ORDERLINESS IN THE LAWLESS FOREST

This fig grows at the MOE Dairy Farm Camp

Aerial roots embrace the host tree tightly



A shelter provider for flora and fauna

You can  rapel down the roots

 

My Roots,  My Home

















Nodules where the fruits used to hang from



  





Fig fruits

 





This strangling fig might encase
 me if I stay here longer

 






















A MURDERER IN THE FOREST?

I spent a whole afternoon and enjoyed a reflective walk at our famous Botanical Gardens. I was wearing my geographical lens and busy looking out for learning possibilities.  Taking the rain forest trail of the gardens, I let the forest immerse and talk to me.  My multi-sensory organs set out to work instantly. I stopped by for a breather and came face to face with this huge strangling fig which is suffocating a tree. In the forest, survival is vital and strategising the right moves is a basic instinct for the eco-system to maintain its balance.

This huge strangling fig encloses the tree tightly, encases it and finally will kill it one day.  Our mental model might conclude that in the lawless forest, the mighty rules over the weak. But wait, don't just write off the strangler fig as a murderer. It does contribute to the forest community like a big brother for it to keep on living.

These strangler figs are tall canopy trees which can grow to a majestic height of 150 feet. Their branches interlock one another, forming an umbrella-like function.  As a result, the wind  below the canopy is still. In order to pollinate, the other trees bear bright and colourful flowers to attract the pollinators as pollination and wind-seed dispersal are limited.

How then from its minuscule-sized seed does the fig reach the canopy stage? The story is not strange when you know that the lawless forest offers survival to one another. The rain forest floor is strewn with a thick layer of leaf-litter. It could hinder seeds dispersal by wind or animals from germinating and anchoring their first roots. There is little light but a lot of competition for water and nutrients from the other rich diversity of species.

Strangler figs have made a remarkable adaptation to avoid these shortcomings. Unlike most plants, strangler figs start out their lives as epiphytes in the crook of a tree or on its branches where old leaves and rain water collect. Epiphytes are not parasitic plants and they make their own food. Animals feed on the fig's fruits. The tiny, sticky seeds are deposited high in a tree by animal droppings. Since these seeds are not affected by the animal's digestive tract, they soon germinate with sufficient light and moisture.

The strangler fig gives no mercy to others and possesses an aggressive growth habit that insures its survival in the rain forest. The seedlings grows slowly at first, getting their nutrients from the sun, rain and leaf litter that has collected on the host. Most epiphytes like the bird nest ferns have similar characteristic on obtaining their own food too.  

The stranglers next send out many aerial roots that cascade or dangle down the trunk of the host tree from its branches. Once the roots hit the ground, they sink deeper and put on a growth spurt, competing with the host tree for water and nutrients. They also send out a network of roots that encircle the host tree and fuse together. At this stage the fig tree reminds me of a bird being caged with no way of escape to taste freedom again.  

The fig's roots grow thicker, squeezing the trunk of its host and severing off its flow of nutrients.  Its canopy grows wider, robbing the host tree of sunlight. The host dies off due to stiff competition for sunlight, nutrients and strangulation. What's left of the host  is just a hollow centre while the fig continues to maximise its gigantic growth with thicker roots. Its appearance like a shroud can give a ghostly appearance at dusk and twillight. 

Besides being a food and shelter provider, the flowers of the fig tree attract wasps.   These insects enter the cyconia of the flowers through an opening at the bottom of the fruit. The wasps get down to work by pollinating the flowers and laying their eggs in the ovaries of the flowers.  These ensures the continuity of seed production and supply of food for the rest of the animal kingdom. 

The weak do find dependence and protection from the strong ones in the natural forest setting. The beauty of such life-line is that some of these strong flora and fauna do not take advantage of the weaklings. Rather they tap the benefits from the relationship for each other's growth and survival. Balancing of the eco-system is important for the forest sustainability and continuity of the various life cycles as this would have an impact on us.

If the micro and macro organisms of the Tropical Forest can sustain their existence and survival in the wilderness, and be able to add value through a symbiotic relationship that benefits both parties, why can't we, homo sapiens?

EMPOWERING YOU!

My side-kick partner - Fahmy
















AFFIRMATION FOR FAHMY

I became your mentor when you first stepped in YSS. I further discovered we have more similarities and connections. We have worked together on many school projects. Your wife Lin, is one of my closest friends. Your brother was my son’s JC mate. Your father-in-law was my Pre-U teacher. And the link goes on in 2012 when we become form teachers of the same class.

The partnership and symbiotic working relationship we have developed, allows me to know you better as a brother, friend and colleague. It is therefore just right for me to affirm you of all the things you have done. I may not capture all of the things but from the bottom of my heart, these are what I want to share with you. I have selected our class and school activities that would speak for themselves your actions and passion you have for our Sec 1NT2 students. Do enjoy the photo montage.

For our staff retreat at Batam recently, we exchanged affirmation with our colleagues. It was a memorable and touching experience to acknowledge someone when sometimes you have taken the person for granted. Fahmy and I had a heart-to-heart talk on how he sees me as his mentor and how I see him as a catalyst for the younger teachers.

Here I have compiled a collage of photos Fahmy and Ihave done together as form teachers for Sec INT2. The chemistry we have was observable by the school and they recognise the importance of having good working relationship between the form teachers.


Dear Fahmy

I marvel at the way how close you hold your passion in Art to your heart. You are consumed fully by the subject and feel deeply about transcending this love to your students. You also feel deeply for the students and would fight the battle to ensure the students get what they deserve for. This is reciprocated by the student as they see you as a role model and as someone who walks the talk.

You could see through the students and accept students in their own unique way. You know how to keep them motivated and strongly instil in them that education would make a difference in their lives. When a teacher like you enhances students’ learning, and does it with true passion, the teaching and learning process becomes very powerful. It brings about a transformation in you and the students. And this is very obvious in your teaching and dealing with the students.

You are one co-worker who knows when to chip in as the going gets tough. I have observed you rallying in support around colleagues and working together towards getting the goals. Your presence comforts them and your involvement gives them the signal that they are not alone, but with someone whom they can gain strength to persevere.

I enjoy sharing the form-teachership role of our class. You are easy to work with and show care and concern for the students. The students see you as a guardian whom they can confide and at the same time play with. You are exemplary in the discharge of your duties and responsibilities.

I sincerely hope that you would go far one day and be able to lead other teachers to the same road signs in teaching – in bringing the passion of teaching, enthusiasm and breadth of resourcefulness to greater heights in yours and their teaching journey!

Yours sincerely
Mdm Azizah Bte Abdul Rahim



The class won their tug-of-war game




During class orientation



Champ in CNY Hamper Designing Competition

We raised $1640 for a donation drive.  Highest amount

Class entries won the Mother's Day Tribute



Class bonding - building sandcastles at ECP



Experiential learning on recyclable projects

National Education - We love Singapore

We inculcate values in our students

Strong Teacher-Student relationship

Every recognition is given to our students

Class raised SGD$300 for school's needy students





Resourcefulness the key for effective teaching mterials

A teary moment for the affirmation exchange at Batam




















Thank you Fahmy for being a wonderful co-form teacher with me for this past year.

ROADSIDE BEAUTY

FLORA FLOURISH

The hot and wet climate of tropical Malaysia encourages the growth of many floral plants.  The flora comes in a variety of colours, shapes and sizes. Approximately 20,000 different species of flowering plants are found in the country of Malaysia, says Flower Hawaii.

Most Malaysian tropical flowers are found in Sabah and Sarawak because of the rich soil, but the entire country is full of different flowers and flowering plants and trees.  The highlands boasts more of the temperate flowers like carnations, daisies and chrysanthemums while those on the lower altitude are sturdier and can withstand the heat.

I would try to take shots of the roadside flowers during my road trips.  They are unashamed in calling for my attention.

CHOCO OF THE PAST

 

Tora! Tiger! Attack!



   

The toys we were crazy about

 

Now it costs RM1.30





The chocolate balls with the round biscuits in them





 











Kinos Food Industries still produce them



We raced to assemble them.  The chocolates later.

  

The manipulative toys we have to assemble

 A packet of the chocolate balls.

 

One of the toys in the Tora box




 

We sacrificed our pocket money for these





  

Scream 'TORA' For Choco Balls Biscuits

Remember the words 'Tora! Tora!'?  They were imprinted on the blue box where chocolate balls were stuffed.  Only on rare occasions would I be able to pop these luxurious chocolate items into my mouth.  Back then when I was a school kid and with forty cents as pocket money daily and each Tora box costing fifty cents, how could I afford them very often? 

Most kids would love to have them and would save their pocket money to buy the chocolate balls. It did not help with the advertisements running during our cartoon shows showing the Tora box and the little toys that would be included in the packaging. Mat Sentul's  voice would be saying, "Tora datang lagi dengan cokelat berbola." (Tora coming back with the chocolate balls).

The persuasive power of advertisements magnetised us and I tried all ploys and pleas to squeeze a box or two from my parents. There would always be a change of toys offered for us to part with our money. And Mat Sentul was superb at that!  Also 'Tora' which is a Japanese word means attack. So Mat Sentul was actually screaming, "Tora is attacking the children! Time to buy the toys inside the box!' The boxes were ripped apart, the chocolates were put aside first and we would race to assemble the small pieces of the toys in order to try them out.

Times have changed now. With the invasion of Hershey, Cadbury, Ferero Rocher and Hirajuku, these chocolate balls I grew up with have faded from the scene in Singapore. On hind sight, I wonder did I buy Tora because of the chocolate balls or the little manipulative toys that came along with the packaging? Your guess is as good as mine.

BTW my son bought the Tora chocolate balls at RM1.30 each from Tigermart, Johor Bharu.



 

What does Tora mean?

It means tiger; however, in this case it meant to or charge and attack. Taking it apart in context to the era of a war film  titled 'Tora', it means Torpedo attack.  The title is made up of the code-words that were used by the Japanese to indicate that complete surprise was achieved (tora is Japanese for "tiger", but in this case, "To" is the initial syllable of the Japanese word totsugeki, meaning "charge" or "attack", and "ra" is initial syllable of raigeki, meaning "torpedo attack").

 

Such Tora advertisements hypnotised us

TANJUNG PIAI

MOTHER OF ALL ENDS


My destination to nowhere brought us to Tanjung Piai which offers spectacular views of the Tebrau Straits and the Straits of Malacca. Your eyes can also feast on Karimun, an Indonesian Island and the shoreline of Singapore Jurong-Tuas area dotted with power stations and industrial sites. The drive-up has a mixture of everything – aquatic and marine life, a bit of everything in nature, captivating facts, history and noshing of seafood with the waves lapping against the stilts of the restaurant.

We started our journey at 1030 and had a short stopover at Larkin market for brunch before driving along Pekan Nenas, Pontian Kechil, Pontian Besar and finally deciding to head for Tanjung Piai for a date with the crustaceans.

I did some research before writing this blog entry on how the name Tanjung Piai originated. Tanjung Piai stands at the southern-most tip of the Asian continent. There is even a village along the road of Pontian Kechil called Kampung Serkat.  'Serkat' is taken from a Malay word, ‘sekat’ which means blockage or dead end to commemorate the tip, I guess. ‘Tanjung’ means cape in Malay and Tanjung Piai derives its names form the ‘Paku Piai Raya’ fern, which flourishes in the area. This cape is also a home to Tanjung Piai Johor National Park.

Imagine yourself standing at the very tip of the southern-most tip of Asia, claiming the very few from Singapore and Malaysia who have done that. And for RM$5/- you can authenticate your visit with a certificate. It was worth the 95 kilometre we drove and the body ache inherited from sitting too long in the car.

For a place that is so geographically important, it is a pity that not many of us know of this tourist potential spot which is so near to our backyard. Tanjung Piai remains at the bottom of the country’s tourism list and you would not find it mentioned in much tourism promotional brochures. There were not many tourists that Saturday evening. Thus, we were so ecstatic to have arrived at this geographically important location in Asia without having to elbow our way through. We owned the place to ourselves. It felt like we had landed our sledge at South Pole, like those few who had braved and conquered against the odds.

The irony that slapped my face immediately was that the place was trodden by more Singaporeans than Malaysians that weekend. 85 students from Paya Lebar Methodist Girls were undergoing a leadership training and four Yishun residents outnumbered the local tourists. I recognised the Inno-Trex leadership trainers as they were the ones whom we had engaged for our BPK-YSS camp in March this year at MOE Dairy Farm Adventure Camp.

The Sungai Belukang’s entry point might not give Tanjung Piai its deserving status because of its dilapidated state. The soft greying estuarine soil gave the tarred road an uneven plain. Eco-friendly though. Leaf dusk monkeys were there to greet us, twining their tails at the cables and car hopping in search of food.

But don’t be disheartened. Look for Entry Point 2, drive along the undulating path and you would be welcomed by the new visitor complex. A 20m monument shouts at you, declaring Tanjung Piai historical and geographical importance. Here is also where you would understand why Tanjug Piai was recognised as a Ramsar Conservation Site in 2003. The ecological character of the place cannot be overrun by human activities. Another place I know which has received similar accolade is the wetlands of Sungai Sedili Besar and Kecil in Johor too.

There is a raised boardwalk network that runs through the mangroves to bring you closer to nature. Maps and ample directional signages will lead you safely. I observed that the coast’s ecology sustains minute organism for juvenile marine life to feed on, making it a perfect spawning ground for fish, crustaceans and other sea creatures. You can choose from a variety of things to do to suit your family needs: camping, night-walks, fishing or just observing the wetlands wildlife.

Ramsar identifies and highlights the considerable value of wetlands for tourism and the economic benefits that tourism can bring for the management of wetland sites. It examines the diversity in the scale of tourism, the management processes in place, the many challenges encountered and, wherever possible, the management solutions employed. The state government must also abide to certain regulations set by Ramsar. No construction of buildings and commercial human activities along 1km range of the area and in the case of Sungai Sedili, its banks. I have taken a boat ride along the Sedili River but did find aquafarms and goat farms breaching the regulations.

Tanjung Piai covers about 926 ha of forest, with 526 ha of coastal mangroves. The diversity in fauna and flora can amaze you. The Tanjung Piai mangrove inhabitants include dusky leaf monkeys, macaques, mud skippers, hermit crabs, tree snakes, beetles, iguana, Spoonbilled Sandpiper, stork and some 22 species of seasonal migratory birds. The Berambang trees offer a good fairy-light watch from the firefly. Climb up the observation towers for more panoramic views of the straits and the natural vegetation. Enjoy the solitude and pour your woes and sorrows with nature for some peace of mind and tranquility.

We strolled towards the jetty of Tanjung Piai Resort and could not avoid observing the erosional powers of the destructive waves that have toppled the trees. The plying of the shipping vessels has forced strong waves to hit and lash at those trees and erode the bank. I did a check online and discovered such waves had caused the coastal banks of Tanjung Piai to retreat 10 metres yearly.

Thank goodness rescue came in the form of the Drainage and Irrigation Department which pumped in a RM3 million project. Geo-tubes are installed and filled in. They are placed along the coasts and are next covered with sand or rocks as coastal protection. Geo-tubes can be effective at the part of that shore line where they have been laid out, but where the shoreline has not been saved; the waves continue to scour the beach and the bank, uprooting the vegetation finally.

Relatively untouched by mass tourism, chalets and family bungalows are available for rent from RM 80 to RM 150 at the resort. Home stay from the locals is also available. We saw anglers stationing themsleves along the 400m jetty catching sting ray, catfish and garoupa. Some left in motorised-sampans for the exclusive rich fishing grounds.

Our seafood dinner for four cost us RM140. Crabs, prawns, squids, fish, vegetables and fried rice were devoured with the straits frontage and boat cruises forming the sea traffic. The sea spray and breeze kissed our face. I just need some dondang sayang songs to dull my senses before some caffeine perked me up.  
However, we got more than that. A family had organised a gathering there and had engaged a KL army band to play up the night. They were a talented group of musicians and singers. We became Kak Su’s immediate adopted family members and with the band playing the latest beat, what else could you ask for a destination which had begun to nowhere but had brought you to a place with an unexpected ending. We left Tanjung Piai at midnight and reached Singapore at 2.00 am.

I hope with such Ramsar's acknowledgement and protection, Tanjung Piai’s natural and alluring state would remain for a long time. Let’s not lose this sanctuary of heaven where some have acclaimed as the ‘Mother of all Ends. Its posterity as an eco-tourism haven must stay and live.



An interesting reading for you


Descendants from Africa?

Greek astronomer Claudius Ptolemy gave the name “Chersonesus Aurea” – meaning The Golden Peninsula – to the Malay Peninsula. It was said that whether one set sail from Europe in the west or China in the east, the ship would end up at Tanjung Piai because monsoon wind from both sides eventually convened on its coastline.

 
In May last year, researchers from Leeds and Glasgow University led by Vincent Macaulay, made a startling announcement – that DNA samples taken from the Orang Asli matched a 60,000-year-old African DNA sample. The finding fuelled great interest worldwide.

 
Homo erectus, who first left Africa, took a single long coastal journey to escape the Ice Age – along Arabian peninsular and India. They stopped at Tanjung Piai when they couldn’t go further as prehistoric man had not learned to sail. This made the Orang Asli in Tanjung Piai an isolated community.

FATAL ATTRACTION

DANGER in the Garden?



I would like to share this with you as danger may lurk in their beauty and attractiveness.

The 7 Most Beautiful – But - Deadly Flowers in the World

Beautiful as it may be, some flowers are much more than it appears to be. Believe it or not, these seemingly harmless plants can really ruin your vacation. To help you know what flowers to stay away from on your trips, study the list of the world's most attractive but dangerous flowers:

1. Autumn Crocus

 











One of the most endangered plants in the world, Autumn crocus is also probably the most poisonous. It contains colchicines, a deadly drug used effectively in the treatment for gout. Unlike other toxins found in the flowers above, colchicines, an arsenic-like poison has NO antidote. Autumn crocus poisoning leads to reduced blood pressure and cardiac arrest.

2. Oleander

 










Oleander is known as one of the most poisonous plants on Earth, often used in suicidal cases around southern India . The numerous toxic compounds contained in the entire Oleander plant, including oleandrin and nerine, affect the nervous, digestive and cardiovascular systems, all at the same time. Oleander poisoning leads to drowsiness, tremors, seizures, coma and even death. The plants sap causes skin irritation and severe eye inflammation

3. Rhododendron

 

This popular evergreen shrub, featuring large, beautiful blooms, has been known for its toxicity since ancient times. Xenophon recorded the odd behaviour of a group of Greek soldiers who had eaten honey from rhododendron Rhododendron contains Andromeda toxin which causes nausea, severe pains, paralysis and even death. Azaleas, members of the same plant-family as rhododendron, are also poisonous. flowers.

4. Angels Trumpet

 











Despite its name, there's something very evil about this plant. The toxins it contains can be fatal to humans and a number of animals. Known as a powerful hallucinogen, Angels Trumpet should not be used for recreational purposes, since the risk of an overdose is very high. Angels Trumpet plants contain a variable amount of tropane alkaloids, like atropine and scopolamine, and it is used in shamanic rituals by indigenous tribes in western Amazonia .

5. Belladonna

 











Known as one of the most poisonous plants in the Western Hemisphere , Belladonna contains potentially lethal tropane alkaloids. The entire plant is harmful, but its good-looking berries pose the most danger, especially to kids. The symptoms of Belladonna or Deadly Nightshade poisoning are dilated pupils, blurred vision, headaches, hallucinations, delirium and convulsions. Atropine, the toxin in Belladonna, can kill a person by disrupting the nervous systems ability to regulate breathing, sweating and heart rate.

6. Lily of the Valley

Just like the Daphne, Lily of the Valley may look beautiful and harmless, but it is entirely poisonous. Eating one or two of the plants bell-shaped flowers won’t hurt you very much, especially if you're an adult. Eaten in large quantities, Lily of the Valley causes pain in the mouth, nausea, vomiting, cramps and diarrhoea. People with heart conditions should be most careful since the toxins cause the heartbeats to slow down or become irregular.

7. Daphne

 












Also known as Lady Laurel or Paradise Plant, Daphne is a 1-1.5 meters tall shrub, usually grown for its scented flowers. All parts of the plant are poisonous, but the greatest concentrations are in the sap and berries. Daphne contains mezerine and daphnin, two powerful toxins that cause stomach aches, headaches, diarrhoea, delirium and convulsions. If Daphne berries are consumed, the victim might fall into a coma and even die.


Note: These species are present in Malaysia : Oleanders, Angels Trumpets (especially in highlands) and Rhododendrons (different species from the ones in the picture). Kindly take a close look before you start to buy any flowering plants.