Sunday, September 27, 2015

Malacca - a UNESCO World Heritage Site

Dubbed as Historic State, Malacca indeed a state in Malaysia with the most historical building and structure. In fact Malacca is the state where Malay sultanates started until it was abolished by Portuguese when they conquered Malacca in 1511.
Malacca - UNESCO World Heritage Site
What is remained today left only the gate of the A Famosa Portuguese fort in Malacca.
Malacca - UNESCO World Heritage Site
Behind this gate is a stairway that will bring you up to St Paul Hill where another surviving European architectural - St Paul's Church.
Malacca - UNESCO World Heritage Site
 The view from the rear of the church. This building have been here for more than 5 centuries!
Malacca - UNESCO World Heritage Site
 This is the inside of the church. Only the wall remained.
Malacca - UNESCO World Heritage Site
 There are many tombstones inside the church. Some on the floor ...
Malacca - UNESCO World Heritage Site
 and some are placed just against the wall.
Malacca - UNESCO World Heritage Site
The sun was rising when I visited this place. Modern building can be seen from this window on the reclaimed area. When this church was built, the view will be much simpler just sea.
Malacca - UNESCO World Heritage Site
The body of St. Francis Xavier was temporarily buried here before it was finally shipped to Goa.
Malacca - UNESCO World Heritage Site
 Statue of St. Francis Xavier outside the church.
Malacca - UNESCO World Heritage Site
 Dutch graveyard can be found at the back of the church.
Malacca - UNESCO World Heritage Site
 These few are the better one and some have badly deteriorated.
Malacca - UNESCO World Heritage Site
I believe more can be done to better protect this UNESCO World Heritage Site. Such as this sign that was attached to this 500 years old structure. There are certainly more than one way to put up a sign rather than dig a hole and attached it to this wall.
Malacca - UNESCO World Heritage Site
 Both the A Famosa and the St Paul's church are using this same construction material.
Malacca - a UNESCO World Heritage Site
Can you believe this... 500 years old rock from the A Famosa was used as weight to secure umbrella by the souvenirs seller.
Malacca - UNESCO World Heritage Site
 More rocks from the A Famosa used as weight!
Malacca - UNESCO World Heritage Site
Graffiti can be seen on this 500 years old wall inside the St Paul's Church and no body seem to care about it.
 One of the Dutch grave has now become the toilet of stray cat.
Malacca - UNESCO World Heritage Site
Nothing is done to protect this grave from further deteriorate.

Is sad to see this is happening to one of the UNESCO World Heritage Site. Looks like the local government only interested in bringing in more tourists and little is done to conserve this area.

Friday, September 4, 2015

Maewong National Park Thailand

I was backed in Thailand again but not for the shopping nor massage but for its charm of the forest!
Maewong National Park Thailand
We are re-visiting Maewong National Park and we are staying at the lodge just next to a stream. When we check in to this lodge that also near the ranger station, the key chain of our room was a picture of tiger! I was thinking if I could see one in the wild.
Maewong National Park Thailand
All the units are built and integrate with the environment.
Maewong National Park Thailand
This is our dining area which oversee the stream.
Maewong National Park Thailand
The stairs that lead to the stream below.
Maewong National Park Thailand

Maewong National Park Thailand
I can sit at the dining area the whole day just to listen to the sound of this stream and the bird calls.
Maewong National Park Thailand
One of the area that we visited is Chong Yen at the altitude of 1,340m.
Flavescent Bulbul (Pycnonotus flavescens)
The most common birds around here is no other than this Flavescent bulbul.
Streaked spiderhunter (Arachnothera magna)
Another bird that not difficult to see but not so easy of photograph is this Streaked spiderhunter.
Skink
At this altitude, the weather is cold in the morning. This skink is trying to warm up his body by staying under the sun yet are protected inside this small gape.
Rainbow
The sudden shower created this very beautiful double rainbow right in front of us. I should be back here again early next year to watch the migratory birds.