it’s true. However, getting to this tropical wonderland has a few challenges that first-time visitors should be prepared for. Is it worth the effort? Yes! And if you’re smart and do a little research beforehand you can have a relaxing island holiday, rather than spend the majority of your time finding your way there as well as navigating the island. So, for those looking for a post-pandemic Malaysian island getaway let me introduce you to Tioman Island. Get to know Tioman a little bit. Located about 32km off the east coast of Peninsula Malaysia, in the South China Sea, Tioman Island is part of the  Tioman Marine Park  in the

Written by : Siti Nurafiqah binti Zulkifle The origin of the name Batu Pahat is traced back to the 15th century legend when the Siamese army attacked a place of stone carved in the village of Minyak Beku to get a supply of clean water during their retreat. At that time, they are being chased by a group of army from Melaka led by Tun Perak, a treasurer of the Malacca Sultanate. In 1456, the Siamese army led by Admiral Awi Di Chu occupied Batu Pahat before attacking Melaka. According to another story, after the Portuguese occupied Melaka, it is believed that the granite stones used to build Kota A Famosa were obtained from the estuary of the Batu Pahat River. Then the city of Batu Pahat got its name from the "carved stone" at the estuary. Known for its salty fish in the past, Batu Pahat was formerly known as "Bandar Penggaram" which means "salt-making city". Bandar Penggaram was opened on 1 January 1894 by Dato 'Muhamad Salleh bin Perang, Dato' Benta

  Written by : Siti Nurafiqah binti Zulkifle Before getting his real name as it is now, Johor was in mention and is well known among the sailors from Siam, Europe, the Middle East and the Nusantara with a variety of names long before the Government of the Sultanate of Malacca. In the book Sejarah Melayu that been written by Tun Sri Lanang in 1612, Johor was originally known in the Java language as Ganggayu or Gangga Ayu which has the same meaning as Warawari, a big government in upstream Sungai Johor. In the Siamese language, Johor has been referred as "Gangganu" and the Javanese call Johor as "Galuh". Both of these words carry the meaning of "Gemstones". When Nusantara is famous for its spice business, traders from Arab have also come to do business at here. From time to time, the influence of Arabic and Islam became stronger with the arrival of these Arab traders. The Arabs call the gemstone with the name "Jauhar". From this mention of Jauhar,

  FLINTSTONE CASTLE 86800, JEMALUANG MERSING JOHOR It is located at Mersing Johor and belongs to the Johor's Royal Family. Credit : The Star Sultan Johor, Sultan Ibrahim Ibni Almarhum Sultan Iskandar is one of the Flintstones cartoon lover, until he named one of his castle with "Flintstones Castle" which located at Mersing. This unique castle is 24 hectar in area, which actually facing a beach with a big light house with the height of 9 storey-house (under construction) It is a 2 storey animated castle, its fully furnished and beautifully decor like a prestige gigantic cave. It is complete with 17 rooms including 2 president suites. Moreover, the castle also have a museum and private library with 60,000 original Marvel comic imported from Australia.

 RAINFOREST TREE HOUSE, GUNUNG PULAI Address:  Gunung Pulai, Taman Gunung Pulai, 81000 Kulai, Johor Phone:  012-930 9914 (Source : Mr Google) The night spend at the rainforest tree house Gunung Pulai is based on tree the tourist paid for. It may be not so comfortable as there are no air conditioner but it will be the most remembered memories sleeping at the rainforest tree! Nature feeling and relaxing.

  A WELL-KNOWN PAK MAT WESTERN  Address:  Jalan SME 3, Bandar Indahpura, 81000 Kulai, Johor Hours:                                                                        Opens 4.00pm - 10.30pm (During PKP) Phone:  010-212 2424 Pak Mat Western has several franchise all over Malaysia. For example, Bukit Minyak, Pulau Pinang, Simpang Ampat, Melaka, Selangor and Kulai, Johor. As at Kulai, it always full house and a loooong que outside. The price range is quite affordable with the quality and the quantity. This is the restaurant which located at Kulai. Can you imagine this big restaurant full with person que? Notes : bring your own chair and umbrella while que :)

 KOTA TINGGI WATERFALL Address:  Sungai Pelepah, Gunung Panti Recreational Forest, 81900 Kota Tinggi, Johor The waterfall is open 24 hours. There is no fee as it is a public waterfall. Despite of  its convenient location, there's also resort and hotel offer there. But the fee to enter their water park is RM15 per person and RM5 for kids. The specific price of the accommodation is based on the resort and hotel itself but the range price is quite affordable if purchase online or via Agoda.  

  PULAU PEMANGGIL, MERSING JOHOR The island sits 45 km east of Mersing mainland. As with most inhabited islands in Malaysian waters, Pemanggil has its fair share of history, mystery and spooky tales. The island is fishermen's best-kept secret. It is known for deep-sea fishing and good hunting grounds for marlins and mackerels. This remote island is also famed for the beauty and abundance of marine life within its clear emerald waters. Its other magnetic charms include endless stretches of white sandy beaches and awesome snorkelling spots. Fishing and diving is excellent here. For the adventurous, the hill outcrop of the island makes for a challenging climb and the summit holds an inherent scenic beauty of the far reaching ocean. We can reach Pulau Pemanggil by boat from Mersing Town.

SIBU ISLAND, MERSING JOHOR. It consists of several islands, namely Sibu Besar Island, Sibu Tengah Island, Sibu Kukus Island and Sibu Hujung Island. There are four main beaches on the eastern side of Sibu. Sibu Besar, the main island, is approximately 6 km long and 1 km wide, and for the most part covered by tropical vegetation.