Malacca – of Mosque, Mausoleum and Legends
Day two. We kicked off early in the morning to attend the kenduri at Masjid Tanah, Melaka.
Somewhere in Tanjung Keling, we slightly made a detour to this street.
Why the street? Yup, to visit some old famous Malay hero.
The hero lies in an old graveyard amongst these nameless tombstones
These must be belonging to the higher rank for it to be isolated from the others
The hero's resting place. Another resource is saying that this is not truly the place, the actual being in Palembang.
An epitaph commenmorating the great warrior. Hang Tuah is a legendary hero who lived in the era of Sultan Mansur Shah, in the reign of the Malacca Sultanate. He was the greatest admiral and warrior of his time and his bravery is highly regarded in Malay culture, literature and history. As a Sultan ambassador, he oftened travels to allied countries to strengthen the relationships, to China, Siam (now, Thailand), Majapahit and Pahang. So many legends and stories encompasing the life of the famous warrior; among others was his association with the beautiful, mystical princess of Majapahit, Puteri Gunung Ledang (Mount Ledang Princess). This story was even made into motion picture, see HERE.
Hang Tuah’s famous quote “Tak Melayu Hilang di Dunia” (translation: Malays will never vanish from the world!). However this statement is quite an irony, as the man himself at the end of his life is said to be mysteriously vanished.
Later that afternoon. On our way back to the Malacca town from the kenduri, we made a stop at Tengkera to visit this old mosque.
Masjid Tengkera, is the second oldest mosque in Malaysia was built during the Dutch domination of Tanah Melayu. Sultan Hussein Muhamad Shah, the Johor Sultan that had been acknowledging the agreement to handover Singapore to Sir Stamford Raffles in 1819 was interred in the vicinity of the mosque.
Opposite to the mosque is this old shophouses.
a unique sculpture with Hindu influence on the peak of the mosque dome.
The only mosque in Malaysia I found with the Chinese and Japanese inscription of its history.
We continue our journey back to the heart of Malacca. Here, we stumbled upon the replica of the Malacca Sultanate Palace, a museum
Next to it, the Proclaimation of Independance Memorial building stands tall.
Chevy that transported Y.M Tungku Abdul Rahman Putra Al-Haj, our father of Indepandance when he declared our freedom in 1957
We spotted some newly wed couple in search of a good spot to memoralize their nuptial
Hopping into the boat. The ride cost us an affordable RM10 per adult and half the price for a kid below 12.
Dubbed as the 'Venice of Malacca', the cruise took us for a 45 minutes ride along the murky Malacca river up to Kampung Morten. The water is a bit choppy today.
Transported back in time, I imagine myself sailing upstream in one of the trade junk from China to the trading post. This waterway was the vital trade channel during its glory days
Nicely painted buildings depicting Malacca history can be seen along the riverbanks.
Another boat passes by. Behind is the St Francis Xavier church.
DH seems to be enjoying the slow-pace voyage.
Nicely decorated boat, perhaps used during the recent River Festival
Cute, traditional malay houses of Kampung Morten
At Kampung Morten, the boat made u-turned back to the jetty. Hopping off the boat, rows of shopping traps are strategically laid.
We bought ourselves a fermented shrimp paste (belacan) and shrimp sauce (cencaluk), the must have if you are visiting Melaka. These condiments are the local specialty and could be eaten raw with chilies and rice or to be added into a cooking for additional flavour. Not recommended for beginner though 
The one last view of the Malacca river before we head back to KL. It's already sunset.
The End.
Melaka ….my home away from home.
you brought all the memories back and they are are fresh and the morning breeze.
Also the photojournal is great, keep going … all the best
Thanks
Thanks, Sh! Melaka is my kampung too.. and I missed the cendol at Jonkers…especially when it is puasa now!