June 2nd, 2010

Join Me For a Tour of The Malaysian State of Melaka

After our enjoyable visit with Malaysian Prime Minister’s wife, the Honorable Datin Paduka Seri Rosmah Mansor, we drove, with escorts, to the old city of Melaka, about two hours from Kuala Lumpur.  Upon arrival there, we went immediately for lunch with the Chief Minister of Melaka, Datuk Seri Mohd. Ali bin Mohd. Rustam.  This incredible meal was at the Cafe Botanikal.  Within five minutes, the Chief Minister shared with us an outline of the rich history of Melacca, which is the local spelling.  Ali Rustam is credited with increasing the trade and popularity of Melacca many fold, since he took over running the state.  He told us that medical tourism - heart surgery, cosmetic surgery, etc., technology manufacturing - microchips, and the manufacture of palm oil were the three largest industries.  Ali Rustam also told us that this city of 800,000 inhabitants welcomes 8.9 million tourists per year!

After lunch, we then visited the newly created Melaka Botanical Gardens. They are still in development, but the gardens seem to have a great deal of potential.  Next, we explored the town to see historic buildings and learn more about the history of this very early settlement.  Malaysia began in 1298 as Melaka, a trade based city.  In 1511, the Portuguese conquered the territory, constructing forts like the fragments of the Porta de Santiago.  I hope you enjoy this little tour of our visit to Melaka.

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1 Here I am sitting next to the Chief Minister of Melaka, Datuk Seri Mohd. Ali bin Mohd. Rustam at Cafe Botanikal.

2 The food was really good at Cafe Botanikal. We started with a fragrant fish soup.

3 The small pandan leaf-wrapped chicken mousse was delectable.

4 Beef sauteed with scallion and green squash

5 My favorite dish in all of Malaysia - honey pepper crab with chilis. Mud crabs are fried, then simmered with the chili sauce. The crabs and their shells are unbelievably good and worth the drive to Melaka.

6 The fish curry used a delicate snapper-like fish with eggplant and peppers.

7 The chili shrimp were very good.

8 Chinese broccoli, steamed, with the leaves fried and fried garlic - Sophie and I ate almost an entire platter!

9 The manager of the Cafe Botanikal, Christie Siow, presented me with a welcoming plaque.

10 The restaurant was clean and airy and very crowded with tourists.

11 I was given more books - these on the history of Melaka.

12 We then visited the newly created Melaka Botanical Gardens. This is a bird's nest fern growing on the trunk of a palm tree.

13 Palms can be many shapes, sizes, and colors. This heart-shaped leaf is deeply pleated.

14 Artificial waterfalls and landscape follies adorn the new park.

15 Giant elephant ears love growing in such close proximity to the fresh water.

16 There is a lot of metal, metal wire, and fencing used in tropical gardens to support the vines and heavy foliage.

17 Stag horn ferns cascade from natural attachments to giant trees.

18 This tropical fruits is sukun, or breadfruit.

19 This historic building is a fort that was part of A Famosa, built in the 16th century by the Portuguese. This section is one of the oldest foreign constructed pieces of architecture in SE Asia.

20 The Melaka Sultanate Museum was full of interesting dioramas depicting early life in 15th century Melaka.

21 The museum is a replica of Sultan Mansur Shah's palace and there are excellent miniatures of many of these buildings in the museum.

22 I was asked to sign the guest book.

23 This diorama shows examples of Chinese traders - the mannequins are not of the period.

24 Sophie and I laughed at these guys, however, the Thai clothing is accurate.

25 These benches, very Stickley-like, provide seating in the museum.

26 Tri-shaws are a favored way to travel along the crowded streets of Melaka. Man powered and ostentatiously decorated, they are also musical. We opted for a ride on one.

27 Our driver took us for an extended ride - it was funny.

28 Another of the tri-shaws

29 This is the tri-shaw doctor - he makes quick and easy repairs to these vehicles.

30 We also visited a really good antiques store - Abdul Company. www.syarikat-abdul.com Unfortunately, much of the stock was too fragile or large to fit in our luggage. These glass lanterns caught our eye.

31 So did this early coca cola sign.

32 I loved these dishes in the antiques shop and took 'reminder' photos of their shape.

33 I wanted these giant basins.

34 These columns would have made a great room somewhere.

35 There were many clocks from the Victorian era.

36 Another vintage sign from the early 20th century

37 Another great sign

38 Stone Buddha heads

39 And these reindeer-like tin heads

40 And the Victorian chandeliers

41 Garden pots and chairs were stacked up the walls.

42 Memrie and I wanted these for a garden feature.

43 This is the work desk of the owner of a small jeweler's shop that Sophie found.

44 A better view of the jeweler's work table

45 The name of the jewelry shop was clearly posted.

46 They sold necklaces and earrings and the eighty-year-old owner did lots of repairs.

47 A view of one of the side streets of Melaka

48 We had no idea what goes on in this building.

49 At first glance, we thought this was a sign for Bank of America, but no.

50 It was so hot, we had to stop for a cooling drink. Ishmail offered to get us some refreshments at the corner bar.

51 The future of the seaside of Melaka is undecided. This building was going to be a hotel, but it remains unfinished, as far as we know.

52 Melaka has a giant ferris wheel, which is currently non-operative.

53 Bridges, like this one, cross the many small rivers.

54 There is a small section of Melaka that is very interesting to history buffs. Original small houses are inhabited by locals, who preserve the traditions of Melaccan life.

55 This is the interior of one house - it has been lovingly preserved by the owner and is open to the public for inspection - even the furnishings are nicely preserved.

56 This is the owner of the Villa Sentosa, who is proud of the amount of press his villa had gotten over the years.

57 The kitchen is in working order.

58 The house cat from Villa Sentosa

59 Sophie perched on a wooden settee

60 Gingerbread woodwork adorns the interior.

61 More gingerbread features on the exterior

62 The garden was colorful and well cared for.

63 Our visit ended with a stop at the recently restored Majestic Hotel. http://www.majesticmalacca.com/

64 The Majestic had some great furnishings, like this marble-topped table.

65 A lovely seating area in the tiled floor room of the Majestic

66 One of the many tile floored areas

67 Another tile pattern

68 The Majestic dining room is on the second floor.

Posted on June 2nd, 2010 in Family, Food & Recipes, Friends, Gardens, Photo Gallery, Travel | Permalink |

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