Mersing

Mersing is the name of a town and district in the northeast corner in the state of Johor, Malaysia. It is a lively tourist town visited by Malaysians and foreign tourists who come to enjoy the quiet life, great seafood, unspoilt beaches and exotic flora and fauna of the east coast of mainland west Malaysia.

Although a small town, Mersing prides itself on excellent food, with a wide array of restaurants, cafes and traditional coffee shops. Mersing is also a great beach town, with a major off-shore fishing port, giving it a relaxing, slow-paced fishing village feel.

The slow pace of village life has been preserved all these years, and several spots remain as tranquil and quiet as ever.

Endau Rompin National Park

Endau Rompin National Park is a tropical rainforest protected area, and the second largest national park in Malaysia, after Taman Negara. The park is one of the oldest tropical rainforests in the world and features rock formations some 248 million years old. Endau Rompin National Park is most famously known for its lush, pristine tropical rainforest, and for being the home of the highly endangered Sumatran rhinoceros.

It also happens to be the watershed of several rivers such as Endau River, Selai River, and Jasin River. In aims at preserving the precious wildlife, access to the park is quite difficult and requires a special permit from the National Park (Johor) Corporation. It is well worth the effort, however, to obtain the permit, and visitors are encouraged to go through a local travel agent to apply for permits.

Desaru

Located on the eastern tip of the peninsula, Desaru is a popular beach resort. Home to clean sandy white beaches with a lush tropical forest that goes for about 25km, Desaru is a much sought after holiday destination for tourists and local alike. This quaint coastal fishing village is well known for its fresh seafood, especially its crab delicacy.

The nature bound activities are endless, as snorkeling, fishing boating, and canoeing are all available, as well as golfing, jungle trekking, horseback riding and tennis. Popular tourist spots include the Desaru Fruit Farm, where over 100 hectares are planted with more then 100 varieties of tropical fruits.

Ostrich Wonderland

Teluk Ramunia is located in the state of Johor, and is generally considered a relaxed and scenic beach resort town. One of its most interesting tourist attractions is the Ostrich Wonderland. Established in 2001, the Ostrich Wonderland contains more than 100 beautiful ostriches. At the farm, knowledgeable guides show visitors around, educating on the habits, mating seasons, and etc. of these unique creators. The goal is to educate visitors while still offering an exciting and interesting experience.
www.geocities.com/ostrichwonderland

Crocodile Farm

Located in the town of Telok Sengat, just 35 minutes away is a small enclave of fresh and salt water crocodiles from a private collection of well-known Johor’s Crocodile Dundee. The Crocodile Farm in Teluk Sengat was established in 1979. There are about 500 crocodiles bred in the farm through natural means. The farm’s main export is the crocodile’s meat and skin, which can be made into leather goods.

The main goal of the Crocodile Farm is preserving the crocodiles’ natural habitat; therefore, visitors shouldn’t expect a great production or tourist-centered infrastructure. The experience is aimed at informing and bringing understanding concerning one of earth’s most misunderstood creatures.
www.greaterdesaru.com/crocodile_farm.htm

Kota Tinggi

Kota Tinggi is a small town in the state of Johor of Malaysia, located around 42km north-east of Johor Bahru, on the road to Mersing. This small town is rapidly expanding, yet manages to preserve its distinct charm and traditions. One of the most interesting experiences to take in when you are in Kota Tinggi is the Fireflies Excursion.

The boarding point for this firefly experience is at the riverbank near Jalan Tepi Sungai. Visitors will have a close encounter with one of nature’s mesmerising phenomenon—the beautiful presence of fireflies, glowing in the thousands.

These fascinating insects are found in abundance on the berembang trees that line the banks the Johor River. Another must-see is the Kota Tinggi Waterfalls. The water cascades from a height of 36m down a steep precipice into a pool deep enough for swimming. The cool waters appeal to tourists and locals alike.

Johor Islands

Off the east coast of Johor lies some of the most beautiful islands in the whole of Malaysia. The Seribuat Archipelago is home to several islands, amongst them is Pulau Sibu. For visitors to the island, accommodations are basically situated towards the north eastern side of the Pulau Sibu. Here the beaches are a warm and welcoming shade of sandy brown.

On the other hand, the north-eastern side is made up of a gentle slope and the southern east coastal side is more ragged with steep abrupt cliffs and a rocky shoreline with colorfully contorted volcanic ash layers. Best times to visit Pulau Sibu are from March to August, although the place is mainly opened throughout the year. All in all, the weather has always been known to be rather constant throughout the entire year, with comfortably cool weather day and night.

Pulau Rawa

Cited by many as “paradise on earth”, Pulau Rawa is located just off the coast of Mersing. Unique for its absence of modern amenities, such as phones, television, cars and crowds, it is easy to see why stressed-out travelers with the goal of “getting away from it all” might be attracted to this destination. Snorkeling is a favorite activity for tourists, as the island is surrounded by coral and colorful fish, eliminating the need to take a boat out for prime snorkeling. There are also a myriad of caves and hills on the island for exploration and trekking.

A’Famosa

Located in Melaka, A’Famosa is a fortress gate and one of the oldest surviving European architectural remains in Asia. In 1511 a Portuguese fleet arrived under the command of Alfonso de Albuquerque. His forces attacked and successfully defeated the armies of the Melaka Sultanate. After defeating the locals, he quickly built a fortress around a natural hill near the sea to safeguard his hold on the land. In the early 19th century, the fortress was handed over to the British who decided to destroy it.

The gate is the lasting evidence of the great fortress and is considered one of the most famous historical landmarks in Malaysia. A true cultural experience, A’Famosa still manages to inspire awe in the visitor looking at its remains.

The Churches of Melaka

Melaka has a rich cultural history, and many of the tourist attractions revolve around such interesting landmarks. Visitors interested in such landmarks should be sure to see the variety of churches in Melaka. Constructed in 1710, St. Peter’s Church in Melaka is the oldest Catholic Church in Malaysia.

Its grand facade and decorative embellishment is a mix of both eastern and western architecture. In addition, there is St. Paul’s Church, which is part of the Melakan Museums Complex. The body of St. Francis Xavier was interred here temporarily before it was taken to Goa, India. The Christ Church is also a notable exhibit, reflecting original Dutch architecture.