NASUHA RESORT

Last February, during semester break, my family and I were in need of some time to relax and rejuvenate. A friend of mine suggested that we visit the largest herbs and spices farm in Asia. The place is called Nasuha Resort and it is located at Km19, Jalan Muar-Pagoh, Muar, Johor. We were more motivated to go there when one of my family member said that the place was promoted on the television a couple of times before. Within a week of research, we contacted the resort and booked one log cabin for the three of us. From Shah Alam, we traveled to Pagoh and it took is around three hours until we reached at Pagoh Tol (PLUS). After paying for the tol, turn left and Nasuha Resort is located 3 km ahead at the left side of the road.

We arrived during lunch hour and they escorted us to the cafe. The interior of the cafe were as though you are in the jungle. It can be seen by on the wall, ceiling and the furniture used. The tables and chairs are made to look like three trunk. Another interesting thing about the cafe is that the floor is full with reflexology pebbles. Well, the concept is nature and health so it might be painful walking around the cafe but worth every second (just imagine the waiters & waitress walking with heavy trays of food...uuuu they must be really healthy!). It is an experience shrouded with uniqueness and originality I must say.

Their specialty is Briyani Rice and various types of tea. This is no ordinary lamb,beef or chicken briyani and not any plain tea. The uniqueness is that they used many kinds of herbs as the ingredients in preparing the dish. Everyone probably thinks that it might taste weird as not many of us like to taste the bitterness or sourness of herbs and spices ( I admit that I am one of those people...). However, everything is blended well and the briyani tasted really good. You can choose from among the wide range of herbal tea and each of them has its own health benefits. I ordered Garcinia tea or its local name, asam gelugor. The benefits : lowers the production of cholesterol and fatty acid, increase the production of glycogen in the liver, and increase body's production of glycogen in the liver. The most important for the ladies~ it suppresses appetite so it can be used as dietary supplement for weight loss and appetite control.

After lunch, we were given the key for our Log Cabin and the worker guide us to our cabin which is located quite far from the reception area. My own estimation is 1-2 km up the hill). The road is bumpy and driving a Myvi making it bumpier...I'll give you an expensive tip, drive a 4 wheeler. The farm is 3,200 acres so every building was build away from each other. The Log Cabin can accommodate two to three person. They provide 3 beds, air conditioner, a small fridge, iron with the board, and there is a bathtub in the toilet.

The resort has a number of facilities for visitors who wish to make the place as a destination for accommodation, the Log Cabin, Dormitory and VIP suites. Everywhere you go you'll be surrounded by trees and herbs which makes the place so beautiful and comfortable. Never felt so fresh waking up in the morning breathing fresh air from the mountain.

Other facilities they provide:

• Herbal restaurant & sauna (traditional massage/herbal bath)
• Jungle tracks
• Camping grounds
• Motivation camp
• Herbal Plantation Tour : Herbal Knowledge & Museum
• Amphitheater

The owner, Mr Nasuha Kasian, who is the pioneer and leader in the herbs and spices based industry with more than 108 types of products being produces in the farm and distributed. The name brand for the health products is "Nasuha Herbs Spices". Capable to produce 6 to 10 metric of raw herbs and spices each day. There are 135 types of herbs imported from all around the world. They incorporated purely organic system of cultivation with no chemical fertilizers and herbicides. 

 

The Sauna room where my sister and I tried for the first time. Towels and batiks were provided and there is a small wooden locker installed at the back of the door to put our belongings. The sauna are heated using steam from underground. The rock are slowly heated and herbal infused water is then splashed onto the rocks to produce the steams. Spices used are All spices, eucalyptus and tea tree which can treat multiple health problems. For example, my sister and I both have sinus and it is said that breathing in the steam can cure the illness (InsyaAllah...). My aunt tried the traditional massage which last for 1 hour and she said it was painful, but the person who came before us enjoyed it. So it depends~

Aqilah Jabat

Langkawi island

Langkawi is one of Malaysia’s best-known and most popular West Coast beach destinations. Blending historical attractions, great fare, excellent diving opportunities, exciting nightlife and dirt-cheap shopping, this duty-free island is truly an oasis of the seas.

There are many attraction places in Langkawi. One of them is Dataran Lang. It also known as Eagle Square, Dataran Lang is one of Langkawi’s best known manmade attractions, a large sculpture of an eagle poised to take flight. A sight that greets visitors to the island via ferry, the 12 metre-tall statue is one of the island’s most instantly recognizable monuments. 

Located at the southeast corner of Pulau Langkawi, besides offering beautiful views of Kuah Bay, Dataran Lang has beautiful miniature fountains, terraces and bridges, making it the ideal place for those postcard-perfect holiday photos. The square is a good place to watch ferries ply across the harbour but plan a trip here early in the morning or late in the evening when the sun is at its least intense.

                                     

Another attraction places in Langkawi is Langkawi Cable Car. It is located at Pantai Kok. The entrance for the Langkawi cable-car, which takes visitors all the way up to Mount Mat Cincang, Langkawi’s second highest peak,  is located in The Oriental Village in the upper northwest of Langkawi Island, near Pantai Kok. Entering the village and passing through the pleasant oriental garden and souvenir shops, visitors make their payment at a counter before stepping onto an escalator which brings them to the cable-car pedestal.

Once in, the cable-car ascends, you’ll begin to notice the temperature dropping and a windy breeze begin flowing into the cabin through ventilation slits at the top. After around 600 metres, the cable car reaches the first station, where you disembark to either take another cable car up to the peak, or lull around the observatory deck and admire the magnificent surroundings. Most will not spend too long here, as the view from the peak is even more amazing. After a short queue, you can grab another cable car and ride up another wire cable which doesn’t rise too sharply, though the initial jolt of the car leaving the second station can feel quite unnerving.


                                    

Another activities that you can do in Langkawi is Island Hopping Tour. This trip is by a fast boat which will take 4 hours to cover 3 islands which are Pulau Dayang Bunting, Pulau Beras Terbakar and Eagle feeding. 

You will be picked up from your hotel and brought to the jetty in Teluk baru. This tour costs RM35 per adult and RM25 per child. It daily departures is on 9 a.m and 2 p.m. you also can charted a boat. For 1-8 person in a boat, it costs RM400 per boat, and for 9-12 persons, it costs RM500 per boat. 

Nurena Jalal