New Tourism Malaysia Website
A new Tourism Malaysia website is to be launched this 18th February in Kuala Lumpur by the Minister of Tourism and Culture Malaysia, YB Dato’ Seri Mohamed Nazri bin Abdul Aziz. The all new look for the Tourism Malaysia’s Consumer and Corporate Website is also being launched at the Dewan Tun Dr. Ismail, PWTC, Kuala Lumpur.

The first Tourism Malaysia website was developed back in 1998 and since then, the website has been reconstructed a number of times, and the last was in 2012. This re-branding of the new URL (http://www.malaysia.travel/) is to push the consumer website and to differentiate the Tourism Malaysia’s consumer website and Tourism Malaysia’s corporate website where both websites mission is to give out a more user friendly characteristics, making it easier to navigate through the sites.

Tourism Malaysia News Website 2016

A screen capture of the new parallax style template for Tourism Malaysia

To find out more, you can now visit http://www.malaysia.travel/ to see the new look and feel of the brand new Tourism Malaysia website as it is now live for the world. The website style also uses the new Parallax Template which is also responsive for smartphones and tablets and is the trend for 2015 and 2016 where most tourism boards around the world are using too. These new parallax templates are one page design websites that are built with sliders and you can simply scroll down with large images in the background. for the new website, large images of Malaysia are showcased by showing islands, cultures, shopping and more.

Currently, the website also shares a link to the Tourism Malaysia Corporate site and as for the main features, there are links to information about Malaysia, places in Malaysia, experiences, packages and events. There are also videos on Malaysia which pop up to the Tourism Malaysia YouYube Channel. On the last slider section, you see a Package and Promotion page that leads you to various travel packages on Malaysia. And finally at the footer, there is the sitemap with multiple links. Hopefully more information will be revealed at the new Tourism Malaysia Website 2016 Launch happening in February.

Malacca (or Melaka in Malay) is undoubtedly the most interesting city in Malaysia from a historical perspective. While Malaysia dire sites and monuments full of history compared to its South Asian neighbors, Malacca is a cultural oasis with a rich colonial past. Successively colonized by the Portuguese, the Dutch and the English, the city guard these times many buildings of European inspiration and a certain architectural style. There are various things to do and places to visit in Melaka. But the city is also linked with various interesting facts to know.

Read on to know 10 fun facts about Melaka which will excite you to visit this amazing place.

Fun facts about Melaka

  1. The name of Melaka is famous because the city gave the name to the strait between Malaysia and Indonesia which used to borrow all the boats sailing between Europe and China.
  2. Melaka is the third smallest state in Malaysia which is located about 150 miles north of Singapore. It can be reached from Singapore within 3 hours.
  3. Melaka’s history is quite old than the other Malaysian cities. It was founded by Paramesawar, the last king of Singapura. He ruled from 1389 to 1398. He established Melaka in 1402 when he found a port strategically located in the narrowest point of Melaka Straits.
  4. Melaka has a long history of invasion and destruction. It was first captured by Portuguese in 1511 by General Alfonso de Albuquerque who sailed from Goa to Melaka.

The Dutch defeated the Portuguese in 1641 with the help of the Sultan of Johore. They ruled Melaka from 1641 to 1798.

The Dutch surrendered Melaka to the British under the Anglo-Dutch Treaty of 1824 in exchange for Bencoolen on Sumatra. It was then ruled by British between 1826 and 1946. It was a part of the Straits Settlements and became part of the Malayan Union after the dissolution of the crown colony.

  1. Melaka is quite a diverse society with 63% Malays, 25% Chinese, 6% Indians, and small communities of Kristan with partial Portuguese ancestry and community of Eurasians with Dutch ancestry. Islam is the dominant religion of Melaka i.e. 66% percent, along with about 25% Buddhists, 5% Hindus, and 3% Christian.
  2. Melaka has several antique sites that transport you back to the time. The Melaka Sultanate Palace Museum and the Baba Nyonya Heritage Museum are the most famous museums of Melaka.
  3. The city has heritage sites belonging to every religion. For instance, Melaka has Sri Pogyatha Vinoyagar Moorthi Temple that is the converging point of Hindus of Malaysia. It was built in 1781 where devotees believed to be granted what they ask.

Melaka has a monumental Christ Church constructed in 1753. The church reflects Dutch architecture as it was ceiling skylights, hand-crafted church pews, copper replica of the Bible, and a reproduction of “The Last Supper”.

Melaka also has historical Mosque. Kampung Hulu Mosque is the oldest mosque in Melaka. The mosque is also known as “Harmony Street” as it is located nearby the Sri Poyatha Moorthi Temple and Cheng Hoon Teng Temple. It was built between the year 1720 and 1728 and was renovated in 1892. The mosque is one of the most interesting places to visit in Melaka as its architectural design is an amalgamation of Hindu, Chinese, Sumatran, and the Melaka Malay styles. Its minaret resembles pagoda.

  1. One of the fun things to do in Melaka is to visit Taming Sari Tower. It goes 260 feet in the sky. Its height and revolving structure lets you view Melaka from bird-eye-view.
  2. Melaka also has typical tourist attractions such as the Melaka zoo which is second largest zoo in Malaysia with more than 1,200 animals. The Taman Mini Malaysia and Mini ASEAN cultural parks are also located in Melaka. These parks houses architectural styles of all the 13 Malaysian with numerous arts and crafts and other items depicting their culture.
  3. Like any city, Melaka also has atypical mean of transport. These are the bicycle rickshaws decorated with loads of flowers and vigorously painted with several colors.

These fun facts about Melaka is not only a historical city but it has a lot more than that. It has everything that can please tourists via its diverse culture, adventurous places, exciting commute system, and recreational parks etc.

 

We love the fact that the world could not live without the spas. What started decades ago as small places, usually in large cities, where we had massages and facials in spaces called cabins, it has become an international phenomenon! Now we have the divine day spas, where you can receive care with the most exclusive products, like huge foodies and spas in hotels and resorts throughout the world, where we receive treatment while we spent a delightful vacation. With many activities to do in Melaka, the city has some of the best Spas to treat vacationers.

Massa Sutra is one of such spas in Melaka, that is highly specialized and offers endless possibilities, including treatment, according to the philosophy of beauty that followed and the products they use.

Massa Sutra Spa Melaka

Owned by Chris Loh, Massa Sutra is a boutique spa in Melaka. Chrish Loh has an extensive experience of myriad of therapies, massage, body treatment, and health fitness. He was trained and groomed at one of the worlds renowned Wat Pho Traditional Medical and Massage School of Bankok. He is passionate about preserving the art of massage, providing safe and quality therapies, and promote global acceptance of massage of mind, body, and soul.

Massa Sutra Spa in Melaka has an extensive incorporation of traditional and retro urban treatments that stimulate your senses and save you from the outside world. They have created an ambience with perfectly synchronized lights and the interior that let people experience ambient atmosphere.

The name of this spa is also very well thought that links the entire experience there. The word “Massa” is used in the Arabian Desert as a “Lifting Up”, while Latin and French also use this word meaning “to feel to handle, to stroke”. Sutra comes from Sanskrit that means a string or a thread. Sutras are rules or aphorisms in Hinduism that transmit philosophical and religious thoughts.

Zen Message

Unlike many other spas in Melaka, Massa Sutra offers only two types of massages. The Zen massage is a synthesis of supreme massage techniques of Thai and Malay treatments with passive Yoga stretches, pressure points, use of essential oils and music to make a strong union of body and soul. Muscle manipulation is Zen massage with essential oils prepare your body for the upcoming yoga stretches.

Traditional Thai Massage

Another treatment is Traditional Thai Massage. The Thai Massage that Massa Sutra offers in Melaka is the original form of Wat Pho Traditional Medical School, Bangkok. Energy lines are worked on in this massage to unblock life-forces and set your mind free from all stress. It is combined with yoga stretches that realign the entire body and opens up your breathing. This massage is not a mere treatment for your physical, body but rather it works with energy of an individual.

Training Courses

Massa Sutra believes in spreading love and passion for traditional massage, therefore it also offers training courses to the ones who want to be professional masseurs. Zen Massage and Bodywork Cross Training includes Certificate of Completion (30 hours), Certificate of Attendance (18 Hours), Certificate to Practice (Min 30 hours practical and Certificate of Completion). Traditional Thai Massage (Complete Wat Pho techniques) training includes Certificate of Completion Level I (30 hours) and Level II Expands on techniques learned in Level I (30 Hours).

Massa Sutra is a spa that focuses upon relaxation, harmony between mind and body, and offer yoga and meditation. It is famous for its authenticity, elegance and exceptional environment. The Massa Sutra Spa is not only an attraction for the locals, but it is also one of the top attraction for tourists in Melaka who are looking to relax after a long day in Malacca. Please share your experience by adding comments below.

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

Melaka is a hot spot for tourists around the world. People from every corner of the globe pour into the city for a thrilling and pleasant vacation. Melaka does not only offer cultural diversity, tourist attractions, startling beaches and amazing places to visit and to lure its guests, but it also has some of the most exciting eateries. These places are a haven for foodies who also love the unique ambience for a total matchless experience.Hard Rock Cafe Melaka is such a space where you can enjoy food, music, and ambience altogether. It is also the best Melaka cafe to enjoy a great ambience with the live music scrumptious food.

Hard Rock Cafe Melaka

Hard Rock Cafe has been a renowned brand name for many years as it brings delectable food, live music, shops and much more under one roof, setting next level for your eating experience. The cafe has continued its experience in Melaka, Malaysia as well. It is a mammoth 9,000 sqft double-storey building, adding an excitement in this UNESCO World Heritage City.

Features

Hard Rock Cafe Melaka was opened in 2013 and has its signature layout similar to the rest of the outlets around the world. However, the interior is decorated to compliment traditional Malay styles. It has indoor and outdoor seating areas, a bar, and the Rock Shop that sells Hard Rock Cafe Melaka souvenirs. The whole décor of the café radiates liveliness with the patterned floor inspire by Straits Melaka, walls with music collectables such as Prince’s white dinner jacket and Bruce Springsteen’s signed guitar.

Cuisines

Hard Rock Cafe Malacca has an array of cuisine with delectable local and international flavor. It serves chick, turkey, veggies, bacon seasoned with spices, top with cheese, basted with sauces, and roasted till fork tender. The A-la-carte menu of the café has handcrafted starters to entice your hunger and main entrees ranging from grilled salmon, pasta, fried chicken, fried chick and fish and chips. The smokehouse cuisines are perfectly slow-cooked with lip-smacking marinating and seasoning. Burgers and smokehouse sandwiches of the Hard Rock Cafe are must try as they leave you craving for more. Satisfy your sweet tooth with mouthwatering ice-creams, shakes, pies, and cookies.

They have a separate menu for kids to keep them fed as amazingly as adults. To make your food experience a complete haven of taste, the Hard Rock Cafe also has salads and beverages.

Live Music

If you are opting to visit Hard Rock Cafe in Melaka for its live music then you will not be disappointed at any point of the performance. The live band starts entertaining its guests 22:00 onwards with famous rock and roll hits, with the hint of little blues and pop in between. You may voice out your favorite number and it might get played next.

Hard Rock Shop

The cafe does not stop entertaining its guests with food and music only. Visit to the cafe will be incomplete without buying something from the Hard Rock Cafe Shop. The shop has Hard Rock Cafe pins, t-shirts, guitar picks and other little gifts and memorabilia.

Related Article: Shopping Malls in Melaka

Location

The strategic location of the cafe by the Melaka River makes it a hotspot for vacationers. The place often remains jam pack because of being one of the must visit places for tourists in Melaka. The eager diners and live music enthusiast,  often seen queuing at the entrance. So, it is advised to arrive before 21:00 so that you can get your favorite seat to catch the live band while enjoying your cuisine.

Hard Rock Cafe Melaka is a must visit if you want more than appetizing food. One trip to the café will leave you in the trance of the place forever. Listening to the live band, while having food is among the must things to do in Malacca. If you have been to Hard Rock Cafe and would like to share your experience, please do so by adding comments below.

Address: 23 Lorong Hang Jebat, 75200, Melaka, 75200, Malaysia
Phone: +60 6-292 5188
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