Museum Subak, Tabanan, Bali

The gate to the Subak Museum.

One of important location that visited during my trip to Bali was Museum Subak to learn more about the unique of rice plantation in Bali. The different between here in Bali from any other location in Indonesia is the Subak organization. This organization playing a big role in managing the water sources in Bali came from 4 main lakes (danu) located high above the mountains.

In order to educate people and younger generation on how important is the Subak, a museum was built and opened in October 1981. Instead of its function in organizing the irrigation system to the rice fields, Subak also has shaped on Balinese culture that make this island far different from any other islands nearby. Here in Bali the rice production is more productive in term of rice produce per hectare. Anyway since the planting areas are very small for each family, their income still considered too low to allow them to enjoy a prosper living.

The water dam as in Subak, represented here in Subak Museum.

Representing the canal entrance to pura (temple) in the vicinity of Bali.

The rice plantation in Bali is organized and influenced by the unique culture on Balinese where pura (temple) will plays their big role in organizing all the activities from time of sowing, irrigation, meetings, and many other things and their centre of activities. Anyway these traits had been practice for several of hundreds years or maybe thousands of years in Bali as how their ancestors leave it for them (in their written guides).

By visiting this Museum you can see many other things related to the way of life for people in Bali where their daily lives are all connected with their beliefs according to their religion and their connected to their gods. At the same time, from this believe evolve the way of life that leads to complicated irrigation system that never find in any other places in Indonesia (if not in the whole ancient world).

The Goddess "Dewi Sri".

"Rare Angon" statue.

Here at the museum you can see few important statues include the Goddess “Dewi Sri” known as the ‘Goddess of Rice’ that will ensure the rice producing is successful for the particular year and another important statue is “Rare Angon” represented by boy on his buffalo with bamboo flute on his hand. This actually said to be the incarnation of God Shiva to teach people in Bali on how to plant rice and music as an entertainment. Well, that’s really perfect combination for successful life; hard works and happiness.

The exhibitions here, focusing on how the rice planting in Bali evolves through times with complicated irrigation systems that allow the rice planting in higher areas. Start from the water management system, water measurements, irrigation, time of planting (Balinese calendar), farming instruments and meetings to discuss in group on how the planting took place on each season; all of these that ensure the rice planting in Bali to be one of the most successful in the region (SE Asia).

Subak organization chart by region.

Subak management guide written on pieces of bamboo.

Long mortar to pound rice.

How long mortar used.

Start from land clearing and preparing the land to rice fields can be done individually or in group. When it comes to water supply and irrigation, these farmers need to do it in group if they want their rice to be successful. With involvement of pura (temple) and higher priest, all of the decisions are decided collectively and all the members of Subak need to attend the meeting (or they will be penalized). All the measuring is done with specific instruments following the guidelines provided by their ancestors. The guidelines are written on surfaces of bamboo and kept safely in a box.

The water divider to farmer’s land were made by wood and measured by finger’s wide. For example with 4 fingers wide the farmer’s land should be in areas of 50 ‘ara’ or (50m² × 50m²), while for the 2 fingers wide the farmer’s land should be in areas of 25 ‘ara’ or (25m² × 25m²). Today’s water divider is made of concrete for durability. Many other instruments were used traditionally and some of them still in use until today, all of these reflecting how rice planting was carefully managed in traditional Bali.

Water dividers to the rice field made of wood.

The work of measuring water into the rice fields.

Water tunnel construction.

Among the modern machinery used in the field.

Today rice planting in Bali is influence with modern machines and technologies, anyway man force still needed for the condition of the rice fields. There must be many other things can be improve in order to increase the production of Balinese farmers without interfere the system of Subak. The most important thing, farmers need to preserve the sustainability to maintain the beautiful of Bali as how they ancestors did.

There are many other things to learn from unique Balinese lifestyles. One of the most visible to visitors is the ‘canang’ or the offering. Canang is prepared everyday as offering together with pray. You can see canang almost everywhere all over Bali. This stated how generous the Balinese can be when it comes to their belief and hope. Something that we all can learn accordance to your own belief.

Visiting to Kuala Lumpur Bird Park

The main entrance to Kuala Lumpur Bird Park.

Kuala Lumpur Bird Park is very interesting, because not only is the Kuala Lumpur city center filled with buildings and shopping centers, but it also provides many interesting tourist destination. During the school holidays, many may want to bring their family visits to places of interest around the city of Kuala Lumpur.

For those who live near or travel to Kuala Lumpur, Kuala Lumpur Bird Park is one of the must-visit destinations. Located in Taman Tasik Perdana, it is also close to many other parks like Taman Orkid, Taman Bunga Raya, Butterfly Park, National Planetarium, the Islamic Arts Museum, Deer Park and Memorial Tun Razak. So if you want to visit this place you may visit more than one park at the same time - it saves time and travel costs.

The park is easily accessible using your own vehicle or by public transport. Situated close to the Kuala Lumpur railway station and you just have to take a taxi with approximately 5 minutes. Similarly, a driver for routes around the Lake Gardens is not as busy as in other major routes. GPS location of the park is N3 08 581, 41 294 E101 to assist your navigation.

Open daily from 9.00 am to 6.00 pm. The fees are;

Adult (Regular) RM48.00

* Children (Regular) RM38.00

Adults (MyKad) RM 25.00

* Children (MyKid) RM 12.00

** Children from 3-12 years of age

Cute birds enjoying sunflower's seeds.

One of the landscape at the Bird Park.

The best thing about this bird park is that it is said to be among the largest in the world. Divided into different zones, Zone 1 and Zone 2 (Zone 3 is the hornbill cages and Zone 4 for few other small cages) you will see varieties of birds fly freely around the park designed to resemble their natural habitats.

There are also small cages which housed birds such as parrots, eagles, hornbills and others to enable you to see it up close. This is because it is difficult for you to see these birds if they are allowed to fly free in the main cage that is too large.

Through visiting this place you can see rare birds that you discover as you also learn more about their habitat and how they live. The surrounding that resembles their real habitat can be another important thing to take note on how these birds survive in the wild.

Special cage for parrots.

Want to have a picture with the birds?

If you are lucky you might catch a peacock showcasing its beautiful tail’s feathers. Peacocks are moving freely in the garden and their feathers also look healthy (not damaged by captivity). Similarly for other birds such as flamingos that manly spends their time in the artificial pond. Crown pigeons are among many other birds that roaming the park.

Apart from seeing these birds you also have the opportunity to take pictures with the birds that are specially trained to pose for picture. It consists of parrots, eagles, owls and the most special is the hornbill. Yes, I've had the opportunity to touch the hornbill and it's very docile.

Time to eat! You can watch this too.

There is lots of information signage that describes the names of birds that you can find around the area. So you need not to worry if you can recognize their names. There are also exciting activities around the garden and the learning that help kids learn more about the world of birds. So this park is ideal for birders and also for the whole family.

To fully enjoy the experience here, you have to spend at least half day for an area of ​​the park is ​​20.9 acres and filled with areas that resembles different habitats of birds. There are approximately 3,000 birds from 200 species from different part of the world.

For more information about Kuala Lumpur Bird Park, you may call: + 603-22721010 Fax: + 603-2273 5428 or email: info@klbirdpark.com

Historic building, Malayan Railway Station

The uniqueness of the architecture on Kuala Lumpur Railway Station.

Malayan Railway Station’s building is one of the historic buildings in Kuala Lumpur, which is still used to this day. Built in 1910 has unique architectural features as well as other buildings built during the same time such as Sultan Abdul Samad Building. For this station Arthur Benison Hubback maintaining the Mughal architecture application in his design.

It costs RM23,000 and began operations on 1 August 1910. The station later became the main station with the demolition of the Resident Station and also the isolation of the Sultan Street’s Station. The building also includes a hotel, Station Hotel (now known as Heritage Station Hotel). The station is still operating despite Kuala Lumpur's main station has been moved to KL Sentral.

Main part of the building built over 100 years old.

KTM Administration Building, which is also very unique.

Even though it has spanned over a hundred years, the station continues to be upgraded to enable it to continue to provide services to the users of railway transport. Commuter Train services were first introduced at this station in 1995 with two main lines of Rawang - Seremban Line and Sentul - Port Klang Line.

To this day, this historic building is yet to be visited by the public and tourists not only because of its functions but also because of its unique architecture. It is one of the popular pictorial locations around Kuala Lumpur on par with other locations in the surrounding attractions such as Masjid Negara, Islamic Arts Museum and other places in Taman Tasik Perdana area.

Commuter rail service is also available at the station.

An improved platform for current demand.

Kuala Lumpur Station, past and present.

Why You Need To Visit Siem Reap, Cambodia

Angkor Wat is the main attraction of visitors to Siem Reap.

Siem Reap is one of the major cities in Cambodia with its main attraction is Angkor Wat. While not providing facilities like other major cities in Southeast Asia, it's urban development is actually quite impressive when compared to the situation which this country was just recovering from multiple crises that swept across Cambodia.

Given that development has just started here lots of things that you can learn from the way of life of local communities that are still strong encrusted with their original lifestyle. Flooded by tourists from around the world to see for themselves the magnificence of the buildings at Angkor, also help people here rebuild their lives through a variety of businesses in providing guests with the best service.

Wat Thmei, as a reminder of the history of old Cambodia.

Armed with old buildings that became the center of ancient government center, Siem Reap keep on visited by millions to see the remains of these historical remains. The visitors from diverse backgrounds and different purposes here reinstate the city as a center by the people such as how it was.

Despite not having attractions like any other big cities of other Southeast Asian cities, Siem Reap has a variety of interesting features that allow visitors to enjoy their vacation while they are here, important facilities such as transportation, food, markets/supermarket, and many recreational activities available here all at once and keep increasing over time.

Accommodation

Grand d'Angkor Hotel, the oldest hotel in Siem Reap.

Accommodation in the city includes the need for all the visitors of luxurious accommodation and hostel facilities and also the 'homestay'. Given that the tourism industry is booming here practically every hotels here has a relationship with leisure activities providers to help visitors make a reservation from their hotel respectively.

Transport

Among the peculiarities of this city is the transport system of its own. The flat land surface allowing the use of vehicles called “tuk-tuk” (motorcycle modified to carry more passengers comfortably). Transportation here is the same as any other cities with the domination by motorcycles on the main streets. But for the convenience of visitors, all forms of transport can be found here except train.

Food

The influx of tourists here allows various kinds of foods to be available for all people from around the world available here. It’s not only provided by the locals, but there are also restaurants runs by people from outside their own countries - perhaps they have become a permanent resident here!

Local food stalls can be found easily, while restaurants that serve customers with 'western foods' also found in most areas of the city. In fact, you might try exotic foods!

What make it easy for you to stays here is the “tuk-tuk” drivers and restaurant operators mostly can speak English well.

Activities

Visiting the silk farm, one of interesting thing to do.

Another majestic temple in Siem Reap, Cambodia.

You'll be happy if you get a chance to visit this temple.

Morning scene in front of the gate into the Bayon Temple complex.

While your main goal here is to visit Angkor Wat and the old temples around the area, Siem Reap provides a variety of other activities that you might not know. These activities includes land, water and air are all available at reasonable prices.

There are several museums that you need to visit to understand the history of ancient city of Siem Reap and Angkor Wat. While a visit to the handicraft centers mainly silk farms definitely add a bit of your knowledge. Likewise, if you are interested in deepening down the streets with cycling, a visit to the ‘water village’ or you just want to join 'cruise' around the Tonle Sap Lake. Air activities are also available if you are interested.

So if you're on vacation here only for a short period, you will not be able to do all of these activities. Make sure you come back.

A lot of things you can learn from the life of the people here. Given the condition of this city in the development stage, many things are still in a state of natural that might disappear in the nearest future.

For the purpose of transportation in Siem Reap you can contact; Mr. Salim & Mr. Nasir at; (+855) 9857 1840 “whatsapp” (+855) 7090 2910 “whatsapp” Email: threebrothers41@gmail.com; limangkor@yahoo.com; seangkor2011@hotmail.com; angkorlim@gmail.com; sekongangkor1@hotmail.com