Wat Chayamangkalaram Penang 15 Dec 2010

We reached Penang really early in the morning, it is around 5am in the morning when we managed found our hotel – Hard Rock Hotel Penang. We not allow to check in first, and yet still have a lot of time before we can…12 noon. Thus, Andrew decided to appoint a tour guide for us to have a short trip and use our time fully.

But, first of all, we went for our breakfast at the 24 hours open Mamak shop near our hotel. We had our nasi lemak, teh tarik, kopi-O, teh-O, roti canai, roti planta, etc. Then, we went back to our hotel lobby and waited for our tour guide.

Our tour guide named Dave. He came with a van, to accommodate 3 families, ha-ha…Due to it is considered as 4 hours tour in the city, so we decided to go the attractions which is further from our hotel, whereby the nearer we can visit there on our own. So, the first place to go is Wat Chaiyamangkalaram, a Thai Buddhist temple.

There were not much people there while we reaching there, it is still early in the morning. The temple volunteers were busy sweeping the courtyard. There is two dragons just in front of the temple, both is at left and right positions. There are two sort of semi gods at the entrance of the Main Wat, like protecting the temple.

Wat Chaiyamangkalaram (also Chayamangkalaram or Chaiya Mangkalaram) is one of the most resplendent Buddhist temples in the state. The outwardly Thai architecture applying vibrant colours and designs, this temple which is located towards the northern end of Georgetown, is sprawled over a five-acre land.

Its interiors are adorned with a great number of Buddha statues. The most impressive feature of the Wat is the statue of the reclining Buddha, draped with a gold-leafed robe, measuring some 33 metres, which is said to be one of the largest in the world. According to Buddhist beliefs, the posture assumed by the reclining Buddha in the Wat Chaiya, with his head resting in the palm of the right hand, while the head is turned upwards, signifies enlightenment or Nirvana. Underneath the reclining Buddha are niches where ashes of the deceased are kept.

Much of the structures and statues found here are either painted or gilded with gold. There is a nine-storey pagoda standing 50.3m high, said to be the tallest of its kind in Malaysia. Other attractions include enormous dragon serpents, sprawling from the balustrades of the temple's entrance towards the meditation hall. According to legend, these serpents are the link between heaven and earth. Contrary to western beliefs, Oriental mythology holds that serpents and dragons are propitious beings, and are not to be feared.

In the temple grounds, one will also come upon gruesome-looking looking, green-faced beings referred to as Dewas, standing guard before the temple entrance.

The Wat Chaiya was built in 1845 on five acres of land donated by Queen Victoria to the Thai community. The 'open policy' under the administration of Francis Light, invited many settlers from all over the region including from Burma and Thailand. Until today, the areas surrounding Wat Chaiyamangkalaram are populated by Penang's Thai minority. The first monk who served at this temple was a Theravada Buddhist monk from Thailand, Phorthan Kuat, also known as the "Powerful Monk", who was said to have been quite fond of laksa, a local speciality dish of Penang. No wonder there are some laksa in front of the monk statue.

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At the side of the Main Wat, there is a library and a function hall. We did took a group photo in front of the temple before we adjourned to the Burmese Temple just across the street.

Source from http://www.virtualmalaysia.com/

Taman Pertanian Bukit Cahaya Seri Alam 12 Dec 2010

This is the 3rd time we came to the Taman Pertanian Bukit Cahaya Seri Alam at Shah Alam.

It is still our favourite place to go during weekends if we wanted to go somewhere near with nature.

Here are some few shots for the outing today.

Disney JoJo’s Circus Exercise Time! 8 Dec 2010

Both Issac and Annabelle are big fans of JoJo!

JoJo is a curious 6-year-old clown who lives with her family and friends in Circus Town.

"JoJo's Circus" teaches kids about movement using games, songs, colourful circus characters and funny storylines.

Viewers are encouraged to walk, run, dance, jump, climb and move with JoJo and all the characters in Circus Town.

Issac and Annabelle love it so much! Every time when the TV showing “JoJo’s Circus”, they would start running and sit in front of the TV.

Normally, JoJo would invite the children or the viewers to exercise with her, of coarse with some cute movements!

Both would be shake their bodies and laughing at the same time! They are having so much fun!

   

Taman Wetland Putrajaya 7 Dec 2010

After our Muzium Alam Semulajadi outing, we came to Taman Wetland Putrajaya.

We were a bit surprise as Putrajaya have a wetland park like this. It is a good starting point to explore Putrajaya Wetlands is to visit Taman Wetland.

As the gateway to the wetlands area, Taman Wetland house a Nature Interpretation Centre and a 25 meter high look-out tower which offers a bird's eye view of Putrajaya.

Within the park, there are two marked trails with interpretative boards, a flamingo pond, picnic areas and other public amenities.

Taman Wetland is also a wildlife sanctuary, attracting a wide variety of animals to the combined terrestrial-aquatic wetland environment.

Several species of local marshland birds and water birds and migratory birds form Northern Hemisphere have been spotted here.

Putrajaya Wetlands, believed to be the largest constructed freshwater wetlands in the tropics, is the first one of its kind in Malaysia.

Where geology, hydrology and biology have created natural wetlands, the Putrajaya Wetland carved out from rubber and oil palm plantations are the original landscape here at Putrajaya.

We were enjoying our leisure walk here. We climb up to the look-out tower, and really enjoyed the view of the Putrajaya Wetlands.

We had some drinks and snacks while enjoying the breeze and the windy weather. Daddy took some shots on the flowers here.

We really happy for our Putrajaya outing.

Muzium Alam Semulajadi 7 Dec 2010

Today is Awal Muharam national holiday. Even though all of us is still under the AH1N1 medication, Daddy decided to brig us to Putrajaya for a walk. The first thing that came to Mummy’s mind was the museum that last time, Mummy used to pass by so many times but did not know that there is a museum besides the job site. We headed to Putrajaya.

The Natural History Museum in Precint 15, Putrajaya was established as one of the governments initiatives in collecting, documenting as well as to exhibit the Malaysia's naturals heritage such as the plants, animals, rocks, minerals and fossil, some of which are the country's invaluable treasures.

The Natural History Museum acts as a resource for informal science education and is dedicated to expand the public's knowledge and be beneficial to the people of Malaysia, as well as our respected tourist from all over the world. The museum is home to a variety of specimens comprising of extinct and endangered species of the flora and fauna, as well as those which are still in existence, in order to serve one of its objectives that is to preserve the naturals heritage of Malaysia.

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It is so happened that currently there is a Malaysian Mammals Exhibition going on which started on 1 Feb 2010 until 31 Dec 2010. The entry fees is RM2.00 per adult. The exhibition showcased  some selections from the various types of mammals.

Among  the attraction is the skeleton of a Bryde whale which carcass  was found stranded in Kampung Tanjung Aru beach, Federal Territory of Labuan on 2 February 2005. In addition to that, tiger, Sun Bear, Sumatran Rhinoceros, Asian Elephant, Mainland Serow and the "living fossil" of a tapir are some of the  protected animals at the verge of extinction,  can also be found in this exhibition. We can find bats, squirrels and otter too in the exhibitions.

At the centre of the hall, there is a children reading corner and multimedia corner whereby the kids can do some reading. Both kids were so happy and like the place, running up and down, here and there. They were enjoying all the times there.

Both Issac and Annabelle keep asking Daddy to snap photos on them with the exhibits and some tigers, cheetah soft toys too.

Source from http://www.virtualmalaysia.com/ & http://www.jmm.gov.my/

Funny Dad & Son Team 7 Dec 2010

This is what both Daddy and Son do when there is nothing to do ^^.

      

      

Issac too…down with AH1N1

Last night, Daddy and Mummy felt that Issac probably was infected by AH1N1 from Annabelle. The whole night he was shivering and his body temperature from 37.8 Celsius increase to 38.7 Celsius. Both of us were so worried. Mummy also thought that confirmed that Issac is going to sick like Belle too.

Today actually is the day that Annabelle need to visit Dr again…Thinking of last week SDMC experience, we decided to bring her go to Dr Liew again, at the same time bringing Issac together. We arrived at 8.15am, there were parents and children there already. We went out to the corner Mamak Restaurant to have our breakfast. After the breakfast back to the clinic, just after 2 patients is our turn already.

Firstly, Annabelle first, Dr Liew said she is ok, just still have a lot of phlegm that caused she is wheezing. She took the nebulizer again to reduce her phlegm, just like previously, she was screaming and yelling again; Issac took the swab test, and confirmed he ‘got’ it – AH1N1. Dr Liew advised Issac can continue take Belle’s Tamiflu medicine from SDMC, and her medicine from the clinic, he should be better because discover earlier than Belle; Belle will add one medicine which will clear her phlegm.

Dr Liew looked a bit disappointed when he heard that Dr Khoo did not give us or advise us on how to do our precautions measures for the whole family. He took out a box from the drawer. RELENZA is packaged in medicine disks call ROTADISKS and is inhaled by mouth using a delivery device called a DISKHALER. He showed to us how to use it. And, mentioned that Mummy is clever because a lot of parents when he taught them, they just can not get it right the first time. Dr Liew asked Mummy, is Mummy very clever during schooling time? Haha… Mummy loved it! Daddy just sitting at the side saying,” She is clever but not clever enough to become a doctor.”

It seems like will be another week off for Mummy again this week. Boss sure will ‘scream’ again!