Recently I went to PICC (Putrajaya International Convention Center) and found that the Putrajaya view from that place is very nice especially at night. I didn’t use DSLR camera, but I guess (most probably I am right ) that if you are using DSLR, you will get a great photo from the view.

Here is some photo that I take during the visit.

By the way, the place is actually ‘open’ to public… I mean you can drive up to the entrance to see the view. Inside the PICC, there are a nice restaurant as well, you can try the food there.

Recently I have a chance to bring my family to the Cruise Tasik Putrajaya. Not too bad, but it is just a very short journey. The normal one is cruising for 30 minutes but the one that I take is only for 20 minutes.

The trip that I take is in the late afternoon and it is not too hot. But it is not ‘dark’ yet so I still can take some photo from the boat. even my camera is not a DSLR camera, but it is still not too bad.

Furthermore, there are lots of good information that the ‘guide’ tell us about Putrajaya, their surrounding, the Putrajaya Lake and the communities in Putrajaya.

Talking about the view, I heard he said the night view is much better and you can even take dinner on the cruise.

Here I take the quotation from their brochure

Now, One can experience the beauty of this lake and take a leasurely cruise to see and marvel at the city’s many attractive landmarks and views. For many, it is only via the unique perspective accorded from this cruise that one can see and experience the most breathtaking sight of Putrajaya

and another paragraph, which is not too bad too

Come onboard our luxury cruise boat for a lunch or dinner with a difference. Experience the scenic sights of Malaysi’s 21st Century city while enjoying food and drinks served through the cruise

Lunch and Dine on the cuise:
Lunch :
Avaiable daily from 1pm to 2pm
- seafood set lunch menu with coffee or tea
- free flow of soft drinks & juice
- minimum 12 pax per booking

Dine:
Avaiable every Friday and Saturday 8pm to 9.30pm
- Dine- dining western menu
- coffee or tea
- free flow of soft drinks and juices
- minimum 15 pax per booking

** it stated that price varies according to the menu

Here is some photo I take from the cruise

This year the Putrajaya Flower and Garden Festival (Floria 2010 :: Festival Bunga & Taman Putrajaya 2010) is held from 10 July 2010 to 18 July 2010.

* the photo is from www.ppj.gov.my

The detail of the venue is as follow:

Venue:
Waterfront, Precinct 2,
Putrajaya

Theme: Tropical Splendour

Opening Hours:
9am – 10pm
(Monday-Thursday)

9am – 12midnight
(Friday-Sunday)

I found that it is nice to visit there especially if you bring you family. During my visit I can see lots of photographer taking photo of the flowers… in Malaysia not everyday that you can see lots of flower in one place like this event…

I will share some photo of the event later on…

As promise, here is the some of the photo that I take during the visit… I am sorry that the photo is not so clear, it is at night time when I visit the exhibition.

Finally last weekend I manage to visit the The National Planetarium (planetarium Negara) in Lake Garden Kuala Lumpur. Here is some information about it.

The National Planetarium (Malay: Planetarium Negara) is the national planetarium of Malaysia. It is a blue-domed structure that is situated on top of a hill in the Lake Gardens at Jalan Perdana, Kuala Lumpur. It is about 120,000 square feet (11,000 m2) in area.

The National Planetarium started as the Planetarium Division in the Prime Minister’s Department in 1989. The construction of the National Planetarium complex began in 1990 and was completed in 1993. A soft launch to the public began in May 1993 and it was officially opened by the former Prime Minister of Malaysia, Mahathir bin Mohamad, on February 7, 1994. In July 1995, the Division was transferred to the Ministry of Science, Technology and the Environment, which is also the owner of this planetarium.

One of the major attractions of this planetarium includes a space theatre which screens space shows and large format film.

In the main hall are permanent exhibits related to space science. Among them is Arianne IV space engine, which is also one of the engines used to launch MEASAT 1, Malaysia’s first satellite into space. A 14-inch (360 mm) telescope is located in the observatory.

The National Planetarium extends to a space theme park where replicas of ancient observatories are sited. It is connected by an overhead pedestrian bridge to the National Museum of Malaysia.

The planetarium is opened daily from 10am to 4pm except on Mondays. The planetarium shows take place at two-hour intervals from the opening hour to the closing hour. The films take place at 11am and 3pm. Entrance to the planetarium costs RM1 for adults, and free for children, while a RM6 fee for adults and RM4 fee for children is required in order to watch the film.

There are lots of thing can be seen here including the video and information about space. I am not a ‘space’ guy, so not much that I can tell about the exhibition, but I still think it is a nice place to visit. I think the kids will like this place as they will able to see many ‘new things’ which they normally didn’t see elsewhere.

I manage to take some photo when I go there, at least it will able to give you some idea what it is like in the planetarium.

Recently I have a chance to visit the Tasik Beris Vineyard (Ladang Anggur Tasik Beris) in Kedah. Actually the visit is just a co-incident. I went to a ‘market’ not too far from that place and some friends said that since we are in that area, why don’t just visit the Beris Lake… then from there I find the Vineyard.

Not just the farm that you can visit if you come here, you can shop for the grapes as well. I try it… it is very sweet and the price I pay at that time is RM15 per packet. They have the fresh grapes and also grape juices drink (it is non alcohol btw, and not a vine)

From an old news article, it say that this vineyard is belong to a private company name Excel Agrotech Sdn. Bhd.

Here is the news:

Sik bakal jadi pengeluar utama anggur

SIK 7 Mei – Daerah ini akan menjadi antara lokasi utama pengeluaran anggur negara apabila projek penanaman anggur di sekitar kawasan Empangan Beris dekat sini mengeluarkan hasil sepenuhnya tidak lama lagi.

Menteri Besar Kedah, Datuk Seri Azizan Abdul Razak berkata, tanaman anggur baka Black Opal, Black Grape, White Malaga dan Lose Plite itu adalah untuk pasaran tempatan.

Beliau berkata, projek perintis fasa pertama dengan 1,000 pokok anggur yang digerakkan Excel Agrotech Sdn. Bhd. kini berjaya membuahkan hasil memberangsangkan di kawasan seluas 1.6 hektar di Kampung Ternas.

“Sebelum ini daerah Sik terkenal dengan produk tradisional seperti ikan pekasam dan kuih muih. Namun dengan adanya teknologi pertanian baru, kita mahu Sik juga dikenali sebagai pengeluar anggur utama negara,” katanya kepada pemberita selepas melawat kerja ladang anggur itu baru-baru ini.

Menurut Azizan, beberapa kawasan tanah terbiar di daerah ini juga telah dikenal pasti untuk ditanam dengan anggur.

“Terdapat banyak lagi tanah terbiar di Sik dan kita berharap pihak swasta dan usahawan tani dapat menggerakkan usaha menjadikan Sik sebagai lokasi pengeluaran anggur utama negara tidak lama lagi,” jelasnya.

Tambahnya, kewujudan ladang anggur terbabit dijangka turut memberikan impak positif kepada pengusaha sektor pelancongan pada masa akan datang.

“Apabila wujudnya ladang anggur, para pengusaha sektor pelancongan boleh membina calet atau rumah rehat bagi tujuan menarik kemasukan pelawat dan menikmati suasana serta keindahan alam di Tasik Beris,” katanya.

Dalam pada itu, Pengarah Urusan Excel Agrotech, Amiruddin Malik berkata, projek tanaman anggur itu dimulakan pada 2007 di pinggir Tasik Beris dengan modal kira-kira RM500,000.

“Selama ini kita menganggap anggur hanya sesuai ditanam di negara yang mempunyai empat musim. Sekarang dengan kemajuan teknologi pertanian, ia boleh ditanam di Sik,” ujarnya.

Katanya, pokok anggur yang ditanam sejak kecil akan mengambil masa kira-kira 10 hingga 12 bulan untuk matang dan mengeluarkan hasil.

Ditanya tentang kaedah penanaman, Amiruddin memberitahu, anggur yang ditanam di situ menggunakan kaedah biji benih, keratan ranting, tunas dan penghasilan tisu kultur.

“Sebelum mengambil keputusan menanam anggur di sini, saya telah membuat kajian kesesuaian tanah selain mempelajari teknik-teknik daripada pengusaha di Thailand dan Perlis,” katanya.

Beliau berkata, berikutan kejayaan tersebut, syarikatnya kini sedang mengembangkan penanaman anggur di kawasan seluas 12 hektar dengan 7,000 batang pokok di kawasan Sungai Senam dekat sini.

Orang ramai yang ingin mendapat maklumat lanjut boleh menghubungi di talian 04-4620466 atau faks 04-4620611.

Source: UtusanMalaysia.com.my

The view in that place is very nice… I manage to take some photo to share with here.

If you visit Sik (in Kedah) I recommend you to pay a visit to this place… even you didn’t visit the Vineyard, but the lake itself is very nice.

View of Tasik Beris from the vineyard

Some visitor at the vineyard

Another view of the vineyard. At the back of the farm is actually the lake

The Grapes

Another one

Some visitor even bring their family and baby

A young plant

Recently I visit the “Pameran Mamalia Malaysia” in Putrajaya… to tell you the truth I am not very impressed with it, because the place is kind of small (in my opinion) and not many species that is exhibits there.

Having said that, I am glad that the department come out with the idea and make it.  If you are not Malaysian or not from this region, there are few species of animals that you would like to check out. (before I go further, just to make it clear that it is not a live animals that we are talking here). You will able to see pangolins, and few species of fruits bats.

The exhibition started from 1 February to 31 July 2010. It open from 9.00 am in the morning to 5pm in the afternoon.

Here is the few photo that I take on that day.

I have a chances to travel using plus highway many times… some people just want to reach the destination quickly and some will go at full speed of their vehicle… i guess that is one of the reason there are lots of accident…

Well, if you want to travel at plus highway, next time maybe you can check out some of the view during the journey… sometimes you will able to see a very nice view… In my opinion, since you need to spent many hour in your car anyway… why don’t make it a good one…

Here I have some photo… next time I travel, i will try to take more photo and share it here.

I guess some may not know that in Malaysia there are a large Buddha statues which located in Wat Machimaram, Kelantan.

This statues is the largest in Malaysia… and I heard some rumours that largest in south east asia (I am not very sure about that… just a hearsay)

If you visit kelantan, and interested in local cultures and buildings, you may visit this place. The temple is actually a Buddhis temple in the local siamese community in Kelantan state. However, the statues and the building is more towards chinese art. I think it is because the chinese community contribute a lots in term of monetaries donation when the statues is build so the design is more chinese then siamese design.

The name of the statues is “Budha Barameedharm chamruslok”. The name is actually given by the king of Thailand. Based on the data stated in front of the statues, it is on 3 of may 1991.

I have a few photo of the place, hope you enjoy it.

Actually today is the last day of the Putrajaya Hot Air Baloon event. It is so unfortunate that I am working in the weekend and therefore unable to visit it to take some photo to share here

Having said that, I do able to see it during the time I drive to KL. I believed it is a nice event… actually this is the first time Putrajaya hold this event. Hopefully this can become yearly event of Putrajaya, so I will have a chance to take photo next year.

Since I didn’t join this year event, unable to tell you much about it… but here is a good news artle about the event:

Inaugural hot air balloon fiesta

By CHARLES FERNANDEZ

IF motorists travelling to Putrajaya early last month were caught by surprise at the sight of two colourful hot air balloons slowly floating over several ministries in Precinct 2, then watch out next week when 15 more will fill the sky for four days from March 19 to March 22.

Their appearance will be in conjunction with the inaugural Putrajaya International Hot Air Balloon Fiesta 2009.

A publicity stunt was held at the Palace of Golden Horses Hotel in Seri Kembangan where reporters were invited to take a static ride in two balloons.

A total of 10 countries are taking part in the international show with two participants from Malaysia — AKA Balloon and Cat Balloon and with Belgium entering six.

Other participants are Mug Balloon (New Zealand); Hs-Fly Balloon, Peacock and Paddy 2 (Netherlands); Solidaires Par Nature and Independence (France), Voyager (US); Reg.No. RPS 1201 (Philippines); Heart Balloon (Switzerland) and Yui (Japan).

The participants from Belgium are Reg.No.00-Bex, Orange, Nelly-B, Reg.No.00-BZA and Clown.

Crowed puller: Two hot-air balloons that will be on show at the Inaugural Putrajaya International Hot Air Balloon Fiesta this month at Precinct 2 being introduced to the media at the Palace of the Golden Horses Hotel in Seri Kembangan.

The four-day event will be co-organised by the Malaysian Sport Aviation Federation (MSAF) and AKA Balloon Sdn Bhd which was formed in 1993.

MSAF and AKA Balloon signed a MoU with their sponsors and partners — MASkargo, Petronas Dagangan Berhad, Palace of the Golden Horses, Kelantan Delights, Media Prima Berhad, Putrajaya Corporation, Putrajaya Tourism Action Council and Tourism Malaysia.

According to MSAF vice-president Khairuddin Abdul Rani, the MoU signifies the support for the inaugural event which is due to be an annual event in the tourism calendar.

Apart from the daily sorties of hot air balloons, the public will also be treated to other flying events featuring para-motor, remote-controlled planes, helicopters, aero models and professional kite-flying.

“Rides in the hot air balloons will not be offered to the public. Instead visitors can enjoy viewing thrilling take-offs and landings.

“It would be simply impossible to entertain requests from the public especially when we are anticipating more than 100,000 people to turn up for the four-day event,’’ said Khairuddin.

According to him, international hot air balloon events in the Philippines, which is in its seventh year, easily attract more than 400,000 spectators, while those in Pattaya, Thailand, attracts between 250,000 and 300,000 spectators.

Khairuddin said there was a potential in this sport as there were many hot air balloon enthusiasts taking part in other international events.

Asked what prompted him to organise a hot air balloon fiesta in Putrajaya, Khairuddin said: “I was at one of the international events when I noticed Malaysians taking part. One of them approached me to have a similar event in Malaysia.’’

Khairuiddin, who has been interested in hot air balloons since he was in college, has flown in South Korea, Indonesia, Thailand, Britain and the Philippines.

He along with Mohd Sobri (Cat Balloon), a qualified hot air balloon pilot since 1995, are the two Malaysian participants whose long-term objective is to put Malaysia on par with other established events like Saga in Japan or Albuquerque in the United States.

Mohd Sobri, who is the CEO of a local IT company, has flown the hot air balloon all over the world, from the Austrian Alps to the island of Cheju in South Korea.

His ambition is to make Alor Setar, his hometown, a name in the ballooning circle like Saga or Albuquerque.

Khairuddin added that the highlight of the fiesta would be an enchanting Night Glow scheduled to take place on the night of March 21, from 8.30pm to 9pm.

“The hot air balloons will be set up as if they are going to take off and under coded instructions via radio communications, the pilots will create a variety of dazzling effects set to a special music mix,’’ he said.

Cruise Tasik Putrajaya and Perahu Dondang Sayang will be offering special rates during the fiesta for their sightseeing cruise to give spectators the chance to experience Putrajaya like never before.

The fiesta will be held at the car park of the Millennium Monument in Precinct 2 from 7am to 7pm. Entrance is free.

For more information, visit www.myballoonfiesta.com or call: 03-74940298

The article above is from the star newspaper

I haven’t been to Sabah before, but it is a very nice place… and I intent to go there one day. In the mean time, here is some news about Sabah that you may interest to read… especially the bird watcher.

RM500-a-day bird-watch guides in Sabah

By : Jaswinder Kaur

KOTA KINABALU: The income they earn is definitely not for the birds. The specialist guides who help bird-watchers spot the diverse species in Sabah can earn up to an incredible RM500 a day.

Borneo Bird Club pro tem chairman Cede Prudente said at present there were five people in the state who could provide this specialised service.

“More bird-watchers are coming here but we just don’t have enough experts to help them find and identify the birds.

“In the next 10 years, we may need 500 specialist guides. We hope to develop the field with the locals.

“There are more than two million bird-watching enthusiasts in Britain alone.

“Although we have many species of birds here, we are way behind in exploiting what could be a goldmine.”

Prudente was speaking at the Borneo Bird Festival exhibition at 1Borneo Hypermall here yesterday. The two-day exhibition includes talks by experts on the types of birds in Sabah and the 622 resident and migratory species found on Borneo Island.

Prudente said the club, launched a week ago, was keen to work with the Sabah Wildlife Department and the Sabah Forestry Department to train locals to become bird guides.

“One of the reasons we are holding this exhibition here is because we want to promote bird-watching among residents.

“We also want to promote places like the Rainforest Discovery Centre in Sandakan which are good for bird-watching.”

Sabah Society Sandakan branch chairman Arthur Chung said there was a lot of potential in bird-watching as a tourism product.

“The Sepilok forest (in Sandakan) has close to 290 bird species.”