Kuala Lumpur is 2nd Friendliest City in the World

Hey, no haze today, not here on the peninsula and cleaner air too over at East Malaysia on the island of Borneo. Check our the map below..

Back to Kuala Lumpur, did you know that KL has been voted the 2nd Friendliest City in the World? This is according to Bigseventravel.com

Says here on the website: "Malaysians are naturally friendly and nice to strangers, and Kuala Lumpur is the best example of this. The easy-going temperament of locals and their friendliness towards visitors means that it’s easy to make friends here. KL is a top spot for both tourists and expats."


There you have it. By the way 2020 is Visit Malaysia Year! So starting planning your trip now!

If you must know, Vancouver takes the top spot. "Vancouver takes top spot, thanks to its extraordinarily friendly residents. The city has an amazing multicultural community who band together to make visitors feel welcome and safe at all times. Locals are quick to offer assistance to tourists and the community vibe makes socialising in Vancouver simple."

Other cities making up the Top 10 are Bruges, Belgium (coming in at 3rd place), Taipei, Taiwan (4th), Hamburg, Germany (5th), Dublin, Ireland (6th), and Christchurch, New Zealand (7th), 8th is Nashville, Tennessee, USA, 9th is São Paulo, Brazil and at 10th is Glasgow, Scotland.

Other South-East Asian cities that make it to the Top 50 list are Chiang Mai, Thailand (11th), Siem Reap, Cambodia (20th), Singapore (24th), and Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam (46th).

The Haze in the Sky

We are still hazed here in Kuala Lumpur and most parts of Malaysia, East and West but at least the sun is able to shine through albeit looking like a salted egg yolk in the sky.

However, The Star reported that Number of areas with unhealthy API readings rises to 38.

In Kuala Lumpur, the API readings in Cheras and Batu Muda's API readings remained in the unhealthy category at 153 and 173 respectively, while Putrajaya recorded API reading of (138) followed by Minden (140) and Balik Pulau (151) in Penang.

Other areas with unhealthy API readings were Tangkak, Johor (106); Johan Setia Klang (193), Kuala Selangor (152), Petaling Jaya (148), Shah Alam (143), Klang (131), dan Banting (116) in Selangor and Nilai (140) and Seremban (124) in Negeri Sembilan.

An API between zero and 50 indicates good air quality; 51 and 100, moderate; 101 and 200, unhealthy; 201 and 300, very unhealthy and 301 and above, hazardous.

A look at the API reading in and around Kuala Lumpur..

Source:APIMS 

A bit of good news: DOE: Cloud seeding successfully brought down Sri Aman API from 400 to 125

Still hazy here in Kuala Lumpur and this part of the world

Woke up this morning to the smell of summer barbeques. Mmm.. Buffalo wings, burgers, sausages, potatoes, sweeet potatoes, grilled vegetables, racks of lamb, you name it. I wish!

No, the haze situation is much worse today vis-a-vis the days before. To give you an idea, check out the map below..

Source: http://apims.doe.gov.my/public_v2/home.html

How bad is the haze? According to MSN/FMT..

A total of 168 schools in the peninsula will be closed on Wednesday due to the haze shrouding the country.

Fifty-three schools in Nilai and Mantin have been ordered to close by the Negeri Sembilan education department after the air pollutant index (API) levels had passed 200 as of 9pm, although teachers and staff are still required to be present.

One hundred and fifteen schools in Sepang, Hulu Langat, Kuala Langat, Klang and Sabak Bernam in Selangor under the Johan Setia, Nilai and Seri Manjung API stations will also be closed, while schools in Sepang, Hulu Langat and Petaling Perdana under the Putrajaya API station will be opened.

All schools in Putrajaya and Port Dickson will be reopened on Wednesday as readings remained below 200 and is expected to decrease.

As of 11pm on Tuesday, Sri Aman in Sarawak remained the only area with a hazardous API reading of 377, while very unhealthy readings were recorded in Seri Manjung, Perak (219), Nilai, Negeri Sembilan (208), Kuching, Sarawak (210) and Johan Setia, Selangor (232) at 10pm.

An API reading of 0-50 shows good air quality, 51-100 moderate, 101-200 unhealthy; 201-300, very unhealthy, and over 300 hazardous.

Putrajaya, PJ at very unhealthy levels as haze continues

More areas recorded very unhealthy air pollutant index (API) levels of above 200 this morning, including Balik Pulau in Penang, Putrajaya, Petaling Jaya, Klang and Shah Alam as the haze that has shrouded many parts of the country for weeks continues.


Kuching declared ‘world’s most air-polluted city’, KL is 3rd
KL is the THIRD most air polluted city in the world! - according to US-based website World’s Air Pollution: Real-time Air Quality Index that monitors air pollution across the globe.

Each city’s air quality is rated based on the Air Quality Index (AQI) readings where:

0 – 50 is “good”
51 – 100 is “moderate”
101 – 200 is “unhealthy”
201 – 300 is “very unhealthy”
Above 300 is “hazardous”

On the World AQI Ranking today (17th September), Kuching holds the world’s most air-polluted crown with a detrimental API of 220, while “lucky” number 3 is KL with an unhealthy API of 157.

On the bright side, Indonesia, Malaysia in close contact over haze
Plus, the impending monsoon in a month or so would see some good rain to clear the air.

Hazier today in Kuala Lumpur

Kuala Lumpur is at an unhealthy level today as the API shows..courtesy of APIMS. Looks like East Malaysia on the Borneo Island is clearing up.

I took a shot of the KL skyline on Sept 11 and pitched it against what it's like on a clear day - the good and the bad. Like life, yes?

A precaution to take in a haze situation is:

To drink more water and increase the intake of fresh fruits and vegetables. They help the body to flush out toxins absorbed through the skin and lungs, and improve the immune system. Taking more anti-inflammatory fruits and vegetables also help to reduce inflammation that may be triggered by harmful fine particles in the air. Cut down on alcohol and coffee as they promote fluid loss and may leach nutrients from the body.

Others include:

- Avoid outdoor activities, especially outdoor sports. Children, pregnant women, the elderly, and those suffering from chronic illnesses, especially heart and respiratory disease, should remain indoors when haze hits unhealthy levels. Healthy adults should avoid unnecessary outdoor activities. If you must exercise outdoor, avoid exercising in highly congested areas near busy roads and freeways, particularly during rush hours.

- Close all windows, doors and any openings that may allow haze to enter your home and office. Turn on the air conditioner if you have one. Note: If the weather is unusually warm, it can become dangerous if you stay indoor with no fresh air intake and no air conditioner. In this case, seek alternative shelter.

- Use an air purifier to keep the particulate levels low. Choose an air purifier that is suitable for the size and type of your home. Avoid air cleaners that generate ozone as they may generate more air pollutants. If you have multiple rooms, each room may need to be equipped with one air purifier to ensure the air is cleaned efficiently. Regularly replace the filters in the air purifier according to manufacturer’s instructions.

More here on How to Protect Yourself from Haze.

Haze is back in Malaysia

Was wondering about the grey skies this morning and the irritation in the throat but didn't think much of the latter until I read about the forest fires in Indonesia and the resultant haze. Yes, the dreaded HAZE is back. It skipped us last year though.

Forest fires are raging not only on Sumatra but on Kalimantan on Borneo Island as well. This means Malaysians on East and West Malaysia are going through this phase of poor quality at the moment. A look at the Air Pollutant Index (API) confirms it.

The 103 reading on the map is for Rompin in Pahang.

In Kuala Lumpur..

Image source: msn.com

The affected areas so far are the Klang Valley, Selangor, Kuala Lumpur, Putrajaya, Penang, Negeri Sembilan, and several areas in Sarawak according to MSN.

No Haze yet in Malaysia

Yay! We have blue skies today after a week of overcast weather. You've guessed it. The haze is back or rather we are seeing the beginning of the haze season.

Indeed, the haze is back. Though not spotted in Malaysia a few days ago, hotspots were spotted in Sumatra and Kalimantan on the island of Borneo.

The Star has this picture, two days ago, of a helicopter from the Indonesian National Disaster Management agency (BNPB) dropping water on a fire in Ogan Ilir, near Palembang, South Sumatra, Indonesia. Photo: Reuters

And the game must go on... Indonesian youths play football in a local tournament as the haze shrouds Pulau Mentaro village in Muaro Jambi. Photo: Reuters

Hotspots in Indonesia's Western Kalimantan province are on the rise with a haze blanketing the region, even as authorities assess the situation as harmless

Over here, we are very careful not to exacerbate the situation. The authorities have nabbed a number of people committing open burning.

The air quality is still good in the country. To give you an idea, here's the API reading for today.

Rain, please!

R is for Rain, please!

Every September our skies here are shrouded with haze or smog but hey it's not even September yet and we are experiencing rather unhealthy air quality today in certain parts of the country.

Lest we be too ready to blame slash-and-burn land-clearing activities in Sumatra, this time, it is due to local open burning, vehicular pollution as well as peat fires caused by extremely hot and dry weather.

Yes, only heavy downpours can drench down the unhealthy particles in the air.

Think RAIN.

H is for Haze

H is for Haze.

Heard over the news that the Haze is making its appearance again.

The good news is air quality is still within healthy levels as what the API index shows..

Heavy rains the past few days have greatly reduced the number of hotspots especially in Sabah according to the news and cloud-seeding for rain has been called off.

Here in the peninsula temperatures are rising. Some states are seeing temperatures rising to 37°C.

Haze situation today, 3 November 2015

Haze? What haze? Malaysia is all clear today, the entire region as well except for a few places with a slightly higher reading such as Singapore to the south, Hat Yai (Thailand) to the north and Medan (Indonesia) to the west and a few places dotted here and there in Kalimantan and The Philippines.

Source

Therefore we are seeing blue skies again in Kuala Lumpur. Yay! That is after more than a month of overcast weather and hazy skies. The rains are back but mainly in the evenings and much needed to ensure we continue to have sunny days and clear skies.

If you are planning a holiday overseas why not consider Malaysia? Now that the haze is gone and our currency rate is at it's all-time low, Malaysia could offer you a real value-for-money vacation with plenty to see, eat, do and shop.

The Star reported that Malaysia has emerged as the leading destination in Asia, beating out nine other countries including Singapore, Korea, Macau, Sri Lanka and Thailand.

The announcement was made at the 22nd Annual World Travel Awards gala ceremony in Hong Kong on Thursday.

Tourism Malaysia was also recognised as Asia's Leading Tourist Board at the same event.

Other notable winners from Malaysia were AirAsia which received the honour of being Asia's Leading Cabin Crew, while One World Hotel Malaysia was voted as Asia's Leading Meetings & Conference Hotel.

More..

Pangkor Laut Resort also came out winners in the category of Asia's Leading Wedding Venue while Resorts World Genting secured the title of Asia's Leading Themed Resort.

The winners in the Asia category will compete against other winners worldwide in the Grand Final, which will be held in Morocco in December.

The World Travel Awards was established in 1993 to acknowledge all sectors of the tourism industry.

Winners of the competition are chosen by travel professionals and high-end tourism consumers.


There you see. What's not to love about Malaysia, eh? Welcome to Malaysia!

Blue skies back in Kuala Lumpur again

Oh beauty! We are back in business, I mean, we are back to normal in the air quality department. We had rain yesterday and the day before which explains why we are seeing blue skies and playful white clouds today. Gosh, I have missed them!

Wheeeee..........

The Haze - Bad news and Good news

The image below shows firemen putting out a fire in Ogan Ilir in southern Sumatra. By the way, Sumatra is separated from Malaysia by just a narrow Straits of Malacca which explains why skies over Peninsula Malaysia get shrouded with smog when these peat fires start burning large tracks of dry forest land in Sumatra.

Dousing the flames: Firemen putting out a fire in Ogan Ilir, southern Sumatra. — AFP

This is the type of fire hotspots that have been raging the last two months and the very same ones that are causing the haze in the region. There are hundreds of these hotspots in various parts of Indonesia, especially Sumatra and Kalimantan.

It has been reported that 32 helicopters and aircraft were already deployed over Indonesia to put out the fires.

Six of these were from Australia, Malaysia and Singapore. This includes seven fixed wing water-bombers and four planes for cloud seeding.

Two Russian Beriev Be-200 amphibious water-bombers, capable of dropping 12,000 litres each, have also been brought in.

The Met Department says the northeast monsoon is expected to kick in soon and it is hopeful that by the middle or end of next week, the skies will be clear. I am keeping my fingers crossed.

If you are planning a trip to Malaysia, it is still safe to make that trip. The sky may not be blue and clear but people go about their business without the need for a mask. So, there. It's still ok to enjoy a holiday here in the country or in Kuala Lumpur for that matter. I swear.


Source: The Star

Haze situation and a little Surprise..

This morning I stopped to take this picture of this very fertile papaya tree silhouetted against the morning sun. Actually, I wanted to show that the air quality has improved a tad, at least here in Kuala Lumpur, as opposed to yesterday's API readings. No acrid smell in the air.

As you can see, the sun is not just a well-defined egg yolk in the sky. However, today, schools in Penang, Putra­jaya, Selangor, Kuala Lumpur, Perak, Kedah, Perlis, Negri Sembilan and some areas in Pahang and Sarawak remain closed.

Let's take a look at the API numbers for today. As you can see the north-western region of the peninsula is getting hit really hard - in purple. But let me draw your attention just a bit to one area in southern Kalimantan on the island of Borneo. I've circled it in red with an arrow pointing to it. That's a 999 reading! See that? Pity the people there.

Source: http://aqicn.org/map/malaysia/

And here's an interesting picture I stumbled upon on The Jakarta Post. This shows the vicinity of the Lake Gardens in Kuala Lumpur taken three days ago. Read caption below the image.

Thick haze obscuring Lake Gardens in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, yesterday. The haze from the fires in Indonesia has spread across the country itself, as well as Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand and the Philippines. (The Star/ANN)

Alright, here's why we are getting the haze.. a hotspot map. Notice the lines of hot spots in Sulawesi and Papua. In Papua, "people are opening new agriculture areas, like palm oil", according to The Jakarta Post.

Source: http://asmc.asean.org/home/

From The Jakarta Post..

The fires raging in forests and peatland across Indonesia, which produce the thick haze that has spread across South-east Asia in recent weeks, are unlikely to be put out in the next month or two.

This means the crisis could persist into the new year, experts said, as the latest reports show hot spots emerging in 18 provinces in the archipelagic state in the past few days.

On a brighter note, not all parts of the country are shrouded in haze. There is still bright sunshine and beautiful weather in Sabah particularly at resorts at Semporna. Ask these people..

Stripping incident reported in Semporna

Current Haze Situation in KL (and Malaysia)

Little wonder that schools are shut today in a number of states. Seremban has hit 184 and as you can see the high API readings are mostly concentrated on the lower half of west coast of West Malaysia.

Mondays shouldn't start like this. If anything, Mondays should come with blue skies and bright sunshine.

No matter, may your weather be what you hope for wherever you are.. Happy Monday!

Source: http://aqicn.org/map/malaysia/

Malaysia Haze Index Today

From where I am, Kuala Lumpur, the haze is still bad. I know because I still need shades when I go out even though the sun is just a dull orange ball in the sky.

But surprisingly the API reading on DOE's website shows otherwise. In fact, it looks very good on the chart. Take a look..

Except for Port Dickson with a reading of 103, it's either green or blue everywhere else.

Source: DOE

Yesterday, the haze was so bad in Langkawi that flights were not allowed to take off with visibility at just 500km.

I also read the other day the haze is also affecting migratory birds making their annual journey here to escape the winter of east Asia - China, South Korea and Japan. Malaysia is one of the places these birds escape to. As migratory birds use the stars to guide them in their long distance flight south, the haze could make their flight difficult.

Today, there is a news report that the people of Songkhla had sent a letter of complaint to Indonesia. People over there are affected by the choking haze caused by forest fires in Indonesia. The letter, among others, stated that the haze had started to take its toll on public health.

The Air Pollutant Index readings in seven southern districts of Thailand on Tuesday were 210 in Satun (dangerous to health), Songkhla 163 (dangerous to health), Phuket 136 (dangerous to health), Pattani 102 (moderate), Yala 97 (moderate), Narathiwat 72 (moderate) and Surat Thani 59 (moderate). - Bernama


Source: The Star

Friday Frolics - The Quilt Test and KL Psi - The Haze

This week's personality quiz is The Quilt Test or rather on patterns and colors and what your choice of them say about your personality. Pick the quilt that you like best to find out.

At this time of the year in this part of the world the Haze is one thing that's a part of life whether we like it or not. It affects everyone. We had some rain yesterday but still not good enough to rid the smog here in the capital city and the Klang Valley though other parts of the country are seeing better air quality today. And no sunshine today.

Image source: DOE


Here's The Quilt Test. Happy Friday, everyone!

You Are Connected

You are a mild-mannered, friendly, and social person. You value others and enjoy having lots of friends. You are simply happy to be in the company of those you know. You try to be as easy to get along with as possible. You comfort others with your sweet and gentle way of being. You do your best to never be harsh or cross. If you have to be honest with someone, you are never brutal. You communicate kindly and effectively. You find warmth in human relationships, especially if there is a high degree of reciprocity. Your friends tend to be as compassionate as you are. You enjoy the process of connecting with another person, and you believe that we are all interesting in our own ways.

Now your turn, take

The Quilt Test

More Fun, Free Quizzes!

Last Week's Quiz: What Flavor Cupcake Are You?

Haze Update Kuala Lumpur and around Malaysia today

Yesterday's psi was bad, today's psi is worse. I found a new use for my sunglasses when outdoors in this haze - never mind the stares. Birds around the neighbourhood are conspicuously missing. It's unusually quiet today. I wonder where do they escape to in this weather.

Schools in several states will be closed again tomorrow due to the worsening haze. Schools in Selangor, Kuala Lumpur, Putrajaya, Negri Sembilan and several parts of Sarawak will be closed.

Schools affected in Sarawak are located in Kuching, Sri Aman and Kota Semarahan.

More: API readings worsen throughout Malaysia

PSI Update - evening of 26 Sep 2015

If you are still visiting this space for updates, this is the latest, current haze situation in Kuala Lumpur, and Peninsula Malaysia for that matter. It's getting hazier. Needless to say visibility is very much affected.

I'm not showing East Malaysia, Borneo, because it's almost green (Average), a few blues (Good). Kuching is the only yellow dot with a PSI reading of 101.

As you can see, there are more yellow dots here now on the Peninsula than what was shown this morning.






In this haze situation, everyone loses.. more so those closer to 'ground zero'.

Boats carrying goods and passengers are seen on the Batang Hari River covered in a thick haze in Jambi on the Indonesian island of Sumatra September 25, 2015. - REUTERS

Just read that Singapore is moving against Indonesian firms over the haze and has launched legal action that could lead to massive fines against Indonesian companies blamed for farm and plantation fires spewing unhealthy levels of air pollution over the city-state.

PSI in Kuala Lumpur today - 26 Sep 2015

Stepping out of the house to go out for a roti canai and teh tarik breakfast this morning, I stopped in my tracks for a reality check. The smell of barbecue in the air sure didn't match the time of day.

Hey, it's morning and no bbq happens that early in the day - at least as far as I know or accustomed to.

You've guessed it. The air is bad today and visibility is rather poor too here in KL. The PETRONAS Twin Towers are actually my guide. I don't see them today. Yep, our PSI must be more than 100 today, I'm guessing. According to DOE the wind is blowing the smog over from Southern Sumatra towards the west coast of Peninsula Malaysia. KL, Malacca and others on this side of the Peninsula are receiving the brunt of it.

Let's have a peek at what the chart says.

Below is the PSI reading good until 12:00noon. There's no rain so far so it's still hazy out there and that bbq-esque 'fragrance' is still wafting through the air - kinda reminds me of Kenny Rogers and Nando's. LOL

Malacca is the yellow spot you see there with a reading of 120 psi..

Friday Frolics - What Flavor Cupcake Are You? PSI in KL today

Ah, it's Friday again. Yes!

Though it's hazy out there today here in Kuala Lumpur, we are still ok in the API/PSI department - in the 70s. Thanks to the wind direction and the much reduced number of hotspots. Well, there are worse things here in the country than the haze right now, but.. I won't go into that.

If you are in Singapore, I feel for you. With a PSI of more than 317 (as reported yesterday), schools are shut today, a precedent. Meanwhile, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong reminded people to take care of their health.

In a Facebook post Thursday, the PM of Singapore wrote; "Please drink plenty of water, and avoid going outdoors if you can. Look out for neighbours and friends, and stay safe." - The Straits Times/Asia News Network

A man wearing a mask watches from a bumboat as he passes the haze-shrouded central business district in Singapore Sept 24, 2015. The three-hour Pollutant Standards Index (PSI) reached a hazardous level of 317 at 8pm Thursday. - Reuters
Source: The Star: Singapore schools close for first time as haze hits hazardous levels

Here's a PSI chart for today, 25 Sep courtesy of DOE Malaysia.

And this one shows the hotspots, wind direction and who and why we are getting the haze..

No, wait, MSN has a better picture of the hotspots..

An officer points to fires or hot spots in Kalimantan, Indonesian part of Borneo, on a screen at the Fire Command Post at the Ministry of Environment and Forestry in Jakarta September 22, 2015.

And now the quiz.. Have a wonderful weekend, everyone. Make it great!

You Are a Carrot Cake Cupcake

You are a complex person. You have many interesting layers to your personality, though others might not know it. You are drawn to a cross section of people. You friends play different roles in your life. You are like a cupcake because you are are deceptively simple. There's actually a lot to you! There are many ingredients in your life, and you only want them in proper amounts. Being you is a delicate art.

What Flavor Cupcake Are You?

More Fun Quizzes!

Last Week's Quiz: What Flavor Iced Tea Are You?

Yay! No Haze Today

We had lovely weather yesterday - the sun was clearly visible in the blue sky. Yes, you read right, blue, which is quite non-existent currently in the haze situation we are experiencing now. How we take things for granted when they are around, the blue skies, I mean, and good air quality, as well.

A look at the API/PSI index chart shows we are going to have another great day ahead, another hazeless day in the country, if you will.

Look Ma, no haze..

Here's why the haze may be gone. The number of hotspots in northern Sumatra has vastly reduced as can be seen below. Hotspots in southern Sumatra and Kalimantan near Sarawak are still raging on so much so the haze has spread to the sea areas between Kalimantan and southern Sumatra. The wind direction could also be a contributory factor to better air quality.

As per DOE's Regional Haze Update..

The hotspot activities in Kalimantan and Sumatra could not be fully determined due to cloud cover. Kalimantan continued to be shrouded in moderate to dense smoke haze and the haze has spread to the sea areas between Kalimantan and southern Sumatra. Moderate to dense smoke haze was also detected in central and southern Sumatra.

Updated 7:34 PM 20 Sep