The Star Online: Metro: Central
The Star Online: Metro: Central |
| Couchsurfing provides free accomodation and enables members to see more Posted: 08 Dec 2012 05:07 AM PST Anew method of travelling has emerged and it involves sleeping on a couch. Couchsurfing.org, which is promoting this new way of travelling, has connected more than five million members around the world who provide free accommodation to travellers. As part of the arrangement, the host will bring the Couchsurfers around town to experience the non-touristy places usually frequented only by locals. Aptly named, the host would prepare a couch for the visitors to sleep on, a basic necessity for those travelling on a shoestring budget. An avid Couchsurfing member Tey Kher Ying has hosted more than 23 Couchsurfers and the most memorable experience was when she hosted an Italian motorcyclist who was travelling around the world on his third-hand motorbike. "I had a chance to ride with him around Malaysia for a week. We slept in palm oil plantations and beaches, we rode during the day and night, and event in the rain. It was an amazing experience," she said, adding that she felt like Ernesto from the movie titled The Motorcycle Diaries. That experience in her life has now motivated her to backpack and travel a fair bit herself. The 29-year-old freelance writer, who is now living in Melbourne, Australia said hosting Couchsurfers had been a learning experience. "If you can't get out to the world, bring the world to your doorstep. "Learn about the world through surfers and you will realise that the conventional beliefs that we hold on to so firmly mean nothing once we step out of our little bubble. "My Couchsurfers taught me that anything is possible if you set your heart on it," said Tey, who had travelled to more than 50 countries by Couchsurfing. A new member of Couchsurfing Lina Abdullah said hosting Couchsurfers had been an eye-opening experience and that through hosting, she had been to parts of Kuala Lumpur that she would normally not venture into. "Central Market is always a good bet and they always want to see the Petronas Twin Towers. I usually take them to good places to eat and chill out," she said, adding that Couchsurfers usually ended up being the ones who taught her about her own city. German couchsurfer David Schneider, 34, had visited Malaysia three times and all three were through Couchsurfing. "I learnt about the locals more deeply and experienced their way of life through Couchsurfing, something that I would not be able to do had I stayed in a hotel," he said. Schneider added that during his first visit to Kuala Lumpur, he stayed with a couple who took him back to their kampung in Alor Setar. "I followed them and had a chance to see the simple life of villagers, surrounded by the lush greenery and serenity that I did not get in the city," he said. |
| Neighbours against home-based restaurant Posted: 08 Dec 2012 05:05 AM PST A HOUSE in Jalan Bukit, Kajang, has been converted into a restaurant and some residents in the area are unhappy because it is causing inconvenience to them. A resident, who did not want to be named, said the restaurant in the house compound was causing distress in the neighbourhood. "We have to endure the odour wafting out from the house as well as noise pollution every morning. "The restaurant operates from as early as 6am and business goes on until midnight. "My house is near the restaurant and I am badly affected," he said, adding that he had to keep his windows closed all the time. "There are no proper disposal of food waste and I fear that it will attract pests like rodents and stray animals to the area. "I have also seen food waste floating in the drain junction box nearby," he said. He added that he was also worried about safety aspects as the caterers were using gas tanks to cook the food. "Fourteen residents had signed a petition against the conversion of the house into a commercial lot in August and alerted the Kajang Municipal Council (MPKj)," he said, adding that nothing much was done about it. During a check by StarMetro, food waste was spotted in the drain nearby and the stench was unbearable. Another resident, who also did not want to be named, said the traffic in the area had also worsened due to the restaurant. "This is a residential area and cannot cater to the number of people patronising the restaurant. "Some customers even resort to parking their vehicles illegally by the roadside. "This obstructs the view of motorists coming out to Jalan Bukit. It is dangerous for drivers who want to turn out to the main road," she said. When contacted, councillor Mohd Adram Musa said the council's audit committee was investigating the case as they suspect that the conversion of the residential house was not according to the council's bylaws. "The residents have highlighted their concern to me many times. "Having a restaurant operating in their midst is not right. "The council is still monitoring the problem and I will follow up with them," he said. |
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