Melaka Trip Part 1

This year my 1st trip holiday it's to Melaka. U know everyday been busy working, now it's the time to relax my mind.. Yeah been planning trip this a few months with my friends. I'm so happy that i can make it.. the last time i went to Melaka when i was primary kid.. i think standard 4. I can't remember at all not until i refresh back my childhood photos of Melaka town.

Photo References: Cuti Malaysia

Let me intro a bit about state of Melaka, i hope my sejarah wont be giving back to teachers lolz. Melaka is located on the Western Coast of Peninsular Malaysia facing the Straits of Melaka, about 147 kilometers from Kuala Lumpur and 245 kilometers from Singpore. Melaka is actually found sandwiched between the states of Negeri Sembilan and Johor. It can be reached by excellent roads from Kuala Lumpur and Singapore. Internally it is serviced by a very good network of roads leading to all the historical places of interest. It covers and area of 658 square kilometers and is divided into three districts namely Alor Gajah, Melaka Tengah and Jasin.

I went to Melaka on the eve of merdeka that is 30th Aug 2009, after 2 hrs 30min journey from KL. Tired been sitting on the car, i been wondering how would be the celebration in melaka for Merdeka Day. First place i visited in Melaka is The Stadthuys is (red house) the nickname been given by local ppl there and it situated in Melaka city. The Dutch Square is famous for its red-painted buildings. It has a display of many unique Dutch mansonry and architectural skills. The Stadthuys, in the Dutch Square, was built in 1650, it is a typical Dutch building with a clock tower. It was once an official home to the Dutch Governors. It has been preserved in its original Dutch architectural form. It is also a historic museum and houses some interesting display of traditional bridal costumes and relics, and others. There are within the square, the Queen Victoria's fountain built in 1901 and Melaka Clock Tower built in 1886.

After some photo takings, we moved on to St. Paul's Church. The church was built by a Portuguese captain by it name of Duarte Coetho, the chapel wi turned by the Dutch into a burial ground for their noble dead and renamed it 'St. Paul's Church from the Portuguese's "Our Lady Of The Hill". St. Francis Xavier was briefly enshrined in the open grave in 1553 before being shipped to Goa, India. Top of the hill, i can view Strait of Melaka sea where by big ship passing by sea. Nice view from the top of the building.

Next is we move to legendary landmark of historical building in Melaka. A Famosa, or "The Famous" in Portuguese, is among the oldest surviving European architectural remains in Asia. Once part of a mighty fortress, this tiny gate (called the Porta de Santiago) is all that is left of a once-mighty fortress. In 1511 a Portuguese fleet arrived under the command of Alfonso de Albequerque. His forces attacked and successfully defeated the armies of the native Sultanate. Moving quickly to consolidate his gains, Albequerque had the fortress built around a natural hill near the sea. Albequerque believed that Melaka would become an important port linking Portugal to the spice trade from China. At his time other Portuguese were establishing outposts in such places as Macau, China and Goa, India in order to create a string of friendly ports for ships heading to China and returning home to Portugal.

I got some nice photos, part of the blog will continue in next blog... stay tune.. ^^