Kew Gardens (Royal Botanical Gardens), London

Kew Gardens is one of the world's renown botanical gardens. It is located in Richmond on the west of London. The Gardens cover 132 hectares and has many attractions like treetop walkway, palm house, Princess of Wales Conservatory, Temperate House, etc. It has attraction for the children too such as tree house towers, badger sett, climbers and creepers.  The garden has a few gates for entrance but the notable and close to the Kew Gardens station is Victoria gate.

The Victoria Gate is 400 metres from the Kew Gardens Station District Line that connect it to the London Overground.

Map of Kew and its Kew Gardens.

The Glass House has walkway and palm house terrace.

The briefing given by the park officer to visitors.

The children are having some snacks.

The gardens is well kept by the management.

The Plant + People Exhibition Hall.

The bird walks freely here.

The opening times to the Gardens is 9.30am till 5.00pm. You need to pay BSP13.00 for the entrance. The gardens have a few restaurants and cafes and mostly located near the gates.The one that located next to Victoria gate is Victoria Plaza Cafe and shop. The shop sells books and Kew publications and other souvenirs.

The area around the gardens and the station looks pleasant and serene.

Shops and restaurant near the station.

If you are interested to visit this Royal Botanical Gardens, take a train (District Line) and stop at Kew. Then walk  to the right side using the underpass or bridge to the Gardens. You need to walk about 400 metres to reach the Victoria Gate. Happy travel.

Mecca and Medina, Saudi Arabia.

Mecca and Medina are two holy cities  to the Muslims. The Holy Qur'an mentions able Muslims have the obligation to perform Haj at this place once in their lifetime. Mecca has a Kaabah where all Muslims in the world have to face  while praying. This Kaabah is sited in the Masjidil Haram Mosque, Mecca. 

While Medina, 400km north of Mecca, has the tomb of the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh), the last prophet of Islam. The tomb is located inside the Masjid Nabawi.

These cities are crowded during the Haj period where millions of Muslims all over the world perform their Haj and Umrah. Another peak season to these cities is the fasting month of Ramadan where Muslims from over the world would perform their Umrah. The virtues of performing umrah and other good conducts during Ramadan are great.

The Kaabah, the centre for performing tawaf (encircle anti-clock-wise seven times).

The Kaabah and the tall buildings at the back. Mecca is experiencing fast growth.

 More people are performing the tawaf at night. This picture is taken from the second floor.

The Masjidil Haram at night. The concourse is always full of people.

One of the roads that lead to the Al Haram  Mosque.

Al Haram Mosque. This picture is taken during the construction of the upper floors of Safa and Marwah.

The building around the Mosque.

Masjid Nabawi in Medina in the evening.

Medina during the day.

Shopping street of Medina.

Masjid Nabawi and the hotels on the right.

The dates market, 200 metres from the mosque.

Masjid Kuba, the first mosque in Medina. It is about 4 km south of Medina.

Replica of the zam zam well in the museum. You can visit this museum while you are in Mecca as it is closer to Mecca. Every pilgrim is allowed to bring home 10 litres of zam zam water.

There are a few areas or sites around Mecca that you can visit such the Museum, the Quran Printing Plant (the largest in the world), historic places of Hudaibiyah, Jaaranah and Tanaim. Around Madinah too, you can visit Dates Market, Masjid Quba (the first mosque established by the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh), magnetic hills (hills that have magnetic power), dates plantation and other historic places.

If you decide to visit Mecca, you must perform umrah or haj. Before you go, you must learn the rules of performing the umrah or haj. Learn the do's and the don'ts. If not, you will be in a very bad situation as your umrah or haj will not be properly carried out. Take opportunity to beg Allah for His Forgiveness and Mercy.

The Saudi government has made it compulsory for foreigner who wish to perform the haj or umrah to apply for visa. By the way only the Muslims can enter Mecca. Happy travelling.

Aquaculture in Kenyir Lake, Terengganu, Malaysia

Kenyir Lake is one of the biggest man-made lakes in Malaysia. Its construction completed in 1985 and  it is being used to harness and generate hydro-electric power. Those days this area was the forest and had a few villages. It is located 80km from Kuala Terengganu, the state capital.

Kenyir Lake has many things to offer for the visitors. One of them is the aquaculture project. This economic project can offer visitors to learn how the cage fish were farmed until they were sold to the buyers.

Kenyir Lake from the air. If you do not have the bearing, you may get lost in the wilderness.

The fish cage.

The area covered by this project is quite extensive.

The cages are being managed by a company.

A view from the cage platform.

The fish that are being reared here.

It is tilapia...

This tilapia is given special food twice a day. It takes six months to complete the rearing cycle.

If you are interested to visit this area, take a cab or hire a car and go to Pengkalan Gawi. When you reach Pengkalan Gawi, take a boat to Como River. There you are, you will see this aquaculture project.  If you are interested to know this project further, you can contact Tourism and Tasik Kenyir Division, Terengganu Tengah Development Authority, Bandar Al Muktafi Billah Shah, Dungun, Malaysia  tel 609-822 3100 or email  to tasikenyir@netscape.net   Happy travelling.

Kilim Geoforest Park, Langkawi, Malaysia

Langkawi island is situated in the north-west of Malaysia ( in the state of Kedah ). Langkawi has three geoparks i.e. Machinchang Cambrian Geopark, Dayang Bunting Marble Geopark and Kilim Geopark. What I am going to tell you is about Kilim Geoforest Park. It consists of the limestone hills or outcrop. It is located on the eastern part of Langkawi.

According to geologists, the hills had existed there over 400 million years. The area looks like the one in Ha Long Bay, Vietnam. The rock outcrop and the sea made this area beautiful. Langkawi obtained international recognition and awarded a World geoPark Status in June 2007 by UNESCO. It also gained a listing in UNESCO Global GeoPark Network. This area has significant rock formation.

The welcome sign board to the area.

The rich bio-diversity of the area made it appealing for the natural enthusiasts.

A view from the boat.

The special rock with peculiar formation.

The jetty to the Geoforest Park. 

The jetty point at Kg.Kilim.

The waiting visitors to the park.

Sun set in Langkawi  tells many stories to visitors....

This area is managed and promoted by Langkawi Development Authority. If you like to visit this area, go to Kg.Kilim jetty and take a boat. Many boats are available on demand. It advisable to go in the morning as morning breeze can energise you. You can have your lunch at the floating restaurant which offers sea-food and local delicacies. Happy travel.

Shopping in Bandung, Indonesia

Bandung is a resort city in Indonesia. It is located on the island of Java near Jakarta. The city will be jammed with people from Jakarta during weekends. Among the attractions of Bandung are shopping streets especially factory outlet which sell or offer cheaper products, the Pasar Baru (Trade Centre) and Paris Van Java shopping complex.

There are many factory outlets which sell ready made clothes and other accessories. Those outlets are concentrated along Jalan Riau and Jalan Dago. For example those located at Jalan Dago  have names like Episod Fashion House, Grande Resort Outlet, Jetset, Uptown, Blossom Family and Donatello (shoe shop).At Jalan Cihampelas, you will find cheap jeans. However, original jeans are found at Tokoh Tiga. 

Pasar Baru at Jalan Ottista offer more products in one building. The 8 storey Pasar is an attraction to locals and visitors. It offers cheap clothes, textiles, interior decor materials, bags, souvenirs and other dried food. 

While Paris van Java at Jalan Setiabudi offers upmarket product. It also has franchise food outlets. This shopping complex is modern with amenities. Large parking areas are available.

Jalan Cihampelas, superman is an attraction. 

Bandung, a view from the top of Pasar Baru.

One of the popular mode of transport in Bandung.

Rumah Mode, one of the factory outlets in Bandung. This outlet looks serene with greenery and local furnitures for the patrons to sit and relax.

The wall at Paris van Java. The picture on the canvas is the picture of the entrance to this shopping complex. Note the parking gate.

Mobile food stalls are common.

If you want to visit these shopping areas, you can take a taxi or mini vans. If not just walk. If you prefer to walk, find an accommodation near to these places. Happy travel.

Herbal Garden, Kenyir Lake, Malaysia

Kenyir Lake is one of the largest man-make lakes in Malaysia. It is  located in the district of Hulu Terengganu, Terengganu, Malaysia and  is about 80km from Kuala Terengganu, the state capital. This lake is large covering hundreds of hectares of land with 340 islands. I am going to tell you one of the islands that is Pulau Sah Kecil which was planted with Malaysian herbs. This garden is unique due to its species.

This island covers 16 hectares and was opened to the public since 2002. It has more than 230 species including exotic plants. The garden is managed by Terengganu Tengah Regional Development Authority.

The jetty at the Pulau Sah Kecil, where the garden is located.

The sign board to the Herbal Garden.

One of the plant species, "Tongkat Ali".

Keladi Murai species.

Even reflexology path is provided here.

The garden.

The plaque about the garden.

The officer's (blue and red shirt) routine job is to give briefing to the visitors.

The selected herbs are boiled to  make herbal drinks using the old method (using wood as the fuel) 

The "tongkat ali" and "kachip fatimah" herbal drinks are served warm to the visitors at the courtesy of the management.

Herbal drinks are served and being  tasted by the visitors.

Kenyir Lake.

Another view of Kenyir Lake.

For those who like to visit this garden, you have to go to Pengkalan Gawi. If you come from Kuala Terengganu, you can take a taxi and straight to Pengkalan Gawi. When you reach Pengkalan Gawi, take a boat to this island which takes about 20 minutes. This garden is open to the public from 8.00 am to 5.00pm daily. Mind you, island hopping here is quite expensive. If you are not careful, it will burst your budget. It is advisable to go in group because the boat fare to this garden is around RM100.00 per boat (can accommodate 10-12 persons). You can share the cost. If you want to explore this lake, I suggest you stay at the hotels here. The hotels around this lake also conduct tour to this island for their  clients or customers. Happy travel.