Relive the Ming Dynasty at Cheng Ho Cultural Museum Melaka

by homestaymelaka on January 10, 2016January 10, 2016

Your decision to visit Melaka can never turn out be the wrong one as there are several tourist attractions in Melaka. The city has a rich history with several historical building, architecture, heritage sites, and museums. Cheng Ho Cultural Museum is one of the prestigious places to visit in Melaka. All the artifacts in the museum are ancient and take you hundreds of years back.

Cheng Ho Cultural Museum

The Museum occupies various shop houses nearby the river in the city. History devotees and enthusiasts visit this fascinating place, fathoming the amazing career of a Chinese admiral Cheng Ho. Cheng Ho (Zheng He) was the Ming dynasty admiral who has a prominent place in Melaka history. It is said that the admiral visited this city-state for at least five of his seven visits to the Western Ocean from China from 1405 to 1433. He setup his own depot, warehouse in this area. The museum is assumed to be built on the original Guan Chang site built by Cheng Ho around 600 years ago. It is also said that the warehouse built by Cheng Ho was also located in the same area.

The museum stretches over three floors which can roughly be divided into various sections such as ship gallery, old Melaka village, treasure ship, antique gallery and garden courtyard. Various old shop houses that date back to the time of Cheng Ho are restored and linked together to establish this archetype museum. It covers a huge place that depicts Cheng Ho’s life and voyages.

The museum has mock-ups of his treasure ships, a life-sized statue of a giraffe that was supposedly bought by him from china. The teas hops and treasure ship living cabins will carry you the past while offering a glimpse of Cheng Ho’s routine. All these ancient objects display his birth into a Muslim family, his career as a eunuch in the palace and counselor to the Ming emperor. The social influence of his voyages in more than 200 treasure ships with more than 28,000 men can be sensed till today. The gallery also exhibits his death during his journey to the Persian Gulf.

Visiting Cheng Ho museum is indeed one of the amusing things to do in Melaka. The museum is strategically located at Jalan Hang Jebat and is also close to the Tan Kim Seng Bridge, making it easily accessible from wherever you are staying in Melaka. It is open daily from 9:30 am to 6:00 pm and the admission charges are RM 10.00 (2.33 USD).

The Cheng Ho Cultural Museum is a must-visit museum in Melaka, especially if you’re interested in a history. If you have visited the museum and would like to share your thoughts, please add comments below.

Sri Poyyatha Vinayagar Moorthi Temple – Oldest in Melaka

by homestaymelaka on January 8, 2016January 8, 2016

There are many history-based tourist attractions in Melaka. Relics such as temples, bridges, ancient buildings, forts, places of worship and others in full can be found in Melaka. These sites stretch of the city’s history that so many ancient relics are lucky to be maintained until now. Poyyatha Sri Vinayagar Moorthi Temple is a testament to the legacy of old centuries. Visiting this temple is one of the best things to do in Melaka as well.

Sri Poyyatha Vinayagar Moorthi Temple

The temple is located at Harmony Street, precisely on Jalan Goldsmith adjacent to other historical buildings. This temple is the oldest Hindu temple in Malaysia, lying alone in Jalan Harmoni not without cause. It creates harmony among fellow citizens and religious followers in this region that despite different rarely dissents or dispute because of the feeling united and competitiveness appreciated among others.

Sri Poyyatha Vinayagar Moorthi Temple Melaka was built precisely in 1781 on land given by Kapitan Thaivanayagam Chitty. Construction of the Temple of Sri Poyyatha is to be dedicated to Lord Vinayagar, also known as Ganesha. Ganesha is the elephant-headed god with the body of a man and his four. This god is renowned for his extraordinary wisdom. Ganesha is also known as the god who can grant any wish asked by people who request them. People come to ask cure and heal of their ailment. They ask for prosperity and success, happily married lives and children.

The architecture and the aura of the temple offer few of the mesmerizing sights in Melaka. You will be able to see adornments and décor associated with the Hindu teachings. At the back of the altar you will see a statue of the authoritative god, Ganesh. The side altar is dedicated to the father and the mother of Vinayagar, and his younger brother the Lord Muruga. You are allowed to trace the trail for the sake of existing buildings here, along with all its contents that are still preserved despite being centuries old.

Many religious festivals are usually held here as the Datuk Chachar Festival and also Masi Magam. If you happen to visit here coincided with the celebration of the festival then of course will come to feel the happiness and festivities. The temple building is heavily influenced by the architectural of the Netherlands as seen from the entrance, walls, dome and roof of the temple.

The temple still maintains the bond between Hindus in Melaka. Not only the people close around the temple visit it regularly, those who live far away from the temple also try to take the time to visit. If you are searching for things to do in Melaka, then visiting Sri Poyyatha Vinayagar Moorthi Temple is highly recommended.

It is one of the recommended places to visit in Melaka for the followers of Hindu religion also for the tourists to explore more of this oldest temple in Melaka. If you have visited the temple, feel free to share your insights by adding comments below.

Address: Jalan Tokong, 75200 Melaka, Malaysia
Opened: 1781
Primary deity: Ganesha

Calanthe Art Cafe Melaka – A treat for Your Taste Buds

by homestaymelaka on January 8, 2016January 8, 2016

The trickle of tourists in Melaka has swelled since it was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 2008. With increased tourism and vacationers in the city, the cafe business also oozed up in Melaka. Several new cafes are opened in the city, while the old ones renovated to catch customers. Cafes in Melaka are quite distinctive from their likes in other part of the world. With unique architecture and style. Calanthe Art Cafe Melaka is also such café that has maintained it’s unique for many years and sipping coffee in this space is a must thing to do in Melaka.

Calanthe Art Cafe Melaka

Serving customer for 10 years, Calanthe Art Cafe is a well-known cafe in Melaka. It is famous amongst tourists and even potential tourist who are planning to visit Melaka. It is, perhaps, the most rusting yet creative cafe in the town. Started by a close group of friends who brought up and schooled together, Calanthe Art Cafe is the warmest and welcoming retreat in Malacca. It specializes in myriad of coffee types, roasted in each of the 13 Malaysian states.

Vintage Looks

Calanthe Art Cafe is located in a narrow backstreet of the famous Jonker Street in Melaka. The café might look a quiet haven from outside, but the interior tells a quite different story. The café is vibrant with colors, creative and eclectic touches to the wall that are hand painted, 1980’s type furniture, and television from the ancient times with knobs. The cafe does not show off the contemporary looks that are signature for modern cafes, but it will feast your eyes with inimitable style.

13 States Coffee and Drinks

Calanthe Cafe might be known for its creative looks, but the thing that makes it special is its coffee selection. “The First and Only One”, their tagline truly matches their servings of special coffee from all the 13 states of Malaysia. This is a place if you are a coffee enthusiast. Besides their unmatched coffees, they also offer unique blends such as ‘Green Tea Coffee’ (coffee and green tea with whipped cream on the top), a rich espresso amalgamated with the spoonful of mint paddy syrup.

Their ice-blended drinks are something to die for such as ‘Pink Lady’, a blend of whipped cream, vanilla ice cream, and strawberry sauce and ‘Cendol Ice Blenz’ a concoction of coconut milk and palm sugar topped with Cendol and red beans. With such ingredients and unique mixtures, the prices are also quite appealing, as one of these servings price even less than RM9.

Do not be disappointed if you are not a coffee aficionado as they also serve teas, smoothies, milkshakes, and soda mixes with a variety of alcohol-based drinks. If you want to taste everything in one serving then their Royale Bailey Cocktail is something to try. It is a mixture of Bailey, single shot of espresso and chocolate sauce, garnished with a single scoop of ice cream.

Local Food and Desserts

Calanthe Art Cafe Melaka amazes us with more than coffee and beverages as it also specialized in local food as well. Their Laksa is listed in top 50 Laksa outlets by the Malaysian Tourism Body. They have customized it with loads of ingredients such as fishcake slices, tofu puffs, eggs strips, and fried beancurd skin. Nasi Lemak is modified by the café in golden rice and served with special chicken Rendang. There is nothing that Calanthe Art Cafe Melaka does not do as the homemade desserts they serve are the perfect ending of your classic meal in the café.

Related Article: Top 10 must-try food in Melaka

Calanthe is not a mere cafe; it is one of the most appealing tourist attractions in Melaka. With its vibrant interior, delectable meals, mouthwatering desserts, and especially their brewing coffee, Calanthe Art Cafe Melaka brings happiness to your table. If you have visited this amazing cafe in Melaka, please feel free to share your experience by adding comments below.

Address: Jalan Hang Kasturi, 75200 Melaka, Malaysia
Phone: +60 6-292 2960
Timings: Monday to Wednesday (12 to 11PM), Thursday (Closed), Friday (12PM to 12AM), Saturday (8:30AM to 12PM), Sunday (8:30AM to 11PM)
Visit their FB Page

Philea Resort & Spa

by homestaymelaka on June 13, 2015June 13, 2015

This piece of paradise has been a delightful heaven in the making. On this paradise, one of the country’s premier 5-star resort lies in the shade of forest giants as well as the faultless flow of waterfalls. Here, you will find a 5-star resort unlike no other – a rustic architecture with pristine greenery, evening skies woven with colour, and a deep sense of serenity reserved exclusively for our guests at our hotel in Melaka. This 5-star resort in Melaka features luxury accommodations that allows guests to feel at home during holidays and business stay.

This is the privilege of Philea Resort Spa. The privileges of peace, tranquility and ultimate relaxation.

Resort Night View