Malacca was founded in the 14th century by a prince, who was fleeing from the Dutch of Sumatera. Only 1957 did Malacca gain her independence as part of Malaya.
Today, one will find many remnants of Malacca’s colourful past, dating back more then 500 years ago. One of this is the well-preserved ruins of a fortress called A’Famosa, which was built by the Portuguese. Tourists can also visit the nearby Stadhuys. Which were also government buildings built by the Dutch in 1650. Located in the same square, is the Christ Church, another fine example of the Dutch architecture, built in 1753, taken over by the Anglican congregation of Malacca, who still worship in this ancient church.
Atop St Paul’s Hill is St Paul’s Church, once the magnificent place of worship for the Portuguese, converted into a burial ground by the Dutch. St Francis Xavier was buried in this church before his body was moved to Goa in India.
Cheng Hoon Teng temple is believed to be the oldest Chinese temple in the country. There are also many interesting museums, like Malacca Cultural Museum, which is housed in a replica of the Malacca Sultanate palace; the Baba and Nyonya Heritage Museum and the Maritime Museum.
Tourists who make Malacca part of their itinerary would be enthralled by Malacca’s magical charms as they step into history.
Sunday, 20 September 2009
Pearl of Orient
Penang is an island located off the North West coast of Peninsular Malaysia. This island is known as the ‘Pearl of Orient’.
Penang is known for its magnificent Penang Bridge. Thirteen kilometers long, it is the longest bridge in Malaysia. Here we can see the vast, sea-green ocean when the water was deepest.
The town in Penang is a mixture of the old and new, with huge mansions and quaint little shop houses dating back to the colonial times, as well as multi-storeyed blocks.
The Kek Lok Si temple in Penang is built on an ascending plane, with numerous halls joined together by a series of steps. The crowning glory of this complex is the seven tiered ‘Pagoda of a Thousand Buddhas’. As for the Snake Temple, where poisonous snakes coiled round pillars and potted plants, made drowsy by the burning incense.
Fort Cornwallis is located on the Esplanade. This 200 year-old fort marks the spot where Captain Francis Light, founder of Penang, first landed in 1786. Other interesting places in Penang include the Butterfly Farm, the Khoo ‘Kongsi’, the Botanical Garden and Penang Hill.
Penang is known for its magnificent Penang Bridge. Thirteen kilometers long, it is the longest bridge in Malaysia. Here we can see the vast, sea-green ocean when the water was deepest.
The town in Penang is a mixture of the old and new, with huge mansions and quaint little shop houses dating back to the colonial times, as well as multi-storeyed blocks.
The Kek Lok Si temple in Penang is built on an ascending plane, with numerous halls joined together by a series of steps. The crowning glory of this complex is the seven tiered ‘Pagoda of a Thousand Buddhas’. As for the Snake Temple, where poisonous snakes coiled round pillars and potted plants, made drowsy by the burning incense.
Fort Cornwallis is located on the Esplanade. This 200 year-old fort marks the spot where Captain Francis Light, founder of Penang, first landed in 1786. Other interesting places in Penang include the Butterfly Farm, the Khoo ‘Kongsi’, the Botanical Garden and Penang Hill.
Traditional entertainment
It is said that traditional forms of entertainment such as mak yong laut, wayang kulit, bangsawan, and mak yong are only found in Malaysia.
The wayang kulit was very popular in the 1950s and there are few more puppeteers (dalang) still performing. Other than that, in the 1920s, Malay opera (bnagsawan) was so popular that the performers were full-time actors.
The wayang kulit was very popular in the 1950s and there are few more puppeteers (dalang) still performing. Other than that, in the 1920s, Malay opera (bnagsawan) was so popular that the performers were full-time actors.
Malaysian fruits
Malaysian fruits are fruits that look, taste and smell like nothing you have experienced. Take the durian for example. It is called the ‘king of fruits’. It is a large and heavy and the size of man’s head. Its outer surface is covered with thorns. Beneath its tough skin, the durian is divided into compartments. Each compartment contains the edible part of the fruit. The fruit has a rich creamy texture and taste. However, you cannot the powerful smell. There have been many descriptions of the smell-most of them unfavorable.
Another fruit is the rambutan. This small fruit grows in bunches. It has a reddish brown skin with hair like growth. Inside is an egg-shaped fruit with a pearly sheen, tasting as nice as it looks. It is sweet and juicy.
The mangoesteen is known as the ‘queen of fruits’. It is the same size as a permission but the exterior is dark purple or maroon. The edible part inside is white in colour and divided into segments. It has the texture sherbet and melts in your mouth. It has a delicate taste that can only be described as heavenly.
Another fruit is the rambutan. This small fruit grows in bunches. It has a reddish brown skin with hair like growth. Inside is an egg-shaped fruit with a pearly sheen, tasting as nice as it looks. It is sweet and juicy.
The mangoesteen is known as the ‘queen of fruits’. It is the same size as a permission but the exterior is dark purple or maroon. The edible part inside is white in colour and divided into segments. It has the texture sherbet and melts in your mouth. It has a delicate taste that can only be described as heavenly.
A well-known Malaysian
P.Ramlee, Malaysian’s Golden Son, has a become a legend. He is not only known in Malaysia, but he is also known around Asia. He achieved success as a singer, songwriter, actor and director.
He played the violin, guitar, trumpet, saxophone, lute, vibraphone and organ. At the age of nineteen, he left for Singapore to record his songs and to act in movies. Between 1948 and1972, he not only acted in more than 70 movies and composed 200 songs, but also directed movies. He won many awards in his lifetime. In 1956, he won an award for Best Musical Score for Drama for his movie Hang Tuah. He later won two other awards for Best Male Actor and The Most Versatile Talent.
He was a versatile and prolific artiste. He was good in serious and comic roles. He died in 1973. Now, more than thirty years after his death, no other local composer, actor or director has been considered his equal, It is no surprise that P.Ramlee is considered a household name in Malaysia.
He played the violin, guitar, trumpet, saxophone, lute, vibraphone and organ. At the age of nineteen, he left for Singapore to record his songs and to act in movies. Between 1948 and1972, he not only acted in more than 70 movies and composed 200 songs, but also directed movies. He won many awards in his lifetime. In 1956, he won an award for Best Musical Score for Drama for his movie Hang Tuah. He later won two other awards for Best Male Actor and The Most Versatile Talent.
He was a versatile and prolific artiste. He was good in serious and comic roles. He died in 1973. Now, more than thirty years after his death, no other local composer, actor or director has been considered his equal, It is no surprise that P.Ramlee is considered a household name in Malaysia.
Festivals celebrated in Malaysia
As Malaysia is a melting pot of a variety of cultures and religions, various festivals are celebrated. The more popular festivals are Hari Raya AidilFitri for the Muslims, Chinese New Year for the Chinese, Deepavali and Thaipusam for the Indians and Christmas for the Christian.
Thaipusam is a Hindu festival that takes place at the end of January. It is a special religious occasion to honour Lord Subramaniam. During this festival, devotees thke part in an elaborate procession that leads to and from Lord Subramaniam’s temple. Some participants who have taken oaths or asked for forgiveness carry simple utensils like brass pots containing milk. Others choose structures decorated with crepe paper, leaves, beads and flowers. Many walk in a trance with hooks, spears and other sharp objects pierced through their bodies.
Hari Raya AidilFitri is an Islam festival that takes place once a year. Hari Raya is the mark of a new year according to the Islam calendar (takwim hijrah). As such, Hari Raya may fall on any month. On Raya morning, Muslims will go to the mosque to pray. Then, they will ask for forgiveness from people around them like family members, friends etc. However, before celebrating Raya, the Muslims will have to fast for one month. They fast so that they will know how poor people feel without eating anything the whole day. All Muslims will fast from around 5.45 am until around 7.30 pm. They get up early to have a light meal before they start to fast.
Thaipusam is a Hindu festival that takes place at the end of January. It is a special religious occasion to honour Lord Subramaniam. During this festival, devotees thke part in an elaborate procession that leads to and from Lord Subramaniam’s temple. Some participants who have taken oaths or asked for forgiveness carry simple utensils like brass pots containing milk. Others choose structures decorated with crepe paper, leaves, beads and flowers. Many walk in a trance with hooks, spears and other sharp objects pierced through their bodies.
Hari Raya AidilFitri is an Islam festival that takes place once a year. Hari Raya is the mark of a new year according to the Islam calendar (takwim hijrah). As such, Hari Raya may fall on any month. On Raya morning, Muslims will go to the mosque to pray. Then, they will ask for forgiveness from people around them like family members, friends etc. However, before celebrating Raya, the Muslims will have to fast for one month. They fast so that they will know how poor people feel without eating anything the whole day. All Muslims will fast from around 5.45 am until around 7.30 pm. They get up early to have a light meal before they start to fast.
Saturday, 19 September 2009
AMP All Stars- Satu Malaysia Song
To download this caller-ringtone for free, SMS:
GET SATU and send it to 29000.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
