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.

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.

Forest in The City, KL Eco Park

KL Eco Park, a unique park in the heart of Kuala Lumpur.

KL Eco Park is not a new location, it was previously known as Bukit Nanas Forest Reserve which is located in the heart of Kuala Lumpur. It is an area designated as a forest reserve since 1906 again. The location is next to KL Tower, add the uniqueness of both these important locations and facilitate the visit of visitors.

KL Eco Park has its own attraction for travelers by providing special routes like Route Merbau Trail (360m), Jelutong Trail (300m) and Canopy Walk (200m) with a height of 21 meters above the trees. It is an attraction that helps the visitors to get to know more about the tropical forest.

Gate at KL Eco Park. 

Formerly known as Bukit Nanas Forest Reserve.

One of the trails at KL Eco Park.

Altogether there are about 233 species of trees and 12 species of animals that makes KL Eco Park as their habitat, whereas the species of animals not including some species of birds that not normally seen through the park at certain times.

Although the entrance fee to the park is FREE proposals to charge the visitors in the future has been announced. The fee is to help the maintenance work done more frequently to ensure that the park facilities are in good condition. The proposed ticket prices are RM12 for adults and RM4 for children, while tickets for tourists are RM40 for adults and RM18 for children.

The Canopy Walk.

The bridge of Canopy Walk.

Against the backdrop of the City of Kuala Lumpur.

The path to the Canopy Walk.

If you would like to see more uniqueness of KL Eco Park you can visit this park while it's still free. The admission fee is not too high if it can maintain good facilities with effective management.

Visiting hours are between 7:00 am until 6:00 pm each day.

For more information, you may contact:

Forestry Department of Peninsular Malaysia Headquarters,

Jalan Sultan Salahuddin, 50660 Kuala Lumpur.

Phone No: + 603-2070 6342

Fax No: 603-2692 5657

Hotline: 1-800-88-5776

Email: webmaster@forestry.gov.my

website: www.forestry.gov.my