Scientists have sounded the alarm over the predatory crown of thorns starfish, which now seems to be threatening Indonesia's portion of the so-called 'coral triangle', regarded as the richest area of coral reef biodiversity anywhere on the planet. The coral triangle is an area between Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Papua New Guinea and the Solomon Islands. Over half the world's coral reefs lie within this area and it boasts over 600 species of coral; it is home to more than 3,000 plant and fish species.
The crown of thorns starfish literally sucks the life out of coral and can reach plague proportions. More
Further to Tuesday's post about Sunway Lagoon, this video clip from a coup;e of years ago, gives the flavour of the Quiksilver Surf Beach Party at Sunway Lagoon Resort.
Sunway Lagoon, in the heart of the land-locked city of Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia comprises three major theme parks, the Wild Wild West, the World of Adventure and the Waters of Africa. The man-made surf reef in the water park is the largest in the world and produces perfectly shaped waves; perfect enough to attract world class surfers on demonstration tours.
Part of the 2008 Quiksilver Revolution 2.0 tour is scheduled for January 26, 2008 and features surfing aerial specialist Ry Craike (Kalbarri, West Australia), top-ranked Australian surfing professionals, Troy Brooks (Bells Beach, Victoria, Australia) and Josh Kerr (Snapper Rocks, Queensland, Australia), together with Peurto Rican hotshot Dylan Graves and Indonesian surf star Wayan 'Betet' Merta (Bali, Indonesia).
The surfing superstars will be joined by an international line-up of skateboarding champions, who will be making the anticipated crowd of 30,000 gasp when they perform on a half-pipe skateboard ramp.
Two-time German Half-Pipe Champion and world number 13 Sascha Mueller (Münster, Germany), X-Games and World Championship finalist Renton Millar (Melbourne, Australia), European Champions Jocke Olsen (Malmõ, Sweden) and Jurgen Howarth (Berlin, Germany), together with former world number three Trevor Ward (Moama, NSW, Australia) are expected to put on a show to remember.
With Malaysia celebrating 50 years of nationhood in 2007, their ministry of tourism came up with a great promotional video to promote Malaysia to the world. Not convinced that the backing track will get many plays but Malaysia has a wonderful Asian culture and history, well worthy of a visit.
South East Asia's first mountaineering training center has been established on Mount Kinabalu, Malaysia. It is located in Mt Kinabalu National Park, which is a UNESCO world heritage site, renowned for its rich plant and animal diversity.
Adventure seekers will enjoy the new 'via ferrata', or 'iron road', a mountain route equipped with fixed rungs, rails, cables, stemples (crossbars and supports), ladders and bridges, that makes an otherwise difficult terrain accessible to people with a wide range of climbing abilities.
Mount Kinabalu's via ferrata is the highest in the world, starting at 3,200 metres and ending at 3,800m above sea level. The next highest is in Italy, ending at 3,600m.
The coral triangle is an area between Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Papua New Guinea and the Solomon Islands. Over half the world's coral reefs lie within this area and it boasts over 600 species of coral; it is home to more than 3,000 plant and fish species.
