{"id":233,"date":"2015-12-09T16:27:18","date_gmt":"2015-12-09T16:27:18","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/45.127.5.80:8088\/?p=233"},"modified":"2016-07-12T10:55:56","modified_gmt":"2016-07-12T10:55:56","slug":"best-local-holiday-destinations-for-the-family","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/testing-hlmt.eztakaful.com.my\/en\/best-local-holiday-destinations-for-the-family\/","title":{"rendered":"Best local holiday destinations for the family"},"content":{"rendered":"

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As we move into December the festive season is just around the corner! So it\u2019s high time to start making plans to celebrate this joyful year-end season and usher in 2016 by spending quality time with your loved ones, in one of the many beautiful local holiday destinations our country has to offer!<\/p>\n

Here are some of EZTakaful\u2019s favourite local destinations to spend quality time with the family at over the holiday season.<\/p>\n

Cool escape from the sweltering heat in Cameron Highlands<\/a><\/strong><\/h4>\n

Approximately a 3.5 hour drive north of Kuala Lumpur, Cameron Highlands has something for everyone in the family. Embrace Mother Nature on an early morning family trek in Gunung Brinching \u2013 one of the easiest spots in world to access a mossy forest reaching the peak of the ridge thanks to a tarred road. When the sun comes out, a visit to one of the\u00a0tea plantations will give your children an educational tour into how the green crop that carpets the rolling valleys is transformed into the most aromatic beverage regularly served on the family\u2019s dining table. \u00a0The family field trip can continue with a visit to the strawberry farms, Cactus Farm, Rose Valley, Lavender Garden, Bee and Butterfly farms, and more. For a dose of history, the Cameron Highlands Time Tunnel is a local museum with lots of vintage items and memorabilia.<\/p>\n

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After lunch, go for a short walk through Bamboo Forest and Hill Dipterocarp Forest in search of the giant Rafflesia flower or make a short visit to a nearby Orang Asli village to understand their culture, weapons, tools and musical instruments.<\/p>\n

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After an adventurous day of exploration and learning end the day with a quiet dinner with the whole family around the fire place in the evening at Ye Olde Smokehouse or the Lake House, two boutique hotels famous for their British heritage and authentic-looking Tudor-style buildings.<\/p>\n

Alternatively, if your visit to Cameron Highlands falls on a Friday, Saturday or school holidays, go to the Brinchang Night Market for a local culinary rollercoaster with hawker stall food from different cultures across Malaysia.<\/p>\n

Nature and Wildlife \u2013 Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre<\/a><\/strong><\/h4>\n

About 25km north of Sandakan this world-famous centre welcomes orphaned and injured orangutans for rehabilitation before returning them to forest life. The centre attracts kids and adults alike, giving them the opportunity to watch the orangutans up close in their natural habitat. There are currently between 60 to 80 orangutans living in the centre. In the refrigerated cool of the nursery viewing area, you and your family can sit and watch them swing and tumble comically into one another.<\/p>\n

Try to be there in the morning before they\u2019re fed and become sleepy. Feedings at the platforms are at 10am and 3pm and last between 30 to 50 minutes. Only around two to four of the orangutans will be fed milk and bananas at any one time. At the Nature Education Centre, a 20-minute video about Sepilok\u2019s work is shown five times daily (9am, 10.30am, 11am, noon, 2.10pm and 3.30pm).<\/p>\n

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If you want to explore the sanctuary further, several walking trails lead into the forest; you just need to register at the visitor reception centre to use them. Trails range in length from 250m to 4km, and different paths are open at different times of year. Guided night walks can be arranged through the centre or at the various lodges. There\u2019s also a 10km trail through mangrove forest to Sepilok Bay, a permit from the Forestry Department is required in advance for this route. The department can also arrange basic overnight accommodation at the bay (RM100) or a boat back to Sandakan. Some travel agencies can assist with the permit and other arrangements.<\/p>\n

Good news for active young families \u2013 Mount Kinabalu<\/a> climbing reopened<\/strong><\/h4>\n

Following a nearly three-month closure, the Mount Kinabalu Timpohon Trail was once again open to climbers between September 1 until November 30.\u00a0 As of December 1, climbers can climb up to Low\u2019s Peak Summit. With the new Ranau Trail to the summit, the full climb is now a few hundred meters longer than the original trail.<\/p>\n

However, due to damages caused by the magnitude 5.9 earthquake that occurred on June 5 2015, the Mesilau Trail is closed until further notice as paths are still very much inaccessible. Therefore, all climbs will be using the Timpohon Trail exclusively. We recommend book as early as possible now to secure your climbing permit and avoid disappointment, as only about 120 climb permits per day will be issued by Sabah Park.<\/p>\n

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Quick Facts from Mount Kinabalu\u2019s official website:<\/p>\n