- First Time Ever.
This is the Asian Mensa Gathering (AMG). We don't know if there will be another! Asia is vast and connectivity here is unlike Europe or North America. Although collectively Asian Mensa can grow very huge, currently individual countries may not be big enough to be willing to host such an event regularly. We'll have to wait and see.....
- Idyllic Island Retreat. We are going to Pangkor Island after the AMG from 26-28 September 2011. This resort island is about 3 hours from KL (Kuala Lumpur) by car/coach and another 30 minutes by ferry. It is a pristine leisurely island and ferry services are generally not extended to vehicles. This is the place to kick back, relax, and enjoy yourselves. Fairly clear weather and waters at this time as it is not the rainy season.
- Expand Your Horizon. You can finally grow beyond your National Mensa borders. Most Mensans in Asia simply have not met many other Mensans outside of their own countries. This can be due to cost, time and other commitments. So we are bringing them all under one roof! This is your chance - especially if you live in Malaysia or nearby. Make full use of your membership. Network, connect, collaborate!
- Greater Purchasing Power.
The Ringgit is still considered low. Very affordable to most developed nations. (Ringgit's local prefix symbol is "RM" while its international currency code is MYR.) Exchange rates are roughly as follows:
....1 USD = 3.0 MYR
....100 JPY = 3.8 MYR
....1 EUR = 4.3 MYR
....1 GBP = 4.8 MYR
If you are early, you can even find a deluxe room at The Hilton KL for the "best available rate" of 500 MYR per night. No, there are no look-alike hotels here in KL. This is the real deal. A McDonald's Big Mac meal is only 11 MYR with fries and drink. Of course, still there are cheaper and tastier local stalls and restaurants.
- Cheap Flights. Kuala Lumpur is the biggest hub of low cost flights in Asia. Since most of you need to travel by air, wouldn't it be fabulous if air travel is cheap? Well, Air Asia is based in Malaysia and KL is its biggest hub. Since it began its low cost flights in 2001, it has spurred other airlines including our national carrier Malaysia Airlines to give great big discounts to their common destinations.
Air Asia won the World's Best Low Cost Airline by Skytrax in 2009, 2010 and 2011. The Air Asia group also operates Tune Hotels in providing low cost accommodation.
- Delicious Tantalising Food! The pastime of many Malaysians. Even conversations revolve around food.
For the "foodies", you can certainly sample a few items although not all of them within a few days.
Choose from chilli-hot, tasty, soupy, spicy, northern Indian, southern Indian, local Indian-Moslem, Chinese seafood, Malay seafood, Baba-Nyonya (local cuisine fused with 15th century Chinese cooking), Chinese-style from several provinces in China, northern local dishes, southern local dishes, Malay-Thai dishes, some southeast Asian cuisine, Japanese adapted for Malaysians and of course the various western food - western Europe to be exact. And if you are travelling to East/Bornean Malaysia (states of Sabah and Sarawak), you can try an extensive variety of food to tantalize your taste buds.
- Rich In Culture. Although sometimes some non-Asians say it is hard to tell the difference among Asians, to the locals,
Malaysia is indeed multi-cultural. In West/Peninsular Malaysia, the distinction between the cultures of the Malays, Kelantanese Malays, Indians and Chinese are rather apparent while the rest (including the natives) may not be so.
In East/Bornean Malaysia, the rich multi-cultural heritage consists of the Kadazan, Murut, Bajau, Iban, Melanau, Bidayuh and several others. From costumes, customs to food and language, they are distinctly different. We plan to give you a taste of it. Not of each (due to time constraint) but definitely a few!
- Huge Discounts! Great savings are available now. We have worked very hard to provide you with various discounted rates and packages. There is a time limit and the full fare is applicable after a certain period. Check out the prices and the programmes above. Don't wait till it's too late!