Seafood at Portuguese Settlement! :)

Later in the evening, we proceeded to dinner at Portuguese Settlement over at Ujong Pasir, a short distance from town and it is just next to the Lisbon Hotel. 

Few years ago, the place looked different, with the stalls all arranged in another manner. Naturally, to get the best view while dining, everyone would patronize the furthest stall, right by the sea, hence affecting the other stalls’ business. And of course, Choosing-A-Restaurant 102 : Pick the stall with the MOST customers still rang true.

But this time around, the whole stretch of stalls have relocated to the newly-built court, facing the sea, with paved walkway, and al fresco dining area as well as lighted ones. No prize for guessing which is the preferred choice.

Some have commented that the Malay seafood and ‘ikan bakar’ (grilled fish) over at Umbai area (way further than this) are better. Even my aunt (who visits Melaka about a gazillion times per year – she’s a tour guide, btw) recommended the ‘ikan bakar’ over at Umbai. Steamed Lala (clams) with Garlic and Chilli Padi, Kangkung (water convolvulus) stir-fried with Belacan (fermented shrimp paste?) and Batter-fried Squids.

 

Parking’s a breeze, as a spacious area is allocated. For your information, every stall sells the SAME stuff, basically Portugues Grilled Fish, and typical seafood dishes. Talk about originality. 

 This is the menu of the foods that they have.The have lot's of delicious and variety of seafood! And the food there i can guarantee you the taste is first class! We all ordered a set where u can order whatever u want in the set such as prawns, fish, vegetables, crab, squid, eggs and many more. We were in a group of 5 people, and each of us must pay at least RM 25.00 including drinks. That was cheap!

 This dish is knows as 'Kangkung Garlic'. Kangkung is a type of vegetable and the taste is nice just like spinach!

 Walla! This is crab! Butter crab and this was so delicious! the massive taste felt like eating it again and again! With the perfect view of the sea u feel like this is the best moment of your life :)

 Next is fish. This was more to 'sambal' fish. The taste was not bad too. A little bit spicy but the taste is perfect. You should try it to know how the taste looks like! :)

And, butter prawns! This dish is too delicious! one of my favorite dish of the night. I couldn't stop eating it! Come to Portuguese Settlement and taste all the seafood they have here! It wont be a waste  for you as the foods here are all tasty and 'finger licking' foods! :D

The Cultural Stage Show! :)

Other attractions in the park include weekly cultural shows and traditional games. Basically, this is an opportunity to see all Malaysian architecture and heritage in a short all-encompassing outing. And it's a nice break from the hustle and bustle of nearby urban Melaka.  

Malaysia is a multiracial country and society that is made ​​up of Malay, Indian, Chinese, Iban and elegantly. Various customs and culture can be learned from this multi-racial society, especially seen from the dance. Dance can be defined as a dance movement of the body, legs and arms to the beat of the music. The dances of each ethnic group has its origins and purpose of mak yong dance tersendiri.Sebagai example, zapin, gamelan, trance, Kathak, bhrata Natyam, a lion, a fan, ngajat and elegantly.

Our visit and the place itself became more meaningful with the presence of students. I learned that the “researchers” are a regular here since they are encouraged to augment their knowledge derived in the classroom through this.

     

 These are the old traditional monumen.Some are made up from clays, wood and also animal skin.

 

 This is the look of the stage. It looks like a typical Malay style stage with all the decorative stuffs and colors. 

Looking at the costumes they wearing according to the songs they are performing is really nice! they costumes are colorful. They performed cultural dance such as "dondang sayang" and others. Music of Malaysia is the generic term for music that has been created in various genres in Malaysia. A great variety of genres in Malaysian music reflect the specific ethnic groups of multiracial Malaysian society consisting of Malay, Chinese, Indian, Iban, Kadazan, Dayak, Euranians and many more.

                        

Mak Yong dance is a traditional Malay dance. Mak Yong dance drama is as a form of Malay dance drama that combines elements of ritual, stylized acting and dance, vocal music, songs, stories and text conversations are informal and unpretentious. Created for family entertainment in the King of Thailand, especially from the South, this dance also incorporates the romantic drama, dance and singing with a charming style that tells the heyday of the Malay sultanate. Suitable presented after the completion of the village people 'dibendang' rice harvest.

 

Zapin dance is a famous dance in the state of Johor. zapin word is derived from Al-zaffan of footwork. According to history of this dance is the first dance at the palace of entertainment brought from Hadramaut, Yemen, South by Arab traders in the 13th century intended to be devotional chanting to spread knowledge about the history of civilization islam.Kini, zapin still presented in a formal ceremony and informal. For example a wedding, opening ceremony and so on.

Hear is the sneak peak of one of the dance that they performed :) 

This dance theme is to represent the wonderful country of Malaysia with the song title 'Oh Malaysia!' With their nice and colourful costumes. The girls are wearing 'Baju Kebaya' and the guys are wearing 'Baju Melayu'. These are the traditional costumes for the Malays in Malaysia.

The look of the Mini Cultural Stage :) In Malaysia, we have many other cultural dance. Not only for Malay, Indian, Chinese but also other ethnics. This is why Malaysia is unique in its own way :) You should experience it and don't miss out this opportunity!

The Mini Malaysia! :)

The Taman Mini Malaysia cultural park is located a few kilometres outside of Melaka, near the town of Ayer Keroh. If you have an interest in traditional architecture and ways of life, this is a great place to go exploring. Each of the homes represents the architectural style of the 13 states in Malaysia and is furnished with various items, arts and crafts which depict the culture of each state.

Inside each house, you can find a range of genuine handicrafts originating from each state or county. The life-like figures 'inhabiting' each charming home on stilts are garbed in their respective traditional costumes.

Located at : Lebuh Ayer Keroh, 75450 Ayer Keroh 
                     Phone:06-232 1331 

Ticket Price: Adult: RM 10.00

                     Kids : RM 5.00

                     Student : RM 7.00

 This is how the entrance looks like! :)

The ticket. Per entry is RM 10 for adults! That's cheap for us and even the tourist! :)

 This is how it looks like inside of each houses. They are unique in their own way as they follow their own design and cultures architectures! It is all made up of wooden and even the house is made up from a strong wood! :D And above this picture is the old version of switch. In the past century, people use these kind of switches in their house.

 

 The Gongs are broadly of three types. Suspended gongs are more or less flat, circular discs of metal suspended vertically by means of a cord passed through holes near to the top rim. Bossed or nipple gongs have a raised centre boss and are often suspended and played horizontally. Bowl gongs are bowl-shaped, and rest on cushions and belong more to bells than gongs. Gongs are made mainly from bronze or brass but there are many other alloys in use.

This is the underground   of the house. The specialty of this house is, when its flooded, the water wont get into the house. Hence it is safe and things wont get spoil! :D

These pictures below are showing the types of houses representing each state in Malaysia and all have its own specialty and uniqueness! :)

Basically, this is a rare opportunity to see the whole Malaysian architecture and heritage in a short all-encompassing way.  And of course, a visit to the park will lend you a break from the constantly buzzing life of urban Malacca!

There is also a mini ASEAN park inside the park , that sports the culture of the whole Southeast Asia, the architecture, and lifestyle of the peoples of the whole region.  You can also go and have a look there.

 

These are the inside view of some houses. They will show the traditional dresses for each states and you can get to know them by their unique names. Besides, they also have some pictures, architectures, old artifact and many other things that you can see.

 

Although the general view of all these houses seem to be the same, they are not !! Because each one has its own identity and uniqueness. In addition to these traditional houses, visitors can also see a variety of cultural performances in addition to the traditional game.

The Taman Buaya Melaka (Melacca Crocodile Park) :)

Taman Buaya & Rekreasi Melaka (Melacca Crocodile Park), a sprawling 3.5 hectare park, housed on reserved forest land has been in operation since July 1987. Taman Buaya & Rekreasi Melaka Sdn Bhd (Melaka Crocodile Park) has about 100 species of crocodiles from around the world such as African Dwarf, Siamese, Indian Mugger, Hunchback and many more and they are kept in an atmosphere that is almost equal to their habitat.

Taman Buaya & Rekreasi Melaka (Melacca Crocodile Park) are now having a new attractions; Malaysia In Miniature which was build with 13 replica of historical monument as a symbolic of 13 famous attractions in Malaysia. Now visitor will impress with the beautiful scenery of walkthrough Aviary Bird Park and various species of reptiles at Reptile’s House. The latest attraction at Taman Buaya & Rekreasi Melaka Sdn Bhd (Melaka Crocodile Park) is the Water Playground. Open to all, and it has an area of 6000 square feet and a depth of between 1.5” and 2.5”. Other attraction in this park includes a fun ride, fun games, haunted house and Trains Ride into Jurassic World.


Visit time: 9:00 AM - 6:00 PM


Ticket price: ADULT: RM 5.00
                     KIDS: RM 3.00

For further information you can refer to this : Taman Buaya Melaka Sdn. Bhd.
                                                                          Pusat Pelancongan Air Keroh
                                                                          75450 Melaka
                                                                          Tel: +606 232 2349

That's the crocodile statue right front of the entrance :)

 

 

In the Crocodile farm, you can experience the Ghost House! It is really scary as u can see the pictures above. per entry cost RM 3.00

 So that's the crocodile. It's really scary if you see the crocodile is moving.  But most of the time they will rest and will not move. The farm was quite smelly and hot plus the crocodiles just love to sleep :)

 This young boy is actually working in the crocodile farm. He said that he have been working here for quite sometime and he have to be very careful when he is about to make the crocodile move. He also said that we cant be dreaming while you are in the farm as could be very dangerous. There they have

• 115 nos of crocodiles
• 4 spesies of crocodiles & 1 species of alligator

And that's me taking some pictures with the crocodiles! :D

 These crocodiles were actually fighting in the farm! We get to see the way they fight and it was really scary! Their mouth was bleeding and they were in pain. But somehow the farm keeper came and calm them down by making them go farm from each other.

 

Say hello to crocodile Haris! This crocodile is kept alone because he just love to fight and very firece! They said that he can eat 4 chickens at a time and sometimes even 11 chickens at a time! How cool is that! :D

In the farm there is even this beautiful creature! The peacock! They are simply beautiful when they open their wings. The colors are amazing especially the turquoise color on their body! 

 

!

This is the baby crocodile. He is 3 years old! :)

And this is crocodile's egg! It looks kind of big and heavy too!

 Say hello to parrots! Parrots, also known as psittacines, are birds of the roughly 372 species in 86 genera that make up the order Psittaciformes, found in most tropical and subtropical regions.

The turtle is huge as u can see the picture above. And there is a small baby turtle with it. The big turtle is actually kept from many years ago till now.

  

These are the Malaysian Miniature:

• 13 replica of historical monument in Malaysia.
• Keris, A Famosa, Stadthyus, Building of Parliament, Building of Perdana Putra ( Federal Government Administrative Centre ), Palace of Justice, Sepang F 1 Circuit, Rafflesia Flower, National Monument, National Mosque, Petronas Twin Tower, KL Tower and Penang Bridge.
• It was build to create awareness of patriotism among Malaysia Citizen.

These architecture to show visitors all the beautiful and important buildings we have here in Malaysia. This is a good experience to know more about Malaysia and the history hence you will love to visit more places here! :)