TripCanvas Editorial Team

TripCanvas Editorial Team

A collective of travel, food and adventure enthusiasts sharing stories about hidden gems and unexplored local attractions, aiming to showcase and help you explore the destination in its truest form.

CultureEventsLocale

Street art hunt in Georgetown, Penang

streetart1 Wall artwork called "Brother and Sister" street art in George Town, Penang

A trip to Penang is not complete without checking out the many quirky street arts Georgetown. has become famous for! Started as an activity to boost tourism, the municipal corporation commissioned artist Ernest Zacharevic to give a makeover to the sleepy little town. Since then, there has been no looking back since then! More street art has cropped up all over Penang, reflecting its local culture. The artwork is ever evolving and takes a bit of looking to actually spot and appreciate. Most of the pieces in plain sight while a few are in narrow alleyways. Looking for a art piece is almost like a live treasure hunt!

Locating the street art

Once you land in Penang, take the help of a map to find the artwork. Also, explore the alleys and bylanes to spot the street arts at the most unlikely places. Searching and locating the street art is one of the best ways to get a tour of Penang. While some of these paintings tell you fun facts about the city, the others celebrate the history and heritage of Georgetown, to put the stories of the past back into the city. If the walking and searching feel overwhelming to you, the most convenient way to do this is to take a guided tour of Penang from Locaguide where you can customise your itinerary to include a street art tour. While you’re on this tour, ask your local guide to help you find the famous and the not so famous ones and share tales of local life in Penang.

Penang wire art and mural at Victoria street
The wire frame arts work is around the Georgetown heritage zone in Penang , Malaysia

Moreover, some of the pieces are so realistic that they are often mistaken for actual children or people. The only telltale sign to spot them can be a person striking pose near them or by going right up to the wall. One of the best ways to experience these street arts is by posing with the painting and almost becoming a part of the picture. And that’s what sets the street art of Penang apart – by being interactive and engaging the visitor!

view of a mural 'Little children on a bicycle
General view of a mural ‘Little children on a bicycle’ painted by Ernest Zacharevic in Penang on Nov 24, 2012. The mural is one of the 9 murals paintings in early 2012.
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EventsLocale

Bring out your inner child at Legoland Malaysia

Legoland1Legoland Malaysia

No trip to Johor Bahru is complete without visiting Legoland! A themed amusement park where both adults and kids have the time of their life. In fact, all the focus here is on the Lego! Legoland is the perfect place to spend a whole day enjoying rides and eating fun food while on Malaysian holiday.

With a park for every age group, Legoland is the perfect place for a family adventure.This super fun theme park has many options to choose from! As a result, the vastness of the park ensures you don’t have to wait in super long lines while waiting your turn for a ride.

Unleash at Water park!

Spend your afternoon in the water park, sliding down, slide after slide as you enjoy the chill of the water. The sun keeps you warm and toasty while having fun at the waterpark. Besides, be sure to carry a change of clothes as you will want to stay longer and explore more of the park.

Legoland Waterpark
Atop view of Legoland waterpark

Explore the Lego city

In addition to water park, the amusement park is home to Lego city. Explore how basic physics helps your kids accomplish tasks at the imagination park. Allow your child’s inner curious scientist to explore building and construction aspects. Furthermore, watch your kids use large blocks of lego with an extra dose of fun. Enjoy the many games and rides at the land of adventure. Eat to your heart’s content at the many food stall options available at Legoland.

Legocity
Explore the pretty exhibits and learn to build with Lego Blocks

At Legoland allow your inner child to take over, as you explore, learn and enjoy the games, puzzles and rides. Spend the day watching yourself enjoy and let loose and enjoy like a child in a toy store with no restrictions!

Finally, all you need to do is make sure to build your itinerary keeping a day aside for Legoland. Customise your itinerary on Locaguide and to make the most of this visit. Your local travel guide from Locaguide will book the tickets, and help you make the most of your day at Legoland.

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CultureLocale

Prambanan-The most Iconic Temple of Yogyakarta

featured imageIconic Prambanan Temple

A very popular tourist spot, Prambanan is a 9th-century Hindu temple compound in Yogyakarta. Known to be an icon of Indonesia’s cultural heritage, which marks the return of the Hindu rule over Indonesia. An earthquake in the 16th century toppled many of the temples in the complex. Yet, the iconic heritage property has a lot to tell about the rich history of Indonesia

Prambanan is a collection of almost 240 temples. The complex now boasts of 8 main shrines called ‘Candi’.

 

The three main shrines, known as ‘Trimurti’, are dedicated to three Hindu Gods: Shiva-the Destroyer, Brahma-the Creator and Vishnu-the Keeper.

 

The Candi dedicated to Shiva is the finest and the largest structure in the complex. Standing almost 47 feet tall, the four-armed Shiva on a lotus is a wonder in itself. Besides, the statue several carved rocks adorn the walls of the temple depicting the tales of Ramayana.

Details of the stone carvings
Intricate carvings in Prambanan Temple.

The Vishnu temple, on the other hand, has carvings depicting the story of Lord Krishna from the mythological book Mahabharata. Here too, the four armed statue commands praise as much as the detailed carvings.

Lastly, in Brahma the carving on the stones, depict the final scenes from the  Mahabharata. This four-headed statue is the  most spectacular statue in Prambanan.

Beaming sunlight on Brahma temple
Temple complex against shining morning sun on background.

If you are curious to know  history and culture of Yogyakarta, be sure to ask your travel guide from Locaguide to show you around. We can assure you that a visit to the Prambanan Temples will surely be the highlight of your Yogyakarta tour.

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Locale

Explore the Perak Cave Temple in Ipoh

Cave TemplePerak Cave Temple Ipoh, Malaysia

Whether or not a religious person, a trip to the Perak Cave Temple is something you can not miss when in Ipoh, Malaysia. Ipoh remains gifted with around 30 cave temples and the Perak Cave Temple is one among them. The limestone cave opens up to give a spectacular view of the golden Buddha Statue and other deities that the locals worship. The cave adorns itself with colourful artwork and ancient murals depicting characters and events from Chinese mythology. If you look closely, you can notice Chinese calligraphy painted on the walls depicting tales of the temple founders.

Golden statue of Buddha
Golden statue of Buddha

The Cavern of Perak Cave Temple

Once you move past the initial temple, you reach a narrow 400 steps stone stairway. The climb up those slippery stairs is worth the striking view of the city and its surrounding limestone mountains. Despite the long climb in the Malaysian heat, the caves on the top are surprisingly cool. You can unwind at the gazebos as you absorb the gorgeous view of the landscaped gardens in front of the temple. Meanwhile, you can even grab a bite and cup of tea at one of the small stalls found around the 

A scenic view from the temple gazebos
A scenic view from the temple gazebos

Ask your local guide from Locaguide to take you to the hidden stalls where you can have your fortune told. Or meanwhile, walk around to indulge in some retail therapy as you shop for souvenirs to take home from Ipoh.

The Perak Cave Temple serves as the perfect getaway if you want to enjoy your vacation in a natural setting. You get to explore the cave and its multiple spots that offer the breathtaking view of the surrounding area. Here, you can also try your hand at photography and capture some truly gorgeous pictures of the city down below.

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Food

Top 3 Sundanese street food in Bandung

Street foodStreet food in Bandung

Be it a gastronomical adventure or just a tour for a street-style lunch then Bandung makes sure not to disappoint you! Each food item tastes unique and delicious. But more importantly, the street food in Bandung remains one of the best ways to get a glimpse of Sundanese cuisine! So, the top three dishes you got to try from Bandung’s street food joints during your trip.

Sampling the dishes in Bandung

1. Combro

Combro is a super-Sundanese-snack and is had with your afternoon tea. It contains grated cassava(root vegetable) as its main ingredient and made into medium-sized balls filled with oncom — a traditional fermented Indonesian staple food made with soybeans, similar to tempeh( a soy product like that of tofu). The oncom-filled balls are then deep fried until the outer part becomes brown and crispy. Chew it with green chillies and experience pure bliss!

Crispy Combro served with tea
Crispy Combro served with tea

2. Bakso Tahu Goreng

Popularly known as Batagor, Bakso Tahu Goreng simply refers to Indonesian fried meatballs and tofu. Batagor, primarily, means a fried tenggiri fish dumpling served as a snack with a mildly spicy and aromatic peanut sauce. Relish this Sundanese dish at any popular Batagor outlet in Bandung and you sure will keep coming back for more!

Batagor
Batagor

3. Nasi Timbel

Nasi Timbel is a rice dish similar to lontong(compressed rice cakes); wrapped inside the banana leaf and steamed (or sometimes barbecued) until the leaf produces a pleasant aroma. And then served with a variety of side dishes — including fried chicken or beef, duck egg, tofu, a traditional hot sauce, and a special raw vegetable salad called lalab. In the meanwhile, this dish perfectly qualifies for lunch or supper.

Traditional Nasi Timbel
Traditional Nasi Timbel

Opting for a tour guide from  Locaguide can ease down your hunt for the best street food in Bandung. He/She can not only show you the best places but will also tell you about the history and traditions associated with these lip-smacking Sundanese dishes.

The sublime taste of the dishes, the use of unique spices, the perfect balance of saltiness, sweetness and sourness — Bandung’s food streets have everything that will make your tummy rumble in happiness!

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Locale

Take a tour of the Bako National Park

Bako National ParkAn iconic stone formation at Bako National Park

Accessible by a short boat ride from Bako village near Kuching, the Bako National Park is one of the oldest national parks in East Malaysia. The park is a perfect place to test your endurance because you pick from one of the multiple walking trails.

Trailing through Bako National Park

Walk along while you try to spot some of the wildlife inhabiting the forest. Depending on your sense of adventure you can choose a trail that either involves; a full day of jungle hiking or simply walk along the shorter trails. Silence on the trails will ensure you get to spot the Proboscis Monkey, found only in Bako. In the meantime, walk along the trail overlooking the mangroves and the green vegetation. Here, you might even spot a saltwater crocodile sunbathing amongst the tree roots or waiting on their next meal.

Proboscis Monkey
Proboscis Monkey

Meanwhile, the park allows you to see a myriad of flora and fauna native to Malaysia. It ranges from a variety of trees, shrubs, rare plant species and much more. The plant life that gets the most interests, however, remain the carnivorous pitcher plants. They feed on insects common to the park.

Alternatively, you can skip the long treks and just relax at one of the beaches at Bako National Park. Or participate in fun games and activities available at the multiple secluded beaches. The sunset from Telok Assam beach will be amongst the best sunsets you witness here. Stay back after the sun sets completely and you will be in for a spectacular view of the mountain against the colourful sky, a sight you should not miss! The beach during this time is the perfect place to birdwatch as the birds start flying back and hovering around their nests. For more adventure, ask your local guide from Locaguide to help you book one of the multiple chalets. With this, you will get a chance to see the nocturnal wildlife of the park as you spend the night camping.

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CultureEvents

Local Festival Of The Nine Emperor Gods In Ipoh

Nine Emperor GodsNine Emperor Gods Festival being celebrated at a temple

The Nine Emperor Gods is a festival celebrated to signify the return of the Nine Emperor Spirits to earth after their heavenly trip. Worshipped by the locals in the form of a single deity, Mazu; the festival continues for about nine days. It starts in the month of the ninth moon according to the Chinese Lunar calendar.

Celebrations of Nine Emperor Gods

The celebrations start at the temple and advance towards the local river. All the devotees dress in white and walk with incense sticks to welcome the spirits back to earth. The religious practices during this festival occur to be a bit unusual. This, in turn, will leave you spellbound as you watch the locals celebrate this homecoming.

A unique festival like this is best experienced with a local on your side. Opt for a guided tour of Ipoh town from Locaguide. Ask your local guide on how best can you get a hands-on experience of the festivities, the local celebrations and rituals. You may not have to impale yourself with cuts and piercings but rather just be a part of the celebrations. Stay with the local devotees overnight at the temples and help them prepare meals that they eat during the festival.

A group of devotees walking over a bed of ht coals
A group of devotees walking over a bed of ht coals

The temples during these nine days remain filled with bell chimings and continuous prayer chants can be heard all day long. While you will also spot devotees walking on coals of fire and climb ladders with blades on steps. All this along with the body piercings and slashings. Meanwhile, tourists from across the world throng Malaysia during this nine-day long festival to take a glimpse of it.

From watching the procession of people with piercings all over their body to eating the specially prepared vegetarian food; experience this celebration with the locals. During your tour of Ipoh make sure that Nine Emperor Gods festival definitely remains a part your itinerary, of things to go and see.

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Food

Taste Penang’s famous fried noodles – Char Kway Teow

Char Kway TeowStir-fried flat noodles with shrimps, bean sprouts and egg

A signature dish coming from the food-loving state of Penang, Char Kway Teow essentially is a stir-fried rice noodle. A dish tossed with seafood, eggs, Chinese sausages and bean sprouts. The characteristic features that make Char Kway Teow the nation’s favourite signify its distinctive flavours; a well-seasoned wok diffusing with the fresh ingredients and the smoky charred taste attributed to the extremely high temperatures cooked complements the dish perfectly.

More about Char Kway Teow

Mostly served among the labourers upon its first invention. The reason being its high-fat content providing the source of energy and nutrients. The fishermen and the farmers were the first to serve the dish as at the evening market. Meanwhile, this contributed to their source of income.

The locals believe, there is no better way to end a day than to indulge in a bowl of the piping hot flat rice noodles. The various flavours of spice and sweet with a hint of sour makes you naturally attracted to a bowlful of the stir-fried noodles. You may inadvertently indulge in a bit of overeating throughout your tour of Malaysia.

A cook preparing Char Kway Teow
A cook preparing Char Kway Teow

Found in almost every third stall in Penang, Char Kway Teow is a dish worth seeing during its preparations too! Prepared in single servings mainly, the rhythm the stall owners get into, almost synchronised dance-like rhythm sounds mesmerising. They further continue to get the “Wok Hei” seasoned perfectly; the rice noodles charred to a moist crunchy texture. Simultaneously ensuring the quantity of the rest of ingredients brings the whole dish and its exploding flavours together! You won’t mind waiting in the long queues usually found infront of the famous Char Kway Teow stalls.

Traditionally served on a banana leaf and eaten with chopsticks, Char Kway Teo is the perfect excuse to practice your chopstick skills and eat a sinful meal found at almost every corner in Penang. When planning your Penang itinerary, don’t forget to ask your local travel guide from Locaguide to take you to a few famous local haunts best known for serving the most authentic Char Kway Teow.

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CultureLocale

The Royal Palace of Yogyakarta

A pavilionOne of the pavilions in the Palace of Yogyakarta

The Palace(Kraton in Javanese) of Yogyakarta, serves as the official seat of the reigning Sultan of Yogyakarta. The palace holds official meetings, political functions and also serves as the royal residence. Built along the north-south axis, the Kraton Palace faces Merapi, the Sacred Mountain, and backs the Indian ocean, home of the mystical Indonesian Sea Queen.

The Palace of Yogyakarta
The Palace of Yogyakarta

Inside the Royal Palace of Yogyakarta

There is a cultural link between the palace compound and the people who live within it. The intricate designs in the pavilions, courtyards and placement of trees show the integration of the multiple faiths. Those that have had an influence over these parts of Indonesia. The central part of the palace boasts of Buddhist, Islamic and Hindu elements. The fine little details and treasures of the royal family, make it a must visit during your Yogyakarta tour.

The Palace of Yogyakarta stands guarded with the Kraton guards, dressed in the traditional attire. The custodians and their families have lived in the palace compound for generations as the inheritance of the job continues. Once a guard is too old to serve he is not asked to leave his service. Instead, the royal house continues to pay for his services until his last breath. This shows how deep the connection between the Kraton and its people goes!

Elderly men at the Kraton
Elderly men at the Kraton

The Palace remains closed to visitors in the evening so do talk to your local guide from Locaguide before a visit. Make a visit during the day to appreciate the history and architecture of the palace. Meanwhile, you may even get a chance to sample the royal cuisine at a couple of the restaurants that it.

The local taxi drivers often try to scam the tourists by making them take the wrong entrance leading to an unimpressive display. Make sure to ask your travel guide to accompany you to get the best of experience of the royal palace. Might as well ask the guide to translate the performances or shows you may ge to attend at the Royal Palace of Yogyakarata.

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Food

Taste authentic Ipoh OldTown White Coffee

A cup of coffeeA cup of OldTown White Coffee

Among other things, Ipoh is known as the hometown of the iconic OldTown white coffee of Malaysia. The Ipoh white coffee is nothing but lightly roasted coffee served with condensed milk, either hot or iced. The name comes from the light colour of the drink from its preparation. The drink is famous for its distinctive taste and aroma and is extremely popular among Malaysians in and outside Ipoh.

The Ipoh-style white coffee is an experience for the taste buds that you shouldn’t miss at any cost! Even if not a coffee drinker you need to try it at least once during your trip to Malaysia.

Sample at any OldTown White Coffee outlet

These days, Ipoh white coffee is available in several coffee shops in Malaysia, some dating back to old times and some contemporary. You may even find canned versions of it at convenience stores near you. But if you truly want to savour the authentic flavour, OldTown White Coffee is the perfect coffee shop to visit.

An OldTown White Coffee Outlet
An OldTown White Coffee Outlet

The best way to include this coffee shop in your itinerary would be to take a break during your city walk of Ipoh and stop by the flagship cafe for a snack and traditionally brewed white coffee. The coffee occurs slightly sweeter than regular coffee. Hot or iced, it makes up for a perfect drink while you explore the city of Ipoh. 

Usually crowded and thronged by locals, the OldTown White Coffee outlets possess a vibrant vibe. The staff makes sure that you have an experience that stands true to Malaysian hospitality. Take a break and enjoy your time while you stop by for a coffee and more.

While the coffee may seem too sweet for coffee connoisseurs, the experience of sipping on it may sound otherwise. This traditionally roasted and brewed white coffee at a vintage cafe is something everyone takes back with them from Malaysia. Make sure to add this to your itinerary so you can make one or multiple pitstops. Build a customised Ipoh itinerary on Locaguide and let Malaysia surprise you!

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