Chinese architecture

Chinese architecture, originally uploaded by airam94564.

Very inviting. It calls me to go inside and invite myself to look around. Nope, I did not do that. This is not included in our tour.

With this post, I am closing the book on this series. Thanks for joining me in this tour of Malacca. I may start posting random photos before I start with a new series.

Temple Tour

Side Entry

Side Entry, originally uploaded by airam94564.

I took this on a temple visit. Will post shots of temple both in and out. I love this doorway, the bike added touch to its charisma don't you think?

Had a difficult time controlling the lighting. It was extremely clear and bright day in Malacca.

Jonker Street

Jonker Street (renamed Jalan Hang Jebat) in the older section of the city is a haven for antique collectors and bargain hunters. Authentic artifacts and relics, some dating as far back as 300 years can be found among a host of interesting collectibles.

The street was well decorated as this was shot two weeks before the Chinese New Year.

The Ruins of St. Paul Church

Climbing up to the hill where St. Paul is located.

This church was originally a small chapel built by a Portuguese captain Duarto Coelho in 1521 and called "Nosa Senhora - Our Lady of the Hill". The chapel was handed over to the "Society of Jesus" in 1548 and enlarged in 1556 with the addition of a second storey renamed "Anunciation". A tower was added in 1950.

When the Dutch took over Melaka from Portuguese, they changed the name to St. Paul's Church and used it for 112 years until their own church, Christ the Church (the red church I featured previously) was completed in 1753.

St. Paul's Church lost its tower when the British took over but had one new feature added to it - the lighthouse at the front. The British however did not use the church for worship, but used it instead for storage of gunpowder. They also erected a tall flagpole and renamed the hill on which the church is sited to Flagstaff Hill (Bukit Bendera). The name, however, did not last. The flagpole was taken down and the church abandoned

Old tombstones line the sides of the ruins.

Old tombstones inside the ruins bear silent testimony to the final resting place of several Dutch and Portuguese nationals.

Here lied St. Francis Xavier. People throw coins and make a wish.

The renowned Spanish-born Jesuit missionary, St. Francis Xavier was a regular visitor to the church from 1545 to 1552 and when he died his body was interred here for nine months before being exhumed and taken to his final resting place in Goa, India. A statue of St. Francis was built in 1952 to commemorate his passing and internment here.

The St. Paul's church ruins were gazetted as an old monument and historical site under the Antiquities Act No. 168/1976 on May 12, 1977.

Prayer Hut

IMG_0139, originally uploaded by airam94564.

Prayer huts like this are provided on rest stops to meet the spiritual needs of the 60% Muslim population.

Toll Gate

IMG_0140, originally uploaded by airam94564.

I don't know why I snapped this but I thought the sky was magnificent and I like their toll gate. Pretty neat.

Oil Palm

IMG_0136, originally uploaded by airam94564.

Oil palm trees as far as the eyes can see.

Oil palm has replaced rubber as the country's leading agricultural export. Oil palm produces palm oil which is used in both edible and nonedible products.

Malaysia today is the largest producer and exporter of palm oil.

Looking Down

IMG_0212, originally uploaded by airam94564.

Here's the same building from yesterday taken from the hill nearby.

City Walk

IMG_0218, originally uploaded by airam94564.

Spotted this while taking a walk around the city. I am not really sure but if my memory serves me correctly they called this the freedom hall (something like that).

It was so bright that day, the sun was ablaze, it was hot. But looking at this picture (sans processing at all), it doesn't seem like a hot day.

Again, click to enlarge image.

The Stadthuys

IMG_0189, originally uploaded by airam94564.

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. The Melaka Clock Tower was built in 1886.

Click to enlarge image.

Christ Church

IMG_0196, originally uploaded by airam94564.

In the center of the city is Malacca's famous Dutch Square. It is also known as the Red Square because of the crimson colored old buildings that surrounds the area. To me the most dominant building is the Christ Church completed in 1753.

It was formerly the Dutch Reformed Church of Malacca, but is now an Anglican Church.

The pink bricks were brought from Holland and plastered with local red laterite.

It is the oldest surviving Dutch church building found outside the Netherlands.

It simply is gorgeous. I read that this is a popular place for photo shoot of newlyweds. Red brick building is the perfect backdrop for any kind of photo shoot. Plus red is considered lucky with Chinese, right.

(Please click image to enlarge.)

Trishaw

IMG_0195, originally uploaded by airam94564.

I was unable to capture one in action. Here in the middle of the day, I found them waiting for passengers. It's a pity the sun was really bearing down on us that day that it was advisable to stay indoors. They are beautifully decorated. I believe every country has a version of it. Rickshaw to Bangladesh, trishaw to both Malaysia and Singapore, and pedicab to the Philippines.

Welcome To Malacca

Welcome To Malacca, originally uploaded by airam94564.

Here are the pictures I took on a day trip to Malacca in Malaysia.

Malacca or Melaka in malay is known for its historical prominence and its cultural appeal. In the 16th century, Melaka enjoyed a reputation as the foremost maritime trading center in the region. So coveted was Melaka by the European powers that it was ruled successively by the Portuguese, Dutch, and English until the Federation of Malaysia was formed on 8/31/57. (Info from Malacca flier)

This is the entry to Malaysia in Johor Bahru, the city at the border of Malaysia and Singapore.

Entry

IMG_0527, originally uploaded by airam94564.

This is the entrance to that tree. I don't remember seeing a marker. But for those who have been here may be you can tell me if a marker exists for this tree.

At The Belly

IMG_0528, originally uploaded by airam94564.

Here's at the belly of the fallen tree. As you can see, portion of one side is gone. This is probably one of those that is felled by fire.

As always click if image is not shown completely. I still have to get used to this flikr-blogspot connection thing.

Come In

IMG_0529, originally uploaded by airam94564.

Mother and Child enters the hollowed out sequioa redwood at Kings Canyon-Sequioa National Park.

I am taking this while inside.

Please click to see full image.

Finish Line

Also spotted was this guy in a Jews For Jesus tee, something new!
Performers at a regular interval line up the route. Here's a group of women practicing the japanese drumming. Sorry too lazy to google name.

A rock band was among the performers.

Too much trash was left. I have a shot of beer bottles too.

There's the finish line. Time is 2:42, me crossing the line two hours after it began. Of course I did not run/walk the entire 7 miles. Maybe next year.

With these shots, I close this series.

I Spied (at the Bay To Breakers)

The Stupid Family????
Good question during a marathon.

I have to agree.

They agree!