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. (more…)
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.
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. (more…)
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. (more…)
Due to encouraging response on the series of Melaka maps, we at AmazingMelaka.com has decided to draw another frequently requested location map - Batu Berendam. Unlike the Melaka Chinatown, Batu Berendam is not a place of tourism attractions; but, it’s a place where foreign investments are centered.
The Batu Berendam Free Trade Zone has attracted a vast number of international big names from semiconductor arena, to serve as manufacturing hub in Asia. Besides, the neighboring Kawasan Perindustrian Cheng (Cheng Industrial Area) and Taman Perindustrian Merdeka are also places where successful local industrial players and foreign investors flourish.
Due to the increasing density of industrial development, Batu Berendam has also emerged as one of the largest housing estates in Melaka. However, sadly and unexpectedly, some housing areas in Batu Berendam were severely affected by the recent Southern Peninsula flood in late December 2006.
The small airport of Melaka is also located in Batu Berendam. Though it’s now unsuitable for landing of big aircrafts, but the proposed airport upgrade and expansion will surely benefit Batu Berendam in the future, to attract more foreign investments. (more…)
Welcome to a brand new beginning for year 2007. In the context of tourism Malaysia, year 2007 marks an important yearlong campaign – Visit Malaysia Year 2007 (VYM 2007).
The VYM 2007 is held in conjunction with the golden jubilee of Malaysia’s independence, celebrating 50 years of nationhood.
In efforts of promoting Malaysia as one of the world’s most preferred traveling destinations, promotions are not only to be done by government sector, but spread of words by local residents is undeniably important as well, especially in this broadband age where information is easily transmitted over the web.
Realizing the importance of Internet marketing strategy, the Visit Malaysia Cyber Campaign (VMCC) initiative is established to promote Malaysia the cyber way. VMCC is a site which allows participants to help promoting tourism Malaysia in the following approaches:
For your information, the Visit Malaysia Year 2007 campaign will be officially launched by the Prime Minister on Saturday January 6th 2007 evening at a colourful gala in Taman Tasik Titiwangsa. The highlights of the event will include a concert featuring renowned Malaysian artistes, an exciting fireworks display and the unveiling of the 60 metres high Ferris Wheel similar to the “London Eye”; dubbed the “Eye on Malaysia” – a first such structure in South East Asia. (more…)
Wanted to look for surprises and trying out new alternatives of food, my girlfriend and I went to a new shop at Melaka Raya, called Sweet Sensations (糖水屋). Literally, the Chinese version of the shop name means dessert house.
It was 9.45PM, but only a table of 4 customers was seen. I told my girlfriend “I doubt if we came to the right place to try out new menu” :p Anyway, we still gave it a try.
The interior of Sweet Sensations is filled with warm ambient lights, and decorated with Roman-style stained glass illuminators. As Christmas is approaching, seasonal decorations are seen as well. Something came into my thought: “it seems that I’ve seen this place in Jason’s blog!”
While I was browsing through the menu, an item listed in the last few pages has caught my immediate attention. “Chocolate Fondue! I saw this in Jason’s post” What a coincidence. I thought I’ve found a new place for food, but Jason was there earlier hehe.
My girlfriend and I were both feeling full in stomach, so we ordered a set of Chocolate Fondue which comes with fruits, and a piece of French Toast.
Easier to be prepared, the French Toast was served to us first. “Uuhmm… not bad.” Just nicely toasted, but a little bit oilier than my preference.
Chocolate Fondue
Next was the highlight of the meal – Chocolate Fondue. The set consisted of a plate of assorted fruits (kiwis, bananas, honey dews, watermelons, and canned pineapples), 3 scoops of ice creams, chopped peanuts, and chocolate heated on aromatherapy oil burner. The chocolate was thick. (more…)
Christmas celebration is approaching. Do you know that Melaka has a small but famous settlement known for its attractive Christmas atmosphere?
Some of you might have guessed it right that I’m referring to Portuguese Settlement in Melaka. The Portuguese Settlement in Melaka is a preserved land for descendents of Portuguese, situated along the coast, and accessing from Ujong Pasir.
Every year, when Christmas is around the corner, residents in Portuguese Settlement will spend some efforts decorating their houses and streets, to create Christmas ambiance within the square. In December, this is also the time when Portuguese Settlement experiences congested traffic in the evening.
In order to avoid the crowded Christmas eve, I’ve visited Portuguese Settlement on last Saturday to enjoy Christmas decorations readied for this year.
The construction of Dataran Pahlawan Megamall has unearthed a previously grounded ancient wall, belonging to Santiago Bastion fortress.
Recently, 20th of Nov 2006, the original construction site of Menara Taming Sari revolving tower, has also witnessed an unearthing of ancient fortress wall. Due to the discovery of these archeologically valuable artifacts, construction of Menara Taming Sari is called for a pause on 3rd Dec. This revolving tower project will be continued for construction at another alternative location.
Menara Taming Sari, a proposed revolving tower, is designed to serve as watch tower for tourists, to enjoy the amazing landscape of Melaka historical town. Originally, this tower was planned to be sitting opposite the Clock Tower and Stadthuys. (more…)
When it comes to food hunting in Melaka, the journey is never considered complete without Hainanese chicken rice ball. Personally, I prefer the Hainanese chicken rice at Kedai Kopi Chung Wah (中华茶室).
The Chung Wah chicken rice is not only popular among the local residents, but especially favorable by tourists as well. In fact, Chung Wah kopitiam (a popular word in Malaysia to describe a typical Hainanese coffee shop) is one of the earliest pioneers in Melaka to offer rice balls.
Chung Wah kopitiam occupies a relatively small business space, and food lovers often need to queue up during public holidays before securing a table. The interior is nothing fancy, but clean and neat. The wooden chair and stone-surfaced table which are typically seen in Chinese families during the olden days, are used in Chung Wah kopitiam to complement your meal.
A Simple Meal of Chicken and Rice Balls
Ordering at Chung Wah is simple; just tell the attendant the total number of people eating, and you’ll be served. Unless requested otherwise, each table is served with 5 rice balls per individual, and a plate of white chicken to be shared. If you are like me, of whom 5 rice balls are not sufficient, you can of course make an additional order. (more…)
Undeniably, fresh water fish doesn’t taste as nice as oceanic catches.
