Tuesday, June 1st, 2010
Described as Asia’s best kept secret, Sarawak is the largest state in Malaysia, and also its richest and most varied. It is situated on the island of Borneo, and along with Sabah, makes up East Malaysia, which is separated from Peninsula Malaysia by the South China Sea.
Like her neighbour, Sarawak is equally celebrated for its natural beauty and diversity. This diversity extends to its rich cultural heritage and its preservation of traditional lifestyles. Sarawak’s numerous Dayak tribes still live in longhouses – these are whole village populations living in one structure, with separate rooms opening on to a communal veranda. This communal spirit is extended to visitors who are invited to stay overnight.
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Posted in Malaysia, Sarawak, Travel | Comments Off
Tuesday, June 1st, 2010
Merdeka Square
The 328ft (100m) flagpole rising from Merdeka Square is the tallest in the world, and marks the place where Malaysia achieved independence in 1957. The city’s colonial past is still very much alive in the architecture of the surrounding buildings and the field still hosts the occasional cricket matches. The Tudor-style Royal Selangor Club rests on one corner of the square, looking onto a large video screen displaying religious messages and advertisements. The Club served as a social centre for Kuala Lumpur’s British residents; its doors are now open to anyone who can afford the membership fees. In keeping with die-hard customs women are still not allowed entry to the bar, except by invitation.
Kuala Lumpur Railway Station
British architect, AB Hubbock was inspired by North Indian Islamic design when he conceived this magnificent railway station. Spires, minarets, towers and arches explode against the backdrop of skyscrapers emphasising the glory of Moorish elegance. It serves not only as an aesthetic vision but is in use as an important commuter station.
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Tags: Address, Admission, aesthetic vision, afternoon, anyone, architect, architecture, artistry, backdrop, Bangsar, bar, brick, brick walls, british architect, british residents, building, bus, buzz, centre, city, Club, colonial, colonnades, commuter, congregate, conservative dress, contrast, corner, cricket, Cupolas, Daily, Damansara, design, desk, Destination, dome, dress, edge, elegance, entrance, entry, Ethnographic, field, flagpole, Foot, Free, Friday, glory, gombak, hall, haven, haven of peace, Hubbock, independence, invitation, Islam, Islamic, islamic design, Jalan, Jamek, kilt, klang river, kuala lumpur railway station, life, LRT, lrt station, Malay, Masjid, masjid jamek, masjid negara, membership, merdeka square, Minangkabau, Mogul, Moorish, Mosque, Museum, Muzium, nation, National, national mosque, Negara, office, Opening, palm, palm tress, Pasar, past, peace, Perak, place, point, prayer, pride, Railway, region, religious messages, removal, Robes, Royal, royal selangor club, rush, Saturday, school, screen, Selangor, Seni, Shadow, site, Spires, spot, square, station, style, Telephone, Thursday, time, tranquillity, Transport, Travel, Travers, Tudor-style, Tun, tun perak, uniform, use, video, vision, visit, water, Wayang, world
Posted in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, Travel | Comments Off
Described as Asia’s best kept secret, Sarawak is the largest state in Malaysia, and also its richest and most varied. It is situated on the island of Borneo, and along with Sabah, makes up East Malaysia, which is separated from Peninsula Malaysia by the South China Sea.