Tag Archives: Asia

Mawsynram

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Mawsynram

You’ll need more than an umbrella at Mawsynram.

  • Mawsynram is a village in India’s Meghalaya, in Asia, above Bangladesh, that is notable for its wet climate.
  • Mawsynram is one of the wettest places on earth, and in 2015 it still held the Guinness World Record for having the highest rainfall annually, despite the claim that a couple of communities in South America’s Columbia receive even more rainfall, on average, in a year.
  • Mawsynram is found in the East Khasi Hill area, and sits at a height above sea level of approximately 1400 metres (4,600 feet).
  • The annual rainfall of Mawsynram is just over 11.8 metres (38.9 feet), most of which falls in April to October each year.
  • The term ‘Maw’ in ‘Mawsynram’ is translatable into English as ‘stone’, and it comes from the native Khasi language.
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Women of Mawsynram
Image courtesy of Johnny Haglund
  • Historic megaliths are said to be located in the Mawsynram area, and there is a limestone cave featuring a large stalagmite, among others, in the shape of a notable Hindu deity.
  • It is not uncommon for clouds to move through buildings in the village of Mawsynram, and vegetation is used on the rooves of buidings to deaden the sound of the rain.
  • It was not until the late 1900s that Mawsynram received improved living conditions, with the introduction of electricity, running water and hard surfaced roads.
  • Many of the women of Mawsynram make ‘knups’ for the locals, that are made of woven bamboo and grass or leaves, and they function like an umbrella though they have the appearance somewhat of a turtle shell, and are worn over the head and back and do not need hands to continually hold them in place.
  • As Mawsynram features much flowing water caused by intense rainfall, live rubber tree roots are manipulated by locals to act as permanent bridges.
Bibliography:
Mawsynram, 2015, Travel India, http://travel.india.com/cherrapunjee/places-to-visit/nature-mawsynram/
Mawsynram, 2015, Wikipedia, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mawsynram
Mawsynram in India- the wettest place on earth, 2013, NDTV, http://www.ndtv.com/india-news/mawsynram-in-india-the-wettest-place-on-earth-529799

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Raccoon Dog

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Raccoon Dog

Raccoon dogs have more dog to them than raccoon.

  • Raccoon dogs are a species of dog that have an appearance notably similar to that of a raccoon, though they are only distantly related.
  • ‘Raccoon dogs’ are also known as ‘tanukis’ and ‘manguts’, and they are native to some of the eastern areas of Asia.
  • The scientific name of a raccoon dog is Nycetereutes procyonoides and it is form the family Canidae, the family of dogs, and five subspecies of the animal exist.
  • A raccoon dog has an average lifespan of 6 to 7  years, and the animal is generally between 45 to 71 centimetres (18 to 28 inches) in length with a weight from 3 to 10 kilograms (6.6 to 22 pounds).
  • The scientific name of raccoon dogs means ‘night wanderer’ when translated from Greek, which refers to the dog’s mainly nocturnal activity.
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Raccoon Dog
Image courtesy of Tambako The Jaguar/Flickr
  • Raccoon dogs live in woodland and forest habitats near water, and they have a habit of hibernating in winter, particularly when snowy, which is a unique characteristic in its family.
  • During summer months, raccoon dog fur is generally a red or yellow colour, however the fur coat changes to greys, browns and blacks in winter.
  • Raccoon dogs have a diet that consists primarily of rodents, fish, nuts, berries, molluscs, birds and their eggs, grains, insects, reptiles and frogs, and they are adept at climbing trees.
  • Raccoon dogs were first introduced to Europe, including parts of Russia, in the 1900s, and have since become a pest in some areas.
  • The primary predator of a raccoon dog is a wolf, and the animal is also commonly hunted by humans for the purpose of culling, for food, as well as for its fur.
Bibliography:
Raccoon Dog, 2015, A-Z Animals, http://a-z-animals.com/animals/raccoon-dog/
Raccoon Dog, 2015, Wikipedia, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Raccoon_dog
Raccoon Dog – The Night Wanderer, 2015, Fact Zoo, http://www.factzoo.com/mammals/raccoon-dog-night-wanderer.html

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Spanish Moss

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Spanish Moss

Spanish moss is a mop of scraggy hair.

  • Spanish moss is a vegetation species that is hosted by a variety of trees, and it has no roots or need for soil and it is easily grown from cuttings or broken pieces.
  • The scientific name of Spanish moss is Tillandsia usneoides, and it is from the family Bromeliaceae, the family of bromeliads.
  • ‘Spanish moss’ is also known as an ‘air plant’, ‘Pele’s Hair’, ‘grey beard’, ‘old man’s whiskers’, and ‘old man’s beard’.
  • Spanish moss is native to the moist areas of southeast North, Central and South America; and has become a weed in some parts of Australia.
  • The leaves of Spanish moss have minute scales and appear to be a grey or green colour; and they are quite thin but long, reaching a single millimetre (0.04 inches) in width and 2 to 6 centimetres (0.8 to 2.4 inches) in length.

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  • Spanish moss droops from somewhat shaded or completely exposed tree branches, and the plant can be as long as 6 metres (20 feet).
  • Nutrients and water for Spanish moss are generally obtained from the atmosphere, including precipitation.
  • Spanish moss has been historically used for a variety of purposes, including as a filling for mattresses, and it can also be used as a fibre or for shelter insulation, as well as in creative works.
  • Spanish moss is a common habitat for certain spiders, bats, rat snakes and insects, and is used as nest material for birds.
  • Small fragrant flowers in blue, yellow or green may grow on Spanish moss in summer, and they produce hairy seeds.
Bibliography:
Spanish Moss, 2015, Wikipedia, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spanish_moss
Tillandsia Usneoides, 2015, Plants Rescue, http://www.plantsrescue.com/tillandsia-usneoides/
Tillandsia Usneoides (Spanish Moss), n.d, Kew Royal Botanical Gardens, http://www.kew.org/science-conservation/plants-fungi/tillandsia-usneoides-spanish-moss

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Son Doong Cave

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Son Doong Cave

How could a rock hold such a large cave as the Son Doong Cave?

  • Son Doong Cave is a rock cave found in Central Vietnam, in Southeast Asia, close to the border of Laos.
  • ‘Son Doong Cave’ is also known as ‘Hang Son Doong’, which is Vietnamese for ‘mountain river cave’.
  • The Son Doong Cave entrance was discovered in the early 1990s by a local Vietnamese named Ho Khanh, however the cave remained untouched and hidden for many more years, due to its relatively inaccessible location.
  • Son Doong Cave is the home of the large Rao Thuong River, that flows quite quickly underground, notably making rushing and roaring sounds audible outside the cave.
  • The entrance to Son Doong Cave was rediscovered in 2008, again by Ho Khanh, and it wasn’t until 2009 that it was first explored, with Ho Khanh’s assistance and a team of cave experts and scientists, as steep inclines and intimidating sounds caused by the hidden river, would’ve deterred locals.
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Son Doong Cave
Image courtesy of Doug Knuth/Flickr
  • As of 2015, Son Doong Cave was still listed as the largest known cave on Earth, at 200 metres (660 feet) in height, 5 kilometres (3.1 miles) in length and 150 metres (490 feet) in width, at the greatest points.
  • Limestone is the main stone type that makes up Son Doong Cave and it also has some large deposits of calcite.
  • Particularly large cave pearls and stalagmites can be found in Son Doong Cave, with the cave pearls reaching sizes of around 7.5 cm (3 inches) in diameter and stalagmites reaching up to 80 metres (262 feet) in height.
  • The first tourists to explore Son Doong Cave did so in late 2013, spending $3,000 USD per person, while only 500 permits to enter the cave were given out in 2015.
  • Son Doong Cave is located in a section of the Phong Nha-Kẻ Bàng National Park, which was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2003.
Bibliography:
Lee J, Dive Into ‘Infinity’ With Dizzying Views of A Colossal Cave, 2015, National Geographic, http://news.nationalgeographic.com/2015/05/150520-infinity-cave-son-doong-vietnam-virtual-tour-photography-conservation/
Son Doong Cave, 2015, Oxalis Travel, http://oxalis.com.vn/cave/son-doong-cave/
Sơn Đoòng Cave, 2015, Wikipedia, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/S%C6%A1n_%C4%90o%C3%B2ng_Cave

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Papadum

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Papadum

The number of papadum spelling variations is enough to cover the actual recipe variations!

  • Papadums are a thin, cracker or bread-like food made primarily of water and a type of flour, sometimes with the addition of oil and salt.
  • A ‘papadum’ is also known as a ‘papad’, ‘pappadum’, ‘poppodum’, ‘pappadam’, ‘papari’ and ‘pāpar’, and there are countless other spelling variations.
  • The flour used to make papadums varies and can include rice, black gram, lentil, potato or chickpea flour.
  • In general, papadums are made by making a dough, and then cooking it by either toasting, deep frying, microwaving or roasting.
  • Papadums are often eaten as an accompaniment to a main meal, such as a curry, or eaten as a snack; while condiments, vegetables, spices and/or curries may be placed on the cooked version before serving.

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  • Occasionally papadum dough is flavoured with spices, and they can be made in a wide variety of sizes.
  • Papadums originated in India, Asia, where it is a particularly popular appetiser, and they are commonly used as a scoop in the process of eating Indian food, especially curry, and can be used to dull the spiciness of the food.
  • Due to its inexpensive ingredients and ease in making, papadums are commonly made and sold by Indian females in their country, as a way to support their family.
  • The texture of cooked papadums should be crispy, rough and somewhat bumpy; the bumpiness depending on the cooking style, though sometimes they are served soft like flat bread.
  • Papadums are commonly available in supermarkets, and are sold cooked and ready to eat, or in a dried form ready to cook.
Bibliography:
Papadum, 2015, Wikipedia, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Papadum
Papadum Bread, 2015, Recipe Tips, http://www.recipetips.com/glossary-term/t–37535/papadum-bread.asp
What is Papadum Bread?, 2015, WiseGEEK, http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-papadum-bread.htm

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Teapot

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Teapot

A teapot is a signature of the early modern society.

  • A teapot is a container used to make and serve beverages, most commonly tea, and they are generally made of steel, ceramic or glass, while bronze and other metals have been commonly used in the past.
  • There are three main parts to a teapot – the body, which contains the beverage; the handle, to hold the pot; and the spout, to pour the beverage; and most have a lid to contain the liquid, keep the heat in, and stop other particles contaminating the tea, while some have an inbuilt strainer to prevent tea leaves from entering the cup.
  • Tea made using a teapot is often done by inserting dried tea leaves, or sometimes teabags, into the pot, and boiling water is added to make the beverage, which is then steeped for a few minutes, and then poured into a drinking vessel, typically a teacup.
  • In the history of the Yixing area in China, tea was commonly made and drunk, and it is believed that in the early to mid 1300s, a Chinese potter from the area was the first to have invented the teapot.
  • Teapots were exported from China to Europe by the late 1600s; and in the 1700s, Europeans were successful in creating their own pots after much trial and error with inferior porcelain.

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  • Teapots may have separate fabric coverings that serve the purpose of trapping the heat of the liquid to keep the brew hot, and they have been used since the 1800s and are named ‘tea cosies’ or ‘tea warmers’.
  • Most modern teapots have a body of either a rounded shape or a pear-shape, however, there are numerous shapes and styles available, and some are more ornamental or decorative in nature, while others are simple and practical.
  • The colour of teapots can vary greatly, and they can feature patterns, intricate artwork and other decorative elements.
  • Even though using a teapot is the traditional method of making tea and is often used for formal occasions, teabags placed in a mug or teacup have made the pot somewhat redundant, as they are more easily transportable, less bulky and more convenient.
  • Interesting and decorative teapots are often collected by enthusiasts, and it is said that the largest collection in the world in 2007 was owned by Tang Yu, from Quanzhou in China, with a total of 30,000.
Bibliography:
Everage L, Teapots Through The Ages, 2006, Fresh Cup, https://theteaspot.com/media/wysiwyg/news/storyId-16.pdf
Kuei-Hsiang Lo (1986). The Stonewares of Yixing: From the Ming Period to the Present Day. Hong Kong University Press
McLeod M, When Was – The Teapot Invented, 2015, Southeastern Antiquing and Collecting Magazine, http://www.go-star.com/antiquing/when_was0208.htm
Teapot, 2015, Wikipedia, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Teapot

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