Floria Putrajaya

It was my first Floria Putrajaya and one important thing I will remember from this experience is that I should not really leave visiting a flower show to the very last day (7 June 2015) to make it there. Because flowers and plants will not be at their best after a week. Of course the cut flower exhibits were the most 'disastrous' but the garden landscape competition were still good to look at. Overall I would say that this is an event beautiful enough that I hope to put on my calendar annually. Please enjoy just a small fraction of the Floria Putrajaya 2015.

4 Dec 2015

Moroccan Pavilion at Taman Botani Putrajaya

We wanted to walk around the Taman Botani Putrajaya or Botanic Gardens of Putrajaya (after Ebak's wedding reception), but by the time we got there, it was raining. It was just as well that by chance we'd parked in front of the Astaka Morocco or Moroccan Pavilion, and so we walked around it to gaze in awe at the fantastic architectural details of this beautiful complex of grand arches, wonderfully decorated walls and doors and a quite lavish garden of palms and fountains. A serendipitous encounter of the most awesome kind!

The dominant archways welcome visitors into the courtyards and gardens.  The buildings are decorated with colourful tiles in geometric patterns and adorned with exquisite Islamic calligraphy. Even the door details warrant long lingering examination.

The architecture in Morocco is said to be 'a blend of Black African and Islamic design styles, with the Islamic styles dominating this combination'. Their artistic heritage had been 'enriched by the cultural contribution of Muslim Andalucia'. We'd never been to Morocco but you bet it is on my bucket list. This Moroccan Pavilion is but a tiny hint of the splendours of Moroccan architecture, I'm sure.

This one example of Moroccan architecture is indeed breathtaking. The water element in the garden courtyard runs straight through the complex ending in a beautiful fountain in the main building. Lovely brass lamps adorn the ceilings. Even the floor tiles are very admirable. But our harsh tropical climate has made it a challenge in the upkeep of this complex. We notice some broken tiles and the scaffolding around the archways into the grounds.

The scaffolding are but a minor distraction because nothing can detract from the beauty of the complex's architectural details. The exquisite door decorations of wood carving and brass knockers just warrant close-up pictures. As do the colourful tiles and other decorations of walls, ceilings and floors.

The Moroccan Pavilion exude breathtaking Moroccan architecture with its rich artistic and alluring decorations. But don't just take my word for it. Visit it the next time you find yourself in Putrajaya, and be prepared to be mesmerised. And feel as though you have been transported to Morocco. Enjoy the (vicarious) travel.                                                             1 November 2014

Congratulations Ebak & Nurulatiqah

Friends and family joined newly weds Ebak & Nurulatiqah to celebrate at their wedding reception in the Putrajaya Lake Club (8th Precinct) today. The setting was indeed beautiful by the Putrajaya Lake, nearby the pink Masjid Putra and the backdrop of the Seri Perdana Bridge and Perdana Putra (office complex of the Prime Minister). Congratulations on a new life together!

Note: We had attended Ebak's twin Farouk's wedding reception in January this year.

Be the Movement

Be the Movement was a Charity Walk in support of World Hunger Relief 2013, held on Saturday 5th October 2013. A and I joined the 5 kilometre walk from Dataran Putrajaya, Presint 3 to the PICC (Putrajaya International Convention Centre) and back. (B did her own behind the scene working walking).

There was a sea of hijau pucuk pisang (banana shoot green/lime green?) tee shirts bobbing along the route. It was interesting to see 'walkers' of all ages, although some very young ones rode in their perambulators or were carried by their parents. There were even a few teens who roller bladed ... Err ... it's a walk?

A and I completed the 5 km walk at a leisurely pace; I stopped to take photos of the flora along the way, also the bridges and lake, plus the sunset. We reached the finishing line after 7 pm, with a few more stragglers behind us. There was a 'reward' at the end for everybody - a goodie bag and KFC/Pizza Hut/Ayamas food and drinks.

It was quite a fun outing for a good cause (although as I have already mentioned before, I have an aversion to physical exercise). In fact I think I shall be looking out to join more 'charity walks' in the future.

The Federal Territories

What did I do yesterday, Friday 1st February? Nothing, really. Just 'celebrating' Hari Wilayah Persekutuan (Federal Territories Day) very quietly at home - looking up some facts about these Federal Territories - a history lesson of sorts.

On 1 February 1974, Kuala Lumpur became a Federal Territory (FT) after having been the capital for the state of Selangor since 1880, also capital for the Federated Malay States since 1896 and capital of Malaya, later Malaysia since Independence in 1957.

Labuan became the second FT ten years later in 1984, followed by Putrajaya which became the third FT on 1 February 2001. Hence FT Day is celebrated on 1 February.

Hot Air Balloon Fiesta, Putrajaya

The 3rd Putrajaya International Hot Air Balloon Fiesta (CNB 2011)

M and I went to the 3rd Putrajaya International Hot Air Baloon Fiesta on 20th March this year. There was a huge crowd there and we had to park quite a distance from the venue where they launched the balloons. I always fancied riding/flying (?) in a hot air balloon, but unfortunately I did not get the opportunity then. Maybe, another time, another place. Anyway I enjoyed taking these pictures, because the balloons are colourful and fun.

The first balloon is ready to go up (CNB 2011)

Other balloons are following suit (CNB 2011)

This balloon is now up, up and away (CNB 2011)

Two more go up and away (CNB 2011) 

M & I at the Balloon launch (2011)

The balloons float past the Millenium Monument
(CNB 2011)

A surreal scene - floating objects over Putrajaya (CNB 2011)

March 2011