1. Tranquerah Mosque
This is a historically important landmark as the tomb of Sultan Hussain of Johor, who gave Singapore to Sir Stamford Raffles in 1819, lies within its grounds. This mosque is also unique in its architecture which reflects both Indian and Chinese influences.
2. Kampung Morten
Names after J.F. Morten, who was the Commissioner of Land in the early 1920s, when the site housed a cluster of wooden houses on stilts. Originally a swamp, it has now been paved overand the village is a tourist attraction as it is a living museum of a traditional Malay village along the Malacca River.
3. Bukit China
The sacred grounds of Bukit Cina are popular with tourists, especially those from China, who come to trace their family members who venture to Malacca. Nice and breezy, this sacred ground is worth a visit and even for a jog, starting from the Sam Poh Kong temple.
4. Kampung Kling Mosque
This is one of the oldest surviving mosques in the country and its architecture is of Sumatran influence. It is still used as a place of worship by the Muslims in Malacca today.
5. The King's Well
Better known as the Hang Lin Po well, it was built by the followers of the Chinese princes who married the reigning Sultan Mansur Shah in the 15th Century, in 1549. It is now a wishing well, although it is said that the well, which was the main source of water for the town, never dries up.
6. St Francis Xavier Church
This church was built by Reverend Favre in 1849 and dedicated to the Saint Francis Xavier who was canonised in 1622 and known as the patron saint of foreign missions of the Catholic Church. It is built over part of the old Portuguese fort ruins.
7. Kampung Hulu Mosque
Said to be the oldest mosque in Malaysia, it was built in 1728 by one Dato Shamsudin. It is one of one of the most visually arresting and unique mosques architecturally, without any discernible parallel or resemblance anywhere else in the country. The roof is multi-tiered and shaped like a pyramid.
8. Malacca Sultanate Palace
This is a reproduction of what the annals deemed as the palace of the ruler of the ancient Sultanate. It currently also houses the Cultural Museum of Malacca on the grounds. Entrance fee is RM1 for adults and 50 sen for children.
9. Tribal Art Gallery
If you are into art, then here is where you can find some primitive art works. Cleverly-designed by the owner, the place is dimly-lit and resembles a tribal shack with strange and menacing-looking objects seemingly lurking in the shadows.
10. Chicken Ball Rice
This is just like Chicken Rice found everywhere except that the rice is made into balls by hands. Famosa Chicken Rice Ball is one of famous outlets here besides Hoe Kee, all in the town centre. It was initially created by the Hainanese in Muar, Johor and expanded to Malacca.
Author:
Abd Rahaman Rasid
Email: abdrahaman@gmail.com
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Friday, January 16, 2009
Thursday, January 15, 2009
Night Out On Danga Bay
The sea sparkled, reflecting the light of a full moon hanging in a starless sky. The moon was so brightly round that it looked more like someone had pasted a paper moon on a pitch dark page.
Fanned by the balmy sea breeze, I started to relax when three loud blasts of a fog horn made me jump with a frightful start.
I hardly felt the ship move as it sliced smoothly across the calm waters but from the widening distance to land, I guessed the fog horn blasts signalled the start of my Johor Straits cruise, just off Johor Baru’s Danga Bay.
The more quiet, private Grand Deck was a pleasant respite from the boisterous activities on the Star Deck and Treasure Deck of Danga Cruise 8.
Enchanted Evening
On the Star Deck, party games were in full swing at a corporate annual dinner and from the squeals of excitement, everyone was having a great time.
Participants wore flower-print shirts, sarongs and pareos and the women – as well as a few of the men – had orchids tucked behind their ears or in their hair.
Then, the delicious aroma of barbecued meat tickled my nose and I tracked it down to the open section where a seafood barbecue and buffet spread had been set up. Skewers of satay were sizzling on one grill and huge prawns on another.
On the Treasure Deck, another group was enjoying dinner with “live” music entertainment. There were young children mingling with the adults and as everyone wore the same polo T-shirt, this was obviously a family day event.
Later, the artistes left and the stage was taken over by budding singers for their own karaoke session.
“Abah mari kita keluar,” I heard a little girl begging her father to step out of the air-conditioning. She and her younger brother slipped out the door and stood at the railings but they were in good hands as the ship’s staff was stationed at strategic points to keep an eye on guests and ensure their safety in the open corridors.
Spectacular Sights
As the ship made its way from the Danga Bay waterfront towards the Causeway, I turned my eyes to the shoreline to enjoy a breath-taking view of Johor Baru’s landmarks and heritage buildings caught in stunning silhousettes and illuminated by strings of fairy lights.
Although I’ve seen the skyline from the Causeway, this was a distinctly different view.
The brightly-lit clock tower at Dataran Bandaraya, with the Hyatt Regency Hotel in its background, caught my attention and I started to identify each passing landmark.
I could recognize the Sultanah Aminah Hospital, Islamic Complex, Sultan Abu Bakar Mosque, the Royal Sultan Abu Bakar Museum and the iconic square tower of the Sultan Ibrahim building on Bukit Timbalan. The best part was knowing I would see them again but in reverse, on the return trip.
When the ship returned to the Danga Bay waterfront at the end of the journey, I watched with interest how the pilot skillfully manoeuvred the vessel into position at the jetty so that all on board could disembark easily.
Family Fun
I decided to go on to Danga World. It was nearly 10pm and I arrived at the Petting Zoo just in time for the second show of the evening. Seated around a fenced ring, spectators watched horses, dogs, monkeys, tigers, lions and elephant perform. Visitors could also admire the many types of snakes, lizards and fowl.
Next was the Theme Park. Kids had fun in Dodge ‘Em cars and there were queues waiting for rides like air bicycles, ferris wheel, Black Hole Odyssey roller-coaster and pirate swing boat.
Younger ones had a great time bobbing up and down on brightly painted wooden horses going round and round on the carousel.
Some children, safely strapped in their seats, got ready for the thrilling jumping Frog ride. A collective gasp rose from the watching crowd when the children were repeatedly shifted up and dropped from a certain height like jumping frogs.
I glance at my watch and though it was near midnight, no one seemed ready to leave
How To Get There
Danga Bay spans three kms along the Johor Straits front at 4 ½ mile Jalan Skudai. A 2km scenic, drive on the coast road from Johor Baru city centre will lead you to Johor Baru’s largest recreational park. From the Plus North-South Highway, exit at Skudai toll gates and drive from the Skudai Highway through the Danga Bay Interchange to the Johor Baru waterfront.
Fast Facts
Danga World, which features a Petting Zoo and Theme Park, opens from 3 pm daily. Animal shows are at 8.30 pm and 10 pm.
The dinner cruise on board Danga Cruise 8 departs at 8pm every Friday, Saturday and Sunday.
For enquiries and reservations for groups, sightseeing or private events on board Danga Cruise 8, call its hotline at 017-7039988. For more info, visit website : www.dangabay.com
Abd Rahaman Rasid
Email: abdrahaman@gmail.com
Source: The New Straits Times, December 30, 2008.
Fanned by the balmy sea breeze, I started to relax when three loud blasts of a fog horn made me jump with a frightful start.
I hardly felt the ship move as it sliced smoothly across the calm waters but from the widening distance to land, I guessed the fog horn blasts signalled the start of my Johor Straits cruise, just off Johor Baru’s Danga Bay.
The more quiet, private Grand Deck was a pleasant respite from the boisterous activities on the Star Deck and Treasure Deck of Danga Cruise 8.
Enchanted Evening
On the Star Deck, party games were in full swing at a corporate annual dinner and from the squeals of excitement, everyone was having a great time.
Participants wore flower-print shirts, sarongs and pareos and the women – as well as a few of the men – had orchids tucked behind their ears or in their hair.
Then, the delicious aroma of barbecued meat tickled my nose and I tracked it down to the open section where a seafood barbecue and buffet spread had been set up. Skewers of satay were sizzling on one grill and huge prawns on another.
On the Treasure Deck, another group was enjoying dinner with “live” music entertainment. There were young children mingling with the adults and as everyone wore the same polo T-shirt, this was obviously a family day event.
Later, the artistes left and the stage was taken over by budding singers for their own karaoke session.
“Abah mari kita keluar,” I heard a little girl begging her father to step out of the air-conditioning. She and her younger brother slipped out the door and stood at the railings but they were in good hands as the ship’s staff was stationed at strategic points to keep an eye on guests and ensure their safety in the open corridors.
Spectacular Sights
As the ship made its way from the Danga Bay waterfront towards the Causeway, I turned my eyes to the shoreline to enjoy a breath-taking view of Johor Baru’s landmarks and heritage buildings caught in stunning silhousettes and illuminated by strings of fairy lights.
Although I’ve seen the skyline from the Causeway, this was a distinctly different view.
The brightly-lit clock tower at Dataran Bandaraya, with the Hyatt Regency Hotel in its background, caught my attention and I started to identify each passing landmark.
I could recognize the Sultanah Aminah Hospital, Islamic Complex, Sultan Abu Bakar Mosque, the Royal Sultan Abu Bakar Museum and the iconic square tower of the Sultan Ibrahim building on Bukit Timbalan. The best part was knowing I would see them again but in reverse, on the return trip.
When the ship returned to the Danga Bay waterfront at the end of the journey, I watched with interest how the pilot skillfully manoeuvred the vessel into position at the jetty so that all on board could disembark easily.
Family Fun
I decided to go on to Danga World. It was nearly 10pm and I arrived at the Petting Zoo just in time for the second show of the evening. Seated around a fenced ring, spectators watched horses, dogs, monkeys, tigers, lions and elephant perform. Visitors could also admire the many types of snakes, lizards and fowl.
Next was the Theme Park. Kids had fun in Dodge ‘Em cars and there were queues waiting for rides like air bicycles, ferris wheel, Black Hole Odyssey roller-coaster and pirate swing boat.
Younger ones had a great time bobbing up and down on brightly painted wooden horses going round and round on the carousel.
Some children, safely strapped in their seats, got ready for the thrilling jumping Frog ride. A collective gasp rose from the watching crowd when the children were repeatedly shifted up and dropped from a certain height like jumping frogs.
I glance at my watch and though it was near midnight, no one seemed ready to leave
How To Get There
Danga Bay spans three kms along the Johor Straits front at 4 ½ mile Jalan Skudai. A 2km scenic, drive on the coast road from Johor Baru city centre will lead you to Johor Baru’s largest recreational park. From the Plus North-South Highway, exit at Skudai toll gates and drive from the Skudai Highway through the Danga Bay Interchange to the Johor Baru waterfront.
Fast Facts
Danga World, which features a Petting Zoo and Theme Park, opens from 3 pm daily. Animal shows are at 8.30 pm and 10 pm.
The dinner cruise on board Danga Cruise 8 departs at 8pm every Friday, Saturday and Sunday.
For enquiries and reservations for groups, sightseeing or private events on board Danga Cruise 8, call its hotline at 017-7039988. For more info, visit website : www.dangabay.com
Abd Rahaman Rasid
Email: abdrahaman@gmail.com
Source: The New Straits Times, December 30, 2008.
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