Showing posts with label Malaysia. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Malaysia. Show all posts
Friday, March 19, 2010
Tuesday, March 9, 2010
Sipadan & Mabul
Two weeks after our live aboard in Thailand we’re back in the water at Sipadan & Mabul. Sipadan attracts divers from around the world with its large schools of barracuda and turtles to the rare chance to see a whale shark. While we didn’t see any whale sharks, we did get to swim with thousands of barracudas as they circled into a tornado above us. We had seen large schools of fish before, but none as massive as the ones in Sipadan.
Sipadan is a turtle breeding sanctuary so naturally there were turtles galore. The most we saw on a single dive was perhaps 10 whereas other divers had seen 40 to 50. Additionally there were numerous white tip reef sharks lounging in the sand waiting for their pictures to be taken.
We only spent one day in Sipadan searching for large pelagic animals and the other days scouring the reefs for little odd creatures. We found numerous nudibranchs, leaf scorpionfish, ornate ghost pipe fish, and many frog fish (the orange fish below). We saw 7 different frog fish on a single dive.
Although we saw several cool creatures, none top the pygmy seahorse. It’s like a “Where’s Waldo” puzzle underwater as we searched a massive sea fan for a creature smaller than our finger nail. It’s amazing how well they have adapted their camouflage to match the fan.
Mandarin fish were one of those creatures we’ve seen in fish stores, but hadn’t found in the ocean until this trip and we didn’t just find one but 8 in a single fan. There are amazing to watch as they swim into and out of the corals not really minding our presence.
It will be hard to top this part of Malaysia, but our next stop in the Philippines should offer just as unique creatures as we found here in Mabul.Friday, March 5, 2010
Meow, boy…
We’re back in Malaysia for a few days to explore the jungles of Borneo from our base in Kuching, which literally means “cat city.” Before we made our way to Bako National Park we decided to stroll around the city to see the large cat statues placed throughout the city. Jason made his best cat imitation, which still needs a bit of work.
The weekend market was going on and although we’ve been to several markets we decided to see what interesting things we might find. After strolling past the fish market where stingrays, baby sharks, and all sorts of fish were on display we found the chicken section with head and feet attached. Right next to the food section was the pet area, which seems to blur at times. Regardless, they had two large turtles about 2ft in length chilling in a small baby pool, not sure what you would do with a large turtle as a pet, maybe they classify as food?
The next day we decided to spend the night in Bako National Park. It was a pleasant journey by boat as we traveled to the more remote sections of Sarawak (Malaysian state in Borneo). We found all sorts of creatures ranging from pit vipers, Proboscis monkeys, and some odd looking spiders. We also found some carnivorous Pitcher plants.
On our way back from our last walk we ran into a pack of Macaque monkeys. Our initial thoughts went to the warning sign at the trail head: “Naughty Monkeys Around. Watch Out;” but without another way back we made our way through them. They were interesting to watch as they moved out of our way always keeping a watchful eye on us. One even decided to try and groom Jason’s leg.
There are so many wonderful creatures in Borneo and that we could easily spent more time exploring all of the national parks. Timing is important as we were two weeks off from potentially seeing the Rafflesia or “corpse flower” bloom. Meow that nick name may sound unappealing but it is the second-largest flower in the world, over a meter in diameter. It will have to be next time because we’re off to Sipadan/Mabul for some more scuba diving!
Sunday, January 17, 2010
Monday, January 11, 2010
Kuala Lumpur
On our way to Vietnam we decided to stopover in Kuala Lumpur to visit the world famous Petronas Towers as well as a few other sites. But before we made our way to the towers we had to check out the first annual Malaysia Chocolate Fair. It was a small fair of a few dozen exhibitors, but we found some interesting selections including durian and strawberry covered in chocolate. Afterwards we found some exotic fruit stands and tried some sweet mangosteem and rambutan.
By recommendation from a friend we day tripped to visit the synchronized fireflies of Kuala Selangor. Before the firefly park we made a stop at Bukit Melawati, also known as Monkey Hill, to feed the Silver-Leafed Monkeys and Long-Tailed Macaques. Though we felt these guys seemed more like the Wizard of Oz monkeys in manners and appearance, minus the wings and spiffy vest. After demanding their sweet rolls and veggie sticks from the tourist they scattered off into their respectable groups to sleep it off. The sun began to set and it was our turn for dinner before the firefly show. Just after dusk we make our way down the dock to see thousands of twinkling lights flash in the mangroves along the river. It looks like Christmas as the trees blink in unison. Nobody is quite sure why this rare activity happens but some believe it’s related to diet, social interaction, and altitude.
Next day we head up to Batu Caves, where the Hindu deity of war is worshipped and the bizarre festival of Thaipusam occurs. As an act of devotion to god, worshipers are to carry some kind of burden and many will pierce their skin, tongue, and backs in order to carry the weight. Supposedly the more pain one endures the greater merit he will earn with the Gods. While no mutilation was going on while we were there, we noticed some Hindus had shaved their hair off and painted it will a yellow paste.
For our last day in Malaysia it’s off to the country’s most symbolic building that has appeared in several feature films. No longer the tallest buildings in the world after 2004, they are however, the tallest twin buildings at a staggering 1,482.6 ft and 88 floors. While we didn’t get to ride up all 88 floors we did make it the 41st for a walk on the skybridge. Later, we walked around the park below and watched the stainless steel ribbons light up in the night.
By recommendation from a friend we day tripped to visit the synchronized fireflies of Kuala Selangor. Before the firefly park we made a stop at Bukit Melawati, also known as Monkey Hill, to feed the Silver-Leafed Monkeys and Long-Tailed Macaques. Though we felt these guys seemed more like the Wizard of Oz monkeys in manners and appearance, minus the wings and spiffy vest. After demanding their sweet rolls and veggie sticks from the tourist they scattered off into their respectable groups to sleep it off. The sun began to set and it was our turn for dinner before the firefly show. Just after dusk we make our way down the dock to see thousands of twinkling lights flash in the mangroves along the river. It looks like Christmas as the trees blink in unison. Nobody is quite sure why this rare activity happens but some believe it’s related to diet, social interaction, and altitude.
Next day we head up to Batu Caves, where the Hindu deity of war is worshipped and the bizarre festival of Thaipusam occurs. As an act of devotion to god, worshipers are to carry some kind of burden and many will pierce their skin, tongue, and backs in order to carry the weight. Supposedly the more pain one endures the greater merit he will earn with the Gods. While no mutilation was going on while we were there, we noticed some Hindus had shaved their hair off and painted it will a yellow paste.
For our last day in Malaysia it’s off to the country’s most symbolic building that has appeared in several feature films. No longer the tallest buildings in the world after 2004, they are however, the tallest twin buildings at a staggering 1,482.6 ft and 88 floors. While we didn’t get to ride up all 88 floors we did make it the 41st for a walk on the skybridge. Later, we walked around the park below and watched the stainless steel ribbons light up in the night.
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