Melaka, which is also known as Malacca, is the second smallest state in
As early as 1396, Melaka was founded by Parameswara; a young Hindu prince who fled from Sumatra who was name Raja Iskandar Shah after married a princess from
Interesting historical characters and buildings have added a lot of colors to the making of Melaka. Today, Melaka is governed by
Pulau Besar is located about 3 nautical miles off Pengkalan Pernu at Umbai, 10km south of Melaka town. Those in search of fresh air, sandy beaches and tranquillity will be entranced by the unspoilt natural beauty of the island. It also abounds with intriguing legends and sacred graves and shrines. There is an island resort with beach chalets, a yacht club and a host of sea - based sporting facilities.
The most famous of these has it that several hundred years ago, a beautiful and kind-hearted princess of the Sultanate of Malacca fell in love with a fisherman from
A few months later, misfortune was to befall the happy couple when the boat the fisherman was on, capsized on its way to Malacca after being caught in a raging storm. The young fisherman was to go down with the ship.
All this time, the princess had been waiting patiently for the fisherman's return. She was soon to discover that she was pregnant. Hearing no news and in total desperation, she threw herself into the sea. Legend has it that her body miraculously floated to the site of her lover's capsized ship and remained there. This is said to account for the shape of the
Another legend is about the shrine of the seven princesses the seven maidens were said to have been on their way to Pulau Besar from
There is a cave called "
And then there is the famous Batu Belah or Split Rock. When looking at the rock, you should bear in mind the story behind it. It tells the tale of a young apprentice who did not obey the teachings of his master who told him never to misuse his power. He choose not to heed this advice. Before he could repent, his master took out his sword and sliced the rock he was sitting on. The apprentice was to fall between the cracks, after which the rock was to mysteriously rejoin, trapping the apprentice forever.
How to get there
There are regular bus services to Umbai from the Jalan Tun Ali Terminal in Malacca town. From the Pengkalan Pernu jetty, a boat then transports you to the island. The journey to Pulau Besar from Umbai by speed boat takes 15 minutes. A 45 minutes boat service is available from the Shahbandar jetty in Malacca town as well as the jetty behind the State Tourist Information Centre.
Pulau Upeh formerly known as 'Liha Das Pedra' meaning places of stones. During the Second World War, Pulau Upeh was used as a look-out point for invading battleships in the Straits of Malacca. It is also believed that this island was a pirates stop-over and hide-out.
Hawksbill Turtle (Pulau Upeh), One of the Earth's rare species, the Hawksbill turtle is a medium-sized marine turtle with a hawklike beak and a thorny shell. Brown and lightly striped, these turtles find their ideal resting ground on the
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