"Paper wasp" using pieces of wood to form paper to build their nest.
Paper is one of the important inventions that make
the development of human knowledge growing even faster. Although the paper used
for various purposes, the main usage of paper such as for writing, recording
and storing information are the most important usage of paper. Although paper is
used by humans but it also had been used by nature (by insects) since millions of years ago.
Insects known as paper wasps or also known as “angkut-angkut”
(in Malay) are the real designer of paper. This insect can be found almost all
over the world with the number of species up to more than 1,100 species in
total. But all these insects build their nests using paper produced using fiber
from trees or plants which are then mixed with saliva to form a nest.
Cai Lun, who invented paper making methods.
The uniqueness of this insect was observed by
an official Chinese government called Cai Lun (Traditional Chinese : 蔡倫). Cai Lun said to be inspired by his observation of the insects’ paper
wasp that build their nests from wood fiber use in about 105 AD. Although the
paper production process continues to be improved but retained the original
process by collecting a layer of plant fibers suspended in water using a
strainer to separate the water before it is dried. It is through this
discovery, he was known as one of the key figures with various awards.
Book before paper was invented.
Wasp, collecting wood fibers.
Traditional production process of paper.
Paper production technique is expanding to
other regions of China to the Middle East and to some parts of Europe. Paper
development in the West is through Baghdad and it is known as “bagdatikos”. Since paper is an important
material, paper-related industries continue to be developed either in terms of
the materials used, as well as its own production process. Even paper recycling
technologies are being introduced since 1774 by a jury from German, Justus
Claproth.
While paper commonly used to keep a record or
to print, it is also used for a variety of other usage such as packaging,
boxes, building walls, as handicrafts, food containers, paper and more.
Wasp nest which is guarded by small group of wasp.
One of the "paper wasp" from thousands of species.
However, reducing paper consumption can safe lots
of trees and other plants as a source of fiber (cellulose) where demand for paper continues to grow each year.
Today with the advancement of digital technology, the demand for paper had been
decreased, but still necessary. In terms of the paper pollution anyway, it's
not as bad as the impact of plastic pollution, but if not controlled, it can
also lead to negative impacts.
Anyway paper is one of the results that we get from
the observations made on nature. For insects "paper wasp" paper has
been used by them for millions of years for the purpose of building their nest.
Hopefully, we will always be more sensitive to see how to utilize natural
resources available in nature itself, but at the same time not damaging it.
The main entrance of the Malay World Ethnological Museum.
Another museum that is quite interesting for
the fans of the cultural history and traditions of the Malay world. This is
because the museum is not only dedicated to the Malays in Malaysia alone but
also all other Malays communities that covers wider area.
Situated near the building of the National
Museum, the Malay World Ethnological Museum is smaller and the front wooden structure
built to resemble a traditional Malay house. What interesting here is, this
museum also includes exhibits from around other region including Malaysia,
Indonesia, Thailand, Philippines, Cambodia, Vietnam, South Africa, Madagascar
and also of Malay Polenesia. This will open up your knowledge of the Malay
world as a whole.
Among the collections exhibited in the museum includes
textile goods, weapons, sculptures, metal tools and technology, jewelries,
musical instruments and so on. Do not forget also Malays recreation activities
such as traditional kite (wau), shadow
puppets (wayang kulit) (which include
several countries of Malaysia, Indonesia and Thailand), the spinning top and
many others. Through this exposure, it is quite easy for us to understand the connection
between us which is actually inside a huge group of ethnic.
Most of the exhibits here will raise many
questions about the real world of Malay people. Perhaps some will be answered and
the rest you should work on for the answer. It is like bringing together pieces
of the puzzle that is quite interesting to note. But after you figure it out,
let it be known by us that we all come from the same family.
"Keris" from many different parts of Malay world.
Kitchen utensils used by the Malays.
Water transport and naval technology.
Wood carvings.
Ticket Malay World
Ethnological Museum
Visitor Type
Nationality: RM 2.00
Elderly and Persons with Disabilities (PWD): RM
1.00
Children aged 12 and under (citizen): Free
Secondary School students dressed in uniforms
(citizen): Free
High School Students not dressed in uniform
(citizen): RM 2.00
Member of International Council of Museums
(ICOM): Free
Non-Citizens: RM 5.00
Children (6 to 12 years) (non-citizens): RM
2.00
Children younger than 6 years (non-citizens):
Free
Opening Hours
Open daily from 9.00am - 6.00pm.
* Close the Hari Raya Aidilfitri and Hari Raya
Haji.
Transport
By Bus or Taxi and Commuter / Putra LRT off at
KL Sentral station, walk 0.5 km to the National Museum, MRT also available when
it starts in service soon.
Front entrance of the Islamic Arts Museum, Kuala Lumpur.
Islamic Arts Museum is located near the
National Mosque, Kuala Lumpur and is part of the attraction of a variety of
attractions available surrounding the area of Taman Tasik Perdana. It’s opened
since 12 December 1998 and is the largest museum of Islamic Art in Southeast
Asia with a total of more than 7,000 artifacts that come from various corners
of the world.
The museum is divided into 12 main galleries
are classified according to the type of artifacts displayed through located at different
levels; the level-3 and level-4. At Level 3, it houses collection of Al-Quran
and manuscript, Construction & Engineering (Islamic architecture), Indian
Gallery, Chinese Gallery, the Malay World Gallery of Ancient and also reconstructed
room of Ottoman Syria, while at level-4 also featuring collection of textile
items, weapons and armors, ceramics and glasses equipment from the Islamic World.
Among the highlights is this dome.
Engineering construction (architecture).
Museum's gift shop.
The museum has been widely recognized from
various parties. Among them are as follows:
2014 - Platinum Award-Tourist Attraction
(Culture, Arts and Heritage) Category - awarded by Kuala Lumpur Mayor's Tourism
Award.
2014 - Top 10 Travelers' Choice Museums
(10th in Asia) - awarded by TripAdvisor.
2015 - Top 10 Travelers' Choice Museums
(10th in Asia) - awarded by TripAdvisor.
Ticket Museum of
Islamic Art
Visitor Type
Adults: RM 14.00
Students (with student card): RM 7.00
Elderly (Malaysians above 55 years and over):
RM 7.00
Children (6 and under): Free
Ticket prices will be charged at RM 12 and RM 6
when special gallery is not open.
Opening Hours
Open daily from 10.00 am - 6.00 pm.
Transportation
You can take any transportation to go to Masjid
Negara including, bus, taxi and train.
Cactus has important functions and is a unique plant.
For those of us who live in the tropics cactus
may seem unusual because it grows in dry areas. Although some can be grown
here, but the cacti are group of plants that so large just as other plants
group.
Cactus plants are collection of plants in the
family Cactaceae, the group consists
of 127 genera and consists of approximately 1,750 species identified. It has varieties
in sizes and shapes with a relatively wide distribution, but usually in a dry
lying area (with low rainfall levels). However, some families of cactus is very
unique and a plant that supplies tasty fruit to be eaten.
Stunning cactus image.
Beautiful flower from Ariocarpus kotschoubeyanus.
Cactus is an important source of food in the desert.
Just like any other plants cactus conducting photosynthesis
to produce its own food. The different is most cacti equipped with spikes
coming out of the trunk through the points known as "areola". The thorns on cactus also vary according to the type
(and it is one of the important features to recognize a species of cactus).
Although cacti spines provide protection to the
cactus it also has many other purposes. One is to reduce the sunlight directly hit
on the stem. Spines also offer little protection from the hot sun. Even for
species of cactus "cholla",
spines help to spread the seeds that will be attached to the animal and will fall
in a new place that might be appropriate for it to grow on more fertile land.
However cacti are also an important plant to
animals and humans. For examples animals such as desert tortoises, cactus is a source
of food that can provide energy and water, while other animals are also made of
cacti as place to build nest and home. At the same time, human take benefit of
cacti as a source of water when necessary. While some species of cacti produce
edible fruit. Among the most famous cactus fruit is "dragon fruit". Even for "dragon fruit", the entire part of the plant can be used to provide
food source for humans.
Cholla cactus has spines that easily attaches.
Flowers from saguaro cactus (Carnegiea gigantea)
Among cacti used as decoration.
Few other species of cacti used as decoration.
Among the interesting things about the cactus
is; the largest cactus is from the species of Pachycereus pringlei, ever recorded reached a height of 19.2 m (63
ft), while the smallest species are Blossfeldia liliputiana, with the diameter
size of only 1 cm (0.4 in) when mature. While such a large species of cactus
"saguaro" (Carnegiea gigantea) is said to be able
to absorb water up to 200 US gallons (760 liters) during the rainy season.
Recognizing the uniqueness of these cacti, many
cactus centers been opened to get people attention and educate the important of
cacti. It also featured as an ornamental plant, many more potential cacti
raised here. Naturally cactus is a plant that is still less explored for its
further potentials. Then recognizing these unique plants and learning more
about it are very important.
Dragon fruit farm in Vietnam.
Dragon fruit look delicious.
Cactus fruit, known as "Indian Fig" sale at the market.
National Science Centre, Bukit Kiara in Kuala Lumpur.
National Science Center is another important
location for sightseeing in Kuala Lumpur for educational tour. It is built on
hilly terrain with a land area about 8 hectares located in Bukit Kiara.
National Science Centre was officially opened by former Prime Minister of
Malaysia, Tun Dr. Mahathir bin Mohamad on 29 November, 1996.
National Science Center (NSC) has more futuristic
architecture than any museums or other exhibition centers in Kuala Lumpur. In
addition it has nine galleries featuring various themes related sciences in order
to help crating public interest to science.
It is an important venue for students because
it is equipped not only with its unique exhibits, but also Taman Pendidikan
Sains (Science Educational Park) which houses numbers of animals such as deer,
rabbits, chickens, ostriches and others. There is also an aquarium to expose
visitors to aquatic life.
The entrance to the National Science Centre.
Among the exhibitions.
Aquarium here different than in Aquaria, KLCC.
Ticket National Science
Center
Individual Entry
Adults 18 years and over: RM 6
Children under 12 years: RM 3
Group packages
Groups of Primary School teachers: RM 2
High School Student groups including teachers:
RM 3
Adult groups (minimum 10 people): RM 5
Opening hours
It is open daily from 9: 00 - 5: 00.
Layout map of National Science Center, Kuala Lumpur.
The center is temporarily closed for renovation.
For further information, please contact the
National Science Centre via tel. + 603-2089 3400
