The Replica of Flora de Lamar Stands Tall… VERY Tall…

(photograph © Kiwidutch)

Just around the corner from Dutch Square in Melaka, is a sight that will stop you in your tracks and make you go “whoa!!!”.

It’s been out of sight whilst we’ve been in Dutch Square but now that we’ve rounded the corner the exclamations and “wow’s” are coming thick and fast.

What confronts us is a full sized replica of a 16th Century Portuguese galleon called the “Flora de Lamar” that sank off the Melaka coast whilst returning to Portugal. It’s beyond massive: standing at 34 meters (111.549 feet)  in height and 8 meters (26.246 feet) in width.

By today’s standards for ship proportions, this galleon looks stunning but I find myself wondering where in earth the centre of gravity is and if  maybe it sank because it was simply too top heavy?

It’s massively tall for it’s length… but since the Portuguese successfully circumnavigated the globe and were master mariners it’s clearly must have been a design that worked. It’s possible for visitors to climb up to the upper deck of the galleon to enjoy the view.

Maybe it’s just as well we don’t have time to go aboard, it’s a step too far for me on crutches… definitely something for a return visit. The museum itself is housed inside the  replica ship and focuses on the maritime history of Melaka throughout it’s various phases: from the Sultanate, to Portuguese, Dutch and British eras.

http://malacca.attractionsinmalaysia.com/Maritime-Museum.php

(photograph © Kiwidutch)

(photograph © Kiwidutch)

(photograph © Kiwidutch)

(photograph © Kiwidutch)

(photograph © Kiwidutch)

(photograph © Kiwidutch)

A Feed That Prepares us for Sailing Home…

(photograph © Kiwidutch)

In this last post about Shippey’s  takeaway and Fish and Chip restaurant, I combine two of my favourite things: Food and Detail.

The fish may be NZD $8,00 per piece (about USD $4,00) but it was quality fish, fresh and well cooked.

Every last one of us enjoyed our meals and the kids were then less grumpy and more ready for the drive back to my friend’s house. Each of them were given the option of an ice-cream or a milkshake for dessert .

Little Mr. tried to wrangle both but after way more deliberation than was really necessary, went for the milkshake which turned out to be more than he could manage so I got some funny family shots of him and Himself grinning with their heads together, a straw each in the milkshake and later determined looks on their faces as they tried to outdo each other on the drinking front.

In reality of course Himself held back and staged things so the Little Mr. could  ”win” the contest, but put up a good “show” for the camera and in his determination Little Mr. filled himself up so much on milk that once he was back in the van he  curled himself as much into a little ball as was possible with a seatbelt on and swiftly dozed off for the whole journey back.

I’m delighted to have visited  this area again… the visit in my teens made an impression that lasted (at least in snippets) and I was surprised what memories of the Treaty House and Waitangi area came flooding back once I was there again.

I like this area of New Zealand…  but sigh… if only it had the drier South Island weather that I adore and a few of the Southern Alps it would be perfect LOL.

(photograph © Kiwidutch)

(photograph © Kiwidutch)

Seagull on the approach…

(photograph © Kiwidutch)

Seagull landed…

(photograph © Kiwidutch)

(photograph © Kiwidutch)

(photograph © Kiwidutch)

(photograph © Kiwidutch)

(photograph © Kiwidutch)

All Aboard, Above and Below Decks…

In a continuation of yesterday’s post, we are on the three masted sailing vessel that is the “Shippey’s” Fish and Chip takeaway and Restaurant.

The kids race to try out some swivel barstool type chairs in the open seating area on the open part of the foredeck… the menu is short and sweet but getting  two particular tired kids to decide between burgers and fish and nuggets is astonishingly more complicated than I could ever have imagined.

(yes, sadly the Kiwidutch kids are both fussy and obstinate at times). There’s a seating area for patrons below decks too… good for winter dining I imagine and for kids birthday parties. Whilst our order is being cooked we take a look around.

(note: the upstairs looks a bit empty in my photos but that’s actually rather misleading because it was, just for a few minutes when we arrived but within 15 minutes or so people streamed in and in no time the upstairs was packed. There were also a fairly constant stream of people picking up takeaways).

(photograph © Kiwidutch)

(photograph © Kiwidutch)

(photograph © Kiwidutch)

(photograph © Kiwidutch)

(photograph © Kiwidutch)

(photograph © Kiwidutch)

(photograph © Kiwidutch)

(photograph © Kiwidutch)

(photograph © Kiwidutch)

Spying a Ship Shape Chippie…

(photograph © Kiwidutch)

Yet more pages out of my retrospective  diary of our New Zealand travels of December 2011- January 2012.

We have the nine seater van packed to capacity with my friend and her four children and the Kiwidutch Four,  and everyone is hungry.

I’m tired after the walk around (part) of  the Waitangi grounds and remembering that I spied something unusual a little way down the road just before we entered Waitangi so I ask Himself and my friend if they fancy Fish and Chips for dinner.

Fairly instantaneous cries of  ”oh yum,  ooh Yes Please”  from six children in the van and three parents figuring out that agreement was going to be by far the best easiest option  meant that a few minutes later we find ourselves pulling into the car park of the most unusual Fish ‘n Chip  shop I’ve ever seen.

On part of the Te Ti Bay in the Bay of Islands, rests a large sailing ship called “Shippey’s” and apparently the fish and chips, whilst not cheap, are excellent.

I do notice that the ship is on block s (um, can a  ship technically be on blocks? are they piles?  anyway it’s perched on wooden bits that keep it falling over on it’s side when the tide goes out).  Full marks btw for spotting that  matters of engineering and the sciences were never my strong suit LOL.

Since I am into the arty stuff… Let’s take  look around the outside of this beautiful vessel.

(photograph © Kiwidutch)

(photograph © Kiwidutch)

(photograph © Kiwidutch)

(photograph © Kiwidutch)

(photograph © Kiwidutch)

… You know  you want to come aboard… lead the way up the gangplank…

(photograph © Kiwidutch)