Visiting to Kuala Lumpur Bird Park

The main entrance to Kuala Lumpur Bird Park.

Kuala Lumpur Bird Park is very interesting, because not only is the Kuala Lumpur city center filled with buildings and shopping centers, but it also provides many interesting tourist destination. During the school holidays, many may want to bring their family visits to places of interest around the city of Kuala Lumpur.

For those who live near or travel to Kuala Lumpur, Kuala Lumpur Bird Park is one of the must-visit destinations. Located in Taman Tasik Perdana, it is also close to many other parks like Taman Orkid, Taman Bunga Raya, Butterfly Park, National Planetarium, the Islamic Arts Museum, Deer Park and Memorial Tun Razak. So if you want to visit this place you may visit more than one park at the same time - it saves time and travel costs.

The park is easily accessible using your own vehicle or by public transport. Situated close to the Kuala Lumpur railway station and you just have to take a taxi with approximately 5 minutes. Similarly, a driver for routes around the Lake Gardens is not as busy as in other major routes. GPS location of the park is N3 08 581, 41 294 E101 to assist your navigation.

Open daily from 9.00 am to 6.00 pm. The fees are;

Adult (Regular) RM48.00

* Children (Regular) RM38.00

Adults (MyKad) RM 25.00

* Children (MyKid) RM 12.00

** Children from 3-12 years of age

Cute birds enjoying sunflower's seeds.

One of the landscape at the Bird Park.

The best thing about this bird park is that it is said to be among the largest in the world. Divided into different zones, Zone 1 and Zone 2 (Zone 3 is the hornbill cages and Zone 4 for few other small cages) you will see varieties of birds fly freely around the park designed to resemble their natural habitats.

There are also small cages which housed birds such as parrots, eagles, hornbills and others to enable you to see it up close. This is because it is difficult for you to see these birds if they are allowed to fly free in the main cage that is too large.

Through visiting this place you can see rare birds that you discover as you also learn more about their habitat and how they live. The surrounding that resembles their real habitat can be another important thing to take note on how these birds survive in the wild.

Special cage for parrots.

Want to have a picture with the birds?

If you are lucky you might catch a peacock showcasing its beautiful tail’s feathers. Peacocks are moving freely in the garden and their feathers also look healthy (not damaged by captivity). Similarly for other birds such as flamingos that manly spends their time in the artificial pond. Crown pigeons are among many other birds that roaming the park.

Apart from seeing these birds you also have the opportunity to take pictures with the birds that are specially trained to pose for picture. It consists of parrots, eagles, owls and the most special is the hornbill. Yes, I've had the opportunity to touch the hornbill and it's very docile.

Time to eat! You can watch this too.

There is lots of information signage that describes the names of birds that you can find around the area. So you need not to worry if you can recognize their names. There are also exciting activities around the garden and the learning that help kids learn more about the world of birds. So this park is ideal for birders and also for the whole family.

To fully enjoy the experience here, you have to spend at least half day for an area of ​​the park is ​​20.9 acres and filled with areas that resembles different habitats of birds. There are approximately 3,000 birds from 200 species from different part of the world.

For more information about Kuala Lumpur Bird Park, you may call: + 603-22721010 Fax: + 603-2273 5428 or email: info@klbirdpark.com

Historic building, Malayan Railway Station

The uniqueness of the architecture on Kuala Lumpur Railway Station.

Malayan Railway Station’s building is one of the historic buildings in Kuala Lumpur, which is still used to this day. Built in 1910 has unique architectural features as well as other buildings built during the same time such as Sultan Abdul Samad Building. For this station Arthur Benison Hubback maintaining the Mughal architecture application in his design.

It costs RM23,000 and began operations on 1 August 1910. The station later became the main station with the demolition of the Resident Station and also the isolation of the Sultan Street’s Station. The building also includes a hotel, Station Hotel (now known as Heritage Station Hotel). The station is still operating despite Kuala Lumpur's main station has been moved to KL Sentral.

Main part of the building built over 100 years old.

KTM Administration Building, which is also very unique.

Even though it has spanned over a hundred years, the station continues to be upgraded to enable it to continue to provide services to the users of railway transport. Commuter Train services were first introduced at this station in 1995 with two main lines of Rawang - Seremban Line and Sentul - Port Klang Line.

To this day, this historic building is yet to be visited by the public and tourists not only because of its functions but also because of its unique architecture. It is one of the popular pictorial locations around Kuala Lumpur on par with other locations in the surrounding attractions such as Masjid Negara, Islamic Arts Museum and other places in Taman Tasik Perdana area.

Commuter rail service is also available at the station.

An improved platform for current demand.

Kuala Lumpur Station, past and present.

Why You Need To Visit Siem Reap, Cambodia

Angkor Wat is the main attraction of visitors to Siem Reap.

Siem Reap is one of the major cities in Cambodia with its main attraction is Angkor Wat. While not providing facilities like other major cities in Southeast Asia, it's urban development is actually quite impressive when compared to the situation which this country was just recovering from multiple crises that swept across Cambodia.

Given that development has just started here lots of things that you can learn from the way of life of local communities that are still strong encrusted with their original lifestyle. Flooded by tourists from around the world to see for themselves the magnificence of the buildings at Angkor, also help people here rebuild their lives through a variety of businesses in providing guests with the best service.

Wat Thmei, as a reminder of the history of old Cambodia.

Armed with old buildings that became the center of ancient government center, Siem Reap keep on visited by millions to see the remains of these historical remains. The visitors from diverse backgrounds and different purposes here reinstate the city as a center by the people such as how it was.

Despite not having attractions like any other big cities of other Southeast Asian cities, Siem Reap has a variety of interesting features that allow visitors to enjoy their vacation while they are here, important facilities such as transportation, food, markets/supermarket, and many recreational activities available here all at once and keep increasing over time.

Accommodation

Grand d'Angkor Hotel, the oldest hotel in Siem Reap.

Accommodation in the city includes the need for all the visitors of luxurious accommodation and hostel facilities and also the 'homestay'. Given that the tourism industry is booming here practically every hotels here has a relationship with leisure activities providers to help visitors make a reservation from their hotel respectively.

Transport

Among the peculiarities of this city is the transport system of its own. The flat land surface allowing the use of vehicles called “tuk-tuk” (motorcycle modified to carry more passengers comfortably). Transportation here is the same as any other cities with the domination by motorcycles on the main streets. But for the convenience of visitors, all forms of transport can be found here except train.

Food

The influx of tourists here allows various kinds of foods to be available for all people from around the world available here. It’s not only provided by the locals, but there are also restaurants runs by people from outside their own countries - perhaps they have become a permanent resident here!

Local food stalls can be found easily, while restaurants that serve customers with 'western foods' also found in most areas of the city. In fact, you might try exotic foods!

What make it easy for you to stays here is the “tuk-tuk” drivers and restaurant operators mostly can speak English well.

Activities

Visiting the silk farm, one of interesting thing to do.

Another majestic temple in Siem Reap, Cambodia.

You'll be happy if you get a chance to visit this temple.

Morning scene in front of the gate into the Bayon Temple complex.

While your main goal here is to visit Angkor Wat and the old temples around the area, Siem Reap provides a variety of other activities that you might not know. These activities includes land, water and air are all available at reasonable prices.

There are several museums that you need to visit to understand the history of ancient city of Siem Reap and Angkor Wat. While a visit to the handicraft centers mainly silk farms definitely add a bit of your knowledge. Likewise, if you are interested in deepening down the streets with cycling, a visit to the ‘water village’ or you just want to join 'cruise' around the Tonle Sap Lake. Air activities are also available if you are interested.

So if you're on vacation here only for a short period, you will not be able to do all of these activities. Make sure you come back.

A lot of things you can learn from the life of the people here. Given the condition of this city in the development stage, many things are still in a state of natural that might disappear in the nearest future.

For the purpose of transportation in Siem Reap you can contact; Mr. Salim & Mr. Nasir at; (+855) 9857 1840 “whatsapp” (+855) 7090 2910 “whatsapp” Email: threebrothers41@gmail.com; limangkor@yahoo.com; seangkor2011@hotmail.com; angkorlim@gmail.com; sekongangkor1@hotmail.com

The Beauty of Ha Long Bay, Hanoi, Vietnam

Ha Long Bay, which receives millions of unique visitors each year.

Ha Long Bay (Vietnam: Vinh Ha Long) sometimes also called Halong Bay is one of the unique places to visit in Southeast Asia. Named as one of UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1994 receiving millions of visitors each year, visit to Ha Long Bay is one of interesting note from MyRokan in 2016.

Ha Long Bay is located about 170 km east of Hanoi and takes 3 hours drive from main city of Hanoi. Every day thousands of tourists will be taken to Halong Bay by the tour operators with buses and minivans heading to the area to see the unique topography of Halong Bay.

The beauty of Halong Bay and Hanoi City's own uniqueness increase rapid tourism industry here. The rapid pace of development can be seen in a short period compared to the previous years where Vietnam engulfed by civil war and chaos. Today, the larger highways help smoothen the traffic between the two important places full with tourist attractions.

Halong Bay has a long history and has been inhabited since thousands of years BC. The study of history shows that it is inhabited by the Soi Nhu around 18,000 to 7000 years BC, Cái Bèo 7,000-5,000 BC and Ha Long from 5,000 to 3,500 earlier. It makes such historical areas of ​​Vietnam through the discoveries of artifacts in some areas of the Bai Tho Mountain, Cave Đầu go and Bai Chay.

Rows of local artwork on the journeys to Ha Long Bay. 

Views on the Ha Long Bay pier.

The rocks that form small islands in Ha Long Bay.

Along the way to Halong from Hanoi City you can also see the activity of the people in Vietnam actively farming with varieties of crops other than rice. Factories also established indicating gained of confidence by foreign investors to invest here. Locals people in Vietnam also has a variety of businesses from construction, electrical / electronics, small industries such as pottery, stone/marble carving, silks, pearls and so on. Be sure to open your eyes all along the journey to Halong Bay.

When approaching Halong Bay, the terrain seems to change; landform that at first seemed flat now change to hills of limestone from large numbers of limestone islands that make up Halong Bay areas. There are many oyster farms open for visitors when approaching to Halong Bay. Hang oysters can be seen clearly when the water receded during the midday.

You will be taken to the main pier (and this depends on the tour company you have chosen). Roughly, if you just want to see the uniqueness of Halong Bay, it is not so important. This is because there are so many piers operating here either for group tours or even individuals. So to assist your journey, the use of tour service is much easier.

At the entrance to the Thien Cung Cave (Attsuko and his colleagues - teachers from Japan).

The scenes in Thien Cung Cave.

One mistake I did when assuming that I can get the 'AA' batteries easily for the camera here at Hanoi and Halong Bay. In Hanoi there are no convenience stores like 7-Eleven, as in the other cities I visited. But I was lucky because there seems such shop during stopover at Halong Bay pier. Apparently the battery is rarely used (probably because of all the gadgets today using the rechargeable battery; Li-ion battery).

Among the most common activities here are cruising with small vessel while enjoying lunch of seafood. You will be taken to several locations to do some other activities such as kayaking, boating ( bamboo boat ) and visit several caves in addition to enjoying unique views of the entire topography of Halong Bay areas.

Activities in Ha Long Bay.

Among the interesting experiences in Ha Long Bay.

Although well recognized, water quality in Halong Bay does not allow you to plunge in and swimming in it. Anyway it is still one of great experiences that you get. Water quality is said to be affected by the uncontrolled activities of the villagers who’s live by the areas (water villages). It is however in the process of moving in stages by the Government of Vietnam in an effort to restore the environment in Halong Bay. However, tourism activities here also may be one factor contributing to the water situation.

A visit to the cave was a first experience for me to enter a cave. I only had the opportunity to enter the Thien Cung cave from which there are some other caves here includes Đầu Go, Sung Sot, Me Cung and other caves like Kim Quy, Tam Cung, Hoang Long, Lau Dai and so on. But it was a unique experience, because the cave was prepared accordingly to facilitate the tour purposes; so you're not worrying about your safety as well as the places you visit.

Halong Bay gives a great impact to the economic development of local communities in Vietnam. In only a short period of time the development in the surrounding area continuously increases as well as the local population. It is a destination that I may visit again.

How Pearl Created By Oyster

Pearl in the oyster.

Pearl is a substance that is produced not only by the oyster, but by most living things that are similar to oysters. The process of formation of a natural pearl is rare. So today pearls are produced mainly by the oyster farming industry learned thousands of years ago.

Pearls are actually produced from 'calcium carbonate' as well as materials to produce the shell of the oyster itself. This layer is used to coat materials that entered into the oyster shell that may consist of foreign objects such as sand and other materials. These foreign objects can cause injury to the soft parts of the oyster, so it needs to be overlaid with 'nacre' also known as 'mother of pearl'. This material can be seen on the inside of an oyster shell or other shellfish.

Various types of pearls produced by living things.

Pearls extracted from oysters.

Apart from used to make jewelries, pearls are also used in cosmetics, drugs and even paint. While the pearls available today are mostly produced through the oyster farming industry, to ensure that the oyster producing pearls, the foreign objects are inserted manually into the oyster to be plated with 'nacre' and producing the pearls.

For a long time pearl considered being among the precious materials, even today it can be found at cheaper price, it still requires an oyster to produce it.

Crown produced from natural pearls.

Black pearl and oyster.