NST Online: StreetsJohor
NST Online: StreetsJohor |
| Posted: 14 Jun 2011 11:01 AM PDT 2011/06/15 caption image ASIX-KILOMETRE dirt road near Kluang leads to a picturesque farm that looks exactly like something out of New Zealand or Australia. The farm spans more than 40 hectares, its sprawling fields of grass grazed by some 7,000 goats and sheep. Amid the greenery, the rustic-looking main building houses a restaurant, reception area, meeting room and souvenir shop.
"I wanted to create a place where people could visit while learning something about agriculture and farming," said Goh, who was born 46 years ago into a family of farmers from Parit Yaani, near Batu Pahat. "I am a kampung boy through and through. My parents cultivated cocoa, durian orchards, rubber and oil palms. It was only natural for me to follow in their footsteps."
Goh said some 20,000 local visitors as well as tourists from Singapore, Taiwan, India and China visit the farm every month. "Tourists find out about us through Facebook or by word of mouth. We also have good cooperation from travel agents who arrange for tour buses to come straight to the farm."
Goh's idea of rearing goats began 13 years ago while he was clearing up his smallholding in Parit Yaani. When he asked a worker to clear up some bushes for replanting, the worker replied in jest: "Why don't you rear goats? They can do that job for you." Goh at first thought the worker was being sarcastic, but upon further reflection, he realised that goats were not only profitabe for meat but could also be useful for clearing up patches of grass. Their manure would be a natural fertiliser too. He soon bought his first three goats -- one male and two females -- to rear for their meat. As his livestock increased, he began to venture into goat milk production. In 2000, he began to expand the milking section of his farm in Parit Yaani. This led to a HACCP-certified fresh goat milk production facility, the first in Malaysia and among only six such facilities in the world. HACCP stands for Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point, a management system to ensure the safety and cleanliness of food. In 2006, Goh submited a proposal for the UK Farm, and his idea was taken up by the Agriculture and Agro-based Industries Ministry. The dream became a reality when the 40.47ha farm opened its doors last year. Now, there are 2,000 goats comprising the Jamnapari, British Alpine, Tauernsheck and Saanen breeds. In addition, there are 5,000 sheep comprising the Domba Garut, Damara, Barbados, Santa Ines, Malin and Dorper breeds. Goh said the number of goats increases on a daily basis, as between 50 and 60 kids are born daily on the farm. Just like sheep farms in foreign countries, sheep dogs are seen helping out the farmhands in the herding work. Goh has employed a Myanmar national to take charge of training the sheep dog, which is a New Zealand and Austalian mixed breed. "My next goal is to collaborate with local varsities to bring in agriculture students to the farm. This way, the younger generation would receive hands-on training pertaining to agro industries," said Goh. UK Farms has a restaurant that serves goat milk and goat milk ice cream, among other delicacies. Barbecues are also conducted in an open-air area beside the restaurant for guests who stay over. There are nine chalets which can accommodate 240 guests at a time. There are plans to set up another 26 chalets soon. "Students often come here for their team-building programmes." Visitors may also purchase UK Farm products made from goat meat and goat milk which are only sold on the premises. These products include halal frozen goat meat, lamb, goat milk shampoo, lotion and body wash. A souvenir shop also sells leather products like jackets and bags made of goat skin. Lovers of coffee can also enjoy the drink mixed with goat milk at either the restaurant or a rustic open-air cafe by the grazing field. UK Farm offers several packages ranging from a 3-day, 2-night dormitory stay to two days and a night in a chalet or dormitory. There are two- to three-hour tour packages priced from RM50 for adults and RM45 for children between 3 and 12 years. The UK Farm is at Lot 8, Projek Pertanian Moden, Km13 Jalan Batu Pahat, near Kluang. For enquiries, call 07-759 7551 or log on to www.ukfarm.com.my. Full Feed Generated by Get Full RSS, sponsored by USA Best Price. |
| Premier service from Puteri Pacific Posted: 14 Jun 2011 10:03 AM PDT 2011/06/15 THE PUTERI Pacific Johor Baru overlooking the Straits of Johor, is one of the most sought-after hotels as it provides excellent service. It has 464 guest rooms, all fitted with modern amenities. It also has two rooms, specially designed to meet the needs of physically challenged guests, and also non-smoking floors.
The rooms come with complimentary breakfast, tea and coffee-making facilities, free newspapers and also an electronic safe in every room. An assistant manager is on duty 24 hours to ensure guests have a comfortable stay. There is also 24-hour in-room dining facilities, a business centre, limousine service, currency exchange, laundry and dry-cleaning services, a kiosk, valet and self-parking facilities, and also a florist. Babysitting is available on request.
Puteri Pacific's conference and banquet facilities feature nine function rooms, including a magnificent ballroom. Whether it is a meeting for eight or an international function for 800, guests can always count on the hotel's staff to provide committed support and professional solutions. Attention to detail is complemented by state-of-the-art sound and lighting systems and full audio-visual and presentation facilities.
The hotel serves international and local cuisine — buffet and ala carte — between 6.30am and 10.30pm daily while its Paolo Restaurant offers exotic cuisine from the Mediterranean. Its cosy ambience amid its charming Mediterranean décor located at the hotel's lobby is another plus point. At its Kai Xuan Chinese Restaurant that is certified halal, amid a
The restaurant on Level 1 offers a huge range of Cantonese food that includes its mouth-watering braised eggplant with minced meat and salted chicken. Priced at RM16 for a serving of two or three, the freshly cooked eggplant is simply delicious,. Also a must-try at the restaurant are its sauteed fresh scallops with macadamia nuts that are priced at RM35, deep-fried garoupa, and desserts that include deep-fried crispy home-made durian ice-cream and chilled cream mango with sago, that are priced at RM8. The restaurant opens from 11.30am to 2.30pm and from 6.30pm to 10.30pm. Currently, the restaurant is having a Peking duck promotion, priced at RM60++ per bird. Diners can opt for a variety of home-made recipes of having the duck cooked with ginger spring onion; black pepper wrapped in a pancake and comes with a golden spring sauce, or in any style of your choice. The Peking duck dishes are available for lunch and dinner. Another dining option is its Hadramawt Restaurant. The hotel's first Yemeni restaurant in Malaysia, set up two and half years ago, offers an extensive array of authentic Middle Eastern and Yemeni cuisine, with the recipes derived from the original country. Puteri Pacific is located in Jalan Abdullah Ibrahim in Johor Baru.
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