MELAKA WAS PRACTISING MEDICAL TOURISM SINCE 19TH. CENTURY

Do you know that Melaka was already practising medical tourism since 19th. Century? Stamford Raffles, the founder of Singapore in 1819, had to seek refuge in Melaka to recuperate in early 1800s. He and his wife stayed in a big house located somewhere at Banda Hilir.Compared to the malarial backwater of Tumasek then, Malacca, which has already been occupied since 14th. Century, must certainly be "developed" to a certain extent.Old records showed us that the weather in Malacca was mild and less humid, thus conducive for people who want to stay here to recuperate from their illnesses. It was during his stay in Malacca while recovering from his illness that Sir Stamford Raffles witnessed the blatant destruction of Malacca by the British. Munshi Abdullah also recorded this eventful event as well in his "Hikayat Abdullah".So, medical tourism for Melaka is not new to us Malaccans. Melaka has been a destination of choice for seeking medical assistance and we should capitalise on it. More and more Indonesians are coming over to Melaka for their medical care. Compared to the more expensive medical care in Singapore, Kuala Lumpur and Penang, the proximity of Melaka to Sumatra and the Riau archipelago, Melaka is the best choice. The recent completed airport terminal and extended runway of our Melaka International Airport at Batu Berendam will certainly help to bring over more medical tourists and their family members. Ferry services from Dumai can do their part in this matter.We believe a number of companies have also seen the benefit of Melaka being a destination for medical tourism. To date, some companies will be building medical facilities and condominiums for those seeking medical help in Malacca.

TENDER FOR PROPOSED MELAKA CABLE CAR PROJECT

Tender Notice was recently published in local newspapers to invite interested companies to invest or build the Proposed Cable Car project in Melaka. This is another project being done in Melaka to enhance the attractiveness of Melaka to visitors as a prime place to visit.THE TENDER NOTICEKumpulan Melaka Berhad has published an invitation to tender for interested parties to invest or build the proposed cable car project to connect Pulau Melaka with the Eye of Malaysia site at the mouth of Melaka River.The route will link Pulau Melaka to the place near to Mahkota Parade/Newton Food court and to the Eye of Malaysia.Interested parties can collect the Tender documents for a fee of RM 50.00 from the Office of Kumpulan Melaka Berhad at No. 24-5 and 26-5, 5th. Floor, Bangunan Kota Cermelang, Hang Tuah Jaya, 75450 Libuh Ayer Keroh, Melaka from 11th. May 2009 until 11th June 2009 during office hours.Their telephone number is 06-2327880 or fax : 06-2328980

AVILLION LEGACY MELAKA HOTEL

The vibrant culture heart of Malaysia...Take a journey into history and relive the magical grace and splendour of Malacca while staying with us at The Avillion Legacy Hotel Melaka. Here we offer you a tantalizing taste of the past in the midst of luxurious and modern facilities, in a hotel uniquely designed to reflect an old-world charm and the rich Malacca heritage that surrounds it.Strategically located in the centre of the historical town, this 15-storey, four star deluxe property has everything you would expect from a class hotel with so much to offer to holiday makers or business travellers.

Legacy & Luxury defined...Unsurpassed comfort and luxury await every guest, along with the little touches that make your stay a special one. The elegance of our guestrooms and suites is complemented by the impeccable service provided by our Legacy Team. Enjoy the convenience of Service One, a service to cater to your every need during your stay, with just the simple touch of a button.



ACCOMMODATION - 235 Guest rooms & suites with
IDD hands-free telephone with 2 data lines and voice mail
In room computer/fax facilities
Astro channels
Coffee & tea making facilities
Minibar and refrigerator
In-room electronic safe
Iron and board
Hair dryer and bathroom telephone extension
Electronic key card security system
Non-smoking floors available



DINING & ENTERTAINMENT
Casual Dining Restaurant - All day dining
Legacy Lobby Lounge
Pool bar (All F&B facilities are Halal-no-pork or pork bi-products)



RECREATION
Outdoor swimming pool with sun terrace
Children's wading pool
Golf upon request
Malacca Heritage Trail upon request



OTHERS
Covered parking lots
Business Services Centre with internet facilities
24-hours Doctor on call
Male / female surau
Limousine, tour & travel services
Ballroom and function rooms for conventions, banquets or seminars

CHECK-INS
Baby cribs are available at no extra charge.
Family Plan: No additional charge for children below 12 years occupying same room with parents.
Check-in/Check-out time: 14:00 p.m./12:00 noon.

LOCATION
4 km or 5 minutes' drive from Historical Malacca town and Mahkota Parade shopping complex
2 km or 2.5 minutes' drive from Tesco Hypermart.
1 km or 3 minutes' walk from Express Bus Terminal.
140 km or 2 hours' drive from Kuala Lumpur
250 km or 3 hours' drive from Singapore

Melaka Sultanate Palace

Built based on the description and reference to the palace in 'Sejarah Melayu' (Malay History), the wooden replica houses the Cultural Museum of Melaka. Situated at the foot of St. Paul's Hill, it is the only Malay palace from Melaka's glorious past built with such detail and refinement. The original location of the palace was on to of Melaka Hill (now St. Paul's Hill) overlooking Melaka River and Baazar.

Operating hours : 9.00 am - 6.00 pm
Entrance fee : RM1.50 (Adults) and RM0.50 (Children)
Closed on Tuesdays
Tel. No. : +606-282 7464

Source

Eye On Malaysia

Plans are afoot to bring in a whole host of world-class attractions in stages to complement the Eye on Malaysia's move to Melaka.These attractions include a permanent Malaysia International Space Adventure (MISA) exhibit andthe Light and Sound Giant Waterscreen Showcase, scheduled to open in December 2008 and February 2009 respectively.

Places of Interest : Menara Taming Sari

From a height of 80 metres and a view of 5km, you will witness a host of interesting sight and historical sights of Malacca. Among them are Banda Hilir, Dataran Pahlawan, Malacca Straits, TUDM Complex, Stadhuys, Saint Paul Peak, Independence Memorial, Malacca Islan and the state mosque.

Hotel : Avillion Legacy Melaka

Discover Avillion Legacy Melaka. Discover Harmony.

The most beautiful of nature’s riches spring from the earth, and Avillion Legacy Melaka – located in the 600-year-old Melaka town – embodies the things that make the earth what it is: a treasure trove.

Like the earth, Avillion Legacy Melaka Hotel's offerings are rich and luxuriant. They nurture, comfort, and engage the senses. Marvel at the town’s scenery or at the hotel’s unique architecture, which tells stories of Melaka’s glorious colonial past. Satisfy your cravings and savour the aroma of sumptuous culinary creations. Listen to a symphony of sound – friendly voices, the clink of porcelain, the gentle sloshing of water in the pool. Sink into a bed of cool, plush linen that caress your skin.

Indulge in this feast for the senses, one that fuses nature and contemporary comforts. From this fusion comes harmony, something that Avillion Legacy Melaka Hotel lets you discover and experience.

Melaka River - The Venice of the East

The Melaka River or Sungai Malacca can be seen as the beginning of Malacca history, when it was called ‘Venice of the East’ by the Europeans who traveled to it. Its historical importance also lies in the fact that, during the 15th century, the Prince Parameswara of Sumatra created his Sultanate at the entrance to this river. It was on the east bank, at the bottom of Malaccan Hill (now known as St. Paul’s Hill), where he placed his palace. On its route to the sea, the Melaka River travels pass the town of Malacca; many old villages, along with present day buildings, line its banks. It is of no surprise that for these reasons the river passage was an important route for major trade and commerce.

The Melaka River Cruise

There is now a 45-minute cruise that goes along the Melaka River which visitors find exciting and informative. It is said to be a good bargain and the 10 kilometer Melake River Cruise takes off at the mouth of the river, at the Dutch Square, and it travels all the way to Kampung Morten. The Tan Boon Seng Bridge is seen along the way, and it is important to point out its immense historical importance. The Portuguese used this bridge to capture the state; they divided Melaka in half and cut off communications in between.

That’s not all as there are two more important bridges to go! The Chan Boon Cheng Bridge is seen further along. Constructed in 1908 and rebuilt in 1963, it is a steel bridge that links the older Chinatown (Kampung Pantai) with the new Chinatown (around the Jalan Bunga Raya). Later on there is the Ghostbridge of Malacca, for pedestrians, that links Kampung Hulu with Jalan Kee Ann and the old Central Market. This pedestrian bridge was originally used for fishing trade and there are many Chinese restaurants in the area for this reason. One of the restaurants is now famous because it was used in Entrapment, a movie produced by Hollywood.

Other highlights of the cruise are the old homes and warehouses that are built on both sides of the river. High tide is the only time in which it is available, so visitors should plan ahead to fit this into their schedule. The Central Market is nearby and visitors can also see the Jalan Hang Tuah Bridge that links Jalan Munshi Abdullah with Jalan Hang Tuah. There was a theatre called the Cathay Cinema, but it is now closed. To the left of it is the Express Bus Terminal for Jalan Kilang. Buses can be taken to any other part of Malaysia at a reasonable price and old shops line the street in a quiet manner.

The last destination on the cruise completes the trip wonderfully. It is Kampung Morten, a very old village. It is a national heritage site that is well taken care of and its beauty lies in the traditional Malay architecture, reflecting older lifestyles and culture. The Melaka River Cruise is a major tourist attraction and since it allows visitors to enjoy history in a much more entertaining way, it is a picture of the Melakan State at its best!

Directions

The Melaka River Cruise is centrally located and so it is easily accessible from anywhere in Melaka using just a taxi or a trishaw.

Source: http://melakamalaysiatravel.com/malacca-malaysia/melaka-river.htm

Hotel : Mahkota Hotel Melaka

Melaka, a fabled historic city that once stood at the crossroads of the shipping trade between East and West. Rich in its own unique culture, the city's history is a colorful tapestry woven through six centuries of diverse peoples and cultures.

Mahkota Hotel Melaka comprises of one main hotel block and eight blocks of hotel apartments. It is located on the waterfront in the heart of historical Melaka, adjacent to Mahkota Parade, the city’s most popular shopping and entertainment complex, and within short walking distance to the business hub of Melaka as well as various historical places of interest.It is a city resort-styled hotel with something for everyone in a central location perfect for shopping and sightseeing.

Accommodation

480 guest rooms and apartments configured as 1, 2 and 3 bedrooms.

1 Mahkota Suite, 2 Executives Suites and 1 Family Suite.

Non-smoking floors.

IDD phone with Private Voice Mail System.

In-room safe (selected rooms).

Coffee / tea making facilities.

Hair dryer.

Individual controlled air-conditioning.

Mini bar (upon request).

Remote controlled TV with selected channels on cable television (selected rooms).

Internet broadband (selected rooms).

Places of Interest Malacca : A Famosa Resort

Location : Alor Gajah

A'Famosa Resort. The name conjures up images of a bygone era, when the bustling port city of Malacca was not only the commercial hub of Asia but an exotic melting pot of cultures, ideas and architecture as well. The A'Famosa is in fact named after the famous 16th century Portuguese monument, which is all that remains today of the Portuguese fort which once formed an imposing circle of stone around the entire city. The logo of the resort also incorporates a stylized silhouette of the gateway in the background.

That romantic era may be long-gone but it can be re-lived at A'Famosa Resort, rated by many as the region's foremost leisure and holiday resort. Situated on a 1300-acre site in Alor Gajah, surrounded by rolling hills and a lush countryside, A'Famosa is a dream getaway which will entice your senses, calm your nerves and leave you totally refreshed and rejuvenated.

One of the best things about A'Famosa is its strategic location off the North-South Highway- just half an hour's drive from historic Malacca city, 45 minutes from the Kuala Lumpur International Airport and about an hour from Kuala Lumpur. The resort is also extremely a popular with Singaporeans as it only takes two hours by road to go there from the Lion City. An alternative mode of travel is via rail, alighting at the Tampin Railway Station which is just a 10-minute taxi ride away.

Rightly touted as a one-stop destination for business and pleasure, A'Famosa offers an international championship 27-hole golf course, the highly-acclaimed Animal World Safari,Water World Theme Park, Resort Hotel, Villas, Condotel, excellent conference/banquet facilities and much more. It's one of the few resorts in this region that can truthfully claim to have 'something for everyone' regardless of age, whether you're an avid golfer, animal lover, water sports enthusiast, or just someone who enjoys a blissful, worry-free escape from the hustle and bustle of modern city living.

Hotel : Equatorial Melaka

5 Stars Hotel

Melaka, just one and a half hours South of Kuala Lumpur and a two hours drive from Singapore is rich in history, culture, heritage and tradition. Boasting famous historical sites which date back to the 1500s, Melaka is a potpourri of unique cultures and cuisines. Standing in the hub of Melaka city is the Hotel Equatorial Melaka, a 5-star international business class hotel that is within walking distance to the main business, shopping and entertainment districts.

Bringing you the allure of historical Melaka with modern day conveniences, this 5-star 22-storey international business hotel features 496 luxuriously furnished rooms with each room offering a generous view of the Straits of Melaka or historical St. Paul's Hill.

Apart from the large selection of dining and entertainment outlets, the hotel also prides itself in offering the biggest and most advanced meeting and banquet facilities in Melaka. The banqueting and catering team is famed for its versatility in accommodating theme dinners.

More details visit www.EQUATORIAL.com

"my daily ramblings,talk about travel & tourism,Melaka The World Heritage City,…Visit Malaysia!"

Places of Interest : A Famosa

A Famosa, or "The Famous" in Portuguese, is among the oldest surviving European architectural remains in Asia. Once part of a mighty fortress, this tiny gate (called the Porta de Santiago) is all that is left of a once-mighty fortress. In 1511 a Portuguese fleet arrived under the command of Alfonso de Albequerque. His forces attacked and successfully defeated the armies of the native Sultanate. Moving quickly to consolidate his gains, Albequerque had the fortress built around a natural hill near the sea. Albequerque believed that Melaka would become an important port linking Portugal to the spice trade from China. At his time other Portuguese were establishing outposts in such places as Macau, China and Goa, India in order to create a string of friendly ports for ships heading to China and returning home to Portugal.

The fortress once consisted of long ramparts and four major towers. One was a four-story keep, while the others held an ammunition's storage room, the residence of the captain, and an officers' quarters. As the plan below shows, most of the village clustered in town houses inside the fortress walls. As Melaka's population expanded it outgrew the original fort and extensions were added around 1586. The fort changed hands in 1641 when the Dutch successfully drove the Portuguese out of Melaka. The Dutch renovated the gate in 1670, which explains the logo "ANNO 1670" inscribed on the gate's arch. Above the arch is a bas-relief logo of the Dutch East India Company.

The fortress changed hands again in the early 19th century when the Dutch handed it over to the British to prevent it from falling into the hands of Napoleon's expansionist France. The English were wary of maintaining the fortification and ordered its destruction in 1806. The fort was almost totally demolished but for the timely intervention of Sir Stanford Raffles, the founder of Singapore, who happened to visit Melaka in 1810. Because of his passion for history this small gate was spared destruction.

About Melaka

Melaka is located on the Western Coast of Peninsular Malaysia facing the Straits of Melaka, about 147 kilometers from Kuala Lumpur and 245 kilometers from Singpore. Melaka is actually found sandwiched between the states of Negeri Sembilan and Johor. It can be reached by excellent roads from Kuala Lumpur and Singapore. Internally it is serviced by a very good network of roads leading to all the historical places of interest. It covers and area of 658 square kilometers and is divided into three districts namely Alor Gajah, Melaka Tengah and Jasin.

Melaka was founded by Parameswara (or Raja Iskandar) the last Malay ruler of Temasik (ancient Singapore) in 1396 when he and his followers retreated up the straits to Muar, then to Sungai Ujung before settling at Bertam near the estuary of Melaka River.

Finding the place of strategic location, he decided to make a permanent settlement there, naming it "Melaka" after the name of the tree he leaned against.

The Melaka Sultanate occupies a special position in the history of Malaysia. Its inauguration marked the beginning of the emergence of a new Malay empire. The birthplace of the Malay Sultanates and Malaysia's historic city, Melaka provided the stage on which the Portuguese, Dutch and English played out their roles in shaping the history.

Melaka emerged as a strong maritime trading state under the industrious Parameswara and his chiefs. Melaka also began to be noticed by Muslim traders from West Asia and India, who until that period, had been concentrating their activities in Aru, Pedir and Pasai en-route to the East, especially China. Because of its strategic location straddling the Straits of Melaka, it thrived as a port-of-call and a centre of entrepot trade with ships and merchants from China, Japan, India, Arab and South Africa.

In 1511, it fell to the hands of the Portuguese, followed by the Dutch in 1641 after a fierce battle. In 1795, Melaka was given to the British to prevent it falling to the French when the Netherlands was captured during the Napoleonic Wars. It was returned to the Dutch in 1818 under the treaty of Vienna but was later exchanged by the British for Bangkahulu, Sumatra. From 1826 onwards, the British East India Company along with Singapore and Penang governed it, under the Straits Settlement administration in Calcutta.

The Dutch, who held Melaka for over a century, left many fine buildings marking their heritage. The most imposing relic of the Dutch period is the Stadthuys, a strikingly pink town hall which is today the oldest Dutch building in the Far East. Right next to it stands the bright red Christ Church, constructed with pink bricks imported from Holland and covered with local red lacerite. Today, these buildings together with the ruins of the Portuguese built A Famosa and St. Paul's Church are the most prominent reminders of the Europeans' presence in Melaka.

After World War II, anti-colonial sentiment bred in the country among the nationalists, the result of which was the proclamation of Independence by Tunku Abdul Rahman Putra, Malaysia's first Prime Minister, at the Padang Pahlawan (Warrior's Field) at Bandar Hilir, Melaka on 20 February 1956.

WELCOME TO MELAKA

TOURISM MELAKA INVITES AND WELCOME VISITORS TO MELAKA
MELAKA, WORLD HERITAGE CITY, UNESCO - EVERLASTING LIVING HERITAGE
MELAKA - BANDARAYA WARISAN DUNIA,UNESCO

On the 7th. July 2008, Melaka and Georgetown were listed in the UNESCO World Heritage Cities List under "Historic Cities in the Straits of Malacca". This is certainly an historic day for Melaka in particular and Malaysia in general. Melaka and Georgetown are recognised as World Heritage Cites and we must be responsible custodians of this heritage status. These cities do not only belong to Malaysia now BUT to the whole World now. Let us do our part in the years ahead.