Eye on Malaysia

Sepang F1

2007-04-08T00:48:00.000-07:00

What a great weekend was! Sepang just host another F1 with Alonso come back to winning routine, followed by his teammate, Lewis Hamilton, both from McLaren-Mercedes. Kimi Räikkönen from Ferrari comes third, not a good result for Ferrari since they dominated the qualifying.

Abit info about Sepang Circuit:
Widely regarded as a benchmark for other Grand Prix venues, the Sepang circuit boasts superb pit garage and media facilities, as well as impressive grandstands and patron amenities. Some complaints have been raised regarding the unevenness of the surface, as the track appears to be slowly sinking. This is possibly due to the fact that Sepang was built on the site of a former swamp.

The circuit was designed by renowned German designer Hermann Tilke, who would subsequently design the impressive new facilities in Shanghai, Bahrain and Turkey.

The main circuit, normally raced in a clockwise direction, is 5.54 kilometres long, and is noted for its sweeping corners and wide straights. The layout is quite unusual, with a very long back straight separated from the pit straight by just one very tight hairpin.

Gong Xi Fa Chai!!!

2007-02-26T21:40:00.000-08:00

Its Chinese New Year everyone!!! A time for family reunions, the lion dance, firecrackers, mahjong, mandarin oranges and giving/collecting ang pow, the Lunar New Year - or Chinese New Year (CNY), as it is more commonly known in Malaysia - highlights some of the most fascinating aspects of Chinese tradition and rituals.

Its origin can be traced back thousands of years, to the legend which tells of a fearsome mythological creature known as Nian that is said to have once terrorised China, devouring people on the eve of CNY. To ward off the beast, red-paper couplets were pasted on doors, firecrackers were set off throughout the night, and huge fires were lit.

Today, the prevalence of the colour red, and firecrackers, form part of the CNY celebrations throughout the world, as a part of custom and tradition.

The festival, which once also marked the beginning of spring in China, begins on the first day of the lunar calendar year, the first day of the new moon, and ends on the 15th day, known as Chap Goh Meh, the last day of the full moon.

This is Malaysia, with so much color in it :)

Le Tour de Langkawi 2007

2007-02-13T12:31:00.000-08:00

Le Tour de Langkawi (French for "Tour of Langkawi") is an annual cycling race which is held in Malaysia. The name of the event comes from the starting point of the first few editions, in Langkawi, Kedah, although some later editions did not include Langkawi in the race at all. The race is part of the UCI Asia Tour.

This year winner goes to Anthony Charteau from team Crédit Agricole. Congrats!!!

Floral Parade

2007-01-29T17:13:00.000-08:00

In conjunction with Visit Malaysia Year 2007, the Malaysia Floral Fest is back with the biggest and most colorful display of flora in Malaysia. For a whole week in January, Putrajaya and Kuala Lumpur transformed into venues brimming with bright, colorful and fragrant blooms.

Stories and more pics can be found at arshadabdullah.com

Eye on Malaysia

2007-01-13T09:24:00.000-08:00

The Eye on Malaysia is the tallest portable observation wheel in South-East Asia. The 60-metre structure is located at Titiwangsa Lake Gardens, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

The ferris wheel comprising of 42 gondolas (including 1 VIP one) is similar to the London Eye and has been unveiled in conjunction of Visit Malaysia Year 2007 on January 6, 2007 by Malaysian Prime Minister, Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi.

This giant ferris wheel allows visitors to experience a 360-degree panoramic view of Kuala Lumpur during a 12-minute ride that goes 60 metres high. It offers a magnificent view of Kuala Lumpur and over 20 kilometres of its surroundings including KL Tower, Istana Budaya and Petronas Twin Towers.

Experience a breathtaking 360 degree panorama over 20 kilometres of Kuala Lumpur. It will be an unforgettable ride of up to 30 minutes to a height of 60 metres. More pics can be found at LensaMalaysa.

Redang Island, Terengganu

2007-01-02T10:58:00.000-08:00

Redang is located 45 km off the coast of Kuala Terengganu is the largest of the group of islands dotting the South China Sea off the Terengganu coast. The island offers crystal clear waters and numerous dive sites for the enthusiast. Sheltered within the Redang Island Marine Park, the waters here abound with marine life.

Redang Archipelago exists of 9 islands that abound with marvelous marine fishes, turtles and coral reefs that ensure great snorkeling and scuba-diving. The boat trip starts from the fishing village of Merang. This is a fishing village North of Kuala Terengganu.

The best time to visit Redang is between April and October. Take note that most resorts are closed during the Northeast Monsoon, which blows from November to March.

Redang island is perfect for snorkeling, swimming, scuba diving, jungle trekking, boating and canoeing. This paradise-like island offers crystal clear water, pearly white shores, a colorful array of spectacular marine life, a breathtaking sunset and what could be the world's most mature coral gardens. This is your chance to see and be acquainted with the local eel, giant grouper, black tipped shark, etc. Chance encounter with the Green turtle and Hawksbill turtle is common. There are corals of every imaginable shape, size or color. The observant are rewarded with sights of flatworm, nudibranch, shrimp, squid, cuttlefish, stonefish, lionfish and pipefish.

What are we waiting for? Lets head to Redang Island now!!!
Redang Island
Laguna Redang
Malaysia Outdoor
Coral Redang

Petronas Twin Tower

2006-12-30T14:39:00.000-08:00

The Petronas Twin Towers (also known as the Petronas Towers), in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, were once the world's tallest buildings when measured from the level of the main entrance to the structural or architectural top.

The Petronas Twin Towers are the tallest twin towers in the world, and they lay claim to being the world's tallest high rise of the 20th century.

These towers, which were designed by Argentinian architect a César Pelli, were completed in 1998 and became the tallest buildings in the world on the date of completion. The 88-floor towers are constructed largely of reinforced concrete, with a steel and glass facade designed to resemble motifs found in Islamic art, a reflection of Malaysia's Muslim religion. They were built on the site of Kuala Lumpur's race track. Because of the depth of the bedrock, the buildings were built on the world's deepest foundations. The 120-meter foundations were built by Bachy Soletanche, and required massive amounts of concrete.

In an unusual move, a different construction company was hired for each of the towers, and they were made to compete against each other. Eventually the builders of Tower 2, Samsung Constructions (the Construction Division of Samsung Corporation), Kukdong Engineering & Construction (both of South Korea), won the race, despite starting a month behind Tower 1, built by Hazama Corporation.

Due to a lack of steel and the huge cost of importing steel, the towers were constructed on a cheaper radical design of super high strength reinforced concrete. High-strength concrete is a material familiar to Asian contractors and twice as effective as steel in sway reduction; however, it makes the building twice as heavy on its foundation than a comparable steel building. Supported by 23-by-23-metre concrete cores and an outer ring of widely-spaced super columns, the towers use a sophisticated structural system that accommodates its slender profile and provides from 1300 to 2000 square metres of column-free office space per floor.

Petronas, Malaysia's national oil company, set out to build the world's tallest building. Although other buildings such as the Sears Tower have higher occupied floors, a higher pinnacle, and a higher roof, the Petronas Twin Towers' spires are classified as architectural details and rise to 452 m (1483 feet), giving it the greatest structural height until Taipei 101. Taking advantage of the quirks of the rules governing building measurements (counting spires but not antennas) has generated controversy over the towers' claim to the title.

Check the official Petronas Twin Tower website here. and the Suria KLCC beneath it here.

Come visit Malaysia!!!

2006-12-25T20:28:00.000-08:00

Those who know Malaysia, love Malaysia - why? Experience Malaysia’s sights and sounds for yourself and don’t just see what WE say, read or watch what some of our visitors say about Malaysia!

Malaysia is celebrating it’s 50th birthday in 2007 and plans to party all year round! What is a party without friends, new and old, so come on over and join us!!!