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| Visit to Singapore |
| During a duty visit to Singapore in July 2006, I made a brief side trip to Melaka, a prosperous trading port centuries ago and a popular tourist destination today. Verdant and full of historical buildings, this charming Malaysian city left a lasting impression on me. |
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| The Stadthuys, in the heart of Melaka city, was built in 1650. It was once an official home to the Dutch Governors and is now a museum housing traditional bridal costumes and other relics. With its well-preserved Dutch colonial architecture and its eye-catching red exterior, the Stadthuys is a big tourist draw. |
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| One of many churches in Melaka, the Church of St Francis Xavier was built to commemorate the famous 16th-century Jesuit missionary. Though not nearly as grand as the great cathedrals of Europe, this Asian house of worship, set amid leafy trees and against a blue sky, evokes feelings of tranquillity. |
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| The streets are lined with well-preserved old two-storey and three-storey buildings. Their architecture reveals Melaka’s history under Portuguese, Dutch and British rule, and conjures up a sense of nostalgia. |
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| Founded in 1396, Melaka was long ago dubbed “Venice of the East” by European seafarers. Nowadays, sleepy Melaka is not often mentioned in the same breath as Venice, but the Melaka River does add a Venetian touch to this colourful city. |
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