Saturday, May 29, 2010

Malacca St. Paul's Church


Malacca St. Paul's Church
The St. Paul's church is still towering aloft on the St. Paul's Hill for more than 400 years in Malacca.

Duarte Coelho built the church in 1521. It was originally a small chapel for Catholics in Malacca during 16th century. In 1566, the St. Paul's Church was renovated and turned into a two-storey building. In addition to that, a lighthouse was also constructed in front of the church.

Malacca St. Paul's Church
The original name of the St. Paul's Church was "Our Lady of The Hill". The St. Paul's Church was used as temporary place of worship for Christians in Malacca during the occupation of the Dutch. It was renamed as "St. Paul's Church" by the Dutch.

The St. Paul's Church was abandoned when the construction of the Christ Church completed in 1753. It was later transformed into a graveyard by the Dutch for their noble dead.

Malacca St. Paul's Church
With the relentless passage of time and the cruel ravages of war, the St. Paul's Church is almost nothing left. Fortunately, the mottled red stone walls of the church are still standing erect. Otherwise it would be another sad story same as the demolition of the ancient city wall by the British.

Malacca St. Paul's Church
There were two Malacca singers sing joyfully for the guests from around the world. They welcomed the visitors of the St. Paul's Church with their tuneful and delightful vocal.

Malacca St. Paul's Church
The above photo is a stone steps leading to the St. Paul's Church. The upper part was covered with modern ceramic tiles but the bottom part remained unchanged. It's no longer the authentic historical site. This was another great project of the 1Malaysia advocated by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib.

Related Links :

Malacca Zoo

Malacca Little India--Jalan Bendahara
2010 Malacca International Kite Festival


Monday, May 24, 2010

Escaped From The Kiss Of A Paradise Tree Snake


Toad
Two unexpected visitors dropped in my residence recently. The first visitor was the 1Malaysia political frog's relative---a toad.

Before going to bed at midnight on May 21, I discovered a toad in the bathroom corner. I just swept it into the drain.

Paradise Tree Snake
The next morning, I was surprise to find out another visitor during lunch time. The second visitor was a paradise tree snake. Its length was about 1 meter. Athough I am as timid as a mouse, I had to get rid of the snake for the safety of my family.

Immediately, I closed all the rooms' doors in the house. Then I looked for a mop stick to fight with the snake. I beat the body of the snake in the first attack. The next strike, I hit the head of the snake. The snake bowed to me on the ground. To ensure that the snake was really dead, I gave it few more blows.

Related Links :

The Cactus Bloomed Red Flowers

A Trip To Kuala Lumpur On March 28

The Orchids Bloomed Without Fear Or Favor


Tuesday, May 18, 2010

South Korean Raspberry Wine


South Korean Raspberry Wine
The stuff in the above photo is the South Korean Raspberry Wine which my son purchased for me. He bought this wine in Seoul. The Raspberry Wine is available at liquor shops, Chinese medicine shops, supermarkets and hypermarkets in Malaysia.

The Raspberry Wine is a product of a prestigious South Korean brewery---Bohae Brewery. It had been awarded a silver medal in the 2005 Dallas Morning News International Wine Competition. In addition to that, it was the beverage of the 2005 Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation banquet.

South Korean Raspberry Wine
The Korean name of Raspberry Wine is Bokbunjajoo. According to a South Korean fable, a man found out that after eating Bokbunja, his chamber pot was turned over by his urine. Bok means turning over, Bun means chamber pot, Ja means man and Joo means wine. That's why the Raspberry Wine was named as Bokbunjajoo.

The raspberry fruits can be used for brewing wine and manufacturing medicine. The Raspberry Wine is effective for the treatment of impotence and prostate problem.

Related Links
South Korean Folk Wine

South Korean Wine Cups

South Korean Envelope Opener

Saturday, May 15, 2010

The Malacca Zoo


The Malacca Zoo
The Malacca Zoo is located at Air Keroh. If you are heading toward Malacca City from Air Keroh Toll, the Malacca Zoo is on your left. It's only 5 minutes drive from Air Keroh Toll.

The Malacca Zoo opens 7 day a week, visiting hours is from 9 am to 6 pm. The parking fee is RM 2 per entry. The entrance fees are RM 7 for adults, RM 4 for children and Rm 2 for students in uniform.

The Malacca Zoo also opens at night on Friday, Saturday, eve of public holidays and school holidays. The admission fees are RM 10 for adults, RM 8 for children and RM 4 for students in uniform. The visiting hours is from 8 pm to 11 pm.

Malayan Tiger
There are around dozens species of animals in Malacca Zoo including birds, mammals, amphibians and reptiles. Visitors would be amazed of watching the variety of animals. My most eye-catching animal was the Malayan tiger.

According to the Malacca Zoo's information, the construction of the Malayan tiger caves cost 2.8 million. Malaysia's low-income people after toiling for a lifetime, only afford to have shelters which cost tens of thousands ringgits. The Malaysian is simply inferior to the animals. Is this the 1Malaysia which Prime Minister Datuk Sri Najid always mentions nowadays?

Grant's Zebra
The Grant's zebra paced back and forth in front of me, as if a model performed a fashion show. Compared to the boundless African grassland, the stable of this Grant's zebra seemed to be too narrow. The Grant's zebra was unable to gallop speedily. It had no alternative but to walk slowly.

Seagull
I was uncertain about the bird in the picture because I couldn't find the description board. If I wasn't mistaken it should be a seagull. Fortunately, this seagull was just posing in front of the lens and unlike the seagulls in Perth, Australia which chased after tourists. Otherwise, I would be severely injured by the seagull.

Malacca Zoo Tram
In case you are not willing to take a walk, you can board a tram which moves around the zoo. You can sit on the tram and enjoy watching all kinds of wildlife in the zoo.

Related Links :
Malacca Little India--Jalan Bendahara

2010 Malacca International Kite Festival

The Touching Children's Day In Malaysia


Monday, May 10, 2010

The Orchids Bloomed Without Fear Or Favor


Orchid
I have no income after retirement. Hopefully, I can get some money to cover my living expenses.

My orchids were in full bloom lately. Chinese believe that the blooming of flowers is a sign of wealth and prosperity. Unfortunately, I didn't get rich, instead became poorer.

Orchid
Since I have never committed crimes and borrowed money from loan sharks, I wouldn't afraid of police, MACC officers or loan sharks knock at my door at midnight. Although I am poor but I have nothing to worry.

The Chinese pastoral poet---Tao Yuan Ming (365-427), also known as Tao Qian, was a famous Eastern Jin Dynasty (317-420) poet. He wouldn't "bow like a slave in return for bushels of grain". He disdained to collaborate with the corrupt government officials and resigned his post.

As a teacher, I did my duty without fear or favor. I applied for optional retirement because unsatisfied with the unreasonable officers. It's a coincidence that Tao Yuan Ming and I like gardening as well as enjoying country life.

Related Links :
The Cactus Bloomed Red Flowers

Malacca Little India---Jalan Bendahara

2010 Malacca International Kite Festival


Saturday, May 8, 2010

South Korea Gyeongbok Palace


Gyeongbok Palace
The above photo is the Gyotaejeon of the Gyeongbok Palace in northern Seoul. The Gyotaejeon is the sleeping and living place of the queen during the Korea Joseon Dunasty.

The Gyeongbok Palace is one of the five palaces of the Korea Joseon Dynasty. It was built in the 14th century. As the Gyeongbok Palace is an ancient palace, it's an ideal location for filming royal family drama.

Chinese zodiac statues
Chinese zodiac statue
The Chinese zodiac statues in the Gyeongbok Palace reveal the influence of the Chinese culture in South Korea. According to the tour guide, taking photo with your zodiac statue will bring you good luck. I didn't take photo with the zodiac statue otherwise I would have already been rich.

Human Head Wooden Pillars
Besides the Chinese zodiac statues, there are wooden pillars engraved with the human head in the Gyeongbok Palace. The wooden pillars are for fearing the evil. They are as if the Chinese god of door and the god of land.

Dolharubang
The symbol of the Jeju Island---Dolharubang also appeared in the compound of the Gyeongbok Palace. The Dolharubang is the patron saint of the Jeju Island.

Based on the South Korean folklore, the sterile female will pregnant by caressing the Dolharubang. The head of the Dolharubang seems similar to a male genital. That's why there is such legend.

Related Links
South Korea Mt. Sorak

South Korea Deoksu Palace

South Korea Everland Theme Park


Tuesday, May 4, 2010

The Cactus Bloomed Red Flowers


Cactus
During this Lunar New Year in February, my wife bought three small pots of cacti in Tesco Hyper Market. My elder son brought one of the cacti to Selangor. The other pot of cactus flew to Seoul with my younger son. The third pot of cactus was left in my house.

Cactus
One day, I discovered the cactus blooming while I was sweeping the tile floor in front of my house. I was really surprised to see that. I couldn't wait to take a few shots of the cactus.

The vitality of cactus is extraordinary. Even if the environment is the utmost badly, the cactus would still tenaciously alive. The cactus symbolizes perseverance and absolutely wouldn't give up easily. The cactus bloomed is very meaningful. It is obviously a delightful achievement after striving seriously.

Related Links :
Malacca Little India---Jalan Bendahara

2010 Malacca International Kite Festival

The Touching Children's Day In Malaysia