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

TripAdvisor's Pick of 10 Spectacular Statues

Hey, whaddaya know, the 42.7 metre (140-ft) statue of Lord Murugan made it into TripAdvisor's 10 spectacular statues around the world.

Having taken 3 years to construct, it is the tallest Lord Murugan statue in the world, located at the foot of Batu Caves, a limestone hill that has a series of caves and cave temples. 272 concrete steps will lead you up to the caves.

Strange that I always associate Batu Caves as a KL attraction but actually it is located on the outskirts of the city in the state of Selangor some 13 kilometres (8 mi) north of Kuala Lumpur.

Batu Caves is one of the most popular Hindu shrines outside India, and is dedicated to Lord Murugan. It is the focal point of the Hindu festival of Thaipusam in Malaysia.

If you are a tourist and don't mind crowds, best time to visit Batu Caves is during Thaipusam where thousands throng this holy place of worship where you will get the chance to see first-hand Hindu devotees carrying kavadis or metal carriages or structures of milk for offering. Some devotees will have skewers pierced through their body or even their tongue. This is a ritual of repentance, sometimes thanks. Priests attend to the kavadi bearers. Consecrated ash is sprinkled over the hooks and skewers piercing the devotees' flesh before they are removed. No blood is shed during the piercing and removal.

But I digress, making TripAdvisor's list of 10 include

The Big Buddha also known as the Tian Tan Buddha in Lantau, Hong Kong.

As well as this bronzed statue of the Sakyamuni Buddha, also in Hong Kong.

Guan Yin at Nanshan Temple – Sanya, China

‘The Motherland Calls’ Sculpture – Volgograd, Russia

This 87m statue is the tallest non-religious statue of a woman in the world.


The Kelpies at The Helix – Falkirk, Scotland

The Kelpies are 30m high horse-head sculptures that are a tribute to the horse-powered heritage of Scotland.


Anonymus Szobor – Budapest, Hungary

This eerie statue of what looks like the Grim Reaper is supposed to be good for those who want to be better at creative writing. Word has it that you need to touch the fountain pen he is holding for that to happen.


Also making the list is Singapore's 37m Sentosa Merlion at Sentosa Island - not to be confused with the original statue found in the centre of Singapore.

You can view the others here at TripAdvisor’s 10 spectacular statues on Star2.com


Source: Star2.com

"Bring Your Daughter and Son to Work" Day

In the west, some corporations have a program that involves giving children of employees a chance to see what their parent(s) do at work. They call it 'Bring your daughter/son to work' Day.

Malaysian parents who work in the airline industry will soon have a chance to let their children experience their nature of work.

KIDZANIA Kuala Lumpur recently unveiled its first outlet fixture in the form of an AirAsia fuselage as part of its airport terminal facade.

The fuselage taken from an actual Boeing 737-300 aircraft will eventually be fitted out to house realistic flight simulators that will allow children to “pilot” an airplane.

AirAsia check-in counters will also be set up at the main entrance of KidZania, which will see children checking in to receive boarding passes to enter.

The 80,000 sq ft indoor educational theme park at the Curve NX is accessible via a bridge connected to The Curve shopping mall. It is expected to open to the public in the fourth quarter of this year. Parents may want to take note.

Besides being a part of an airline crew, children can also role -play as a bank customer, taking a driving course, being a journalist for a day as well as hosting and supporting a tv programme production.


Source: The Star..Where kids can be pilots and cabin crew

Putrajaya International Hot Air Balloon Fiesta

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