MARANG - KEROPOK LEKOR HEAVEN

If you have not been to Marang just yet, you are missing something special about Keropok Lekor - the Malay traditional food. What is Keropok Lekor? According to marimari.com:
“A popular and the most visible fried snack in Terengganu, the keropok is made of fish meat, ground to a paste, and mixed with sago. Coming in two main different forms, the long chewy ones are called ‘lekor’, while the thin, crispy ones are called ‘keping’. Keropok is best eaten hot with its special chili dip.”

Marang is nice quite place, a fishing village in Terengganu. It is normally a transit point for visiting Pulau Kapas (yes, I would love to go there soon and get us some pictures here). Anyway these are some pics I took early in this year at Pantai Kelulut, Marang. The stall is called Keropok Lekor Kelulut 008, quite a famous spot for travellers to get a real keropok lekor taste.

TASIK KENYIR

Last week I did pass through a new highway connecting Gua Musang in Kelantan and Kuala Berang in Terengganu. It’s a new highway, most people still have never heard of it at this moment. Actually this highway joins Simpang Pulai in Perak, Cameron Highland in Pahang, Gua Musang in Kelantan and Kuala Berang in Terengganu. The fantasic four states, right? It’s not fully completed yet, with some minor constructions along the way.

But what impressed me a lot is the view of Kenyir Lake, the famous tourists spot in Terengganu. It takes 100km journey from Gua Musang to reach the lake, and about 50km or more to Kuala Berang. Some commuters, maybe the first-timer like me took the chance to snap some pics.

EYE ON MALAYSIA

Had a short visit to Titiwangsa Lake last weekend. It’s where the giant wheel Eye On Malaysia is.

Here is little information about eye On Malaysia (taken from the official website):

See Kuala Lumpur as never before…!

As Malaysia celebrates its 50th year of nationhood, we are proud to welcome the world to join the jubilee! An integral part of the Visit Malaysia Year 2007 celebrations, “Eye on Malaysia” brings a
new perspective to the dynamic city of Kuala Lumpur.

Soaring to giddy heights 60 metres above the tropical waters of Lake Titiwangsa,
“Eye on Malaysia” is the largest portable wheel in the world, and the first overhanging a lake.

The “Eye on Malaysia” provides stunning views across Lake Titiwangsa, all the way to the world renowned Petronas Towers and KL Tower.This astounding viewing wheel consists of 42 fully air-conditioned gondolas, 39 of which have the capacity to carry a cosy eight passengers per 12-minute ride.

An exclusive VIP gondola has also been outfitted to include plush leather seats fit for a king, a mini fridge, a DVD player, a plasma TV and a mobile telephone. There are also two specially designed gondolas, fitted with unique features making it friendly to our wheelchair-bound and handicapped visitors that join us.

Operating hours are 10am to 11pm Sunday to Thursday, 12 midnight Fridays, Saturdays and before public holidays. Tickets are available for RM15 Adult and RM8 Child.

BECA OLD SKULL

Beca merujuk kepada basikal beroda tiga. Pengayuhnya boleh berada di sisi, di belakang ataupun di depan penumpang. Beca merupakan pengangkutan awam terawal dan digunakan secara meluas sekitar tahun 1940-an - 1960-an. (Saya tidak pasti mengenai ini.)
Beca digunakan bagi mengangkut penumpang, tetapi terdapat juga beca yang digunakan khusus bagi mengangkut barang-barang.

TRADITIONAL TRANSPORT

Menaiki kereta lembu tradisional Melaka adalah satu aktiviti yang tidak sepatutnya ditinggalkan oleh pengunjung ke Melaka kerana ianya dapat memberikan satu kepuasan yang amat berbeza.
Kereta lembu, yang merupakan kenderaan pengangkutan utama di Melaka suatu ketika dahulu, adalah lain dari kereta lembu yang ada di negeri lain. Kereta lembu tradisional Melaka dihiasi dengan perhiasan yang beraneka warna dan mempunyai bumbung yang sama bentuknya seperti tanduk lembu.
Perkhidmatan kereta lembu ini seringkali menjadi tumpuan orang ramai dan ini terbukti dengan kehadiran pengunjung yang ramai, yang sabar menanti giliran untuk menaikinya.
Walaupun jarak perjalanan adalah pendek, pengalaman yang diperolehi adalah sesuatu yang amat berharga.

MaLaCcA HiStOrY

The precise origins of Malacca are disputed. It appears that Malacca was founded by Parameswara, a Srivijayan prince of Palembang who fled Sumatra following a Majapahit attack in 1377. He found his way to Malacca c. 1400 where he found a good port accessible in all seasons and on the strategically located narrowest point of the Malacca Straits.[1]
According to a popular legend, Parameswara was resting under a tree near a river while hunting, when one of his dogs cornered a mouse deer. In self-defence, the mouse deer pushed the dog into the river. Impressed by the courage of the deer, and taking it as a propitious omen of the weak overcoming the powerful, Parameswara decided on the spot to found an empire on the very place that he was sitting. He named it 'Melaka' after the tree under which he had taken shelter. Another version of the story says that Parameswara chose the name 'Malacca' from the Tamil word 'mallakka' which means upside down or on ones back. Old illustrations of the scene where the mousedeer kicks the dog shows the dog falling on its back into the river, hence the inspiration. Parameswara converted to Islam in 1414 and changed his name to 'Raja Iskandar Shah'.
In collaboration with allies from the sea-people (orang laut) the wandering proto-Malay privateers of the Straits, he established Malacca as major international port by compelling passing ships to call there, and establishing fair and reliable facilities for warehousing and trade.[1] Mass settlement of Chinese, mostly from the imperial and merchant fleet occurred during the reign of Parameswara, occurred in the vicinity of the Bukit China ("Chinese Hill") area, which had among the best Feng Shui (geomancy) in Malacca then. Sultan Iskandar Shah died in 1424, and was succeeded by his son, Sri Maharaja also called Sultan Muhammad Shah.
The prosperity of Malacca attracted the invasion of the Siamese. Attempts in 1446 and 1456, however, were warded off by Tun Perak, the then Bendahara (a position similar to Prime Minister). The development of relations between Malacca and China was at that time a strategic decision to ward off further Siamese attacks.
Because of its strategic location, Malacca was an important outpost for Zheng He's spectacular exploration fleet. To enhance relations, Hang Li Po, allegedly a princess of the Ming Emperor of China, arrived in Malacca, accompanied by 500 attendants, to marry Sultan Manshur Shah who reigned from 1456 until 1477. Her attendants married the locals and settled mostly in Bukit China (Bukit Cina).(See Zheng He in Malacca).
A cultural result of the vibrant trade was the expansion of the Peranakan people, who spread to other major settlements in the region.
During its heyday Malacca was a powerful Sultanate which extended its rule over the southern Malay Peninsula and much of Sumatra. Its rise helped to hold off the Thai's southwards encroachment and arguably hasten the decline of the rival Majapahit Empire of Java which was in decline as Malacca was rising. Malacca was also central in the spread of Islam in the Malay Archipelago.