Malacca Interstates Bus Terminal (Melaka Sentral bus terminal)

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25-11-2006 Saturday - A day in Malacca

My original plan was to joint a conducted day tour to Malacca which cost Rm100. Later as I found out that Pudu bus station is just near by I decided to venture to Malacca by ourselves. From the Inn where we are staying I picked up a leaflet of EASTERN HERITAGE in Malacca that has dormitory bed for only RM8.00.

Off we go to Malacca by bus ...

We boarded the 10:30 am bus from KL to Malacca at platform 18 of Pudu bus station of Kuala Lumpur.
Adult Rm.9.40

Child Rm 4.7

At 2:00 PM we ended our bus journeys at Malacca City's Melaka Sentral bus terminal. This new bus terminal located in the suburb of Bandar Peringgit 3km (15 minutes) from old Malacca town. This terminal is Melaka’s transportation hub connecting interstate buses and taxis services.

Malacca Interstates Bus Terminal (Melaka Sentral bus terminal)

This new terminal is so beautiful that I do not come across in other cities in Malaysia.

In this photo at left, the indoor is brightly lighted blue color by abundant of natural sunlight from the roof top. A great contrary to the dark dull (and dirty) bus terminals in other Malaysian towns.

This new Malacca Sentral Bus Terminal cost RM28.4 million completed only in 2004. This is the First Air-conditioned bus terminal in Malaysia.

Opposite the terminal is the famous hypermarket Tesco store located in Jalan Tun Razak.

This terminal unique design is a spacious single-storey building with high roof and skylights, which let in plenty of light and air as you can see in above photo.

And it is fully air-conditioned !!!!!

There are 2 separate wings, one is for taxis services and the other is for buses. Each wing has a central courtyard, with a tropical, landscaped garden. You can also find plenty of cafes, restaurants and fast food outlets as well as retail outlets for the convenience of travelers. An Information Counter is located between the wings.

Melaka Sentral is made up of three main components:

1) the bus and taxi terminals in the main building,

2) a wet and dry market, and

3) a bazaar outside the building.

But I had little time to admire this another Malaysian's First as the most nerviest time in all my traveling trips is when arriving at a bus station. Not only this is a crowded place but also the place where gangsters and bandits hang around for victims, at least this is so in my real experience with Malaysian bus terminals. There were 3 occasions when I was confronted by Chinese young gangsters for extortion. All these occasion were happened at bus stations : once at Malaysia/Thailand border (1986), once at Miri Bus Terminal (1978), once at Johore Bahru/Singapore border (1976). Thought these unpleasant travel experience happened 20 over years ago, once bitten scare for ever remain an ill feeling for Malaysian Bus Terminals and on the chinese speaking young men - the degraded generation of China in Malaysia.

So without much delay, we picked a local Malay taxi driver and get away soon after paying a brief visit to the however clean and cool public toilet.

We put up at EASTERN HERITAGE, a guest house operated for almost 20 years, in Jalan Bukit China. As soon as we put down our luggage we started to explore Malacca. I am not familiar with Malacca, the last time I came was a day trip in 1985 following a few friends.

As we walked through the old streets and back lane of Malacca, old memories of Kuching Town came afresh to my mind.

These are familiar scenes to me during my schools days 40 years ago. 1953 - The year I was born

There are similarity among the old Chinatown Shop houses of Malacca, Singapore, Kuching and Penang. They all share a common colonel history. All has a historic heart of narrow streets and 19th Century Chinese shop houses still buzz with life as the inhabitants go about their daily business. These old business area were once the heart and soul of the town. Today, the old building and the people living there gave me inspirations and motivation to live a more fruitful and meaningful life. These people build the foundation for our prosperity today.

The colonial legacy and influence are part of my family history. These are historical treasures which my children and perhaps the grandchildren have shown no interest on.

Map provided by EASTERN HERITAGE the inn where we stay for a night.
To save time from finding our way, we boarded a rickshaw near by to the near by historical site - the Christ Church. All the rickshaw we saw are colorfully decorated.

On the way to Christ Church the rickshaw driver drove us pass a row of red shop buildings along Jalan Laksamana. These red buildings here are from the Dutch era. Malacca is in many ways the birthplace of Malaysia. It has been preserved in a way that its ancient past co-exists with today's modernity.

This older part of the city proper area has the old palace and the large buildings left by the Europeans, many private houses and shops from nearly 100 years or more ago put up by Chinese traders.

Many of these have beautiful details such as molded porcelain tiles and painted plaster on the front. Unfortunately, these old building tend to be not well preserved in its original form. The local authority decided to paint all the buildings in the historical district a bright brick red recently just to match with the color of Christ Church and The Stadthuys

The historic red-colored shop houses along Jalan Laksamana, the Melaka River runs parallel to this road.

These red buildings are a reminder of the Dutch influence. Most of the buildings in the historic quarters dated from the Dutch period, 1641-1795 including the Christ Church and the Stadthuys,

Note, however, that the red-color so synonymous with the Dutch buildings was not commonplace until much later, during the 20th century, when the Dutch had long left Malacca.

	The 1st Rickshaw driver drop us right in front of The Stadthuys at Jalan Gereja. It was less than 10 minutes ride from our guest house. (Rm 5.00). When asked, the driver said shyly that he is already 70 over years. He is still happy and strong and earn his humble living cycling visitors almost every days.
	The 2nd Rickshaw driver took us for a 15 minutes round trip sight seeing from Christ Church to A Formosa then back to Christ Church. (Rm 10.00)

Malacca Town Center around 1900s. The gharry or horse drawn carriage was a popular means of transportation then
Photograph reproduced with the kind permission of the Melaka State Museum.

Christ Church

Christ Church built in 1753. One of the most sought after tourist destinations. This oldest church and the Stadhuys next to each other are two of the most prominent structures still functional today in Malacca.

Christ Church

Inside this Christ Church - a ceiling construction without joins and 'The Last Supper of Christ' in glazed tiles.

Christ Church Melaka was built between 1741 and 1753, remainder from the Dutch period.

Built by Dutch to commemorate a century of their rule. Reputed as the oldest protestant church in Malaysia. It is now an Anglican Church.

The building shows the ingenuity of the Dutch architectural world. The beams were constructed from cutting and carving from a single tree and have no joints. The hand-made pews dated back some 200 years. The altar is a beautiful piece of the 'Last Supper' done in glazed tiles.

It replaced a Portuguese church which was shattered. Bricks were shipped from Zeeland in Netherlands. On the floor of the church you will find Dutch tombstones.

Old European churches are painted white, why then this church in Malaysia is painted red from outside ? For an interesting story of this church please read in detail : The Christ Church of Malacca by Dennis de Witt

The altar is a beautiful piece of the 'Last Supper' done in glazed tiles.

Notice : At the entrance is a notice that says "No photography is allowed"

"Greetings! you who are reading this tablet of my tomb in which I now sleep. Give me the news, the freedom of my countrymen, for them I did much weep. If there arose among them one good guardian to govern and keep. Vainly I expected the world to see a good shepherd came to look after the scattered sheep."

(Translation from a Tombstone, found off the floor on Christchurch, Melaka)

The floor of Christ Church is lined with ancient tombstones. Inscribed on these tombstones little cryptic messages written in Portuguese that beckon every unwary parishioner.

Since it is unlikely that the Dutch would have used Catholic-Portuguese tombstones inside their church, Malaysian historians concluded that they were installed there by the British.

The Remains of

MRS MARY BETTY

Who departed this Life

Sept. 20th. 1800

Aged 30 Years

Her difconfolate Hufband

Has caufed this Stone to be placed here

As a fmall Mark of his Regard

For an amiable and affectionate Wife

At the wooden door entrance to this church was a notice board displaying the students art works of the Sunday School children.

We were very amazed to find so dear a children prayer written on paper among the display. This prayer brought us so close together between this 200 years old church and a 20 years new Church in Tawau town.

That prayer, at right, is the very same prayer taught by the Sunday School teacher to my 2 children in Calvary Church in Tawau. The same prayer the children use as grace during dinner.

Thank you God for the foods we eat;

Thank you God for birds that sing;

Thank you God for words so sweet;

Thank you God for every things

Victoria Fountain (in the centre) is right in front Christ Church. A popular spot for photography. The people of Malaya dedicated the fountain to Queen Victoria in 1904.

Gateway of the Portuguese fortress "A Formosa" built in 1511 - Malacca lures droves of visitors to its historic port city, where they are quickly steeped in an intoxicating multicultural world of heritage architecture.

Melaka River - Once upon a time ...................

Once dubbed ‘Venice of the East’ by European seafarers back in those days when Malacca has yet to be formed, Melaka River is the point where the history of Malacca began. A Prince from Sumatra, Parameswara – the founder of Malacca – had established his sultanate near the mouth of this river in the early 1400s, and his palace was built just 10 minutes from here on the east-bank the above river at the foot of St. Paul’s Hill (Malacca Hill).

Once a busy trading centre attracting Indian and Chinese merchants, its prosperity soon drew the attention of the European superpowers. First the Portuguese, then the Dutch and later the British had a go at running the place for over a century each and all have left their mark. The Japanese also controlled it for much of WWII.

Once a busy trading port, today the port has disappeared and land reclamation has changed the old coastline beyond recognition. Most of the time the sea water is flat, muddy and washes against an ugly beach less shoreline.

The Stadhuys

Photo left - entrance of The Stadthuys, a group of Malaysian students post for a group photo.

November and December is holiday season in Malaysia. Several places we went we saw groups and groups of young students guided by their teachers in holiday outing.

This group we met in Christ Church was among the most discipline groups of school children

The Stadthuys was Built in 1650 as the official residence of Dutch Governors and their officers, the edifice is a example of Dutch architecture. Preserved in its original structure and form, it now houses the History Museum and Ethnography Museum. On display daily are traditional bridal costumes and relics from Malacca's glorious past.

After visiting the Christ Church, we visited The History Museum housed in The Stadthuys which is just on the right hand side of Christ Church. This red old building was 400 years ago the municipal town hall of the Dutch during the 1650’s after having taken over Malacca from the Portuguese in 1641.

History Museum of Malacca

The History Museum is inside above The Stadthuys. Nowadays the Stadthuys is home to the Museum of History and Ethnography (human societies). The history of Malacca is laid bare here in the aged and high-ceiling chambers of the Stadthuys building.

A good collection of paintings, artifacts and journals, sketch the passing of the centuries through successive Portuguese, Dutch, British and Japanese occupation to national independence in 1957.

There's quite a bit on display here - historical maps, stamps, paintings and lithographs together information on the history and cultures of Melaka's various ethnic groups.

The Museum was opened by the Prime Minister on 17 Dec 1982.

ENTRANCE FEE RM2.00 per person

Xing with his digital camera captured images on almost all the main item in display in this new museum. See following images :

1) Sword used by Portuguese, Dutch, Japanese. As well as the cannons of the Dutch.

2) Money during the British erra.

There is also a good collection of the currency used during the British Colonial period in Malaysia.

A few of the coins are very familiar to me, such as the square 1 cent coin. These are the coins I used during my childhood as well as the 1 dollar blue note and the 5 dollars green notes.

MUZIUM SASTERA (Musium of Literature)

Located on the shoulder of St. Paul Hill, up a steep incline from the Tourist Police Headquarters, the Muzium Sastera (Literary Museum) chronicles the history of Malay literature since its inception to the modern period. It is the only one of its kind in Malaysia. Among the exhibits are paintings depicting important events excerpted from the Malay Annals and gruesome capital punishments of the old days. Also showcased are the different forms of Malay traditional literature.

Have a cup of hot drink at the near by coffee house during a heavy down pour.

After which, we spend quite a lengthly hour at the MARITIME MUSEUM (ENTRANCE FEE RM1.00 ADULT).

Maritime Museum
6:32 PM By the time we board the replica ancient Portuguese ship Flor de la Mar (May Flower) it was late afternoon when the sun is setting.

The sudden down pour of tropical rain was just over. The whole area was wet.

No shoes is allowed to be worn inside the museum. The ticket counter give each of us a PVC beg to carry our own shoes.

Maritime Museum

Maritime Museum is beside Jalan Quayside. This Museum is constructed in a replica of an ancient ship Flor de la Mar, a Portuguese vessel that sank off the Melaka coast.

The Museum gives insights into Melaka's maritime history.The structure is an impressive 35-metre-high replica of the Flor de la Mar, a Portuguese trading ship which sank in the Strait of Melaka with its cargo of Malaysian treasures. Dioramas, photographs, seafaring maps, and model ships are presented.

Cross the street with your ticket stub to the Royal Malaysian Navy Museum which charts Malaysia's naval history with memorabilia and equipment.

In the museum we traces the history of Melaka from the Sultanate of Melaka in the 14th century to the pre-independence era.

The replica giant ship show the many ships used to land in Melacca Strait 400 years ago.

Malacca was then a commercial centre for merchants around the world.

Inside the ship museum there are lot of historical artifacts being exhibited for viewers. Many display of historical stories about commercial activities in Melacca during that time

The exhibition inside the 'Ship' museum shows the history of Malacca. Malacca was a flourishing Malay harbor when the Portuguese came to conquered it. These early Portuguese monopolies the trade, causing the local Malay and other Arab, Indian and Chinese traders to move to other places.

Later the Dutch came and they didn’t like it either, so the Dutch defeat the Portuguese, only to apply the same policy of trade monopoly of only Dutch trade. But most of the Dutch trade was concentrated around Batavia (Jakarta in Indonesia), Malacca more and more decayed.

After the occupation of Holland by the French, the English took over Melacca, but since the British had Singapore and Georgetown as their main harbors, Malacca never flourished since then.

Inside the museum are models of ships, authentic maps, old iron chests and charts. Xing enjoyed snapping photos of these model ships of old Malay, Portuguese and Dutch.

07:40 PM When we went in this Portuguese replica vessel we saw the colorful sun is setting East. And by the time we came out of this Maritime Museum we found a moonless dark sky.

Photo Above : A view of Malacca old port from the Maritime Museum - the reconstructed ship Flor de la Mar (May Flower) - the largest wooden 'ship' we ever saw.

Eastern Heritage http://www.hostelz.com/hostel/21546-Eastern-Heritage-Guesthouse

We stay in Eastern Heritage for the 1 night in Malacca. This is a backpackers' standards accommodation

Eastern Heritage is one of the oldest buildings in Malacca town which has neo-classical European architecture. Built in 1918, it is the only guesthouse in Malacca to have floral and pictorial motifs grace parts of the front of the house while the interior is adorned with intricately carved fittings finished in gold leaf.

The guesthouse has lots of character with original ornamentation, tiling and carved paneling. The rooms are mostly typical guesthouse rooms, freshly painted in a pseudo art deco style.

There is a nice plunge pool which was built specially for our guests who would like a dip after a hot day around town. For those who like to sunbathe, we have the perfect balcony for you to do so.

The guesthouse is situated in the town centre which is next to Chinatown and less than 5 minutes walk from the historical areas.

There are single/double rooms available with a fan and there are dormitory rooms available for those on a budget.

This is our room in Eastern Heritage of Malacca

There are other historical sites we did not have time to go.

	St Peter's Church built in 1710
	Bukit China
	Ruins of the St Paul Church where St Francis Xavier was once buried at St Paul Hill
	Cheng Hoon Teng Temple - oldest Chinese temple
	Jonkers Street - antiques.

Wednesday, August 26, 2009 11:09:02 AM