Village Homes in Somalia

*This is an example of a countryside hut in Somalia. It's  made from grass. It’s easy to move any time .

Anousha On Cave Houses

In the north east of Iran at the foot of Mount SAHAND in Kandovan, the villagers lived in cave homes carved out from the volcanic rock.

Some houses are more than 700 years old but now they're empty and just tourists go there for a visit. Very impressive.

Take a Day Trip to Melaka!

Malacca ( English spelling) or Melaka ( Malay spelling) lies on the west coast of West Malaysia. It's south of the capital, Kuala Lumpur. The journey by bus or car is usually around two hours.

 

The town is built on the banks of the river. In the old days, people made a living by fishing. But soon Melaka became an important trading post.

You can take a cruise on a river boat to see the old and new houses built along the banks of the river.

This is built following the traditional palace ( istana ) of the Malay royal family. The head is called the Sultan.

The first Europeans to reach Malacca were the Portuguese. They wanted to control the spice trade. Spices from the Indonesian islands were very important and VERY expensive in the 15th and 16th centuries because they helped to preserve meat. No spices were found in Europe; they were only available in the East.

To control the Straits of Malacca, the Portuguese built a fort - The picture above shows A Famosa.

The red buildings here were built by the Dutch when they took control of Melaka in the 17th century. The Dutch fought the Portuguese for Melaka because they wanted to control the Straits of Malacca ( the sea between Sumatera, Indonesia and West Malaysia).

You should try taking a ride on these decorated trishaws ( the seat is attached to the bicycle).It's a good way to explore the narrow streets of Melaka.

You could also try a ride on the bullock cart. In the past, bullocks were used to plow the rice fields.

 

Here's a copy of the traditional ships used by the Portuguese to sail to Asia in the 15th and 16th centuries.

Bring money for shopping! Here you have a variety of wooden clogs - they're usually not so colourful ( only painted plain red) and they're very noisy when you walk on them.

The lady is a Nyonya ( children of Chinese married to Malays). She's wearing kebaya and a sarong. They're expensive if they're made by hand.

You may be able to see these beautiful antique doors on the older streets of Melaka.

If you're very lucky, you may spot a traditional wedding.

The picture on the top right shows rice rolled into balls - they're eaten with roast chicken. Delicious!

Peranakan ( Malay-Chinese) cuisine can be spicy but also very tasty! There are also restaurants selling Portuguese food which has been adapted to suit local tastes.

Anousha Introduces Herself

I'm Anousha Nikrou. My date of birth is 12/6/87 in Teheran, Iran. I love swimming. horse riding and driving. I am a calm peron, affectionate, sometimes I can be quick-tempered. I am not inquisitive and also thrifty. I always spend all my money. I want to study tourism  managment. I live with my family in Malaysia and I am single.I always spend my weekends with my family.

Malaysian Houses - The Peranakan Homes

The Peranakans refer to the Chinese who married local Malays. From the mixture of their cultures, a new culture was born - the Peranakan culture. Here's a pic of the traditional Peranakan 'kebaya' worn on top and the sarong ( worn as a skirt) - the fashion follows the Malay style. The clothes are usually embroidered with floral designs. The women also wear beaded slippers. The clothes and shoes are usually hand-made so they can be very expensive.

If you go to Malacca, Penang or Singapore, you can still see examples of typical Peranakan houses. The front part of the house ( the facades) are usually decorated with colourful tiles such as the ones below.

Those who can read Chinese, can you share with us what the Chinese characters on the top mean? See the photo below.

The furniture in the living -room can be expensive. The influence is more Chinese than Malay. There are also some European- style objects such as the  mirrors  as the glass is often imported from Venice, Italy.

Here are two pictures of the bedroom. Can you spot the traditional urinal or potty under the bed?

Here's the kitchen in a Peranakan house. In the old days before gas or electric cookers or micro-wave ovens were used, charcoal or wood provided the fuel for the stoves. Many houses had wells inside the houses near the kitchens. Many Malaysians still enjoy colourful Peranakan dishes and cakes which are as colourful as their houses!

Please share with me the traditional houses in your countries!

WAYS TO TURN DOWN UNWANTED MEN!

Someone sent me this for a laugh.
If you are the victim of unwanted advances by undesirable men, try using these lines:

1.
HE : Can I buy you a drink?
SHE : Actually I'd rather have the money.

2.
HE : I'm a photographer. I've been looking for a face like yours.
SHE : I'm a plastic surgeon. I've been looking for a face like yours.

3.
HE : Hi. Didn't we go on a date once? Or was it twice?
SHE : Must've been once. I never make the same mistake twice.

4.
HE : How did you get to be so beautiful?
SHE : I must've been given your share.

5.
HE : Will you go out with me this Saturday?
SHE : Sorry. I'm having a headache this weekend.

6.
HE : Your face must turn a few heads.
SHE : And your face must turn a few stomachs.

7.
HE : Go on ,don't be shy. Ask me out.
SHE : Okay, get out.


8.
HE : I think I could make you very happy.
SHE : Why? Are you leaving?

9.
HE : What would you say if I asked you to marry me?
SHE : Nothing. I can't talk and laugh at the same time.


10.
HE : Can I have your name?
SHE : Why? Don't you already have one?

11.
HE : Shall we go see a movie?
SHE : I've already seen it.

12.
HE : Where have you been all my life?
SHE : Hiding from you.

13.
HE : Haven't I seen you some place before?
SHE : Yes. That's why I don't go there anymore.

14.
HE : Is this seat empty?
SHE : Yes, and this one will be if you sit down.

15.
HE : Hey baby, what's your sign?
SHE : Do not enter.

Youme on Korea

Seoul is the capital of South of Korea. (i'm sure that you  know that already! )

Han River is widest where it flows through the capital, Seoul.
Many streamlets flow into the Han River.
Korea's internet speed is best in the world.
Almost all phone companies in Korea offer free DMB.(so we can see the TV on the tube.!! and it's free ! )

Abby's Home in Sabah

I want to introduce my hometown to all of you.Let your holiday start and end at my place as your unforgettable holiday.I am  a Sabahan and I'm  proud to be one. Sabah is in East Malaysia.It has cities or towns  such as Kota Kinabalu, Sandakan and Tawau.
Kota Kinabalu is the capital city of Sabah.In my country the population is varied with many ethnic groups  like Bajau, Dusun, Kadazan and many more.Even though we have such a wide variety of races, we still live together in peace.
Sabah has a lot of nice food and stuff made by Sabahan people.All the stuff made by them will be sold at one place in Kota Kinabalu called  the 'souvenir market'. All tourists love to go there to  buy some stuff for their family and friends before leaving.
Sabah has many nice islands such as Sipadan Island which is one of world's  nicest  islands. An attractive place which all tourists MUST  visit is Mount Kinabalu Mountain in Kundasang Ranau. Mount Kinabalu is the highest mountain in Asia.There is a nice place to visit called Kinabalu Park in Ranau.In this place you will see a variety of crops and animals.It's a cold place and nice.Sabah is enriched with green crops in Kundasang.
Sabah also has nice and wonderful caves in Tawau called Gomantong Caves.There are  a lot of precious bird's  nests. The Orang Utan place in Sandakan called Sepilok which many tourists also visit.
There are more nice and wonderful places in Sabah you can see if you wish to spend your holiday in Sabah. It is worthwhile if you start and end your holiday here.Come and visit Sabah again and again and we can assure your holiday will be unforgettable and joyful. So,WELCOME TO SABAH!!!




Written by Nurhaslianah@Abby.

Nur Zatul Introduces Herself

My full name is Nur Zatul Akma. My friends call me Zatul. I was born on 30th November 1990. I'm a Sarawakian as I have lived in Sarawak my whole life and I'm addicted to my beautiful city called Kuching.

I have a big brother,Nasrol Izzat and he's majoring in Business Studies. My sister, Iffah wants to be a pilot but I'm not too sure about that. I've also two healthy parents whom I adore so much and also my dearest cat which goes by the name of Bobo because he's fat.

I simply love to shop and Kuching is not practically a great place for shopping. So, I always shop in Kuala Lumpur. Furthermore, I'm not an athletic girl but I do enjoy playing tennis. I've been playing tennis since I was in my secondary school and it's tough if I must say. But when you get the hang of it, you'll find it enjoyable. Moreover, I consider myself quite friendly. And that's a thing or two you guys should know about me. Peace ya'll! =)

Sagal on Saudi Arabia

Saudi Arabia’s economy is based on the production of petroleum. Oil here is  much cheaper than drinking water.

-My country consists of 13 states and they are  called emirates. I'm staying in Jazan.

-The culture is  Islamic but other people can practise their religion there.

-Food is very delicious and tasty, Islam forbids the consumption of pork and alcoholic drinks.

-Women aren't allowed to drive cars ( I'm affected by this ban ) and it’s not fair.