The Unique Life of Coconut Crab

Coconut Crab size can reach up to 1 meter.

Coconut crab (Cancer crumentus) also known as coconut thief, not living in the sea as well as red crabs, but live near the beach to make sure it is not too far from the source of water - the sea.

Coconut crabs are of the same type of a hermit crab where during young its needs other protection such as snails shells to keep them from being eaten by other predators. This is because the adult female crabs will release the eggs on the beach and in the sea where the crab’s young will spend time until they become adult and live on land as well. But the crabs should ensure their body moisture remains to prevent them from dying.

The area where the Coconut Crab can be found.

The most interesting about coconut crab is also an advantage to this species to any other crabs is the ability of climbing the coconut tree. That is why he was given the title of 'Coconut Thieves Crab'. This is because the coconut crab climbs the tree when the day began to cool down and when the day is getting dark. So if you're on the beach at night under a palm tree maybe you should not be afraid if there is something on the tree. It maybe a coconut crab is enjoying his favorite food - the coconut.

Coconut Crabs color varies from red to blue.

The coconut crab habitat is in the coastal of small islands in East Africa up to the South Pacific. Coconut crab considered as delicacy by human so it is less common in areas inhabited by humans. Due to the slow growth rate, the number is decreasing day by day.

Size of an adult coconut crab can reach up to 1 meter (3 feet) from foot to foot with foot weight of 4.1 kg (9 lb). It also can achieve up to 60 years of age. If you recall sea animals such as giant clams that are also has a long life that can reach up to hundreds of years old.

Coconut crab and coconut that might be it's food.

Once the eggs are hatched at sea, crab larvae will live in shallow coastal areas about 3-4 weeks and then it will stay on the seabed using shells snails as protection. Crab reaches maturity when it’s reaching the age of 5 years old.

Given these, crabs require a long time to reach a maturity age and it takes few more years to reach suitable size to be eaten by human. It is not worth it, if it became a favorite food. Maybe people did not have much choice and the taste of crab meat is typical unless if it’s prepared with other ingredients and spices with suitable cooking methods.

Coconut crabs climb coconut trees.

Coconut crabs can still be found on certain Pacific Islands where today it is respected as one of the creatures that have the function to keep the balance of nature. What is important for us to recognize this unique crab that is not just live on the land but also can climb coconut trees that is impossible for the other crabs! Do you want to see this crab in their habitat someday?

Micro Post; Hermit Crab

Hermit crab walk on the beach.

Hermit Crab is very unique because it is a creature that resembles a crab but require home (usually empty snail shells) which will be taken here and there to protect the soft parts of their body.

Although resembling crab, hermit crab has its own species and consists of the 1100 species known. Although hermit crabs usually use snail shells to serve as 'home' for their protection, there is also a hermit crab using stones or empty timber as cover material.

Hermit crab body is too soft and become an easy prey for predators.

Hermit crabs inhabit the ocean at various depths, whether on the beach, or even in the shallow waters or deeper. In the tropics there are hermit crabs that live on land (as well as species of land crab and coconut crab). It is nevertheless going into the sea to lay their eggs and hatch their eggs. Besides, most of the hermit crab is out at night to find food.

The biggest problem for a hermit crab is when it’s getting bigger; it needs to get bigger shells to enable it to be comfortable. The narrow shells will cause stunted growth and the possibility of losing their very precious shelter. You may be surprised to see a competition between a hermit crab to grab the empty shells to be used as a shelter. This competition may cause a hermit crab kill each other.

Hermit crab with sea anemones.

For some larger species, the security measures are also using sea anemones to scare other predators. This is because sea anemones have poisonous tentacles that could have resulted in the deaths of these predators.  Sea anemones will benefit from a hermit crab food waste as one of the rewards of this partnership.

To give you a clearer picture about the fierce competition in the life of a hermit crab to get protection (shell), you may watch the video below for a better understanding.

Lego The World's Most Famous Construction Games

Classic Lego pieces that can construct into various objects.

Lego is the world’s famous construction game because of its unique function. It was designed by a carpenter named Ole Kirk Christiansen (1891-1958) from Billund, Denmark in 1932. Almost all of today's generation recognized Lego though most of us have never played with the real Lego sets.

Lego favored because of its ability to function in producing various shapes according players’ creativity. Even today there are sets that can only be formed into certain models, original Lego pieces is still popular in forming objects without limits. Through various changes in business this game, Lego also opened its own theme parks. Up to now there are six theme parks around the world and one of which is in Nusajaya, Malaysia. Up to July 2015, about 600 billion Lego parts were produced. In February 2015 Lego also replace Ferrari as "the most famous brand in the world" by Brand Finance.

Lego is derived from wood which began its produced in 1932 using the original name "Automatic Binding Bricks" and patented in the United Kingdom in 1939 and first marketed in 1947. The design was later modified by sample generated for production using the 'injection molding' machine, which was later bought by Lego. Lego pieces are then produced using cellulose acetate.

Today Lego has various shapes.

Lego can build the replica of a city.

Lego has a very attractive motto "det bedste er ikke for godt", which means "only the best is the best" or can also mean "the good is not the best". This motto is still in use to this day was founded by Ole Kirk to encourage his employees to not reduce the quality of their goods. Until 1951, plastic toys account half of the material produced by Lego at the time of plastic items is considered as less suitable for children's toys materials.

By 1954, Lego management was taken over by the son of Christiansen, who’s named Godtfred and it is also the start of a Lego empire expansion to foreign markets. Some of the reforms done to make it easier to match Lego pieces (into forms that are more versatile). In 1958, Lego has a modern design but it takes about 5 years to Lego using better materials of ABS polymer (acrylonitrile butadiene styrene). The modern Lego patented later on January 28, 1958.

In addition Lego introduced Lego Duplo, in 1969 that was designed to be larger up to 2 times the size of the original Lego to target those children in early stage. Design of a little man was first introduced in 1978, which later became part of complementary sets of next Lego.

Rivendell from Lego.

Among the models of Lego.

Lego has known, because of its ability that allows children to explore the potential of their skills in field of constructions, creativity, cognitive and so on. Arguably most of us recognized Lego although many of us never touched it. Lego is not only for children to play but also beyond its original functions and become part of the world community pride.

In May 2011, Lego joined spacecraft Space Shuttle Endeavour, mission STS-134 with 13 sets of Lego to the International Space Station to study the effects of micro-gravity on the resulting model. Results of this study will then be shared with schools as one of educational program.

In May 2013 the biggest model produced using Lego on display in New York on 5 millions Lego pieces to produce real size 1: 1 model of the X-wing fighter. In addition Lego also produces 112 foot tower and railway tracks spans 4 km (2.5 mi.).

Lego is constantly producing new releases in accordance with the passage of time. Even Lego has a strict quality control in which the high quality produces piece of Lego only has the tolerance of ± 10 micrometers. This is to ensure that each piece can be perfectly matched and can also be removed again.

The development Lego is due to continuous efforts of improvements not only in producing high quality goods but always producing new competitive designs. It is also not underestimate the ability of its competitors. Lego has a design staff of 120 people located in several areas such as the UK, Spain, Germany and Japan.

X-wing fighter produced using Lego.

One of the 6 Legolands in the world.

Apart from the production of the game and active in the promotion of the production of the largest models and so on. Lego also have movies, video games, board games and many more areas that make it always be remembered. Even today Lego also opening their "theme park" in number of areas, namely the first in Billund, Denmark; the second of which is located in Windsor, England; the third built in Günzburg, Germany; the fourth is in Carlsbad, California; the fifth is in Winter Haven, Florida; and the sixth is located in Nusajaya, Malaysia.

That such a little story about the unique history of the most famous games in the world of Lego, for those who can afford it, may make Lego as part of the game for their kids or a part of family activities. It is one game that proved to provide many benefits to children in forming a positive development.

Games That Improve Your Child's Interest To Education

Such games can helps your children in developing their talents.

Our environment in today's modern world is much different from the situation once where child where we were more exposed to interaction with the outside world while playing that help in stimulating the development of a smarter brain. But today's children depend on games that are available (toys) in addition to the popular games mainly video games.

As a parent or guardian, determine the right type of games for children are important. This is to help them develop smarter thinking, creativity, decision-making and so on. Without your help, this is difficult for them to choose the game which can provide such kind of benefits.

In choosing the right game for your kids, choose few key features such as;

1) How does it help your child think to solve the problem of the game?

- Games like Lego stimulate children's thinking ability in solving designs to be produced. In addition, it also includes some of other benefits.

- Games like the abacus also have the same benefits, but it requires training and attention from you or other individuals.

Lego is one of the best stimulant games for your kids.

2) Does it have to do with the of everyday’s life, particularly education that includes science, geography, astronomy, economics, creativity, cognitive and so on?

- Some games are built to stimulate child interest in careers such as doctoral (doctor’s game sets), astronomy (telescope), scientists (microscope), culinary (cooking sets), music (musical instruments), and sports and etc.

- Some games equipment constructed by using the principles of science that can stimulate children's interest too, for them find out more like a pendulum, lava lamp, magnetic games, gyroscope, Magnetic Field Viewer, Super Springy and many others. These are the games that require some skills to explain how it works.

- Games like these are the starting point for determining the likelihood of your children interest at the early stage. These will help you to identify their interest instead of your interest for them.

Science and astronomy toy.

A game that stimulate thinking ability.

3) Does it help to provide other benefits such as sensor motor, balance and health-related benefits?

- Some playground equipment has other benefits such as health and flexibility of the body system. Games such as roller blade, skateboard, badminton, bicycles or other sports equipment have these kinds of benefits. At the same time they also stimulate the benefit of thinking skills.

- For such kind of games, parents and guardians should make sure children get enough exercise and comply with safety guidelines to prevent any possible injuries.

"Roller blades" requires high balancing ability.

4) How can you help to make the sure the game can achieve the desired benefits?

- Parents or guardians need to ensure how the selected games can provide positive benefit to the development of education and children's creativity. This will allow parents or guardians to ensure the objectives of the games are reached.

- Although it seems like a burden, but it will be more fun when you yourself involved with the games played by your children. At the same time this will indirectly making them more focused on the outcome of the games.

- Some games also require additional training such as music and professional sports. Parents who can detect a tendency talent of their children at an early stage will have the opportunity to help them hone this at the early stage.

"Magnetic globe" - using magnetic principles.

Wonderful magnetic game "klikyballs".

There are still plenty of rooms for us to make sure our children get a worthwhile entertainment. Through our involvement with proper monitoring will make sure they can develop interests, abilities and talents. It also gives you a chance to discover something new if you've never been involved with the games that they played before. At the same time can also foster closer family ties.

Unique location in Leshan China - Giant Buddha

Giant Buddha statue in Leshan, China.

As always proposed by MyRokan the places of interests to be visited are locations that provide values such as educational, motivation, cultures, and histories and so on. Although today we are making better progress in technology than people before us, but their determination to do something give us something to think about. That is why the remains of these monuments, still admired us to this day.

This time we will see another exciting remnant of a giant Buddha statue in Leshan, China. Sculpture that reaches a height of up to 71 meters (233 ft.) Is not built with ease but it took a very long time and have a sketched of histories. Indeed it is one of the most important places to visit and was listed as part of the "World Heritage Site" by UNESCO since 1996.

The history of its construction began in 713 led by a monk called Hai Tong, the construction of the Buddha statue that is expected to reduce the strong currents of the river flowing underneath. These jetted danger to ships using the route. His efforts, however, suffered a setback when the provision of the construction of the giant statue is not successful. Hai Tong said gouges his eyes as a sign of sacrifice to complete the statue. When he died, the construction work has been abandoned. Only 70 years later, his effort was refinanced again by jiedushi and construction projects were passed by the followers of Hai Tong in the year 803.

View from above.

Going down the stairs to the foot of the Giant Buddha.

View from the bottom.

Construction of the statue caused huge amount of rock and dirt to be thrown into the river in front of the statue which is also a clash of 3 rivers of the Minjiang, Dadu and Qingyi makes it current calmer.

This giant statue is actually equipped with unique irrigation / drainage systems to avoid the effects of erosion from flowing rain water. The system still works to this day.

During the process of carving the statue, a 13-storey wood building built to protect it from rain and hot sun. This construction, however, destroyed by the Mongols during the war at the end of the Yuan Dynasty. So starting from that the statue was exposed as seen today.

Water flows in the river during the low season.

View of the Giant Buddha from the river cruise.

Picture from National Geographic.

Sure it is among some large constructions people interesting to watch. Although it may be a religious symbol for some people, but for others it became a symbol of determination, persistence, determination and confidence to do something. For those who like to visit here, the closest town to this location is Chengdu with a distance of less than 150 km.