Malacca Duck Tours 30 May 2014

During we were near Dataran Pahlawan, we came across this strange and quite fun vehicle. Both children Issac and Annabelle want to have a tour on that. Then, we just purchased the tickets at the mobile counter, then we waited for our turn for the next trip.

According to the tour guide, the DUKW, popularly called the DUCK, is a amphibious truck developed by the United States during World War 2 for transporting goods and troops over land and water and for use approaching and crossing breaches in amphibious attacks.

The DUKW was used in landings in the Pacific, in North America, and on D-Day on the beaches of Normandy. At Normandy alone, DUKW carried 18 million tons of supplies ashore in the 90 days after the landing that the enemy held all available ports.

DUKW were also used as rescue vehicles. Winds up 60 knots (110km/h), rain, and heavy surf prevented conventional craft from rescuing the seven stranded coast guardsmen, but the DUKW had no trouble. DUKWs have proved their seaworthiness by crossing the English Channel and many other exploits at sea.

Although its designation as a DUKW may seem to be a military pun,in fact in the terminology developed for military vehicles in World War 2, the D indicates a vehicle designed in 1942, the U meant "utility (amphibious)", the K indicated all-wheel drive and the W indicated two powered rear axles.

Today, the DUKW are no later in use due to the steel hull which is susceptible to rust and its engine system which are lacking in power. We are now using the more technology advance LARCS which hull are stronger and reinforced with aluminium state of the art hydraulic engine systems which can go on speeds and power that is predecessors technologically dream of.

"Melaka Duck tours" have the most technologically advanced fleet of Ducks in the world, besides there are another similar Duck Tour which is operates in Singapore.

 

 

Our journey started from Menara Taming Sari point. Menara Taming Sari which was opened on 18th April 2008 has become another unique & most popular attraction for Malacca.

Then we passed through Dataran Pahlawan which is one of Malaysia's largest shopping mall surrounded by historical sites such as A'Famosa and St. Paul's Hill.

Further down Melaka Raya shoplot areas. A town in the heart of Melaka. This area is known as Melaka's commercial business district & entertainment center.

From there, we crossed the bridge and go in to Pulau Melaka. This waterfront development project involves reclamation of two islands. Pulau Melaka will be transformed "Melaka Arab City". All those areas above, we were on the road. But, after reaching Pulau Melaka Jetty area, which the Masjid Selat Melaka also called “floating mosque” is a mosque on the man made island of Pulau Melaka which near to Melaka town.

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DUCK started to transform itself into a ship, we went into the Straits of Malacca. Pulau Besar, the largest of 8 islands off the coast of Malacca. Approximately 133 hectares, it is said to resemble the shape of a pregnant woman can be noticeble from far. We had a round at the sea nearby, due to the weather it started to rain, the driver turn the DUCK on to the land again.

Once we were on the land, we can see the Melaka River - A river that cuts across Malacca town, on its way to the Straits of Malacca. Was once an important trade during heyday of Malacca sultanate.

Mahkota Parade which is again another high-end shopping complex in Melaka featuring anchors Parkson, Giant supermarket and over 197 exciting specialty stores and Mahkota Medical Centre, the reputed hospital in Malaysia, which best healthcare facilities catering to patients from south east Asia).

And, the Flor De La Mar which is in short The Maritime Museum, located at Quayside Road near the Melaka River estuary. The replica is 34 meters high, 36 meters long and 8 meters wide.

I can say, it really worth while for the ticket which we bought for the trip. The kids love it too!