Saturday August 4, 2012

Charm of Marrakesh

By OH ING YEEN
ingyeen@thestar.com.my
Photos by SHAARI CHEMAT

BE SURE to bring your cameras along when you visit Sunway Resort City as it celebrates this festive season with a dazzling display of lights inspired by the exotic Morocco.

A host of activities and contests await Sunway Pyramid shoppers.

With the theme C’haya Raya Eid Mubarak, this year, Sunway Resort City extends the splendour of Sunway Pyramid’s Marrakesh precinct to the streets by decking its streets and passageways with Moroccan-inspired lamps and motifs.

Gigantic vibrant Moroccan lamps in a kaleidoscope of colours highlight the entry ways of Sunway Resort Hotel and Sunway Pyramid.

The passageways are lit in iridescent gold and silver, invoking the shimmer of Saharan sand with rich reds and oranges that conjure up desert sunsets and accentuated by richly-hued greens and blues reminiscent of the Mediterranean sea.

Colourful sight: Six cultural dancers, donned in beaded flowing kaftans performing during the launch.

Sunway Resort Hotel and Spa showcased a dreamy Arabian Nights décor; at Sunway Pyramid, a regal centrepiece became the centre of attraction while the fountain area, a favourite photography spot, is lit up with entrancing curlicues.

Sunway Resort City hosted its official lighting-up ceremony recently launched by Tourism Ministry deputy secretary-general Rashidi Hasbullah and Sunway Group deputy chairman Datuk Seri Razman Hashim.

According to Razman, this was the eighth year they were hosting the Hari Raya show lights. “We have fashioned one million LED lights into resplendent arabesque motifs inspired by Islamic art and striking desert flowers, which are native to Moroccan soil, to light up our streets with a kaleidoscopic glow.

Time to celebrate: (from left) Rashidi, Razman and his wife Datin Seri Latiffah Kamaruddin, and Sunway Group exco member Puan Seri Susan Cheah launching the streetlights at Sunway Resort City.

“At the main archway into to the city and at the main entrance of Sunway Resort Hotel, we have placed majestic camels, which represent good blessings to welcome visitors,” he said in his speech.

He added, “We have the ‘Spot the Showlights’ contest, with a daily winner during Ramadan featuring fabulous prizes as well as a C’haya Raya Foursquare check in contest for netizens to share their experiences through the social media networks.”

Also at the launch were Ambassadors of Afghanistan and Republic of Croatia, representatives from Morocco Embassy and Singapore High Commission, international students and 73 children from the Hilla Community Centre.

Guests and children for the evening were taught to make arts and crafts at the Sunway Resort Hotel and Spa.

They also tried their hand at making bubur lambuk, a traditional Malay porridge made during the fasting month; anyaman (weaving), traditional handicrafts; and kuihs or cookies.

When it was time to break fast, guests were treated to a buffet spread themed “Warisan Rumpun Melayu” at the Pyramid Tower Hotel’s Atrium Café.