Coral Wonderland Malacca 30 May 2014

After our Duck Tour ride, we went to the Coral Wonderland. The entrance tickets given discounted rate, thus we decided to visit the place as our ‘Duck’ stopped just not far from the Dataran Pahlawan.

Coral Wonderland Malacca is the Malaysia’s first coral park, hosting over 1,000 species of marine fish and corals. Opened in 2011, the coral park is home to Asia’s longest touch pool, and the country’s longest coral aquarium, giving a chance for in-depth look on loved marine life. It is situated at level 4 of the conveniently-located Dataran Pahlawan shopping mall.

Filled with interesting and colourful marine creatures such as clown fish and seahorses, Coral Wonderland is divided into nine separate sections with each focusing on a species or a theme, with corresponding activities for both adults and kids to enjoy. The shark pool, for example, lets the visitors get up close with one of nature’s most misunderstood creatures so that one can personally observe its interesting features, such as its blacktip fins and puckered mouths.

Coral Wonderland is also the longest interactive touch pool in Asia. In it, visitors can freely touch marine life such as star fishes, sea cucumbers, bamboo sharks and sea urchins with help and explanation from its informative tour assistants.

The coral reef garden that comes right after the touch pool is a mesmerising sight – beautiful corals move their tentacles at their own pace and motion, and are housed in several aquariums for easier observation.  This opportunity is perfect for those who would like a chance of closer inspection of these colourful underwater creatures without submerging themselves for a glimpse.

Other sections in Coral Wonderland include a snake corner, an arthropod zone, a clownfish kingdom and a seahorse corner, and each is loaded with information.

To further encourage learning, visitors are given a quiz paper when they arrive and upon answering the questions correctly according to the information provided in each section, they receive certification. At the end, visitors with a complete set of certification stamps will be awarded with a free gift.

Taking a step further to conserve precious marine life, Coral Wonderland has also taken part in the Malaysian Department of Fisheries’ ongoing effort in breeding hawkbill sea turtles.

The collaboration sees the coral park hosting several turtles under their roofs in a specialised pool, and educating the public regarding the critically endangered species for further awareness.

A very informative short visit we had here. No regret coming here!

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Layang Layang Guest House 28 – 29 May 2014

This time around in Melacca, we stayed at Layang Layang Guest House. It was highly recommended by Daddy as I did call up for a stay and booked for 28th and 29th of May.

We were at A’ Famosa Theme Park for the whole morning and children were enjoying the Water Theme Park. Besides this Water Theme Park, there are Safari Wonderland and the Old West.

But, we had decided not to go for it, after seeing the Old West is a bit wear off and the Safari World, as if we were staying to play all the Theme Parks, it would be very late for us already, to drive down to Melacca town.

Thus, Mummy called up Layang Layang Guest House as we would like to check in earlier.  Fortunately they still have rooms available for us.

Layang Layang Guest House is an old building, whereby the owner of the building striving their very best to preserve the building and the guest house was awarded this recognition by the world heritage organization.

And, their warmth and hospitality that extend to every guest who chooses to stay with them have let the travellers around the world in giving their good credits for the guest house.

Once we entered the guest house, we were welcomed by the receptionist. And, it is a spacious waiting area, where there are some board games, guitar, chess board, card games, for the guests to use.

What attracted me was the wall paintings – a layang-layang (kites) on the clear blue sky. On our way to our room, there are bicycles which can be on rental for the guests if they want to.

The handcrafted wooden furniture, the wall paintings, and the decorations are really pieces of arts.

Not mentioning the fish pond, and the courtyard garden in the centre of the guesthouse. There is an un-use well there too. The children were so excited when they reached here and see all these lovely interior decorated guest house.

In the public areas of the guesthouse, complimentary wireless internet is provided.

There are a total of 8 shared bathrooms with hot shower. Although the guest house offer only shared bathrooms, they are spacious, neat and clean with unique laboratory design and equipped with quality toilet amenities.

Personally, we did not feel or experience any inconvenience on this count. The washing basins areas is so nicely done up, with the unique stone basins installed on top of the bare finish concrete top.

The kitchen area is well-appointed and the guests can enjoy free coffee, tea, alkaline water, and/or biscuits at anyone convenience. A large fridge is also convenient for us to keep own bottles or other stuff that needs temperature control. But, we do not use the fridge.

We do enjoy our stay here as it is really comfortable, relaxing, clean and the most affordably priced accommodation in a hospitable environment with friendly staff, as well as its proximity to Jonker Street, Kampung Keling Mosque, Stadthuys (Red Square), St. Paul’s Church, and many other attractions offered by Malacca.

We definitely will come back next time if we able to book it. As the Layang Layang Guest House is very difficult to book as it is very popular among the travellers.

We love this place! 

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Malacca Street Arts 28 – 31 May 2014

During our 4 days at Melacca, we did come across with various sorts of ‘arts’ along our walking tour in the midst of the Jonker Street areas. I do not manage to take every single one of it, it is just a lot, and it might be not just a few days tour if one really want to look at the arts and the traditional elements in every single streets of Melacca. It might be months!!! If you really want to study carefully.

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Next time, if really got time then will snap the photos more…

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!

Calanthe Art Cafe @ Jalan Hang Kasturi 30 May 2014

Calanthe Art Cafe. Located in a narrow alley just off the well-known Jonker Street, the cafe is like a quiet oasis, even though the decor doesn’t quite say the same thing – it is vibrantly furnished, with eclectic and creative touches such as rattan furniture hanging from the ceiling, hand-painted walls, and little trinkets on shelves throughout the property.

It might not sport the famous modern minimalist look every cafe is going for nowadays, but we can’t help but love this feast for wandering eyes.

We walked pass this cafe and thought it had a pretty interesting concept, featuring the different coffees from the different states in Malaysia. Truth to be told, I'm surprised about the different coffee brewed in the different states, making each one subtly different and unique in its own way.

Calanthe might be one good-looking cafe, but its wide array of coffee selections is what makes it famous. With the tagline ‘The First and Only One’, Calanthe is unique, serving specialty coffee drinks from all the 13 states of the country, so if you’re an adventurous coffee aficionado, this is definitely something you want to try.

Besides that, the cafe also offers one-of-a-kind blends such as green tea coffee (green tea and coffee with whipped cream on top), which I had ordered one and try! The green tea fragrance really mixed well together with the aroma of fine blended coffee beans!

‘Jealousy,’ a rich espresso blend with a dollop of mint paddy syrup; and ice-blended drinks such as ‘Cendol Ice Blenz’ (palm sugar and coconut milk topped with red beans and cendol) and ‘Pink Lady’, a concoction of vanilla, ice, whipped cream and strawberry sauce. Prices are more than attractive!

Alongside coffee, other delicious drinks such as milk shakes, smoothies, teas, and soda mixes are also on the menu, all creatively-curated for the non-coffee drinker.

A variety of alcohol-based drinks are also available; They highly recommend us their royale Bailey cocktail, a mixture of a single shot of espresso, Bailey and chocolate sauce, topped with a scoop of ice cream. But, Children just ordered the mango smoothies for themselves, as we would not allow them to take coffee.

As for their food items, Calanthe specialises in local food, and does so expertly, as it was listed in top 50 best laksa outlets in Malaysia by the Malaysian Tourism Body.

Laksa is a Nyonya spicy noodle soup, and the cafe’s version is loaded with ingredients such as tofu puffs, fried beancurd skin, eggs strips and fishcake slices, all in flavourful coconut gravy infused with lemongrass, turmeric and spices.

Another notable dish is golden rice, aka the cafe’s own version of nasi lemak. While the popular dish can easily be bought anywhere in the city, Calanthe’s comes with its special chicken rendang, together with usual nasi lemak condiments such as fried peanuts and anchovies.

We do not really in fond of the food while we were there, we just thinking of having drinks or coffee or tea, to take a rest before we continue to hunt for other treasures in the Jonker Street.

Homemade desserts are also in the action, and if you’re looking for something sweet to finish off your epic meal, take a bite into their highly raved-about brownie with ice cream. Its caramel slice also deserves a mention; this famous cafe treat is delicious with a cuppa, and is made using an authentic recipe passed down from generation to generation since 1960s.

Calanthe also sells its own merchandise, in the form of T-shirts, coffee cups with matching saucer and its 13 states coffee beans.

It is definitely a place you must drop by when you are around Jalan Hang Kasturi…

 

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Hard Rock Cafe Malacca 29 May 2014

Hard Rock Cafe Malacca is located at Lorong Hang Jebat, and it is just next to the bridge along the Melaka River. The location is superb as once you enter the Jonker Street areas, you will definitely notice its presence.

Experience all the unique curiosities of Jonker Street Market and cruise the length of the majestic Melaka River. Bask in Melaka’s rich history at the Sultanate Palace and explore the ruins of the Portuguese stronghold, A Famosa Fort, dating back to the 16th century.

Treat your taste buds to one of Hard Rock Cafe Legendary® Burgers and feast your senses on the instruments and iconic wardrobes of some of music’s greatest artists.

Besides that, the menu is uploaded with the best ingredients in authentic creations of Starters; Their homemade dressings to choose from Salads; The freshest ingredients Entrees; their signature Smokehouse Specialties; Smokehouse Sandwiches with pulled pork or chicken, served with seasoned fries and citrus coleslaw; Delicious desserts, shakes and coffees; of coarse All Time Asian Favourites.

We ordered Burgers, Nachos, Steaks and children would love some pastas and pizza as their favourite always ^^. Every dish comes in quite a big portion which we can share our food among each others.

Featuring fashions that dominated your favourite tours and guitars that headlined the world’s greatest venues, there is plenty to see and experience while you enjoy the food Hard Rock Cafe is famous for. At The Rock Shop® here at Hard Rock Cafe Melaka, we can take home a piece of the music with some of the exclusive merchandise available only here.

We really enjoyed the food and the friendliness and the hospitality from the the staffs whom served us at here!

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Malacca Zoo & Night Safari 29 May 2014

The Melaka Zoo is Malacca’s official zoo located in Ayer Keroh. Established since 1963, the zoo has over 1,200 live specimens of birds, mammals, reptiles and amphibians. Visited by almost half a million people each year, the Malacca zoo will be an insightful discovery of the richness of Malaysia’s wildlife. Visitors can view Malaysian tigers, wild oxen, rare primates and other wonderful creatures.

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During our visit there, we quite like the environment of the zoo itself. We felt cosy due to it was shaded with the trees and greens all over the zoo. Just that, we feel a bit odd as the animals there looked tired or inactive. Some of the habitats or cage areas were empty and did not maintain well. Some of the fencing also wear off too. The basic infrastructures too such as benches, lamp posts, and the pavements walkways also had a lot of dried leaves which seems like nobody sweep. Bushes were not cut as well. The house keeping really in bad shape.

Before we came, I did read on the newspapers and online news that, the Malacca Zoo was under tremendous critics as wildlife conservationists from various non-governmental organisations have spoken out that it were poorly managed and run down zoo. The animals are lesser and lesser on display and leading to them if the animals had been killed, or relocated or stolen.

It is true when we saw the animals were not at their good conditions or unhappy mood… Due to this reason, I did not take photos on the animals at all, except for the zoo entrance photo with the children… Hopefully, it would get better.