Indonesia - Cultural Performances in Kraton Ngayogyakarta

As I mentioned in the previous post, there are two entrances to Yogyakarta Palace, namely Tepas Kaprajuritan and Tepas Pariwisata, and that the former is not really worth the money to enter even though it is just few ringgits only. It is better to just go straight to Tepas Pariwisata which is just within walking distance from the other entrance.

There are a lot of hawker stalls near the entrance

Bakso for lunch before entering the palace

Indonesia - Tepas Kaprajuritan Kraton Ngayogyakarta

One of the main cultural attraction when in Yogyakarta is a visit to Yogyakarta Palace. After dropping our luggage at Amaris Hotel Diponegoro, we took the public bus from the bus station, which is right in front of the hotel, to get to Jalan Malioboro. The palace is within walking distance from the end of the street.

Kraton or palace in Javanese

Entrance ticket

The palace itself is a huge complex, consists of main hall (Tepas Kaprajuritan) and the main palace (Tepas Pariwisata) itself. There's entrance fee charged at both entrances and each admission ticket is only valid for that particular site. Admission fee for Tepas Kaprajuritan is IDR 7,000 (about RM 2.10, more or less) with an additional IDR 1,000 for camera.

The main hall of the palace

Honestly speaking, there isn't much to see here in Tepas Kaprajuritan other than to marvel at its architecture and dive into its historic significance. This is where the coronation of the king took place back when Yogyakarta was still under the Sultan's rule. 

Family portraits of the royal families

Musical instruments used in those days

Exhibits revolving the lives of the royal family are proudly on display to educate the locals as well as foreigners. It can be quite interesting to read about the glory days of the past, worth a visit if you have some free time. However, if you are running out of time, I would suggest you to go straight to Tepas Pariwisata. This is where you get to see cultural dances and performances. I will get into details in the next post.

*TO BE CONTINUED*

Visit Malaysia Year 2014 - Made In Penang Interactive Museum, Penang

To support Visit Malaysia Year 2014, I will be writing on various tourist attractions in the country. Let us work together to bring in tourists to our lovely Malaysia.

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A version of the article first appeared in Virtual Malaysia. Click here to read it there.

Made In Penang Interactive Museum

The peoples of Penang are proud of their heritages as evidently seen when you are in Made In Penang Interactive Museum. This homegrown three-dimensional art museum, housed in the historical monument of Behn Meyer building in Weld Quay, is the latest attraction that showcases the rich histories of this Island of the Orient Pearl. However, there is more to this museum than just a trick arts exhibition.

The Great Wall of Penang

Indian coolies

You will be greeted with a realistic protrayal of Weld Quay of the olden days at the entrance of the building. Known as the Great Wall of Penang, the whole stretch of wall was used to depict the liveliness of the port 120 years ago, with Indian coolies carrying sacks while Chinese trishaw riders waiting for customers nearby. Old Chinese shop houses were painted beautifully on the opposite wall. What a welcome to the museum.

Ticket counter

Visit Malaysia Year 2014 - Sarawak Museum, Kuching

To support Visit Malaysia Year 2014, I will be writing on various tourist attractions in the country. Let us work together to bring in tourists to our lovely Malaysia.

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I still remembered my maiden trip to Kuching, Sarawak, back in 2011. My sister was about to start her university years in Universiti Sarawak Malaysia and the whole family flew to the Land of the Hornbills for the first time to send her off. While the trip itself was nothing memorable, Sarawak Museum left a good impression on me.

Sarawak Museum

Often considered among the best museum in Southeast Asia and the oldest in Borneo, the exhibition in the museum is rather extensive. Focus mostly on the natural history of Sarawak, the ground floor of the Old Building houses natural history collection and floras and faunas found in the state. 

Some of the animals found in Sarawak

Meanwhile, the first floor is where the collections of various ethnicity of the peoples of Sarawak is at. There are models of longhouses being exhibited here for the public to have a closer understanding of their ways of lives. Musical instruments, tribal masks, handicrafts, animal traps, and so on are some of the items being displayed.

Traditional musical instruments

Inside a longhouse

The interior of a typical longhouse

While the Old Building is all about the natural history, the extension of the museum, Dewan Tun Abdul Razak, is about the modern development. This building is across the road and you can use the overhead bridge which connects the two buildings. In here, you will learn about each and every districts of Sarawak and the many development works done to improve the living of the peoples.

The museum certainly lives up to its reputation as being one of the best in this region.

Info Box

Sarawak Museum,
Jalan Tun Abang Haji Openg, 93566 Kuching, Sarawak.
Open every Mondays to Fridays from 9.00 a.m. to 4.45 p.m. and Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays from 10.00 a.m. to 4.00 p.m. The museum closes on first day of main public holidays, Yang DiPertuan Agong's birthday, Labour Day and Malaysia Day.
Admission is free.
For more information, you can visit their website here.

Philippines - Things to Do in Vigan City

The UNESCO Heritage Site of Vigan City is well known for its cobbled streets and colonial mansions. Besides the picturesque Crisologo Street and the interactive Baluarte, there are still many attractions worth visiting before taking the bus to your next destination.

1) Syquia Mansion

Syquia Mansion

Syquia Mansion dedicates to the Philippines' sixth president, Elpidio Quirino. Just like Crisologo Museum, this ancestral mansion houses extensive collections of memorabilia of the president, making this an insightful tour into the man's life and work. The house belonged to his wife, Dona Alicia Quirino, a Chinese descendant whose family fortune derived from the booming trading business.

The living room

Philippines - Crisologo Museum

One of the attractions in Vigan City is the Crisologo Museum. Established to honour the achievements of the Congressman Floro S. Crisologo who was assassinated in 1970, this mansion turned museum is full of memorabilia and prized possessions of the Crisologo family.

Crisologo Museum

Crisologo family mansion was turned into a learning attraction

Philippines - Things to Do in Laoag City

With my visit to Paoay Church, my purpose in Laoag City was over and I was ready to leave the city first thing tomorrow morning to Vigan City, another UNESCO Heritage Site. Before I embarked on another bus ride, I did manage to explore Laoag City. It has more to offer than just a pit stop. Here are some of the attractions in Laoag City that you should not miss out.

1) St. William's Cathedral

Being in Philippines means exploring their churches. As I had mentioned before, this country boasts some of the finest churches in South East Asia. St. William's Cathedral in Laoag City is definitely another architecture gem. Built in 1612, the church underwent restorations a few times due to damages done by natural disaster, the latest being 1880. Its design, a mix of Earthquake Baroque and Italian Renaissance, still retains.

St. William's Cathedral

Dedicated to San Guillermo or St. William, the yellow facade and its interior are definitely a sight for sore eyes. This local church is huge, like any other historic churches in Philippines. During my visit, a evening service was being conducted and I managed to enter the church to have a look at its beautiful interior. A must visit when in Laoag City.

Service was being conducted during my visit

#TSBreakAway - Gedung Raja Abdullah

It began as a storage unit and a home to Raja Abdullah and his family. Tin mining was booming and Raja Abdullah, appointed "Orang Besar Klang", was in need of a warehouse for tin ores. Gedung Raja Abdullah, mixtures of Anglo-Indian and local elements, was a sight to behold.

Gedung Raja Abdullah

When the Civil War broke out between Raja Abdullah and his rival, Raja Mahadi, he turned the building into a fortress to protect his control over Klang. However, neither came out as a true victor from the war and the British took this opportunity to infiltrate Selangor. Driven by the words of the colonial power, the warehouse was took over by the state, transforming into a centre of administration in 1874.

In 1880, another transformation bestowed upon Gedung Raja Abdullah, this time as the police headquarter for the Klang district. Some renovations were implemented to better suit its new purpose such as installing iron gates for lock-ups. This was its identity for a good 100 years until it was deemed no longer suitable. A new headquarter was built right beside Gedung Raja Abdullah, now itself a listed national monument and a tin mining museum.

Iron steel gates installed for lock-ups

The current state of Gedung Raja Abdullah is depressing. During my visit, there was barely a soul except for Mr Azizan bin Omar, the museum's officer-in-charge, a security guard and a cleaning lady, and understandably so. The exhibitions on display were to the minimal, all neatly fitted in just one room. The upper floor was closed to public. Just a quick 5 minute tour is all you need to spend for this so-called "museum".

Like an old man past his prime and unattended by his heirs, Gedung Raja Abdullah too has fallen out of grace into this current predicament. How can a national treasure with such a vibrant, colourful past, not be fully utilize to showcase our history?

Mr Azizan explained that most of the exhibitions were transferred to Shah Alam for renovation works. There are damages sustained over the years and it takes time to fully restore the building to its former glory. In fact, I was told that there might be another round of restoration work to take place this coming year end if things go accordingly.

Once the meeting centre, the upper floor is off limit due to damages

I understood the need for these renovations and repair works. Water seepage over the years left unwanted marks on the walls. Signs of termite activities were dominant on its wood structures. To prevent its roof from collapsing, wooden pillars were temporarily installed to provide extra strength. There are still much to be done. When all these repairs are over, what will be the fate of Gedung Raja Abdullah? According to Mr Azizan, the Sultan is keen on maintaining it as a tin mining museum.

I would definitely drop by when this grand dame is running in her best form.

Map Your Trail is the first half of the 3rd day of #TSBreakAway, a pilot program initiated by Tourism Selangor. Each Xplorers were required to plan their own explorations around Selangor. I chose to visit the royal town, Klang. This is also my entry for the CANON Photo-Storytelling Challenge. 

Hoi An - Museum of Trade Ceramics & Tan Ky House

OK, back to my Hoi An story. Now that you what are the main attractions in Hoi An Ancient Town, here's some brief info on the one that I had visited during my stay there.

Museum of Trade Ceramics

The first attraction I visited was the Museum of Trade Ceramics. Located along the Tran Phu Street, this museum traces the origin and history of Hoi An and its function as a trade port back in the old days. 

Museum of Trade Ceramics

Many ceramic plates and vases, most of which are in fragments, of various origin points such as China and Japan, can be found on display here in the museum, reinforcing the importance of this quaint town as a trade centre back then.

Some of the ceramics on display

Model of trading ship back then

While the displays here are solid works to support Hoi An’s claim as a vibrant city in the 13th through the 17th centuries, the real deal of the museum is the building itself. This house was one of the six houses picked by the professionals for the Hoi An Town Preservation Cooperation Project to protect and restore the town’s valuable built heritage.   

Engraving inside the house

Besides the ceramics on display, you can also read about the process of the restoration works done to preserve the house. Of all the six houses chosen, only this house was altered its original function to become the museum. The rest remained as residences or shops.

The original roof tiles and pillars, replaced in the restoration

Tan Ky House

Generations of family have been residing in this Old House of Tan Ky, including the current one. Upon entering the front of the house, one of the family members will greet you with a cup of tea and ask whether you would like a tour of the house. History of the family as well as the house will be shared by the said family member to you, giving off a closer connection to it.

The living room of Tan Ky House

Tan Ky House is a blend of three distinctive architectural styles - Chinese, Japanese and Vietnamese – making this old house unique of its own. Serving both a family house and merchant shop, the front part of the building is for meeting with travelling merchants while the back and the second floor of the house are for own uses.

The bedroom

The tour of the house is restricted to only the front area, the living room and the courtyard. While you can roam freely around the house, you will feel like intruding their lives for some of the elders are resting inside the house.

Another wall engraving, this time in the Tan Ky Old House

Not much photos were taken when in the old house. I don't feel welcomed, to be honest, nor I felt right to take photos of other people' houses.

*TO BE CONTINUED*

Hoi An - Main Attractions in Hoi An

Now that you have a glimpse of Hoi An in the previous entry, now let us look at the attractions in this quaint town. It goes without saying that the beautifully preserved colonial buildings are the main draws of Hoi An Ancient Town. Most of these French-inspired structures are given a new lease of life, transforming into either tailor shops, souvenir stalls or restaurants, and to enter one of these requires nothing other to be a potential customer.

Entrance coupon with five tickets at its side

While strolling around this UNESCO World Heritage Site is free, a nominal amount of VND 90,000 (equals to RM 14.00, more or less) is charged per coupon if they want to purchase the coupons to visit some of the historic sites. Each coupon consists of five tickets and each ticket entitles you to enter one historic site grouped together with other similarly themed attractions. In short, one ticket is for one attraction chosen within a group of similar structures.

Here is the lists of attractions in its own groups for you to choose from. Those in bold are the one I had visited.

Landmarks of Hoi An
Japanese Covered Bridge (Chua Cau), at the end of Tran Phu Street
Quan Cong Temple, 24 Tran Phu Street

Symbol of Hoi An, the Japanese Covered Bridge

Museums
Museum of Trade Ceramics, 80 Tran Phu Street
Museum of Folk Culture, 33 Nguyen Thai Hoc Street
Museum of Say Huynh Culture, 149 Bach Dang Street
Hoi An Museum of History and Culture, 7 Nguyen Hue Street

Museum of Trade Ceramics

Old Houses/Clan Houses
Phung Hung House, 4 Nguyen Thi Minh Khai Street
Quan Thang House, 77 Nguyen Thai Hoc Street
Tan Ky House, 101 Nguyen Thai Hoc Street

The interior of Tan Ky family house

Congregation Halls
Cantonese Assembly Hall (Quang Dong), 176 Tran Phu Street
Hokien (Fujian) Meeting Hall (Phuc Kien), 46 Tran Phu Street
Chinese All-Community Meeting Hall (Trieu Chau), 157 Nguyen Duy Hieu

Hokien Meeting Hall

Hoi An's "Intangible Culture"
Hoi An Handicraft Workshop, 9 Bach Dang Street
Traditional Theatre, 75 Nguyen Thai Hoc Street
Swan Boats, around the main river area

Musical performances at the Hoi An Handicraft Workshop

I'll talk more about the sites I visited in the following posts.

*TO BE CONTINUED*

Ho Chi Minh City - War Remnants Museum

Every city has its own tale to tell and for Ho Chi Minh City (HCMC), it always revolves around years of war it went through. Everywhere you go, chances are you will see some leftovers of war in your surroundings. The military aircraft and tank in the Independence Palace. The French architectural influences availably seen in the old buildings, for example, the Ben Thanh market, Notre Dame Cathedral and Saigon Central Post Office, caused by years under the conquer of France. The War Remnants Museum with its exhibitions of the aftermaths due to Vietnam War.

War Remnants Museum

Everyone knows the terrors of wars but there is nothing as effective in showcasing it better than the War Remnants Museum for the museum serves as a constant reminder of the brutal horror the Vietnamese went through over the past few decades. This museum is indeed the best place to learn about Vietnam War and how their lives were changed due to the war.

However, you should be warned that most of the exhibitions here are not meant for the weak of hearts. Do not be fooled by its modern structure or the military vehicles on display within its walled court to think that it is just another museum cashing in on the country's horrific history.

Some of the machineries employed during Vietnam War

Photos of demonstrations against Vietnam War held around the world

Inside the building, exhibitions ranging from heart-wrenching photos of wasted lives and suffering victims to deformed children due to the chemical bombs released onto the country during the war to weaponries used by the militants will both invoke sadness and fury. Sadness to see such unnecessary sacrificial of lives and anger over the manipulative and greedy politicians that allowed such crimes to happen in the first place.

Gas masks used by soldiers to protect themselves from toxic exposures

Innocent lives shattered due to Agent Orange used in the war

Many lives were sacrificed, all because of human greed for control

War is nothing but a tool of oppression of human right

Yet, not all of the exhibitions are sombre for some offers promises of a better tomorrow and glimpses of hope. That  the humanity spirit will triumph in the end for even with the dark past, Vietnam is still able to overcome it and moves towards a brighter future. Its people are still friendly and kind when they are not expected to be anything but grim and bitter. This, in itself, a victory of life.

Vietnamese cities rebuild itself after the war, better and stronger, just like its peoples

*TO BE CONTINUED*

Sharing is caring. A word of advice and a piece of information.

War Remnants Museum opens from 7.30 am to 5.00 pm with lunch break at 12.00 pm till 1.30 pm. The entrance fee is VND 15,000 per person. Be warned though that there are many photos of deformed children and deaths at the exhibitions. It might not be suitable for pregnant women and those of weaker hearts.