A special day

Today, is a special day. I joined my coursemates in a simple trip to FRIM and an architect's house (Hijjas Kasturi, a famous architect in Malaysia). Today, is a nice day because we enjoyed the trip very much. Instead of widening my vision and gaining my knowledge, both visits to FRIM and Hijjas Kasturi's house have told me a truth--being a Malaysian is worth to be proud of.

First of all, we reached at FRIM. The tour guide brought us to the museum that exhibits the samples of various kinds of timber and subsidiary products of timber. He told us that we should be lucky and proud of being Malaysian because we actually possess a lot of opportunities. Malaysia, is one of the countries that preserves the most forests (green), showing the effort of preserving and doing research which was proved also to be the most successful research on tropicana forests. For times, foreigners blame Malaysian that we chop the old trees for development. By the way, they forgot that British (when Malaysia was under British colonization) spread out deforestation for mining and timbering. In this case, Malaysians are much more humble, preserving our heritage lands, protecting our nation and identity.

We had a tiring jungle trekking, walking (or climbing? ^_^) on the rugged paths in the jungle (or mountain? ^_^) for more than 1.5 kilometres. On the way, we knew some of the plants (quite good lesson) after the guide's explanation. There, we were surprised by the aweful views of the jungle, the respectful power of the mother nature. After that, we reached the 'hanging bridge' (i don't know how to name it). It was my first time experienced walking on the hanging bridge, and balancing myself in the swinging situation. It was a wonderful experience, i must say.


After the joyous time in FRIM, we visited Hijjas Kasturi's house -- Rimbun Dahan. Don't know who is him? One of his work is the Menara Telekom that stood beside the starting part of federal highway. Her wife, Mrs. Angela Hijjas brought us to have a walk around the house. It is a nice place, a place for living and meditation. The most impressive parts of the 'tour' are the reflecting pools with lotus and slowly flowing water, the control of lighting in the gallery in basement (both use of artificial light and natural light), the use and honesty of materials. For examples, the flowing water applies the Feng Shui, the egg-looked rocks ( smooth edged, also don't know how to name) surrounding the blocks of the building seem like the view in Japanese garden, the design of the roof is mostly alike with the traditional Malay house, etc. Somehow, i htink Hijaas Kasturi has built a wonderful, relaxing and pleasurable house for his family.

Along the visit, i forgot the actual words by Mrs. Angela Hijjas, but i felt the important message derived from her that we need to know and value our identity, features, cultures, and then develope ourselves. None of us are pure Chinese, nor Malays (i am not talking about heredity and gene in biology), we are actually having our life that is the mishmash (or 'rojak') merged by different culture. This is Malaysian.


They are different, independent, competing yet dependentally relying on each other. There are the ways of life.

** the photos today are available, click on the album below. **(coming soon)