Putra Mosque at Putrajaya

Putra Mosque next to Putra Perdana building.

There are two main buildings at Putrajaya that will be easily catches ones glimpse once they arrive there for the first time. Besides there are many others beautiful buildings these two will be the main attractions for its location. The first building is Putra Perdana and the second is Putra Mosque.

Here we are going to see more about Putra Mosque, one of the most visited buildings in Putrajaya. Even though built in contrast to Putra Perdana these two building seems to be a perfect match to be built side by side. Located in by the edge of Putrajaya Lake it can easily be seen by most part of Putrajaya.

Close up view of Putra Mosque.

The interior is simple yet elegant.

The interior of the dome.

The Putra Mosque has unique artistic architecture with pink rose tinted granite that’s totally different from most of the mosques built in Malaysia. Anyway some features make it blend in perfectly to bring in local’s architectures emerge in the first sight. This unique mosque designed resembles few other popular mosques such as King Hassan Mosque in Casablanca, Morocco.

The mosque can accommodate 15,000 worshippers at any one time. It also consists of three main functional areas the prayer hall, the Sahn, or courtyard, and various learning facilities and function rooms. The interior (prayer hall) is simple and elegant suitable for all worshiper to perform their prayer in comfort. This majestic designs supported by 12 columns with the highest point below the dome is 250 feet above the ground level.

Putra Mosque during the sunset.

One of the iconic building in Putrajaya.

The construction of the mosque completes on 1 September 1999 with cost of around RM250 millions. It is named after the first Prime Minister of Malaysia, Tunku Abdul Rahman Putra Al Haj. Putra Mosque becomes one of the mosque unique mosques in Malaysia by combining the Middle Eastern and traditional Malay design elements.

Putra Mosques become one of the most popular attractions in Putrajaya for locals and tourist. Non-Muslims also permitted to visit outside of prayer times without any admission charge. Robes are provided for visitors and they are requires to follow the rules when visiting the mosque.

Next to the mosque are Putra Square, food courts by the lakeside and the Putrajaya Lake Cruise that added visitors’ experiences when they visit this mosque. This will be the opener to any visitor to Putrajaya before they are ready to explore to any other part of this area. 

Discover Kuala Lumpur Within 24 Hours

Hop On, Hop Off bus with attractive colors.

Kuala Lumpur is the main city of Malaysia and to see all the main attractions here in the short time is almost impossible (especially when you visit it for the first time). There’s a way you can see most of Kuala Lumpur within 24 ~ 48 hours with Hop On, Hop Off bus service that will take you to most of the important locations in the city.

Although within the short period won’t allow you to make close observations for every attractions that you’ll visit with Hop On, Hop Off bus, it will allow you to prioritize your visit. At the same time you still can give a glimpse to any other attractions that you’ll pass by. This is the best way rather than walking around with your maps and dealing with local transportation system that you’re not get used to.

The most important things to do before you get into Hop On, Hop Off bus are to get enough information about the attractions that it’s going to visit and which attractions that you’re going to spend your time more than the other. You also can chose to buy a ticket that will valid for either 24 hours or 48 hours to ensure you have enough time for most of these attractions.

Bus routes across Kuala Lumpur.

Pros of Using the Hop On, Hop Off

Even though most of the attractions in Kuala Lumpur can be visited by other public transports without using the Hop On, Hop Off bus service, it will be far easier by using one transport mode to all of these locations. In comparison it will be far cheaper to visit all of the attractions in one ticket price. As traveler we all know how hard to find some locations sometimes when travelling!

Hop On, Hop Off also will guarantees you a comfortable rides all along your tour whether you want to enjoy the sky view roof top or be in the air conditioning cabin. You will really need these as in tropical climate in can be too hot or raining without warning in Kuala Lumpur. You will enjoy your tour more with other people who have the same interest from all around the world that is to discover the city.

Sky view area give you the best experience.

The comfortable air-conditioning cabin.

How To Get The Ticket?

You can get the ticket from the bus, travel agencies, major hotels or contacting the infoline at: 1800-88-5546. You can also booked your tickets online at www.myhoponhopoff.com besides getting more details information about their services.

Routes maps and stopover location.  (click to download map).

Among the locations visited.

The most important things before you get into the Hop On, Hop Off bus are your preparations of which locations that you will spend more time and get all of your equipment such as cameras ready. With the Hop On, Hop Off bus service you no longer need to worry on how to get to the locations you want to visit, instead you can focus on what you want to see when you reach it.

The Beauty of Ha Long Bay, Hanoi, Vietnam

Ha Long Bay, which receives millions of unique visitors each year.

Ha Long Bay (Vietnam: Vinh Ha Long) sometimes also called Halong Bay is one of the unique places to visit in Southeast Asia. Named as one of UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1994 receiving millions of visitors each year, visit to Ha Long Bay is one of interesting note from MyRokan in 2016.

Ha Long Bay is located about 170 km east of Hanoi and takes 3 hours drive from main city of Hanoi. Every day thousands of tourists will be taken to Halong Bay by the tour operators with buses and minivans heading to the area to see the unique topography of Halong Bay.

The beauty of Halong Bay and Hanoi City's own uniqueness increase rapid tourism industry here. The rapid pace of development can be seen in a short period compared to the previous years where Vietnam engulfed by civil war and chaos. Today, the larger highways help smoothen the traffic between the two important places full with tourist attractions.

Halong Bay has a long history and has been inhabited since thousands of years BC. The study of history shows that it is inhabited by the Soi Nhu around 18,000 to 7000 years BC, Cái Bèo 7,000-5,000 BC and Ha Long from 5,000 to 3,500 earlier. It makes such historical areas of ​​Vietnam through the discoveries of artifacts in some areas of the Bai Tho Mountain, Cave Đầu go and Bai Chay.

Rows of local artwork on the journeys to Ha Long Bay. 

Views on the Ha Long Bay pier.

The rocks that form small islands in Ha Long Bay.

Along the way to Halong from Hanoi City you can also see the activity of the people in Vietnam actively farming with varieties of crops other than rice. Factories also established indicating gained of confidence by foreign investors to invest here. Locals people in Vietnam also has a variety of businesses from construction, electrical / electronics, small industries such as pottery, stone/marble carving, silks, pearls and so on. Be sure to open your eyes all along the journey to Halong Bay.

When approaching Halong Bay, the terrain seems to change; landform that at first seemed flat now change to hills of limestone from large numbers of limestone islands that make up Halong Bay areas. There are many oyster farms open for visitors when approaching to Halong Bay. Hang oysters can be seen clearly when the water receded during the midday.

You will be taken to the main pier (and this depends on the tour company you have chosen). Roughly, if you just want to see the uniqueness of Halong Bay, it is not so important. This is because there are so many piers operating here either for group tours or even individuals. So to assist your journey, the use of tour service is much easier.

At the entrance to the Thien Cung Cave (Attsuko and his colleagues - teachers from Japan).

The scenes in Thien Cung Cave.

One mistake I did when assuming that I can get the 'AA' batteries easily for the camera here at Hanoi and Halong Bay. In Hanoi there are no convenience stores like 7-Eleven, as in the other cities I visited. But I was lucky because there seems such shop during stopover at Halong Bay pier. Apparently the battery is rarely used (probably because of all the gadgets today using the rechargeable battery; Li-ion battery).

Among the most common activities here are cruising with small vessel while enjoying lunch of seafood. You will be taken to several locations to do some other activities such as kayaking, boating ( bamboo boat ) and visit several caves in addition to enjoying unique views of the entire topography of Halong Bay areas.

Activities in Ha Long Bay.

Among the interesting experiences in Ha Long Bay.

Although well recognized, water quality in Halong Bay does not allow you to plunge in and swimming in it. Anyway it is still one of great experiences that you get. Water quality is said to be affected by the uncontrolled activities of the villagers who’s live by the areas (water villages). It is however in the process of moving in stages by the Government of Vietnam in an effort to restore the environment in Halong Bay. However, tourism activities here also may be one factor contributing to the water situation.

A visit to the cave was a first experience for me to enter a cave. I only had the opportunity to enter the Thien Cung cave from which there are some other caves here includes Đầu Go, Sung Sot, Me Cung and other caves like Kim Quy, Tam Cung, Hoang Long, Lau Dai and so on. But it was a unique experience, because the cave was prepared accordingly to facilitate the tour purposes; so you're not worrying about your safety as well as the places you visit.

Halong Bay gives a great impact to the economic development of local communities in Vietnam. In only a short period of time the development in the surrounding area continuously increases as well as the local population. It is a destination that I may visit again.

Interesting Places To Visit in SE Asia

Bayon, located in the complex of Angkor, Siem Reap, Cambodia.

SE Asia (Southeast Asia) is a region that includes some of the countries with lot of history that should be appreciated by not only the people of SE Asia alone, but by all of the world's population. Thus with the help of UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization), the most important sites have been listed so that it continues to be maintained in addition to allowing people to visit it.

Although most of the remains only part of the history, its keep lots of the characteristics of our own uniqueness that lived in the same region. To some extent it reminds our linkages to neighboring countries. Many of us who have near or distance ancestor relationship, while there are many things we do (like food, clothing and speech have in common). Thus, these areas become important and we should focus on, as we are the people who live in SE Asia.

To date, UNESCO listed around 37 areas in 9 countries as a "World Heritage Sites", though more areas listed in the years to come. Through this listing, it is even easier for the visitors to see for themselves the uniqueness of the region. While local residents also benefit from the visits of foreign visitors.

Here is a list of “Heritage Sites” areas by country:

Angkor Wat, Siem Reap, Cambodia.

2 The World Heritage Sites in Cambodia:

• Angkor complex, Seam Reap.
• Temple of Preah Vihear, Preah Vihear.

Temple complex in Central Java, Indonesia.

8 The World Heritage Sites in Indonesia:

• Borobudur, Central Java.
• Komodo National Park, East Nusa Tenggara.
• Prambanan, Central Java.
• National Park Ujung Kulon, Banten and Lampung.
• Sangiran Early Settlement Area, Central Java.
• Lorentz National Park, Papua.
• Taman Negara Rainforest in Sumatra (3 locations), Sumatra.
• Cultural Landscape of Bali (2 locations), Bali

Luang Prabang, Laos.

2 The World Heritage Sites in Laos:

• Luang Prabang Urban Area,
• Remains of Vat Phou, Champasak

Kinabalu National Park, Malaysia.

4 The World Heritage Sites in Malaysia:

• Mulu National Park, Sarawak
• Kinabalu National Park, Sabah
• Town, Melaka and Georgetown
• Aerkeologi site, Lenggong Valley

Ancient City Pyu, Myanmar.

1 Area World Heritage Sites , in Myanmar:

• Ancient Pyu city, Mandalay

The old church, Church of San Agustín, Paoay, Philippines.

6 The World Heritage Sites in the Philippines:

• Baroque Churches of the Philippines (4 locations)
• Tubbataha reef area, Palawan
• Rice Hill area, Cordilleras.
• Historic Town of Vigan, Ilocos Sur.
• National Park, Puerto-Princesa Subterranean River, Palawan.
• Hamiguitan Mountain Wildlife Area, Davao Oriental.

Singapore Botanical Garden.

1 The World Heritage Sites in Singapore:

• Singapore Botanic Gardens

Complex of the Old Kingdom of Sukhothai, Thailand.

5 Areas World Heritage Sites, in Thailand:

• Historic City of Ayutthaya.
• Historic Town of Sukhothai.
• Wildlife Area, Thungyai-Huai Kha Khaeng, Uthai Thani.
• Archaeological Site Ban Chiang, Udon Thani.
• Forestry complex Phayayen Dong-Khao Yai, Saraburi, Nakhon Ratchasima, Nakhon Nayok, Prachinburi, Rayong and Buriram.

Old Government Complex in Hué, Vietnam.

8 The World Heritage Sites in Vietnam:

• Monument Complex of Hué, Thua Thien-Hue.
• Ha Long Bay, Quang Ninh.
• Hoi An, Quang Nam.
• My Son Sanctuary, Quang Nam.
• National Park Phong Nha-Ke Bang, Quang Binh.
• Imperial Citadel of Thang Long, Hanoi.
• Citadel of the Ho Dynasty, Thanh Hóa.
• Complex View Trang An, Ninh Binh.

Maybe you do not get a chance to visit all of them. However, our visit to these places listed above to some extent gives us many lessons about the history around SE Asia. Undoubtedly every country and region has its own uniqueness, the uniqueness that allows us to better understand one another.

For the locals in the listed country in return, do your best for preserving these important areas. Give all cooperation to the visitors who come to see the uniqueness your area. Your help is an effort that is needed; in addition it also may help your own economic status.