Starchild: Why Malaysian kids are on a quest for adventure

Ooi Bo Wen, 6

Have you ever wondered about unusual places that hold secret stories and breathtaking beauty? Some of these places are like a time machine that takes you back to a different era. From ancient civilisations to forgotten kingdoms, every step unveils a piece of the past waiting to be discovered. It’s like a real-life history book come to life.

But that’s not the only kind of unusual place out there. Some spots are so breathtakingly beautiful that they attract visitors from all around the globe. It includes Cappadocia in Turkey, which is known for its distinctive ‘fairy chimneys’ or Zhangjiajie National Forest, a breathtaking natural wonder located in the Hunan Province in China. It is famous for its towering sandstone pillars, lush forests, and unique rock formations. Do you know the park served as a significant inspiration for the visually stunning landscapes depicted in the blockbuster film Avatar?

Cappadocia is known for its awesome rock formations and hot ballon rides. Photo: The Star/Sheela Chandran

Locally, there are many interesting tourist attractions too. Have you been to Mulu Caves National Park in Miri, Sarawak? This place is known for its caves where the Sarawak Chamber is the largest cave chamber in the world. You could also explore Batu Caves in Gombak, Selangor, adorned with vibrant Hindu shrines and towering limestone formations.

So, next time you’re out and about, keep your eyes peeled for unusual places waiting to be explored. You never know what wonders you might uncover and the exciting stories that might be waiting just around the corner.

Recently Starchild asked readers to send in letters on the topic, Unusual Spots. Here’s what they had to say.

Chuah Seng Koon, eight, says the first unusual place he had encountered was in a daycare when he was 18 months old. “To me, the building was bigger than my home. It was an entirely new place and I cried non-stop for a few days. However, as I grew up, I began to realise that it wasn’t too bad after all. I was trained by kind and loving teachers. The best part was I made many new friends at the daycare. I am eight years old now and I still miss my ‘unusual’ place.”

Chuah Seng Koon, 8

“My parents took me to a few unique places during the school holidays. I found them unusual because I had never seen them before. In Thailand, I discovered that a ‘tuk-tuk’ is a three-wheel cab,” says Chew Chun Hong, six.

“One day, my parents brought me to a boat trip along a river. I saw many animals including a tiger, lion and birds. I felt scared,” says Lucas Lim Ming Hao, six.

“During the holidays, I went to Langkawi with my family. It was beautiful. However, there was something strange for me when I entered an interesting place called Underwater World. There I saw many aquatic life including different species of jellyfish, octopus and sharks,” says Lau Yu Ze, six.

Find the hidden words.

“Over the school break, I visited Thailand for the first time. I encountered numerous three-wheeled vehicles known as tuk-tuks. It felt so strange riding in one amidst heavy traffic,” writes six-year-old Ooi Bo Wen.

ITEM: Do you know that Valentine’s Day is less than a month away? Do you know what the day is all about? Of course, you’d have seen hearts and flowers and maybe even heard your elder brother or sister asking a special someone to be their Valentine every Feb 14. While the legend of St Valentine dates back many centuries, Feb 14 is still celebrated today, even here in Malaysia.

Now’s your chance to tell us what you think of the day. If you have a funny story, a poem about someone you love (Mummy and Daddy too!), anything you associate with Valentine’s Day, write to us. Please include lots of drawings, doodles or pictures and remember to make them colourful! In fact, if you have nothing to say, feel free to just send in a picture.

E-mail your contributions to [e-mail] by Feb 2. Please put “STARCHILD: Happy Valentine’s Day” in the subject line of your email.

Scanned drawings should be in jpeg format, with a resolution of 200 dpi. Your contributions must carry your full name, age (open to children aged 12 and below only), gender, phone contact, and address. Instead of handwritten letters, please type out your letters.