Port Kelang for Kuala Lumpur

One of the bridges over the man-made lake at Putrajaya 'The Intelligent Garden City'. The flag that you see in the foreground is the Malayan Flag. The City was named after Malaysia's first Prime Minister, the late Tunku Abdul Rahman Putra Al - Haj.

Good Day Everyone,

On Sunday 21 March Arcadia was alongside her berth in Port Kelang.

All of the bridges on the lake are built to a different design. This is the Seri Wawasan Bridge. It is meant to represent peace. As an aside the lake water is filtered several times before being introduced to the lake and I am reliably informed that you can drink it with no harm to yourself!





Putrajaya is the newly built Administrative Centre for Malaysia and here you will find many examples of modern Malaysian Architecture. The Malays did not want it to be like Kuala Lumpur with its international architectural influences. This is pure Malay architecture at its best and they are extremely proud of their creation which is still under construction.



This is a view of the Prime Minister's Office complex from Putra Square. The Prime Minister lives here. Any visiting Prime Minister who visits Malaysia will stay here and get the best views!




You can see beautifully manicured lawns and flower beds outside the Prime Minster's Office. More than 70% of Putrajaya is devoted to greenery and water with 13 different gardens.



As the City is really an Administrative Centre the Government are keen to attract visitors at the weekend into the City to get to know it and enjoy all that it has to offer. The Sunday that we were there there was an International Hot Air Balloon Festival in full swing........





Here you can see a balloon just taking off in front of the ultra modern Law Courts.



Some Arcadians took a 45 minute tour around the Lake which gave them an excellent view of the lakeside buildings. More than 50 local species of wet land native plants have been landscaped into the gardens bordering the lake.



This is their International Convention Centre, the design of which is based on the belt buckle that only the Sultan could wear. They have taken a really special traditional symbol and translated it into a modern building. Again you can see it is surrounded by lovely gardens and planting.

There are gardeners everywhere - they are determined to keep this place immaculate.



Here is an example of a modern Mosque; the architect apparently was influenced by the design of a modern football stadium. This building is also ecologically 'green' as it is cooled by water which continually passes up and down the walls. Malaysia is constantly summer - having no other seasons!..........


From a modern design to a traditional design - this is the Putra Mosque which incorporates Islamic architecture from Turkestan, Kazakhstan and Morocco.

A closer view on land. It you are not appropriately dressed to enter the Mosque you can borrow - free of charge a head to tow sugar pink all enveloping cloak, examples of which you can see in the picture above.

Another view of the Mosque from the surrounding gardens.

Our Stowaway - doubtless some of you blog readers will correct me - but I think it is a Marten??

Peris - what say you?..........

There were lots of them flying around the ship and this one decided to use it's brains and have a free cruise!!!! As you can see he left his deposit with the Purser!!!! He stayed here quite happily for about an hour while passengers walked past on Promenade deck occasionally stopping to take his photograph. Eventually he stretched his legs and left.

Sad as it was to leave, the temperature at Noon was 37 degrees C and the AC of Arcadia was beckoning our passengers home......

That's it for now,

Best wishes,

James.

Spread your tiny wings and fly away.......................