Thursday, March 24, 2011

Trengganu Crystal Mosque.

Trengganu is an east coast state in Peninsula Malaysia with the Malay ruler being head of state(the Sultan).
The current King of Malaysia is from here.
 It faces the South China Sea and experienced heavy rainfall during the monsoon season between October till February.

During this time the sea is out of bound. This state has its rich history where it has being under the influenced of the following empires:-Srivijaya,Majapahit and Khmer until the arrival of Islam and this is the first Malay state to embrace Islam.

Kuala Trengganu is the capital of Trengganu State. Kuala Besut town is the main port for ferries to the Perhentian Islands.

 Marang, the port for ferries to Kapas Island while Merang, the port for ferries to Redang.  

Islands nearby:
 Pulau Rhu Hentian Pulau Perhentian Pulau Lang Tengah Pulau Redang Pulau Tenggol Pulau Gemia Kapas island  

Getting there:
Express coach departs daily from all of the major cities and towns in the peninsular. Travel from Kuala Lumpur (6 hours), Singapore and Johor Bharu (8 hours), and Penang (7 hours). From Kuala Terengganu to Thailand's border town of Sungai Golok is another 5 hours journey by car.



Taman(Park) Tamaddun(civilisations) Islam main arch entrance.
It is also known as Edutainment Park as described on the wall.
Inside this park you have the Monument Park – Convention Center– Crystal Mosque– Guest House – River Cruise – B'Beteng

Price for Guesthouse:- 3 Bedrooms (Max 6 paxs) RM 400 / unit / night Inclusive of Free entrance to Monument park worth RM 45 Free Extra Bed ( Max 2 unit only) .




Visitors could take a trip on Bas Bandar from Taman Shahbandar to get to TTI at the Wan Man Island.
The bus also will be stopping by other interesting spots in Kuala Trengganu.
Bas Bandar Operating days/hours:Monday - Thursday: 11.00am, 1.30pm, 4.30pmFriday - Sunday & Public Holidays: 11.00am, 12pm, 1.30pm, 2.30pm, 3.30pm, 4.30pm (Bus Fare:RM1.00)




The River Cruise boat.







Fare RM10 per pax for a one hour ride.
Visitors could use water taxi services or locally known as bot penambang at Shahbandar Jetty to get from the town of Kuala Terengganu to Wan Man Island where TTI is nestled.





Upcoming events:-
1)Terengganu World Invitational Jetrace Challenge 2011 Date : 1 - 3 April 2011 Venue : Pulau Duyung, Kuala Terengganu
2)Kenyir Lake International Triathlon 2011 Date : 9 - 10 April 2011 Venue : Pengkalan Gawi, Tasik Kenyir, Terengganu
3)Kapas -Marang International Swimmathon 2011 Date : 23 - 24 April 2011 Venue : Pulau Kapas & Pantai Kelulut,

Marang Guided Tour Around the Island with River Cruise along the Terengganu River Special Rate : RM 39 (Adult) + RM 35 (Children)



Masjid Kristal Trengganu has its architectural designs similar to those found in Masjid Xian in China,Masjid Kuddus Mina in Indonesia, Masjid Pusat Petani di Thailand serta negara Islam yang lain.(and others)









The park is a colourful mosaic marked by 21 exquisite miniatures of famous mosques and monuments from the Islamic countries showcasing the grandeurs of Islamic arts and architectures.

 The island is divided into two zones.
Zone 1 housed the 21 miniature mosques, monuments, souvenir shops, restaurant by the river and a recreational lake. Audio visual presentations and signage of the heritage and history provides interesting information for visitors.
Zone 2 housed a commercial centre, a convention centre, a main square and an Islamic concept garden. Tucked at the tip of the island is the glittering Crystal Mosque.
Majestically constructed with crystal shine glass and steel overlooking the scenic Terengganu River, it is the iconic splendour and pride of Terengganu.
The breathtaking view of the park with its colourful lightings of the mosques and monuments seen from the Terengganu Bridge is picture perfect with panoramic background, especially during sunset that add to the lustrous colour of nature at its best.


Every year towards the end of October month,there is an international yatch race called the Monsoon Cup and is being held near the mouth of Trengganu River.



The Malay word for mosque is masjid.
This building had many typical features of Islamic architecture.
 It had an onion dome.
Its walls were elaborately decorated.
Long ago, the walls of Dome of Rock were covered in dazzling marble and mosaics.
In the 16th century, architects redecorated it with geometric marble tiles.


In Islam, pictures of people were not allowed, so the building is covered with geometric patterns and calligraphy.

Muslims believe that God revealed himself in the book called the Koran.
Words are sacred, so for a Muslim, calligraphy is also sacred.
Quranic verses inside the prayer's hall.





The Mufti pavillion.
Muftis are Islamic scholars who normally will address the audience during Friday prayers.


























































 The 4 pillars of Islam being depicted by these 4 minarets.









In a largely arid region, the Islamic garden represents an image of paradise.
The basic plan is a rectangular enclosure walled against the dust of the desert and divided into at least four sections by water channels. Pavilions are placed at focal points within the gardens.

Wednesday, March 23, 2011

Saint John Cathedral Church

Saint John Cathedral church with its twin spires, located at the center of Kuala Lumpur, the capital city of Malaysia.

This area is called Bukit Nanas. If you walk through the road here,you'll pass by the famous Christian Brothers school called St John Instituition thereafter is the forest reserve entrance nearby.
 In Thailand you have the St John International School at Ladprao near Bangkok.

This is a Roman Catholic church and is aligned to the Archdiocese of Kuala Lumpur. It was originally opened in 1883, making it one of KL's oldest buildings.

 January 8th is the anniversary of its dedication.
Usually in Christian Brothers Schools,they have a large chapel inside the school as well where every Friday there will be mass prayers.

 The altar with Lord Jesus Christ. This section is the holiest section of the church.


Blessed by this Grace, The Archbishop of Malacca, M Olcomendy on 27.3.1955
Parish Priest:Fr N Maury
Architect:RB Pereira
Contractor:Knock Teck & Company
 (28.3.1954)the church was built.

















Statue of the blessed Mother Mary.





Church Mass Schedule:
Saturday:6:30pm
 Sundays:8:00am,10:30am & 6:30pm.







Filipinos community started a small flea market beside the road entrance to the church.









Sundays is the only day off for our Filipino colleagues and the ususal place for their meeting and focal point is the St John Cathedral Church,Kotaraya Sopping Arcade,the Sungai Wang Plaza.


 Cintamani Travellers Lodge is just a stone throw away from the holy church. 37,Jalan Hang Lekiu,Tel:+603-20704071
Fax:+603-20266640
Shared Bath room:
Single fan:RM35 Single a/c:RM45
Super Single:(1-2pax):RM45
Double a/c with window:RM60 no window:RM50
Double deck 2 pas:RM50
Attached Bath:
Queen bed with TV:RM80
Superior Family with TV (3-4 pax):RM90




Serai Inn,2nd Floor,Jalan Hang Lekiu.
Tel/Fax:+603-20704728
entrance via side lane beside Segi College Nursing School.
All a/c rooms:RM45-RM74





Drop In Lodge,
Near the corner of Jalan Tun HS Lee junction with Lebuh Ampang. Tel:+603-207486314
Room Rates:RM30-RM45




 Formerly the Standard Chartered Bank main office was in this blue building,a stone throw from the St John Cathedral but have shifted to Lot 10 shopping complex near Bukit Bintang Road.








A leisurely walk less than 2km from the heart of the city near the old Standard Chartered Building will lead to the Kuala Lumpur Twin Tower KLCC.

Tuesday, March 22, 2011

Kuala Lumpur southern buses

So far Southeast Asian countries with southern bus terminal includes Bangkok Sai Tai Mai in Thailand,Vientiane Dong Dok in Laos,most of the cities in Vietnam and the latest to catch up with this trend Bandar Tasik Selatan near Kuala Lumpur.

The distance is about 5km from city center.
Apart from the LRT link from Masjid Jamek,one can easily hop into an airconditioned local Rapid KL bus which has a cream body with lower blue and upper red stripes.

If you would like to explore some of the housing estates in the bus route,this is also a unique chance.
Where to take RapidKL buses?
Make sure you have small RM1.00 notes and some coins as you need to put in the slot machine beside the driver.
 The buses were at the far end of Jalan Sultan which is also across the road from Central Market.

This location is beside the Middle Ring Road(MRR II expressway) and can be quite confusing even to the locals to find the entry point access road.

Way back in the 80's,I did my jungle tracking around here which at that time was a jungle with many streams and ponds great for fishing.

Unfortunately development has overtaken the rule of law of the jungle. Bandar Tasik Selatan is just beside Bandar Tun Razak which was formerly known as Kampung(village) Congo(state in Africa). The village was named after a contingent of soldiers who were sent to the Congo in Africa in the 1960s as part of a peacekeeping force under the United Nations.

Avoid the big crowds during festive holidays so as not to feel disappointed.





The skybridge that connects to the Bandar Tasik Selatan southern terminal from the bus stop and vehicle parking bays.




Terminal Bersepadu(integrated) Selatan(south).(TBS)
This was a privatised project by the government of the day to Maju Holdings Berhad,a public listed company.





The terminal has a concept similar to the airport.
Inside there are :
An access road for the buses.




Below it are the electrified railway lines that also link to KL International Airport.





 Ticketing counters.




Passengers waiting and viewing hall section.  
 Arrival and departure lounge.







Escalators leading down to the buses lanes.




 
A government-link interstate bus.
#Map of location