Sunday, 7 October 2012

Gunung Mulu National Park, Sarawak




The Gunung Mulu National Park has been inscribed as a World Heritage Site in the year 2000. It is famous for its incredible caves and chambers and karsts formations. Researchers often come to the park to study the best example of tropical limestone weathering (karsts) in the world including enormous razor-sharp pinnacles, deep-cut canyons, and grand caverns that are home to millions of bats and cave swift lets.Considering Mulu’s spectacular scenery and its biological significance, it was not surprising that Mulu was successfully listed as a World Heritage site in November 2000. When you visit Mulu National Park, you will definitely meet all four of these which is:
Ecological Processes
 Mulu provides outstanding scientific opportunities to study theories on the origins of cave faunas.
Superlative natural phenomena or natural beauty and aesthetic importance
Mulu has outstanding scenic values, including the natural phenomenon of millions of bats and swiftlets leaving and entering the caves is a superlative wildlife spectacle.
Biodiversity and threatened species
Mulu provides significant natural habitat for a wide range of plant and animal diversity both above and below ground.
World Heritage status has created renewed interest in the park and a genuine desire of the government and people of Malaysia to ensure it is adequately protected. Accordingly, the Sarawak Government has committed to developing world leading conservation practices and high quality nature-based tourism activities at Mulu and has committed considerable resources to ensure its goals are achieved.


Saturday, 6 October 2012

Pulau Sipadan, Sabah



Sipadan is the only oceanic island in Malaysia, rising 600 metres (2,000 ft) from the seabed. It is located in the Celebes Sea off the east coast of Sabah, East Malaysia (which is on the island of Borneo). It was formed by living corals growing on top of an extinct volcanic cone that took thousands of years to develop. Sipadan is located at the heart of the Indo-Pacific basin, the centre of one of the richest marine habitats in the world. More than 3,000 species of fish and hundreds of coral species have been classified in this ecosystem.
Sipadan island is regularly featured in the world’s top 10 dive spots along with other destinations sich as the Galapagos Islands.The amazing diversity and abundance of marine life found at Sipadan makes it one of the top world’s top diving spots and without doubt the most famous scuba destination in Malaysia.
It is within minutes of the islands of Mabul and Kapalai half an hour from Semporna on Malaysian Borneo and just over an hour from the islands of Mataking and Pompong. Resorts and dive operators in these locations bring divers to Sipadan’s dive sites by boat on a daily basis.Further south off the seas of Semporna lies Sipadan, Mabul & Kapalai islands. Sipadan is Malaysia's diving haven. Rated as the top dive destination of the world, it has since applied for the World Heritage Site status. Free of dive operators, the island is now maintained by Sabah Parks.  
This unique outcrop optometry from the ocean floor, has provided a sanctuary for more than 3000 species offish, including Grey Reef Sharks, Great Barracudas, Eagle Rays, Hammerhead Sharks and Manta Rays just to name a few, with scores of colourful Anthias and Butterfly Fishes set to be your eye candy as you comb the reef along the walls. The ever present currents on both sides of the island, challenges the diver to drift along or nn alongside the almost stationary school of Jacks or the whirling barracudas in numbers exceeding a thousand. On the more shallow reefs near the surface, drifting along with the numerous Sweetlips and Surgeonnsh with almost perfect visibility makes you feel like you are in a borderless aquarium.
Pulau Sipadan ... The beauty of nature 

Cherating Beach, Pahang


   Cherating Beach is a stretch of almost 10 kilometers of beach from the south of Kuantan in Pahang right up to the town of Chukai in Terengganu. With its sloping white sandy beaches and soothing sea breeze, it is an internationally acclaimed spot for surfers particularly in November and December. Cherating has the perfect combination of great surf, extreme sea activities such as Jet Ski, nice chalets, fine dining and exciting nightlife. For a more thorough experience, visitors can sign up for the river cruise that sails around the coast and explore the nearby forests. The enamored and fabulous sparkling seas, pristine beaches and cool breezes made Club Mediterranean open its first Asian venture here, on a private beach. The main Cherating beach is the location of many hotels, reboots and chalets, catering for all budgets.First popularized by the backpackers, Cherating is now popular with many visitors who came to enjoy the beach, sea and sun. Handicraft shops and cultural establishments have been established, and many visitors enjoy making their own batiks. Batik painting and pandanus handicrafts remain popular souvenirs from Cherating.Cherating also offers you the chance to shop for handicraft and see cultural performances. Village maidens nimbly weave the "pandanus" leaves into mats, hats, bags and other inexpensive lightweight souvenirs. Cultural shows include wayang kulit (shadow play) and silat (the Malay art of self-defence).

Monday, 1 October 2012

Haritage Building- Khoo Kongsi, Pulau Pinang




Khoo Kongsi is one of Georgetown’s most interesting attractions. Built some 650 years ago, it is part of the goh tai seh (five big clans) that formed the backbone of the Hokkien community in olden-days Penang. One of Penang’s most lavishly decorated kongsis, it is located on Jalan Acheh, off Lebuh Pitt.A kongsi (clan house) is a building in which Chinese families of the same surname gather to worship their ancestors. Representing a family’s social and spiritual commitments between extended relations, ancestors and the outside community, the kongsi also acts as an important means of solidarity. These days the primary functions of kongsis are supportive roles: they help with the educations of members’ children, settle disputes and advance loans.
Many of the kongsis in Penang are more than 100 years old; the Khoo Kongsi, once known as one of the most prominent Chinese lineages in Malaysia, is probably the most famous clan house in Penang. Founded by the Leong San Tong clan from the Sin Kang clan village in Hokkien Province, the clan house was built primarily to showcase the success of the Khoo family.Other than that, Khoo Kongsi remains till this day an impressive architectural feat that exemplifies good luck and prosperity. The other big clans during the time of its inception were the Cheah, Yeoh, Lim and Tan families who also have clan houses erected to act as a central point of their respective communities. However none were as magnificent as the Leong San Tong (Khoo Kongsi) which was said to be the most impressive in Southeast Asia.Many of the kongsis in Penang are more than 100 years old; the Khoo Kongsi, once known as one of the most prominent Chinese lineages in Malaysia, is probably the most famous clan house in Penang. Founded by the Leong San Tong clan from the Sin Kang clan village in Hokkien Province, the clan house was built primarily to showcase the success of the Khoo family.
At the height of the Khoo family’s prominence, craftsmen from China were commissioned to build this architectural masterpiece. Also known as Dragon Mountain Hall, Khoo Kongsi is an ornate structure standing on a square of granite with stone carvings that adorn the entrance hall. Additionally, there are pavilions, murals portraying birthdays, weddings and 36 divine guardian-statues sprinkled throughout its interior. Meanwhile, massive overhead paper lamps bathe the interior in an orange glow and stunning ceramic sculptures of immortals, carp fish and dragons line the roof ridges.