Exploring Borneo Tropical Rainforest. by Jayden Yap

Tropical Rainforest is earth's most complex biome in terms of both structure and species diversity. It occurs under optimal growing conditions: abundant precipitation and year round warmth. There is no annual rhythm to the forest; rather each species has evolved its own flowering and fruiting seasons. Sunlight is a major limiting factor. A variety of strategies have been successful in the struggle to reach light or to adapt to the low intensity of light beneath the canopy.

Tropical Rainforest has always been one of the most mysterious and adventurous place to visit. Throughout the whole world, only a few tropical countries are lucky to have tropical rainforest with them, these are Amazon tropical rainforest, Cameroon, Congo, Nigeria, Indonesia and Malaysia.

When travelling in the tropical rainforest, it’s adventurous and mysterious; we definitely want to think about our own safety. Amazon and Africa Tropical rainforest system are similar to the one in Malaysia and Indonesia, but for safety reasons, we always encourage visitors or tourists to visit the 3rd largest island in the world ��" Borneo.

What is in Borneo? Sarawak in Borneo, the best place in the world for visitors or tourists to explore the wonderful Tropical Rainforest, you get to experience living inside the tropical rainforest, seeing Orang Utan, experience the local tribes and their local cultures and even to experience the tropical rainforest weather.

How to get to Sarawak, Borneo? Sarawak is part of Malaysia. You can use any airlines to reach the 2nd largest airport in Asia ��" KLIA, and use either Malaysia Airlines or Air Asia to transit to Kuching, the capital of Sarawak.

How to get around Sarawak, Borneo? One of the reasons to travel in Sarawak is because of their multi culture, majority of their populations speaks good English. They do have Taxi and public transport, or you can rent a car or even appoint Borneo Explorer Travel Agency to plan everything for you.

Is it safe? Yes, Sarawak, Malaysia is safe enough for you and your loves one to travel. Remember to ask about the visas before entering the country, read more at the resource box below.

What is the exchange rate? Currently the exchange rate is around USD 1 = RM 3.2. There are plenty of Banks and legal money changers around town.

How are the hotels and conditions? Sarawak is one of the best developing states in Malaysia, they are the 2nd most tourists visited state as well. You get to see some big names like Hilton, Holiday Inn, Sheraton, Somerset Gateway etc, they are all rated at 4 stars and above. You also get to enjoy local resorts which is not too far from Kuching at very reasonable price.

What are the attractions in Sarawak, Borneo? Borneo Sarawak tropical rainforest - The most complex tropical rainforest in the world, very safe for travelers.

Mulu & Niah Cave ��" One of the world’s largest cave systems and one of the oldest known human burial sites in Southeast Asia.

Orangutan Sanctuarys ��" The orangutans are two species of great apes known for their intelligence, long arms and reddish-brown hair. They can only be found in Borneo Island and Semengok orangutan sanctuarys are the best place in Borneo to watch the semi-wild orangutans.

Bidayuh Longhouse tour ��" Take a visit to the local tribes, known as the Borneo head hunters, but they stop doing that decades ago, so don’t worry about them. Learn their cultural and how they live in the tropical rainforest for centuries.

Satang & Talang Island ��" Other than the tropical rainforest, Kuching is famous for the beaches, stay in one of the best resorts in Sarawak for a few days before ending the trip in Sarawak. Go explore the turtle conservation and hatchery area, this is one of a few places in the world that allow tourists to visit.

Sea Kayaking, diving or snorkeling ��" While staying at the resort, always remember to go for sea kayaking or diving. Borneo has always been one of the best place to dive in the world, no shark, warm water, it’s just perfect for a romantic, adventurous and mysterious trip.

Who’s suitable and is it expensive? The living standard in Sarawak, Borneo is cheap. You only pay USD0.50 to get a 325 ml of Diet Coke, that’s how cheap it is. Anyone is suitable to explore the tropical rainforest in Sarawak. We use romantic, adventurous, mysterious, fun, relaxing to describe Sarawak, Borneo.

Always feel free to browse the link at resource box to see more photos of the tropical rainforest and Sarawak. Plan a trip there and experience the beautiful mysterious tropical rainforest.

About the Author

Borneo Explorer Travel Agency were the pioneers of Borneo Travel Online and we are currently working with the biggest and most effective tour company in Sarawak. We were the first company to introduce visitors to the wonders of Sarawak and we are now the first online travel company in Borneo too! we have continued to show them a warm Sarawak welcome for more than 30 years. For more informations or photo gallery,visit us at http://www.KuchingTravel.com

Orangutan Sanctuarys in Borneo, Sarawak, Kuching - A trip to the mysterious tropical rainforest by Jayden Yap

Welcome to the Orangutan Sanctuarys at Semengok located in Sarawak, Borneo. One of the best Orangutan sanctuarys in the world. Semengok Wild life center is the best place in Borneo to view semi-wild orang utans, who have been rescued from captivity and trained to survive in the surrounding forest reserve. The rehabilated animals roam freely in the rain forest, and often return to the centre at feeding time. Thanks to the successful breeding programme at Semengok, there is a good possibility of experiencing one of the most heart-warming sights in Borneo - an orang utan mother with a young baby.

The centre is 30 minutes drive from Kuching and another 20 minutes on foot. Along the way visitors pass by the ethno-botanical gardens, with their unique collection of rain-forest plants. Semengok also has a number of short jungle trails and optional forest walks can be incorporated into the tour.

How to get to the Orangutan Sanctuarys at Sarawak, Malaysia, Borneo? You can either choose to fly into Malaysia's capital city - Kuala Lumpur, and from there you can use either Malaysia Airlines or Air Asia to Kuching, the capital city of Sarawak. You can contact us or book a tour with us and we will personally take you to the Orangutan Sanctuarys, where you get to see these amazing animals. More info can be located at the bottom of the resource box.

What else can we do in Sarawak? Sarawak, Borneo - A land full of mysteries, covered under the tropical rainforest. We would usually advise our visitors to stay here for 2 weeks, and to experience living in rainforest, exploring the world largest cave systems - Mulu caves, do kayak in the rainforest, visit the local long house owned by the head hunters, visit Orangutan Sanctuarys, stay in the tree house on top of the tree, enjoy the nice and beautiful beach and take a trip down to Satang island for turtle conservation and hatchery area. Enjoy the local food and meet the local peoples.

How is the weather in Sarawak? On the whole, Sarawak has an equatorial climate. The temperature is relatively uniform within the range of 23°C to 32°C throughout the year. During the months of March to September, the weather is generally dry and warm. Humidity is consistently high on the lowlands ranging from 85 per cent to 95 per cent per annum. The average rainfall per year is between 3,300 mm and 4,600 mm, depending on locality, and the wettest months are from November to February.

Getting around? We usually would advise our visitors to plan their trip before they come to Sarawak, or we plan it for them. Please contact us in the resource box.

Is Sarawak, Malaysia Safe? Among South-East Asia, I can say Sarawak, Malaysia is one of the best and safest places for visitors to travel. The people here are friendly and helpful, the majority of them are a mixture of Dayak, Chinese, Malay and some Hindu.

Is there any Money Changer in Sarawak? Yes, there are plenty of Money changer and banks in Sarawak and yes, they are safe and legal.

For visas questions or any other tour, car rental or hotel accomodation information, visit our link below, thanks.

About the Author

Borneo Explorer Travel Agency were the pioneers of Borneo Travel Online and we are currently working with the biggest and most effective tour company in Sarawak. We were the first company to introduce visitors to the wonders of Sarawak and we are now the first online travel company in Borneo too! we have continued to show them a warm Sarawak welcome for more than 30 years.

Please do visit our website at : http://www.KuchingTravel.com

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Bornean Clouded Leopard by Omer Ashraf

'Neofelis Diardi' the Bornean Clouded Leopard is now believed to be different from the mainland clouded leopard 'Neofelis Nebulosa'. The difference was established after a detailed chromosomal analysis whereby enough contrast was found with the clouded leopard to stop considering it as its subspecies. In fact the extent of genetic variation was similar to what is found in DNA of other big cats.

To a keen eye the difference is easily appreciable in even the coats of the two cats. The Bornean Clouded Leopard has a coat that is darker, with a double dorsal spine, and smaller cloud markings with numerous distinct spots within them, than the mainland Clouded Leopard. It is the largest predator on the island of Borneo, the third largest island in the world, and its two inch canines are second only to the saber toothed tiger in feline history.

Little is known about the behavior and lifestyle of this secretive animal that resides deep within the rain forests of Borneo. The agile body, short legs, large paws, sharp claws and great climbing ability enable it to reside and stalk high on trees and take down a variety of prey using its great stealth and hunting apparatus. Deer, monkeys and pigs - the usual prey - are killed by a single bite from those great teeth, and despite its short stocky physique (weight nearly fifty to sixty pounds, length around three feet excluding tail) larger prey is frequently taken without hesitation.

As with every other big cat in nature, man-made threats continue to push it against the wall in its fight for existence in the wild. In the case of Bornean Clouded Leopard, these include mainly habitat destruction by logging and new rubber and palm oil plantations. Recently however, the three governments controlling Borneo (Brunei, Indonesia and Malaysia) met and drafted a landmark conservation agreement to protect the heartland of Borneo and designate it for conservation and sustenance of the diverse fauna and flora of one of the last remaining heavens on earth - raising hope for one of the most beautiful cats of them all!

About the Author

The author is a blogger about cats and an expert on Bornean Clouded Leopard.

Learn more about cats here: http://ailurophiles.blogspot.com

Asian Elephants by Michael Flancman

Asian Elephants

Asian elephants are sometimes known as Indian elephants. They are one of the three living species of elephant. Asian elephants are found mostly in India, Indochina, Indonesia, and Sri Lanka. Asian elephants are smaller than African elephants and Asian elephants also have smaller ears. This is one of the best ways to tell Asian elephants apart from African elephants. The height of an Asian elephant ranges from 7-12 feet and they weigh approximately 3.25 to 5.5 tons. There are other physical characteristics that separate Asian elephants from their African counterparts. They have a more arched back and also have more nails on the feet. While both male and female African elephants have tusks, female Asian elephants usually do not have these tusks. Females that do have tusks often have tusks that are small and hard to see.

Behavior of Asian Elephants

Elephants travel in migratory routes that are seasonal in nature. These routes often take the Asian elephants through wet and dry zones. The oldest member of the herd is the elephant charged with remembering where the routes lead. Asian elephants live for about 60 years when they are in the wild and 80 years when they are in zoos and other captive environments. The females live in small groups that are led by the oldest female in the group. The herd that elephants travel in consists of relative elephants. Male elephants are called bull elephants. They like to travel alone and often become involved in conflicts over female elephants during the mating season.

Domestic Use of Asian Elephants

Asian elephants have been domesticated for many purposes. In Southern and Southeast Asia, elephants have been used for forestry purposes because their tusks and large size make it easy for them to knock down small trees and brush. Asian elephants have also been used during ceremonies for many centuries. Some areas charge money to tourists to see Asian elephants in the wild, but it is difficult to do this because elephants may damage property.

Danger of Asian Elephants

Because of their size, Asian elephants are rather dangerous. They have tusks and large bodies that can be used to destroy property and cause harm to humans and other animals. Adult males are particularly aggressive because of the surge in testosterone they experience after they go through puberty. This aggression gives them the ability to cause a lot of damage in a short amount of time.

Subspecies of Asian Elephants

There are four subspecies of Asian elephants. The Indian elephant (E. m. indicus) lives in southern India, northwest India, and the foothills of the Himalayans. This subspecies has males that usually have tusks. The Sri Lankan elephant (E. m. maximus) only lives in Sri Lanka. Most of the elephants do not have tusks whether they are male or female. The Sumatran elephant (E. m. sumatrensis) lives in Sumatra. This elephant is sometimes known as the pocket elephant because of its small size. The Borneo elephant (E. m. borneensis) is the smallest subspecies and lives in north Borneo. Even though this is the smallest subspecies, it has the biggest ears.

About the Author

Michael Flancman is number 1 at number 2! Check out our recycled paper products made from Poo!

Top 3 Destinations In The Philippines by Joie Charles

The Philippines is an archipelago, having 7, 107 islands, and is abundant in nature, warm people, natural wonders, and filled with pleasant discoveries. Philippines is now considered as one of the top destination in the world, having 1.5 million foreign tourist arrivals for the first semester this year.

With hundreds of destinations in the country, the top 3 on my list are the following:

1. Boracay

Boracay is located in the northwest corner of Panay Island that belongs to the Visayas island group of central Philippines in the Pacific. It is one of the country's most popular tourist destinations, and now, became an international destination too. The White Beach and Bulabog Beach are just the two primary tourism beaches, which are located on opposite sides of the island.

Aside from taking dip of the crystal blue water, you can also take a boat around the island, hire a motorbike or scooter to explore the place, or go horse back riding, and experience the native villages and sceneries that usual visitors don't do.

And, did I tell you that Boracay has one of the most beautiful sunsets? Well, you don't surely want to miss it. And, the fun doesn't end there yet, since Boracay nightlife is pulsating with so many bars and restaurants around that will give you fun until dawn.

2. Bohol

Located in the Central Visayas region, Bohol is the home of hospitable and warm people. Boholanos, as what the natives are called, are very proud of the natural wonders that are bestowed in the island. To name a few, it is the home of the famous Chocolate Hills! Imagine seeing no less than 1268 hills, that are uniform in shape and will turn chocolate brown during summer, and from which the name was derived. You can also see the Tarsiers, one of the smallest known primates and be amazed when they turned their heads by 180 degrees.

Bohol is also blessed with a numerous white sand beaches, and Panglao Island is one of the famous destinations, having powdery sand. It has a large number of top class diving sites, which both foreign and local divers would consider it as diver's haven.

3. Palawan

Palawan is located in the Western Visayas Region and the islands stretches from Mindoro to Borneo in the southwest. The place is for adventure seekers and nature lovers and its famous for its marine sanctuaries, white sand beaches, and exotic wildlife.

One of the "a-must-see" in Palawan is the Tabon Cave. It is a 138-hectares, of rugged cliffs and deep slopes. Because of its importance to Philippine History and heritage, the site was declared a Museum Reservation Site by virtue by the Philippine Government.

Another is the El Nido marine reserve. The scenic landscapes, crystal clear waters and the isolation from the big crowd of the city usually attracts and fascinates the travelers of the place. Kayaking, snorkeling, diving, hiking to the peak of the island, bird watching, sunbathing in a white beach are just some of the activities you can enjoy.

There are still a lot of things that Philippines offers, and it's just there, waiting to be discovered. So, travel in the Philippines now!

About the Author

Experience life in business and pleasure with luxury and style at a very affordable cost and hospitable people. Travel in the Philippines now! http://www.travelinphilippines.com

an introduction to malaysian food by amy guan

Malaysia is a country with rich culture. The population is made of mainly Malay, Chinese and Indians while the Borneo sub origins made out the most of west Malaysian population. Malaysian food, of course is very much reflective of the diversity of the people staying here. Located at the Southeast Asia, Malaysia is in between Thailand and Singapore while West Malaysia is next to the Sulawesi and Philippines.

It doesn't take an adventurous traveler or food enthusiast to appreciate Malaysian food. There are just so much to choose from, whether traditional or modern cuisines, deem to satisfy the choosiest tastes buds. The staple food in Malaysia is rice, just like the other Asian countries. Due to its sunny weather all year round, fruits and vegetables are in abundance while meat, poultry and seafood is inexpensive and readily available. Malaysian food, just like its people, is divided into Malay, Chinese and Indian and is still prepared by their own unique ways.

Malay food, in general is rich with herbs like lemongrass, tamarind, dried and fresh chilies, ginger and garlic. Malay dishes can be distinguished into a few methods of cooking namely masak merah (tomato sauce), masak lemak (coconut milk), masak asam (sourish tamarind) and masak pedas (spicy). Popular dishes that cannot be missed are such as nasi lemak (coconut milk steamed rice), sambal belacan (shrimp paste with pounded chilies), beef rending (dried curry) and serunding (beef floss). Satay, or barbequs meat on a stick, is originated from Malay cuisine has presence in restaurants all over the world today.

Indian food, on the other hand, has very much integrated northern Indian and southern Indian cuisines when they reach Malaysian shores. Popular for their curries, banana leaf rice and breads such as chapati, naan and roti (prata in some countries). Indian food has also been assimilated with Malay food through their mix marriages of Indian Malay. The resultant is Mamak food, which cannot be found in India, itself. Examples are like teh tarik (tea with milk), murtabak and rojak (mixture of fruits with peanut sauce).

Chinese food, like Indian food, has been assimilated with local cuisines. In China itself, Chinese are divided into so many provinces namely the Cantonese, Hakka, Hokkien, Hainan, Teochew and so forth. In Malaysian, Cantonese food makes the most presence with its stir fry and steaming method. Chinese dishes such as dim sum, sweet and sour dishes, char siew (sweet barbecued pork),bak kut teh (herbal soup) are a few popular dishes. Steamboat or fondue is also widely available and can be a great experience.

There is no denial, Malaysia is a food heaven. Restaurants open very early through wee hours in the morning. There is food for every budget. Sometimes a hearty meal come with a small price, yet does not compromised on varieties. Head down to street stalls in Kuala Lumpur, the capital of the country and you will know what I mean.

About the Author

amy guan loves to cook and shares her malaysian recipe online at her blow www.malaysianfoodrecipe.blogspot.com