SOUTHEAST ASIAN BLOGGERS NETWORK

Wednesday, April 16, 2008

MENARA KL: Southeast Asia’s Tallest Architectural Perfection







This imposing structure is the first thing I see in the morning and the last thing I see at night outside the window of my KL loft…

The region’s tallest structure has been reigning for 12 years since its opening in 1 October 1996. It is 1,381 ft (421m) tall and the world’s tallest single standing concrete structure and currently the world’s 5th tallest telecom tower. Eight years of planning and 5 years in the making… the Menara KL (KL Tower) was the symbol of Malaysia’s progress long before the Petronas Towers.

The Menara KL is evidence to Malaysia’s commitment to the environment – which, by the way, is the weakness of other countries in our region. The tower was erected atop a hill called Bukit Nanas (Pineapple Hill) next to an ancient rainforest in the center of Kuala Lumpur.

When the construction ran into a 100-year old Jelutong tree… the builders moved the tower instead of cutting it down. The re-planning cost them US$128,000 (RM450,000/ 450 million Baht)! Isn’t that admirable or what? Menara KL was designed by a local firm Kumpulan Senireka Sdn. Bhd. and constructed by Wayss & Freytag.

At the foot of the tower are the Entrance Mall and the Main Lobby. You can walk around, shop and admire what the Malaysian’s have done to this beautiful place. Pamphlet guides in many languages are available for free. Entrance fee is 20 Ringgit for adults and 10 Ringgit for kids. Open from 9am-10pm. There's BASE JUMPING/Free Fall too! Which we'll feature later on th blog.

While waiting for the lift in the Main Lobby…don’t forget to look up at the ceiling – the glass domes from Persia is breath talking. If you don’t fancy waiting for the lifts… you can take the stairs with 2,058 steps, for all I care.

The observation deck on top of the tower is indoors; it is the best way to see Kuala Lumpur at 360 – unlike the Petronas Skybridge where 2 gigantic buildings are blocking the view on both sides *smirk* There is also a revolving restaurant for romantic dinners.

Wanna visit? You betcha! – Menara KL is extremely recommended. Take the Monorail and get off Bukit Nanas Station then walk towards ING Bldg (that eye-sore orange building) on Jalan P. Ramlee. Keep walking past it and turn right on the first intersection. Get it? You need some serious leg power from here. It's gonna be uphill extravaganza...

Take a cab IF you have the talent to persuade the driver to press the “meter” button -- OR if you don’t mind having “stupid” written on your forehead while riding his cab without meter. Ha! Don't tell me didn't warn ya.


The Menara KL - Pride of Southeast Asia.


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-- Pisanu in Beijing

Monday, April 14, 2008

OUR TREASURES: The Plain Of Jars







One of the most mysterious and curious places in Southeast Asia is the Plain of Jars in Xieng Khuang Province in Laos. These are not just ordinary pots and broken vases but huge, ancient, creepy stone jars (as tall as 5 ft each) scattered over an area of 500 sq miles!

The kicker is… nobody knows where it came from or who made ‘em and nobody even knows their purpose. The Plain of Jars is Southeast Asia's version of the Easter Island and scientists said that these jars are more than 2,000 years old *Collectors of antiquity…stay out!*

I can’t help but theorize what these ancient jars are for…could these urns were used by ancient Laotians to store ashes of their dead relatives? Yeah, I could be right. But there are no historical records that they burn their deads in those times, is there?

Could they have used it to collect rain for drinking water? Or to make lots of fermented fish (like Trasi, Belacan, Prahok or Bagoong)? Could these be ancient prison cells for bad-ass citizens? The possibilities are endless!

My father used to say that there are things better left alone – unexplained, undisturbed, undiscovered. This “exclusivity” propel these curious wonders into eternity and the Plain of Jars of Laos is no exception.

This ancient site will soon be a UNESCO World Heritage Site. And BISEAN recommends a visit to this ancient, puzzling destination. Include it on your next visit to Laos. It is only a few hours away from Vientiane and make sure you book the trip through your hotel concierge only.


Hmm…what are these ancient jars for?

I’d like to know what you think.


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Friday, April 11, 2008

PERFECT SPECIMEN: Andre Nielsen









There is something really cute about him...




Andre is a 21-year old newbie model in Thailand. He is Thai-Danish. These are his very first photo spread from Dude Magazine released in December 2007.


More photos of Andre here...



(Click photo for larger view)


Eurasians are the hottest people on Earth.

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Original scans courtesy of Silom Farang.

Thursday, April 10, 2008

PERFECT SPECIMEN: Raquel Gibson








Playboy Magazine launched its first Philippine Edition last 03 April. The predominantly Christian nation is only the 2nd country in Southeast Asia to launch an adult men mag as Indonesia (predominantly Muslim) had their first in 2006.


Here’s a nice “Playmate” for the U.S. Edition…



Raquel Gibson was born in 14 June 1985 in Clearwater, Florida. She is Filipino-Italian Amrican model and actress. She was Playboy magazine's Playmate of the Month for November 2005. Raquel speaks English, Filipino and Japanese. Here’s her official website.

More photos of Raquel here…


(Click photo for larger view)



Eurasians are the hottest people on Earth.

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WHY DO OUR NEIGHBORS REFUSE TO VOTE FOR US?

I was just thinking – in a voting system that includes the whole dang world like The New 7 Wonders, Miss World or even regional voting like the Asian Idol…Southeast Asia has a voting power. But why is there always a “left-out”?

A “Left-Out” is somebody you knew will make it but somehow didn’t. A “Left-Out” is a delegate that wasn’t included while his/her neighboring counter part did. A “Left-Out” is a very talented contestant that didn’t get the vote. A “Left-Out” is a country… ok, you got the picture.

When “critters” leave evil and cruel comments on our blog -- I am more disappointed than irritated. Why? Because these critters leave tracks where they came from. They disgrace their country more than themselves!

So what’s my point? Here…

Why would other countries vote for your candidate when they have a bad impression on the kind of people you are which you yourself projected?

How can you expect a vote when all they hear from your country are criticisms, insensitivity and arrogance?

What can we do about it?

Don’t toleratecritters”. If you know they come from your country, let them know it’s not alright. Expose them if possible.

You are an ambassador of your people as much as I am to mine. What we do mirrors how we are as a nation. *I know it sucks, but that’s reality*


How do you want the world to view your country?

Be nice.

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Wednesday, April 09, 2008

IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT

The succeeding blog posts from today to an undetermined date are all previously written on earlier dates. These featured articles are stored in the drafts section and will be posted until the main author (Pisanu) is able to fill in.

For those who have access to our private blog “BFSL”, updates are now available.

Due to the sensitivity of the current circumstances in China, we suggest the readers of BISEAN to contact us by email for an update. Thank you.



Freedom for Tibet.


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