The Twins As The Tallest Christmas Tree...Ever?

PETRONAS Twin Towers as the 'tallest Christmas tree', ever? Well... that's how I see it at the moment anyway. You may not agree with me and that's understood.
Truth is, these magnificent tall structures are regarded as many different 'things' by many, many different people. Some say they resemble wedding cakes (yeah... you read that right) while some even see them as the 'horns' of a mythical dragon!

To my eyes though, at the moment they look more like the tallest artificial Christmas trees ever erected by men. Indeed, Malaysia should not bother to break any kind of world record related to Christmas event... the biggest, tallest and greatest man-made christmas tree is indeed to be found in this country! And... not contend with having just one 'tree'... Malaysia had indeed built a pair of them!

Talking about world record-breaking attempts related to ... well... Christmas trees... on the left is a photo of the 'official' record of the world's tallest artificial Christmas tree according to the Guinesse Book of Record. This 112 meter/295 feet tall structure is made entirely of steel wire. It is 114 feet wide and weighs approximately 330 tons. This world record Christmas tree is located at the Reforma Avenue in Mexico City.

As for the biggest man-made Christmas tree world record...
Rio de Janeiro has managed to claim the title by erecting a 85m tall floating Christmas tree (photo on the right and left). It is actually as tall as a 29 story building! It also has 2 million light bulbs, 1,600 flashy lights to evoke twinkling stars and 52km of lighted strands to evoke the Christmas theme. The floating Christmas tree is said to consume about one thousand kilowatts of electricity!



That reminds me (the usage of electricity and eventually the high cost of lighting up these record-breaking fake Christmas trees) of an article I read recently. It is about the most expensive Christmas tree ever built.


This small decorative tree is made purely of 24k gold! On top of that it is also decorated with more than 240 jewels, including diamonds and strings of pearls! The tree weighs 21 kg and is priced at 1 million pound! This extremely expensive tree is being displayed at a prominent jewelery shop in Osaka, Japan.

Now... come to think of it... has there been any record broken for the title of tallest or biggest real Christmas tree ever? I'm not very sure about that... but I had come across an article about an attempt made by Australia back in 1999. They had chosen a 80 meter /262 feet tree found in Maydena, Hobart on the Tasmanian island. The 'controversial' tree was indeed voted by the Australia's Wilderness Society as 'The Tallest Ever Christmas Tree in the World'! Sadly, the claim was disputed (by the Guiness Book of Record?) and Australia eventually missed the opportunity of claiming that 'prestigious' title. The reason? It was a wrong species of tree! The one in Australia was an eucalyptus tree. The 'real' Christmas tree should be of the 'fir' type....

Then again... for me, for the moment... the tallest, biggest and most fabulous looking man-made Christmas tree in the whole wide world... ever... is none other than the multi-faced PETRONAS Twin Towers!

Merry Christmas to Christian readers

and

A Very Happy New Year to ALL!

The Twins and the Land of 1000 Prayers

Someone told me not so long time ago that the PETRONAS Twin Towers was actually built and placed/aligned in such a way so that they face to the direction of the holy city of Makkah Al-Mukkaramah, or simply known as Makkah.

I believe this is true but I dont really know for sure. Maybe I should ask some officials from KLCC ... they sure can give the right answer.

By the way, I guess it is quite logical to assume that the Twins were actually built to face the said direction. In fact, what would be more compelling and dramatic in putting the whole process of designing the towers (heavily adorned with beautiful Islamic motifs & patterns) to an end but to finally erect them to face the direction of the land of 1000 du'as (prayers) ... the holiest place in Islam... Makkah! Now... that is so, very, very awesome, is that not?



For readers who are not very familiar with Islam teachings, Muslims all over the world perform their 5 times daily prayers facing to the Ka'bah (Islam's holiest shrine) which is located in Makkah. And, if they can afford (physically, mentally & financially) they are also required to pay a visit to this sacred site at least once in their life time. I have attached a Qibla Locator (to locate the direction of Ka'bah in Makkah from anywhere in the world) below... so you might want to try it out and see for yourself the direction of Makkah from the Twin Towers. Just type 'Petronas Twin Towers, KLCC' in the box and click 'Locate'.




It is also interesting to know that the Twins (Petronas Towers) would soon have their very own 'identical twins' built right in the city of Makkah itself! I was also, at first, quite surprised to come upon this piece of info but after seeing the plan of the 'new' Makkah I was totally impressed. It looks truly 'out of this world'! Among numerous mega, tall buildings to be built is a really huge 'eden' comprises of hotel /apartment / shopping mall complex called Abraj Al-Bait. Its really, really HUGE! Don't believe me? See the comparison (with other world-known existing megastructures including PETRONAS Twin Towers) below....




And below here is the 'new' Makkah. This layout plan is one of the many, many plans proposed to the Saudi Arabia government. Whether this particular one below is chosen is yet to be known. Anyway, take note of the identical twins (in orange circle) in the picture... long distance twins of the PETRONAS Twin Towers?

Wishing Muslim readers HAJJ MUBARAK...
a symbol of human ONENESS!

Celebrate the Lights

Petronas Twin Towers... day or night... the sight of these awesome twins would always fascinate me. And I believe that I'm not alone in admiring the beauty of these majestic towers.

At night time, when the towers are beautifully lit up, they are to me somehow, someway represent the largest ever man-made beacons in the Malay Archipelago region. Or... may be in the whole wide world even?

The dramatic night lights of these twin towers surely would never fail to catch my breath away. Of course, the 'drama' played upon by those lights is further enhanced on the eves of festivals and celebration of national events.

I have made some simple researches recently about facts related to those lights of the Twins. Keep on mind that these facts are extracted from different sources on the net. Therefore, I could not really guarantee the authenticity of the data. I guess only KLCC knows the actual statistic & latest updates of these facts....



- the main luminaire on the Twins was a 4X18 watt 16 cell recessed T/Bar Low Bright louvered luminaire compliant to CIBSE LG 3 as a category 2 luminaire, suitable for VDU areas.

Unfortunately I'm not a technical savvy kind of person. So, I honestly don't know what the terms above are referring to. Instead, maybe you could tell me more about them...?

- the quantity of luminaires was 45,000 and all were supplied with electronic ballasts

- indeed, this was THE largest installation of electrone ballasts in the whole wide world!

- the complete electrical wiring system consists of no less than 160km of cables!

- there are more than 100,000 male & female connections

- using the 'Black Boxes' system: all supply lines for power & aircondition arrive in each room under the ceiling in the entrance area and are connnected via a 'Black Box'

- the interior lighting consist of about 60,000 pieces of ECG & more than 240,000 pieces of L18w/840

- the integrated energy-conservation concept of the towers is based on an innovative 'cool-recovery' system: uses heat from exhaust air to power the cooling of outside air as it enters the building. This system reduces the amount of energy required by almost 50%!


It is a fact that the daily cost of any mega-size and super-high building is almost beyond imagination. Whether it is the Jin Mao Tower in Shanghai or the Al-Burj in Dubai the cost of maintaining these super-structures is huge. As for the PETRONAS Twin Towers in Kuala Lumpur, it is claimed (quoted from a source on the net) that it can reach up to US196,000... per day. So... errr... ermmm... let's not waste it away anyway. Together, let us celebrate the lights!

HAPPY DIWALI!

Twinkle Twinkle Little Star

So much have been said about the unique design of the PETRONAS Twin Towers. Some likened
the shape of the Twins to corns or bamboo shoots, while some even claimed that from afar they actually look like the top part of a dragon's head! Of course, there are also some who have suggested that the Twins actually have so much resemblance to that of the legendary Mughal's Qutub Minar of Delhi, India. Whatever impression these Twins have created upon those who have seen them with their own eyes, almost all have agreed that they are truly such an inspirational sight and cosmopolitan in its look. But, some may have asked, maybe silently to themselves or maybe to others... whether is there any 'meaning' at all in the design of these great towers?



Well, I'm not an expert to answer such 'heavy-duty' kind of questions, but I would love to share with you here a thing or two
that I came to know about the design. And also a bit part...
just a tiny-itsy-bitsy part... of the general interpretation of the design.


Let me start with the 8 point star of the Islamic arabasque design that forms the basic ground plan of the Twins.



The simple geometric square, the basic of Islamic geometry was the
basis on which the base plate was constructed. The 8 point star
effect or shape was then achieved by overlapping and rotating 2 squares (as the floors go higher).


According to Cessar Pelli(the main architect), he put an effort to respond to the climate, to the dominant Islamic culture(of the country), and the sense of form and patterning that he could perceive in traditional Malaysian building.

It is also interesting to note that the project was indeed the brainchild of the former Prime Minister of the country, Tun Dr. Mahathir Mohamad. He was actively engaged in all stages of the design process and the final scheme is well-marked by his personal fingerprints. And the result? An aesthetic design which has a feel of both modern and ancient at the same time! Awesome:)


Now... when it comes to the 'meaning' of the design, well, lets step
back in time. Really, really wayyy back to...errr...2000BC? Why should we do that? Well, because in the mid 17th century some explorers had found ancient seals, jewellery(like the rosette in the picture on the left) and metalwork in the ruins of a very ancient city of Ur. And some of the items found had revealed that the 8 point star pattern and design had already been applied and used in those time! And, it was believed that the Prophet Arbaham had actually lived in this very Sumerian city of Ur.


Let us move forward in time now. Just a little bit though. We are now in the middle-ages. By this time, the 8 point star was already widely used as a symbol in Islamic art. The design is generally referred to as 'Khatim' (especially in north Africa... specifically in Morocco) or 'Khatim Sulayman' (Seal of the Phrophets).


The 'Khatim' is indeed at the heart of many Islamic ornamental patterns. And ornamentation is
particularly important in Islam. The religion discourages representional art(human or animal form), therefore Islamic art grew from the study of geometry and the practice of ornamental decoration, as well as the sciences, literature and development of architecture.


The idea in Islamic faith is to seek to understand Creation, not to worship it, but to honor the Creator through the application of understand. Furthermore, the mental discipline, study and restraint required for constructing complex, precise geometric patterns support
the Islamic belief that humans are the greatest of God's creation!


So, in short, the 8 point star design of the Twins is actually a symbol of early astonomy, interconnectedness and faith in the ultimate harmony of Creation. In this way, it represents the highest virtues in Islamic cultures; learning, community, faith and LOVE of BEAUTY...

Twinkle Twinkle Little Star... see the beauty of the Twin's star!

Wishing all Malaysians a MEANINGFUL MERDEKA!

For Muslim readers, wishing you 'RAMADHAN AL MUBARAK'!

The twin's green oasis. That's what the beautiful KLCC Park is to me. The park is different from other parks in Kuala Lumpur for many reasons. One obvious reason is definitely related to the Twin Towers itself... it is a beautiful landscaped park which is located in the compound of the tallest twin towers in the world! That reason alone is enough to make the place a very special site indeed.

Talk about being different, KLCC Park also cannot be compared to other world-famous parks such as Central Park in New York or Hyde Park of London. KLCC Park not only provides a recreational avenue for visitors to unwind but also serves to protect flora and fauna in its natural habitat within the city. One could easily spot many different species of birds and insects while enjoying the beauty of the surrounding area in this park.

Indeed, everytime I spend time in this park I always seem to truly enjoy the sight, sound and smell of the place. For me, the place is really awesome. A true 'eden' in the bustling city!

This sprawling 'green lung' of the city was conceptualized by the late Roberto Burle Marx, a world famous landscape artist. KLCC Park's special features include a fountain pool, children playground, wading pool, beautiful sculptures and murals and jogging tracks. And of course... careful chosen trees and shrubs indigenous to Malaysia and the Malay Archipelago region.

The area was actually 'home' to 63 matured threes that thrived there when it was still under the management of the KL Turf Club(previous owner the area). It was very fortunate indeed that these trees were 'shifted' to the park by KLCC when they took over the ownership of the area. THANK YOU so much KLCC for 'thinking green':)

And now, after more than 10 years later, the park is 'home' to more than 1,900 indigenous palm trees from 66 different species! Wow! Impressive, eh? Many visitors are not aware, including locals, that the park also has some local fruit trees! There are 'longan', 'duku', 'jambu', 'rambutan' and mangosteen trees to name a few. So... free 'fruit-party', anyone? Well... don't even try to think about it. The KLCC guards are manning the place 24/7 and they would definitely not very happy upon seeing you climbing the trees or plucking the fruits. Nice thought though...:)

As for muslim visitors, there's a beautiful small 'masjid' (prayer house) located in the park. The 'masjid' is called 'Masjid As-Syakirin' and it features the splendour of exquisite traditional motifs of Islamic heritage. It is truly a beautiful and modern designed building.

There are also many shades and 'wakaf'(rest hut) located in and around the park. These shades and 'wakafs' are beautifully designed and some even built equipped with water coolers!

For me, the park is almost a perfect place for one to unwind and enjoy nature... whether you are on your own, with loved ones or family members. Except for one small matter that seems always to bother me. I dont really know the name of most of those lovely trees and plants/flowers in the park! I am quite sure that the signages (for names of those trees/plants) have already been placed by the management of the park... somewhere, somehow. But I just couldn't find them! It would be really nice if I could find them (the signages) and try to learn by heart all the name of those lovely greens. They are all, after all, the real jewel of this blessed country!

The Kings & I. And the Twins too.

What was that all about?... you may ask. Welll... actually I had experience of meeting 2 Kings... face to face... in the twin towers. The 1st King was a real true-blue royal blood from the Kindom of Cambodia, while the other one is undoubtedly a 'king' in his own right in the colorful kindom of made-believe Bollywood. Let me start sharing with you my meeting with the 1st King...

His Majesty King Norodom Sihamoni

I was so nervous during the first few minutes of meeting him. You seee... i dont know about you... but for me its not like everyday I get the chance of getting close to a King. Not to mention the opportunity to strike a conversation and walk by his side. But luckily the calm face and genuine smiles he gave me somehow managed to calm the 'storm' inside.

Yup...that was how His Majesty King Norodom Sihamoni
made me feel when I met him. And true enough, with his gentle ways and gestures, soft spoken tone and words and genuine interest shown... His Majesty had really made such an unforgetable impression on a poor soul like me! Everything about him was so...regal! So royal. So majestic. And yet you could almost feel his humbleness when he talks to you. It was like... he respects and really listens to you. And that was so, so very ... hmmm... touching. Yeah. It touched my heart! For a person of his stature, His Majesty has proven (at least to me...) that he is indeed a very warm and caring person. A people's King...that what His Majesty is to me.


By the time His Majesty was about to step out of the towers, suddenly I had the urge to shout ... "Daulat Tuanku'! (loosely translated as 'Hail to the King'!). Of course I managed to stop myself on time. Anyway, I hope His Majesty would come back and visit Malaysia, especially Kuala Lumpur again, soon. So, if His Majesty does, and if you happen to be at the place where he visits, and you also happen to hear someone shouting 'Daulat Tuanku! Daulat Tuanku!' among the crowd... you could then very well guess who that person is...:)
A walk with a King... not that I get the chance to do this on a daily basis...

His Majesty King Norodom Sihamoni was elected as King of Cambodia in 2004 to succeed his father, His Majesty King Norodom Sihanouk.

The second 'king' I met in the twins was none other than the 'King Khan'... Shah Rukh Khan. Infact this was the 2nd time I met SRK. First was in Penang. He was performing in a concert and my friend and I were staying in the same hotel as SRK's entourage.

That night, we went down to the pub in the hotel... and there he was. Playing snooker on his own at a corner! I was so 'shocked' that I ended up standing right at the other end of the snooker table without doing or saying anything at all. I didnt know how long I had been standing there still as a dead log until my friend came to me and 'dragged' me out of the pub. I didnt even have the chance to say 'hello' to SRK!




This 2nd time around, I saw him lounging in a portable chair placed right infront of the main entrance of the Twin Towers. He was patiently waiting for his 'shot' for the movie 'Don'. I kept telling myself that this time around I MUST not leave the place without saying 'Hello' to the 'king'. After almost nearly half an hour standing and watching him, I finally managed to gather enough courage to walk to him. Then it happened... again!

The very moment I was getting almost close to him, suddenly there were lots of movements and everybody started to get very busy. They were about to start shooting. And some security guys started to usher onlookers to move away from the shooting area. So, at the end of the day, I did not get the chance to say 'hello' to SRK, again:(


Well, well, welllll ... if by luck or by chance you happen to read this post of mine, here's a bigggggg 'SALAM' to you, Datuk Shah Rukh Khan!

Malaysians in general love to listen to ghost stories. Spooky, eerie and strange tales always fascinate us. Whether you reside in the remotest area of the tropical jungle of Malaysia or in the hip, modern and bright city of Kuala Lumpur, once in a while we all love to be 'scared'. Indeed, I've heard some weird but nevertheless interesting stories from the occupants of the highly sophisticated building in this region... the Twin Towers! So... let me share with you some of those horror tales of the tallest twin towers in the world. Ready? Lets dim the light now...

Story 1: THE LIFT
One night, very late at night indeed, when all the occupants of the towers had long gone back to their homes, one young newly joined security guy was making his very first patrol in one of the towers. Our guy got into the lift and pressed the button to go to the XX floor. It was one of those floors located way,way above the ground.

Our security personnel was feeling a bit lonely riding the lift alone in the middle of the night... so what would the poor chap do in order to entertain himself? He whistled tune of his favourite song, of course. A few seconds later, the lift suddenly stopped at a floor located a few floors below where he initially wanted to go. Well, may be somebody was working late and wanted to go somewhere else in the building before going back home, our guy thought. But, wait. He suddenly remembered that the floor was among few which had not been occupied yet. He started to feel a bit uneasy.

The lift door slowly opened. True enough, the floor was unoccupied. No office furniture, no nice interior decor and it was almost pitch black in darkness if not for some light coming from the full moon which could be seen clearly from the floor to ceiling glass window.

And there was a figure standing right by the window.

A woman with long black hair. She seemed to be looking down to the floor and thus her hair covered almost all of her face. Wearing a long, old, dirty looking white color long gown, the woman kept on standing very still. The young guard called out for her asking if she wanted to ride the lift but there was no response. The air in the lift suddenly was filled with strong smell of flower... something similar to the smell of Ylang Ylang flowers, species that can be found in abundance in this region. That was then when he heard it!

A very distinctive sound of whistling. The same tune to the melody of the song that he had whistled in the lift earlier. The whistle sound grew louder and the pitch became hauntingly higher. Funnily, the whistle sound actually seemed to come from the woman. She then slowly lifted her head. Now she was staring right at the guy. Her eyes were all white! Her skin was so pale that it looked even whiter then her off-white color gown. She started to crack a sinister smile and continued whistling the haunting melody.

Frantically, the poor guy pressed the lift button to close the door. And as if in cue, the woman started to 'glide' slowly nearer to the lift. She was only a few feet away from the lift when the lift door started to close in. She then stopped whistling, open her mouth wide and stuck out her tounge. A thick, black, hairy tounge! Yuck! The tounge then seemed to extend forward and became longer... and longer... and longer until it was almost touching the door! The tounge was trying to reach him! In the nick of time, the door finally managed to be closed completely...

Wanna hear some more horror stories from the tower? Come back soon for Story 2... or better still, would you like to share some spooky stories of the tower? Then, leave some in your comment.