Archive for January, 2006
Pictures of Kampung Kling Mosque at Flickr
Whether you are a Muslim or otherwise, as long as you’re interested in the unique architecture of old buildings, you will find it worthy to visit the Sumatran-style Kampung Kling Mosque (Masjid Kampung Kling), built in 1748. Being one of the oldest functioning mosques in Malaysia, the Kampung Kling Mosque has gone through extensive timeframe and experienced changes of names – Kampung Pali Mosque, Kampung Balik Pali Mosque, Kampung Kapur Mosque.
Currently, the Kampung Kling Mosque is sitting peacefully within the busy Chinatown of Melaka (near to Cheng Hoon Teng Temple), surrounded by Chinese shop houses. However, when the mosque was originally erected, it was surrounded by neighborhood of South Indians (Keling/Kling).
The Kampung Kling Mosque is featuring vernacular mosque architecture with regional influence. It is built on a square plan rather than the rectangular or hexagonal plan of most Middle Eastern mosques. Instead of a conventional onion-like dome, the mosque has a three-tiered roof with decorative roof ridges rising like a pyramid in its place. Its minaret, structured like a pagoda, portrays a mixture of East-West architectural influence. The upper 2 layers of the three-tiered roof are covered with green tiles, while the lowest roof has a much more shallow pitch, practically horizontal and is covered by red clay shingles. If it wasn’t painted with green and white as the core colours, it’s hard to tell at one glance from exterior look if it was actually a mosque.
The vernacular mosques portray high level of craftsmanship. This can be seen in the roof, windows, fanlights, carving wall panels, fascia boards and well-designed mimbar with intricate flower motifs, to reflect Oriental influence. All the unique crafts are done by Malay craftsmen. When it was first built, there are 20 wooden side pillars, 12 wooden central pillars and four wooden main pillars. The woods used to construct the wooden pillars were imported from Kalimantan in Indonesia. Then in 1872, the pillars except the four main pillars were replaced with concrete.
In the mosque, there is a set of lamps dating back more than 100 years ago, and estimated to worth at the value of RM 150,000. This lamp set is said to be the only one in Malaysia, still functioning until today, and kept in good condition.
GPS Coordinate: N2.19679 E102.24752
January 31st, 2006
Pictures of St. Francis Xavier’s Church at Flickr
The construction of Gothic-towered St. Francis Xavier’s Church was initiated by a French priest, Father Farve in 1849. This church, dominated the skyline of the old-town of Melaka, is dedicated to St. Francis Xavier (Apostle of the East), the pioneering Catholic missionary of Southeast Asia in the 16th century. For a very long time, it was the largest church built by the MEP (Paris Foreign Missionary) in the Malay Peninsula.
While this Gothic church is dedicated to St. Francis Xavier, the statue of the saint is available at the St. Paul’s Church.
The St. Francis Xavier’s Church of Melaka is featuring authentic French architectural design, and is believed to be based on the model of the Cathedral of St. Peter in Montepellier, Southern France. The church is essentially identical to its original construction, except for the portico which was added in 1963. The interior is little changed except for the floor which was cemented in 1920.
Until today, it is still serving as a functioning Catholic church, holding regular mass services. However, as the church has been around for more than a century, it is leaning a bit towards the right.
GPS Coordinate: N2.19540 E102.25055
January 30th, 2006
Imagine the scene of colourful fluttering wings flitting around you, within the distance or an arm, isn’t it a breathtaking atmosphere? Look no further, the Butterfly and Reptile Sanctuary (also known as Butterfly Farm) of Melaka is the place where this statement is describing. The Butterfly and Reptile Sanctuary is reputed to be the largest netted butterfly park and insect garden in the world.
The farm houses more than 200 local butterfly species including rare ones like Raja Brooke Birdwing species. The Raja Brooke Birdwing is a distinctive black and electric-green birdwing butterfly from rainforests in Borneo, and recognized as the most striking of all butterflies in Sarawak. This butterfly is protected by law because they are threatened by the wildlife trade.
As opposing to animals caged in the zoo, butterflies here are freely flitting everywhere in the enchantingly landscaped farm. Some of the butterflies might even be coming into you and making a pause of their flits at your arm. At anytime, the number of butterflies surrounding you is surely more than what you have seen in your garden.
As the name suggests, this farm is not only about butterflies, but reptiles and insects as well. The sanctuary houses a wide variety of exotic snakes (such as the giant Burmese Phyton and the King Cobra), huge spiders, scorpions, and other skin-crawling six-legged or eight-legged insects which are not commonly found in our city jungles.
If you are visiting Butterfly and Reptile Sanctuary, you might consider planning a 1-day-zoology-trip at Ayer Keroh, by stopping over the Zoo Melaka, as well as Crocodile and Reptile Park.
Getting There
The Butterfly and Reptile Sanctuary Melaka is located at Ayer Keroh, less than 1 minute drive from the toll. Once passing off the Ayer Keroh toll of North South Expressway, take note of butterfly-shaped sign boards, and you shall find the butterfly farm on your left. You will reach the butterfly farm before Zoo Melaka. Click here for Ayer Keroh map
GPS Coordinate: N2.29571 E102.31416
January 30th, 2006
The Crocodile and Reptile Park Melaka (also known as Crocodile Farm Ayer Keroh) is another interesting animal kingdom in Melaka, situated directly opposite the Zoo Melaka. While Zoo Melaka is featuring various wildlife species, the Crocodile and Reptile Park is focusing its captive breeding and conservation on the fearsome ancient giant reptile – crocodile.
The Crocodile and Reptile Park Melaka established in 1987 is sprawling an area of 3.2 hectare, to house more than 200 crocodiles of various species from all over the world including the Siamese, African Dwarf, Indian Marsh/Mugger, Humpback, Albino, Tailless and many more. Some of the crocodiles hunted at other places within Malaysia are also brought into this farm.
The farm is specially landscaped to recreate the crocodiles’ natural environment. The log-like predator tends to congregate in slow-moving rivers and lakes, and feed on a wide variety of living and dead mammals and fish. Despite the fact that crocodile is extremely dangerous to humans, you could have an educational day at Crocodile and Reptile Park with your children without the painful risk. Exciting performances by the trained keepers and their crocodiles are held every Saturday.
If you are visiting Crocodile and Reptile Park, you might consider planning a 1-day-zoology-trip at Ayer Keroh, by stopping over the Zoo Melaka, as well as Butterfly and Reptile Sanctuary.
Getting There
The Crocodile and Reptile Park Melaka is located at Ayer Keroh, less than 5 minutes drive from the toll. Once passing off the Ayer Keroh toll of North South Expressway, heading straight upward, and you shall find the Zoo Melaka on your right, situated at the opposite side of Zoo Melaka. Click here for Ayer Keroh map
GPS Coordinate: N2.27710 E102.29788
January 29th, 2006
There’s no better way to learn about zoology and animal’s life than physically visit the zoo. Spend a day with your family of friends at Zoo Melaka, the second largest zoo in Malaysia, and you will surely find yourself equip with better knowledge on the amazing natural wildlife.
Zoo Melaka was established in 1963 and originally under the Melaka State Government but its management was taken over by The Department of Wildlife and National Parks (PERHILITAN) in 1979. Encompassing an area of 21.2-acres, Zoo Melaka is now the habitat for over 1200 specimens made up of 215 species of birds, mammals, reptiles and amphibians.
Zoo Melaka is featuring a number of critically endangered species which are extensively protected to preserve its existence, such as the Sumatran Rhinoceros, Malayan Gaur, and Malayan Sun Bear. Due to poaching fueled by ivory sales, the Sumatran Rhinoceros once wide-spread in Southeast Asia have only survived by a mere 300 specimens today. On the other hand, Malayan Gaur is the only remaining wild cattle species in Malaysia.
Malayan Tiger, the world’s latest tiger sub-species discovered, is one of the main attractions in Zoo Melaka. The Malayan Tiger was classified as the ninth tiger sub-species, as a result of evidential distinctive findings proven from DNA test of more than 130 tigers and tiger pelts.
Other notable attractions include the Malayan Honey Bear, Sambar Deer, Lion, Orang Utan, Serow, Zebra, White Rhino, Gemsbok, and Miniature Horse. If you are bringing your children, they will most likely being excited with the opportunity to ride on the horse and even the elephant. Please note that, the elephant and horse riding is only available on Saturday, Sunday and public holidays, from 10 am – 12 pm and 2 pm – 4 pm.
The best time to visit zoo is in the morning, when the animals are still actively moving around its habitat waiting for feeding time. Once they have taken their meals, I bet you might be disappointed with their slumbering mood, especially in the afternoon.
In the zoo, please don’t attempt to feed the animals with foods you have brought on your own, unless it was given by the zoo keepers. Each animal in the zoo are fed with specially designed diet to give them the best balanced nutrition. Giving wrong food to the animal might bring more harm than good. For example, even though the herbivores are fed with plants and grasses, but it is not simply any green plant; each of the herbivore might prefer a specific type of grass.
If you are visiting Zoo Melaka, you might consider planning a 1-day-zoology-trip at Ayer Keroh, by stopping over the Crocodile and Reptile Park, as well as Butterfly and Reptile Sanctuary.
Zoo Melaka Visiting Hours
9.00 am – 6.00 pm daily
Night Zoo
Besides, the Zoo Melaka is also opening its gate for the night zoo, to highlight the nocturnal animal behaviors. The night zoo of Zoo Melaka is operating on every Friday, Saturday, Sunday and eve to public holidays, from 8.00 pm to 11.30 pm.
Getting There
The Zoo Melaka is located at Ayer Keroh, less than 5 minutes drive from the toll. Once passing off the Ayer Keroh toll of North South Expressway, heading straight upward, and you shall find the Zoo Melaka on your left, situated at the opposite side of Crocodile and Reptile Park. Click here for Ayer Keroh map
GPS Coordinate: N2.27777 E102.30179
January 29th, 2006
Pictures of Jonker Street at Flickr
If you’re asking a local resident or tour guide to suggest a must-visit destination in Melaka, except the historical places of warship, chances are extremely high that he/she will definitely answer with firmed tone, speaking out one of these names – Jonker Street, Jonker Walk or Jalan Hang Jebat. While having variation, these names are actually referring to the same narrow street located in Melaka Chinatown.
Jonker Street, houses some of the Melaka’s oldest dwellings or houses dating back to the 17th century, is also informally known as the antique street. The antique shops here are featuring artifacts from different periods of colonial rule – Portuguese, Dutch, and British. If you have sufficient time to stroll through the street with eagle eyes, you can easily hunt and bargain for the unique and valuable antique furniture, Chinese porcelain, brassware, cast iron beds, lamps, coins and money notes, as well as the priceless Buddha statues.
If you are looking for antiques from a trusted distributor in Jonker Street, you may feel free to visit Beyond Treasures. Beyond Treasures is armed with huge range of antiques originated from various Asia countries, and has received plenty of testimonials from foreign customers. If you are looking for shipping services to transport the large item bought, Beyond Treasures will also be more than willing to assist you with satisfying services.
Jonker Walk – The Live Cultural Museum
On 19 June 2000, the Melaka State Government had launched the concept of Jonker Walk, utilizing the richness of heritage values in this narrow antique street to realize a live touristy culture street.
Through this plan, the Jonker Street is changing its cloth to play the role of Jonker Walk, on every Friday evenings, Saturday evenings and Sunday evenings from 6.00pm to 12.00 midnight. During these specially located hours, traders are lining along the pedestrian street and setting up stalls to sell and display products associated with or reflect the cultural colours, such as antique copper coins, local and ethnic traditional food, unique arts and crafts, souvenirs, ornamental jewelry, and wooden clogs. For your information, Purple Flowers Handicrafts is one the pioneers of wooden clogs crafting in Melaka. Some of the local residents who own a house in Jonker Street, are also participating in this activity by converting the house into a premise, such as food stall, which allows visitors to enjoy the delicacies while gaining a chance to have a first hand experience on the unique architectural design.
A stall selling collectibles at Jonker Walk.
Besides, some of the Chinese clan and dialect associations are also organizing activities in their respective buildings during weekends for visitors. These activities include dancing classes, Chinese classical instrumental shows, and karaoke sessions. In order to encourage touristy activities being held at Jonker Street, a permanent stage is also built at the end of the street for performances.
Jonker Walk is a good place for street shopping. As opposing to Chinatown in other places or countries, the traders here are generally friendly and communicative; there is hardly a scene of traders forcing visitors to buy their products. As a rule of thumb, bargaining for items which interest you would definitely be a prudent practice.
If it was approaching or during Chinese New Year celebration, the Jonker Street will also be nicely decorated with cultural colors, and if you’re in the right time, an amazing scene of lion dance performance by tens to hundred of troops might also be caught in sight.
To date, the Jonker Walk is still very much nominated by Chinese traders. Excluding the foreigners, most of the local visitors are Chinese. The objective of reflecting multi-racial cultural attributes is yet to be significantly actualized.
A Place for Food Lovers
The Jonker Street is not only known for its cultural attractions and unique building architectures, but delicious foods and local delicacies as well. Being day or night, Jonker Street or Jonker Walk, the street is full of a number of shops and cafes selling a wide variety of foods and beverages. The Geographer Cafe located at the middle of the street is especially known among the foreign visitors, for its happening live bands on Friday and weekend nights. Besides, there’s also a shop called Jonker Dessert located diagonally opposite the Geographer Cafe, which is known for its Baba Nyonya delicacies.
A hawker selling radish cake at Jonker Walk.
The savory food hunting journey at Jonker Street is definitely more than the little description above. For a comprehensive Jonker Street food hunting guide, please hop to Jason Lioh’s post.
Visit at the Right Time
Just a note, that the Jonker Street is usually full of crowds during the evening activities held on Fridays and weekends. Thus, if you’re seriously looking for antiques, you might consider avoiding the crowd by visiting the street during day time. Day time without the crowded environment could give a better mood to quietly enjoying in the bargains. Besides, if you are arming yourself with sophisticated photography equipments to capture some astonishing pictures, the crowd at Jonker Walk activities might also discourage you from positioning your tripod at the best place.
Map
Looking for map of Chinatown? Check out the post titled Map@Melaka - Chinatown.
GPS Coordinate: N2.19815 E102.24472
January 29th, 2006
Pictures of St. Paul’s Church at Flickr
At the Porta de Santiago of A Famosa Fortress, looking up to the summit of the hill, you could easily spot the sights of ruins surrounded by thick bricks. The ruins, known as St. Paul’s Church situation at the summit of St. Paul’s Hill, is another valuable heritage structure found in Melaka. The St. Paul’s Church is easily accessible via a stairway on the gentle slope of St. Paul’s Hill.
The St. Paul’s Church of Melaka was originally a Portuguese chapel built by Duarte Coelho in 1521, in gratitude to Our Lady of Grace (Joao de Barros of the 16th century) for a miraculous escape from an attack on his ship by a fleet in the South China Sea. This chapel was known as Chapel of the Mother of God (Madre de Deus) or Our Lady of the Hill (Nossa Senhora do Oiteiro). In 1548 the Archbishop of Goa in India, Don Albuquerque, handed over the church to the Society of Jesus. St. Francis Xavier, the pioneering Catholic missionary of Southeast Asia, received the title deeds on behalf of the Society.
The body of St. Francis Xavier was laid to rest at open grave (now covered by wire mesh) of the church for a period of eight and a half months after his death at San Chian of China, from the 22nd of March 1553 to the 11th of December of the same year. The body of St. Francis Xavier is still on display at the Basilica of Bom Jesus in Goa, India, open to the public once every 10 years. Don’t be surprised, that the body is still preserved in fairly good condition, even though it has been resisted for nearly 500 years. Some call it a miracle, which is hard to be reasoned with scientific theories.
Canonization of St. Francis Xavier was done in 1614. The Pope requested Francis’ right arm to be brought to Rome, in order to be canonized. Again, legendary miracle happened - the wound was said to have dripped blood!
In 1641, the Dutch took over Melaka from the Portuguese, renamed the chapel to St. Paul’s Church, and used it as their praying place until they completed the construction of their own church - Christ Church. When the Christ Church was established, St. Paul’s Church became a Dutch graveyard with monumental tombstones scattered around.
In 1952, a statue of St. Francis Xavier was built to commemorate the passing of the saint. Originally, the statue was completely constructed with the right arm in place. However, on the morning after the consecration ceremony, a large casuarina tree fell on it and broke off the right arm, resulted in a statue with missing arm until today.
GPS Coordinate: N2.19261 E102.24941
January 29th, 2006
Picture of Cheng Hoon Teng Temple at Flickr
The Cheng Hoon Teng Temple Melaka is the oldest functioning Chinese temple in Malaysia. It was founded in 1645 by Kapitan China Lee Wei King. Kapitan China was a position created by the Portuguese to act as an administrator of the local Chinese community.
Cheng Hoon Teng, located at the heart of Melaka Chinatown, is a premier historical monument that has survived the ravages of time. It remains the finest of Chinese temples in Malaysia - a fact underscored by an UNESCO award for outstanding architectural restoration. The temple is ranked among the most significant in Southeast Asia, being central to the spiritual aspirations of the Chinese community in historic Melaka.
Cheng Hoon Teng Temple is dedicated to the Goddess of Mercy (Kuan Yin). This temple was constructed by skilled workers from China - master craftsmen, artisans and carpenters, who replicated the designs of the Southern Chinese temple. The building conforms strictly to the principles of Feng Shui, incorporating the fundamental belief that every aspect of life is closely related to attaining perfect harmony with nature.
The Cheng Hoon Teng Temple is featuring one of the finest artworks hardly found in today’s modernized city. The magnificent gilded furniture, idols, carved beams, lacquer work and figures of deities are sure to surprise the visitors. Remember to load your digital camera your sufficient battery power and memory capacity before visiting Cheng Hoon Teng. Visitors often look at the roof to capture the images of unique artworks. When the sky is blue and dramatic, you will have an advantage in your photo.
In the temple, there’s also an altar for Confucius, a famous thinker and social philosopher of China. Prior to any school examination season, there will be a number of parents accompanying their children to pray at the altar, with the wish of doing well in the coming examination.
A rock faces pond with 18 Lohans, followers of Buddhism’s Eightfold Path who have achieved full spiritual fulfillment.
External Link
Official website of Cheng Hoon Teng temple
GPS Coordinate: N2.19752 E102.24692
January 28th, 2006
In the middle of Dutch Square area, some might be surprised with the presence of British architectural monument – the Queen Victoria’s Fountain.
Surrounded by the red-painted heritage buildings constructed during Dutch occupation, the green colour Queen Victoria’s Fountain of Melaka was built in 1904 by the British to commemorate Her Majesty’s Diamond Jubilee.
The Queen Victoria’s Fountain made of English marble is still well functioning today, and always one of the most favorable touristy photography spots.
However, at times, the surrounding areas are flooded with crows (a kind of bird), which not only polluting the magnificent objects with droppings, but also discouraging the well-anticipated photography, especially during the evening. Fortunately, the municipal council is undergoing continuous efforts to prevent crows from gathering at the historic tourism spot.
Besides this Queen Victoria’s Fountain of Melaka, another similar fountain was also erected for the same reason in Kuala Lumpur within the compound of Dataran Merdeka.
January 28th, 2006
Pictures of Christ Church at Flickr
The strawberry-coloured Christ Church was built during the Dutch occupation, began construction in 1741 and completed in 1753. The Christ Church is recognized as the oldest functioning Protestant church in Malaysia. Yes, it is still being used today!
During the age of British occupation, the Christ Church was once converted for Anglican use.
The Christ Church is featuring amazing Dutch-flavored architectural design. Each of the huge roof beams in the nave was carved from a single tree trunk and constructed without joints. Besides, the handmade pews and windows are original, dated back 200 years. Until today, the Christ Church is solidly maintained as undamaged, and the ceiling rafters are still remaining strong as when it was first built.
Worth a note, that the brass Bible inscribed with the first verse of St. John in Dutch, old tombstones inscribed with Armenian script incorporated into the floor, and a picture of ‘Last Supper’ in glazed tiles are also found in the Christ Church.
Besides, a number of wall anchors unique to Dutch buildings are also found on the Christ Church.
GPS Coordinate: N2.19430 E102.24937
January 28th, 2006
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