Pulau Besar of Malacca.

Pulau Besar is an island off the coast of Melaka. This island has many legends associated with it.
Pulau Besar looks like a pregnant lady lying on her back. The locals around Pulau Besar revere the island and attribute it to many legends. It has also become a place of pilgrimage to a large number of Indian Muslims in Malaysia and Singapore. Many pilgrims come to Pulau Besar to visit a mausoleum believed to be of a Wali, Sultan Ariffin Syeikh Ismail Waliallah. There are also numerous other graves visited by pilgrims such as that of Datok Janggut, Datuk Puteh and Nenek Kebayan.
At the highest point on the island exist a large boulder that is split down the middle. It is named "Batu Belah" and is a favourite destination for local pilgrims.
The island is considered a holy place by local believers. Visitors are advised to abstain from consuming pork on the eve of the day of visit and throughout their stay there. They are also to be in their best behavior while on the island. Visitors can board motorboats at Pernu, Umbai for the short trip to the island.

Post by Wong WS.

History of Malacca.

The city of Melaka is known for its connection with the history of the Malay Sultanate of Melaka which traced its origin back to some 600 years ago. During the 16th Century, Melaka became famous due to its strategic location as a major regional commercial port.
This has made Melaka a coveted possession among the western powers of that era and was subsequently seized by the Portugese, Dutch and English. Presently, the Melaka State Government has taken initiatives to preserve buildings and artifacts left by the colonisers and transform these as major historical sites that will attract both domestic and international tourists.

BUSINESS HOURS
Government offices are open from 8 a.m. up to 4.00 p.m. on Monday - Friday and 8 a.m. up to 12.45p.m. on Saturdays with Sunday a day of rest. Banking hours are generally from 10 a.m. up to 3 p.m. from Monday to Friday and 9.30 a.m. up to 11 a.m. on Saturdays. Department stores and supermarkets are open daily from 10 a.m. up to 10 p.m.

LANGUAGE
Bahasa Malaysia is the national language but English is widely spoken. Other main languages are Chinese and Tamil.
 
CLIMATE
Generally warm throughout the year with temperature ranging from 21 ºC to 32 ºC. Humidity is high all year round.
 
WHAT TO WEAR
Light, cool and casual clothing is recommended all year round.
 
TIME
Malaysia is 8 hours ahead of Greenwich Mean Time
(GMT) and 16 hours ahead of United States Pacific Standard time.
 
NEW CURRENCY CONTROL LAW
With effect from 1 October 1998, all travellers are required to fill in the Travellers Declaration Form (TDF) on arrival/departure.
Residents and Non-Residents are allowed to bring in not more than RM1,000 in cash and an unlimited amount of foreign currency.
 
Failure to declare is an offence. Prohibited amount in the possession of a travellers may be seized.


Should your need to carry ringgit notes, foreign currency notes and traveller's cheques in excess of the permitted limits, prior written permission may be obtained from:-

Head of Department
Balance of Payment Department
Bank Negara Malaysia
Jalan Dato' Onn
50480 Kuala Lumpur
Tel : 603-291-0772
Fax : 603-293-7732
 
Post By Mui.

Malacca Tourism.

Melaka is a city with a glorious past hidden behind each facade of the centuries-old buildings. To visit Melaka will truly offer a truly memorable experience to both domestic and international tourists, and this goes well with the Melaka State Government's slogan "Visit Historic Melaka means Visit Malaysia".
As one of the must-visit tourist destination place in Malaysia, Melaka is rich of multicultural, multireligious and multiethnic heritage as well as its colourful cuisine, interesting places of interests and revered historical sites. In fact, many have said that Melaka is a microcosm of Malaysia as Melaka has it all.
And not to mention, Melaka is abuzz with its year-long calendar of events comprising cultural and recreational activities that will entertain visitors, both young and old.
This unique trait is what defines Melaka as one of the region's most popular destination spots in the Asia-Pacific region.