Tuesday, February 19, 2008

Malaysia - Melaka (Part 2)

After breakfast, we drove to Stadthuys & Christ Church.
Many buildings are painted RED.
Click on the bottom photo for an enlarge view of the map.



















Christ Church was built between 1741 and 1753. Orginally replacing a already shattered Portuguese Church. Bricks were shipped from Netherlands. Oldest church in Malaysia.












This is call "Red Square"












Many shops beside the church. Selling lots of interesting local stuffs. Most of which you can also find at the Jonker's walk night market.















This Tang Beng Swee Clock Tower was built in 1886.












Can also enter here to take a path up the hill to St Paul's Church.
The Church was built in 1521 by Portuguese.


















Cultural Museum is a replica of sultanate palace. Entrance fee is RM$1.00.But if you wish to visit the Dutch graveyard only, you can pass through without paying.



















The Dutch Grave Ground.
First used at in late 17th century.
5 Dutch and 33 british graves are sited here now.















Steps leading to Stadthuys.It is now a historical museum.
Stadthuys was built in 1660, one of the oldest Dutch buildings.
Entrance fee to Museum is RM$5.00.


















This is one of the finest museums I've visited.
It's big and houses many historical items.
Very well exhibited.
Highly recommended if you've extra time when visiting Melaka.



















I like above two pictures very much.
Big applause for the artist whom drew this.
Don't you find it's so real?What's real and what's drawn.
It's really take some time to figure it out.












Fruit stall at one of the R&R spot.
Our last stop over before reaching Singapore.












While travelling back, I recapped my 2 day trip to Melaka.
At first the only reason for visiting Melaka was wanting to eat Chicken Rice ball, visiting night market and see the dutch grave ground.
I didn't think there was alot to see.
But I was wrong.
We didn't even have time for shopping at some of their big shopping centres.
If you ask me if I would return to this place again.
My answer would be yes.
The people are polite.
Streets are very clean.
Food are good and cheap.
Roads are planted with tress and flowers.
I summarized my trip as "GOOD & FUN."












Melaka, Malaysia
Located South-Western Coast of Peninsular Malaysia facing the Straits of Melaka and between the states of Negeri Sembilan and Johor.
Occupy an area of 1,658 square kilometers, divided into 3 districts (Melaka Tengah, Alor Gajah & Jasin)
144km from Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur, 224km from Johor Bahru
Climate / Temperature : 21 - 33 dc
Time Zone : GMT/UTC + 08:00 hour
Currency : Ringgit (RM)
Country Telephone code / Area Code : 60 / 6
Electricity : 220-240V, 50 Hz, UK-style three-pin plugs are use.
Population: 713,000 (2005)
Ethnic Groups : Malay (60.9%), Chinese (26.8%), Indian (6.1%), Others (7.1%)
Languages : Malay, English, Mandarin

Short History of Melaka :Melaka was previously known as Malacca.
Founded by Parameswara in 1396.
Given its strategic location straddling the Straits of Melaka, it thrived as a port-of-call and a centre of entrepot trade with ships and merchants from China, Japan, India, Arab and South Africa…
In 1511, it fell to the hands of the Portuguese, followed by the Dutch in 1641. In 1795, Melaka was given to British. It was returned to the Dutch in 1818 under the treaty of Vienna but was later exchanged by the Brisith for Bangkahulu, Sumatra. From 1826 onwards, the British East India Company along with Singapore and Penang governed it, under the Straits Settlement.
The Dutch left many fine buildings marking their heritage . The Stadthuys for example is today the oldest Dutch building in the Far East.

For Melaka Post Part 1, please click here!

2 comments:

Martini said...

a nice travel blog, would like to create one too :)

astrogalaxy said...

Thanks Martini,
Hope you be back here often.
I'll try to update my previous holidays trips whenever I'm free.
Cheers!!!