Cheng Hoon Teng Temple (青云亭) and Kling Mosque at Malacca

Cheng Hoon Teng Temple (N2 11.850 E102 14.814) And Kling Mosque (N2 11.806 E102 14.848) are located at the Goldsmith Street (Jalan Tukang Emas aka Jalan Tokong) of Malacca town.

These are the First Place Of Worship for the two religious in Malaysia, and of course they are the oldest too! You can read more about their histories below...

History of Cheng Hoon Teng Temple :
"Built in 1645 by Kapitan Lee Wei King with building materials imported from China, Cheng Hoon Teng served as the main place of worship for the local Hoklo (Hokkien) community. The main hall was built by Kapitan Chan Ki Lock in 1704 and was rebuilt in 1801 by Kapitan China Chua Su Cheong, who contributed to the aesthetic and magnificent structural additions of the building.
In 1962, then abbot Seck Kim Seng ordained Houn Jiyu-Kennett, a Zen nun from England and the future founder of the Order of Buddhist Contemplatives, at this temple.
In 2003, Cheng Hoon Teng was awarded a UNESCO award for outstanding architectural restoration." Source from Wiki.

Cheng Hoon Teng Temple at Malacca

"The richly decorated Cheng Hoon Teng temple covers an area of 4,600 m².
Featuring a magnificent main gate along Jalan Tokong, the Cheng Hoon Teng temple consists of a complex of several prayer halls, with a large main prayer hall dedicated to the goddess of mercy, Kuan Yin. Additional smaller prayer quarters were added later. One of these is dedicated to the Taoist gods of wealth, longevity and propagation, while another houses ancestral tablets." Source from Wiki.

Entrance to Main prayer hall

The building was built without a single 'nail' or 'screw'. That's one of the masterpiece! There are many tourist visit this temple everyday, sometimes it can be really crowded...

Below are some photos of the Cheng Hoon Teng Temple...

The roof decoration of the temple

Candles

Dragon on the main door is common on Chinese Temple

I spend about an hour walking around and continue visit the next place of worship - Kling Mosque. The distance between this temple and mosque is only 120 meter.

"The Masjid Kampong Kling, built in 1748, is one of the oldest mosques in Malaysia."

"A courtyard behind the mosque contains a fountain-like pool for ablutions that is raised a few steps above ground level and circumambulated by a similarly raised and covered walkway. The commanding minaret was built entirely of masonry in contrast to the accompanying timber mosque. Likened to a Chinese pagoda or stupa form, this type of minaret has become characteristic of Malacca. Renaissance embellishments include the use of engaged columns as well as the arched windows and piping that traces them. Minarets are not traditional to Malay Islamic architecture, though they have become increasingly more prevalent and are useful in demarcating the mosque in dense urban areas. In 1868 the mosque and its minaret were enclosed by a high wall to protect it from the street."

"Chinese ceramic tiles were imported to adorn the roof, the floor and the lower walls of the mosque. Furthermore, decorative motifs such as those applied to the doors and windows and ornamentation such as the curved eaves terminating in sculptural finials on the roof are attributed to an Oriental influence, as is the rooftop ornament, or mastaka. Built during the Dutch occupation that followed the period of Portuguese rule, European touches reveal themselves in the mosque in such elements as rendered plaster on the internal masonry walls." Source from here.

I found the special of this mosque was the Pagoda at the right. According to some history articles, it was due to Dutch architecture.
I was not enter the mosque because I saw many tourists looking at the mosque from outside and seems like not allow to entering the mosque. So I just snap a few photos of the building.

The location map of Cheng Hoon Teng Temple

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Baba Chendol - Cafe 88 at Jonker Street (Jalan Hang Jebat), Malacca

Malacca is famous with the Baba Cendol (Chendol). We had been searching for the best Cendol around Malacca, and finally we found it at this Antique Peranakan Cafe - named Cafe 88 (N2 11.806 E102 14.795) situated along Jonker Street (Jalan Hang Jebat) of Malacca town.

This cafe was packed with peoples during our visit. You will notice customers are queuing at the entrance for ordering their foods and drinks. The shop was long (about 100 meter) and narrow, and it's preserved the Peranakan decoration.

We got our table after waiting for about 15 minutes...

Then I ordered the Baba Cendol at the entrance of the shop. It's advised to find your table first before your food order, or else it might end up standing at the corner while enjoying your food! :)

The Baba Cendol of Jonker Street, Malacca

The Cendol cost MYR1.70 each. It was tasty and we love it very much! This was the Best Cendol I ever have it before! Especially the genuine 'Gula Melaka' (Palm Sugar) that's make the different!

Some of my friends told me there is another Indian motocycle hawker selling Cendol around the Stadhuys area claiming to be the Best in Malacca, but for me...I was satisfied with this! The main reason is because this cafe provide proper sitting area rather than enjoying the Cendol beside the road...

The special Gula Melaka (Palm Sugar)

The Cafe also selling the Nyonya Laksa and other local delicacies. We will definitely visit again if I'm happen to be at Malacca! Do drop by and taste it if you are visit Malacca, you won't disappointed!

Location map of Cafe 88 at Jonker Street, Malacca

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The Resort World Sentosa, Singapore

There are two roll of shops at you both direction when you stand at the Main entrance of the Casino, but all of them are closed when we were there...
We moved to the right, it's direct you to the Festive Hotel.

The shops located at both direction

Beautiful lighting

The lobby of Festive Hotel was crowded. Maybe because seems like the only hotel allow visitors to hang around the lobby area...I didn't check out the room rates, but you can reach them by click here.

The lobby of Festive Hotel, Sentosa

Nice decoration

It would be nice having a mug of beer at the cafe area...

The Cafe (or Bar) of Festive Hotel

Beside that, we also discovered this...

The King of Pop - Micheal Jackson

One of the shop along the way...

Then we walked by from the same path that we came, and follow to another path which was full of branded shops at both side...
We were attracted by the 2 naked statue at the hall, and it's 18X! Haha! Some parents explaining to their kids about what was 'That'?! Interesting!

The attractive statues

There were another 3 paths branch out from here...First will be the Festive Walk, Michael Hotel and Crockfords Towers.
The 2 hotels are not allow public to step-in, Only for guest. So I did not manage to snap any photos about it...the Only way we could proceed was the Festive Walk.

Entrance to Michael Hotel

The entrance of the Festive Walk of Resort World Sentosa, Singapore

Before we entering the Festive Walk, the car which was parked at the entrance attracted me! It's another Lamborghini Gallardo! Not only one but...4 of them! She was Beautiful!

Lamborghini

It will be nice if I come earlier...The area was huge (Festive Walk)! I believe there will be many beautiful lighting around the area...isn't it?

The Festive Walk of Resort World Sentosa

Direction Signage

Lake Of Dream at Festive Walk 

(But there was no dream at all when we were there...too late...)

Unique design

The Trademark of Universal Studio

The Entrance of Universal Studio

Universal Studio Singapore was open on 18th March 2010. But it was not ready yet when we were there...What a Miss!!

Alternative entrance of the Sky Bar from Festive Walk

Wondering the different between the Sky Bar of Singapore and the Sky Bar of Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia?!

Pillar of The Festive Walk

Since there was nothing at the Festive Walk (especially at that hour), we saw the staircase towards the rooftop when we entering the Festive Walk and decided to search for some surprise on it.

We were actually standing on top of the hall we passed by just now...(which have 2 statues). And the Huge  Purple Merlion really drag our attention which situated in front of us! Marvelous!

The Purple Merlion of Resort World

The beautiful lighting beside the Merlion

After about two hours explore the outdoor area, we went back to the Casino for a cup of cold drink because of the weather was too hot! That time was about 1am in the morning...and I curiously check out the traffic out there with a Surprised! It was still congested at the alley...
This is the Sleepless Resort of Sentosa, Singapore!

The traffic at the basement parking area at almost 2am

Before we left the Resort, we discovered the 'interesting scene' at the Festive Walk area...

They must the gamblers after a Serious 'fight' at the Casino who wanted to have some rest and Go back again! What do you think? (They can't be the tourists who cannot find a Hotel in this Resort.)
That is the scene where you can easily see it at Genting, Malaysia. :)

We will be visit the Resort World again in the future, and that definitely because of the Universal Studio of Singapore!

The Resort World - Casino at Sentosa Island, Singapore

The Resort World (N1 15.371 E103 49.233) is located at the Sentosa Island of Singapore. We visited the resort on 27th Feb 2010, the eve of Chinese Chap Goh Meh. The area was crowded with visitors and tourist!

"Resorts World Sentosa is the first integrated resort in development stages on the island of Sentosa, off the southern coast of Singapore. The key attractions include one of Singapore's two casinos, a Universal Studios theme park and the world's largest oceanarium. The S$6.59 billion (US$4.93 billion) integrated resort is developed by Genting International, the overseas investment arm of the Genting Group. The mammoth resort occupies over 49 hectares (121 acres) of land and, when fully open, will employ more than 10,000 people directly.

The soft launch of the first four hotels took place on 20 January 2010, with the FestiveWalk shopping mall following on February 1. The casino opened on 14 February the first auspicious day of the Chinese New Year." Source from Wiki.

The journey was smooth from JB to Sentosa Island, Singapore. When we reached the island, the indication signage navigate us perfectly towards the parking area of the Casino. The area was really Huge and parking lots were clearly display on the LED signage! Great!
Because of Chinese New Year season, we have to parked our car quite far away from the Resort World entrance...that easily 400-500 meter away! Oh!

The Huge parking area of Casino - Resort World Sentosa

Direction guide and indications

It took us about 10 minutes to walk to the entrance, you will notice the area is really packed with peoples and vehicles...

The entrance to the Casino

The Red lantern decorations were everywhere once you step in to the building.

The Lantern decoration of the Casino of Singapore

Long queue for purchasing the Levy

Every Singaporean and Singapore PR Must purchase the Levy - SGD100.00 for 24 hours to entering the Casino. That's why I heard many of them complaints that...they already Lost before the gambling start! :)

The Management is well manage at the entrance of the Casino. Foreigner and Singaporean are enter in seperate lanes, the officers will seriously check on the ID card or Passport!

There was a Huge crowd during our visit at the main entrance...

The main entrance to the Casino

Before you step into the Casino, there was a Lamborghini Gallardo (correct me if I'm wrong) display on the stage! Wah! She was so Beautiful!

Lamborghini Gallardo

The last decoration before I entering the Casino

The Casino's main hall was quite big and Smoking is Not allow. If you are smoker, you need to walk till the end of the hall and turn right, another session for smoker is prepared. The food court in the Casino is operate 24 hours, for gamblers to fill up their stomach and back to the table! :)
All drinks inside the Casino were F.O.C., I had few cup of coffee there too! Haha!

NO Photography in the Casino! I know the rules had been implemented on every Casino, but I just trying my luck! But too bad...

After explored the Casino, we went out to search for more surprise...
There were many escalators for visitors to explore to another session of the building...I love the colour lining decorated at the escalators!

The escalators from Casino

After climbed up from the escalator, we reached another entrance to the Resort World Casino. This was more presentable compare with the one from the parking area. I believe this was the Main Entrance for The Casino!

The Main Entrance to the Casino

I like this huge lighting at the entrance

Both side of the Casino entrance are connected to different Hotels in Resort World Sentosa, I will continue sharing the photos of them in my next post...

Map location of Resort World Sentosa, Singapore.

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