Located within the Northwestern point of Penang, lies a beautiful oasis for conducting research. The Muka Head Marine Research Station is about a thirty-minute drive and fifteen-minute boat ride away from the Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) main campus. The Muka Head Marine Research Station is located within Taman Negara National Park and managed by USM, Center for Maine and Coastal Studies program headed by Professor Zulfigar Yasin.

The main goal of the Muka Head Marine Research Station is to promote research and awareness in the field of tropical marine and coastal sciences. The Muka Head Marine Research Station focuses on coral reef studies, coastal forests, mariculture, pharmacy, marine biotechnology, and marine environmental research.

It is absolutely beautiful and I look forward to spend more time photographing the plants and animals. Professor Zulfigar Yasin, with his artistic eye has arranged a beautiful floral garden, museum, and place to conduct scientific research.

The Muka Head Marine Research Station has also won several national and international awards such as: Malaysian book of records for first national shellfish center for Malaysia; Kurita Environmental Award for its role in conservation of Langkawi’s marine environment, Toray Foundation Award for its work on triploid oysters; a gold medal from the Malaysian Ministry of Science, Technology and the Environment award for its work on fast growing oysters and precision framing.

Here you can see Bala (commonly referred to as Uncle Bala), Senior Laboratory Assistant, Muka Head Research Station describing the process for cultivating and maintaining the stock culture of plankton.

As a side note Bala is an international boxing referee and was on the Malaysian boxing National Team. He is also the Vice President for Penang Boxing Association, Vice President Hindu Temple and overall a really good guy.

While perhaps common here, a trip to the Botanical with my new friend Wee yielded some unexpected results…the sighting of Long Tail Macque. These wild monkeys also enjoy relaxing in the park.

I consider myself fortunate!!! From the moment I stepped off the plane the faculty and graduate students at CEMACS have welcomed and integrated me into their country. They have helped facilitate my needs such as moving into an apt, finding a place to eat, and purchasing a cell phone. But more importantly, they are as interested in meeting me as I in them. Already I sense a bond developing. I’m sure we will all produce some great things together and one day I hope I can return the favor back in the states.

This morning Professor Zulfigar, Sim, Wee and I began to develop a production schedule. I would say the project has officially started.

Buildings around campus.

Finally! I have that tropical view I’ve been looking for.

A long 36-hour flight. Boston to San Francisco, San Francisco to Tokyo, Tokyo to Singapore. Overnight in Singapore before flying to Penang. Although not a scientific study, I seemed to avoid any jet lag by landing in Singapore at midnight and sleeping in the airport hotel. By the time I woke up the next day. I was adjusted. Of course I lost a day in transit …does that mean I get one extra day?…who knows.

In the SF airport there was an exhibit “The Sea.” I felt encouraged and wanted to share the quote setting me forth on my journey

“The sea is everything. It covers seven tenths of the terrestrial globe. Its breath is pure and healthy. It is an immense desert, where man is never lonely, for he feels life stirring on all sides.”
Jules Verne
20,000 Leagues Under the Sea

My life is now in 6 bags. Photo gear, video equipment and audio, underwater video and photo equipment, dive gear, and one bag of clothes. My entire family signed their names by drawing pictures of fish on my suitcase for identification. I think Ill continue to ask people to draw fish on it along my travels.

Having unexpected fun. They just showed up on a sunny day.

Before going on a year long trip it’s never a bad idea to test all your gear on some exotic creatures.