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.

What is remained today left only the gate of the A Famosa Portuguese fort in Malacca.

Behind this gate is a stairway that will bring you up to St Paul Hill where another surviving European architectural - St Paul's Church.

 The view from the rear of the church. This building have been here for more than 5 centuries!

 This is the inside of the church. Only the wall remained.

 There are many tombstones inside the church. Some on the floor ...

 and some are placed just against the wall.

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.

The body of St. Francis Xavier was temporarily buried here before it was finally shipped to Goa.

 Statue of St. Francis Xavier outside the church.

 Dutch graveyard can be found at the back of the church.

 These few are the better one and some have badly deteriorated.

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.

 Both the A Famosa and the St Paul's church are using this same construction material.

Can you believe this... 500 years old rock from the A Famosa was used as weight to secure umbrella by the souvenirs seller.

 More rocks from the A Famosa used as weight!

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.

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.

Maewong National Park Thailand

I was backed in Thailand again but not for the shopping nor massage but for its charm of the forest!

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.

All the units are built and integrate with the environment.

This is our dining area which oversee the stream.

The stairs that lead to the stream below.

I can sit at the dining area the whole day just to listen to the sound of this stream and the bird calls.

One of the area that we visited is Chong Yen at the altitude of 1,340m.

The most common birds around here is no other than this Flavescent bulbul.

Another bird that not difficult to see but not so easy of photograph is this Streaked spiderhunter.

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.

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.