Petronas Twin Towers, Kuala Lumpur

Petronas Twin Towers at night.

Petronas Twin Towers is the most popular landmark in Kuala Lumpur as it can be seen from a distance of tens of kilometers outside Kuala Lumpur. It was the world's tallest building in the world from 1998 to 2004, but it still retains the title of tallest twin towers in the world to this day.

* List of tallest buildings in the world.

The towers were designed by Argentine architect, Cesar Pelli. The resulting design is adapted to the architecture that reflects the characteristics and cultures of Kuala Lumpur City. Apart from the twin towers, Cesar Pelli also designed several other buildings in the world, including Key Tower, Cleveland; Cira Centre, Philadelphia; 30 Hudson Street, Jersey City; 1 Canada Square, London; Riverview Plaza, Wuhan; Wells Fargo Center (Minneapolis), Minneapolis.

The area surround the Petronas Twin Towers.

The view from the top.

Suria KLCC shopping center.

Work on the building commenced on 1 April 1994 and completed on 1 March 1996. It, however, was officially opened by the Fourth Prime Minister of Malaysia, Tun Dr. Mahathir bin Mohamad on 1 August 1999. The building that houses Suria KLCC shopping complex also houses offices space for Petronas and other major companies such as Huawei Technologies, Boeing, Bloomberg, Al Jazeera English, HCL Technologies, IBM, Microsoft, Reuters, Carigali Hess, Khazanah Nasional Berhad and others.

Adjacent to the building there is a 17 acres park, the KLCC Park which allows visitors to enjoy a refreshing atmosphere. It is equipped with a pool of water, walkways and a children's playground. You may also be able to watch the interesting show of illuminated water fountains at certain times each night.

Skybridge is located on floors 41 and 42.

View at the Skybridge.

Other interesting thing is to cross the Skybridge located on floors 41 and 42 at an altitude of 170 m (558 ft). The bridge has a length of 58 m (190 ft) long and weighs 750 tons. Only 1,000 tickets will be distributed on a daily basis once it is free, however starting in 2010 tickets are being charged on certain prices. Tickets are available from ticket counters at the level of the tower concourse. For tourists, you can make a reservation online from this link.

Although the Petronas Twin Towers is no longer the tallest building in the world, but it is still the tallest twin towers in the world. Besides, the unique characteristics that gives the tower unique displays of Malaysian culture. It is a landmark of Kuala Lumpur City you should not miss.

Menara Berkembar Petronas, Kuala Lumpur

Menara Berkembar Petronas pada waktu malam.

Menara Berkembar Petronas merupakan mercu tanda yang paling popular di Kuala Lumpur kerana ia boleh dilihat sejauh puluhan kilometer dari luar Kuala Lumpur. Merupakan bangunan tertinggi di dunia dari tahun 1998 sehingga 2004, namun ia masih mengekalkan gelaran menara berkembar tertinggi di dunia sehingga ke hari ini.

*Senarai bangunan tertinggi di dunia.

Menara ini adalah hasil reka bentuk yang dihasilkan oleh arkitek Argentina, Cesar Pelli. Reka bentuk yang dihasilkan adalah bersesuaian dengan reka bentuk yang melambangkan ciri-ciri Bandaraya Kuala Lumpur dan kebudayaannya. Selain daripada menara berkembar ini Cesar Pelli turut mereka beberapa bangunan lain di dunia termasuk Key Tower, Cleveland; Cira Centre, Philadelphia; 30 Hudson Street, Jersey City; 1 Canada Square, London; Riverview Plaza, Wuhan; Wells Fargo Center (Minneapolis), Minneapolis.

Kawasan sekitar Menara Berkembar Petronas.

Pemandangan dari atas.

Pusat memberli belah Suria KLCC.

Kerja-kerja pembinaan bangunan dimulakan pada 1 April 1994 dan siap pada 1 Mach 1996. Ia bagaimanapun dibuka secara rasminya oleh Perdana Menteri Malaysia ke-4, Tun Dr. Mahathir bin Mohamad pada 1 Ogos 1999. Bangunan yang turut menempatkan ruangan pusat membeli belah Suria KLCC ini turut menempatkan ruangan pejabat bagi Petronas dan syarikat-syarikat utama lain seperti Huawei Technologies, Boeing, Bloomberg, Al Jazeera English, HCL Technologies, IBM, Microsoft, Reuters, Carigali Hess, Khazanah Nasional Berhad dan lain-lain lagi.

Bersebelahan dengan bangunan ini terdapat taman seluas 17 ekar iaitu KLCC Park yang membolehkan para pengunjung menikmati suasana menyegarkan. Ia dilengkapi dengan kolam air, laluan pejalan kaki dan taman permainan kanak-kanak. Anda juga mungkin berpeluang menyaksikan pertunjukkan pancutan air bercahaya yang menarik pada waktu-waktu tertentu setiap malam.

Skybridge terletak di aras 41 & 42.

Laluan di Skybridge.

Anda juga mungkin berpeluang untuk menyeberangi Skybridge yang terletak di aras 41 dan 42 pada ketinggian 170 m (558 ft). Jambatan ini mempunyai kepanjangan 58 m (190 ft) panjang dengan beratnya adalah 750 tan. Hanya sebanyak 1000 tiket yang akan diagih-agihkan setiap hari yang dahulunya ianya adalah percuma. Bagaimanapun bermula pada 2010 tiket-tiket mula dikenakan caj pada harga-harga tertentu. Tiket boleh didapati dari kaunter tiket di aras councorse menara tersebut. Bagi pelancong anda boleh membuat tempahan online dari link ini.

Walaupun Menara Berkembar Petronas bukanlah lagi merupakan bangunan tertinggi di dunia, namun ia masih lagi merupakan menara berkembar tertinggi di dunia. Selain itu keunikan ciri-cirinya yang tersediri memberikan menara ini nilai yang berbeza dalam menampilkan kebudayaan Malaysia. Ia merupakan mercu tanda Bandaraya Kuala Lumpur yang perlu anda lawati.

7 Wonders Of The World

Machu Picchu has many unique features and wonders.

Wonders of the world are often questioned because it is the pride of civilization and even to the people in that particular country. There is no definitive list of the 7 wonders of the worlds, because it is based on the lists issued by various groups based on different criteria.

The first listing of 7 wonders of the world was done by Herodatus (484 - ca. 425 BCE), and the scholar Callimachus of Cyrene (ca 305-240 BC) at the Museum of Alexandria, their original texts unable to be saved but still remains as important reference.

The first listings of 7 wonders are;

• Great Pyramid of Giza
• Hanging gardens of Babylon
• Statue of Zeus at Olympia
• Temple of Artemis at Ephesus
• Mausoleum of Halicarnassus
• Colossus of Rhodes
• Lighthouse of Alexandria

Cairo Citadel sebagai antara 7 pilihan klasik.

Out of this list only one that still remains to this day is the 'Great Pyramid of Giza’. And from this list, new listings made by various parties, various times and on various criteria.

Among these listings the popular objects come from the medieval era that still exist until today where the things still can be seen (or evidence of its history is still stored properly). The list is as follows;

• Stonehenge
• Colosseum
• Catacombs of Kom el Shoqafa
• Great Wall of China
• Porcelain Tower of Nanjing
• Hagia Sophia
• Leaning Tower of Pisa

Other list includes: -

• Taj Mahal
• Cairo Citadel
• Ely Cathedral
• Cluny Abbey

This list last longer, but the listing criteria is unclear because it is not organized by any professional body. The question is whether the definition of wonders about all of these objects?

In addition, there’s a listing of wonders objects in the construction of the 20th century has also been issued by the American Society of Engineers to showcase modern constructions. In this list of wonders, objects that listed are as follows;

• Channel Tunnel
• CN Tower
• Empire State Building
• Golden Gate Bridge
• Itaipu Dam
• Delta Works, Netherlands
• Panama Canal

While in 2001, an effort undertaken for new listings ‘wonders of the world’ was runs by a body known as the Swiss New7Wonders Foundation to choose from a list of 200 nominated objects, from this list, 21 of which are listed to the final stage were announced on January 1, 2006. The list of winners was announced on 7 July 2007 in Lisbon, Portugal.

Petra, Jordan is absolutely unique.

The list is as follows;

• Great Wall of China, China
• Petra, Jordan
• Christ the Redeemer, Brazil
• Machu Picchu, Peru
• Chichen Itza, Mexico
• Colosseum, Italy
• Taj Mahal, India

** Great Pyramid of Giza, Egypt (honor candidate)

List New7 wonders of the world.

In the method listing this time it is done by public vote via the web and sms. Many countries do vote campaign in their respective countries for several months through the media and so on. So this method will favor only those countries that have more population!

Following on from that, there are again some 7 listings of other things by various parties covering various ranges of subjects. Listings of 7 objects became the current trends and it is easier to get people’s attention.

Great Wall of China, still remains in the New7 wonders of the world.

So ‘7 wonder of the world’, is not a list that is adequate to represent wonders objects in the world. This is because there are lots of marvelous objects, old or new construction with various values not only in terms of construction, the function and also the technologies used during its construction. Then it should be given a wider scope to ensure that the main purposes of the listing.

While recognizing objects of ‘wonders of world’ the more important list to know is the list of 'World Heritage' as issued by UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization) in identifying cultural heritage or natural areas that have value to human civilization. These lists are important because it can give you lots of useful information.

So it is up to you to make a judgment about the 7 things of wonders as it may be different for each individual.

Interesting Places To Visit in SE Asia

Bayon, located in the complex of Angkor, Siem Reap, Cambodia.

SE Asia (Southeast Asia) is a region that includes some of the countries with lot of history that should be appreciated by not only the people of SE Asia alone, but by all of the world's population. Thus with the help of UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization), the most important sites have been listed so that it continues to be maintained in addition to allowing people to visit it.

Although most of the remains only part of the history, its keep lots of the characteristics of our own uniqueness that lived in the same region. To some extent it reminds our linkages to neighboring countries. Many of us who have near or distance ancestor relationship, while there are many things we do (like food, clothing and speech have in common). Thus, these areas become important and we should focus on, as we are the people who live in SE Asia.

To date, UNESCO listed around 37 areas in 9 countries as a "World Heritage Sites", though more areas listed in the years to come. Through this listing, it is even easier for the visitors to see for themselves the uniqueness of the region. While local residents also benefit from the visits of foreign visitors.

Here is a list of “Heritage Sites” areas by country:

Angkor Wat, Siem Reap, Cambodia.

2 The World Heritage Sites in Cambodia:

• Angkor complex, Seam Reap.
• Temple of Preah Vihear, Preah Vihear.

Temple complex in Central Java, Indonesia.

8 The World Heritage Sites in Indonesia:

• Borobudur, Central Java.
• Komodo National Park, East Nusa Tenggara.
• Prambanan, Central Java.
• National Park Ujung Kulon, Banten and Lampung.
• Sangiran Early Settlement Area, Central Java.
• Lorentz National Park, Papua.
• Taman Negara Rainforest in Sumatra (3 locations), Sumatra.
• Cultural Landscape of Bali (2 locations), Bali

Luang Prabang, Laos.

2 The World Heritage Sites in Laos:

• Luang Prabang Urban Area,
• Remains of Vat Phou, Champasak

Kinabalu National Park, Malaysia.

4 The World Heritage Sites in Malaysia:

• Mulu National Park, Sarawak
• Kinabalu National Park, Sabah
• Town, Melaka and Georgetown
• Aerkeologi site, Lenggong Valley

Ancient City Pyu, Myanmar.

1 Area World Heritage Sites , in Myanmar:

• Ancient Pyu city, Mandalay

The old church, Church of San Agustín, Paoay, Philippines.

6 The World Heritage Sites in the Philippines:

• Baroque Churches of the Philippines (4 locations)
• Tubbataha reef area, Palawan
• Rice Hill area, Cordilleras.
• Historic Town of Vigan, Ilocos Sur.
• National Park, Puerto-Princesa Subterranean River, Palawan.
• Hamiguitan Mountain Wildlife Area, Davao Oriental.

Singapore Botanical Garden.

1 The World Heritage Sites in Singapore:

• Singapore Botanic Gardens

Complex of the Old Kingdom of Sukhothai, Thailand.

5 Areas World Heritage Sites, in Thailand:

• Historic City of Ayutthaya.
• Historic Town of Sukhothai.
• Wildlife Area, Thungyai-Huai Kha Khaeng, Uthai Thani.
• Archaeological Site Ban Chiang, Udon Thani.
• Forestry complex Phayayen Dong-Khao Yai, Saraburi, Nakhon Ratchasima, Nakhon Nayok, Prachinburi, Rayong and Buriram.

Old Government Complex in Hué, Vietnam.

8 The World Heritage Sites in Vietnam:

• Monument Complex of Hué, Thua Thien-Hue.
• Ha Long Bay, Quang Ninh.
• Hoi An, Quang Nam.
• My Son Sanctuary, Quang Nam.
• National Park Phong Nha-Ke Bang, Quang Binh.
• Imperial Citadel of Thang Long, Hanoi.
• Citadel of the Ho Dynasty, Thanh Hóa.
• Complex View Trang An, Ninh Binh.

Maybe you do not get a chance to visit all of them. However, our visit to these places listed above to some extent gives us many lessons about the history around SE Asia. Undoubtedly every country and region has its own uniqueness, the uniqueness that allows us to better understand one another.

For the locals in the listed country in return, do your best for preserving these important areas. Give all cooperation to the visitors who come to see the uniqueness your area. Your help is an effort that is needed; in addition it also may help your own economic status.

Terrarium Suitable For Ornamental And Education

Terrarium best as decoration and good as educational material.

Terrarium usually made from small container (clear/glass materials) that will allow light get through it. The container can be open or closed and small opening to allow care for the plants grows inside it. Even though terrarium is very beautiful as ornamental it is also very important for education to understand more about plants growing process and behavior.

Construction of the first terrarium is produced inadvertently by botanist Nathaniel Bagshaw Ward in 1842. He made observations of insects and the insects left the flask unattended. As a result, spores contained in the flask grow and produce terrarium. This later became a favorite at the time (Victorian Era) among the British people. But at first it was not known as terrarium but as 'Wardian Case'.

This finding was used by Ward to send the plants from England to Australia by building a bigger 'Wardian Case'. Even after traveling for months at sea, the plants were found to be in good conditions. The same method was also used to bring plants from Australia (Sydney) to England (London). This method proves that plants can be stored in a sealed container without ventilation and are capable of living.

Terrarium more popular for decoration.

Closed terrarium provides moist environment for the plants in it.

Among the plants that are suitable for terrarium.

Even so, before you build your terrarium, there are few things that you need to pay attention. This because you need to think about a few important factors to allow the plant stored in your terrarium can produce enough cycle for itself to continue its life. In fact, several other factors should also be considered before producing the terrarium; container size, container type, species of plants, location of the terrarium, the amount of moisture, the plant material (soil, sand, stone, fiber, etc.) and the budget of the terrarium - if you planning is right, your terrarium may endure for a very long time.

Closed Terrarium

Closed terrarium suitable for indoor tropical plants like orchids, mosses, ferns and ‘air plants’ that need high moisture as in tropical forests. However for its care, it may have to be opened once a week to reduce excess moisture in the walls of the container, this also able to prevent the formation of fungus that can affect plants inside your terrarium.

Terrarium should be watered when the soil moisture is decreasing (without the formation of water vapor on terrarium’s wall). The use of plant materials (medium) also carefully sorted to reduce infections in plants. Appropriate plant material used is 'peat moss', 'vermiculite' and also 'perlite'. These materials should also be in "sterile" for killing micro-organisms that can cause infection.

Terrarium provides a very good environment for these tropical plants.

Terrarium for tropical and aquatic plants.

Open Terrarium

Open terrarium is more suitable for water-storage plants (succulents) that are not suitable for damp and closed conditions like cacti and other dried plants. Open terrarium allows excess water vapor to be removed from the terrarium. Another thing open terrarium also ideal for plants that require a lot of sunlight, where it avoids excessive heat from sunlight trapped in the container.

Open terrarium easily maintained but at risk of infection.

Terrarium with various sizes of plants in it.

Terrarium not only beautiful as a decoration/ornament, but it also allows the growth of plants to be observed more closely. Cyclical process of moisture, air and water vapor in a closed terrarium indirectly describes the process air cycle in the earth's atmosphere and the importance of plants in that process. So if you are unable to make your own terrarium, maybe you can just buy it to get all of its benefits.