Anthropomorphic Motif of Borneo

I've kept this postcard in my drawer for some times. 

I have no idea what does the symbols representing for.

It is kinda like drawing of the fairly tales from the earliest ancient, known as Anthropomorphic Motif.

Those symbols inside the big circle are the intricate motifs which I believe is inspired by animal and plant. When the beads are woven repeatedly following the design and it can turn to be an exotic accessory like the photos below.   

Source : mySabah.com

    

Mount Kinabalu Peaks

I'm digging out one of my postcard collection of Mount Kinabalu and thought to make some research about the peaks. I've not climbing mountain since I met an accident and hurtled my knee some years back. So only see the peaks directly from the postcard :p   

Here are some famous peaks...

Low's Peak (4,095.2m)

Highest point of Mount Kinabalu. The peak is easy to identify when you are standing on the summit plateau. 

Donkey's Ear Peak (4,054m)

The peak is easy to be recognize by its distinctive shape that looks like donkey ears. However, the twin peak landmark has been destroyed due to the tremors on June 5,2015 with the top of one of the peaks falling off. 

South Peak (3,933m)

The most famous landmark of Mount Kinabalu. It's called as Seringgit Puncak by the locals, the peak is on our RM1 ringgit paper notes.

St John's Peak (4,090.7m)

It is the second highest peak of Mount Kinabalu. There is a visual illustration on the rock face. Some people commented that they can see the Orang Utan face on it. 

Victoria's Peak (4,090m)

This peak easily to be differentiate from other peaks with a horn or stub sticking out. 

Low's Gully (named after Hugh Low)

About 1,800m deep, is one of the least explored and most inhospitable places on earth (Source: Wiki).

Climbing trail of Mount Kinabalu.

   

Stay safe Sabah !

We are feeling so sadden to hear the news about an earthquake hit Ranau (approx. 20km from the Mount Kinabalu park) on June 5,2015 at 7.15am with the tremors felt in Tambunan, Pedalaman, Tuaran, Kota Kinabalu and Kota Belud.

We were taught since young in school that we are NOT living in a location that prone to earthquake. We shall change our perspective in the aftermath of the Sabah quake and to be conscious about how and what to do when an earthquake strikes. 'It's not the shaking that hurts. It's the stuff that falls on your head'. The most quake-related injuries and deaths are caused by the collapsing building, flying glass/ stone and falling objects. 

Japan-Talk shared tips on things-to-know to survive earthquake in Japan which may also applicable for other nations. Japanese people are trained in earthquake survivor skill from childhood   
(1) Hid under a sturdy object like desk or table 
(2) Don't rush out of building (as sign, wall, other object may fall) , seek for wide open area 
(3) Turn off gas and stove 
(4) Open the door to secure exist 
(5) Taking cover outside (protect your head)

Illustration Postcard as Promotional Tools

Halo, my dear friend. 

I love to collect illustration postcards, and it's normally wrapped / given as an exclusive gift upon a purchase of magazine or book. I'm not too sure about you, but for me, I will purchase the magazine / stuff that I may not need / want, but just to own the byproduct, i.e. illustration postcard. 

The 4 piece of postcards posted here are coming as a free gift from a Taiwan magazine , one of the topic in that series talked about postcards.  

 Jeff Szuc's posted some tips to use Illustration Postcard as an effective promotional tools to an outlay of effort-to-work-to-ratio-of-return-on-investment. 

Skywatch Friday : awakening in concrete jungle

Skywatch Friday
A piece of tranquil moment found in every morning, a relaxing walk from KLCC Park to my office.

Send you a postcard from Angkor Watt, Cambodia

One of the series postcards that I received from my lady boss during her travel to Angkor Watt in 2009)

Hi , hope you all are well out there. 

I'm so happy that I have finally purchase my flight ticket to travel to Angkor Watt, Siem Reap, Cambodia in a week time. Angkor Watt, the sacred temple that I wish to go since 2008 (7 years ago).

It is 2 hours flight from Malaysia.  

I wonder if my readers would like to receive a postcard from me in Cambodia (up to 5 postcards).

Kindly leave your comment here or email me at layhoon(dot)chua(at)gmail(dot)com by latest June 4 ..ooops..my birthday :)

(edited on Jun 12,2015)
4 of the postcards are underway from Cambodia. 

Oblique Night Image of Taiwan and China

你好 (Pronounced as 'Ni Hao', meant Hope you are well in Mandarin)

A very special postcard wrapped with plastic sheet delivered to my doorstep this April. Lily Hung from Taipei sent me this Night Image postcard with an image shot from an altitude of 223 miles. The oblique night image of Taiwan (center foreground) and part of mainland China was taken by one of the Expedition team, comprised of 40 crews aboard the International Space Station on July 27,2014.    

Traditional Batak Toba House, Indonesia

Apa kabar? (means How are you in Indonesia)

Agung from Indonesia sent me this postcard via Postcrossing. 

This postcard shows the traditional house of Indonesia ~ Batak House, which is also known as Jabu Bolon (means long and big house). I'm intrigued the boat-shaped with intricately carved gables and up sweeping roof ridges. This architectural design can be found in North Sumatra by an ethic group called Batak. Agung mentioned to me in his postcard that there were no nails found in the Batak house. Furthermore, the unique part was each of the doors has special decorations, shaped like eggs and darts.  

Shuijo Castle, Okinawa Islands

photo by Satoshi Kobashigawa

Shuri Castle was originally built in the late 1300s and played an 

integral role in the political unification of the island.

However, wars and fires destroyed the castle many times. 

The current buildings are reconstructions dating from 1992.

Gunung - gunung (Mountains) Malaysia

Mount Jerai ~ standing at 1,200 m high, Kedah's Gunung Jerai is home to many fascinating local legends. It was once reputed to be the adobe of 'Raja Bersiong' (the King of Fangs) whose private bathing pool has been discovered in the vicinity.

Mount Mulu ~ Gunung Mulu is the second highest peak in Sarawak, standing at 2,376 m. The caves found in Gunung Mulu Naional Park are recorded breaker in their own right: the world's largest cave passage (Deer Cave), the world largest natural chamber (Sarawak Chamber) and the longest cave in Southeast Asia (Clearwater Cave)

Mount Ledang ~ also known for Mount Ophir, Gunung Ledang is the highest mountain in Johor at 1,276m. Another attraction to be found in Gunung Ledang is a 50 m waterfall. 

One of the most captivating tales is the legend of a fairy princess who allegedly lived on Mount Ledang and Sultan (noble title). The Sultan had heard of her beauty and wanted to marry her, but she set seven impossible conditions for him.