Aww, I am feeling good! My good friend and I plan to visit the 48th Bon Odori Festival at Kompleks Sukan Negara Shah Alam on July 20, 2024. To be honest, this is my first visit to this festival, even though I have heard about it every year. Anyway, thank you, my good friend, for bringing me to this event. 

This year's 48th Bon Odori Festival highlighted cultural performances from Japan, such as Nihon Buyou-Bu Dance, Bon Odori Dance, Wadaiko Dance, drum performances, lantern ornaments, traditional Japanese attire, and local food. This festival attracted over 40,000 visitors and highlighted Selangor's diverse and multicultural community. 

We arrive in the late evening. It is difficult to find a parking space because this festival attracts a large number of people. So we arrived a little earlier, but we took our time looking for a parking spot. However, we are grateful to have found a parking spot. We also received a free fan when we entered this entrance. 

When I walked into this stadium, I was impressed to see that many people wore Yukatas clothes and even sat and enjoyed eating on the picnic. I believe that everyone will have a unique and special experience because this festival reflects the uniqueness of Japanese culture and festivals. Even it can also strengthen friendships and relationships between Malaysian and Japanese people, bringing them closer together.

Yang Berhormat Dato' Ng Suee Lim, EXCO of Local Government and Tourism, emphasised the festival's impact on tourism. "The number of Japanese tourists visiting Selangor increased by 49%, from 73,822 in 2022 to 110,018 in 2023. This positive trend highlights the festival's impact on Selangor's tourism sector and appeals to the Japanese market"

“With Visit Selangor Year approaching in 2025, we believe that festivals like Bon Odori are pivotal in attracting tourists and achieving our goal of welcoming 8 million visitors next year. The Bon Odori Festival stands as a testament to the strong cultural ties between Japan and Selangor, promising an exciting future for tourism and cultural exchange”, said Yang Berhormat Dato’ Ng Suee Lim.

Not only that but there are plenty of booths where they sell a variety of foods and beverages. Absolutely we managed to purchase our food and beverages. In addition, I explored all of the booths. Too tempting. However, we just chose what we wanted to eat and drink. 

The dance performance began at 7:00 p.m., and this was my first time seeing it. Very lively and awesome. Everyone enjoyed watching this performance. Without a doubt, the weather is hot, but that did not stop us from experiencing the festival vibe, and the atmosphere becoming more vibrant and crowded. 

Overall, this festival is attractive and exposes Japanese culture and festivals. In fact, thank my good friend for bringing me to this fantastic festival. If you missed out on this one-of-a-kind festival, don't worry; it will be held every year. For the most up-to-date information on Tourism Selangor, visit their social media platforms below;-

Website: https://selangor.travel/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TourismSelangor

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/discoverselangor

Twitter: https://www.x.com/tourismselangor

Yahooo!! I was very excited to experience the luxury cruise as it was my first time boarding the beautiful cruise, Genting Dream Cruise in June 2023. I would always seen it advertised and wanted to try it. Finally, my dreams have come true. I went there with my family and my aunt's family. It was one of my most memorable and priceless experiences. I believe that many of us wished to board this cruise. So, we opted for the 3 Days 2 Nights (Port Klang to Singapore to Port Klang Package).

Anyway, you can check out Genting Dream Cruise; they have various packages for your room and the destination that you want to visit. Obviously, the price charged varies depending on your preferences and selection. The link is https://rwcruises.com or Get the best deal during the Matta Fair / Travel Fair promotion.

Credit photo to Resort World Cruise Website

Ermm...Let me tell you a quick funny story. When I was young, my family and I went to my hometown of Pulau Ketam during the holiday season or the Chinese New Year celebration. When I pass by Pulau Ketam, I always see a large cruise ship named SuperStars Gemini, Leo, and others. When I saw it, I wondered when we would board the cruise. It means that my dreams will come true, as well as whatever we wish for. It will undoubtedly be fulfilled as long as we do not give up chasing our dreams. Thank you, Genting Dream Cruise, for allowing everyone to experience a luxury cruise while enjoying and relaxing at sea. 

Day 1 

Obviously, we must check in at Port Klang Cruise Terminal around 2.00pm, with the last check-in time at 5.00pm. To be honest, we left my house around 12.00pm and expected to arrive there around 1 hour and a half later, around 1.30pm, but we encountered issues that we didn't expect, such as being stuck in heavy traffic on weekdays. I was surprised when we couldn't move forward and it was one of the worst traffic jams I'd ever seen. There were numerous trucks, lorries, and buses clustered together. I was curious what had happened this time. When I checked the Waze app at the time, it showed that there had been an accident, which was the cause of the bad traffic. It's almost 3 p.m. already. Many messages appeared on Waze, expressing worries that they would be unable to check in on time due to the same issues. It means that there are no alternatives for getting to the final destination. As a result, we managed to get there a little late before 5.00pm. 

It's so exciting! Finally, we arrived at Genting Dream Cruise and received my Genting Dream Cruise Card, which we used to access my room on the cruise. Wow! For the first time, I must seize the opportunity to take a photo with my family and aunt's family at Port Klang Cruise Terminal before walking to the Cruise. It's no surprise that so many people are as excited as we are. The crew greeted us and we proceeded to our assigned stateroom to put the luggage before exploring the cruise. 

Wow! I was surprised to see the room and bathroom, which is quite neat and appears to be larger than I expected. They also provide us with a complimentary tea and coffee set as well as mineral water. So, this is my interior stateroom, without a window or balcony. While my aunt's family chose a Balcony Stateroom. I went over to their rooms. That's quite nice! If you want to see and choose from a variety of rooms, you can visit their website.

Balcony Stateroom

We were starving at the time, so we went to The Lido for a late lunch. Wow! Many people queue up to get food and beverages. We explored the Main Pool Deck after we finished our lunch. The weather was nice and bright, especially the beautiful sunset. I absolutely love it. Feel blessed when see beautiful nature and a sunset. Furthermore, I was impressed by Genting Dream Cruise's good vibes and lovely environment, and I explored the Casino's vibe. So enthusiastic!

To be honest, you will never be bored on a cruise. Because there are so many things to eat, do, play, enjoy, and relax such as restaurants, bars, the palace, entertainment, retail, beauty & wellness, sports & recreation, and other services. If you get hungry, you don't have to worry because they serve food 24 hours. You can find more information on the Genting Dream Cruise website. 

We dine at Dream Dining Room Upper, which serves Chinese cuisine and a fixed menu. The menu is the same for each table. Aside from that, we can request more foods from the same menu. Unless you want to pay more for the menu or beverages such as Beer and Roasted Duck. All of the foods appear appealing and delectable. No worries, you can choose from Western cuisine, Asian cuisine, HotPot, and many other options. You can get more information from Genting Dream Cruise. Just have fun as long as you are happy while on the cruise.

The cruise departs at 8 p.m. from Port Klang and arrives in Singapore at 10 a.m. We enjoyed unwinding at The Main Pool Deck, and many people enjoyed swimming and relaxing there. It's incredible to see a beautiful night view, especially from the Main Pool Deck. Not only that, but we went to see the performance at Zodiak Theatre, where there was a funny competition between three couples to win the competition based on Love Matters's Question. So fun and lovely! After we finished our supper at The Lido's Outdoor. It's time to shower, sleep, and get ready for the next day. Sleep well at night! 

Day 2

The next day, we get up around 6 a.m. and have breakfast at The Lido at 7 a.m. because we can eat a variety of foods such as Chinese, Malay, Indian, and Asian dishes, as well as Western foods and many others. Because it is a buffet, each table has a set amount of time to eat. Because there are a lot of people who queue to eat and dine in. 

After we finished our breakfast, the cruise arrived in Singapore at the same time, and we had to wait for the tour to bring us to Singapore, and we absolutely had to check in for immigration. We decided to take a short tour of Singapore. This option is for anyone who wants to stay on the cruise or go sightseeing in Singapore. After we finished our immigration, we boarded a bus that took us to The Merlion for 15 minutes of photo opportunities before heading to Jewel Changi Airport. Once we arrived at Jewel Changi Airport and it was Free and Easy, so we just enjoyed ourselves until we gathered at the time specified before returning to the Cruise. Simultaneously, we meet up with my Uncle and Uncle's wife. They bring us for lunch in the surrounding area. Wow! The food is quite appealing and delectable. Thank you very much for the treat. 

Wow!! This is my first time seeing Jewel Changi Airport, which is well-known for having a mall and an entertainment complex. It is separate from, but connected to, Terminal 1, Transit Passengers. As a result, we can enjoy everything there without having to worry about immigration procedures. The Rain Vortex, the tallest indoor waterfall in the world, caught my attention in particular and is surrounded by a terrace forest setting. So beautiful and attractive. Amazingly, a lot of travellers and residents like walking through Jewel Changi Airport. 

Awww...I was lucky to see the Avengers exhibition, which is being held at Canopy Park from May 26, 2023, to August 13, 2023. Wow! A tall Iron Man greeted us at the Forest Valley entrance before we explored the valley there were different Avengers-themed photos and could learn some fun and interesting facts about our favorite Super Heroes around the lush greenery. No worries, Jewel Changi Airport organizes a variety of events throughout the day. You may check out at Jewel Changi Airport Website

I was surprised to see how many people wanted to take pictures with them, especially how happy the children were to see them. If you walk around Jewel Changi Airport, you can catch a glimpse of the Avengers. That's awesome! Otherwise, if you missed it, there is plenty of shopping and dining nearby. 

We returned to the Cruise in the late evening and continued to explore the ship before dining at the same restaurant, Dream Dining Room Upper. The menu is different than first day. The food is quite good and delicious. What an amazing miracle, I met my juniors there because I didn't have roaming that time, and we grabbed some time to chat chit after our respective dinners and proceeded to watch the wonderful performance in Zodiak Theatre together. This time, the performance is even better and more incredible. It was very entertaining and amusing to watch. By the way, I'm sorry I couldn't show you the photo of the Casino environment and vibes because it is not allowed to take pictures in this area. Thank you for your patience and understanding. Unless you go and experience it for yourself. 

Day 3 

We all eat breakfast at The Lido and deck at Port Klang before going home. Although the time flew by, it was so good for us to unwind and relax for a short getaway, especially on a cruise, where there is no need to worry about becoming bored because they provide a variety of entertainment. To be honest, I hope to board the cruise again whenever the opportunity arises because I enjoy relaxing at sea. Overall, my family and I had a fantastic time exploring Genting Dream Cruise and taking a short tour of Singapore. 

More information is available at https://rwcruises.com Just bring your beloved family and friends to enjoy the luxury cruise. Let's make your dreams a reality!