B is for Balloons - 10th Putrajaya International Hot Air Balloon Fiesta 2019

B is for Balloons.

Even though a small nation, Malaysia plays host to a number of world events, the latest being the International Hot Air Balloon Fiesta. This is held yearly and the last one being just last weekend.

This year, the 10th Putrajaya International Hot Air Balloon Fiesta 2019 was held from March 28 to March 31 at Precinct 2, Putrajaya.

We had the honour of Mr Hirosuke Takezawa who is a world record-holder. Hirosuke Takezawa has seen much of the world from a bird’s-eye view.

The veteran pilot has flown hot air balloons in several countries and has even crossed the snowy caps of the Himalayas during his travels in the skies.

His latest adventure has brought him to Malaysia where Takezawa is taking part in this 10th Putrajaya International Hot Air Balloon Fiesta 2019.

Admission to the event is free and interested visitors could visit the event’s website (https://www.myballoonfiesta.com) for more information.


Source: msn.com

Malaysia Polling Day - GE13

Today is the day! Malaysians go to the polls today, May 5. Will we have a new government for the next five years or will the government that has been governing Malaysia the past 55 years continue its 'reign' at Putrajaya..

Candidates are vying for 222 parliamentary seats and 505 state seats which means some polling centres will have two ballot boxes.

Voters are encouraged to bring their umbrellas as the Malaysian Meteorological Department has forecast thunderstorms and rain in 109 of the 222 parliamentary constituencies Sunday afternoon.

Related articles:
- Public holiday in certain states
- Helpful information - Casting Your Vote on Polling Day - May 5
- Yep, even the Mangoes..
- Mari Mari Mengundi - a new twist to an old familiar tune


Image sources:
- Google
- The Star

Hot Air Balloon Fiesta is on at Putrajaya

Wheeeeeee! Hot air balloons took off to the skies on Thursday (Mar 28) at the 5th Putrajaya International Hot Air Balloon Fiesta - check out details. It must have been a sight to behold. Will you be there? The fiesta ends tomorrow, Mar 31.

For four days, every morning from 7am to 9am, balloonists will participate in a ballooning competition, vying for Rudy's Trophy - a trophy named after the late fiesta chairman and co-founder Khairuddin Abd Rani.

In the evenings, the balloonists will again take to the skies for a balloon show at 6pm.

Members of the public can go for the tethered hot-air balloon rides from 7.30am to 10.30am and 7pm to 10pm daily for RM20 per person. The ride will be hoisted 60 feet off the ground. - Bernama
Source: The Star..Hot air balloons dot Putrajaya sky

Bridge collapse at Putrajaya/Cyberjaya

A bridge under construction collapsed today at around 1pm at the Selangor Science Park 2 Interchange between the Putrajaya Toll Plaza and Putrajaya/Cyberjaya on the Lingkaran Putrajaya stretch - an exit from the Elite Highway (KM P2.4) towards the Selangor Science Park 2.

The flyover is managed and owned by the Selangor State Development Corporation (PKNS), the road below it is managed by PLUS Malaysia Berhad. A main pipe running along the flyover also broke in the incident, sending water gushing out.

Fortunately, no one was injured in the incident as the flyover has not been in use since December.

ELITE highway users heading towards Putrajaya or Cyberjaya are advised to exit the highway via the Saujana Putra Interchange before entering the SKVE highway to Putrajaya/Cyberjaya.

We will learn more about the collapse after statement release by PKNS.



Source: NST

View Selangor Science Park 2 in a larger map

5th Putrajaya International Hot Air Balloon Fiesta - March 28 to 31

Like other capital cities around the world, there is always something happening too here in Kuala Lumpur.

Yes, the Putrajaya International Hot Air Balloon Fiesta is back in Malaysia!

If you and your family had so much fun at the Hot Air Balloon Fiesta at Putrajaya last year, you will be sure to have yet another unforgettable experience at this year's event!

For the first-timer, it will be an awesome experience not to be missed!

Come March 28 – 31, Malaysia will once again host a fiesta like no other in the country! The Putrajaya International Hot Air Balloon Fiesta returns to the Monumen Alaf Baru (also known as Monument Millennium) grounds for the fifth year running promising to be more exciting, more fun-filled with activities the whole family can partake in.

You will get to see more exciting special shaped balloons such as the Smurf Balloon, piloted by Koen Audenaert of Belgium, as well as the Clown Balloon piloted by Sven Grenzner of Germany. Great photo opportunity there so don't leave home without your camera.

2013 also marks the return of the highly-anticipated “night glow” event where the hot air balloons will participate in a light-and-sound show on the night of March 30; culminating in a beautiful display of fireworks. You don't want to miss that!

Look forward to activities including
- a para-motor exhibition
- helicopter joy rides – suitable for families who welcome a unique experience
- tethered hot air balloon rides
- Mountain Dew Extreme Zone

and for the young ones,
- colouring contests
- other on-ground competitions.

You can also expect new and exciting activities including the Walk in the Balloon where visitors can experience being actually inside the giant balloons, music performance by the Kuala Lumpur Jazz Festival amongst others. Get 30% discount should you choose to use the KLIA Transit to Putrajaya during the fiesta period. How cool is that!

For optimum enjoyment, here is the suggested Visitor Guideline:

1. Come as early as you can to catch their 7am morning flight.
2. Wear proper attire and get ready for outdoor activities. A set of extra clothes would be a good idea just in case.
3. Be prepared for the weather. Bring shades and/or an umbrella.
4. Tickets for hot air balloon rides are limited, so come early to secure your ride.
5. Bring your camera or your sketchpad or whatever you have. Memories are made of such events. If you are tweeting or instagramming to share with friends and family, do remember to tag it #myballoonfiesta.
6. BYOB i.e., Bring your own bicycle to cycle around the event site as parking might be a hassle.
and finally
7. If you get lost, the landmark is the Monument Alaf Baru, Precinct 2, Putrajaya.

Here is how to get there to the 5th Putrajaya International Hot Air Balloon Fiesta.

More information about the Putrajaya International Hot Air Balloon Fiesta 2013 activity lineup and sponsorship opportunities can be obtained by visiting www.myballoonfiesta.com or by calling 03-7981 8769.

See you there!

Pandas in Malaysia

Malaysia is in a sweet spot currently as China will loan two pandas to Malaysia as part of a collaboration between the China Wildlife Conservation Association and the Malaysian government. This is an honour as Malaysia joins the ranks of only a few countries that have received pandas.

Source: Wikipedia
A little about Panda Diplomacy from Wikipedia:
Loans of giant pandas to American and Japanese zoos formed an important part of the diplomacy of the People's Republic of China (PRC) in the 1970s, as it marked some of the first cultural exchanges between the People's Republic and the West. This practice has been termed "Panda diplomacy".

By 1984, however, pandas were no longer given as gifts. Instead, the PRC began to offer pandas to other nations only on 10-year loans, under terms including a fee of up to US$1,000,000 per year and a provision that any cubs born during the loan are the property of the PRC.

Not sure if there is a fee involved for the two pandas coming to Malaysia but one thing is for sure, Malaysians and people visiting Malaysia will get a chance to see pandas in person although it may be a challenge for the keepers in keeping the pandas comfortable in our hot and humid weather.

The pandas, to be on loan for 10 years, mark the 40th anniversary of diplomatic relationship between both countries in 2014. Bilateral relations between Malaysia and China started during the tenure of late Prime Minister Tun Abdul Razak, who was the father of the current Prime Minister, Najib Abdul Razak.

The Natural Resources and Environment Ministry said that the presence of the pandas would promote public awareness on panda conservation undertaken by China. This will encourage the public to appreciate and learn the importance of biodiversity and wildlife conservation in Malaysia.

A nationwide contest to name the pandas would be held to spur interest among Malaysians to learn more about this unique animal.

The two pandas will be placed in a special exhibit in Taman Wetland, Putrajaya. There, now there's another reason to visit Putrajaya, the Federal Government Administrative Centre replacing Kuala Lumpur as the administrative capital.


Source: The Star..China to loan two pandas to Malaysia for 10 years


Update:
China news reports in April reported that Malaysia would spend a whopping RM20mil for the upkeep of the pandas.

The budget is expected to cover for the construction of an air-conditioned sanctuary for the pandas, importing bamboos from China for their meals as well to train local handlers for the animals. (Source:Giant Pandas for Malaysia)

Putrajaya International Hot Air Balloon Fiesta

Source: Myballoonfiesta.com

The Putrajaya International Hot Air Balloon Fiesta is back for a fourth year. Held at Putrajaya from Mar 15 (today) right up to Mar 18, visitors to the fiesta can also look forward to activities such as a para motor exhibition, a bicycle exhibition, helicopter joy rides, tethered hot air balloon rides, a remote controlled aeroplane model demonstration, meet-and-greet sessions with the participating balloonists, and the Mountain Dew Extreme Zone for the adventurous visitors.

There will not be any pre-booking service as the hot air balloon rides for the public are dependant on the weather. Children must be above four feet (1.22m) to go on the ride.

Admission is free.

Advice from The Star:

Visitors are encouraged to use the KLIA Transit from the KL Sentral station, and make use of the bus services provided from Park & Ride points and around Putrajaya to the fiesta grounds.

To find out more about the fiesta, log on to www.myballoonfiesta.com or call AKA Balloon Sdn Bhd at 03–7981 8769.

Balloons prepare to take off for their first flights at the Putrajaya International Hot Air Balloon Fiesta, at Putrajaya, Malaysia, Thursday, March 15, 2012. More than 26 balloons from 13 countries are competing in the annual event now in its fourth year. - AP - 15 March, 2012

Balloons up in the air..

Image source: The Star

Putrajaya International Hot Air Balloon Fiesta

Pack in some excitement this weekend. Visit the Putrajaya International Hot Air Balloon Fiesta.

Prime Minister's Hari Raya Open House

Our Prime Minister opened up his house to the public on the first day of Hari Raya. That was Sunday, Sep 20. Believe it or not, I actually wanted to attend and revisit the PM's official residence after enjoying my earlier visit there. I didn't make it though because I couldn't get anyone to want to come along. Maybe next year, i.e., if I could convince some people to make the trip all the way to Putrajaya.

Many years ago, I joined a local tour to visit Putrajaya. It was at the time when Tun Mahathir was the Prime Minister. The tour took us to a few tourist attractions, i.e, the government offices (the PM's office), the Wetlands, Masjid Putra (Putra Mosque), and most significantly was the visit to the Prime Minister's official residence, Seri Perdana. Yes, it is open to the public.

In fact, a tour of Seri Perdana is highly recommended. Seri Perdana is open 0900-1230 and 1400-1700 everyday (including Public Holidays) except Mondays and Fridays. On Fridays, Seri Perdana is open 0900-1200 and 1500-1700. The residence is closed to the public on Mondays or when official functions are being held. Entry is free but visitors are required to submit their MyKad (Malaysian citizens) or passports when obtaining Visitor Pass from the public gate. Cameras are allowed. You can call (603)8888-8800 or e-mail ppmpmr@smpke.jpm.my.The Putrajaya Wetland is a fascinating place. The waters eventually flow down to the river where the Putra Mosque stands and by that time, the water is all clean and clear due to the filtration system of the Wetland.

We didn't stay long enough to explore the Wetland so we did not get to see any flora or fauna but we did manage to go up one of those viewing lofts, the one circled in the image below. From that vantage point, a pair of binoculars and some time would be just perfect for Wetland appreciation. Alas! We had neither.

Visiting the Putra Mosque was quite an experience. It was my first ever visit to a mosque. It is an awesome structure. One has to visit it to appreciate its overall beauty from its architecture to interior tile colours and design to its surroundings. Women are required to cover their hair so scarves were provided at the entrance. Word of advice here: you might want to BYOS (bring your own scarf) because I wondered if the ones loaned out were ever laundered. They didn't smell too good. Oh well..

Standing outside on the eastside and toward the end of the mosque, you could see the Wetland in the distance. The breeze coming in toward the mosque makes the place very cooling and the air refreshingly pleasant. Great fengshui, the mosque, I thought.

Below is a picture of the Putra Mosque. Architecture evolves over time, including that of mosques in Malaysia. There are many new mosques here that look something like the Putra Mosque with the red-white-peach shade.

Since I didn't make it to the PM's Open House, this video is as close as I could get this time.




Sources:
Putrajaya.net
kiat.net