Melaka
Melaka has had an interesting history.
The state was originally founded by a Sumatran prince fleeing a Siamese attack in 1398.
Under the protection of Admiral Zheng of China it rapidly became a major town
trading Indonesial spices and Indian textiles and it grew wealthy through taxes imposed on all imported goods.
The state converted to Islam in the 1430s under Melaka's 3rd ruler.
In 1511 the Portuguese conquered Melaka and ruled it for the next 130 years and Christianity was introduced.
The Dutch East India Company ran raids on Melaka and finally captured it in 1641.
A large Chinese population immigrated here also at that time.
The British took over in 1795.
15 of the 16 in our tour party
The first site that we visited was Famosa Fort which was built by the Portuguese in 1512.
It was built on the site of the Sultan's Palace and all that now remains
are the 3m thick walls of the Porto de Santiago gate.
Interestingly, the crest on the top of the gate was placed there by Dutch East India Company in 1670.
Yes, that is the Straits of Malacca.
At the top of of the hill are the remains of St. Paul's church which was built in 1521 by a Portuguese sea Captain.
Down the hill is Stadthuys, a collection of red buildings constructed between 1641 and 1660,
used as a town hall by both the Dutch and then the British administrations.
The fountain commemorates Queen Victoria's jubileee in 1901
The plastic flower decorated tricycles have loud stereo systems built into them.
Choon Hoon Teng Temple
This is Malaysia's oldest temple dating back to 1646.
All of the materials used in its construction were imported from China.
No nails were used in building this temple.
The noble tiger is revered in Chinese folk traditions and is incorporated into many festivals,
ceremonies and customs dating back thousands of years.
The Elders say that the Tiger God can dispel bad luck, afford parental protection,
calm crying babies and assist in business ventures.
Worshippers leave small pieces of meat for the Tiger God
Across the road there was a shoemaker who makes the tiny shoes that Chinese women once used.
Small feet were a sign of beauty. The shoes are now curiousity items.
We finished off the tricycle tour with a pleasant meal at an open-air restaurant
Melaka has had an interesting history.
The state was originally founded by a Sumatran prince fleeing a Siamese attack in 1398.
Under the protection of Admiral Zheng of China it rapidly became a major town
trading Indonesial spices and Indian textiles and it grew wealthy through taxes imposed on all imported goods.
The state converted to Islam in the 1430s under Melaka's 3rd ruler.
In 1511 the Portuguese conquered Melaka and ruled it for the next 130 years and Christianity was introduced.
The Dutch East India Company ran raids on Melaka and finally captured it in 1641.
A large Chinese population immigrated here also at that time.
The British took over in 1795.
15 of the 16 in our tour party
The first site that we visited was Famosa Fort which was built by the Portuguese in 1512.
It was built on the site of the Sultan's Palace and all that now remains
are the 3m thick walls of the Porto de Santiago gate.
Interestingly, the crest on the top of the gate was placed there by Dutch East India Company in 1670.
Yes, that is the Straits of Malacca.
At the top of of the hill are the remains of St. Paul's church which was built in 1521 by a Portuguese sea Captain.
Down the hill is Stadthuys, a collection of red buildings constructed between 1641 and 1660,
used as a town hall by both the Dutch and then the British administrations.
The fountain commemorates Queen Victoria's jubileee in 1901
The plastic flower decorated tricycles have loud stereo systems built into them.
Choon Hoon Teng Temple
This is Malaysia's oldest temple dating back to 1646.
All of the materials used in its construction were imported from China.
No nails were used in building this temple.
The noble tiger is revered in Chinese folk traditions and is incorporated into many festivals,
ceremonies and customs dating back thousands of years.
The Elders say that the Tiger God can dispel bad luck, afford parental protection,
calm crying babies and assist in business ventures.
Worshippers leave small pieces of meat for the Tiger God
Across the road there was a shoemaker who makes the tiny shoes that Chinese women once used.
Small feet were a sign of beauty. The shoes are now curiousity items.
We finished off the tricycle tour with a pleasant meal at an open-air restaurant
