Introduction
Melaka is located on the Western Coast of Peninsular Malaysia facing the Straits of Melaka, about 147 kilometers from Kuala Lumpur and 245 kilometers from Singpore. Melaka is actually found sandwiched between the states of Negeri Sembilan and Johor. It can be reached by excellent roads from Kuala Lumpur and Singapore. Internally it is serviced by a very good network of roads leading to all the historical places of interest. It covers and area of 658 square kilometers and is divided into three districts namely Alor Gajah, Melaka Tengah and Jasin.
Melaka was founded by Parameswara (or Raja Iskandar) the last Malay ruler of Temasik (ancient Singapore) in 1396 when he and his followers retreated up the straits to Muar, then to Sungai Ujung before settling at Bertam near the estuary of Melaka River.
Finding the place of strategic location, he decided to make a permanent settlement there, naming it "Melaka" after the name of the tree he leaned against.
The Melaka Sultanate occupies a special position in the history of Malaysia. Its inauguration marked the beginning of the emergence of a new Malay empire. The birthplace of the Malay Sultanates and Malaysia's historic city, Melaka provided the stage on which the Portuguese, Dutch and English played out their roles in shaping the history.
Melaka emerged as a strong maritime trading state under the industrious Parameswara and his chiefs. Melaka also began to be noticed by Muslim traders from West Asia and India, who until that period, had been concentrating their activities in Aru, Pedir and Pasai en-route to the East, especially China. Because of its strategic location straddling the Straits of Melaka, it thrived as a port-of-call and a centre of entrepot trade with ships and merchants from China, Japan, India, Arab and South Africa.
In 1511, it fell to the hands of the Portuguese, followed by the Dutch in 1641 after a fierce battle. In 1795, Melaka was given to the British to prevent it falling to the French when the Netherlands was captured during the Napoleonic Wars. It was returned to the Dutch in 1818 under the treaty of Vienna but was later exchanged by the British for Bangkahulu, Sumatra. From 1826 onwards, the British East India Company along with Singapore and Penang governed it, under the Straits Settlement administration in Calcutta.
The Dutch, who held Melaka for over a century, left many fine buildings marking their heritage. The most imposing relic of the Dutch period is the Stadthuys, a strikingly pink town hall which is today the oldest Dutch building in the Far East. Right next to it stands the bright red Christ Church, constructed with pink bricks imported from Holland and covered with local red lacerite. Today, these buildings together with the ruins of the Portuguese built A Famosa and St. Paul's Church are the most prominent reminders of the Europeans' presence in Melaka.
After World War II, anti-colonial sentiment bred in the country among the nationalists, the result of which was the proclamation of Independence by Tunku Abdul Rahman Putra, Malaysia's first Prime Minister, at the Padang Pahlawan (Warrior's Field) at Bandar Hilir, Melaka on 20 February 1956.
Thursday, May 31, 2007
Wednesday, May 30, 2007
Malaysia Vacation Planning
From our starting point in the historic, port of Georgetown on the west coast, we'll venture into the rarely visited interior of the Malay peninsula - still covered by vast expanses of dense, jungle and inhabited by hunter-gatherer tribes.
We'll stay in bamboo, beachside chalets on coral-fringed islands off the east coast, for a genuine, 'off-the-beaten-track' look at this fascinating and surprisingly little known country. Discover a vibrant mix of cultures: spectacular and varied scenery, exotic flora and fauna, delicious local food and plenty of friendly people!
Take the Family
Although our holidays are usually unavailable to persons under the age of 18 we do offer selected tours to accompanied young people. Please note that our itineraries are suitable, or can be readily adapted, for children of all ages and we are hapy to provide tailored tours to family groups of four or more persons. We have successfully provided tours for families with children from ages 5 to 18. Malaysian itineraries are also easily modified by replacing more strenuous days with extra days in Bangkok, Ciang Mai, Penang or a couple of extra days at the beach.
Itinerary
Day 1: Departure from London for Penang Island.
Day 2: Arrival at Penang and transfer to a Chinatown hotel in the heart of old Georgetown. Afternoon to relax, or explore this historic town.
Day 3: Tour of some of the sites of Chinatown with the Penang Heritage Trust: temples, Chinese clan houses and British colonial period architecture.
Day 4: Visit Penang Hill with its Victorian era cable car, jungle canopy walkway and hike to the famous Botanical Gardens.
Day 5: Head into the interior, through the jungle-clad highlands to tranquil Banding Island on Temengor Lake. Accommodation at a beautifully situated, lakeside resort.
Day 6-7: 2 day expedition into the surrounding Belum Forest: trek through pristine rainforest to mountain streams and waterfalls, visit a village of the indigenous, forest-dwelling Orang Asli tribe, an exciting night hike through the forest and camping overnight in the jungle. With luck we'll see monkeys and elephants - spectacular scenery guaranteed.
Day 8: Transfer to Kota Baru on the East Coast – renowned as the centre of Malay, Muslim culture. Evening tour of the colourful, bustling night-market.
Day 9: Off to the Perhentian Islands, jungleclad and coral-fringed. Explore the island, swim or laze in a hammock. Tourism is still relatively undeveloped in these islands and we'll be staying in simple, comfortable beachside chalets.
Day 10: A snorkelling tour of some of the archipelago's lively coral reefs, with a chance to see baby reef sharks and giant sea turtles
Day 11: Relax on the beach, explore the jungle interior or check-out the prehistoric looking, giant monitor lizards that abound on the islands.
Day 12: Head south to the small town of Kuala Lipis. Situated in the centre of the peninsula, this now quaint backwater was an important administrative centre and rubber producing town during the colonial era.
Day 13: Leave by local train for a day trip to the little known Kenong Rimba Forest Reserve, where we'll trek through dense jungle, discover the amazing tropical flora and fauna, visit some of the area's unusual limestone cave formations and return in the evening to Kuala Lipis by riverboat.
Day 14: Continue south by train to Kuala Lumpur, where our hotel is situated in the heart of the Capital's vibrant Chinatown quarter. Evening to explore the local markets.
Day 15: Day tour of some of the sites of the fascinating Malaysian capital: Little India, Chinatown, the fabulous Victorian era architecture of Merdaka Square.
Day 16: Free morning to relax or an opportunity for some last minute shopping before an evening return flight to London.
Day 17: Morning arrival in London.
We'll stay in bamboo, beachside chalets on coral-fringed islands off the east coast, for a genuine, 'off-the-beaten-track' look at this fascinating and surprisingly little known country. Discover a vibrant mix of cultures: spectacular and varied scenery, exotic flora and fauna, delicious local food and plenty of friendly people!
Take the Family
Although our holidays are usually unavailable to persons under the age of 18 we do offer selected tours to accompanied young people. Please note that our itineraries are suitable, or can be readily adapted, for children of all ages and we are hapy to provide tailored tours to family groups of four or more persons. We have successfully provided tours for families with children from ages 5 to 18. Malaysian itineraries are also easily modified by replacing more strenuous days with extra days in Bangkok, Ciang Mai, Penang or a couple of extra days at the beach.
Itinerary
Day 1: Departure from London for Penang Island.
Day 2: Arrival at Penang and transfer to a Chinatown hotel in the heart of old Georgetown. Afternoon to relax, or explore this historic town.
Day 3: Tour of some of the sites of Chinatown with the Penang Heritage Trust: temples, Chinese clan houses and British colonial period architecture.
Day 4: Visit Penang Hill with its Victorian era cable car, jungle canopy walkway and hike to the famous Botanical Gardens.
Day 5: Head into the interior, through the jungle-clad highlands to tranquil Banding Island on Temengor Lake. Accommodation at a beautifully situated, lakeside resort.
Day 6-7: 2 day expedition into the surrounding Belum Forest: trek through pristine rainforest to mountain streams and waterfalls, visit a village of the indigenous, forest-dwelling Orang Asli tribe, an exciting night hike through the forest and camping overnight in the jungle. With luck we'll see monkeys and elephants - spectacular scenery guaranteed.
Day 8: Transfer to Kota Baru on the East Coast – renowned as the centre of Malay, Muslim culture. Evening tour of the colourful, bustling night-market.
Day 9: Off to the Perhentian Islands, jungleclad and coral-fringed. Explore the island, swim or laze in a hammock. Tourism is still relatively undeveloped in these islands and we'll be staying in simple, comfortable beachside chalets.
Day 10: A snorkelling tour of some of the archipelago's lively coral reefs, with a chance to see baby reef sharks and giant sea turtles
Day 11: Relax on the beach, explore the jungle interior or check-out the prehistoric looking, giant monitor lizards that abound on the islands.
Day 12: Head south to the small town of Kuala Lipis. Situated in the centre of the peninsula, this now quaint backwater was an important administrative centre and rubber producing town during the colonial era.
Day 13: Leave by local train for a day trip to the little known Kenong Rimba Forest Reserve, where we'll trek through dense jungle, discover the amazing tropical flora and fauna, visit some of the area's unusual limestone cave formations and return in the evening to Kuala Lipis by riverboat.
Day 14: Continue south by train to Kuala Lumpur, where our hotel is situated in the heart of the Capital's vibrant Chinatown quarter. Evening to explore the local markets.
Day 15: Day tour of some of the sites of the fascinating Malaysian capital: Little India, Chinatown, the fabulous Victorian era architecture of Merdaka Square.
Day 16: Free morning to relax or an opportunity for some last minute shopping before an evening return flight to London.
Day 17: Morning arrival in London.
Tuesday, May 29, 2007
Malaysia Vacation Guide
SABAH is Malaysia's premier nature adventure destination situated in the northern tip of Borneo Island, the third largest island in the world. Sabah is popular for its wildlife conservation attractions, rain forest, surrounding nature and islands, beach resorts, tropical white sandy beaches, crystal clear water, and its warm and friendly people. If you are thinking of visiting Borneo, these places of interest and activities will whet your appetite!
Mount Kinabalu
Let me begin with my favorite place and definitely not to be missed if you are visiting Borneo, Mt. Kinabalu (4,093m). It is the summit of Borneo and the tallest mountain in South East Asia. This mountain is sacred to the locals. Thousands from around the world have trekked to its peak. At the feet of this mountain is Kinabalu National Park, a botanical paradise where rare plants are found: rare orchids, nepenthes pitcher plants and the rafflesia, the largest flower in the world.
Sepilok Orang Utan Rehabilitation Centre
If you haven’t heard yet, the most popular native of Borneo is the Orang Utan. The world-famous Sepilok Rehabilitation Centre enables visitors to come in close contact with these amazing animals. This sanctuary allows visitors to witness an exciting conservation programme in action. Set in 43 square km of beautiful rainforest, the sanctuary helps once captive Orang Utans learn to fend for themselves in the wild. Watch how these orphaned Orang Utans being taught to climb, and then go to a platform where you can witness them coming in from within the forest for their daily meals of milk and bananas.
Danum Valley Rain Forest
If nature is close to your heart, then this next destination I am going to introduce you is a must visit, Danum Valley. Danum Valley is nestled deep in the rain forest of Borneo where nature is at its most pristine. As you travel deeper and deeper into the jungle, you will suddenly come across a magical paradise of the Borneo Rainforest Lodge (BRL), erected overlooking the magnificent setting of the Segama River and flanked by tall hill ranges. BRL is an impressive resort, designed by naturalists and built on stilts using traditional timber materials, and has the comfort of a 3-Star Hotel. I totally recommend Danum Valley to those who yearn to see wildlife in a primeval Borneo rainforest - the rare Sumatran rhino, proboscis monkeys, Orang Utan, elephants and over 275 species of birds.
Tunku Abdul Rahman Island Park
When you think you have enough of sightseeing and you want to take a day’s break idling around to charge your energy, then I suggest you tak e a 30-minute boat trip to Tunku Abdul Rahman Park. The park is made up of five beautiful islands and is a well-known sanctuary where peace and tranquility prevails. The tropical white sandy beaches are ideal for relaxing and tanning. The crystal clear water is fantastic if you fancy snorkeling or watching the sea lives and corals. The park is also a great spot for a BBQ picnic under the long hours of golden sunshine. Other activities include windsurfing, fishing, parasailing, kayaking and bird watching.
Golfing Holidays
If golf is your sport, then try the numerous high quality golf courses in Sabah. One of the courses as described by its designer - “I had to create a masterpiece by combining the natural splendor of the mountains and the seas, with ingenious architecture, and create a first class championship course to provide an enjoyable, yet challenging game for top professional golfers and amateurs alike" - Graham Marsh. Enough words said for the quality of golf courses here.
White-Water Rafting
For the true adventure seeker looking for an adrenaline-pumping activity, Sabah offers some of the most exhilarating thrills in the world. My scariest experience, only because I am not a good swimmer, is white-water rafting down the Padas River (a grade-3 river). Whilst trying to negotiate the rapids along this raging river for a distance of about 5 kilometers, do enjoy the breathtaking view that the surrounding rain forest does offer. However, be warned, don’t take your eyes off the rapids and waves too long!
Scuba Diving
Off the North Eastern coast of Borneo lies a tiny jewel of an island, Sipadan, with a marine ecosystem so perfect and unique that it is world renowned as one of the best dive spots in the world. Sipadan Island rises as a pristine Coral Sea mount, 650 meters from the floor of the Sulawesi Sea. This pinnacle off the eastern coast of Borneo is an oceanic magnet for marine life. As soon as you enter the crystal clear waters of Sipadan Island, you’ll understand why you have endured a journey that has taken you halfway around the world. As you begin to descend into this tropical water, you'll also understand why the World Wildlife Fund says, "No other spot on the planet has more marine life than this island."
Mount Kinabalu
Let me begin with my favorite place and definitely not to be missed if you are visiting Borneo, Mt. Kinabalu (4,093m). It is the summit of Borneo and the tallest mountain in South East Asia. This mountain is sacred to the locals. Thousands from around the world have trekked to its peak. At the feet of this mountain is Kinabalu National Park, a botanical paradise where rare plants are found: rare orchids, nepenthes pitcher plants and the rafflesia, the largest flower in the world.
Sepilok Orang Utan Rehabilitation Centre
If you haven’t heard yet, the most popular native of Borneo is the Orang Utan. The world-famous Sepilok Rehabilitation Centre enables visitors to come in close contact with these amazing animals. This sanctuary allows visitors to witness an exciting conservation programme in action. Set in 43 square km of beautiful rainforest, the sanctuary helps once captive Orang Utans learn to fend for themselves in the wild. Watch how these orphaned Orang Utans being taught to climb, and then go to a platform where you can witness them coming in from within the forest for their daily meals of milk and bananas.
Danum Valley Rain Forest
If nature is close to your heart, then this next destination I am going to introduce you is a must visit, Danum Valley. Danum Valley is nestled deep in the rain forest of Borneo where nature is at its most pristine. As you travel deeper and deeper into the jungle, you will suddenly come across a magical paradise of the Borneo Rainforest Lodge (BRL), erected overlooking the magnificent setting of the Segama River and flanked by tall hill ranges. BRL is an impressive resort, designed by naturalists and built on stilts using traditional timber materials, and has the comfort of a 3-Star Hotel. I totally recommend Danum Valley to those who yearn to see wildlife in a primeval Borneo rainforest - the rare Sumatran rhino, proboscis monkeys, Orang Utan, elephants and over 275 species of birds.
Tunku Abdul Rahman Island Park
When you think you have enough of sightseeing and you want to take a day’s break idling around to charge your energy, then I suggest you tak e a 30-minute boat trip to Tunku Abdul Rahman Park. The park is made up of five beautiful islands and is a well-known sanctuary where peace and tranquility prevails. The tropical white sandy beaches are ideal for relaxing and tanning. The crystal clear water is fantastic if you fancy snorkeling or watching the sea lives and corals. The park is also a great spot for a BBQ picnic under the long hours of golden sunshine. Other activities include windsurfing, fishing, parasailing, kayaking and bird watching.
Golfing Holidays
If golf is your sport, then try the numerous high quality golf courses in Sabah. One of the courses as described by its designer - “I had to create a masterpiece by combining the natural splendor of the mountains and the seas, with ingenious architecture, and create a first class championship course to provide an enjoyable, yet challenging game for top professional golfers and amateurs alike" - Graham Marsh. Enough words said for the quality of golf courses here.
White-Water Rafting
For the true adventure seeker looking for an adrenaline-pumping activity, Sabah offers some of the most exhilarating thrills in the world. My scariest experience, only because I am not a good swimmer, is white-water rafting down the Padas River (a grade-3 river). Whilst trying to negotiate the rapids along this raging river for a distance of about 5 kilometers, do enjoy the breathtaking view that the surrounding rain forest does offer. However, be warned, don’t take your eyes off the rapids and waves too long!
Scuba Diving
Off the North Eastern coast of Borneo lies a tiny jewel of an island, Sipadan, with a marine ecosystem so perfect and unique that it is world renowned as one of the best dive spots in the world. Sipadan Island rises as a pristine Coral Sea mount, 650 meters from the floor of the Sulawesi Sea. This pinnacle off the eastern coast of Borneo is an oceanic magnet for marine life. As soon as you enter the crystal clear waters of Sipadan Island, you’ll understand why you have endured a journey that has taken you halfway around the world. As you begin to descend into this tropical water, you'll also understand why the World Wildlife Fund says, "No other spot on the planet has more marine life than this island."
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