Archive for February, 2007
The coming Saturday evening will not be a usual evening for Melaka. It will be graced with nationwide celebration of Chinese New Year (CNY), with expectation for 100,000 visitors including foreigners. This event, known as Majlis Rumah Terbuka Malaysia (Malaysia Open House), will be held on 24th Feb 2007, and activities will begin from 7.30PM onwards, at Jalan Hang Tuah.
The Yang di-Pertuan Agong will grace the open house. This will be the first time for Sultan Mizan Zainal Abidin attending such event as a Ruler. Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi will also attend.
On the past few days, some of the politicians have commented about this event on the absence of allocation for Chinese traditional arts and essences, such as lion dance performance. However, AmazingMelaka.com can firmly confirm that, a series of performances reflecting Chinese cultures will be presented during this great open house.
Yesterday’s (22nd Feb) evening, our team has attended the full rehearsal of CNY open house, to witness and preview the scheduled activities. The following pictures tell how the open house will be carried out, according to the rehearsal.
Activities and Performances
A troop of 50 lions will present lion dance performance along the Jalan Hang Tuah main road to signify the launching of CNY open house. This performance is expected to begin around 8.45PM.
A team from Phor Tiong Beo Melaka temple will also wave a heavy-weight giant flag.
If the drum beats from lion dance performance don’t appeal to be heart-pumping enough, what about the 24-Season Drums?
Wushu is an essential Chinese martial art which has history dated back to thousands of years. The Jing Wu Athletic Association Melaka will present Wushu to wow your visual pleasure.
In order to reflect the harmonious multiracial society in Malaysia, group performance from hundreds of participants in various costumes (Chinese, Malay, Indian, Baba Nyonya, Portuguese, Sabah and Sarawak indigenous ethic groups, and etc.) will also be featured along with singing of Chinese New Year songs.
Never an absence in Melaka official event is the showcase of uniquely decorated trishaws, which play an important role in Melaka tourism.
Besides, a dazzling fireworks show will end the annual gathering.
Seats will be provided along the road side for early birds. Of course, the seats are limited; but there is spacious area for visitors to stand and enjoy the performances.
A number of displays are available along the Hang Tuah Mall, so that visitors far away from the center stage will also be able to witness the activities and performances. If you would like to secure the best view, better be there earlier.
15 Parking Fields
The organizing committee has arranged 15 parking fields to provide 4,500 parking slots, including Graha Maju parking field, Yayasan Melaka parking field, taxi station, former Melaka bus station, Jalan Tun Mutahir and etc.
Traffic Impact
Besides Jalan Hang Tuah, neighboring areas namely Jalan Graha, Jalan Tan Chay Yan in front of Pay Fong High School, Jalan Kubu, Jalan Tun Mutahir, Jalan Pelandok Putih in front of Plaza Jayamuda, will all be closed from traffic.
Troop of 1000 Lions
Melaka is especially happening during Chinese New Year. Besides this open house event initiated by government, the Old Melaka is also decorated with thick Chinese New Year atmosphere.
On 4th March, the 15th day of Chinese New Year, there will be a grand lion dance performance in the evening at Jalan Hang Jebat (Jonker Street), formed in a troop of 1000 units! 300 big lions and 700 small lions.
February 23rd, 2007
Majlis Bandaraya Melaka Bersejarah (MBMB) is offering free parking for the first 2 days of Chinese New Year celebration, 18th and 19th Feb 2007.
Effective at every MBMB coupon parking zone, there’s no need to scratch your parking coupon on the stated dates. More than five thousands parking zones managed by MBMB are benefited.
However, this offer doesn’t include other private parking zones.
Personally, I agree that this offer is undeniably a great move. During festive season, Melaka is always flooded with tourists and visitors. It’s kinda troublesome to look for parking coupons, or on risk of getting an “Ang Pow’ (summon). Though parking coupon system is economically profitable in management’s perspective, but definitely not a convenient approach for tourists.
February 18th, 2007
The Old Melaka town is again dressed with reddish and ruddy street decorations to greet Chinese New Year celebration. The Chinese New Year Decoration Carnival has been an annual attraction in Melaka tourism for many years, and it is always praised by the visitors and local residents for the unique festive atmosphere.
Now, when you step into the Old Melaka streets, such as Jalan Hang Jebat (Jonker Street), Jalan Hang Kasturi, Jalan Kampung Pantai and Jalan Tun Tan Cheng Lock (Heeren Street), you will feel like being part of the festival, even if you’re not celebrating Chinese New Year. The festive atmosphere is simply so dwelling in Old Melaka.
The big red lantern at Jalan Hang Kasturi.
The entrance of Jalan Hang Jebat (Jonker Street)
The drum made of hundreds of small lanterns, at Jalan Hang Jebat (Jonker Street).
The signature stage holding all kinds of Jonker Walk events throughout the years.
One of the most beautifully decorated clan houses at Jalan Hang Jebat (Jonker Street), with 2 giant images of Choy San Yeh (God of Prosperity)
At the Geographer Café, Jalan Hang Jebat (Jonker Street).
2 traditional red lanterns hanging at a house located at Jalan Hang Jebat (Jonker Street).
By looking at the above photos, it’s not hard to imagine how attractive the Old Melaka is in the evening and night, when all the lanterns are lighted up.
Have you showered with this unique festive decoration? Come and visit during this Chinese New Year.
Besides the street as mentioned above, the new Melaka Chinatown - Jalan Bunga Raya, is also part of the street decoration initiatives.
Have you published your photos of Chinese New Year atmosphere in Melaka? Feel free to share your link in the comment.
Happy Chinese New Year . 新年快乐
February 15th, 2007
Personally, I’m quite particular (or choosy) about fish dishes. On top of my choosey list is my objection on fresh water fish. I hardly eat fresh water fish dishes. Even when I come across it in dining table, I will either take only a bite or don’t take it at all 
Undeniably, fresh water fish doesn’t taste as nice as oceanic catches.
Due to my choosiness in fishes, it’s quite hard for me to find a seafood restaurant that I enjoy. In terms of western seafood cooking, I like the Manhattan Fish Market, which has plenty of branches in Kuala Lumpur and Petaling Jaya.
Currently, there’s no Manhattan Fish Market in Melaka; but, there’s a smalls-scale alternative – Simply Fish at Melaka Raya.
Simply Fish
The first time I came across Simply Fish restaurant, was at least 3 years ago. To date, my girlfriend and I have been dining there a couple of times, as we did enjoy the meals there 3 years ago, and still do now.
Mainly Fish
As the restaurant’s name suggests, Simply Fish’s menu is mainly made up of fish dishes. Comparing to Manhattan Fish Market, Simply Fish doesn’t offer as much varieties of cooking style and dishes. But, the menu items offered are all satisfyingly tasted.
My all time favorite at Simply Fish is the Ocean Supreme, which is a seafood platter of prawns, sliced fish, deep fried squids, French fries, and rice. Ocean Supreme comes with 2 choices of portion – small for 1 person and big for 2 persons.
Ocean Supreme for 2 persons
Some people might find the portion of small Ocean Supreme to be over-sized for 1 person consumption. Personally, I find it just nice.
However, I think Simply Fish should reconsider their supply of prawns. Frankly, the prawns served have never given me a truly enjoying experience. Personally, I don’t find them fresh enough, or I’m too choosey being flattered with fresh catches at home.
In terms of dish of purely fish, I prefer the Marina Fish. The cooking style is conventional, and it’s just nice for a non-adventurous taste bud exercise. Due to the mayonnaise topping, the Marina Fish has mild sour taste.
If you would like to try a spicy dish, Fire Bites is for you. In most of the western restaurants, spicy dishes are not really hot enough; some are too mild in fact. However, the Fire Bites at Simply Fish is localized with Malaysian’s style of spiciness, and it tasted adequately hot.
Of course, that’s not all about the fish dishes. There are also other choices like Pan Grilled Cod Fish and the traditional Fish and Chips. Based on my previous experience, the Pan Grilled Cod Fish served was quite filling; but personally, I don’t really like to have sourly mayonnaise on top of the grilled meat.
For oyster lovers, there are also a few oyster dishes for you. I’ve tried the Fried Oyster before. For the price I paid, the oysters served were decently big. Just top a little bit of pepper on the fried oyster, and go ahead enjoying your meal.
However, not everyone enjoys oyster though, especially the big ones. It takes skills in serving the big oysters, as they will be tasted yucky if served excessively juicy. The fried oysters at Simply Fish are satisfyingly edible, but not the best I’ve tried though.
For your information, the cheese oyster at Jogoya Starhill has given me a positively memorable experience.
Fair Pricing
For the types of dishes served, the menu items are fairly priced. Though not considered cheap, but they are within acceptable range for a western seafood meal. Usually, my girlfriend and I are billed for about RM50 there.
Dining Environment
Simply Fish is offering 2 types of dining areas – air-conditioned non-smoking area, and open air area for smokers.
In general, the dining environment is clean and comfortable. They have friendly waitresses too. Quite a few times, I was also being asked for comments after having my meal.
Not a Supper Place
Simply Fish is not a place for late supper though. Once, I went there at 10.30pm, and the restaurant was closing.
No Credit Card Terminal
Contrary to general belief that air-conditioned restaurants should accept credit card, but this is an exception at Simply Fish. I still remember once, that I didn’t have sufficient cash in my wallet, but went into Simply Fish anyway, thinking of paying the bill with credit card. But, guess what, I was told that they don’t provide credit card facility hehe. Luckily there’s a Maybank just opposite the restaurant.
Halal?
I have no idea if Simply Fish is certified as Halal restaurant. However, all I’m sure, it’s a pork-free restaurant. There’s Malay waitress, and I easily see some Malays dining at Simply Fish as well.
Location
OK, now the usual question – “Where is Simply Fish located?”
Simply Fish is located at Jalan Melaka Raya 1. Coming from Ujong Pasir, Jalan Melaka Raya 1 is the last left turning street of Jalan Merdeka. At the corner, you will see Affin Bank. Besides, Simply Fish is also opposite the Maybank of Melaka Raya.
By the way, Jason Lioh also wanted to blog about this restaurant, but too bad he lost the batch of photos.
February 12th, 2007
