Friday 17 August 2007

50th Merdeka Celebrations at Dataran Pahlawan

I witnessed the launch of the Fly the Jalur Gemilang Campaign held at Dataran Pahlawan, Malacca today in conjunction with Malaysia's upcoming 50th independence anniversary. This event was attended by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi and other national leaders. For more information about this event, read these news articles:
200,000 Throng Melaka's Dataran Pahlawan For Merdeka Celebrations - Bernama
Abdullah leads vintage motorcade - NST

At 6 pm, I walked across Malacca River to Dataran Pahlawan. My car was parked as far as possible away from the location of this event, because the roads may be blocked due to the crowd. Along the way, I managed to grab these photos:


This is the famous Tan Beng Swee Clock Tower of Malacca. Not far away are the Stadhuys, Queen Victoria's Fountain and Christ Church. (Ref. No.: IMG_33590001)
Time: 6.25 pm
Photographer's location: 2.194394° N, 102.248552° E
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The uncompleted part of Dataran Pahlawan under construction. (Ref. No.: IMG_33600001)
Time: 6.41 pm
Photographer's location: 2.190983° N, 102.252308° E
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At about 8 pm, cars of VIPs and special guests started arriving at Dataran Pahlawan. I was standing in front of Bastion House (Location: 2.191436°N, 102.250000°E) and I took pictures of them passing by.


(Ref. No.: IMG_33620001)
Time: 8.06 pm
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(Ref. No.: IMG_33660001)
Time: 8.13 pm
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(Ref. No.: IMG_33670001)
Time: 8.16 pm
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(Ref. No.: IMG_33690001)
Time: 8.20 pm
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While waiting for the Prime Minister...


Students from St. Francis Institution nearby waving the Jalur Gemilang and singing patriotic songs. (Ref. No.: IMG_33700001)
Time: 8.26 pm
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At around 9.17 pm, the Prime Minister's motorcade approached the place I was standing. His car is a vintage Nash Rambler Custom Convertible 1951 and bore the registration number M 4442. The car also carried Chief Minister Datuk Seri Mohd Ali Rustam and Culture Arts and Heritage Minister Datuk Seri Rais Yatim.


(Ref. No.: IMG_33800001)
Time: 9.17 pm
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From left: Datuk Seri Rais Yatim, Datuk Seri Mohd Ali Rustam and Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi. (Ref. No.: IMG_33820001)
Time: 9.17 pm
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Following the Prime Minister is a procession of antique cars and motorbikes.


(Ref. No.: IMG_33830001)
Time: 9.18 pm
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(Ref. No.: IMG_33850001)
Time: 9.19 pm
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After the motorcade left, I set out towards the top of Dataran Pahlawan.


An RTM cameraman at the scene. (Ref. No.: IMG_33910001)
Time: 9.29 pm
Photographer's location: 2.191406° N, 102.250611° E
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The crowd on top of Dataran Pahlawan. At the centre are performers in colourful traditional clothes. Surrounding them are people holding banners with writings similar to those in 1957 when Malaysia obtained independence. (Ref. No.: IMG_33920001)
Time: 9.34 pm
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I left the place at 10 pm, before the event ended.


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Sunday 29 July 2007

Down Malacca River

This evening, I took a stroll along Malacca River (Malay: Sungai Melaka), which have undergone beautification for the past few years.

From my starting point north of Kampung Morten ("kampung" means village in Malay), I walked down south towards the Hang Tuah Bridge and turned back to my starting point again.


Malacca River. On the left is Kampung Morten. The three tall buildings which are visible (from left) are Bayview Hotel, Putra Specialist Hospital and Renaissance Hotel. (Ref. No.: IMG_33500001)
Time: 5.56 pm
Photographer's location: 2.206092° N, 102.250775° E
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Kampung Morten and its characteristic Malay-style houses. (Ref. No.: IMG_33510001)
Time: 5.59 pm
Photographer's location: 2.204617° N, 102.251342° E
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More of Kampung Morten. The building with a pointed roof is the local mosque. (Ref. No.: IMG_33530001)
Time: 6.05 pm
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A monitor lizard seen at the shallow part of the river. (Ref. No.: IMG_33540001)
Time: 6.10 pm
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A boat seen cruising along the river carrying sightseers. (Ref. No.: IMG_33550001)
Time: 6.13 pm
Photographer's location: 2.201439° N, 102.249911° E
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The old Cathay Cinema building. It was used as a furniture shop before being abandoned. (Ref. No.: IMG_33560001)
Time: 6.18 pm
Photographer's location: 2.200522° N, 102.248986° E
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A few metres after the cinema, I turned back following my original path. I took one last photo.


The ruins of Rosary Chapel built by the Portuguese. (Ref. No.: IMG_33570001)
Time: 6.29 pm
Photographer's location: 2.201875° N, 102.251192° E
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For a brief introduction and history of Rosary Chapel, read the following news article:
Ruins with interesting tales - AllMalaysia.info


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Thursday 22 February 2007

Pangkor Trip '07 - Day 3 - Back to Lumut

This post is part of the Pangkor Trip 2007 series.
Day 1 Lumut · Approaching Pangkor Island · Havana Beach Resort · Nipah Bay Beach · Dinner
Day 2 More Hornbills · Boat Ride & Pulau Giam · White Tom Yam
Day 3 A Fireworm · Back to Lumut

At noon, I was already packing my belongings and about to say goodbye to the folks on Pangkor Island. The trip from Havana Beach Resort to Pangkor Jetty in Pangkor Town was on board a taxi. I was soon waiting to take a ferry back to Lumut.


Part of a fishing village near Pangkor Jetty. (Ref. No.: IMG_32890001)
Time: 12.21 pm
Photographer's location: 4.213386° N, 100.576869° E
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A ferry approaching Pangkor Jetty. (Ref. No.: IMG_32930001)
Time: 12.59 pm
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An hour later, I was back at Lumut.


A road leading away from Lumut Ferry Terminal. (Ref. No.: IMG_32950001)
Time: 2.04 pm
Photographer's location: 4.2362° N, 100.6329° E
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This was the end of Pangkor Trip 2007.


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Pangkor Trip '07 - Day 3 - A Fireworm

This post is part of the Pangkor Trip 2007 series.
Day 1 Lumut · Approaching Pangkor Island · Havana Beach Resort · Nipah Bay Beach · Dinner
Day 2 More Hornbills · Boat Ride & Pulau Giam · White Tom Yam
Day 3 A Fireworm · Back to Lumut

The morning was spent as usual at Nipah Bay Beach. There were many water sports activities there, for example jet skiing, canoeing and banana boat ride. I tried out the banana boat ride and it was great fun (sadly, no photos). Later, somebody caught a fireworm washed up on the beach using a water bottle - and I had a chance to photograph this sea creature back at my chalet at Havana Beach Resort.

The following photo and a video show the fireworm swimming in the water bottle from a top-down perspective:


(Ref. No.: IMG_32720001)
Time: 11.09 am
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(Ref. No.: MVI_32730001)
Time: 11.10 am



I broke off taking pictures of the fireworm for a while...


The road in front of Havana Beach Resort. (Ref. No.: IMG_32790001)
Time: 11.35 am
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One more shot of the fireworm, this time viewed from the side of the bottle:


(Ref. No.: IMG_32820001)
Time: 11.40 am
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The fireworm was later released back into the sea.


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Wednesday 21 February 2007

Pangkor Trip '07 - Day 2 - White Tom Yam

This post is part of the Pangkor Trip 2007 series.
Day 1 Lumut · Approaching Pangkor Island · Havana Beach Resort · Nipah Bay Beach · Dinner
Day 2 More Hornbills · Boat Ride & Pulau Giam · White Tom Yam
Day 3 A Fireworm · Back to Lumut

I had today's lunch at Purnama Beach Resort, north of Havana Beach Resort at Nipah Bay. After the main course, I tasted what was called "White Tom Yam". Although "white" without a hint of spiciness, it could put your tongue on fire like a regular dish of tom yam.


A dish of white tom yam served by the restaurant at Purnama Beach Resort. (Ref. No.: IMG_32530001)
Time: 1.20 pm
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The rest of the day was spent either at the beach or at the hotel. I took my dinner once again at Purnama Beach Resort during the evening.

This ended day 2 on Pangkor Island.


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Pangkor Trip '07 - Day 2 - Boat Ride & Pulau Giam

This post is part of the Pangkor Trip 2007 series.
Day 1 Lumut · Approaching Pangkor Island · Havana Beach Resort · Nipah Bay Beach · Dinner
Day 2 More Hornbills · Boat Ride & Pulau Giam · White Tom Yam
Day 3 A Fireworm · Back to Lumut

It was time for the most interesting event during this trip - a boat ride around Nipah Bay and a visit to Pulau Giam ("pulau" means island in Malay).


Fellow travellers, with their life jackets on, waiting to take a boat ride around Nipah Bay. Pulau Giam is visible in the distance. (Ref. No.: IMG_32240001)
Time: 9.58 am
Photographer's location: 4.231286° N, 100.545297° E
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After waiting for the boatmen to get ready their boats, I was soon breaking the waves around Nipah Bay.


Corals visible underneath the clear sea water at Nipah Bay. (Ref. No.: IMG_32300001)
Time: 10.12 am
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Batu Buaya (literally Crocodile Rock) - A rock formation shaped like a crocodile's head. (Ref. No.: IMG_32330001)
Time: 10.15 am
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Later, the boatmen took us to Pulau Giam, an island north of Nipah Bay. We were supposed to do some snorkelling on this island, but it was crowded with people. However, we did go down the sea just like other people.


Tourists arriving in droves at Pulau Giam for snorkelling, causing it to be crowded. (Ref. No.: IMG_32370001)
Time: 10.21 am
Photographer's location: 4.234800° N, 100.540211° E
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A small clearing on Pulau Giam. (Ref. No.: IMG_32400001)
Time: 10.25 am
Photographer's location: 4.235613° N, 100.540038° E
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Back at Nipah Bay Beach...


A boat similar to the one used during the boat ride lying on Nipah Bay Beach. (Ref. No.: IMG_32510001)
Time: 11.35 am
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Pangkor Trip '07 - Day 2 - More Hornbills

This post is part of the Pangkor Trip 2007 series.
Day 1 Lumut · Approaching Pangkor Island · Havana Beach Resort · Nipah Bay Beach · Dinner
Day 2 More Hornbills · Boat Ride & Pulau Giam · White Tom Yam
Day 3 A Fireworm · Back to Lumut

It was almost 9 in the morning, and a boat ride was planned at about 10. While waiting for the time to come at Havana Beach Resort, I captured more pictures of the hornbills there.


A hornbill on the roof of a chalet at Havana Beach Resort. (Ref. No.: IMG_32210001)
Time: 8.58 am
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Two hornbills on the roof. (Ref. No.: IMG_32220001)
Time: 8.59 am
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A pair of hornbills perching on the roof. (Ref. No.: IMG_32230001)
Time: 9.01 am
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Tuesday 20 February 2007

Pangkor Trip '07 - Day 1 - Dinner

This post is part of the Pangkor Trip 2007 series.
Day 1 Lumut · Approaching Pangkor Island · Havana Beach Resort · Nipah Bay Beach · Dinner
Day 2 More Hornbills · Boat Ride & Pulau Giam · White Tom Yam
Day 3 A Fireworm · Back to Lumut

It was evening already after having fun at the beach. Time to have dinner!


View from my chalet at Havana Beach Resort in the evening. (Ref. No.: IMG_32140001)
Time: 6.37 pm
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For today's dinner, I went to Kiah Lim Restaurant (Malay: Restoran Kiah Lim) at Sungai Pinang Besar.


Kiah Lim Restaurant during dinner time. (Ref. No.: IMG_32150001)
Time: 7.16 pm
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The road leading to Kiah Lim Restaurant with red lanterns hanging above it, signifying Chinese New Year. (Ref. No.: IMG_32160001)
Time: 7.17 pm
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The same road at night with the lanterns lighted up. (Ref. No.: IMG_32180001)
Time: 8.47 pm
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After dinner, there weren't many more activities on Pangkor Island. The only thing to do was to go back to the resort. However, in conjunction with Chinese New Year, the resort management decided to give us a show of fireworks.

A resort worker setting off a firework at night at the entrance of Havana Beach Resort, drawing cheers from fellow tourists. (Ref. No.: MVI_32190001)
Time: 6.36 pm



This ended day 1 on Pangkor Island.


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Pangkor Trip '07 - Day 1 - Nipah Bay Beach

This post is part of the Pangkor Trip 2007 series.
Day 1 Lumut · Approaching Pangkor Island · Havana Beach Resort · Nipah Bay Beach · Dinner
Day 2 More Hornbills · Boat Ride & Pulau Giam · White Tom Yam
Day 3 A Fireworm · Back to Lumut

Tired of being in the resort for so long, it was time to go to the beach! Nipah Bay Beach was just across a road opposite Havana Beach Resort.

The following photos show Nipah Bay Beach and its surroundings:


Southern part of Nipah Bay Beach with two boats on it. (Ref. No.: IMG_31940001)
Time: 3.45 pm
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Northern part of Nipah Bay. (Ref. No.: IMG_31950001)
Time: 3.46 pm
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A motorboat coasting along Nipah Bay. (Ref. No.: IMG_31970001)
Time: 3.51 pm
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Images of the beach itself:


Waves lapping onto Nipah Bay Beach. (Ref. No.: IMG_32080001)
Time: 4.01 pm
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Somebody's name ('Yuzhe') written on the clean and sandy beach . (Ref. No.: IMG_32120001)
Time: 4.39 pm
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