Langkawi Island

One of the most famous island in Malaysia is Langkawi Island. Langkawi Island is the main island are richly blessed with a heritage of fabolous myths and legends. As a natural paradise, the island are perhaps unmatched anywhere alse in Southeast Asia. The rustic beauty of the island is in itself a compelling attraction.

The name Langkawi is a combination of "Lang" and "Kawi". "Lang" comes from the Malay word helang which means eagle. In the past, the land was a home to innumerable eagles. "Kawi" is Sanskrit for marble, which is found in excess in this part of Malaysia. Both words are joined to form the word "Helangkawi" which ultimately became Langkawi.

Another reference found in the book by Tun Mohamed Zahir titled The Legends of Langkawi which says that the name is a mix of two Sanskrit words—"Langka" (beauty) and "Wi" (innumerable).

The legendary Isle of Langkawi is located in Kedah, northwest of Peninsular Malaysia. Comprising a group of 104 islands, the biggest being Langkawi, it is a place for those seeking tranquility and refuge from the hustle and bustle of city life. So powerful is its charm on visitors that many have returned to the island time and again.

Butterfly

Butterflies are beautiful, flying insects with large scaly wings. Like all insects, they have six jointed legs, 3 body parts, a pair of antennae, compound eyes, and an exoskeleton. The three body parts are the head, thorax (the chest), and abdomen (the tail end).

The butterfly's body is covered by tiny sensory hairs. The four wings and the six legs of the butterfly are attached to the thorax. The thorax contains the muscles that make the legs and wings move.

Frogs and Toads

These frogs have the characteristics of:

1) two bulging eyes
2) strong, long, webbed hind feet that are adapted for leaping and swimming
smooth or slimy skin (generally, frogs tend to like moister environments)
3) Frogs tend to lay eggs in clusters.

These toads have are characterized by:

1) stubby bodies with short hind legs (for walking instead of hopping)
2) warty and dry skin (usually preferring dryer climates)
3) paratoid (or poison) glands behind the eyes
4) The chest cartilage of toads is different also.
5) Toads tend to lay eggs in long chains.

Hari Raya Aidilfitri

Hari Raya Puasa (or Hari Raya Aidil Fitri) falls on the first day of the Muslim month of Syawal and is a joyous occasions for all Muslims.

It marks the successful observance of fasting throughout the month of Ramadhan - the tenth month of the Muslim calendar. The celebration is determined by sighting of the new moon.

After morning prayers at the mosque followed by visits to the graves of family members to pay respects. Open house or invitation for relatives and friends to come to their house is practiced.

Plenty of traditional Malay delicacies are served during this festive season.

All mosques, homes, government and commercial buildings are decorated and brightly lit to mark the significant day. The celebrations last a month and although the first three days are celebrated on a grander scale, many Muslims have 'open houses' throughout the month to accommodate friends.

Chinese New Year

Celebrated over a periods of 15 days, beginning from the first day of the Chinese Lunar Calendar, this is the most important annual festival for the Chinese community.

Legend has it, Buddha invited all animals to his kingdom but only 12 attended. With that, Buddha dedicated a year to each animal. Each year is named after one of the 12 animals according to the Chinese Zodiac.

Chinese New Year is celebrated with abundance of delicacies , family gatherings, & the lighting of fire crackers at midnight.

Ang Pows or red packets of money are given to the young and unmarried while the symbol of prosperity, the mandarin orange, is liberally consumed.

It is the time when offerings are made to appease the spirits and gods. Houses are cleaned and decorated to prepare for the big day. New clothes are bought and worn.

The colour red is vividly displayed in many homes for 'prosperity' and 'luck'. The traditional dragon and lion dances herald in the new year, amidst banging gongs and drums. Penang is the place to celebrate the Chinese New Year.

The moon festival

The Moon festival (also called the Mooncake or Mid-Autumn festival)

falls on September 14th in the year 2008.

What is the Moon festival?

Every year on the fifteenth day of the eighth month of the lunar calendar, when the moon is at its maximum brightness for the entire year, the Chinese celebrate "zhong qiu jie."

Children are told the story of the moon fairy living in a crystal palace, who comes out to dance on the moon's shadowed surface.

The legend surrounding the "lady living in the moon" dates back to ancient times, to a day when ten suns appeared at once in the sky.

The Emperor ordered a famous archer to shoot down the nine extra suns. Once the task was accomplished, Goddess of Western Heaven rewarded the archer with a pill that would make him immortal.

However, his wife found the pill, took it, and was banished to the moon as a result. Legend says that her beauty is greatest on the day of the Moon festival.