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taboo5 | profile | all galleries >> Malaysia >> Melaka, Malaysia November 30, 2008 tree view | thumbnails | slideshow

Melaka, Malaysia November 30, 2008

Melaka is Malaysia’s first UNESCO World Heritage Site and was the most-developed port in its colonial era. Founded by an exiled prince from Sumatra, Parameswara, in 1400, it was a port-of-call to merchants from China, India, Arabia and South America. In 1511, it fell to the Portuguese and then to the Dutch in 1641. In 1795, Melaka was given to the British to prevent it falling to the French when the Netherlands was captured during the French Revolution. It was returned to the Dutch in 1818 under the Treaty of Vienna, but was later exchanged by the British for Bencoleen, Sumatra. The older city has many historical and cultural attractions tucked into its quaint and narrow streets. The best way to see the older city is on one of its colorful trishaws. The newer city lies across the Melaka River and consists of shopping centers with a food and entertainment district. A visit to Melaka is essential to fully absorb Malaysia’s rich history and colonial past.
Melaka, Malaysia cover page.
Melaka, Malaysia cover page.		 Map of Malaysia with the star indicating Melaka.
Map of Malaysia with the star indicating Melaka.		 Map of the city of Melaka.
Map of the city of Melaka.		 Welcome sign for Melaka (also spelled Malacca). It was designated a UNESCO World Heritage City in 2008.
Welcome sign for Melaka (also spelled Malacca). It was designated a UNESCO World Heritage City in 2008.
From the Melaka Tower or Menara Taming Sari, visitors get a panoramic view of Melaka from a height of 110 meters.
From the Melaka Tower or "Menara Taming Sari," visitors get a panoramic view of Melaka from a height of 110 meters.		 Beca is the Malay word for trishaw (a tricycle with a side seat for two).
"Beca" is the Malay word for trishaw (a tricycle with a side seat for two).		 There was a lot of weekend trishaw traffic on the Sunday that I was in Melaka.
There was a lot of weekend trishaw traffic on the Sunday that I was in Melaka.		 Trishaws are one of the most popular modes of transport among tourists in Melaka.
Trishaws are one of the most popular modes of transport among tourists in Melaka.
Melaka's Maritime Museum is in the form of a 15th century Portuguese galleon.
Melaka's Maritime Museum is in the form of a 15th century Portuguese galleon.		 View of the Kincir Air Kesultanan Melayu in Melaka built in honor of a former Malay Sultan.
View of the Kincir Air Kesultanan Melayu in Melaka built in honor of a former Malay Sultan.		 Although Melaka was once one of the oldest Malay sultanates, it has no Sultan today.
Although Melaka was once one of the oldest Malay sultanates, it has no Sultan today.		 Another view of the Kincir Air Kesultanan Melayu as seen from the other side of the Melaka River.
Another view of the Kincir Air Kesultanan Melayu as seen from the other side of the Melaka River.
Melaka's Town Square with the brilliant red Christ Church in the background.
Melaka's Town Square with the brilliant red Christ Church in the background.		 Fountain in Town Square in front of Christ Church, which was built in 1753 by the Dutch.
Fountain in Town Square in front of Christ Church, which was built in 1753 by the Dutch.		 Next to the fountain is a beautiful garden. A clocktower is in the background.
Next to the fountain is a beautiful garden. A clocktower is in the background.		 Melaka would never have had such a glorious history without the existence of Melaka River.
Melaka would never have had such a glorious history without the existence of Melaka River.
The Melaka River has been called the Venice of The East by European seafarers in search of new conquests East of India.
The Melaka River has been called the "Venice of The East" by European seafarers in search of new conquests East of India.		 The Melaka River has changed its role from a busy major port on the spice-route to a popular tourism spot with river cruises.
The Melaka River has changed its role from a busy major port on the spice-route to a popular tourism spot with river cruises.		 A French priest, Father Farvé, built the neo-gothic St. Francis Xavier Church in 1856 on the site of a Portuguese church.
A French priest, Father Farvé, built the neo-gothic St. Francis Xavier Church in 1856 on the site of a Portuguese church.		 There was lots of activity on Melaka's Jonker Street (also known as Jonker Walk) on the Sunday afternoon that I was there.
There was lots of activity on Melaka's Jonker Street (also known as Jonker Walk) on the Sunday afternoon that I was there.
A peanut vendor on Jonker Street. Jonker Street is famous for its Dutch-era buildings.
A peanut vendor on Jonker Street. Jonker Street is famous for its Dutch-era buildings.		 There was a lot of pedestrian and vehicle traffic.
There was a lot of pedestrian and vehicle traffic.		 An interesting Melaka storefront on Jonker Street.
An interesting Melaka storefront on Jonker Street.		 Dragons and colorful and exotic designs adorn the roof of the store's rooftop.
Dragons and colorful and exotic designs adorn the roof of the store's rooftop.
Mask shop on Jonker Street.
Mask shop on Jonker Street.		 Nearby, there was also a food concession stand.
Nearby, there was also a food concession stand.		 Exterior view of the Peoples' Museum, which includes the Kites Museum and of the Museum of Enduring Beauty in Melaka.
Exterior view of the Peoples' Museum, which includes the Kites Museum and of the Museum of Enduring Beauty in Melaka.		 Close-up of the section of the Peoples' Museum where the Museum of Enduring Beauty is located.
Close-up of the section of the Peoples' Museum where the Museum of Enduring Beauty is located.
A dragon on display at the Kites Museum.
A dragon on display at the Kites Museum.		 An interesting and colorful kite at the Kites Museum.
An interesting and colorful kite at the Kites Museum.		 The objective of the Museum of Enduring Beauty is to show different viewpoints of beauty held by different cultures.
The objective of the Museum of Enduring Beauty is to show different viewpoints of beauty held by different cultures.		 Some of the exhibits reveal the pain and agony people have to endure to achieve their concept of beauty.
Some of the exhibits reveal the pain and agony people have to endure to achieve their concept of beauty.
For example, this woman's earlobes were torn by the weight of her heavy earrings.
For example, this woman's earlobes were torn by the weight of her heavy earrings.		 This man's lip and earlobes were stretched to unusual proportions by inserting plates in them.
This man's lip and earlobes were stretched to unusual proportions by inserting plates in them.		 Sharp jagged metal fragments have replaced this man’s teeth.
Sharp jagged metal fragments have replaced this man’s teeth.		 Gate of the Portuguese built the fort named A Famosa to defend Melaka.
Gate of the Portuguese built the fort named "A Famosa" to defend Melaka.
The Portuguese Fort is one of the biggest tourist attractions in Melaka.
The Portuguese Fort is one of the biggest tourist attractions in Melaka.		 In 1511, the Portuguese arrived in Melaka with 1200 men. It became a strategic base for Portuguese expansion in the East Indies.
In 1511, the Portuguese arrived in Melaka with 1200 men. It became a strategic base for Portuguese expansion in the East Indies.		 Sultan Mahmud Shah, the last Sultan of Malaka who was in hiding, made intermittent raids causing hardship for the Portuguese.
Sultan Mahmud Shah, the last Sultan of Malaka who was in hiding, made intermittent raids causing hardship for the Portuguese.		 This interesting fan-shaped tree is in front of the Portuguese Fort.
This interesting fan-shaped tree is in front of the Portuguese Fort.
View looking down at the Portuguese Fort from St. Paul's Hill.
View looking down at the Portuguese Fort from St. Paul's Hill.		 Interior ruins of St. Paul's Church. Built by the Portuguese in 1521, it fell into disrepair when it became a Dutch fortress.
Interior ruins of St. Paul's Church. Built by the Portuguese in 1521, it fell into disrepair when it became a Dutch fortress.		 Later, it became a storage area under the British. The now empty shell of St. Paul's Church lies on top of a hill.
Later, it became a storage area under the British. The now empty shell of St. Paul's Church lies on top of a hill.		 Statue of St. Francis Xavier near St. Paul's Church. He died while waiting to enter China and was temporarily buried in Melaka.
Statue of St. Francis Xavier near St. Paul's Church. He died while waiting to enter China and was temporarily buried in Melaka.
View of the Melaka Tower and of the Eye on Malaysia ferris wheel from St. Paul's Hill.
View of the Melaka Tower and of the Eye on Malaysia ferris wheel from St. Paul's Hill.		 The Proclamation of Independence Memorial to Malaysia's Independence on February 20, 1956 at Padang Bandar Hilir, Melaka.
The Proclamation of Independence Memorial to Malaysia's Independence on February 20, 1956 at Padang Bandar Hilir, Melaka.		 Trishaws waiting to be hired in front of Melaka's Proclamation of Independence Memorial.
Trishaws waiting to be hired in front of Melaka's Proclamation of Independence Memorial.

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