Friday 26 September 2014

Tipu Sultan


Tipu Sultan

Tipu Sultan (ٹیپو سلطان) was the eldest son of Haider Ali (حیدرعلی) and his mother’s name was Fakhr-un-Nissa (فخرالنسا‏‏‎ء), born on 20th November 1750 A.D. at Devanahalli. Haider Ali (حیدرعلی) named his son after a great Sufi saint namely Tipu Mastan Aulia (ٹیپومستان اولیاء)


Academic & Military Education Haider Ali gave good education to his son Tipu Sultan ۔(ٹیپو سلطان)Right from his early years he was trained in the art of warfare He received military education from Ghazi-Khan who was a great warrior and also a military officer in the army of Haider Ali and at the age of 15 he used to accompany his father Haider Ali, (the ruler of Mysore میسور), to different military campaigns, participating in the wars that were fought by his father. Tipu Sultan (ٹیپو سلطان) helped his father both in the First and the Second Mysore Wars. He was also a brave soldier and great general. In Addition, he also learnt different languages, He was well versed in Urdu (اردو) , Persian(فارسی), and Arabic (عربی)languages, mathematics and science. Tipu Sultan (ٹیپو سلطان) had a fascination for learning. His personal library consisted of more than 2,000 books in different languages.

Ruler of MysoreAfter the death of Haider Ali(حیدرعلی) , Tipu Sultan (ٹیپو سلطان)was enthroned as the ruler of Mysore (میسور) on 4th May 1783 A.D. in a simple ceremony at Bejnur (بجنور). He was an extremely active man and worked hard for the welfare of his subjects He continued the Second Mysore War (جنگ میسور – دوم) against the English. He defeated many English generals like Brithwhite & Col. Bailey in 1783.

The Mysore War Tipu Sultan (ٹیپو سلطان) attacked the Raja of Travancore (راجاتراوانکور) . In the first stage of the war (Third Mysore War جنگ میسور – سوم: 1790-92 A.D.) General Medows and General Kolly planned the course of action. Medows tried to reach Mysore through Coimbatore. Kolly was supposed to reach Bangalore through Baramahal District. But he died without achieving anything. Medows efforts were checked by Tipu Sultan (ٹیپو سلطان) at Sathyamangalam and then he recaptured the places which were occupied by Medows. In the initial stages, Tipu Sultan (ٹیپو سلطان) gained upper hand over the English. As long as the British fought alone, Tipu Sultan (ٹیپو سلطان) always defeated them. But he could not come over their diplomacy, conspiracy and intrigue. Thus he was defeated in the Second half in his capital, Seringapatam, and was forced to sign a humiliating treaty on March 22, 1792. As a result he had to concede half of his kingdom and pay an indemnity of 33 million rupees to the British and their allies. Since he could not pay war indemnity in full, he accepted to send his second and third sons namely Abdul Khaliq and Maiz-Uddin aged 10 and 8 respectively as hostages till he would pay the war indemnity. He paid the balance amount after two years and received his sons in 1794 A.D. at Devanahalli.

His Efforts Towards Building Allies Tipu Sultan (ٹیپو سلطان) was a farsighted person who could foresee East India Company's design to get entrenched in sub-continent. After the Third Mysore war, Tipu Sultan (ٹیپو سلطان) sent envoys to Persia, France and Afghanistan to seek help from them in fighting against the English. He contacted Napolean Bonaparte also. Though he accepted to help Tipu Sultan (ٹیپو سلطان) against the English, he could not keep his word. He therefore negotiated with the Sultan of Turkey(ترکی) for help and also sought assistance from the Amir of Afghanistan (افغانستان).

The British were scared of Tipu's growing strength and after their defeat in 1783 they formed an alliance with the Nizam of Hyderabad and Marhattas. The French, however, deserted Tipu after the signing of the Treaty of Versailles. The alliance between the adversaries was soon broken and in 1795 the British, after defeating the Nizam, once again turned their attention towards Mysore. After the treaty at Seringapatam, Tipu Sultan did not waste his time and made extensive preparations against the British. He had rebuilt his war machine in the shortest possible time. The British regarded it as a violation of the treaty. This led to the start of the fourth Anglo-Mysore war in 1798 with the help of the Nizam.

Fight to Death
Tipu Sultan (ٹیپو سلطان) retreated to his capital and continued fighting till he breathed his last on 4th May, 1799 A.D. Tipu Sultan was buried at a mausoleum that he himself had built, along with his father Haider Ali حیدرعلی and his mother Fatima Begum فاطمہ بیگم .

Tipu Sultan (ٹیپو سلطان) was a great patriot and like his father realized the danger of letting the British becoming stronger. Although much of the period of his rule was given to war with the Marhattas, the Nizam and the British, he made his state secure and peaceful with benevolent rule. He was an enlightened ruler who treated his non-Muslim subjects generously. He built a chain of excellent roads and constructed tanks and dams to promote agriculture. He introduced new industries, promoted trade and commerce on a large scale. Tipu Sultan (ٹیپو سلطان) prohibited the production and distribution of liquor and other intoxicants in Mysore (میسور). He also built and fortified numerous forts and many palaces, which were demolished by the British after his death. Bangalore Summer Palace still survives and is a remnant of his grand rule.

THE ACHIEVEMENTS:
"The Quran requires you to say to people of scripture: We believe in that which has been revealed into us and revealed unto you; our God and your God is one and unto him we surrender. We hold this God-given law dear to our heart, based as it is on human dignity; reason and brotherhood of man. With reverence we have also read the Vedas of the Hindus. They proclaim their faith in universal unity and express the belief that God is one although He bears many names."
-- Tipu Sultan (ٹیپو سلطان) .

"Religious tolerance is the fundamental tenet of the Holy Quran".
The Quran calls upon you not to revile the idols of another religion for it says: revile not those unto whom they pray beside Allah lest they wrongfully revile Allah through ignorance.The Quran expects you to vie with each other in good works and saus for each we have appointed a divine law and a traced out way. Had Allah willed he could have made you one community...so vie one with another in good works".
--Tipu Sultan's (ٹیپو سلطان) Declaration, 1787

LIFE OF A TIGER BETTER THAN THAT OF A JACKAL"By what right do I commend my men to die for my cause if I should be afraid to lay down my own life ? In the face of a common calamity, is the King to escape sacrifice and suffering ? And why should I prolong the hours then there is no more profit in them ? I should only make myself ridiculous in the eyes of others and of my own - if I cling to life needlessly. Would you advice a Tiger to follow the life-style of a jackal; Would you ?"
-- Tipu Sultan (ٹیپو سلطان)

IMPORTANCE OF LAW"No man shall be punished save in accordance with law.The law of immemorial custom and as enshrined in our traditions shall be honoured by us. So that people may know the extent and the rigour of the law, as also their rights, duties, obligations and responsibilities. We have decided that codification of law be undertaken... Accordingly, we have established a committee of Ministers.........."
(From Tipu Sultan's (ٹیپو سلطان) proclamation in 1786.)


LOOTING FORBIDEN
".....Looting a conquered enemy enriches a few; impoverishes the nations and dishonours the entire army. War must be linked to battlefields. Do not carry it to innocent civilians. Honour their children and the infirm."
(From Tipu Sultan's (ٹیپو سلطان) decree in 17 83, repeated in 1785, 1787).



PROHIBITION FOR ECONOMIC AND MORAL WELL-BEING.
"......This is a matter in which we must be undeterred and undaunted by financial considerations. Total prohibition is very near to my heart. It is not a question of religion alone. We must think of the economic well being and the moral height of our people and the need to build the character of your youth. I appreciate your concern for immediate financial loss but should we not look ahead? Is the gain to our treasury to be rated higher than the health and morality of our people...."
(Tipu's (ٹیپو سلطان) memorandum to Mir Sadiq,1787
NO SLAVERY OF ANY KIND.
" 'Since receiving that letter, I have heard that frequently such labouris being requinsitioned by Amildars either on their own or at the request or several departments. Therefore, I say this to you, let strict instructions be issued forthwith, for I see in such a practice the beginnings of a system slavery'.'There can be no glory or achievements if the foundation of our places, roads and dams are mingled with the tears and blood of humanity'....."
-- Tipu Sultan (ٹیپو سلطان)

TIPU'S METHOD OF PUNISHMENT FOR OFFENCES"The Ryots of your district, when convicted of offences, are at present fined by the government. It is ordered that in future these offences shall be commuted; and that the offender in place of every pagoda of the fine adjudged against him, shall plant 2 Mango trees, and 2 trees of the large jamun in front of his village and to water and tend them till they are the height of 3 Derras. This order is to be inserted in the Regulation of the districts".
The Mysorean Revenue Regulations : No. 126

SALE OF ABANDONED GIRLS AND ORPHANS DECREED UNLAWFUL"Formerly it has been a practice for the Amil and officers of government and other people ti purchase and sell abandoned girls and orphans children, etc., There are not to sold abroad, or to be budged in the Devasthana but are to be collected together for Government".
-- Regulations No.102-




K R S DAM ON THE CAUVERY RIVERThis dam is being constructed by the Khudadad Government... Any one brings under cultivation any uncultivated land and grows crops, vegetables or fruits by irrigating it with water from this dam will be given all encouragement and concessions.. the newly cultivated land shall belong to the cultivator and his descendants.. and no one shall dispossess him.
Inscription on the foundation stone on K.R.S. Dam on the Cauvery River



AGRICULTURE
"Agriculture is the life-blood of the nation. This land, rich and fertile, will reward those that work on it. Famine and want are either the result of sloth and ignorance or of corruption".
--Tipu's (ٹیپو سلطان) circular to al Amildars, 1788.



ON PUNISHMENT FOR CRIMES"Flogging and whipping - be they to extract confessions or punishment, are repugnant to humanity and reason, They do not achieve their purpose. They degrade the victim. They dishonour the person in whose name they are ordered".
-- Tipu Sultan (ٹیپو سلطان).



TIPU'S CODE OF LAW AND CONDUCT OF 1787 STATED"To quarrel with our subjects is to go to war with ourselves. They are our shield and our buckles; and it is they who furnish us with all things. Reserve the hostile strength of our empire exclusively for its foreign enemies".
-- Tipu Sultan (ٹیپو سلطان)

Wednesday 24 September 2014

World's Most Amazing Entertaining Trips: The benefits of a Good After School Program

World's Most Amazing Entertaining Trips: The benefits of a Good After School Program: The world today requires skill and ability in almost all the fields. Therefore it is very necessary for the child to be highly proficien...

Post Code - Pakistan Post Office Department

Post Codes


Each and every area in Pakistan has been assigned with a post code to minimize missending of the mail and speedy sorting. Following is the GPOs post codes list. For complete detailed list of Post Codes of all Post Offices please download the list in MS Excel format.

Complete List of Post Codes of All Post Offices    

Post Codes of GPOs
Serial No. GPO Name Post Code Province
1 ABBOTTABAD GPO 22010 Khyber Pakhtunkhwa
2 ATTOCK GPO 43600 Punjab
3 BAGH GPO 12500 Azad Kashmir
4 BAHAWAL NAGAR GPO 62300 Punjab
5 BAHAWALPUR GPO 63100 Punjab
6 BANNU GPO 28100 Khyber Pakhtunkhwa
7 BATKHELA GPO 23020 Khyber Pakhtunkhwa
8 BHAKKAR GPO 30000 Punjab
9 BHIMBER GPO 10040 Azad Kashmir
10 CHAKWAL GPO 48800 Punjab
11 CHARSADDA GPO 24420 Khyber Pakhtunkhwa
12 CHITRAL GPO 17200 Khyber Pakhtunkhwa
13 DADU GPO 76200 Sindh
14 DERA GHAZI KHAN GPO 32200 Punjab
15 DERA ISMAIL KHAN GPO 29050 Khyber Pakhtunkhwa
16 FAISALABAD G.P.O 38000 Punjab
17 GILGIT GPO 15100 Northern Area
18 GUJAR KHAN GPO 47850 Punjab
19 GUJRANWALA GPO 52250 Punjab
20 GUJRAT GPO 50700 Punjab
21 Hafiz Abad GPO 52110 Punjab
22 HARIPUR GPO 22620 Khyber Pakhtunkhwa
23 HYDERABAD GPO 71000 Sindh
24 ISLAMABAD GPO 44000 Federal Capital
25 JACOBABAD GPO 79000 Sindh
26 JHANG GPO 35200 Punjab
27 JHELUM GPO 49600 Punjab
28 Kahuta GPO 47330 Punjab
29 KARACHI ALHYDRI GPO 74700 Sindh
30 KARACHI CITY GPO 74000 Sindh
31 KARACHI GPO 74200 Sindh
32 KARACHI SADDAR GPO 74400 Sindh
33 KARAK GPO 27200 Khyber Pakhtunkhwa
34 KASUR G.P.O 55050 Punjab
35 KHAIR PUR GPO 66020 Sindh
36 KHANEWAL GPO 58150 Punjab
37 KHUSHAB GPO 41000 Punjab
38 KHUZDAR GPO 89100 Balochistan
39 KOHAT GPO 26000 Khyber Pakhtunkhwa
40 KORANGI GPO 74900 Sindh
41 KOTLI GPO (AK) 11100 Azad Kashmir
42 LAHORE CANTT. GPO 54810 Punjab
43 LAHORE G.P.O 54000 Punjab
44 Lakki Marwat GPO 28420 Khyber Pakhtunkhwa
45 LARKANA GPO 77150 Sindh
46 LAYYAH GPO 31200 Punjab
47 LORALAI GPO 84800 Balochistan
48 MANDI BAHAUDDIN GPO 50400 Punjab
49 MANSEHRA GPO 21300 Khyber Pakhtunkhwa
50 MARDAN GPO 23200 Khyber Pakhtunkhwa
51 MIANWALI GPO 42200 Punjab
52 MIRPUR GPO 10250 Azad Kashmir
53 MIRPUR KHAS GPO 69000 Sindh
54 MULTAN GPO 60000 Punjab
55 MURREE GPO 47150 Punjab
56 MUZAFFARABAD GPO  13100 Azad Kashmir
57 MUZAFFARGARH GPO 34200 Punjab
58 NAROWAL GPO 51600 Punjab
59 NAWABSHAH GPO 67450 Sindh
60 NEW TOWN GPO 74800 Sindh
61 NOWSHERA GPO 24100 Khyber Pakhtunkhwa
62 OKARA GPO 56300 Punjab
63 Palandri GPO 12010 Azad Kashmir
64 PESHAWAR GPO 25000 Khyber Pakhtunkhwa
65 QILA SHEIKHUPURA GPO 39350 Punjab
66 QUETTA GPO 87300 Balochistan
67 RAHIMYAR KHAN GPO 64200 Punjab
68 RAWALKOT GPO 12350 Azad Kashmir
69 RAWALPINDI GPO 46000 Punjab
70 SAHIWAL GPO 57000 Punjab
71 SAIDU SHARIF GPO 19200 Khyber Pakhtunkhwa
72 SANGHAR GPO 68100 Sindh
73 SARGODHA GPO 40100 Punjab
74 SHIKARPUR GPO 78100 Sindh
75 SIALKOT GPO 51310 Punjab
76 SIBI GPO 82000 Balochistan
77 SUKKUR GPO 65200 Sindh
78 TALAGANG GPO 48100 Punjab
79 TANK GPO 29400 Khyber Pakhtunkhwa
80 TOBA TAKE SINGH GPO 36050 Punjab
81 TURBAT GPO 92600 Balochistan
82 VEHARI GPO 61100 Punjab
83 WAH CANTT. GPO 47040 Punjab

White tiger mauls visitor to death inside Delhi Zoo


A white tiger at the New Delhi Zoo has attacked and killed an Indian man who is believed to have jumped or fallen into its enclosure. "The man seems to have leapt over the railing into the tiger enclosure," zoo manager Riaz Khan said. "We are trying to find out who this was and why he did what he did. The police are here and they are investigating," he said.

http://video.dunyanews.tv/index.php/en/mustwatch/8107/White-tiger-mauls-visitor-to-death-inside-Delhi-Zoo-#.VCRJVlcZvcs 

Sunday 2 February 2014

The benefits of a Good After School Program

The world today requires skill and ability in almost all the fields. Therefore it is very necessary for the child to be highly proficient in almost every type of work he does. He should be talented not only in academics but he must show his expertise in other fields too. Merely by getting knowledge from the course book the child cannot achieve everything in his life. Only a small percent of knowledge is imparted from the course book. Therefore the progress of the child does not depend entirely on the school books.
Today there exist many job opportunities and all of these require the person to be highly talented. Therefore the child cannot be pushed back only because he did not get enough chance to prove his ability or that he was not so proficient in that field. To avoid such situations it would be better to find out good after school programs which can really be beneficial for the child. It is therefore the duty of the parents to search for the best after school program which can really be useful to them. A child going to school normally does not get any training so as to build up his aptitude. He may gain skill in academic side but his other talents need not develop. A child may have many hidden skill which are unknown to his teachers or others. The child is unable to bring out such talents as nobody cares to do so at school. Due to the lack of care even though such children have talents they do not get the opportunity to bring it out. The after school programs help these children to build up or produce their hidden talents. Recreational as well as educational programs are available. A child feels full of zip and completely involved in such programs. The main objective of these programs is to make the child lively, skilful, and experienced and develop new talents. These programs attract the attention of children to different events which make them highly enthusiastic and exigent. By doing this it may be discovered that a child who had interest in a particular field develops the same in other fields too. Thus new talents of the child are revealed which he himself was unaware with. The level of confidence of the child increases whenever he recognises his new talents. This ultimately opens different vocation opportunities before the child.
These programs also teach the child about desirable and undesirable things in the surrounding. He gets new friends there. A child is given opportunity to participate in some events like dancing, singing, or any drama on stage, and even allowed to play different types of matches. The child will be highly excited by all such events. The extra time of the child thus gets filled with wonderful and interesting activities which filled with fun and energy. So there are only least chances of his being getting involved in negative habits of smoking, drinking alcohol, etc. Such interesting activities are helpful in bringing the child out of exhaustion, dejection and even ill treatment. The child is able to increase his rate of success in various fields. A child also develops constructive interaction with adutlts. It is most often seen that children are reluctant to disclose their feelings or secrets with their teachers or parents. But the child feels to be very free with the adults who train them in the program. The recreational programs emphasize more on health side which ultimately benefit the mind. Some of the parents join their child in the recreational programs in order to make their child healthy. In today’s world obesity is a major problem among children. Such programs can really benefit by reducing their over weight and keep them fit and healthy. The habit of watching more of television and computers can be reduced by introducing such programs to the child. These programs thus make the child eventful as well as amused. The child is able to form a great personality of his own with the help of these programs of which the parents can feel proud later in their life.

Child Care Management Software

Child Care Management Software

Child Care Management Software from Office Center has been the management software chosen by over 9000 child and day care professionals for their child care center management software during the past 20 years in head to head comparisons of the top four child care management software vendors.
Office Center is the affordable choice in child care management software for those child care centers looking for a fully developed, full featured and mature child care software program, backed by a management that has always offered Unlimited Toll Free Technical Support and an Unconditional 90 day money back guarantee.
Child Care Software Maturity
Our child care management software has been developed over the last 20 years by listening to the management needs and functions of over 9000 clients and giving their needs top priority in an easy to understand and easy to use format.
One of our most important goals is to develop long term relationships with our child care professionals to simplify their lives and reduce the stresses of their profession.
Our management software is currently operating in individual child care environments, church based child care centers, Montessori and private schools, hospitals, universities, child care corporate chains, the United States military and many school districts throughout the US and Canada, and as far away as Hong Kong.
Our Accounts Receivable module serves as the centralized collection point for tracking all of the financial data and all the information for child and day care centers many child and staff tracking, billing for both family and agency, scheduling, immunization and allergy tracking, record keeping, food program and accounting functions.
It serves as the management, organizational and financial backbone for the entire Office Center Child Care Management Software program.
Click for a Child Care Software Comparison Chart for Accounts Receivable features.
Eliminates Repetition
The Office Center software package is unmatched in its ease-of-use and flexibility with its custom designed navigation that allows you to "Skip with Open Forms" anywhere in its program to avoid the endless repetition of opening and closing numerous numbers of screens and countless mouse clicks!
This "Skipping with Open Forms" is the biggest time saver in getting your work done quickly and accurately, even when a child starts to cry or the telephone rings.  While older child care management program are repetitious, forcing the user to open and close pages over and over again, Office Center is friendly and efficient.  Office Center's simple to use design allows you to freely move from one family or child to another without having to open and close pages all the time.  That will save you valuable time and make your job easier.
Optional Child Care Software Modules
All other optional Office Center Child Care Management Software modules such as Accounts Payable, Payroll, General Ledger, Time Clock Accounting, Food Program, Multi Site Manager, and our sophisticated Corporate Software Module as well as our After School Program for School Districts all utilize this ability to "Skip with Open Forms" to enable you to get your work completed with simple elegance and with minimum effort. Network compatibility is included at NO extra charge!
Windows 8 and Windows 7 64 Bit Compatible.
Comparing "Ease of Use"
Nothing is as important in child care software as Ease of Use!
Does the management software under consideration follow the established Microsoft Windows design standards that most users are already comfortable with or does it have a unique and more confusing proprietary look and feel that will require more memorization of processes and procedures?
As you compare each vendors child care management software program by entering the Family Enrollment or Registration information into each potential vendors software DEMO, simply count the number of mouse clicks required and the number of screens that you must first open and then close in order to get your work done. Multiply this by the number of families enrolled at your center and you will soon see the amount of work required in using this vendor's software program. One phrase sums this up quite simply:
"Count the clicks and count the screens - you'll soon see what easy means."
Starting with our Value Modular Pricing and adding our Unlimited Toll Free Tech Support makes it easy to see why during the last 20 years, in Head to Head comparisons of the TOP FOUR child care software vendors, over 9000 child care professionals, NASA, the U.S. Military and many entire School Districts have chosen Office Center as the child care management software to organize and manage their child and day care centers.
May we send you a FREE working DEMO of Office Center Child Care Management Software? We guarantee that it will organize your center & simplify your life, making it easier & less stressful while saving you both time & money!

Saturday 1 February 2014

Malaysia

A Splash of Color in Malacca

The view over the river from my hostel window
After leaving the comfortable confines of Singapore, my next destination was just a few hours up the coast, in that of Melaka, Malaysia.  Formerly a historically significant port in the region, Melaka now has the feel of a sleepy, rural town that – whether due to its relatively small size or the growing presence of nearby cities such as Singapore and Kuala Lumpur — time seems to have bypassed, leaving the colonial atmosphere that once existed still intact.  And much like the rest of the surrounding area, the city’s population is a representative mix of the various Asian and European cultural influences that have taken root here over the last few hundred years, with the Nonya being the most noticeable (a mixed heritage resulting from the blending of Malay and Chinese immigrants).
The shipping trade is still a big part of the city (as the Strait of Melaka is one of the world’s busiest waterways), and tourism has started to creep into the picture, but the most apparent aspects of Melaka that’ll you notice immediately upon arriving are the brilliant flashes of color splashed all over the face of the city.  Whether you’re taking a ride in one of the famous tricked-out rickshaws, checking out wares at the weekend night market, or simply strolling the mural-lined riverside of the Melaka River, the vivid hues of the beautiful city will stay with you long after you leave.


The back walls of the buildings along a stretch of the Melaka River the extends the better part of a mile are all adorned with vibrant murals, creating a beautiful atmosphere for a peaceful stroll
Further views of the murals
A few examples of the local taxis: rickshaws that have been decorated with anything ranging from flowers and umbrellas to dolls and stuffed animals
Looking over the gardens of the Sultanate Palace
The interior of the Sultanate Palace
The eclectic interior of a local restaurant in the Chinatown area
Houses along the riverside
Looking out towards the Strait of Melaka


Come nightfall, the vibrancy of the city not only doesn’t diminish, but actually appears to be heightened — a fact also enhanced by the many decorations that are currently in place for the Chinese New Year festivities.  Additionally, if you happen to find yourself here on a Friday or Saturday night, you’ll be treated to a bustling night market on Jonker Street (the main drag of the dense Chinatown area):

The Jonker Street Night Market


View back over the river at night
Although it is virtually impossible to top the culinary scene in Singapore, the eating in Melaka is still nothing to bat an eye at.  Besides the Malay cuisine, you’ll also find quite a few restaurants, stalls, and street vendors serving Chinese, Indian, and Nonyan delights — here are a few of the local specialties:
Laksa again, though the Malaysian version eschews much of the sweet coconut milk and in its place adds a LOT more chili, creating a sour-and-spicy dish that will have you instantly sweating through your shirt (as if the heat and humidity hadn’t already done so)
Popiah — a variant of the spring roll, but in this case, stuffed with almost everything the cook can get his hands on
Chicken Rice Balls, similar to that of Singapore aside from the fact that they roll the rice into small balls, intended to enable one to eat with their hands
Nonya Pineapple Tarts
The Indian-influenced banana leaf meal, where as soon as you sit down, waiters descend upon your table and start dishing out dollops of this or that. And the best part is that all nine dishes sampled here, along with rice and a mug of chai tea, all totalled up only a little over two dollars
Satay Celup — instead of grilling the small skewers of meat or veggies over an open grill, this version has the diner dunking the raw ingredients into a bubbling vat of boiling soup fondue-style
I’m trying to branch out from the routine of Tiger Beer
Cendol for dessert: a mix of coconut milk, palm sugar, red beans, and a whole host of grasses and jellies, all served over a bowl of shaved ice
After my time Melaka comes to an end, I’m going to continue my trek northwards, with the Malaysian capital of Kuala Lumpur up next on the docket.  Until then, Sorakan from Melaka!

Tower-Hopping in Kuala Lumpur

Tower-Hopping in Kuala Lumpur


After growing comfortable with the laid-back pace of life in Melaka, I was in for a bit of a shock when I arrived in Malaysia’s cutting-edge and chaotic capital of Kuala Lumpur.  Part futuristic metropolis, part decaying remnant of a former industrial town, and part melting pot of every culture imaginable, you’ll equally as likely to encounter a towering skyscraper, a mosque during prayer time, or a bustling wet market each time you round a new corner.  The pace of life has picked up, the sidewalks (where they exist) are overflowing into the streets with people, and taxis, motorbikes, and city busses are all jostling to squeeze through the masses — but somehow, Kuala Lumpur pulls through the chaos and manages to gets its business accomplished.
When nearing the city via bus or train, the first landmarks you’ll notice are the twin Petronas towers (formerly the world’s tallest buildings up until a few years ago), which stand out as beacons that you’ve arrived in Kuala Lumpur.  Beyond the towers, to get a feel for the city, you’ll have to take the obligatory stroll through Chinatown and Little India (yes, pretty much every major city in this part of the world has one of each), knock off some shopping in the posh Golden Triangle, take a quick stroll around Lake Titiwangsa for the views back over the city, and then cap it all off with a night out on Changkat Bukit Bintang (a stretch of bars, restaurants, clubs, and hawker stalls).  Enough of my introduction, however — on to the photos:
The Petronas Towers as seen from a distance
The general crowds and commotion of Chinatown

Fountains in the Merdeka Square


It’s not really my cup of tea, but if a day of shopping sounds like heaven to you, you can’t miss the Times Square Plaza – the world’s fifth largest building.  It houses over 1,000 shops, 1,200 service outlets, a hotel, movie theatre, 65 food outlets, and Asia’s largest indoor theme park. The escalators (shown here) in the shopping area of one of the two towers were intimidating enough for me
When you’re grow weary of the concrete, a leisurely stroll around Lake Titiwangsa may be in order
Further, given that I happened to be in town for the beginning of the Chinese New Year, I grabbed a few new friends and hit the town to check out the celebrations:
The smokey, hazy atmosphere of Chinatown at night
Fireworks as seen from Changkat Bukit Bintang (the nightlife-heavy street near center of town)
A great way to finish the night is with a few friends back at the rooftop bar of our hostel– you can see the Petronas towers and the Menara KL tower (more on that below) lit up against the rest of the skyline
Although the Petronas Towers get most of the recognition, if it is a view of the city from the sky they you’re looking for, than the Menara Kuala Lumpur Tower is the best bet (you can ascend the entire 276 meter height, as opposed to the Petronas Towers, where you can only go as high as the skybridge between the two towers at 170 meters):
Looking up at the Menara KL Tower…
…and the view back over the city (and check out all of that green space still left intact, by the way)
Looking towards the Petronas Towers
And last but not least, I’m still eating my way around Southeast Asia, trying as many new dishes as possible.  Though I didn’t find Kuala Lumpur as much of a culinary destination as Melaka and especially Singapore, there were still a few treats out there to be discovered:
Beef Ball Noodles
Kway Teow Soup, using the same noodles as the Fried Kway Teow I had back in Singapore, but this soup version is more common to the Ipoh area just North of Kuala Lumpur
Putu Bambu – a sweet cake cooked with flour, pandan leaf, coconut, and steamed in bamboo pipes (as seen here)
The final product – enjoy!
Post-Kuala Lumpur, I’m planning on continuing my Malaysia adventure by moving North to the popular island of Penang (the city most visit here is actually Georgetown).  Until then, cheers!