Peeing on the wound doesn’t help. Nor does washing it with vinegar.Find out the hard way when a jellyfish stung YOU.

OBOR-OBOR or jellyfish may look harmless but its tentacles can deliver deadly stings. The tiny “stingers” on the tentacles are not visible to the naked eye but all the same, a brush with one will give you a nasty, stinging rash.

This boneless creature floats and bobs in the sea like a discarded plastic bag. Its victims are mainly small fish that swim unawares into the tentacles that also look like seaweed and end up as food for the jellyfish.

In turn, jellyfish is food for turtles which is why turtles sometimes mistakenly swallow plastic bags as, in the water, these resemble jellyfish.

We hear of so many incidents of turtles ending up dead after swallowing plastic bags discarded by humans.

Here are some tips to avoid jellyfish.

1. Keep your eyes open for jellyfish, even when in shallow waters.

2. Don’t swim alone. A jellyfish sting may paralyse your body and you’ll need help to get out of the water.

3. Avoid swimming in deep waters away from your group.

4. Seek immediate treatment from a doctor.

6. Jellyfish usually appear during turtle egg-laying season as turtles feed on them. Find out from locals when this is.

HAVE you ever found yourself needing certain things during flight delays? Instead of moaning and groaning about flight delays, which can happen anytime, anywhere, the best way to deal with it is to be prepared.

Carry a small bag with you which can be your hand luggage or a backpack and stuff in it a book or magazine to read and some snacks and packet drinks.

You may also include a sweater or a small blanket because the air-conditioning at airports can be very cold, especially at night.

Your bag can also contain a change of clothes, a hand towel, a tiny bar of soap, maybe some hand sanitiser, comb, some make-up, toothpaste and toothbrush, facial and antibacterial wipes, tissue, sweets, deodorant and your prescription pills.

Many of these items come in miniature packages that can easily fit in small bags.

These items can be bought at airports, but you will have to pay a higher price for them. It is cheaper to buy them from pharmacies or shops outside.

If you are travelling with children, then also pack a small bag for every child and include food and drinks, a change of clothes, small soft toys, crayons and colouring paper as well as a small pillow, blanket and sweater.

Don’t forget their medication, too.

Being prepared this way also helps tremendously in case you lose your check-in baggage.

Since most airlines have strict rules about alcohol consumption, please do not hit the nearest airport bar or lounge if your flight is delayed.

Airlines can refuse to allow drunk or intoxicated passengers to board their flights.

Have a nice day..

**SPECIAL OFFER**

Langkawi Sea View Hotel 3D2N. (2 person)

Package No: 1B

Package include;

Price from MYR990.00

For reservation, please send your email to: reservation@malaysiasecrets.com and tell me your name, check in date and package no.

An important announcement from Malaysia Airlines. Everyday low fares. Click here to read MORE…

Have a nice day.

**PROMOTION**

Langkawi Eagle Bay Hotel (3D2N).

Package No: 1A

Price from MYR390.00

NOTE;

For reservation, please send your email to: reservation@malaysiasecrets.com and tell me your name, check in date and package no.

FORGET luxury chocolates and imported snacks. From now on, the trend will be to serve locally produced tidbits in hotel rooms and at social events. Malaysian products like kerepek, chips and nuts will be some of the local delicacies offered to visitors.

“What we need is more attractive packaging to make them more competitive and saleable. Our local hotels and resorts should start offering local snacks in their gift baskets or in the rooms. They can do away with chocolates and imported fruit which cost so much more,” said Tourism Minister Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said.

“I get really irritated when I step into a hotel room and find chocolates and imported fruits. What is wrong with having local snacks? Is it a status symbol to serve foreign items?”

She said that many Malaysians get excited when they see food outlets abroad selling Malaysian-made instant noodles and dodol but we are reluctant to put locally-made snacks on our shelves here.

“We can sell Malaysia through food, like what Malaysia Kitchen is doing overseas. The Tourism Ministry will soon be working with the Agriculture and Agro Based Industry Ministry to promote more Malaysian-made snacks locally and abroad.”

The Ministry is also looking at enhancing the highly successful nine-year-old Malaysia Truly Asia campaign that is used worldwide.

Azalina said some rethinking has to be done on the campaign to see how it can work better.

“Malaysia is truly Asia because of its multi-racial and multi-cultural makeup. But look around — countries in this region, like Singapore, Vietnam and Indonesia, are very similar to us in many ways.

“In fact, many countries in the world are so cosmopolitan and they have so many different races and religions living under one roof. What we should do is to start looking at other things like our forests, flora and fauna,” she said.

According to Azalina, Malaysia should give tourists more options - other than its unique racial makeup and diverse cultures.

“Yes, our biggest selling point is our people and our culture. But we can give more like eco-tourism and nature which are hard to find in other countries,” she said.

“We have to make tourists excited by giving them many options. This is where we have to start thinking out of the box, have killer instincts and be very, very creative. Let’s not dictate terms to them by telling tourists what they should see and do when they are here.”

She does not want industry players to go out and sell Malaysia and then return home to sit on their laurels.

Tourism, she said, is about serving people and not just going jalan-jalan on foreign trips to promote Malaysia at fairs, expos and other events.

The perennial problem of under-performing service industry also came under fire from Azalina who is keen to tackle the problem.

While our neighbours — Thailand, Singapore and Indonesia — are bending over backwards for tourists, Malaysians do not see the importance of being nice to our tourists.

“What is the point of asking them to visit Malaysia when we cannot be nice to them. Tourists are like guests in our house,” she said.

“When we have guests, we clean our houses and are on our best behaviour. Likewise, with tourists, we should never forget our manners and smiles.”

INCREASED tourism activities during Visit Malaysia Year has helped Malaysia maintain a position in the top five in online accommodation website.

Bookings for 2007 were boosted by Tourism Malaysia’s success in increasing visitor arrivals as well as our local team’s success in increasing the number of Malaysian properties available on our site.

The frequent promotions by low-cost airlines, rising consumer confidence in booking online and increased intra-Asia travel, have assisted the growth in online accommodation bookings all over Asia, so maintaining a place amongst tough competition was no small feat.

Thailand moved up two spots from last year to take the top position for 2007. In second and third place are Singapore and Hong Kong respectively. Malaysia is fourth, followed by China.

As for the top Malaysian destinations in 2007, Kuala Lumpur, Penang and Malacca held the top three positions for a consecutive year, with quality properties maintaining high occupancy levels all year round.

Langkawi showed the biggest improvement, moving up four spots from last year to fourth place. Other changes on the list were Pahang and Terengganu which both moved up a spot from their 2006 position and Negeri Sembilan which made it to the list for the first time.

Top Malaysian destinations 2007

1. Kuala Lumpur
2. Penang
3. Malacca
4. Langkawi
5. Pahang
6. Sabah
7. Sarawak
8. Johor
9. Terengganu
10. Negri Sembilan

Spa treatments help us de-stress. Customers should also do their part to contribute to this relaxing ambience

SPENDING time in a spa is the dream of many, especially if you are stressed out from your job or a weary mum who is perpetually running after her children.

The spa is definitely the place to unwind and de-stress. In recent years, many spas have opened here, some affordable and some very exclusive.

But no matter where you have decided to de-stress and spend a couple of hours in to have your feet and body massaged, or a facial done, there are some spa etiquettes to follow.

1. Time your arrival for at least 15 to 20 minutes before your scheduled appointment as this will allow you to check-in, change and relax before you go in for your session.

It wouldn’t be fair on the next client if you take up time that has been set aside for them, which is what happens when you are late. If the day’s booking is heavy, some spas may not extend your time slot.

2. Leave your mobile phone in the locker and please put it in “silent” mode. You shouldn’t engage in phone conversations during treatment or when you are in meditation areas.

3. Leave your jewellery and valuables at home or in the locker provided.

4. Don’t bring your domestic or work problems to the spa. You wouldn’t want to spend time telling your problems to the therapist.

5. Try to shower before you head for the spa. Should you feel you need to bathe again when you are there, do so. It’s not nice to be sweaty and smelly during the treatment.

6. Don’t be afraid to tell your therapist if the pressure applied for the facial or massage is too heavy or too light. After all, they are there to look into your needs and make it possible for you to relax.

7. Never feel pressured to buy products recommended by your facial consultant or therapist. You are not obliged to buy.

8. Leave your children at home. Children can get very restless if they have to sit and wait for their mothers to finish their treatment and restless children can be a nuisance to others. If you can’t leave them at home, bring along someone to take care of them. Also, check with the spa management if this is permissible.

9. Finally, if your therapist has done a good job, be generous with your tip. Some people would give a tip of RM5 or RM10 directly to the therapists after the treatment.

THE Lonely Planet travel guidebook has picked Malaysia as one of the world’s top seven destinations for Year 2008, with many of its hottest tourist attractions on the east coast of peninsular Malaysia.

According to the international publisher, these tourist magnets include wildlife parks like Taman Negara, Lake Kenyir (South-East Asia’s largest man-made lake), elephant sanctuaries in Kuala Gandah as well as turtle sanctuaries. The latest to come on stream in 1999 was the Ma’ Daerah Turtle Sanctuary Centre in Kemaman.

According to the Lonely Planet website: “Malaysia is one of the most pleasant, hassle-free countries to visit in South-East Asia. It’s buoyant and wealthy and has moved towards a pluralist culture based on a vibrant and interesting fusion of Malay, Chinese, Indian and indigenous cultures and customs.

“Aside from the gleaming glass towers of the 21st Century, Malaysia boasts some of the most superb beaches, mountains and national parks in Asia.

“The jungle at Taman Negara is so dense that you could pass within metres of an animal and never know it. The probability of spotting wildlife increases the further you trek from the heavily-trafficked park headquarters…

“The greatest reward of a visit to Taman Negara has to be present in one of the world’s most pristine extant primary rainforests. The jungle here is claimed to be the oldest in the world. None of the Ice Ages had any effect here and Taman Negara has eluded volcanic activity and other geological upheavals.”

Malaysia joins six other countries as “best choice” for a holiday. Then there’s Armenia (famed for its medieval monasteries, mountain peaks, sighting of the ultra rare Caucasian leopard), Bhutan (the last surviving great Himalayan kingdom with towering monasteries, intact Tibetan culture and pristine Himalayan environment) and Eritrea in East Africa (for its surreal landscape and pristine reefs).

Other countries are Montenegro in Serbia (famed for its sultry coastline and Adriatic deep blue waters), Mozambique (for its stunning beaches located over a 2,500km coastline, rugged bush interior and pulsating Afro-Latino vibe) and Papua New Guinea (for its people who are living much the same way they have had for thousands of years, uncrowded surfs, live volcanoes and wildlife).

Lonely Planet publishes over 650 titles in 118 countries with annual sales of more than six million guidebooks.

AFTER more than a decade in business, Sunway Pyramid, Malaysia’s first themed shopping and entertainment mall, has undergone a facelift.

There is now more space than before for shopping, eating, recreation and lots more. These have been embraced well by shoppers who seem in awe of the new place.

The design of the mall is chic and contemporary and definitely more upmarket.

However, don’t let the first impression of the expensive high-end look put you off.

Step inside and explore the shops for prices that are still reasonable.

At some of the outlets, you will be able to buy evening purses for RM50 or comfortable sandals with designs for between RM50 and RM60.

The RM550 million renovation has brought about five shopping precincts in one location — Fashion Central, Oasis Boulevard, Asian Avenue, Marrakesh and Kidz Zone.

With more than 700 outlets for shoppers of all ages, one will be spoilt for choice at all the precincts.

At Fashion Central, it is definitely high street fashion, ranging from young designer lines to signature couture.

Headlining the runway are Marks and Spencers, MNG, NAF NAF, Dorothy Perkins, Nike, Cerutti 1881, Giardano and Esprit.

If you have teenage children, take them to Asian Avenue that offers everything of the J-Pop culture or Japanese street fashion.

This is probably the only shopping mall that has a dedicated place for J-Pop culture and it is especially appealing to students from nearby colleges and universities.

Here, you will find yourself being served by youngsters in funky hairdos and even funkier clothes.

At Marrakesh, which will remind you of a large colonial building painted entirely in white, you will be able to pick up knick knacks, leather goods, tea leaves and antique pipes, among other things, while Kidz Zone offers many things for mothers and children.

The Oasis Boulevard has trendy restaurants, cafes and clubs offering local, Western and Japanese cuisine. There are also various designer coffee outlets.

For entertainment and fun, the mall houses the 48-lane Pyramid Mega Lanes bowling centre which has hosted many international events.

There is also the Sunway Pyramid Ice, which is Malaysia’s largest indoor ice-skating rink.

Movie buffs will have a whale of a time choosing which films to watch at the 12-screen Tanjung Golden Village cineplex.

A world-class exhibition and convention centre and numerous eateries serving Malaysian food and cuisine from all around the globe are all within the mall, making it one huge place that you couldn’t possibly cover in one day.