Since three out of the 13 gazetted public holidays – Prophet Muham­mad’s birthday on Feb 5, Hari Raya Puasa on Aug 19 and Malaysia Day on Sept 16 – fall on Sundays, employees will get another three weekdays off.

State holidays, meanwhile, range from 3 to 6 days, with Penang and Sabah having the highest number of days and Kuala Lumpur, Putrajaya and Labuan having the least.

Employees are expected to use some of their annual leave to take a long stretch off during the coming back-to-back state and national holidays following Chinese New Year, which falls on Jan 23.

These include Federal Territory Day on Feb 1, Prophet Muham­mad’s birthday on Feb 5 and Thaipusam on Feb 7.

Last but not least, happy holiday in 2012 (but not to the employer

News from The Star.

How about discover and view hundreds of artworks at incredible zoom levels, and even create and share your own collection of masterpieces, within an hour?

With recent Google Art Project, things make possible.

(as the image shown, you are now inside the museum and able to turn Left, Right, Go nearer and enjoy collection of masterpieces slowly, and privately)

Before you get started, let’s watch this video showing Behind The Scene about this art project:

How do I get started?

Simply select a museum from the homepage and then either chose ‘Explore the museum’ or ‘View Artwork’. Once you are in the main site use the drop-down menus or the side info bar to navigate between artworks and museums. Finally create and share your own collections online.

To make sure you really enjoy the trip, you are able to view the artpiece by enlarging to the maximum!

However, if you wish to go the respective ‘museum’ web portal, below show some of the important ones:

> www.devata.org

> www.louvre.fr

> www.theacropolismuseum.gr

> www.britishmuseum.org

> www.dpm.org.cn (The Palace Museum, China)

> www.the-colosseum.net

> www.virtual-egyptian-museum.org

> www.yangoghmuseum.nl

(copy the above link and paste into a new window)

Speak no more. Start the tour now!

Click here to find out from the location map.

Lata Kinjang – one of the most majestic waterfalls in Malaysia. Visible from along the North South Expressway, Lata Kinjang is accessible after passing Tapah toll exit which is about 18km away. Along the way, we will see rubber trees plantation, fruits farm, Malay traditional houses village and also the aborigines. The breathtaking multi-tiered waterfall cascade 850 meters down the side of a mountain! As understood from the locals, this place is inhabited by the Orang Asli.

There is so much things to do in the waterfall area, you may go sliding down as high as 3 meters or take a bath in the natural pool or go beneath the waterfall and feel the strong current.

Located next to an Orang Asli settlement, there are forest trails and guided overnight excursions to visit the villages near the top of the forest waterfall.

The waterfall pools have plenty of picnic spots and safe swimming areas. Steps lead up the hill for easy access to other sections of the waterfall. A suspension bridge offers fantastic close-up observation and panoramic views of the rainforest canopy (not safe for kids).

Tips:
1) A very popular nature outing, Lata Kinjang is often crowded during the weekends and holidays. Try to visit during the weekdays to avoid the crowds.
2) Remember that jungle waterfalls are wild places that require using some common sense safety when visiting.
3) Aware of flash floods, strong currents and unsafe swimming areas.
4) Reaching the top cascade requires some orienteering skills to find the right trails and location.

Fees and Facilities
* Several hawker stalls and roadside cafes offer food and drink for visitors.
* Toilets and changing rooms are adequate.
* Picnic tables and shelters are located near the waterfall and river.
* Ample parking space a short walk from the waterfall pools.
* Parking Fee – RM 1

Getting There
Below are the direction guideline helping one to reach destination without delays.

* From Kuala Lumpur take the highway towards Ipoh and turn off at the Tapah (Exit 132) toll.

* You will see the waterfall on your right and a big brown Lata Kinjang sign on your left beforehand.
* Turn right at traffic light and head north on Tapah-Kampar road; See brown Lata Kinjang (19 km) sign.
* Look for green/white Lata Kinjang signs and blue Chenderiang signs.
* Turn right at junction with Chenderiang rock signs and Chapati Corner cafe.
* Go towards Chenderiang town and turn left at stop sign, with a quick right turn along curved road after passing shops.
* Pass by S.K. Chenderiang school on right and follow green/white signs.
* Follow road to junction with green Orang Asli sign and turn right.
* Follow to narrow bridge road that goes over North-South highway.
* See sign for Air Turjun Lata Kinjang and look for waterfall on the hillside.
* Enter parking area and walk to waterfall.
* Takes about 40 minutes from Tapah toll plaza to reach park.

Get there now? See this: (do ignore the advertisement part)

Wish to travel with friends but dream is not easy to realize due to monetary, schedule and many others unexpected reasons?

Why not travel yourself (or some of your friends) with other young travellers coming across the globe who they are between 18 to 35 so you’ll always find someone ready to get in on the action or share an adventure. Whether it be celebrity spotting in LA, braving Amsterdam on a bicycle, sipping coffee at a cafe in Rome or snorkelling the Great Barrier Reef near Cairns.

Yes, is the answer. It’s just amazing how we can travel altogether with such a deal!

Find out more about how you can grab a good deal from the local agents:

Penang        holidaytours.com.my, msltravel.com
KL                 sandy@namho.com.my
Singapore  contiki.com.sg

Probably the most visited attraction in Thailand’s capital is Wat Phra Kaew (temple of the Emerald Buddha), located in the grounds of the Grand Palace. This complex was the official home of the Thai monarchy until the 20th century and offers spectacular examples of a range of architectural styles including authentic Thai and Italian Renaissance. The complex is also home to the monumental statue the Emerald Buddha. The Buddha figurine, dating to 43 BC and originating in India, is carved from green jade and clothed in intricate gold ornamentation. More on the Grand Palace.

All other must-go places: Wat Arun, National Museum, Vimanmek Palace, Chatuchak

More information can be found from 1Stop Bangkok.