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Sabtu, 04 Juni 2011

10 Great National Parks in Indonesia

1. Bromo Tengger Semeru National Park
Bromo Tengger Semeru National Park is one of the most famous national park and also a popular tourist destination because of its beautiful mountain landscapes and fascinating volcanic cones. It was established in 1982 and spanning an area of 503 km² in East Java, about 53 km from Malang town. The different of this national park is the only Indonesia's conservation area that has a sand sea, the Tengger Sand Sea, across which is the caldera of an ancient volcano from which several new volcanic cones have emerged. This unique feature covers a total area of 5,250 hectares and located at an altitude above 2,100 m. Mount Bromo is one of the volcanoes that sits inside the massive Tengger caldera and surrounded by sand sea. It is easily recognised by its white sulphurous smoke constantly plume from the crater inside. Within the park Mount Semeru is one of the most active volcanoes in Indonesia, where a huge cloud steam and smoke belched from the crater for every 20 to 30 minutes, sometimes interspersed with ash and stones. Although Bromo Tengger Semeru National Park may described as one of the most dangerous area in Indonesia, but it is still visited by thousands of visitors each year.

2. Komodo National Park
Komodo National Park was declared as a World Heritage site and a Man and Biosphere Reserve by UNESCO in 1986, after six years of establishment. The park is situated within the Lesser Sunda Islands and consists of the three larger islands of Komodo, Rinca, Padar and 26 smaller islands creating a total surface area of 1,817 km². The islands are not only house the world famous and endanger species of Komodo Dragon, the world's largest lizard, but also feature a dramatic wild savannah landscape with patches of forest especially on the southern hills of Komodo and Rinca Islands. Furthermore, these islands are also surrounded by beautiful white and red sand beaches, blue lagoons teeming with diversity of marine life and some of the most spectacular underwater scenery in the world that entice divers and guests from around the world. Komodo National Park indeed a perfect holiday location due to its beautiful deserted beaches, hiking trails, great wildlife, various forms of coral reefs and also many interesting water activities.

3. Tanjung Puting National Park
Tanjung Puting National Park is located on the island of Borneo, south of Kalimantan, Indonesian. The park covers an area of 4,150 km² and consists of dryland dipterocarp forest, peat swamp forest, heath forest, mangrove, coastal beach forest, secondary forest and rivers. It was originally formed by Dutch in 1930s to protect the orangutans and proboscis monkey. In 1977, the park was designated as a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve and later the government of Indonesia announced it as a national park in 1982. Other animals such as gibbons, macaques, Borneo clouded leopards, sun bears, wild boars, porcupines, and Sambar deer also can be found here. Reptiles, birds, fishes, amphibians and insects which are no exception as part of the animal species in this park too. Due to the area is rich in biodiversity and several important ecosystems, the Tanjuug Puting National Park is a perfect ecotorism destination. Many local tour agents also offer several boat tours to bring visitors a closer view of the wildlife and fascinating tropical rainforest, and a visit to the orangutan rehabilitation center is a must for those who comes to this national park.

4. Bunaken National Park
The Bunaken National Park was officially established in 1991 and is among the Indonesia's first growing system of marine park which is situated in Manado Bay, north of Sulawesi Island. The park consists of five islands; Bunaken, Manado Tua, Montehage, Nain and Siladen, and covers a total surface area of 890.65 km² where the majority is marine habitat and only 3% is terrestrial. The surrounded area is very rich in coral ecosystem and dominated by fringing reef and barrier reef corals. Hundreds of coral species are recorded in this park. Beside the wide variety of coral species, the deep, clear and warm waters around the islands assist the reproduction of plankton, seagrasses and sponges as food and shelter for small fish. Oceanic currents rich in food and nutrients sweep past the area, these attract an abundance of marine life ranging from big pelagics to tiny critters. With the presence of these features, a solid marine and coral ecosystem formed. Each year, thousands of divers, underwater explorers and photographers from every corner of the world come to witness and enjoy the natural beauty of the Bunaken's underwater world.

5. Ujung Kulon National Park
Ujung Kulon National Park is one of the most remote national park in Indonesia. It is located in the extreme southwestern tip of Java Island on the Sunda shelf, includes the Ujung Kulon peninsula and several offshore islands and encompasses the natural reserve of Krakatoa. Due to its remote and isolated location, and difficult to access, Ujung Kulon remains as a native forest and untouched wilderness. It's largest remaining lowland tropical rainforest ecosystem together with the awesome Krakatau volcano and some good beaches with intact coral reefs have become one of the most rewarding national park in Java. In 1991, the park was declared as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and presents some fine opportunities for jungle trekking, canoeing, snorkeling and diving. Ujung Kulon is best known as the last refuge in Java for the one plentiful one-horned rhinoceros which is critically endangered. The number is estimated in 60 and the chances to see them are slim. Beside the rhinoceros, the park also home to many species of mammals, primates, reptiles, amphibians, birds, fishes, insects and hundreds species of flora where some of them are considered as rare. A visit to this amazing tropical rainforest is worth it especially for those who likes the natural flora and fauna. 

6. Gunung Rinjani National Park
Gunung Rinjani National Park is one of the best place for mountain trekking in Southeast Asia where the Indonesia's third highest mountain, Mount Rinjani (3,726 m) sits in the center of the park. Thousands of mountain climbers, adventurers, explorers and travellers around the world come to challenge the Mount Rinjani in order to witness its beautiful mountainous landscape, massive crater, crescent shaped sulfur lake under the crater and new born small volcano formed in the lake. Furthermore, the lush forests sprinkled with waterfalls around the slopes of mountain have also increased the overall natural beauty of Mount Rinjani. This fascinating national park spans an area of 413.30 km² is situated on the island of Lombok and lies within a major bio-geographical transition zone (Wallaceae) where the tropical flora and fauna of Southeast Asia meets that of Australasia.

7. Gunung Leuser National Park
Gunung Leuser National Park is the second largest and the most diverse national parks in Sumatra Island. It covers an area of 7,927 km² in the northern tip of the island. The park encompasses a large portion of Bukit Barisan Mountains, known for its steep, almost inaccessible mountainous terrains. The altitude ranges from beach area in Kluet (South Aceh), to 3,381 meter on top of the Mount Leuser (Southeast Aceh). The breathtaking Alas River cuts the park into an eastern and western half, where your tropical thirst for adrenaline will be captivatingly fulfilled. It also embraces various ecosystems which is a cluster of various nature reserves and forests such as mangroves, beach and swamp forest, lowland rainforest, moss forest, and up to sub-alpine forest. Around 130 species are identified in this national park, including the most famous Sumatran orangutans, the mysterious Sumatran tigers, endangered elephants and rhinos, Siamang monkeys, macaques, clouded leopards, reptiles, fish, and around 325 species of birds. Almost every adventurer who has visited and experienced the Gunung Leuser, surely would not feel any disappointment. Because it is far more than just a great adventure to the last zoo you visited.

8. Lorentz National Park
Lorentz National Park is the largest national park in Indonesia as well as Southeast Asia where the park encompasses a total area of 25,056 km² in Papua Province. It is the only nature reserve in the Asia-Pacific region to contain a full altitudinal array of ecosystems ranging through marine areas, mangroves, tidal and freshwater swamp forest, lowland and montane rainforest, alpine tundra, and equatorial glaciers. Due to the park is located at the meeting point of two colliding continental plates, the area has a complex geology with on-going mountain formation as well as major sculpting by glaciation. At 4,884 m, Puncak Jaya (formerly Carstensz Pyramid) is the tallest mountain between the Himalayas and the Andes. Beside that, the area also contains fossil sites, which record the evolution of life on New Guinea, a high level of endemism and the highest level of biodiversity in the region. A perfect location for adventurers, explorers and researchers because Lorentz National Park still contains many unmapped and unexplored areas, and also many species of plants and animals as yet unknown to Western science.

9. Kerinci Seblat National Park
Kerinci-Seblat National Park is the largest protected area in Sumatra Island, covering a total of 13,791 km². Much of the national park comprises montane and hill forests, some still virtually unexplored. The park is an ASEAN Heritage site and since 2004, it was listed as a UNESCO Natural World Heritage site. Kerinci Seblat is recognized as one of the most important reserves in the world for conservation of wild tigers and as a global hotspot for biodiversity. It is famous for its wealth of species where more than 375 species of birds, 86 species of mammal, including elephants, bears, tapirs, and Sumatran clouded leopard, 8 species of primate and 4,000 species of flora have been identified within this park. With the discovery of Muntiacus montanus, the park now has four species of deer and two species of mouse deer, with many local reports of more species remaining to be discovered, including the fabled orang pendek, a primate which has been observed by scientists but not yet scientifically validated.

10. Kelimutu National Park
Kelimutu National Park famous for it’s colored crater lakes. It is still a puzzle for both scientists and locals how the lakes gained its color and eventually change from time-to-time. The color of the three lakes are red, blue and white which eventually turns into black-brown, light green and black. The former red and blue lakes where separated by 200 centimeters wall of earth and located side-by-side while the former white lake is located to the west. This unique natural phenomenon is located on the island of Flores, covering an area of 50 km², the smallest national park of Indonesia declared in 1992. The Kelimutu National Park not only consists of lakes but also mountains, Mount Kelibara as the highest peak and Mount Kelimutu, and also various species of birds, plants and endangered animals. It is one of the best tourist attraction in Indonesia where the visitors may enjoy the surrounding breathtaking views with a cooler climate other than the three unique crater lakes.   

Selasa, 17 Mei 2011

10 Great Holiday Destinations in Malaysia

1. Kuala Lumpur
Kuala Lumpur, better known as KL, is a successful capital city of Malaysia where the charm of its colonial past has been well retained. A mix of old and new, KL features some of the world's highest buildings and diversity of religious buildings and grand colonial structures interspersed by attractive and welcoming gardens and parks. This modern city has boasts numerous worthwhile attractions and iconic landmarks, including the enormous Petronas Twin Towers and equally impressive KL Tower. Merdeka Square is the core of KL's historical buildings which has significant historical importance for every Malaysian. While, nearby Chinatown adds that extra kick to KL's already multicultural persona. There's also a Little India in KL, around the area occupied by Jame Mosque, where you'll find flower stalls, Indian Muslim and Malay costumes, and traditional items. The Lake Gardens, a large sanctuary that houses Kuala Lumpur's bird park, butterfly park, National Museum, National Mosque, Orchid Garden, Hibiscus Garden and other attractions, is one of most tourists visited places.

The so called 'Golden Triangle' is a large area that encompasses a number of major streets which bordered by three roads, Imbi, Sultan Ismail and Raja Chulan. This area consists many shopping malls, shops and outlets, bars and restaurants, world class hotels and many high-rise and commercial buildings, especially in the area of Bukit Bintang Street.  KL is dotted with numerous sites of religious importance. On of the most famous location is Batu Caves where tourists may have the opportunity to witness the ancient traditions of the Thaipusam festival (usually in late January or early February each year). A visit to the Chinese Thean Hou Temple is also a great choice. As the addition, a journey with an hour drive to Genting Highland to enjoy the fun of indoor and outdoor theme parks and casino facilities with a cooler climate, is the bonus attraction to those who visits KL.           

2. Penang Island
The island of Penang (also known as ''Pearl of the Orient'') is one of most iconic tourist destination in northwestern coast of Peninsula Malaysia. This small island renowned as top holiday destination in Southeast Asia through its natural beauty, unique cultural heritage, delightful cuisines and a great shopping paradise. The main tourist attractions include the scenic views of this fascinating island from Penang Hill, beautiful sandy beaches in Batu Ferringhi, famous Penang Butterfly FarmTropical Spice Garden and Tropical Fruit Farm in Teluk Bahang and enjoy a natural beauty of coastal hill dipterocarps, mangrove forest, beaches and rocky shores in Penang National Park. Georgetown is the capital of Penang state and listed as a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage Site in July 2008. This capital city is rich of heritage and historical buildings includes the famous Khoo Kongsi, Cheong Fatt Tze Mansion, Fort Cornwallis and more. The Penang Island also home to many popular religious buildings such as Kapitan Keling Mosque, Kek Lok Si TempleMahamariamman Temple, StGeorge Church, Wat Chaiyamangkalaram Temple and others. Due to the unlimited  tourist attraction, millions of tourists around the region continuously visiting this lovely island each year without any disappointment.

3. Cameron Highland
Cameron Highlands is located in Pahang state is one of Malaysia's top tourist destinations, a collection of peaceful townships perched 1500 meters high on a nest of Titiwangsa Mountain Range. Cooling resorts, tea plantations, strawberry farms, flower farms and other vegetable farms sprawl lazily across lush valleys and meandering hillslopes, the perfect setting for a relaxing holiday. The beautiful tranquil tea plantation, pleasant landscapes and cold climate impart a special experience upon the multitudes of visitors each year. Meanwhile, a different world lies hidden away among the natural surroundings - a rainforest ecosystem rich with the wonders of nature, long held with fascination by researchers and naturalists across the world.

4. Langkawi Island
Officially called as Langkawi, is an archipelago of 100 islands, about 30 km off the coast of northwest Malaysia. These islands with beautiful tropical beaches, soothing breeze, crystal clear waters, rich and varied marine life, delicious seafood and plenty of leisure options, have become a good holiday spot for family vacationers, leisure travellers, adventure seekers as well as honeymooners. To enhance the interesting, Langkawi is also a tax-free island with offers a fantastic opportunity to do extensive shopping. Along with local handicrafts especially 'Batik' silk prints, there are numerous shops selling clothes, jewellery, paintings and much more. Langkawi delights the taste buds of the tourists with lip-smacking seafood along with some of the finest cuisines of the world. In addition, the plethora of leisure activities enthrals the visitors a lot. Due to the unlimited attractions provided by these lovely islands, Langkawi has become 'a must visit tourist destination' while travelling to Malaysia.

5. Taman Negara National Park
Taman Negara National Park is a perfect holiday destination to those who loves the nature of rainforest. This national park is one of the oldest unspoilt rainforests in the world, and it is estimated to have evolved over 130 million years. Spanning an area of 4,343 square km with largely encompassing Pahang states and also straddles the borders of two other states, Kelantan and Terengganu, Taman Negara is the largest park and the most extensive protected rainforest area in Malaysia. It is home to more than 10,000 species of plants, 350 species of birds and local mammals including mouse deer, barking deer, tapirs, wild boars, elephants, leopards, tigers, and monkeys. The Peninsular Malaysia’s highest mountain in the Tahan Range, namely, Gunung Tahan at 2,187m is also located in this area. Each year, many travellers and adventure seekers come far away to explore and experience its natural treasures of unspoilt verdant jungles, rivers and mountains. The park is a great place to enjoy trekking along the network of jungle trails with expert guides available. Other activities include bird watching, cave exploration, white-water rafting, guided nature walks, fishing and mountain climbing.

6. Perhentian Island
Perhentian Island (or Pulau Perhentian in Malay language) locating just 21km off the northeast coast of Terengganu in Peninsular Malaysia, this beautiful island is famous for its palm-fringed white sandy beaches, turquoise blue sea and a laid back lifestyle. The island comprises Pulau Perhentian Besar (The Big Island) and Pulau Perhentian Kecil (The Small Island). The island is accessible from the small fishing port of Kuala Besut via a 40-minute sea journey by speedboat. The islands have a number of activities on its beaches and forests, with the most popular being snorkeling and scuba diving. The more relaxing pursuits are sunbathing and swimming and, apart from these, the island also offers activities like canoeing, jungle trekking, fishing and island hopping. Owing to the islands' protected status, the main tourist activities have minimal environmental impact. This makes Pulau Perhentian famous in the region for its stunning preserved natural world and diverse marine life.

7. Kinabalu National Park
Kinabalu National Park is Sabah’s oldest park and covers an area of 745 square km around Mount Kinabalu and encompasses a variety of habitats, elevations and vegetation zones. It was designated as a protected national park in 1964, and later in 2000 it was marked as Malaysia’s first UNESCO World Heritage Site due to the incredible richness of its tropical rainforests and biodiversity combined with its unique geological, topographical and climatic conditions. There are six major topographical features occur within the park. These include peaks and plateaus, gullies, rivers, streams, waterfalls, hot springs, caves and granitic slabs. The main attraction in this national park is Mount Kinabalu, the highest peak in Malaysia which is 4,095 m above sea level. Each year, hundreds of thousands of visitors come from different regions to experience the fascinating of this national park where there is no other place on the earth.

8. Malacca
Malacca is one of Malaysia's most popular tourist destinations due to its historical wealth. It was listed as UNESCO World Heritage Site title in 2008 and has seen an enormous redevelopment and influx of visitors. Located down in the south-west of the Malay Peninsula, Malacca has a quaint river flowing through its centre and an enviable coastal positioning. This historical city was loaded with numerous monuments and old buildings long time ago from past colonial powers; Portuguese, Dutch and British. Until now, they are all well preserved. Among them are Stadhuys (oldest Dutch building), Christ Church (Dutch church), Red Square, Porta de Santiago or A Formosa (old Portuguese fort) and St. Paul's Church (originally built by Portuguese, after Dutch siege it became St. Paul's). A part from that, Malacca city also boasts decent shopping, a noticeable night-time tourism buzz, river cruise with much of the activity being centred around the vibrant districts of Chinatown (especially around the Jonker Walk Night Market), Bukit China and Little India, as well as along the Jalan Taman Melaka Raya. Due to its historical attraction and state government's effort has leading Malacca as one of the well known tourist destination around the world. 

9. Gunung Mulu National Park  
Gunung Mulu National Park is another UNESCO World Heritage Site with an area of 52,864 hectares, located deep in Sarawak state where lie the world most spectacular caves. Over millennia the flow of water draining from the slopes of Gunung Mulu towards the sea has cut deep gorges through the Park’s limestone mountains and, within the rock itself, a complex network of vast caves has been formed. Among these caves, Lang Cave, Deer Caver, Clearwater Cave and Sarawak chamber are the most popular. Mulu continues to retain this sense of adventure associated with its’ original exploration through the provision of adventure caving and other adventure activities such as climbing Pinnacles, hike Gunung Mulu, Night Jungle wall and etc. Beside that, Gunung Mulu has an exceptional level of biological diversity with over 3,500 species of plants recorded in the park. These include a variety of highly specialized orchids, pitcher plants, palms, gingers and a most unusual ‘One Leaf’ plant to be found at the entrance of certain caves. There is also a large diversity of fauna species that include deer, monkeys, giant porcupine, civets and all of Borneo’s hornbills. Gunung Mulu is certainly a perfect destination for adventure seekers, especially for those who likes cave exploration.

10. Sarawak Cultural Village
The Sarawak Cultural Village is another favourite destination in Sarawak state. This village is situated about 35 km from Kuching, capital city of Sarawak and tucked away on the foothills of Mount Santubong with a built up area of 14 acres. This traditional village also referred to as a living museum and depicts the heritage of the major racial groups in Sarawak and conveniently portrays the respective lifestyle. It boasts seven ethnic houses representative of the Malay, the Chinese, the Penan and the longhouses of the Bidayuh, Iban, Orang Ulu and the Melanau. These houses display their skills in making traditional handicrafts such as beading, wood-carving, bamboo-carving, pua-weaving, and also show the traditional methods of making sago, and crushing sugar cane. One of the attractions in this cultural village is to take a look at how the Penans make blowpipes and other hunting instruments. Another highlight is cultural dance performed by award-winning dancers and musicians present their famous multi-cultural performances. Some of the annual events held at the Sarawak Cultural Village include the Gawai Open House (Dayaks' Harvest Festival) in June and the Rainforest World Music Festival, usually in July of each year. The Sarawak Cultural Village is indeed a unique destination for a memorable family adventure vacation.

Sabtu, 19 Maret 2011

10 Great Natural Rock Formations in Australia

1. Uluru
Located in the red heart of the central deserts, the ancient forms of Uluru and Kata Tjuta lie geographically, spiritually and symbolically at the centre of the Australian continent. Rising majestically above the red sand plains, they are shrouded in myth and mystery, their colours and moods ever-changing with the interplay of light from sun, cloud and rain. Protected within Uluru–Kata Tjuta National Park, Uluru (Ayers Rock) and Kata Tjuta (The Olgas) rise like giant red icebergs from the flat ‘sea’ of the surrounding desert. At around 350 m high, Uluru is the world’s largest monolith; its circumference measures 9.4 km and geologists estimate the rock reaches 6 km below the earth’s surface.

2. Great Barrier Reef
The Great Barrier Reef is the largest and most complex reef system in the world, made up of thousands of individual coral reefs and hundreds of islands and coral cays. It stretches more than 2,600 km along the north-east coast of Australia and is one of the only natural structures that can be seen from the moon. With its infamous colorful coral, wetlands and smattering of pretty islands, this area is a stunning display of nature’s beauty and a good reminder of the importance of conservation.

3. Bungle Bungles
The Bungle Bungles area highlight of Purnululu National Park in western Australia. The landscape features deep caverns, dramatic caves, tropical pools, and hundreds of distinctive beehive shaped limestone formations that work together to create a phenomenal scene of wonder. The Bungle Bungles get their unique tiger stripes from black algae growth that penetrates the pores of the rock combined with the orange colored build up of manganese and iron stains.

4. Wave Rock
Wave Rock is in the wheat belt region of Western Australia, 350 km south-east of Perth. It is a curved granite cliff face, actually the northern face of a large granite erosional remnant called Hyden Rock. This curved cliff face, resembling a wave about to break, is 15 m high and 110 m long. It has been rounded by weathering and water erosion, undercutting its base and leaving a rounded overhang. Water from springs active in the wetter months runs down the cliff face, dissolving and re-depositing chemicals in the granite, leaving red, brown, yellow and grey stains of carbonates and iron hydroxide. Its age has been estimated at about 2700 million years.

5. Pinnacles Desert
Pinnacles Desert is located in Nambung National Park in the western part of Australia. The pinnacles are limestone pillars that protrude out of the sand. There are thousands of pillars that stretch across the desert sand creating an incredibly unique landscape. The Pinnacles are all different shapes and sizes with some reaching 3.5 m high. The pinnacles may be jagged, rounded, sharp-edged, or any combination depending on how the wind has eroded them away.

6. Three Sisters Katoomba
The Three Sisters Katoomba is the world famous rock pillars located at Echo Point in the Blue Mountains of New South Wales. Towering above the Jamison Valley, these prominent and illustrious natural formations have gained legendary status as a renowned Australian tourist attraction. At an imposing height of 922 m, 918 m and 906 m respectively they present an overwhelming sight for anyone visiting the Blue Mountains. They have been given the Aboriginal names Meehni, Wimlah and Gunnedoo.

7. Devils Marbles 
Devils Marbles or Karlu Karlu are huge rocks located south of Tennant Creek area of Northern Territory in Australia which have been given mythological reasons by Australian tribes, they believe in its sacred powers. The aboriginal tribes believe that Marbles are eggs of Mythical Rainbow Serpent. The story is still alive and passed from generation to generation.  These rocks are several meters high and extremely large in size. They consist of granite and were formed about 1640 million years ago. These granite blocks expand and shrink little in size every 24 hours due to high  temperature change between day and night. This causes some rocks to crack, sometimes even splitting them to half. The Devils Marbles conservation reserve is the main tourist attraction in northern territory of Australia. The reserve is accessible throughout the year.

8. Cradle Mountain
Cradle Mountain forms the northern end of the wild Cradle Mt - Lake St Clair National Park, itself a part of the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area. The jagged contours of Cradle Mountain epitomise the feel of a wild landscape, while ancient rainforest and alpine heathlands, buttongrass and stands of colourful deciduous beech provide a range of environments to explore. Icy streams cascading out of rugged mountains, stands of ancient pines mirrored in the still waters of glacial lakes and a wealth of wildlife ensure there is always something to captivate you. The area is one of the most popular natural areas in Tasmania.

9. The Twelve Apostles
Situated between Apollo Bay and Port Campbell in The Port Campbell National Park are the 12 Apostles. Original named 'The Sow and Piglets'. The name was changed in the 1950s to tempt more visitors to see them. These famous residence of The Great Ocean Road were created from the 70 meter limestone cliffs by the relentless pounding of the Southern Ocean. To date only 8 of the original 12 apostles are still standing as the ocean continues to erode and shape the coast line.

10. Wilpena Pound
Wilpena Pound is the main attraction in Flinders Ranges National Park. The pound is a saucer-shaped structure of mountains with rough and rocky peaks around the rim. It looks like a natural amphitheatre. On the outside, the walls rise steeply up to 500 m, while inside they slope gently away from the peaks. Take a scenic flight from Wilpena Pound Resort. It is the best way to appreciate this stunning natural monument. Wilpena Pound is a paradise for bushwalking in Australia. St. Mary Peak (1190 m) at the north-western side of the pound is the highest peak.