EXPLORAQUEST MELAKA - THE STADHUYS - 16.2.2009

This is the most iconic landmark of World Heritage City Melaka. Just mention the Clock Tower and just about every local worth his salt will tell you exactly where it is.

The Stadhuys more nostalgically known as the Red House gives the area a more stately feel when you get to walk about in its 'compound'

The Melaka Youth Museum is an architectural delight in itself and houses others such as the Maritime Archaeological Museum on the right and a post office to the left

The Clock Tower it is stated, was donated by a Chinese philanthropist in memory of a historic event and is working today

The Queen Victoria Fountain completed in 1901 provides the aesthetic to the place and usually "poses" for photographs with the visitors local and foreigners alike

A colourful addition is the beautiful and flowerful plants that adorn the landscape greens

Beyond the Clock Tower is the Chan Koon Cheng Bridge which is the first of many bridges (for traffic as well as for pedestrians) that crosses the Melaka River

These multi-coloured zinnias are a hit as much as their more historical architectural brethens

Other variety of lushly blooming plants also adorn the landscape

Much of these wonderful effort to beautify the Dutch Square must be accredited to the Melaka Cityhall



The Christ Church is perhaps the oldest church here and stands picturesque. It is another popular pictoral landmark favourite with locals and foreigners

The tops of brightly coloured brollies line the side of the Stadhuys which houses trinket and souvenirs sellers




Not to loose out on all the glam that goes with The Stadhuys are the iconic becas now more colourful than ever and living it up to the times



Break time is anytime pending customers and usually a light meal is enjoyed


What's there to do?
1. Explore MAM, Christ Church, Stadhuys more thoroughly
2. Hire a ride on the beca to other historic landmarks nearby
3. Take a break at the cendol stall
4. Visit the Tourist Police Infomation Office
5. Throw a coin and make as many wishes as you can at the Queen Victoria Fountain

Now who says there's nothing to see and nothing to do in Melaka?

EXPLORAQUEST MELAKA - AUNTY LEE PERANAKAN RESTAURANT - 16.2.2009

Here's where you can find authentic nyonya food. Aunty Lee is probably the only peranakan restaurant located in Ujong Pasir

Check out the opening times below. They are closed on every Tuesdays


What's there to do?
1. Check out their menu and savour your preferred nyonya dishes for lunch or for dinner
2. On the way you might want to stop at the Portuguese Settlement
3. Look out for the goreng pisang stall at Ming Huat restaurant that also sells 3 different types of curry puff
4. If you have time after lunch at Aunty Lee, you could drive about 2 km towards Padang Temu to check out a unique museum called RumahKu MuseumKu that belongs to Haji Nordin

Now who says there's nothing to see and nothing to do in Melaka?

EXPLORAQUEST MELAKA - POPULAR NYONYA KUEH AT UJONG PASIR - 16.2.2009

Wow one look at these kueh kueh, you know they are very nyonya types. On thgis plate there is the ondeh-ondeh (with grated coconut), kueh kochi (wrapped in banana leaf) and pulut kacang (triangular shaped wrappings)

Wah this kueh kochi makes your mouth water! It tastes as good as it looks!

This nyonya laksa is another super item you must try. Once tried you will be hooked!

And don't leave the shop without trying the ice kacang. Beneath all the ice shavings, you will get a generous amount and variety of fruitty condiments that we have not seen elsewhere


So make you way to Jasmine Deli. You can't miss. It's next to Aunty Lee Nyonya Restaurant in Ujong Pasir.

What's there to do?
1. Check all this items and their other favourites - curry ayam rice, fried kuey teow, mee siam, nasi lemak
2. Visit RumahKu MuseumKu at Padang Temu
3. Go to Portuguese Settlement
4. Visit the only Gujerati Temple in Melaka

Now who says there's nothing to see and nothing to do in Melaka?

EXPLORAQUEST MELAKA - FANCY SIGN AT JALAN KUBU FIRE BRIGADE STATION - 16.2.2009

One of the quirkier signs we have seen! It's suppose to say BOMBA a Malay term for Fire Brigade. Once letter less and its the word BOMB in English....great for a da Vinci type code game!

What's there to do?
1. Stay away

Now who says there's nothing to see and nothing to do in Melaka?

EXPLORAQUEST MELAKA - FANCY SIGN AT MAHKOTA HOTEL - 16.2.2009

Now this is a serious sign. You MUST turn left!...or reverse?

What's there to do?
1. Follow the instruction!

Now who says there's nothing to see and nothing to do in Melaka?

EXPLORAQUEST MELAKA - KAMPUNG MORTEN - 15.2.2009

If you want to do a night sight-see by the river, you can take the river boat and it goes all the way to Kampung Morten. These kampung houses are located on the upper part of Kampung Morten and before the boats make a u-turn

Alternatively, you can drive and park your car at Medan Bunga Raya and walk along the riverside walkway


This lighted floral decor on the lampost on the walkway is probably inspired by the animated lighted ones on display behind the Flor dela Mar Museum

What's there to do?
1. Night photography, bring a camera stand
2. Have a coffee or tea at Medan Bunya Raya food court
3. Go visit some of the houses if it's not too late (oh oh you will have to find a way to cross the river from Medan Bunga Raya as the new bridge has not been built yet
4. Look out for the Chinese shop that is well known for prawn noodles and large curry puffs

Now who says there's nothing to see and nothing to do in Melaka?

EXPLORAQUEST MELAKA - HOLIDAY INN JETTY - 15.2.2009

The Eye of Malaysia can seen in the distance beyond the Holiday Inn car park

This is the entrance of the Jetty clearly a nice site at twilight

On the lower left, it's a Balinese-style cafe that sells local menu and on the upper floor, you can get satay celup and steam boat. On the right ground floor is a pub cum club with a live band opened to public. On the first floor, there are more restaurants and a multi-room karaoke centre at the end


It's a very long jetty so a buggy service is provided

What's there to do?
1. Enjoy the sunset
2. Have dinner
3. Go Karaoke - all rooms apparently have sea view
4. Chill out at the pub

Now who says there's nothing to see and nothing to do in Melaka?

EXPLORAQUEST MELAKA - EYE OF MALAYSIA - 15.2.2009

This is one of the latest attraction in Heritage City Melaka. It's really an asset to the local tourism as it offers another bird's eye view of the various heritage sites around the Melaka River





The location of the Eye is part of a larger complex of new structures that will include a space centre project which is presently being constructed

What's there to do?
1. Go for the ride
2. Go for the ride again

Now who says there's nothing to see and nothing to do in Melaka?

EPLORAQUEST MELAKA - MALACCA KITES FESTIVAL DAY 2 - 15.2.2009

The Malacca Kite Festival was held for two days from 14-15 Feb 2009. Participants then left for Pasir Gudang in Johor for the next leg

This is a hand-bag kite
This must be designed after somebody's favourite pants

The white dome shaped structure beside the Eye of Malaysia is also a new item in the complex. At night it's like a giant dome shaped screen that features video documentaries

This is an interesting tri-kite that is not designed to fly on its own. It is a pretty challenging kite as one will have to control its flight at all times. It is very arrow dynamic and can zoom around like a jet plane and make loops



What's there to do?
1. Now that they have all left and gone, you are welcome to bring your own kite to play and practice for the next Kite Festival next year

Now who says there's nothing to see and nothing to do in Melaka?