Starchild: Malaysian children enjoy relaxing beach holidays

Mikaela Goh Xin Rui, 8

Imagine yourself spirited away to a island paradise where you can build sandcastles on the beach or swim in the sea. Think of the activities that you can do on a coastal holiday. How about building hunting seashells or flying a kite?

Many sea creatures are on the beach, like crabs, clams and mussels. To ensure the sea and our beaches remain safe for these creatures, it is important that we all keep the environment clean.

Malaysia has many beautiful beaches in Langkawi, Penang, Pangkor, Cherating, Rantau Abang and Tioman. Which is your favourite place?

Here are the letters from Starchild readers on the topic, Beaches.

Seven-year-old Chuah Seng Koon dreams of visiting Hawaii’s gorgeous beaches. “Hawaiian beaches have loads of smooth pebbles, rocks, stones and beautiful seashells. I would collect some seashells and make them into a collection. I would show them to my friends too. The sand is also very smooth; one can lie down on a mat or a deckchair to sunbathe.”

Chuah Seng Koon, 7

Low Ying Xi, 11, shares his bittersweet experience at Pantai Kerachut in Penang National Park. “You need to trek up a hill for an hour to get there. You can also rent a boat to the beach, but it will cost extra. I played with my friends in the water. Unfortunately, I accidentally stepped on a sharp rock and hurt my leg. It was painful. Thankfully a few kindhearted tourists assisted and gave me medicine to stop the bleeding. The next time I go to Pantai Kerachut, I am not stepping into the sea. Once bitten, twice shy.”

Low Ying Xi, 11

“We live near the beach. Every weekend, my family and I spend time on the beach. I will always change the shape of the sandcastles I build every time we go there. I enjoy swimming and snorkeling in the sea. The sand is soft and comfy,” says Feivul Lee, 10.

Feivul Lee, 10

Mikaela Goh Xin Rui, eight, enjoys going to the beach. Johor’s Desaru beach is one of her favourite beaches. “I like Desaru beach because it is beautiful. I like building sandcastles and collecting seashells on the beach. I hope to go back with my family during the next school holidays.”

Bethany Wang Qi Syuen, 8

“My family visited Morib beach in Selangor last year. My brother and I had fun gathering sand to build sandcastles while my dad flew a kite on the windy beach. Although we encountered sand flies that bit and gave us itchy spots, we still enjoyed our beach trip very much,” writes Bethany Wang Qi Syuen, eight.

Asher Wang Qi Chuen, 5

“I love going to the beach very much. During low tide, I like to dig sand and build sandcastles with my sister. I also like to soak my feet in the sea water and collect seashells of various sizes. I can have hours of fun at the beach,” says Asher Wang Qi Chuen, five.

ITEM: “I scream, you scream, we all scream for ice cream”. Are you an ice cream fan? There are many ice cream flavours such as chocolate, vanilla, strawberry, yam and other yummy flavours. Malaysian ice cream flavours such as durian, coconut and red bean are some of our favourites too. What are your favourite ice cream flavours?

Tell us how you like your ice cream. On a cone, cup or stick? Or do you prefer it with toppings like sprinkles, fruits or nuts? Don’t forget to send us a drawing too!

E-mail your contributions to [e-mail] by April 8. Please put “STARCHILD: Ice Cream” in the subject line of your e-mail.

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.