51st Anniversary of Malaysia Independence Day-Merdeka Day-31st August 2008

Proclamation of Malaysia Independence Day-31st August 1957

1st Prime Minister of Malaysia, Tunku Abdul Rahman Putra Al-Haj
Merdeka! Merdeka! Merdeka! Each year the shouts of independence echo from every nook and corner of the country on August 31 to mark Merdeka Day or Independence Day.

This year, the nation celebrates its 51st year of independence. It was on August 30, 1957 that then Chief Minister Tunku Abdul Rahman Putra Al-Haj opened Stadium Merdeka. The next day, history was made as the Union Jack was lowered and the Malaysian flag rose, with Tunku Abdul Rahman making the famous rallying cries "Merdeka! Merdeka! Merdeka!" as the first Prime Minister of the Federation of Malaya.

Merdeka Day not only celebrates the anniversary of Malaysia’s independence, but how that independence was achieved. Malaysia brought itself together by transcending cultural and ethnic boundaries, and has maintained respect and unity amongst its diverse nation of people throughout the past 51 years.

So, all Exellers & friends let's celebrate Merdeka on 31st August 2008 (Sunday) and anyway if you are out the whole night long, don't worry as the next day-Monday is a replacement holiday... Wow all of us would have a long weekend holidays from 30th August to 01st September 2008..so what's the plan ?

Happy Merdeka Day Celebration to all Malaysian from all of us, ex-Exellers Penang.

Pantai Kerachut ..Exellers , Let's go hiking

The Penang National Park is located at the North-East corner of Penang and fronts the Straits of Malacca. The main entrance to the park is located in Teluk Bahang. Visitors should register themselves and obtain entry permits at the Penang National Park counter in Teluk Bahang.

Penang National Park, a natural forest is also called "Bay of Glowing Amber" due to its scenic and spectacular sunset. The natural attractions of Penang National Park include the Hill Dipterocarp Forests, Mangrove Forest areas. Sandy Beach habitats, the unique seasonal meromictic lake and the open coastal seas.

Turtles
The beaches at the Penang National Park are among the turtle landing sites in the peninsular. The turtle species that nest on these beaches include the Green (Chelonia mydas) and the Olive-Ridley (Lepidochelys olicacea) turtle species. Among the beaches that are locations for turtle landings are Pantai Kerachut and Pantai Teluk Kampi.

About Pantai Kerachut

Undisturbed, unspoilt & tranquility is what best to describe Pantai Kerachut. Located at the north-east of Penang Island along the Muka Head cape, it is one of six beaches in Penang National Park.This relatively unknown place is normally frequent by locals who went there to explore the lush greenery of Penang National Park & to camp at the designated campsite near the beach. Lately, more & more foreign tourist starts to give this fantastic place, a stop over.

There are a number of ways to reach Pantai Kerachut. This trail is the shortest. Use the common trail from Teluk Bahang to Pasir Pandak, and branch off from the coast at the first suspension bridge heading for Pantai Kerachut. This path could take about two hours. You will cross a stream and pass a track that leads down towards Sungai Tukun. The last part of the trail makes a steep descent into Pantai Kerachut valley. You have to wade across a stream to reach the beach but there is now a hanging bridge that could take you across the meromictic lake and onto Kerachut beach.

Pantai Kerachut has a beautiful stretch of white sandy beach, popular for picnics and camping. The meromictic lake is also located in Pantai Kerachut.

The memorictic lake is the greatest attraction here. Warm saline water below and fresh water on top. Crab, rare fishes and large prawns are quite common. The fishery department has built a turtle sanctuary.

This sandy stretch is also the nesting place of the Green Turtles from April to August, and the Olive-Ridley from September to February. The turtle hatchery was set up in Pantai Kerachut in 1995. Take care not to disturb the turtle nesting grounds. Let's save the turtles.

So....when will you be going to Pantai Kerachut ? Interested.......let's go hiking ok..Exellers