Celestine Foo

YouTube is a great educational and entertainment tool, more so now than usual. These channels are aimed at younger kids and will keep active minds focused with bright animation, simple narration and interesting topics including what viruses are, why hand washing is important (the Baby Shark version is a winner!) and how to keep occupied while staying at home.

The saying goes, “You can't really know where you are going until you know where you have been.” So here’s a list of museums where you can discover, explore and learn about our country’s rich and storied history. Good for spending a couple of hours in an afternoon.

The annual mid-autumn celebration falls on September 13 this year and is a time of celebration for the ethnic Chinese folks. Traditionally meant to celebrate the harvest on the 15th day of the 8th month in the Chinese Lunar calendar, mooncakes are meant to complement the full moon during this season. Other than that, the Chinese believe mooncakes also symbolise prosperity and reunion.  This year, Sheraton Petaling Jaya will be presenting 4 traditionally baked mooncakes comprising of Pandan Lotus With Single Yolk, Red Bean With Melon Seed, Tiramisu Paste With Walnut and White Lotus With Single Yolk. These flavours are nostalgic and bound to evoke happy memories of past mid-autumn celebrations. The mooncakes come in intricately designed gift boxes adorned with elegant patterns of Swan Crystal, Swan Pearl, Butterfly or Rainbow Stones. Priced at RM 168 nett, each box can be doubled as a pretty decoration or as a jewellery box.  To indulge in a hearty Chinese meal, Chef Ben Lim’s 8-course menu at Yue Chinese Restaurant is something to try. The restaurant offers panoramic city views and an elegant ambience for diners to enjoy. On the menu, there will be dishes like Boiled Beef Ribs and Flat Noodles, Double-boiled Pear with Black Chicken, Steamed Egg Pancake with Water Chestnut and Parsley Dumpling, Baked Prawn with Truffles, Braised Garoupa, and a whole host of other choices to look forward to. Lorong Utara C, PJS 52, Petaling Jaya (03-7622 8888/https://www.facebook.com/sheratonp

As one of the original food trucks in KL, these burgers stalls are often all about simplicity – plastic chairs and tables by the roadside, a fuss-free cooking station and a menu of options that are great (some might say guilty) indulgences the later it is at night.

We take you rooftop bar hopping across the country – start with sundowners and finish the night dancing under the stars with awesome views. RECOMMENDED: Rooftop bars in KL

Langkawi is an archipelago of 99 islands on Malaysia’s west coast off the state of Kedah and near Thailand. One of the unique things about Langkawi is the proliferation of local legends and myths from the tale of Mahsuri who was falsely accused of adultery and who cursed the island for seven generations, to how a beautiful fairy who lost her baby laid it to rest in the lake and since then it’s believed the waters of the Lake of the Pregnant Maiden posses magical powers. Today, Langkawi is an easy island getaway, easily accessible and worth at least a weekend of your time. Where to eatSet by the beach, Thirstday Bar & Restaurant (1225 Jalan Pantai Cenang. +604 952 3059/fb.com/ cglohmiow) is run by two brothers and all about good food and chill island vibes. Some of the food comes from the renowned seafood restaurant, Orkid Ria, which is owned by their father so be sure to order the butter or steamed garlic lobster while enjoying the view of the beach. Prices here are slightly higher than other bars and restaurants nearby, but are justified by the quality, ambience and service. Meanwhile, Mangoes (Kuala Teriang. fb.com/MangoesRestaurant) is a bit of an island institution and is where to come for a hearty, delicious meal. Its cosy setting is bit like wandering into a friend’s eclectic living room and deciding to stay for meal. Meat lovers will be delighted to know they serve great steak, with cuts that are approved by the owner himself. For those who fancy brunch, Mangoes’ Legen

Didn’t someone once say that laughter is the best medicine? Having a good laugh is key to a great time and the best way to get the chuckles in is to hit a comedy club. It’s also a great option for a date, girls’ night out or to forget about the unpleasant week you just had. Here’s where you can expect shows where you can actually LOL.

Big gym chains offer many classes, trainers and all the equipment you need. But boutique gyms, as the name suggests, are smaller, more intimate and have unique classes with fewer people. From strength, conditioning and HIIT to family-friendly yoga sessions and women-only classes, these gyms will make you want to get fit!

These centres work hard on long-term sustainable goals like the preservation and protection of the animals they care for. Take an eye-opening trip to these places to learn about and get involved in the meaningful act of helping to take care of the world for future generations.

Selangor is considered the most developed and populous state in Malaysia, with the state capital of Shah Alam and the royal town of Klang. Located on the west of peninsular Malaysia, Selangor comprises nine districts – Gombak, Klang, Hulu Langat, Hulu Selangor, Sepang, Kuala Langat, Kuala Selangor, Sabak Bernam and Petaling. As a touristic destination, it has much to offer from the famous Hindu temples at Batu Caves and rural agricultural villages to challenging hiking trails and historical sites. Take a few days to explore everything and make sure you try all the tasty food along the way! 

This annual harvest festival is also known as the Mooncake Festival (for the mooncakes consumed during this time, but we’ll get to that later). Mid-Autumn is celebrated annually by the Chinese community on the 15th day of the eighth month of the lunar calendar (September 24 this year), when the moon is at its fullest and brightest. In Malaysia and Singapore, some may know Mid-Autumn as the Lantern Festival. But in China, the Lantern Festival commemorates the last day of the Chinese New Year celebrations on the 15th day of the first lunar month. This is also the first full moon night of the Chinese calendar. Symbolism of the moonOne important element of the Mid-Autumn festival is the moon. The ancient Chinese associated the directional changes of the moon with the changes of the seasons and therefore, the harvest results. It then became common to put out offerings to the moon to give thanks for the harvest, a tradition still practised today. Another theory is that of a hero, Hou Yi, who shot down nine of the ten suns in the sky and was honoured by the people, becoming their king. However, he became cruel and had an immortality elixir created because he wanted to live forever. His wife, Chang Er, drank it to stop him and escaped to the moon, becoming the Moon Goddess. Food during Mid-Autumn festivalIt wouldn’t be a celebration in Malaysia without lots of food and fun, and the Mid-Autumn festival is no different. Mooncakes are immensely popular during this time, with tradition

Part of The Marini Group, MariGin is fashioned after a traditional gin parlour and has been designed to match the elegance synonymous with the renowned nightlife purveyor. MariGin aims to raise the ante on the city’s gin bars and it does this via its classy yet casual décor and impressive menu. There are pool and tables for gin pong (yes, with gin) on the terrace, and inside are low sofas great for a laidback night out. For those who prefer something quieter or are looking to have a private celebration, go for any of the two private rooms that seat up to eight people. But it’s the gin that is the star here and there are 57 different types on the menu – enough to gratify even the most jaded of gin drinkers! There are exotic gin infusions, classic G&Ts and bespoke gin cocktails. The bold can try the Ginny in the Bottle, an infused Chrysanthemum and Wolfberry concoction that packs just the right amount of punch, while coffee lovers can go for the Padrino, a fragrant G&T with Nikka Coffey gin, coffee beans and East Imperial Tonic. Chi Sin (‘crazy’ in Cantonese) Gin promises a crazy (good) combination of Tanqueray 10, lychee liquor, lychee lemongrass, kaffir lime leaves, and lime juice – just what the doctor ordered to start the night right! And don’t leave until you try the Mari Gin-La, the signature gin infusion made with pandan and rose petals. These only scrape the surface of what’s on offer here, so gather your fellow gin imbibers and head to MariGin pronto!

By the same people behind the Breakout, Hauntu is KL’s latest adventure activity (of sorts). But let’s get one thing straight – it’s not an escape room game, nor is it the typical rumah hantu you find at fairs or the one you went through at your secondary school Hari Karnival or Children’s Day Celebration. Instead, Hauntu is a combination of live theatre, role play and plenty of scares, making this an “immersive horror experience” where you become part of the story. Pronounced “haunt you” and located in The LINC KL, Hauntu is no ordinary haunted house. Guests are welcome to check in to the infamous Colle Eastern Hotel from the 1950s. When you go in, you take on the role of a character and become part of a mystery that revolves around the hotel. You’ll then have to make your way through the mazes within the hotel, interacting with the (more than) occasional character located throughout and making decisions that will determine the outcome of the story and success of your mission. There are currently three interconnected storylines, and each month will reveal one for the public to participate in. Each storyline features different objectives to complete, different roles to play, and different eras of Malaysia to experience. There are about six to ten actors in full costume roaming the hotel as bellboys, witches, chambermaids and more – you can speak with them and ask for directions. But be careful who you trust. And another question to always remember – are the people on your tea

Danish brand Carslberg is known globally for their refreshing lager. They now have a brand new stem glass out, which you may have seen in bars, pubs and bistros near you. Combining simplicity with modern design, the new stem glass is part of three new improvements made in line with the brand’s new visual identity. The new outlook also sees a Fresh Cap on Carlsberg’s bottles and cans that now come in Easy-to-Open packaging, and is aimed at providing customers with a better beer experience to suit their tagline - Probably the Best Beer in the World.  Featuring a tapered mouth that will improve head retention and aroma retention, the glass itself has a bowl-shaped design which promises to deliver a smooth pour. On the base, there are embossed details that lend a premium feel to the glass, and a chalice-style design which embodies the brand’s contemporary identity.  Throughout August, beer lovers stand a chance to win the new premium stem glass for themselves. Simply buy two 6-can packs from Carlsberg promoters at any participating supermarkets and hypermarkets and then spin the wheel to either win the stem glass, a can of Carlsberg, or a set of premium coasters. Those who purchase a glass or two of draught Carslberg at participating bars and pubs which still use the classic tulip-shaped glass will also get to bring the classic glass home in a gift box. These promotions are part of a nationwide deal to reward Carlsberg consumers throughout July, August and September. For full det

Take a look at the inventive ways modern artists respond to today’s social issues and matters. The exhibition showcases 93 pieces of contemporary art by 45 artists from Southeast Asia as well as South Asia. Titled Fracture/Fiction, this exhibition addresses the fractures we face in our society. At the exhibition, visitors will see an array of installations, paintings, photographs and many more. Each piece tells a story and the descriptions on the walls explain the significance behind each artwork. The curated works covers topics that range from socio-politics, historical and personal stories interpreted by the artists. Many of the pieces are created using ordinary subject matters and transformed into unexpected pieces of art by sheer imagination and creativity. Take note that some of the works are unique and surprising, with juxtapositions of beauty and horror that create jarring images. These works of art from around the region aims to open a window for Malaysians to be part of a larger art collective and to be able to participate in regional conversations, which in turn, help improve the local art scene. Among the artists featured are Anju Dodiya, Chun Kai Feng, Reena Saini Kallat, Yee I-Lann, and many more.   The exhibition is open from Monday-Saturday, 11am-7pm and on Sunday from 11am-5pm. Admission, free. For more information, visit Ilham Gallery’s website and Facebook. 

Well-renowned for their authentic Italian fare and elegant atmosphere, dining at Marini's on 57 makes for a memorable experience. This iconic rooftop bar, restaurant and lounge sits close to the Petronas Twin Towers and offers stunning views of the city from the 57th floor.  We are in the third quarter of the year, which means it is summer in some countries. Marini on 57’s menu changes with the seasons, and there is a Summer Menu out for diners to enjoy. Thoughtfully curated and crafted by Chef Francesco Fedrighi, their new menu items are colourful and bursting with flavour - just like summer. Diners can expect savoury selections like pan-seared duck liver, poached lobster and scrambled eggs Marini's style among other tantalising choices. For dessert, diners can expect sweet treats made up of delightful ingredients like peach compote, almond gelato, yogurt espuma, and rhubarb. Savour the amalgamation of textures, flavours and playful plating as you watch the sky change colours and the sun sink behind the clouds - truly an experience to remember.  Available from now until Sep 21. Visit their website for more details.

Sleek and lavish, the French Riviera-styled Sofitel Kuala Lumpur pampers guests with top-notch facilities and dining places. For some delicious Chinese food, the sophisticated Wan Chun Ting at Sofitel Kuala Lumpur Damansara is home to some of the best Cantonese and Imperial cuisine in KL. The set up is elegant and contemporary, with a dining area that can accommodate up to 120 guests. There are also four private dining rooms for those who want to hold social gatherings or business meetings. The restaurant has recently updated their menu with some brand new additions. This new menu features an array of Cantonese and Imperial cuisine with a twist, so guests can look forward to familiar dishes with fresh new flavours. There are over 20 new dishes to choose from, with selections like Wan Chun Ting Trio Combination, Steamed Scallop with Vermicelli and Golden Garlic, Double Boiled Baby Abalone Soup with Chicken, Snow Fungus and Wolf Berries, Deep Fried Soft Shell Crab with Salt and Pepper, Deep Fried Cod Fish with Chef’s Special Sauce and Topped with Shredded Onion and Cucumber, Braised 6 Head Abalone with Stuffed Sea Cucumber, Water Prawn Crispy Noodle with Scallion and Ginger, among others.  The dim sum menu also offers an impressive selection of contemporary dim sum, with choices that include Trio Dim Sum Platter, Deep Fried Shrimp Bean Curd Wrapped in Rice Roll, Steamed Salted Egg Custard and Deep Fried Prawn Dumpling with Chives, to name a few. Complete the dining experience w

Traders Hotel KL first opened its doors in 2006 and has since went on to provide guests with warm hospitality and comfortable stays. The hotel exudes an aura of elegance amidst contemporary settings designed with guests’ comfort in mind – from rooms and facilities to services and exceptional dining venues each with its own distinctive brand and quality.   This year marks the hotel’s 13th anniversary, and several events are happening across Gobo Chit Chat, Gobo Upstairs Lounge & Grill and SkyBar in accordance with the celebrations. Ongoing throughout the month are various promos – seafood lovers can head over to Gobo Chit Chat for the Bucked Out Seafood Buffet priced at RM149nett for fresh, yummy bites from the ocean; selected Gin & Tonics are going for RM13nett per glass from 6pm to 7pm at Gobo Upstairs; and there house-poured spirits, wine and beer going at a promotional price of RM13nett from 11pm-midnight at SkyBar. End the month of celebrations at SkyBar’s Tropical Night themed party on July 27, where guests and revellers can party and dance the night away at one of the city’s most iconic rooftop bars. For more information, visit their Facebook page or website.

Footballers, here’s your chance to shine. Tiger Beer is bringing back Tiger Street Football – tournaments that will see teams of six competing for a grand cash prize and a trophy presented by the legendary Rio Ferdinand. Tiger Street Football will kick off with a series of Regional Qualifiers beginning in KL from mid-July, followed by matches in Penang and Johor. The top teams from these qualifiers will then go on to compete against each other in the Grand Finals, where the winning team will walk away with RM10,000, the trophy and bragging rights. All you have to do is form a team of six and register on the website to participate. The Grand Finals between the top teams from all three qualifiers will be held on July 27 at the Tiger Street Football Festival at TREC KL. Look forward to a variety of football-related activities, live music, plenty of food and ice-cold Tiger beer, of course. There will also be a contest to win footballs and jerseys signed by Rio Ferdinand or the chance to meet the man himself. Check out Drinkies’s website or Tiger Beer’s website and Facebook page to find out how and for participating bars. For full details and competition rules, visit tigerbeer.my.

Good news for sweet tooths! This month, Sofitel Kuala Lumpur Damansara is hosting guest pastry chef Guillaume Destouches from Sofitel Abu Dhabi Corniche for two weeks of finely crafted French desserts. From now until July 14, Chef Guillaume will be showcasing his skills, techniques and finesse in creating edible works of art in the form of the finest contemporary French desserts, such as Paris-Brest (choux pastry and praline flavoured cream), mille-feuille, chocolate éclairs and more. Guests will get the opportunity to taste and enjoy these desserts in an array of events like a special brunch, afternoon tea and pastry masterclasses for those who are keen on picking up some pointers. Hailing from France, Chef Guillaume first developed an interest in baking as a child, and went on to hone his skills working in a bakery and studying in a Parisian pastry school. His career at Sofitel Abu Dhabi began as an assistant pastry chef, and he is now currently the Pastry Chef of Corniche. Decorated to embody classic elegance, Sofitel Kuala Lumpur Damansara offers charming surrounds that will serve as exquisite backdrops to enjoy Chef Guillaume’s creations. For more information, head to Sofitel Kuala Lumpur Damansara’s " target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">website. 

We all love a little retail therapy, and one of the best things nowadays is the availability of online shopping and the convenience that comes with it. It used to be that we would have to wait a week or more to receive our items, but Shopee has introduced a service that will ease the woes of waiting. Happening until July 7 is the Shopee 7.7 Orange Madness campaign – an effort by the brand to offer customers great deals and services. This includes the brand new Shopee24 Express Delivery service, which guarantees next-day delivery provided orders are made by 2pm (except on Sundays and public holidays). The service is currently only available to shoppers in the Klang Valley, and there are over 10,000 items on the site eligible for this, easily identified by the Shopee24 tag on the website. Throughout the campaign, look out for cool promos like the RM0.77 Shocking Sale (with deals as low as RM0.77); the ‘One or Not’ deal (stand a chance to buy products like phones, TVs, smart watches or even a drone for only RM1); vouchers and discounts up to 90 percent; and Shopee Quizzes at 12noon every week day for users get the opportunity to win Shopee coins. Customers will also get free shipping with a minimum spend of RM27 during the campaign. For more information, visit Shopee's website.

The fasting season is upon us, and to make things easier this year, Grab has come up with a special festive package for the month of Ramadhan filled with deals and promos. From now until June 17, Grab users can get the Pek Senang Raya for only RM2, which entitles users to over 40 to enjoy promos and vouchers up to RM600. Grab has partnered with various F&B, lifestyle and travel brands to offer discounts throughout the month – think brands like Baskin Robbins, Domino’s Pizza, FashionValet, LANEIGE, Lazada, Klook and more. Plus, if you love chicken, you’ll be happy to know that Grab’s popular BokBokBokBuster chicken promo is back, which features brands like Texas Chicken, Lim Fried Chicken and more, and discounts of up tm RM25 off your order. GrabFood services will be extended from 12midnight to 2am, and the recently launched GrabFood subscription plan makes ordering meals easier. Plus, Grab is incorporating Ramadhan-themed widgets in the app for the holy month – users will be able to easily check prayer times and locations of mosques closest to them. For more information as well as terms and conditions, head to their website.

Almost everyone knows that roses symbolise love. But did you also know that the brightly coloured tulip generally represents love (or a perfect love). So this Mother’s Day, surprise Mum with a beautiful tulip, and do something good at the same time. The national flower of the Netherlands will be making an appearance at the domestic arrival hall at KLIA on the eve of Mother’s Day (May 11, from 10am), specially flown in fresh by Dutch airline KLM for its Charity Tulip Sale. There will be over 3,500 stalks of colourful tulips on offer at RM6 per stalk, and all proceeds will be donated to Hospis Malaysia and the support of palliative care in Malaysia. The iconic Charity Tulip Sale was first organised in 1998 as part of KLM’s Corporate Social Responsibility Initiative, and is a chance to contribute to the less fortunate while getting something nice for Mum this year. For more information and updates, head to KLM’s Facebook page.

It’s almost that time of the year again – Raya! Which means lots of food, celebrations, and of course, shopping. Shopee is celebrating this Raya with its ‘Raya Dengan Shopee’ campaign – there will be various promos, deals and discounts of up to 80 percent on the huge array of brands and products on the e-commerce platform, making things easier and more cost-saving this festive season. Shoppers can look forward to offers like daily 200 percent cashback promos; Shocking Sale deals with prices from RM1; rewards like Shopee Coins, vouchers and gifts with Goyang Shopee; as well as interactive experiences like Shopee Live and the fun Shopee Quiz, where all you have to do is answer trivia questions and stand a chance to win even more Shopee Coins. What’s more, the e-commerce platform stocks everything from the latest products from fashion and makeup brands to home appliances, gadgets and even property, cars and motorbikes. Plus, exclusive dining deals will make breaking fast this Ramadhan easier on the wallet. For more information, download the Shopee app or visit the website.

Malaysia’s vibrant art scene is filled with a multitude of local artistic talent. But without the proper guidance or platform to showcase their works, the talents of these artists can be limited to the artistic community and circle. This is where a contemporary joint project by Yayasan Hasanah and Giclee Art comes in. Yayasan Hasanah and Giclee Art have teamed up to launch the Talent Development & Art Reproduction for Emerging Artists in Malaysia programme. This artist incubation and art reproduction programme aims to mentor up-and-coming local talents and provide them with a platform to commercialise their work. The programme’s pilot sees 15 local artists across various mediums mentored over a period of a year by renowned experts in their respective fields. Through the programme, works by these artists will also be reproduced into high quality digital prints, marked with ISBN numbers and royalty managed, which enables them to be sold. In line with the programme, Hasanah and Giclee Art have also launched a website, artiKARYA for the artists to showcase and sell digital prints of their pieces. It also acts as a virtual gallery to increase awareness and interest of our country’s art scene, as well as an archive of the artists’ works. Charis Loke and her works at the 'artiKARYA' exhibition To celebrate the launch of the programme, the pilot’s 15 artists are currently showcasing their works in a group exhibition titled ‘artiKARYA’ at Ilford Galerie. Some of the highlights inclu