Monday, June 28, 2010

Yo, check out the fishes up there! Click on the 'pond' to feed them with food! The fishes will also follow your cursor! Haha, have fun!

Sultan Abu Bakar Royal Museum

A Day's Reflection:

History? That was what taunted me on the on the ride to the Sultan Abu Bakar Royal Museum. What more can a boy like me accomplish from a ride to a boring old museum? My first impression of it was a drab boring area—but I was dead wrong. Never, ever judge a book by its cover! Yes, a museum is a place of heritage but it was the setting of it that drew my attention to it.

As I stepped into the long, vibrant hallway, I was already amused by the artifacts painstakingly collected over the years to produce this trail of rich culture as well as history that formed up against me. As I travelled along the trail, a sense of grandeur engulfed me as I marveled at all of the priceless artifacts placed before me. They seemed to be placed at just the right location--at home. Walking out of the museum and with all the newly acquired information buzzing around my head, this trail through Malaysian history has given me a Malaysian insight into my history, after all, I am half Malaysian!

Royal Abu Bakar Museum, Johor

Some Brief history and culture about the Museum:


The Royal Abu Bakar Museum, Johor is one of the major and popular attractions of the city. It is the best place to get information about Sultan Abu Bakar and his family. Known as the Grand Palace and Royal Sultan Abu Bakar Museum, the museum is actually located on the northern wings of the Grand Palace, or Istana Besar, of the sultan. The palace was built in the year 1866 and is a grand example of Anglo-Malay architecture.

It is in the Renaissance style and was built by local workmen under the supervision of an European architect. Much of the original furniture was ordered in England by His Majesty Sultan Abu Bakar in 1866 and he personally directed the laying out of the Palace gardens. The building has been enlarged and renovated several times. In 1912 the east wing was pulled down and the present Banquet Hall was erected in its place.

His Majesty, Sultan Iskandar converted the palace into the museum, which was opened to the public on May 11th, 1991. The museum has an extensive display of rare artifacts and treasures collected by and belonging to the Royal family.

One can see the furniture that was used by the sultan and his family. The Royal Sultan Abu Bakar Museum has an extensive collection of works of art owned by the Royal family. There is a huge picture gallery, which has pictures and portraits of past as well as present kings and their queens. One can also check out the huge collection of the king's personal records and memorabilia. One can also find medals, decorations and royal documents displayed in the museum's picture gallery.

You can take a look at the 'Throne Room' where a large number of banquets, ceremonies, festivals and royal parties were held. Take a look at the huge collection of crystal ware, silverware, gold and silver ornaments and beautiful vases in the other rooms of the Royal Abu Bakar Museum, Johor. Check out the traditional Malaysian weapons, State Regalia, coin collection and silver trophies in this museum.

  • Some Quick facts about the museum:

    Ø The museum is located in the former residence of Sultan Abu Bakar which was built in 1866.

    Ø The museum was officially opened to the public on 11th May 1990.

    Ø The first chairman of the museum was Tunkul Zubadah

    Ø Gambier Leaves and Pepper seeds are Royal Symbols in the state of Johor.

The museum displays many artifacts which is important in:

  • Throne Room (coronation of next crown prince or for important functions)
  • State Regalia (different status symbols of wealth and power showcased there and important functions carried out e.g. sultan’s birthday.)

The museum has dedicated galleries focused on:

  • Trophies (To showcase power and stature in the society)
  • Hunting Rooms (To show-off and present his majesties’ wonderful achievements.)
  • Royal Household (To give and present to the public a taste and an insight to royal life.)

Sunday, June 27, 2010

Reflection - Pasir Gudang Kite Museum

At first, I only knew that kites are just a toy that flies high in the sky. I never knew that kites could be found in a museum, until the 2nd of June, I visited the Pasir Gudang Kite Museum for the first time. There were all sorts of kites, and all of them has malay culture behind its making. I had learnt that all 'Wau' have significant head, body and tail characteristics. I was so mesmerized by the handcrafted art which made the kites special and extremely beautiful, which is handed over by generations and generations. I thought of that for a while. So much delication and patience was required to make a beautiful Wau. There are even kite festivals annually. The Wau is not just an entertainment, but also a tradition of the malaysian culture.

Saturday, June 26, 2010

Pasir Gudang Kite Museum

Pasir Gudang Kite Museum or Muzium Layang Layang Pasir Gudang is the first of its kind in Malaysia. Once a windmill, it was renovated into a museum and gallery to be built as an appreciation towards the contribution of Malaysian and international kite flyers, the museum opened its door for the first time in Febuary 2002 during the 7th Pasir Gudang kite festival.

The museum housed a collection of more than 200 various types of traditional Wau, modern Wau and kites from all over the world. The kites which once roam the skies of Bukit Layang-Layang as well as hundreds of the traditional kite heritage of Malaysia is known as 'Wau'. It also houses a collection of vases.

In Malaysia, another definition for ''Layang-Layang'' is ''Wau''. Much was said about the origins of the word 'Wau', what most reliable is that it is derived from a thai vocabulary which means kites. ''Wau'' , enthusiasts however suggest that the word ''Wau'' originated from the sound derived from the ''hammer'' of the kite when in flight, forming the sound of ''wau, wau, wau'' in a rythmic pattern.

-There are three types of Wau, namely Wau Bulan, Wau Kucing and Wau Jalabudi
-The main features of the ''Wau'' are mainly characterised by its head, wings and tail sections

Wau Bulan
- Got its name from the crescent moon-like shape of its lower part
- Bigger than any other malaysian traditional kite
- 2.5 meters in width, 3.5 meters in height
- Usually decorated with large, strong colours
- Flown by men in the Malaysia state of Kelantan
- One of Malaysia's national symbols
- Featured on the reverse side of Malaysia's fifty-cent coin
- Logo of the Malaysia airlines is based on this kite

Wau Kucing
- Its design resembles a cat and is most apparent when seen from the back
- Has a 'hummer' attached to its top, which realeases a high pitched screeching noise similar to the sound made by cats
- The 'hummer' is used to frighten away evil spirits
- The 'hummer' is also used to forcast the weather
- Decorated with floral and plant motifs

Wau Jalabudi
- Its name is derived from a leaf found in Kedah called the 'budi' leaf
- Tail is similar to the 'budi' leaf
- The word 'jala' refers to the structure of the tail of Wau Jalabudi
- The basic shape and design is inspired by the outline of a women's body
- Produces a medium buzzing sound from a 'hummer' attached to its top when flown
- Similar in appearance to the 'Chula kite' originated from Thailand

Tuesday, June 22, 2010

Reflection - Palm Oil Plantation

After visiting the palm oil plantation and processing plant, I have learnt that simple items like cooking oil must go through a long and tedious process before becoming what it is in the supermarket. The raw materials must be grown in apt conditions, harvested in its prime, processed meticulously and packet properly. All these require machinery and heavy manual labour. Also, land distribution and planning is imperative for the process to go smoothly. There must be a large area of land designated for such agricultural use. Factories, which process and sell their products, must also be near the plantation itself and towns or stores. Effective transport routes and vehicles are also required.

Palm Oil Plantation

Palm Oil Plantation
Industry: primary
Agriculture type: plantation agriculture
Purpose
->Commercial farming
· Raw materials for secondary industries

-Input
1) Land
· Large plots of land along travel routes of johor
· Located near carefully set-up processing factories
2) Capital
· Funds for pesticides
· Funds for labour (manual for harvesting)
· Funds for processing (heavily automated/mechanized)
· Funds for transporting goods to the processor
3) Labour
· Mostly manual with help of simple machinery
· Vehicles used for transport

4) Output
· One variety of crop
· Palm seeds->palm oil etc

Characteristics
->Plantation area
· Near a processing plant
· Has smaller transport routes converging into one larger transport route
· Has trees of about the same height (2m+)
· Home to weevils and barn owls (predominant creatures)
· In a secluded spot, away from the main city
· Near worker’s residential area
· Decent draining systems
· Little use of machinery/ mostly manual labour
· Skilled workers (are able to farm palm fruit bunches efficiently)
· Produces Fruit bunches consisting close to 1000 fruit (1 palm seed)
· On relatively flat land
->Processing area
· Use of machines
· Heavy lifting equipment
· Located near the plantation
· Rest area for workers
· Tools for mass production
· Highly mechanized but manual labour is still required
· Produces large quantities of by-products
· Two way transport routes
· Decent drainage systems
· Located in-between plantations