EXPLORAQUEST MELAKA - PUTU MAYAM SELLER AT JALAN SEMABOK DALAM - 12.2.2009

It was a "lo & behold" moment when we spotted Muthu along the road at Kg Semabok Dalam

He still sells the traditional white putu mayam the traditional way too ie. on a bicycle ziggy zagging in and out of the many lanes in Kampung Semabok Dalam

In English, putu mayam is called string hoppers and is made with rice flour and pressing the dough through a sieve to make vermicelli-like noodles

Putu mayam is served with grated coconut and gula melaka

Those interested to catch Muthu, you can wait along Jalan Semabok Dalam around 3.30pm - 4.30pm. It is his routine route

What's there to do?
1. While you wait you can also check out the many goreng pisang stalls by some of the kampung houses
2. Pack the putu mayam and ask for more coconut and gula melaka

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

EXPLORAQUEST MELAKA - NIGHT VIEWS FROM JAMBATAN CATHAY - 11.2.2009

These features may not look so glamorous during the day but are definitely attractive at night. This is the view of the Eye of Melaka from Jambatan Cathay

This facade is actually the back of a row of old shop houses brought to glam with the lights

Even the old unoccupied Cathay Theatre can turn majestic in the night.

(Here's what it's used to look like during its heydeys in the 60s)


This building is a recent add-on to the landscape and houses an eatery


This is the upriver view of the Mangrove Boardwalk from the old shophouses

What's there to do?
1. Stop for tea tarik at the eatery and watch the river boats go by
2. Practice your night photography
3. Sit and enjoy the sights by the river planter troughs
4. Walk on the boardwalk
5. Ride the Eye of Melaka and do the Pirate Ship
6. Get a 360 degree view from Jambatan Cathay

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

EXPLORAQUEST MELAKA - NIGHT VIEWS FROM MEDAN HANG TUAH - 11.2.2009

Here's another set of views from a different angle and at river level. These palms adorn the sidewalks at the Hang Tuah plaque and fountain display. This is also where one of the new public toilets is located.

Across the river, is the iconic Clock Tower at Dewan Hang Tuah and looking pretty in deep pink. Unlike Big Ben, Dewan Hang Tuah Clock chimes at every hour to a popular Malay tune ending with a gong strike

The new eatery across the river connects to old shop houses. You can choose to sit in or outside alfresco style from where you can get to wave at the people on the river boats

The Eye of Melaka is located after the Cathay Bridge and is the brightest-lit because of the blue neons

There are two ways to go across the river - you can use the Hang Tuah Bridge (which is nearer, if you are at Medan Hang Tuah) or the Cathay Bridge

What's there to do>
1. Check out the clock chime, identify the tune and hear the sound of the gong
2. Check out the Hang Tuah plaque
3. Walk the bridges and see the sights

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

EXPLORAQUEST MELAKA - NIGHT VIEWS FOM JAMBATAN HANG TUAH - 11.2.2009

This is the view of two river walk cafes. One is a contemporary cafe with wireless internet access and the other has a more typical laid back coffee shop environment

On Hang Tuah Bridge, you will get to see a more picturesque view of the Clock Tower at Dewan Hang Tuah lined with glittering lights along the new walkway

From the mid portion of the Hang Tuah Bridge, you can get a more extensive view of both sides of the river. Notice the very well lit walkway on the right with palms. This palmy spot is called Medan Hang Tuah

Here's a more fuller view of Medan Hang Tuah that display a large copper plaque with a pictorial collage of stories of the Melaka Sultanate during the time og Hang Tuah. A great amenity here is the new and well lit public toilet


This is fuller picture of the eatery and the shophouse block. Notice the majestic colours that transform these buildings into photogenic opportunities

What's there to do?
1. More night photo practices
2. Listen to the chime of the clock
3. Check out the menus of the two cafes
4. Choose to go upriver or downriver to explore further

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

EXPLORAQUEST MELAKA - NIGHT VIEW OF DEWAN HANG TUAH CLOCK TOWER - 11.2.2009

This is the night view of the iconic and still functioning Clock Tower at Dewan Hang Tuah from across the road. Dewan Hang Tuah is a multi-purpose hall and a public library

What's there to do?
1. Listen to the chime and gong beat on the hour
2. Choose to explore down river, upriver or in the direction of the traffic towards Hang Tuah Mall or against the traffic towards Jalan Bunga Raya
3. Check out the library

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

EXPLORAQUEST MELAKA - LE TOUR DE LANGKAWI MELAKA STAGE 3 - 11.2.2009

Stage 3 Le Tour de Langkawi on 11.2.2009 started from Dataran Pahlawan and ends at Hang Tuah Mall. The cyclists arrived from Bangi on 10.2.2009. Race proper starts at 10.00am and racers arrive as early as 8.00am. The Korean team seen here arriving

Racers get ready for the race with all kinds of personal and professional regimes on the sidewalks

Sun block is a must for this racer from China. It was perfect weather with blue skies and steady gusts of morning wind

The start off had over 100 racers


Racers passing by the Clock Tower of Dewan Hang Tuah about 500m from the finish line at Hang Tuah Mall.

Mini history - Tour de Langkawi is a cycling race started in 1996. It was named after Langkawi because Langkawi was the starting point in the first few editions of the race

What's there to do?
1. Come the next Le Tour get ready for a great photo opportunity
2. While waiting for the start or ending, explore the many shops at Dataran Pahlawan and Hang Tuah Mall
3. Take photos with some of the great racers

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

EXPLORAQUEST MELAKA - KIDS IN TRADITIONAL COSTUME AT LE TOUR DE LANGKAWI MELAKA STAGE 3 - 11.2.2009

These kids dressed in brightly coloured traditional costumes were part of the attraction at the Melaka Stage 3 Le Tour de Langkawi on 11.2.2009

The costumes came with a variety of interesting headgear especially for the girls

Most of the costumes represented the different ethnic costumes of people in Melaka like the Portuguese, Malay, Chitty, Baba Nyonya and Indian

Floral accessories adorned the hair of this little girl


While others had equally interesting tiara-like ones

What's there to do during the Le Tour?
1. Photo opportunity
2. Get to interact with the kids and their parents from the different communities

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