The 5 Most Popular Dive Spot in Malaysia

Malaysia has numerous great dive locations. The best dive sites in Malaysia can be found in the southeastern region of Sabah (on the island of Borneo). Easiest to reach are the dive sites at the east coast of Peninsular Malaysia, but this region is prone to the yearly monsoon season between October and March.

1) Sipadan Island, Mabul Island and Kapalai Island

These three islands probably contain the best dive sites in the whole of Malaysia. Sipadan is by far the best place to enjoy scuba diving; it is also not that easy to actually dive at because of the restricting rules that are in place (daily permit). Mabul is known worldwide for its amazing muck diving conditions. Kapalai is a small sand bank, not that great for diving, but here you can find a very exclusive resort built on stilts.

2) Layang-Layang Island

Layang-Layang is not a tropical island per se. It is a concrete landing strip with one resort and a marine base, located on a big sand bank located just below sea level. Layang-Layang is located in a remote area, where the underwater world has not been affected by human beings. Corals are in pristine conditions. Layang-Layang is a place to see big species and big schools of fish

3) Tenggol Island

Tenggol Island is located at the east coast of Peninsular Malaysia. It offers splendid diving conditions, but it is perhaps not suitable for beginners due to the currents that often play a big role in dives around the island. There are a few nice resorts on the island. Tenggol cannot be visited between October and March because of the monsoon season.

4) Tunku Abdul Rahman Marine Park

Right opposite of the city of Kota Kinabalu in western Sabah (Borneo) lies the wonderful Tunku Abdul Rahman Marine Park (TAR Marine Park). This area contains numerous dive sites that are definitely worth a visit. Dive schools mainly operate from out of Kota Kinabalu, though there are also a few that are located on the islands. Similar to Perhentian Island this is a great place to start diving by doing a 4 day PADI course as the dive conditions are optimal for beginners.

5) Perhentian Island

Perhentian is the best island in Malaysia to do a diving course. The diving conditions are splendid for beginners, and there are many dive spots available to enjoy immediately after finishing the PADI course. Perhentian has calm waters and an abundance of marine life. Besides diving it is probably one of the best islands for snorkeling, with shallow reefs with pretty nice corals and great marine life (also big fish and many turtles). At Perhentian prices for fun dives and for the diving course are probably the lowest in Malaysia. If you are a beginner, Perhentian Island is definitely the place to be!

To experience such a wonderful diving activity around Malaysia,kindly email our agents for further details.We are giving a great deals package for our first time customer. Make your reservations now! 

Contact Miss Ellyna Ibrahim at ellynaibrahimdiver22@yahoo.com or  Mr. Ammar Hakim amthediver77@gmail.com.

Tel: 08-8736389387

Tourism Business Ideas

Like any planning, tourism planning is goal-oriented, striving to achieve certain objectives by matching available resources and programs with the needs and wants of people. Related with my interest, i decided to start up a tourism business as I can see, tourism industry is an important and growing industry. It is becoming increasingly sophisticated, as evidenced by the varied segments and products that comprise the industry.


According to the nation's tourism minister, tourism in Malaysia contributes about 7 percent of the country's gross domestic product. The money generated from the rise in tourism also significantly reduces the country's deficit.


As i mentioned earlier, I am intended to open up my own business related with tourism industry but unfortunately the constrain of I am facing right now is about generating running capital to start up my business. My business consultant asked me to propose five ideas on how can I generate RM 1 million as a business capital. Finally after some research and brainstorming activities, I am manage to come up with five ideas :


Self finance. Most entrepreneurs and small business owners these days have come to the realization that they will have to self-fund (also know as “boot-strapping”) their projects for a significant amount of time until more formal funding opportunities become realistic. There are many ways to accomplish this from savings accounts and zero interest credit cards to leveraging other personal assets. If we believe in our vision and have an absolute refusal to accept failure as an option, we should feel comfortable investing our own money into the business. In turn, this will make potential investors more comfortable knowing we have skin in the game.
Friends and family. Funding from friends and family is a very popular and effective way to round up some initial capital for a business. Those closest to us are more likely than anyone to believe not only in our vision, but our ability to make that vision a reality. One downside of course is that we are potentially risking personal relationships should the business fail and your agreement not be structured properly. Borrow just enough to launch the business into operations, build a website, or develop some additional pitch material.
Small business loans. Banks are more stringent than ever about giving out loans and if we don’t have any credit, how can we possibly consider this route? According to Mike Kevitch, COO of All Business Loans, “Startups seeking money from banks need a good business plan, profitable projections and some of their own money in the game.” Seeking any type of capital can be a full time job in itself which is why companies like All Business Loans can be a great way to take the leg work out of it. Another reason to pursue debt financing is that we aren’t giving away a piece of your business.
Angel investors. This path is close to my heart because mostly many people have achieved enormous success in raising money this way. That being said, much of it has to do with timing and leveraging the right contacts. A large amount of trust can be built by giving our early stage investor his or her money back plus interest. When raising money from angels or VC’s we have to keep in mind that they will own a piece of the business and we then have a fiduciary responsibility to act in the best interests of the business and its shareholders. Attracting angel investors is a tricky business, and no matter how exciting and positive the initial conversations may be, the devil is always in the details. Know our business plan, be transparent, back up the valuation with real projections , and build a relationship based on trust.


5. Line of Credit loans.For startups, a line of credit can help get your business off the ground, as many new businesses have limited capital needs, and a loan can quickly eat into your profits. For example, some business owners will offer their customers and suppliers better payment terms in order to gain a competitive advantage, or others may buy inventory when it’s cheaper, or invest in advertising to attract more customers. As with any other financing solution, credit lines come in different varieties, each having advantages and disadvantages. The major difference is that a business loan is drawn once, usually for a specific purpose. A line of credit, on the other hand, can be used multiple times. As a result, business loans are usually used to borrow higher amounts, and often for one-time purposes, such as buying out a competitor.Credit lines are often used for day-to-day activities. Another difference is that loan repayments are fixed and paid on a monthly basis, while a credit line can be repaid at any point in time, and if your balance is zero, your payment is zero


With all these ideas, i believe i will successfully manage to get a 1 million of fund to start up my business. Next step is, I am going to propose another five ways to increase my business revenues from 1 million to 5 million to expand my business to the next level.


1. Crowdfunding is the practice of funding a project or venture by raising monetary contributions from a large number of people, typically via the internet.[1] One early-stage equity expert described it as “the practice of raising funds from two or more people over the internet towards a common Service, Project, Product, Investment, Cause, and Experience, or SPPICE.”


The crowd funding model is fuelled by three types of actors: the project initiator who proposes the idea and/or project to be funded; individuals or groups who support the idea; and a moderating organization (the "platform") that brings the parties together to launch the idea.


2.Start a side business – The next step would be to start a side business that is subscription based. In other words, you need a side business that continually generates monthly recurring revenue for you to build from.





3.Venture capitalists


For start up business beyond the startup phase and already have revenues coming in, a venture-capital investment may be appropriate. Fast-growth companies with an exit strategy already in place can gain up to tens of millions of dollars that can be used to invest, network and grow their company quickly.


"The benefit of venture-capital investors to a startup is that they can help them get the money and provide them with professional management expertise," said Brian Haughey, assistant professor of finance and director of the investment center at Marist College. "Because venture capitalists focus on specific industries, they can generally offer advice to the entrepreneur on whether the product is going to fly or what they need to do to bring it to market."


However, venture capitalists have a short leash when it comes to company loyalty and often look to recover their investment within a three- to five-year time window.


"They have to make a return and usually have a five-year time horizon," Haughey said. "If you have a product that is taking longer than that to get to market, then venture-capital investors may not be very interested in you."
4.Winning a contest


Other times, businesses can benefit from a bit of luck. That was the case for Roberto Torres and Luis Montanez, who funded a portion of their startup costs for apparel company Black & Denim with winnings from a business-plan competition.


"We utilized the funds to purchase manufacturing equipment that allowed us to scale our products and meet demand," the owners said. "This advantage gave us the opportunity to increase our production and get into bigger players like Stein Mart and Walt Disney World. The competition also gave us access to business experts that asked us the tough questions while allowing us to retain our equity — a perk that would have been very difficult to obtain otherwise."


5. Strategic investors


Strategic investing is more for a large company that identifies promising technologies," Haughey said. "For whatever reason, that company may not want to build up the research-and-development department in-house to produce that product, so they buy a percentage of the company. It is a cheap investment.





However, those using strategic investing must also think about the restrictions the investing companies may place on them. For instance, investors may cancel the business relationship at any time.

Island Calling

Perhentian Island, Besut, Terengganu

Perhentian Island

 1 of World's Most Amazing Island

The Perhentian Islands lie approximately 10 nautical miles (19 km) off the north eastern coast of West Malaysia in the state of Terengganu.
The two main islands are Perhentian Besar and Perhentian Kecil . The small, uninhabited islands of Susu Dara (Virgin Milk), Serengeh and Rawa lie off Kecil.

Like Besut, people here generally speak Kelantanese Malay, however English is widely spoken and understood to accommodate the growing tourism market. The Perhentian Islands have become a popular travel destination for families and backpackers alike due to the many lodging options that accommodate almost any budget.
Popular tourist activities include scuba-diving, snorkeling, and swimming. On most beaches, the water is shallow with many rays, cuttlefish and parrotfish. For diving, there are dozens of dive sites around both main islands, as well as several off-shore sites. Apart from these, activities like camping, canoeing, fishing, jungle trekking, and banana boat riding are also available. As for accommodation, most of it can be found on Perhentian Besar, the larger island. Hotels are usually aimed at budget travelers. A rise in tourism in Kuala Besar has led to the expansion of many different resorts and many options for snorkelers and divers alike

The Perhentian islands are home to numerous different species of monitor lizards, poisonous spiders, and geckos. In the water and on the coral reefs, sea turtles, clownfish, cuttlefish, blue spotted rays, and black tipped sharks swim freely among many others.

Fun Facts About Maldives

Maldives

If you’ve ever seen pictures of a tropical island with sparkling blue water that stretches as far as the eye can see, private beach huts on white sandy beaches, and coral reefs that teem with life, chances are they’re pictures of the Maldives. This tropical paradise sits in the middle of the Indian Ocean, and is made up of 1,190 coral islands and atolls that stretch over 90,000 square kilometers (35,000 sq mi). Ninety-nine percent of the nation of the Maldives is ocean water, but it still supports a rich, 3,000-year-old culture.

For as long as there has been recorded history, the Maldives has been an incredibly important island chain due to its location along a number of trade routes. The first people to officially colonize the islands came from India; the real date is unknown, but it was thought to happen before 269 BC.

 Legends says that there was no government, only a peace-loving community of people who worshiped the Sun and the water. The first actual kingdom was said to have been established by the son of the king of Kalinga in India. The king was greatly displeased with his son, so he was sent away to the Maldives—what was then known as Dheeva Maari. 

This prince, named Sri Soorudasaruna Adeettiya, was responsible for the establishment of the Maldives’ Adeetta Dynasty. Also known as the Solar Dynasty, this era ended with the marriage of a Solar Dynasty queen to a prince of Kalinga’s Lunar Dynasty. Legend is mixed with history in the early days of the Maldives; according to tradition, these days of the early kings are only known through a much later telling. Copper plates inscribed by a Princess that had been banished from her home island to Is Midu in the 1100s were supposedly found by a 14th century scholar, translated, then buried back in the sand to be lost forever.

Adulterers in Maldives, Face Public Flogging 

 The vast majority of flogging victims are women; recent statistics from 2006 accounted for 184 people who were convicted of having extra-marital sex and sentenced to be flogged. Only 38 of them were men. Most men who are accused of the crime walk free—all they have to do is deny it. Amnesty International has gotten involved with what they call a human rights violation, saying that most of the people who disagree with the practice are afraid to say so. In 2009, an 18-year-old mother was flogged 100 times, and later sent to the hospital for her injuries. She denied the charges as well, but was found guilty because she was pregnant. The two men accused with her were acquitted.

Maldives is a Muslim Nation

            Visitors should realize that the Maldives is a strictly Muslim nation, and obeying local laws and traditions are a requirement. Both the Shari’a and Ja’fari schools of law are represented on the islands, with the Shari’a overseeing family and criminal law. Originally a Buddhist nation, the Maldives were converted in the 12th century by traveling Islamic holy men, who were accompanying traders and merchants on their long journeys. In the 16th century, the islands were colonized by the Portuguese, who attempted to convert them to Christianity. The conversion failed, ending in violence and bloodshed. With the restoration of their government, the position of King came to be seen as a sacred position made possible by Allah. By law, the president and all cabinet members must be Sunni Muslim.

Alcohol Is Forbidden Outside Of Resorts

Because of the country’s strict Islamic beliefs, tourists are expected to obey and respect Muslim traditions while on the islands. Alcohol is prohibited everywhere except resort hotels, and the beverages cannot be taken off resort property. Illegal imports include anything that infringes on the Muslim belief system, such as alcohol, pork, and pork products. During the month of Ramadan, tourists are expected to respect Muslim traditions; this can include avoiding food, drink, and smoking during the daylight hours. Some restaurants will still cater to tourists, but they might be screened from public view.There is no public observation of any other faith allowed, although acknowledgment of the tourists’ beliefs have made private worship acceptable. And contrary to implications that might be given in some of the beach photos of the Maldives, nudity and topless sunbathing absolutely aren’t allowed, even on resort islands.

The Great Niagara Falls

Niagara Falls Festivals


According to Wikipedia, Niagara Falls is the collective name for three waterfalls that straddle border between Canada and the United States; more specifically, between theprovince of Ontario and the state of New York. They form the southern end of the Niagara Gorge.

Niagara Falls were formed when glaciers receded at the end of the Wisconsin glaciation (the last ice age), and water from the newly formed Great Lakes carved a path through the Niagara Escarpment en route to the Atlantic Ocean. While not exceptionally high, the Niagara Falls are very wide. More than six million cubic feet (168,000 m3) of water falls over the crest line every minute in high flow,[4] and almost four million cubic feet (110,000 m3) on average.
The Niagara Falls are renowned both for their beauty and as a valuable source of hydroelectric power. Managing the balance between recreational, commercial, and industrial uses has been a challenge for the stewards of the falls since the 19th century.

The OPG Winter Festival of Lights in Niagara Falls, Ontario is illuminated with millions of lights within the Niagara Parks Winter Wonderland, Dufferin Islands and surrounding tourist districts. A wintertime visit to Niagara Falls during the OPG Winter Festival of Lights has become a tradition for over 1.5 million visitors annually.
A favourite winter attraction for local residents and visitors for more than 30 years, the Ontario Power Generation Winter Festival of Lights helps people get in the spirit of the season by walking or driving the five-kilometre illumination route. Visitors can expect to see many of the iconic displays that have become favourites for attendees including the shimmering Zimmerman Fountain and the world's largest illuminated Canadian-American flag. This season the Festival will also unveil a number of brand new illuminations including 3D Canadian Wildlife displays and projection lighting that will illuminate the trees in Dufferin Islands animating the moraine with the lights choreographed music to create an audio/visual experience.