2014年4月24日

永远都是个孩子。Forever Child

话说有一天小流氓回到家突然发现许多字条黏在墙上,门上,厨上等等。。细看。。

首先是简单几个字的如“热水器,用后请关电”,“洗衣机要关电”。


后来发现字越来越多,是“洗衣机要关电”的延续版,这次附加时限和后续工作,最后不忘提醒要关电(关掉电源)。。“洗衣机1个小时”衣服就洗好,晒衣,收衣,折衣(关电记得)”。
 洗完也有要注意的地方。
 “关电”蔓延到其他电器,这次还有热水壶。
 电视机,网络接收器(Modem)也不例外。。

看来妈妈放不下家里的孩子,因为妈妈要出国游玩数天。“在父母眼里,我们永远都是个孩子”,也许就是这么一回事。


我是她“永远都是个孩子”,她就是我的妈妈。

2014年4月13日

浮罗交怡一: 有些景点你不去,以后或许就没有机再去了。Langkawi Trip 1: Panorama Langkawi Cable Car & Sky Bridge


浮罗交怡是马来西亚最有名的岛屿之一,常年吸引了不少国内外游客到此一游,包括小流氓。浮罗交怡地形较平,不过也有数座山于岛上,其中最著名的是玛景樟山(Gunung Machinchang),因为岛上的重点旅游区--浮罗交怡缆车(Langkawi Cable Car/Panorama Langkawi Cable Car 又叫 SkyCab)和吊桥(SkyBridge)就位于这座山峰上。

Langkawi Island is one of the famous island in Malaysia. There are few mountain at Langkawi but the Mount Manchinchang is most well-known among all, this is due to Mount Manchinchang is the location of Langkawi main attraction -- Langkawi Cable Car (also named Panorama Langkawi Cable Car or SkyCab).

Credit

此乃小流氓“生平第一次浮罗交怡游”行程里的第一站,也是最重要的一站。似有其事,基于以下4点:
Langkawi Cable Car was the first place I visited when I traveled to the island, because...:
  • 最热门景点。浮罗交怡缆车乃是岛上最热门的景点,老土也要说一句“没有上过玛景樟山不算来过浮罗交怡”(OK,这很不“背包客精神”,所以吾是“游客”)。Langkawi Cable Car is the most popular attraction in Langkawi.
  • 小时候的梦想。小时候只能通过眼睛“体验”浮罗交怡,此次有机会到此一游当然要到当地最热门的景点留下脚印。I knew this place via old text book when I was a kid, this was the good chance for me to view how is the real look of it compared to picture on the book.
  • 独一无二的视觉享受。拥有亿年的山脉,海域,和山谷尽收眼帘。A good travel experience where we can see the mountains, sea, forest, and valley at once.
  • 架势堂吊桥。吊桥(SkyBridge)于2009年被列为地球上第三名“最怪异的10大吊桥(World's Ten Strangest Bridges)”。Langkawi SkyBridge listed no.3 in "World's Ten Strangest Bridges".

话说德士 (计程车/Taxi) 是浮罗交怡唯一陆上公共交通,不过在这里最方便的旅游方式莫过于租一辆汽车或电单车在岛上窜行,那才是浮罗交怡最“屌”的旅游方式。从地图上看,它就位于浮罗交怡西北方,以下是从机场和岛上各市镇到“岛上最热门的景点”的距离:
  • 从浮罗交怡机场: 12公里(约17分钟车程)
  • 从瓜镇(Kuah Town): 29公里(34分钟的车程)
  • 从 Cenang Beach : 18公里(约24分钟的车程)

缆车(接下来就称它为“SkyCab”好了)的缆线长达2.2公里,是云顶高原缆车的分之二的长度(云顶的是3.38公里,为“东南亚最长”);于12年前(2002年)11月正式启用并以太阳能发电。Sky Cab 共有3个缆车站,分别是:山麓站/Base Station,中站/Middle Station,上站/Top Station。乘客必须程达两段车程方能抵达吊桥(Sky Bridge),第一段车程是从山麓站到中站;然后第二站是从中站到上站。

The best way to travel around Langkawi Island is to rent a car or motorbike, taxi is available too but it's inconvenient if you wanted to visit few places, also lack of private time along the road. Mount Manchincang is located on the Northwest of Langkawi, the SkyCab lane is 2.2 km in length, operation has been started since November 2002. There are three stations along the lane which are: Base Station, Middle Station and Top Station.

山麓站既是售票区,也是位于玛景樟山山脚东方公园(Oriental Village)的所在处。从山麓到中站的缆线长度为1700米,中站位于海拔650米的高处,在这里游客已经可以感受到身在高山中的爽快感。而上站位于玛景樟山的半山,也是这里我们脚底能触及的最高处,也就是海拔708米的高度,温度是5摄氏左右。

The Base Station is conveniently located on foothill of the Machincang mountain, also the entrance where place of ticket selling, in addition, the location of Oriental Village. The journey from the Base Station to Middle Station will cover 1,700 meters in length and upon reaching the Middle Station at an elevation of 650 meters above sea level, visitors will be able to alight and walk up to the viewing platform. The Top Station offer refreshment and views with cool breezes, at 708 meters above ea level is about 5 degrees Celsius cooler than lowlands.



一个车厢的承载量为6人,小流氓在这里感受到了森林于脚下的奇妙;中途的七仙井瀑布(Telaga Tujuh aka Seven Wells)就像一个森林浴池。观光当日的天气是“有雾”,随着缆车往高处移动,眼前的一花一草逐渐变小直到成为一片热带雨林,然后是玛景樟山的山脉和轮廓呈现于眼前,感觉棒极了。视线一转,浮现的是海岸与蓝色海域交替的划形沙滩线,犹如一个大小脸。此“包山包海”的景色美不胜收,是眼睛旅行的一大享受,也是马来西亚难得一见“3-in-1”旅游区。

A gondola max for 6 passengers, it's fully occupied by us and other 3 visitors from Thailand that day. It's an exhilarating experience when the forest was under my feet; Seven Well Waterfall was clearly appeared like a mystery pool found in forest. Along the way, the panoramic view of the main island and islands surrounding were just enjoyable, also amazed by the unique flora on the ridges and the forested valley.




抵达上站,迎面而来是阵阵让人心旷神怡的冷风,虽因有雾而能见度稍低,但能够站在这个观望台不是一件理所当然的事。话说当局会在下起大雨或吹起强风或有打雷时停止让游客乘坐Sky Cab(更不用提Sky Bridge);而一个星期还会关闭一天以进行维修保养工作(保养维修时间表看这里),因此也可称它为“看天气脸色的旅游景点”。然而,最刺激的是抵达上站后须步行一段依山而建的阶梯方能抵达的吊桥(接下来就称它为 Sky Bridge 好了)

We felt lucky able to visit to SkyCab, this is due to the service will close while there is raining, strong wind, or thunder, for the purpose of visitors' safety. In addition, they will perform weekly maintenance work, do check thr schedule here(2014) before get there.


在那短短(阶梯)的路程里,是游客能够与这拥有亿年的山最靠近的时候(还有Jungle Tracking 哦?),一时还能发现一些长在山里的稀奇植物。然而,更稀奇的应该是 Sky Bridge 的建筑设计,谷歌搜索是这样形容它的“这座独特的斜拉桥仅由一个支持梁支撑,这个95码(Yard:1 码/Yard=3英尺/ft)的支撑梁由8个负载平衡(load balance)电缆构成。弯曲的人行天桥跨度为125米,它的长度约为136码,宽度约为2码。这座1.8米宽的天桥为游客提供了2个3.6米宽的三角观景平台。”。Sky Bridge 横跨浮罗交怡岛的峡谷,也是马来西亚最大的岛桥,曲线设计的观景平台让游客能从不同角度观看不同的景致。小流氓“雾里看景”地欣赏拥有450亿年之久的野林岩壁,远眺安达曼海(Andaman)以及泰国南部群岛,景色是如此地引人入胜。


可惜的是,根据星洲日报今年2月24日的报道。Sky Bridge 因维修工程延误已经关闭长达一年半,效率实在让人质疑,报道还指出他们必须向中央政府申请维修资金集和要从瑞士聘请专才(看完整报道。希望管理公司好好管理这个绝佳的旅游胜地。无论如何,目前到访的游客依然可以乘坐Sky Cab的。


有些景点你不去,以后或许就没有机再去了。Sky Bridge 就是一个贴切的例子,管理公司在过去1年半还未把吊桥修好,不晓得未来的一年半是否能够成功,虽然报道指年尾有望重开啦。

Langkawi Sky Bridge is a 125 meters curved pedestrian cable-stayed bridge in Malaysia, completed in 2005. It's located 700 meters above sea level at the peak of Mount Chinchang on Langkawi Island. You will also be able to catch a glimpse of the flora and fauna that surrounds the area. However, it is not accessible at the moment, informed by management that the Sky Bridge is undergoing renovations and maintenance.

The admission fees of the Langkawi Cable Car :-
Adults - MYR30.00 (Malaysian - MYR15.00), Children - MYR20.00 (Malaysian - MYR5.00)
(But the signage never stated the admission fee for Malaysian)

Operating Hour :-
Monday – Thursday * 10:00am - 06:00pm (*  Last admission at 6:00pm and last trip down at 7:00pm)
Wednesday * 12:00pm - 06:00pm (*  Last admission at 6:00pm and last trip down at 7:00pm)
Friday – Sunday & Public Holiday ** 09:30am - 07:00pm (** Last admission at 7:00pm and last trip down at 7:45pm)

Visitors are advise to call before visiting to avoid disappointment.
Panorama Langkawi Sdn Bhd, Cable Car Station, Oriental Village, Burau Bay, 07000 Langkawi, Kedah, MALAYSIA.
T:[6]04-959 4225/1225; F:[6]04-959 1121/4121
Email: info@panoramalangkawi.com
http://www.panoramalangkawi.com/
(待续)

2014年4月9日

风铃木花姿处处开。Blossoms of Tabebuia Pentaphylla

Did you ever wonder what's the name of that tall magnificent tree growing along the roadsides or in the the park all covered with gorgeous pale pink (or white) flowers?

“察觉”风铃木的存在不是今年的事。然而,风铃木这类花木,在小流氓的眼里是“往往来不及好好欣赏,当你想起它的时候,却已经消失得无踪无影了”。情况就像一首叫《青春小鸟》的民歌“。。。太阳下山明早依旧爬上来,花儿谢了明年还是一样的开”。因此,如果以时效来类别花木,风铃木可以因为一年才开花一次而被分类为“年度花”。

风铃木植株外观会随著四季变化而变换样貌:

  • 冬季:落叶期,全株叶片掉落彷若枯枝;
  • 春季:枝头上陆续绽放风铃状花朵(故称风铃木),花朵属圆锥花序,故盛开时像粉色的花球挂满全株枝头;
  • 夏季:开始萌发嫩芽绿叶,换上葱绿外衣并发挥遮阴的效用;
  • 秋季:枝叶繁旺,绿意盎然。
Tabebuia tree is generally believed to have been introduced to Malaysia from Central and South America through India by the British administration during the early 18th century.

风铃木因为开满花后相似日本的樱花而被民众冠上“大马樱花”之名。风铃木会趁着嫩叶还没发芽之前,大量怒放颜色鲜艳的花朵,因此每年3月开始便能在路旁或住家看见风铃木的踪影。一片花海不但叫人惊艳,而且爱不释眼。据报道,槟州市政句也于2009年分别在植物园、石矿公园等地区栽种了100棵风玲木树苗,希望花开季节能够吸引许多“好摄之徒”来拍摄。

那天,小流氓在途中也被马路旁那粉红或白色花朵绽放整个树梢的风铃木所吸引,也特地用了单眼拍摄了一些照片以作留念。此乃小流氓除金马伦之旅第一次那么认真地“摄花”。然而,风铃木花期非常短,乍開乍落只有10天左右。以下是小流氓2014年为风铃木留下的倩影 :

Tabebuia has more than 100 species, and in Malaysia, Tabebuia pentaphylla is most common.

When the flowers float down in a strong breeze, they cover the ground below like a dense soft pale pink (or white) carpet.

The White Tabebuia aka Tabebuia Pallida with the distinct yellow throat

In Malaysia, it is popularly known as "Cherry Blossoms or Sakura" tree and "tissue-paper" tree.

根据马来西亚森林研究所 (Forest Institute of Malaysia, FILM) 的资料,栽种在马来西亚的风铃木学名为“Tabebuia pentaphylla”,原参于中美和南美洲(Central and South America)。风铃木花共有三种颜色,栽种在马来西亚的多是粉红色(学名: Tabebuia Rosea)和白色(学名:Tabebuia Pallida),而其中黄色(学名:Tabebuia Argentea)品种比较罕见。“Tabebuia pentaphylla”里的属名“Pentaphylla”因花杆会长出五枚叶子而来,也是拉丁文里“penta(五)”,“phylla(叶)的意思。

"Tabebuia pentaphylla is native to Central and South America and is popularly planted along roadsides and as a garden ornamental plant. In Malaysia, Tabebuia is also known as the “Cherry Blossoms of Penang” after its pink flowers which are much like the cherry blossoms of Japan. There are two colors of Tabebuia pentaphylla often planted in Malaysia, which is the pink and white varieties. The species name pentaphylla refers to the five leaves in each stalk, where “penta” means “five” and “phylla” means leaf in Latin. Other local nicknames for the plant include  “tissue paper tree”, referring to its thin petals.  The tree is also known as ipê rosa in South American countries. (Source)"

Usually, at the height of about 3-4m from the ground, the trunk opens up into two or three erect branches supporting a wide and well-proportioned crown. As a modest size tree with seasonal profuse flowering and roots which are not especially destructive for roads and sidewalks (Source)

风铃木特征:
学名:Tabebuia pentaphylla
别名:粉风铃木、洋红风铃木、巴拉圭风铃木
科名:紫葳科
属名:风铃木属

原产地:原产热带南美州,是美洲热带有名的观赏树木
树茎:株高6~10公尺。树性强,移植易。
叶子:掌状复叶对生,小叶3~5枚,具长柄,革质,有锯齿,阔卵形值长椭圆形,有尖尾,长8~15公分,全缘。
花卉:总状花序,花冠钟型,径3~5公分,5裂,裂片曲皱。

2014年4月7日

美国队长2。9 Reasons to Watch Captain America 2: The Winter Soldier


《美国队长2(Captain America The Winter Soldier)》是小流氓觉得这两年来难得好看“英雄系列”的电影。相较与其他近年“英雄系列”电影如《蝙蝠侠(Batman: The Dark Knight Returns)》,《钢铁人(Iron man 3)》,《蜘蛛侠(Spider-Man 2)》和《雷神(Thor: The Dark World )》,《美国队长2》的剧情在惊喜连连中不失许多人性,幽默,生活化的看点(例如(未看该电影免翻)这是不是美国队长的初吻”,“为了避开追逐的街吻”等等)


小流氓把《美国队长2》列为2014年(目前)最精彩的电影,基于以下几点:
  • 美国队长(Steven Rogers / Captain America,Chris Evans 饰)的个人魅力。美国队长从黑与白、对与错、善与恶都是泾渭分明的年代来到了现代,世界不再是简单的黑与白了,这不确定、变幻的年代使美国队长困惑了,却也显示了他正义单纯的一面。
佳礼网友分享:美国队长的记事簿。
  • 黑寡妇(Natasha Romanoff / Black Widow,Scarlett Johansson 饰)和飞鹰(Sam Wilson / The Falcon,Anthony Mackie 饰)的衬托。《美国队长2》有了这两位盟友的加入,使电影的可观性大大提升。
  • 精彩的“大场面。”好莱坞制作的电影都会有多过一场的“大场面”,(Nick Fury,Samuel L. Jackson 饰)被神盾局(S.H.I.E.L.D.,Strategic Homeland Intervention, Enforcement and Logistics Division)追逐的戏段让小流氓大呼过瘾,当然还有其他。
  • 估你不到的桥段。往往在电影已经“死去”的人,间中会因为“剧情需要”而“死而复生”;而其中一段“黑寡妇蒙面”的桥段,让小流氓不自觉地想起周星驰电影里出现过的“千面人”桥段。只能说“桥段不怕旧,只要有人受”!
  • 武术取代科技。许多电影里的英雄都以“先进的后制科技”来凸显他们的超能力。然而,美国队长这一次在电影里还尝鲜地秀了一些现代打斗技巧,或称武术。据说其中包括了跑酷、巴西柔术、空手道和拳击等等。
  • 人性美的一面。美国队长最后成功以“宁可天下人负我,不可我负天下人 ”的精神唤醒了对手“人性”的一面;也显出了“做事留一线,他日好相见”的事实,如果当时他没有出手救他,他也可能为拯救人而牺牲。
  • 就是有票房。英雄系列电影故事情节“老掉牙”是预料中事,也许这也是它们票房好,评价高但却在电影颁奖典礼捧蛋的原因;但那不是大问题,最重要拥有高票房,英雄们将会一部又一部乐此不疲地上映。(奖项就留给文艺片吧!人家的创意层出不穷,应得的。)
  • 美国队长依然单身。这使电影情节更注重于故事发展,使电影内容更丰富。
  • 故事后面的彩蛋(什么是彩蛋?见文末)。《美国队长2》出现双彩蛋,小流氓因为电影太精彩而不愿离席“有幸”地看到一段。其彩蛋埋下的是《复仇者联盟2 (Avengers 2)》续集的伏笔,也暗示了除Maria Hill (Cobie Smulders 饰) 和 Sharon Carter(Emily VanCamp 饰)新角色的加入,分别是双胞胎 Quick Silver 和 Scarlet Witch 。
Maria Hill
Sharon Carter

Scarlet Witch & Quick Silver

* “电影彩蛋(easter eggs)”源自西方复活节找彩蛋的游戏,寓意“惊喜”。好莱坞制片方拿来效仿,常在电影字幕后加一段隐藏剧情,内容包括对片中剧情的解密,为续集埋下伏笔等。