Floria 2012 - Magic of the Night

Here are some pictures from Floria 2012's decorated floats (boats actually) and fireworks display. It is worth the time spent standing by the lake for two hours plus to see the 'Magic of the Night' as the organisers calls it. For those who are going to Floria 2012, try to go in the evening and stay on to see this event as many of the Floria exhibits are lighted and look good at night. As each boat goes by the main stage, the MC will give a brief description of the theme for the float plus the thematic music will be played.

The lighted boats at the end of the parade.

Fireworks display with the boats on the Putrajaya lake.

International Floats

There were two international floats for this event. The first international float (and the first float) to drift by is from Suzhou, China. The float from Suzhou highlighted the city as a UNESCO heritage city. Suzhou is also known as the Venice of the East. I think it is one of the best float for the night, if not the best.

The float from Suzhou, China.

The next international entry is from Kenya. Depicted on the float are the Big 5 of Africa, namely the lion, African elephant, rhinoceros, Cape buffalo and leopard.

The float from Kenya, depicting the Big 5 of Africa with the Putrajaya Seri Wawasan Bridge in the background.

Local Floats

The first local float is from Langkawi. With a large Brahminy Kite perched on the front side of the boat, the float promotes Langkawi's Magical 99 Islands.

Langkawi's float with a large Brahminy Kite at the bow end of the boat. Langkawi is named after the Brahminy Kite - Lang means a raptor and Kawi is the ochre colour/dye, the main plumage colouration of the Brahminy Kite.

Next is the float from Johor, which is less gaudy but still colourful. I kinda like the colourful checkerboard pattern on the boat.

The float from Johor that proudly carries the name of Nusajaya.

Next was the float from Melaka. The float looked like a tortoise shell, and had a replica of the A-Famosa gate and a red building that looked like the buildings at Stadhuys at the back of the float. The 'shell' is used as a projection screen for pictures of historical buildings in Melaka plus some laser lights. Not at all attractive as the projected images were not bright enough and the laser light show was nothing spectacular. A possible candidate for the worst float, in my humble opinion.

The strange float from Melaka. Rather dark and not eye-catching. The bridge and the lights in the background looked more interesting.

After the dull, rather boring float from Melaka, the next float from Negeri Sembilan looked bright and cheery like the Sun. One can easily see that the focal point of this float is a representation of the beautiful old Istana Seri Menanti at Kuala Pilah.

The float from Negeri Sembilan depicting the traditional Malay style architecture of old Istana Seri Menanti.

This is then followed by the float from the state of Pahang. The float loudly proclaims Start in Tioman (SIT), which is a joint program between the Ministry of Tourism Malaysia, Tourism Malaysia, the Pahang State Government, and the Divers Association. There is also a strawberry onboard, for Cameron Highlands is in the state of Pahang.

The float from Pahang, heading towards the main stage.

Well, then we have the float from Perak. I am not too sure how to put this, but I would have considered this float a 'disaster'. Firstly, it appears to be poorly lit. Also the rendition of buildings weren't very distinct. I can just make out the leaning clock tower of Teluk Intan, and that is just about it. As it approached the main stage, all lights were turned off. Then pigeons were released from the boat. Yes PIGEONS, released at night! Those poor birds were plunged into darkness and then forced to take flight in the dark. Consequently, they headed for areas perceived as lighted. Since the water had reflections of bright lights, some of the disorientated birds dive straight for the lake surface. They then flop and swim to the shore, where they get frightened by the wall of spectators. Some flew to the trees (lucky them). Some were 'taken' by the spectators. Not too sure if they were released or ended up in the pot of one of the spectators. Then the lights on the float were turned on and a flag (not very discernible) was raised above the main structure of the float. I am appalled that the organisers even allowed this thing. I guess animal rights isn't a strong point for this event. Pigeons are diurnal animals, and even trained homing pigeons get confused if forced to fly at night. Never ever release diurnal birds at night. Perhaps bats or nightjars would have been a better choice. Maybe owls...

The float from Perak - this is before they turn all the lights off and release pigeons into the night! Tsk tsk tsk, bad float bad organisers.

Click on the link/image below to read the second part of this post:

Floria 2012 - The Magic of the Night Part 2

Scallions from the balcony

Something out, something in...That's how it goes for a small balcony garden. I have been dragging my feet in planting bulbs and seeds from Diana, as I need to free up some space to accommodate the generous offer of seeds and bulbs. I believe that most people whom had obtained bulbs and seeds recently had already planted them and theirs are all growing vigorously. Just look at K Mar's gladioli and Lynn's carrots and romaine seedlings. So feeling a little kiasu, I took to clearing some of the containers to free up space for the seeds and bulbs.

The severely neglected Allium chinense still produced quite some bulbs.

The first to go is the Chinese scallions that I had put in last November. I have three large poly-bags of them (they fill up the bags quite rapidly) and had thrown out one bag last month. When the remaining two bags were cut and the soil dumped away, I am faced with this bunch of Kiangsi scallions that I do not really fancy eating since they can taste a little 'green'. As they were about to go into the bin, I was told not to waste it so it is now waiting to be pickled.

Some of the Kiangsi scallion bulbs were replanted into a small pot - just in case I still need it for some dish in the future.

I did replant some of the bulbs, but this time in a small plastic pot. If needed, the bulbs can be further divided at a later date.

Hazy...Hazier...

Hmm, still hazy today. The percentage of areas with unhealthy air quality had risen to 14% at 7am today (16 June 2012) from 8% at 5pm yesterday. And with no rain forecast until next week, coupled with weak winds that is not helping the dispersion of the haze, it appears that we will have to be content with smoky, acrid smelling air and lowered visibility in the city.

The haze in KL is not getting any better. In fact it might be getting worst - compare this picture with a picture in yesterday's post.

The Air Pollutant Index data from the Department of Environment Malaysia for 11am shows that the percentage of area with unhealthy air quality is at 16%, an increase from 2% from the 7am data.So I guess it is getting hazier when compared to yesterday. Hopefully this patch of haze will get dispersed when it rains.

The Air Pollutant Index data from the Department of Environment Malaysia showing percentages of area with different status of air quality for 7am and 11am 16 June 2012.