Soaring interest at Lima
A COLOURFUL shower of fireworks, glittering confetti and pyro effects outshone the bright full moon to mark the opening of the Langkawi International Maritime and Aerospace (Lima) Exhibition 2013 Tourism Carnival.
While homegrown artistes Dayang Nurfaizah, Jimmy Palikat, Sivarkumar and Chan Ching Yee got the adults dancing, singing and clapping enthusiastically, the children were spotted running around with animal balloons and lining up at the games booths, eagerly waiting for their turn to try winning a prize.
At a traditional games booth, sisters Nor Amira Athira Azahar, 17, and Nur Asyikin, 10, were spotted trying to outdo each other in a game of congkak.
“We grew up playing this game at our grandmother’s house.
“One of the reasons we like congkak is because we have to think and strategise before making our next move,” Nor Amira said.
She added that she hoped the game would be introduced to foreign tourists so that congkak would one day be played around the world.
Meanwhile near the stage, 48-year-old Muhamad Khairul Azman clapped and jumped excitedly just as Dayang appeared on stage to perform.
“I have been a big fan of hers for the past six years. I did not know she would be appearing tonight,” the pleasantly surprised businessman said.
Muhamad Khairul, who also enjoyed the traditional dances, said he was proud that the country’s culture was being showcased to foreign tourists.
“I hope the beauty of our tradition and heritage will attract them to come visit the country more often,” he said.
Lima was launched by Tourism Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ng Yen Yen on Tuesday night at the Tourism Malaysia and Langkawi Development Authority (LADA) car park in Kuah town.
Also present at the launch was Defence Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.
In her opening address, Dr Ng said the carnival was a “Malaysia, truly Asia” celebration and an event to promote Langkawi.
“This carnival will showcase the country’s key tourism products, including food from all the 13 states so that visitors will not need to travel anywhere else to sample the best each place has to offer,” she said.
Among the signature local fare served were mee sotong (Penang), mee bandung (Johor Baru), nasi dagang (Terengganu), satay Kajang (Selangor), laksa Kuala Perlis (Perlis), satay tulang (Negri Sembilan) Roti John (Kuala Lumpur), ikan patin (Pahang), nasi kerabu (Kelantan), asam pedas (Melaka), nasi kuning (Sabah), mee kolok (Sarawak) and ambuyat (Labuan).
For British tourists Esaw Sheik and his wife Maureen, Langkawi has always been a food paradise to them.
“This is the reason why we have been coming back to the island annually for the past six years,” said Esaw, 62.
“The cultural mix of food here is simply incredible,” said Maureen.
Visitors to the carnival should also check out the traditional local products including massage oils, traditional herb supplements and homemade snacks and fruit juices.
Besides featuring a myriad of non-stop activities including musical shows, dances, karaoke and percussion performances, the three-day tourism extravaganza will also showcase the many domestic tour packages available at the Visit Malaysia Year 2014 Exhibition and 1Malaysia Pavilion, homestay exhibitions by operators from all over the country, artworks by local talents, bonsai trees and an assortment of creative handicraft.
There will also be games booths where visitors can participate in contests and quizzes.
As part of the carnival, a 25-hour non-stop duty-free sale kicked off yesterday.
The sale, featuring some 30 booths, ends at 11am today.
The free carnival, which opens from 11am to midnight, ends this Saturday.
Among the highlights is tomorrow’s maritime cultural night.
~News courtesy of The Star~
