StarSpecialTHE STAR Sunday 3 May 2015

Fun nature activities for the whole family > 3 Lost in adventure > 6

SCHOOL HOLIDAY SPECIAL

Fabulous family funSomething for everyone.

2 SCHOOL HOLIDAY SPECIAL StarSpecial, Sunday 3 May 2015

In touchwith the wildTHE school holidays are the perfect time for family to get together and bond. However, many holidaymakers are unsure about the best place to go.

For those who have heard of Bukit Gambang Resort City but have yet to pay it a visit, this is probably the right time.

Located not far from Gambang town, the scenic resort city is set in a serene natural forest.

It has the largest water park and wave pool as well as the longest family raft ride in the country.

Other unique attractions include the Tree Top Hill Slides, Coco Beach and Penguin Island.

In line with the resort citys

tagline Leisure At Its Best, marketing and communications manager Karen Tan says visitors

can enjoy wholesome fun at the best rate.

According to her, the resort city has

continually lived up to the expectation of visitors.

We aim to improve further and introduce new

attractions from time to time. Our

resort is not just a business entity but a gateway for family

bonding so that the young and the old can enjoy quality time together, says Tan.

The resort city features the Safari Park, which is expanding to include more species of primates and birds.

The white lions at Safari Park are its main attraction and a contest was recently organised to mark the birth of the first Malaysian white lion cub.

The cub of the Panthera leo krugeri species from Africa was born on May 4 last year and

Have a lark of a time at Safari Park.

The African Yabara Fire Show.

The white lions are the main attraction at Safari Park.

has been given the name King. Thousands of entries were received as visitors flocked to see little King.

Visitors can dine at Simba Hill Gourment Hall while observing the antics of the large felines in their glass enclosure.

Another must-try experience is the exciting tram drive-through across a large wild savannah, where animals roam freely.

Children will be left in awe and laughter during the staging of daily performances of Tarzan Adventure and Yabara Fire Show.

Bird- and animal-feeding activities are also available while the braver visitors can choose to be photographed with reptiles such as an albino python or ride a camel.

Some of the latest additions to

the parks collection are a pair of brown bears, ring-tailed lemurs and baby elephants.

A new kopitiam is now operating near the ticketing counter while the menus at existing food outlets, including those in the water park, have been changed to offer a greater variety of food and drinks to visitors.

Entry into Safari Park is free for boys and girls on their birthdays.

A host of accommodation options is available, including studio rooms, family suites and penthouses at Caribbean Bay and Arabian Bay Resorts.

Those who book a room during low seasons are entitled to greater savings.

n For more information or bookings, visit www.bgrc.com.my

Keeping up with the childrenBy TINA CARMILLIAFROM childrens perspectives, the school holidays offer an opportunity for them to rest and focus on activities other than school subjects.

For many adults, the school holidays used to mean it was time to balik kampung to visit relatives and friends in the village when they were schoolchildren.

These visits had to be done during the school holidays because the journey was usually long and tiring.

Most of the time, they would be dropped off to spend the holidays under the care of their grandparents or relatives while their parents return to work.

Chicken-chasing, fruit-picking and kite-flying were just some of the activities outside of school that the children of yesteryear enjoyed when school was out.

Those who grew up during or before the 1980s would certainly be able to relate to these nostalgic memories.

Brain gamesThings are different now,

however, and for most city folks, even the regular weekend is sufficient to make the trips back to their hometowns.

The roads are more accessible and improved while transportation be it public or private-owned is better.

But the school holidays are now spent on academically focused activities.

According to a study published in the book State-led Modernisation and the New Middle Class in Malaysia, authored by Professor Dr Abdul Rahman

expectations of their childrens academic performance.

As a result of this increase in awareness on education, school

holidays mean children are sent to enrichment classes to nurture certain unique

talents or aptitudes or address certain needs.

Attending music classes, language courses or football camps is typically how children of the 1990s and early 2000s spend their school holidays.

While the fees for these programmes can

be steep because of their intensive nature, parents who cannot get time off from work find this option practical and worthwhile.

Raising the barHowever, a new trend

is emerging and ready to replace the academic-centric school holiday planning with a more balanced approach that involves some form of travelling with some form of learning sometimes without the children even realising it.

Depending on time and budget, this can be done in many ways.

For example, a family trip abroad is a great

opportunity for the family to strengthen their ties while teaching the kids important life skills such as cross-cultural communication and social skills.

The older children can even learn about planning and budgeting if they are given the task of deciding on, and planning one of the many activities during such trips.

Meanwhile, parents with time or financial constraints can plan shorter trips to theme parks such as the Lost World of Tambun.

When visiting these places, not only will the children be having fun, they also get the opportunity to learn about wildlife and nature in person.

Most family retreat destinations these days cater to similar experiences.

For instance, the Cherating Beach used to be just a simple relaxing beach getaway for locals and tourists alike.

However, resorts such as Club Med have refreshed the popular beach spot by providing a complete holiday package for families that includes art and dance activities, eco-nature elements and wellness programmes this coming June holiday season.

So, families get to spend time together on a break while still exploring and developing new skills.

> SEE PAGE 4

Embong in 2002, the increase in the number of educated parents has changed the way children are being brought up and thus the way they spend their school holidays.

Prof Abdul Rahman, Emeritus professor in sociology of development at Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, wrote that based on his study conducted in the 1990s, thr parents are more educated compared to earlier generations.

Thus, they have higher

StarSpecial, Sunday 3 May 2015 SCHOOL HOLIDAY SPECIAL 3

CLUB Med Cherating Beach is the perfect getaway for an enjoyable family retreat this holiday season. This year, Club Med is proud to introduce the Family Nature Fun campaign at its first eco-nature resort in Malaysia.

Set to launch in June, the two-month campaign is expected to revitalise guests with a myriad of fun and uplifting activities included in their holiday package at no extra charge.

As the first eco-nature resort in Malaysia, Club Med Cherating Beach is thrilled to be hosting the upcoming activities. Family Nature Fun is a holistic campaign that promotes all that Club Med stands for nature, art and wellness, says Lena Lim, Club Med Malaysia marketing manager.

Art and danceTap into your creative skills

with fun art and dance activities where both adults and children delight in many fascinating events such as mosaic art, eco-craft and K-pop dance classes. The art jam session provides free-flow painting that allows you to unleash your artistic ability.

One with natureNourish and uplift your body,

mind and soul with inspiring elements from nature and a healthy diet through spiritual practices.

You can gain a hands-on learning experience in creating healthy and tasty raw food treats with Elke Wollschon, lifestyle and relationship coach, as well as elevate yourself to a whole new level of well-being through her

essential oil workshops. For guests who prefer more

relaxing activities, they can take part in yoga and meditation.

Family funFamilies can learn cool

soccer tricks in a fun and casual environment with Steven Tan, a former Singapore national player.

It is also an opportunity for the whole family to bond through sports and learn how to work as a team. Strategically located in 80ha of exceptional nature enveloped by lush greenery and the South China Sea, families

can reconnect with Mother Nature through learning valuable insights, performing mind-rejuvenating activities as well as learn green tips and tricks from environmental enthusiast Matthias Gelber, well-known for being the Greenest Person on the Planet.

Groove to the musicGet in touch with your musical

soul and groove to diverse tunes, beautiful vocals and feet-thumping beats with Club Meds line-up of Malaysian talents in its music performances.

Enjoy a live set with Bassment Syndicate as it sets the stage for musical expression at its best, evidenced by soulful lyrics, melodious harmonies and instrumental arrangements performed with distinctive grace, groove and originality.

Other artistes include Amy Wang, David Nooi, Gary Chee, Jeffery Lim, Keon Chia, Haoren, Pink, Kopi Ling Guo Wei, Julio as well as indie and folk artiste Priscillia Xavier and multi-talented DJ, recording artiste, producer and rapper, Kirstie Maximus.

International artistes include gifted saxophonist and composer Patrick Terbrack from the United States as well as JU/NY, a pianist

and drummer duo who have established themselves in the Asian music industry and are known for their diverse styles.

Hula hoop and dance classes

Club Med has engaged the Hula Hoop Institute, South-East Asias leading hula hoop dance establishment, and The Fiery Pixies, performers from South Africa, to teach hula hoop tricks and dance moves for two weeks (May 10 to 23) to guests.

Destination for allAs the destination of choice

for many families, Club Med has its own daycare staff, known as Gentil Organisatuers, who are capable of looking after children of all ages.

An oasis for parents and children, Club Med offers breathtaking sceneries and the peace of mind that families seek in a holiday.

Free stay for kidsFamilies looking for a quick

getaway this holiday season need look no further his June holidays, children visiting Club Med Cherating Beach, Bali, Phuket or Bintan Island resort with their families get to stay, eat and play for free (terms and conditions and blackout dates apply).

Bookings are available till June 30, and guests may travel anytime from this May until next April.

n For more information,call 03-2053 1888 (Monday to Saturday from 9am to 8pm or visit www.clubmed.com.my

Fun nature activities for the whole family

Club Med Cherating Beach is a perfect vacation spot for families who want to get in touch with nature.

Club Med has staff members skilled in looking after children.

4 SCHOOL HOLIDAY SPECIAL StarSpecial, Sunday 3 May 2015

> FROM PAGE 2 The modern familyThe school holidays can be spent in many ways: just like the old days with extended family in the kampung, following the popular trend of attending enrichment programmes, or mixing respite and learning in a trip as a family unit. It depends on the familys budget, time and planning.

Here are some personal stories of average, middle-class Malaysian parents and the way they plan their childrens school holidays as compared to how they spent their school holidays when they were children.

Staycation and recreation Rachel Punitha, 32, writer and mother of one.

When I was a child, my holidays were spent either at home or with friends. There were not many opportunities and facilities for us back then.

The parks comprised simply a field and a playground whereas now, they have lakes, water-based activities on the lakes, jogging and cycling paths and various other amenities. This generation also has KidZania, iCity and Aquaria KLCC to explore within the Klang Valley.

I plan to spend the upcoming school holidays by just relaxing with my family. We will probably

Rachel Punitha prefers a relaxing holiday with the family.

Catherine DCruz likes to spend time bonding with her children.

Rosnah Zakaria spends the holidays on vacation with her family.

head out to parks to run and play, go for swimming sessions and maybe squeeze in an outing to a science or animal park for some fun learning.

My husband and I have hectic work schedules so we rarely get to spend time together as a family during workdays. Even weekends, which are supposed to be for family, are mostly taken up to run errands, attend functions or spend time with extended family members. Budget: For the upcoming school

holidays, even with a relaxing itinerary, I would budget around RM1,000 for a week of activities. Even though we are a small family of three, our budget includes our extended family maid and grandparents.

Fostering a family bond Catherine DCruz, 52, teacher and mother of two.

When I was young, my holidays were always spent visiting relatives in KL since I

lived in Port Klang.My parents made all the

decisions and we abided by their choices, so family visits were a must. As a result, I spent a lot of time sharing stories among cousins.

As a parent, I prefer to spend time bonding with my children through simple everyday activities.

We spend school holidays having meals outside, going to the movies, taking a drive to the beach at Port Dickson or maybe have a short trip to Penang.

The emphasis on strong family relationship started from young and continued into my adulthood.Budget: For small-scale holiday trips like this, it would take around RM2,000 to RM3,000.

The simple things Rosnah Zakaria, 45, sales executive and mother of three.

As a child, the school holidays meant taking the train to balik kampung.

It was an awesome experience and something I would look forward to every festive season or school holiday.

My kids, however, have a different experience. My

husband and I make sure that each school holiday season is spent on a vacation as a family.

We prefer fun activities that involve experiential learning for the children, for example, by going to theme parks.Budget: My family budget increases as the kids grow older. We used to book only a single room for our family vacations but now we book two rooms. We spend between RM2,000 and RM5,000, depending on the location of our trips.

WHAT is rest and relaxation for the children may be stressful for the parents financially, energy-wise and in terms of making work arrangements flexible during the school holidays.

In the United Kingdom, a study by the hotel chain Travelodge last year showed that British parents splash an average of 1,461.39 (RM7,941.92) for their childrens summer break.

The study also revealed that more than half of the parents admitted that they found it stressful looking after their kids during the school holidays.

The parents, on average, took 10 days off work during this period. On top of that, some families do not spend a lot of time together.

When the holiday season arrives and the family has to share space and time together for an extended period, not everyone will get along well because they may not be used to such conditions.

The holiday period can be capitalised to improve familial relations.

The stress that parents face from having to change work routines and stretch the budget during the holiday season on top of having to ensure that everyone is having a good time can be reflected in the quality of the time spent with their family during the said period.

However, there are many ways to avoid such situations so that the whole family and not just the children can have a memorable and relaxing time doing the things (or not doing anything at all) together.

Plan ahead Make advanced bookings

for your holidays especially if it involves travelling out of state. The prices of flight tickets and hotel rooms can skyrocket as the

The irony of vacation stress

holiday season approaches, so book early.

Additionally, exhibitions, cultural events and the like are normally promoted weeks if not months in advance with early bird prices that can be significantly cheaper so watch out for these.

Set expectations Make the planning inclusive

and let everyone have a say but also have realistic ideas about how the holiday can be spent.

This can also be important when dealing with over-excitement especially in young children. A priority list can help make this process easier.

If you plan to spend the week on a beach, water sports are likely to top the list followed by,

perhaps, a spot of shopping.Plan activities so that each

member of the family will have at least one wish fulfilled.

Delegate tasks You do not have to do

everything yourself. Older children can be given simple tasks such as watching over the luggage or preparing food for day trips. It is

important that the whole family is included.

When children are given responsibilities, they will feel more involved and valued.

Be open While planning for a holiday

is important, note that not everything may go according to plan. More often than not, there are a lot of things outside of your control such as the weather, transportation delays and even miscommunication due to language barriers.

Be flexible with the planned activities and always be up for an adventure. After all, that is what a holiday is about.

Your family holiday can be planned around your budget, time and interest.

Involving the children in planning holiday activities can make the process easier.

StarSpecial, Sunday 3 May 2015 SCHOOL HOLIDAY SPECIAL 5

Action-packed holiday getawayARE you looking for a good holiday to escape the daily grind at school, home or the office?

AFamosa Resort is your one-stop venue, where you can discover a host of water activities at the Water Theme Park and begin a thrilling water escapade on its popular exciting rides.

The Big Ice Cream is built for adventure buffs and the Wahaha water ride provides an adrenaline rush like no other.

In the Wahaha, you face a nerve-wrecking countdown, wait for the heart-pounding moment as the water waves rushes in unexpectedly and whirls you before sending you free-falling down the Lazy River, a long and slow moving river on which you can float along.

Experience an out-of-this-world encounter when feeding majestic tigers named Bobby, Shira and Nina.

You can also visit AFamosas inquisitive brown lemurs, squirrel monkeys and capuchins at The Monkey Island or pet and feed binturongs, rabbits and other tame animals in the Safari Wonderland.

Children and adults alike are provided with an array of edutainment shows, beginning with Elephant Encounter and moving on to Multi-Animal Fun Time, Colour of the Birds and finally the delightful Wild Wild West.

At night, AFamosa Resort Old West carnival arena awaits you with an enchanting Red Indian show and musical parade accompanied by AFamosas monumental fireworks display.

Explore the 4D Theatre and Dark Tunnel adventure on the beautifully lighted Cho Cho Train

along with many other fun rides and arcade games for children at the Old West.

You can treat your family to a rewarding vacation with spacious living facilities, modern home conveniences and refreshing countryside atmosphere as well as enjoy AFamosa Resorts award-

winning 27-hole golf course There are endless activities that

bring about long hours of fun and excitement for the whole family.

AFamosa Resort also offers hassle-free transportation services from KLIA and KLIA2 with Transnational Express or from Kuala Lumpur or Singapore with

Nice Imperial Coach. AFamosa Resort has everything

you need for an unforgettable holiday with your loved ones.

n For more information,call 03-2781 8888 or06 -552 0888 or visitwww.afamosa.com

Enjoy hours of fun at AFamosas various attractions.

6 SCHOOL HOLIDAY SPECIAL StarSpecial, Sunday 3 May 2015

Lost in adventureLOST World Of Tambun is an action-packed, family adventure destination. This self-contained wonderland is cocooned by lush tropical jungle, natural hot springs, breathtaking 400-million-year-old limestone features and seven amazing attraction parks.

These features make it the ultimate day and night destination for a unique eco-adventure excursion for visitors of all ages.

Lost World of Tambun takes pride in having restored the glory of a tin-mining wasteland into an iconic landmark that it is today, putting it on Malaysias tourist map. It is the only theme park in South-East Asia with a natural hot spring.

There are many exciting rides, activities and attractions to be experienced in the Lost World of Tambun.

Lost World Water ParkAt the River & Beach Garden, you

will find a perfectly landscaped beach surrounded by 20-foot (6m) twin waterfalls. The white sandy beach complemented by lush tropical gardens and majestic rock formations is a perfect start to your journey in the Lost World Of Tambun.

Make sure you hit the waves at Jungle Wave Pool, which can swell up to three feet high (0.9m). After that, you can head for Sandy Bay for an intense game of volleyball or a relaxing soak in the sun.

Explorabay is designed for the little ones. Here, children can play in the wet and interactive play area featuring giant tipping buckets, water cannons, spraying elephants, water curtains and fountains.

One thing that should not be missed is the longest inflatable tube ride in Malaysia. With four different slides to try, the Tube Raiders is a family favourite.

If you are looking for a more relaxing water ride, the Adventure River allows you to sit back and relax as you gently float along the 660-metre adventure river and pass by natural caves and breathtaking water features.

Express, where you can sit back and let the ancient locomotive take you and your family on a journey past majestic ruins, surging waters and wild tigers, giving you a quick tour of the Lost World Of Tambuns other attractions.

Lost World Tiger ValleyAt Tiger Valley, you can meet the Lost

World Of Tambuns Siberian tigers Putra, Jazz and Azian. Catch them and their handlers at play and observe their agility and strength as they jump over rocks and logs to get to their meals during the tiger feeding shows.

Learn a little bit about how the tigers are cared for through the valleys educational programme. You can also get up close and personal with one of these exquisite tigers at the valley.

Lost World Tin ValleyPeninsular Malaysia was a tin mining

hub for hundreds of years. The Kinta Valley was one of the most active tin mining areas during the industrys prime in the 19th century.

The Lost World Tin Valley was created to take visitors back to this past, a time when dulang washers worked hard by the rivers to support their families.

Today, children can have fun while learning about this history by partaking in the daily pan-mining activities and seeing real artefacts from the past at the Galleria.

Lost World Adventure ParkDesigned to showcase the special

limestone environment of Lost World Of Tambun, the 13 High Rope Course challenges ones self-confidence and endurance.

Other activities in the Adventure Park include rock climbing, para-jumping,team-building and zipping across a 120-metre long cable over a beautiful lake.

Needle of TambunUpon entering the Lost World Of

Tambun, visitors face sheer cliffs covered with vegetation that form the backdrop of this picturesque theme park. These towering hills with their limestone walls are unique to Malaysia.

The limestone hills of Kinta Valley are what remain of a massively thick bed of limestone deposited more than 400 million years ago.

The Needle of Tambun, also known as Pencil Hill, rises vertically from the ground at the southern end of the Lost World. It is a unique limestone pinnacle that was preserved while surrounding limestone dissolved thousands of years ago.

Lost World Petting ZooThe Petting Zoo allows the public to

touch, feed, play and have a personal encounter with the animals. It features a large variety of exotic animals in an environment created as close to nature as possible.

Apart from being a fun activity that families can do together, it serves as an educational platform for schools and tourists.

To make the experience memorable, kids and adults can pose for pictures with a macaw or a python at the Rock Canopy.

Lost World Hot Springs & Spa Saphiras Lair is specially created for

children, portraying a virtual dragon world complete with colourful lights that illuminate the rainforest.

Children can enjoy this spectacular world beyond imagination, where the temperature goes up to 40C.

The Infinity Pool can accommodate up to 300 people at one go and is surrounded by the serene and calming sounds of the waterfall. Three million litres of thermal water emerge from the ground in Tambun, into the Lost World Hot Springs & Spa and out into the Kopisan River.

At the end of the Infinity Pool is the Lost World Steam Cave. This spa is great for those looking for a respite after a long day. The steam cave, which acts as a sauna, promotes detoxification of the body and better blood circulation through sweating.

The Geyser of Tambun sprouts out thermal hot spring water 40 feet (12.1m) high every hour, giving visitors a pleasant surprise every time. The lighting creates a beautiful atmosphere for those who visit at night.

Other attractions available at Lost World Hot Springs & Spa are Foot Spa, Crystal Pool, Saphiras Baby Pool and Crystal Spa.

Lost World HotelJust a stones throw away from the

theme park is the Lost World Hotel, a perfect place for resting after a long day of adventure. The hotel consists of 174 rooms, which range from basic luxury to premium accommodation.

Stays at the Lost World Hotel are inclusive of two breakfast and two tickets to Lost World Hot Springs & Spa. All rooms are given complimentary access to broadband service.

The Lost World Hotel has set a milestone as the first hotel within the city to be smoke free.

n For more information, visitwww.sunwaylostworldoftambun.com

Visitors going down the Tube Raiders slide in Lost World Water park.

Visitors can have a better view of the Lost World Tin valley while riding an elephant.

Lost World Amusement ParkAs the first roller coaster ride in Perak,

Lupes Adventure is a ride not to be missed.You can then enjoy the scenery as you

take a spin in the air on the Dragon Flights ride. Next stop is Storm Rider, a pirate boat that will take you on a 180-degree spine-tingling sailing adventure.

The Perak Parade carousel and the Giddy Galleon are child-friendly rides that are ideal for young families.

Make sure you board the Adventure

StarSpecial, Sunday 3 May 2015 SCHOOL HOLIDAY SPECIAL 7

At the heart of historySET in the heart of historical Malacca, Hotel Equatorial Melaka is a five-star international business hotel with 496 elegantly furnished guestrooms and suites offering stunning views of the Straits of Malacca and St Pauls Hill. It provides luxurious comfort and excellent service to its guests.

The hotel is ideally located within a few minutes walk from historical sites and trails, shopping complexes, night spots, financial institutions and Jonker Street a heaven for antique collectors and bargain hunters.

AccommodationFeaturing guestrooms ranging

from the modest Deluxe Room to the Presidential Suite, the hotel rooms are tastefully furnished with elegant and contemporary designs.

Each room has an en suite bathroom along with a flat-screen television, mini refrigerator, coffee- and tea-making facilities, in-room personal safe, IDD telephone line, individually controlled air-conditioning, complimentary wireless Internet access, hair dryer, cable channels and iron and ironing board.

Food and beverageHotel Equatorial Melaka offers

its guests a variety of dining options:l Resthouse Caf For dining

with a difference, Resthouse Caf is the perfect choice. Alongside the standard a la carte menu, there is a buffet that features both Western and Asian cuisine. Be sure to book ahead if you are coming.

l Etc This is a great place to sit down and savour 16 types of cookies, cakes and pastries. You can also enjoy a cup of coffee made from premium coffee blends or refreshing smoothies and juices in this trendy and charming outlet.

l Kampachi Equatorials signature Japanese restaurant offers the widest variety of Japanese cuisine in town. Succulent sashimi, mouth-watering sushi, sizzling teppanyaki, crispy tempura and a host of other a la carte selections are served during lunch and dinner. Located on Level 2 of Hotel Equatorial Melaka, Kampachi presents a typical Japanese

ambience with tatami rooms for private dining, a teppanyaki counter and sushi bar.

l K5, The Street Bistro Overlooking the bustling streets of Melaka Raya, K5 is an easy-going yet sophisticated bistro in Malacca. It combines the memories of the good old days and the trends of today. Diners can enjoy a variety of local dishes and true Italian pastas and pizzas.

l Seri Nyonya Peranakan Restaurant This is a Peranakan restaurant renowned for its authentic home-cooked meals such as Hee Peow Soup, Ayam Pongteh and Nyonya Chap Chye. Located on Level 3 of Hotel

Equatorial Melaka, the Seri Nyonya is the place to experience authentic Peranakan dishes.

l Flo Lounge This is the place for you to indulge in an extensive selection of cocktails and wine complemented by live DJ performances throughout the night. Furnished with plush sofas and comfortable armchairs, it is the perfect spot to unwind.

Meetings and conventionsHotel Equatorial Melaka offers

the largest ballroom in Malacca, accommodating up to 1,300 persons for a sit-down dinner or 2,000 guests in theatre-style seating. The ballroom may be divided into eight smaller function rooms. There are three other individual meeting rooms available.

The meeting and audiovisual equipment are the latest, utilising state-of-the-art technology. The banquet team is professionally trained to ensure that every requirement is met in organising

Room category Unit Published rate

Deluxe RoomPremier RoomEquator Club Room Executive Suite Senator SuiteGovernor SuitePresidential Suite

2881226416222

RM600++RM700++RM800++RM1,000++RM1,250++RM1,350++RM4,000++

a successful event.

RecreationYou can relax, take a swim

or keep in shape during your stay at Hotel Equatorial Melaka. Equinox Fitness Centre located onLevel 3 offers state-of-the-art gym equipment and also includes a steam room, sauna, cold plunge pool and indoor Jacuzzi.

You can have a relaxing dip in the outdoor swimming pool located on Level 4 while the kids swim at the childrens pool.

Guest services Guest services and facilities

offered at the hotel include a business centre, hair and beauty salon, foreign currency exchange, laundry, pressing and dry-cleaning services, limousine services, 24-hour on call doctor, and 24-hour security and CCTV surveillance. All major credit cards are accepted.

n For more information, visit www.equatorial.com

The Premier Room in Hotel Equatorial Melaka.

Rates and room types:

8 SCHOOL HOLIDAY SPECIAL StarSpecial, Sunday 3 May 2015

Bringing the past to the presentSOME films, television shows, comic books and video games are timeless we can watch, read and play them repeatedly and still enjoy them decades later.

Within this realm exists some that were such great hits the first time around, that others in the industry years later decided they deserved a fresh start with new content and packaging.

Starting out as a feature film trend, reboots have become increasingly popular across all forms of entertainment media today.

It is not uncommon for people, especially fans of the originals, to express displeasure and disappointment in what they view as the death of originality. Some call these reboots rip-offs, downplaying the new features chances of potentially winning over new fans.

On the other hand, many are open to the idea of recreating older shows in a different light, it encourages and celebrates originality with the construction of new plots, characters and dialogue within the same premise, exploring the endless possibilities in storytelling.

Regardless of what your initial stance on reboots

may be, some of them have been widely accepted

by critics and

audiences alike and deserve a chance. Television and cinemas strongest critics of remakes also agree that several anomalies have and will continue to exist.

Ultimately, it is your choice as a media consumer to experience and judge for yourself.

These reboots often bring back classics that are past their prime and no longer generating commercial success.

This exposes the original idea to a whole new group of viewers, especially the younger generation who may have not been around to witness the initial hype.

On the flipside, one too many revival attempts have failed terribly, including television series reboots of Charlies Angels and Knight Rider. Along with the familiarity and brand comes the mammoth task of creating something new and better while sticking to what it is known and loved for.

If you are interested in exploring the world of reboots, here are some you can check out in your free time these school holidays.

The big screenAmerican comic publishing

giants Marvel and DC are no strangers to reboots. Comic books are known to relaunch series from scratch and the same trend can be seen with movie adaptations such as the X-Men, Batman and Superman franchises.

2012s blockbuster reboot of Spider-Man saw Andrew Garfield attempting to fill the shoes of Toby

Maguire, whose image had by then become synonymous with the famous fictional superhero. Nevertheless, the franchise reboot has experienced box office success and warm reception, even producing a sequel last year.

Science fiction and action movies have proven to be popular candidates for remakes, too. J.J. Abrams is responsible for bringing back cult favourite Star Wars, with Star Wars Episode VII: The Force Awakens set for a late 2015 release.

Godzilla and King Kong both have more than one version of film to their names, which some may find unnecessary given their banal storylines. The fact remains, however, that big explosions and incredible special effects are great money-making elements in modern cinema.

l Must seeStar Trek Into Darkness

Keeping the true spirit of Star Trek alive through careful casting, writing, costume design and production, this 2013 sequel to the franchise reboot was a hit

with fans and new viewers alike. This movie is a prime example of a reboot done right it preserves the essential elements of the original franchise while throwing in a few twists and incorporates the best of the latest skills and technology to create a wonderful fantasy world in space. It is also famed as the final time Star Trek great Leonard Nimoy portrayed Spock, a character who he came to be loved for before his death earlier this year.

The small screenSeries reboots generally

work better with science fiction, much like with films. The 2004 Battlestar Galactica reimagined the 70s series in deeper and darker tones, receiving overwhelming feedback as well as numerous awards and nominations.

Comedy and drama series are harder to recreate due to contextual differences and timelines.

British series are often ambitiously adapted in the United States, with the reverse being a lot less common. Sometimes they do better in the US than they did back home, as seen with The

Office and Shameless.In fact, the American

versions of these series are now internationally identified as the popular, mainstream ones.

However, it can be difficult to effectively translate the nuances and humour that typically cater to British people; the flopped American version of controversial teen drama Skins is proof of this.

In an effort to avoid negative reception due to the shows strong themes, the American version was watered down and as a result became unrelatable to North American audiences.

l Must see Homeland This political

thriller is highly original in that it attempted to reboot an Israeli series and make it relevant in an entirely different part of the world. The series is engaging, fresh and dramatic with strong themes of love, family, patriotism and religion.

It won several awards and stars seasoned actress Claire Danes as a Central Intelligence Agency agent who approaches her job with a dedication that borders on obsession.

Fans learn to sympathise with and come to love this character, Carrie, who makes questionable decisions but is central to the shows development.

Some reboots and remakes that are worth checking out during the school holidays.

The modern, gritty Batman films are good examples of successful reboots.

The King Kong reboot did not do as well as expected.

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