Wednesday, March 30, 2011

ES Teler 77

I was at the old part of KL when I stumbled this food outlet, ES Teler 77 which is just situated next to the Central Market. Wanting to taste something new, I browse through their menu and figure out they serve Indonesian style food.

There are a number of food choices to pick on, either a rice or noodle based meal. I opted for Mie Pedas Special (Special Hot Noodle). The price is fairly reasonable at RM 8.90 which comes with a bowl of noodle and a hot soup.

The noodle is tasty and topped with minced meat. This dish actually remind me of the signature dish at my hometown, the kampua noodle.

The soup is kept warm by a burning fire underneath. It consists of vegetable, meatballs and wanton with traces of minced meat. Definitely go well with the spicy noodle.

I ordered ES Cendol (RM 5) and its taste varied slightly from the local version as they add jack fruit to it which gave it a little distinctive taste.

The restaurant is actually a 3 storey building and I took my place on the first floor where I can observe the hustle and bustle just outside the Central Market.

Monday, March 28, 2011

The Royal Malaysian Navy Museum

The Royal Malaysian Navy is one of the military branches in Malaysia. The museum is devoted to it is situated opposite the Maritime Museum in Malacca.

It acts as a documentation centre and a store of information on the history, development and activities of the the Royal Malaysian Navy up to the present time.

The WASP HA5 MK 1 helicopter model seems to be the centre stage inside the exhibiton centre.

The exhibits include portraits of the commanding officers of the RMN, service medals, badges of rank, uniforms, communication equipment, safety equipment and the flags used at sea.

Various model of warships owned by the RMN to guard the nation's coastline.

Behind the museum is a real warship where visitor can actually climb onboard to get a feel of working onboard a war vessel.

The museum is worth going for those military enthusiasm. Entrance to this museum is free with the purchase of the Maritime Museum ticket.

Saturday, March 26, 2011

Malacca Maritime Museum Phase II

The Maritime Museum Phase II is housed in a building which was formerly a Guthrie's godown next to the replica of Portuguese Nao (Flor de La Mar) in Malacca.

The concept of this museum is "Ocean and the Mankind". It depicts how human being perceived and derived benefits from the seas.

I am quite impressed by the interior design as some sections are designed to resembled a ship hull with the frame and girder vividly visible.

The museum's display reflect the concept in which the civilization and technological change flourish in line with the development of the nation.

There is also a section dedicated to the marine life which lived in the ocean

The question and solution to the secret and mystery of the seas and their contribution to the civilization of mankind may be answered by the visit here.

Thursday, March 24, 2011

Malacca Maritime Museum

This imposing structure along Jalan Quayside is the most visited museum in Malacca. It is definitely a must see museum when visiting Malacca.

The Maritime Museum is actually a replica of a Portuguese galleon "Flor De La Mar" (Flower of the Seas). I been told the actual galleon is much bigger than this replica. The museum measures 110 feet long and 22 feet wide with its interior modified to adopt its purpose as a museum.


Herein lies in the cargo hold the invaluable treasure of the nation, taken away by the colonial masters after they had conquered Malacca in 1511.

But by the will of God, the ship sank on 26 January 1512 in the Straits of Malacca on her voyage to Europe.

The museum is open daily from 9am - 5pm with the exception of Friday to Sunday where it is closed at 8.30pm. Entrance fee is RM 3 for adult and RM 1 for children below 12 years old. Admission is free for children below 6 years old. A ticket here will entitle the visitors to enter 2 additional museum, the Maritime Museum Phase II and the Royal Malaysian Navy Museum.

This museum features the maritime history of Malacca from the four eras, namely the Golden Era of the Malacca Malay Sultanate (1400-1511), the Portuguese Era (1511-1641), the Dutch Era (1641-1795) and the British Era (1824-1957) up to the time of independence of Malaya in 1957.

The main focus of the museum is on Malacca's maritime history and its glory. Its exhibits include a variety of spices, a diorama, audio visual, ancient maps, models of ships and artifacts.

The Malacca Port diorama visualizes the liveliness of the trading activity in the port during the Malacca Malay Sultanate. Ships laden with cargo from all over the world came in turns to seek riches and fortunes. In Malay World, in line with its popularity as the Venice of the East. Malacca offered a large variety of merchandise including spices, silk and porcelain. Traders from Arab, China, India and Malay Archipelago bargained and sold their merchandise and obtained large profits.

Ancient stamps which depict the war ships of foreign conqueror, ancient galleys, modern vessels and the potraits of the great navigators

Display of the Malacca Sultanate tin coinage from 1400 to 1510

Weapons used by foreign conqueror which at the time were more superior and advance than the locals.

This is the statue of Hang Tuah, a legendary warrior/hero who lived in the 15th century of the Sultanate of Malacca. He was regarded as the greatest of all the Sultan's admirals and known to be ferocious fighter.

Alfonso de Albuquerque was instrumental in forming the Portuguese administration system in Malacca. He also initiated the construction of the defense fortress known as the A Famosa.

This is actually a sad picture of the ship where the ship ballast tank at the stern was used as detention room. This detention room held prisoners of war of all races, slaves and sailors who had committed crimes, while awaiting their punishment. Cramped against each other in a dark and congested room, these prisoners had totally lost their freedom. The fate of these slaves and prisoners was determined upon their arrival at the ports. It was in this room that Albuqueque was believed to have held a large number of Malays with various expertise to be taken back to Portugal to serve her King and country.

This museum serves to remind the Malaysians that when we lose political power, we lose everything